Lake Agassiz

Lake Agassiz was a massive glacial lake formed during the last Ice Age, covering parts of present-day Canada and northern United States. It resulted from melting glaciers that blocked natural river outlets, creating a huge freshwater reservoir. At its peak, Lake Agassiz contained enough water to cover much of North America’s landscape with several feet of water. Over thousands of years, the lake gradually drained as ice melted and new outlets opened, significantly influencing regional climate and hydrology. Today, the lake’s remnants are seen in formations like the Lake Winnipeg basin and other smaller lakes in the Plains and Canadian Prairies.