Sand Pits Lake
The Pond
Sand Pits Lake is located in Ontario
Sand Pits Lake
Sand Pits Lake
LocationEastern Ontario
Coordinates45°27′04″N 75°39′59″W / 45.45111°N 75.66639°W / 45.45111; -75.66639
Primary outflowsMcKay Lake
Basin countriesCanada
Max. length183 m (600 ft)
Max. width98 m (322 ft)
Surface elevation46 m (151 ft)
SettlementsOttawa

Sand Pits Lake,[1] better known as The Pond[2] or McKay Pond[3] is an artificial lake located next to McKay Lake in the Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The lake is a popular location for swimming,[3] but it does not have any beach facilities such as washrooms or picnic areas. Swimming is only permitted between 7am and 2pm. The city often pumps groundwater into the lake to keep water levels high.[4] It is part of the Caldwell-Carver Conservation Area.[5]

The lake is home to great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, green herons, double-crested cormorants, river otters, green frogs, snapping turtles, squirrels and many types of fish.[4]

The location of the lake was used as a sand and gravel pit from 1890 to 1949, and was known as the "Sandpits". Afterwards, the pit filled with water, becoming a swimming hole.[5] An Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) ruling in 1975 allowed for public access to the pond. The OMB approved a 102-unit luxury housing development in the area in 1981,[6] and construction began in 1983.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Sand Pits Lake". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  2. ↑ Google Maps
  3. 1 2 "Rockcliffe Park's McKay Pond: Where's all the water?". Ottawa Citizen. August 11, 2015. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  4. 1 2 "New measures intended to protect Rockcliffe Park 'jewel'". Ottawa Citizen. May 28, 2018. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  5. 1 2 "Environment and Outdoor Spaces". Rockcliffe Park Residents Association.
  6. ↑ "OMB approves luxury housing". Ottawa Citizen. October 21, 1981.
  7. ↑ "McKAY LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN" (PDF). Green Space Alliance of Canada's Capital. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
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