Kennisis Lake

Kennisis Lake
Location	Haliburton Highlands, Ontario
Coordinates	45°13′N 78°38′W
Type	Cold Water Glacial Lake
Basin countries	Canada
Surface area	1.64 ha
Average depth	32019 m
Max. depth	35062 m
Water volume	1089.33205 km³

Looking east from an island along the north shore of Kennisis Lake. This is where the Lady Kennisis sank, killing all 23 hands onboard.

Kennisis Lake is the largest lake in the Haliburton Highlands with a surface area of over 1,640 ha in the area of Ontario just south west of Algonquin Provincial Park. From end to end traveling in a boat, the lake is approximately 23 kilometres long. There is a smaller counterpart, named Little Kennisis Lake, that adds another few kilometres to that distance.

The lakes shoreline lots are almost entirely privately owned, with the newest residences and summer homes being built on the western shore accessible by West Shore Drive. The fanciest homes are along Watts Road. Kennisis Lake is bordered by Haliburton Forest on the north and east, nearby Algonquin Provincial Park to the north, and also a third tract land to the west which is a 24,000 hectare tract of Crown land referred to as the Frost Center Area, after Leslie M. Frost. The lake is accessible through the town of West Guilford on County Road 7, Kennisis Lake Road. This road takes you to the lake and continues along the north shore of Kennisis Lake and ends at the Kennisis Lake Dam, and as a result, there is no through traffic around the lake.

There are approximately 300 lots on the south shore, 632 on the east and north shore, and another 132 lots on the newer west shore. Little Kennisis Lake also has numerous lots (unsure of the number), with nearly 1,000 seasonal and permanent residences on the Kennisis Lakes.

Karl the Kennisis Lake Monster

Many residences of Lake Kennisis have reported seeing a "large greeny-black creature" that resembles Ogopogo. Residences have dubbed the creature "Karl" and often leave open beer bottles by the lake for him. The locals used to pour beer into the lake, a tradition called "pour one out for Karl". Recently, researchers have asked the KLCOA to put a ban on this tradition, based on the fact that the environment consequences are not yet known.

Common Grackle Day

Every year on Labour Day since 2001, the residents of Lake Kennisis celebrate 'Common Grackle Day'. This celebration has been named after the Common Grackle bird, known for it's terrible noise. Residents usually meet at the South end of Paddy's Bay, drink beer, and make 'caa-ing' noises similar to the grackle. The celebration in 2007 was marred by drunken brawling, and resulted in 9 arrests. The KLCOA is considering not having the celebration this year.

The Lady Kennisis Incident

- On May 28th, 1976, the pontoon boat 'The Lady Kennisis' (anchored in Haliburton, Ontario) sank during a storm, killing all 23 hands onboard. It was the single worst maritime disaster in Northern Ontario. The wreck was blamed on poor judgement and alcoholism by the boat's captain, Admiral Bryan Geiger of the Canadian Navy. Offical Navy documents state that the Admiral's blood alcohol level was five times the legal limit. The boat hit shallow rocks in Paddy's Bay, yet continued sailing for another hour until it finally sank around 11:30pm.

The Battle of Fort Kennisis

Towards the end of the war of 1812, the Americans were trying to claim all lakes that they could in Northern Ontario to eventually settle and possibly have second homes on these beautiful lakes. There was an epic battle fought at Fort Kennisis on May 4th, 1812 (which is now a historical sight where tourists can act out the great naval battle). The Canadian navy had four ships in Lake Kennisis. The "Lady Danielle", the "Kentmouth Breeze", the "Crackler" and the "Krunar". These ships were at the command of Rear-Admiral Reid Sisson, a highly decoarated naval veteran of the British Empire. The Americans sailed through the canal system and were welcomed with heavy cannon fire. Admiral Sisson was killed by a musket blast 2 minutes into battle. Petty Officer Alexander "Heavy Load" Chalmers was at his side when he died attempting to heal his wounds. Petty Officer Chalmers recorded Sisson's last words exactly as he had said them, "My life has been filled with sea air and cannon fire, this war has to be won for me to rest peacefully, bury me by the sea and tell my family I love them. Now boy, go kill some yankees". The battle for the British resulted in the loss of 2 ships (The Krunar and the Kentmouth Breeze) and 500 men but because of the strategically advanced formation of his ships they were able to defeat 5 galleons killing 1000 and capturing 60 americans. It was the greatest naval battle ever fought on inland waters and Admiral Reid Sisson will always be remembered Canadians. In 1999, Sleeman Breweries released a short-lived "Sisson Lager" out of respect for the grizzled war hero.

The Ghost of Admiral Sisson

Kennisis Lake has become a hot-bed of activity for ghost hunters. Particularly, many hunters seek the ghost of Admiral Reid Sisson. Many residents report seeing the Admiral along the eastern shoreline, close to Magnolia. Apparently, Sisson is seen making preparations for battle. Others say that he is seen with musket and sword, firing in the direction which the American approached during the battle of Lake Kennisis. A psychic, Dr. P. Claude Varmuza, has gone on record stating that he attempted to fire magic missiles at the ghost but was repelled by the spirit's aura.

Original Native Settlements

Researchers estimate that aboriginal peoples of the Cree nation occupied the Southern portion of the land, near a small creek located near the modern-day Admiral Sisson Memorial. Jesuit missonairies wrote that the natives in the area called the land 'Magnolia' (which in ancient Cree means 'Land of Many Biting Insects'). The KLCOA is working hard to preserve several ancient village sites. Arceologist Jordan Goetz has stated that the ruins on Kennisis Lake "are the single most important archeological find in all or Northern Ontario".

Sea Cow Project

Marine Biologists are working hard to repopulate the lake manatees (also known in Ontario as 'Sea Cows'). Known for their remarkable beauty, Sea Cows once inhabited this lake, as early as 1999. However, their small population died out as a result of over-hunting. Easily caught because of their curious nature and slow speed, Sea Cows were hunted by Northern Ontario residents for their meat. The "Sea Cow Burger" is a popular dish among the locals. The Sea Cows would routinely swim under docks, because the locals would feed them celery. Hunters used the same approach, but instead of feeding them celery, they fed them a spear in the face. Scientests estimate that there are 300 sea cows populating this glorious lake.

Red Squirrel Attacks

Many residents have reported being attacked by a red squirrel when carrying beer cans. Scientests believe that the squirrel is attracted to the shiny object. The attacks occur 126% more around Lake Kennisis compaired to the rest of Canada.

Piranha Sightings

Every year, more piranha are being fished out of the lake. Clearly, piranha are not a native species of this lake, so scientests are concerned. They hypothesize (with their instruments) that the piranha are being dumped into the lake by pet owners that are fed up by their piranhas can not be trained to do a "loop-de-loop" trick. So far, there have been no confirmed attacks by the piranha, however a dog (known only as 'Woody the Survivor'), narrowly escaped being eaten. Apparently, a large school of piranha approached the dog but were scared off by his horrible cough. Piranha expert, Matthew Roy has stated that "These piranhas are most concerning, it is only a matter of time before they devour a person". A grim assessment, indeed.

James "Jimmy" Jimmy

One evening, the famous lake kenissis resident James "Jimmy" Jimmy, famous for being the first partially heterosexual canadian male model, was driving his power boat, called the "The Pufter", through the lake. It was late at night and Jimmy thought he saw a sea cow. he was surpirsed to see it in the middle of the lake as they are normally seen under docks eating celery. Jimmy always wanted to taste sea cow.

External links

• Kennisis Lake Cottage Owners' Association (KLCOA)
• Lake Plan Final Draft August 2007