Baker Lake (Inuktitut: Qamani'tuaq, meaning "where the river widens") is a lake located in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The name also applies to the Inuit hamlet of Baker Lake, which is situated on the shore of the lake.
Geography
The lake is fed by the Thelon River from the west and the Kazan River from the south, and it outflows into Chesterfield Inlet, which leads to Hudson Bay. It covers a surface area of approximately 1,887 square kilometers (729 square miles) and has a maximum depth of approximately 230 meters. The lake's catchment area spans roughly 244,119 square kilometers. It features several named bays and a number of islands.
The lake is located near the geographical centre of Canada, at approximately 64°10′N 095°30′W. The hamlet of Baker Lake is situated at the west end of the lake, near the mouth of the Thelon River.
History
In 1762, William Christopher reached Baker Lake via Chesterfield Inlet. Although Inuit peoples had inhabited the surrounding area for a significant period, the first outside presence was established in 1915 with the construction of a Royal North-West Mounted Police post at the east end of the lake. In 1916, the Hudson's Bay Company established a post at the Kazan River delta; this post was relocated to its present location in 1930.
Community and Fauna
Baker Lake hamlet is notable as Nunavut's only inland community. It is one of the larger communities in the territory, with a population exceeding 2,000 residents. The area around the lake is home to the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds, as well as other wildlife typical of Canada's Arctic region. Baker Lake is recognized for its Inuit arts and crafts, and the community is positioned near significant natural resource industries.
