Oak Lake, Manitoba
| Oak Lake | |
|---|---|
 Oak Lake, Manitoba
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| Coordinates: 49°45′59″N 100°37′41″W / 49.76639°N 100.62806°WCoordinates: 49°45′59″N 100°37′41″W / 49.76639°N 100.62806°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Manitoba |
| Region | Westman Region |
| Rural municipality | R.M. of Sifton |
| Established | 1882 |
| Incorporated | July 15, 1907 (Town of Oak Lake) |
| Government | |
| • MP | Merv Tweed - Conservative |
| • MLA | Larry Maguire - PC |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.73 km2 (1.05 sq mi) |
| Population (Canada 2001 Census) | |
| • Total | 359 |
| • Density | 131.7/km2 (341/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | Central (CDT) (UTC-5) |
| Postal code | R0M 1P0 |
| Area code(s) | 204 |
Oak Lake is an unincorporated urban community in the Rural Municipality of Sifton within the Canadian province of Manitoba that held town status prior to January 1, 2015. It is located 52 km (32 mi) west of Brandon along the Trans-Canada Highway. The lake after which it was named is in the rural municipality's western area.
During the late 19th century, the area around Oak Lake was a popular stopping point for fur traders and settlers due to the large number of big oak trees (revered for their strength) located around the lake that could be used to repair their wagons.
In the fall of 1881, work crews on the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway had reached Flat Creek to the east of the current townsite. In the spring they moved the camp west and built a siding and station (now long gone) where the community's flags and flower garden are now located.
The area around Oak Lake is dominated by the Assiniboine River, the nearby lake by the same name, areas of flat farm land, and to the north, large, rolling hills left by receding glaciers. Oak Lake's location in the middle of the Canadian prairies means that Oak Lake experiences an extreme continental climate. The area is known for its long, cold winters owing to its northerly location. There is often much snowfall during the winter, with the possibility for blizzards that can drop in excess of 35 cm (~14 inches) of snow at once, which can be blown into drifts that are much deeper. The community can be cut off for a day or more while snow is cleared from the highways.
Temperatures during the coldest winter months of December, January and February can reach -35°C (-31°F), though colder temperatures occasionally occur. Windchills during the winter can reach as cold as -45°C (-49°F), making outdoor activity difficult on those days. The average winter temperature is a more moderate -12°C (10.4°F). Winters are often characterized by extreme shifts in temperature with near 0°C (32°F) changing to frigid temperatures within the span of a few days. Summers are often very warm with the possibility of temperatures in excess of 35°C (95°F), though the average summer temperature is 26°C (78.8°F). Year round, Oak Lake has an abundance of clear, sunny skies.
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Wikipedia