Pink Lake

　　Pink Lake is a meromictic lake situated in Gatineau Park, Quebec. Named after the Pink family, an Irish pioneer family that arrived here in 1826, it is one of Canada’s most unique lakes. The lake is widely popular due to its deep green color, caused by high concentrations of algae in the water.

　　Although the lake is known in English as "Pink Lake," its actual color is deep green, which has earned it a reputation as one of the most magical and distinctive lakes in Canada. As a meromictic lake, it differs from regular lakes because its upper and lower layers of water never mix. This is because the lake is bowl-shaped, surrounded by steep cliffs, and lacks oxygen at depths below seven meters. The absence of oxygen below the surface is due to the lake’s eutrophic nature, which supports ancient forms of bacteria that perform photosynthesis using sulfur instead of oxygen. These bacteria form a thick layer seven meters deep at the bottom, isolating the anoxic zone and maximizing sunlight penetration.

　　Pink Lake also hosts a freshwater variety of three-spined stickleback. However, the lake faces a threat of eutrophication due to human activity, so activities such as swimming, walking pets nearby, visitors straying off designated boardwalks, and throwing stones into the lake are prohibited.

　　Pink Lake Reason to visit: One of Canada’s most unique lakes Continent: North America Country/Region: Canada Province/State: Quebec