Kluane Lake

Kluane Lake
Location	Yukon
Coordinates
Primary inflows	Slims River
Primary outflows	Kluane River
Catchment area	Bering Sea Watershed
Basin countries	Canada
Max. length	81 km (50 mi)
Surface area	c. 408 km2 (158 sq mi)
Average depth	31 m (102 ft)
Max. depth	91 m (299 ft)
Surface elevation	781 m (2,562 ft)
Settlements	Burwash Landing, Destruction Bay

Kluane Lake is located in the southwest area of the Yukon. It is the largest lake contained entirely within Yukon at approximately 408 km² (158 sq mi), and 81 km (50 mi) long.

Kluane Lake is fed by the A'ay Chu (Slims River), which is composed of meltwater from the Kaskawulsh Glacier, located within Kluane National Park. It drains into the Kluane River, whose waters flow into the Donjek River, White River, Yukon River, and eventually the Bering Sea. The lake has a high density of large-bodied lake trout and whitefish and is known for its fishing.

Kluane Lake is located approximately 60 km (37 mi) northwest of Haines Junction. The lake has a mean depth of 31 m (102 ft) and a maximum depth of 91 m (299 ft)

The Alaska Highway follows most of Kluane Lake's southern border, and the drive offers many spectacular views of the lake.

Communities

File:Burwash Landing.jpg

Burwash Landing on the shore of Kluane Lake by Jay Cross

The Yukon communities of Burwash Landing and Destruction Bay are located on the southern shore of the lake.

Northern Mountain Caribou

The Aishihik and Kluane caribou herds migrate in the area surrounding Kluane and Aishihik Lakes. They are a northern mountain caribou, a distinct ecotype of the woodland caribou. In 2009 there were 181 caribou in the Kluane herd (also known as the Burwash herd) and 2044 caribou in the Aishihik herd. The Kluane herd was declining while the Aishihik herd was increasing.

Sunset over Kluane Lake