Ena Lake is the name of a lake[1] and an adjacent unincorporated area and railway point[2] in Unorganized Kenora District in northwestern Ontario, Canada,[3] about 23 kilometres (14 mi) north of the city of Kenora. Formerly a stop on the Canadian National Railway,[2] it is now a small cottage community of approximately 50 seasonal residents and 11 year round residents.

Ena Lake
Ena Lake is located in Ontario
Ena Lake
Ena Lake
Location of Ena Lake in Ontario
Coordinates: 49°58′17″N 94°31′29″W / 49.97139°N 94.52472°W / 49.97139; -94.52472
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
RegionNorthwestern Ontario
DistrictKenora
PartKenora, Unorganized
Elevation
335 m (1,099 ft)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (Central Time Zone)
Postal code FSA
P0X
Area code807
Ena Lake
Ena Lake is located in Ontario
Ena Lake
Ena Lake
LocationKenora District, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates49°58′56″N 94°30′57″W / 49.982235°N 94.515817°W / 49.982235; -94.515817
Primary inflowsOctopus Creek, MacFarlane River
Primary outflowsMacFarlane River
Basin countriesCanada
Average depth10 ft (3.0 m)
Max. depth75 ft (23 m)
Surface elevation1,125 ft (343 m)

Geography

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Ena Lake is a typical Canadian Shield lake: the shore is rocky with many high ridges and hills, and the water is clear and cool. The major inflows are Octopus Creek (locally called "Ena Brook") from Octopus Lake and the MacFarlane River (locally called "Corn Creek") from Corn Lake. The major outflow is the MacFarlane River, controlled by a small dam, below which one finds a rapids and falls. The MacFarlane River flows to the Winnipeg River. Thus, the lake is in the Nelson River and Hudson Bay drainage basins.

Transportation

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Ena Lake can be accessed from Kenora via Ontario Highway 658, then Ena Lake road. It is on the Canadian National Railway transcontinental main line,[4] between Minaki to the west and Redditt to the east, has a passing track, and is passed but not served by Via Rail transcontinental Canadian trains. It may also be reached by boat via the Winnipeg River and MacFarlane River, from which a short portage leads to the lake. The historical and public portage route is tightly along the north side of the rapids/falls, starting right next to the dam at the out flow of Ena Lake, it crosses the road, where a sign marks the portage route. Boat trips to Redditt via the MacFarlane River and Corn Lake are also possible.

Natural history

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In the spring great flocks of white pelicans fish for spawning fish in the rapids below the falls at the outflow from the lake. Flocks of up to 200 have been observed. The tributary Ena Brook (called Octopus Creek on topographical maps) and Corn Creek (called McFarlane River on topographical maps) have a boreal floating bog/wetland.

Fish species included smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. Whitetail deer, moose, and black bear may be seen along the shore. Beaver and active lodges are present, especially along Ena Brook and Corn Creek.

Recreation

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Ena Lake is a popular starting point for canoe trips to Vermillion Lake, Octopus Lake, and beyond.

 
View from inside CNR tunnel, looking east
 
Dam and landing at Ena Lake

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ena Lake". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2011-07-11. Reference for the lake.
  2. ^ a b "Ena Lake". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2011-07-11. Reference for the unincorporated area.
  3. ^ The coordinates give in the main Infobox and the top right of the article are those for the unincorporated area, per the Geographical Names Board of Canada reference.
  4. ^ Map 13 (PDF) (Map). 1 : 1,600,000. Official road map of Ontario. Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2011-07-11.