Bras D'Or Lake - Rivers

Rivers

The following major rivers empty into the lake (which can also be defined as an inland sea, or a gulf):

• River Denys
• Middle River
• Baddeck River
• Skye River
• Georges River
• Washabuck River

The restricted tidal exchange in its three points of contact with the Atlantic ocean, coupled with significant freshwater drainage from the many rivers and streams in the Lake watershed, cause the Lake water to have less salinity than the surrounding ocean. Although salinity varies throughout the lake system, it approximates a one third fresh, two-thirds sea water mixture, and hence may be termed brackish water. Without much exchange with the ocean outside the Island, the Lake water quality is threatened by runoff from human activities in the surrounding watershed, especially from sewage treatment plants and septic tanks, ocean going ships and small craft plying the lake system. Partly for this reason, the Lakes were designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.