Lake Albanel

Lake Albanel
Lake Albanel Location in Quebec
Location	Baie-James, Quebec
Coordinates	51°05′N 73°05′W / 51.083°N 73.083°W / 51.083; -73.083Coordinates: 51°05′N 73°05′W / 51.083°N 73.083°W / 51.083; -73.083
Lake type	Natural
Primary outflows	Rupert River
Basin countries	Canada
Surface area	445 km2 (172 sq mi)
Surface elevation	389 m (1,276 ft)

Lake Albanel is located east of Lake Mistassini and covers a total area of approximately 445 square kilometres (172 sq mi). It is located in the region of Jamésie. Quebec Route 167 ends beside this lake. It is entirely located in the protected area of Lacs-Albanel-Mistassini-et-Waconichi.

In 2016, it was reported that the arc shaped lake, together with nearby Lake Mistassini, may have been formed by a large meteor impact about 2.1 billion years ago. The rest of the 500 km diameter crater is thought to have now been mostly eroded away or buried but geological indications of a major impact have been found in the rocks around the lake. If confirmed this would be the largest impact crater found on the earth.

Lake Albanel is named in honour of Charles Albanel who discovered it in 1672.