Primary outflows Chesterfield Inlet Surface area 1,887 km (729 sq mi) Surface elevation 2 m Outflow location Chesterfield Inlet Inflow source Thelon River, Kazan River | Basin countries Canada Settlements Baker Lake Area 1,887 km² Cities Baker Lake, Nunavut | |
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Primary inflows Weather -36°C, Wind NW at 23 km/h, 60% Humidity | ||
Baker Lake (Inuktitut: Qamani'tuaq; "where the river widens") is a lake in the Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is fed by the Thelon River from the west and the Kazan River from the south. Its outflows into Chesterfield Inlet. The lake is approximately 1,887 km2 (729 sq mi) in size. It has several named bays, and a few islands.
In 1762 William Christopher reached Baker Lake via Chesterfield Inlet. The Inuit hamlet of Baker Lake is situated at the west end of the lake near the mouth of the Thelon River. Although the Inuit had been in the area for some time, the first outside presence was the Royal Canadian Mounted Police post at the east end of the lake in 1915. This was followed in 1916 by the Hudson's Bay Company post set up at the Kazan River delta until 1930 when it moved to the present location.
Fauna
The lake's area is home to Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou herds, as well as other wildlife associated with northern Canada's Arctic.