Marsh Lake

Marsh Lake is a widening of the Yukon River southeast of Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. It is over 30 kilometres long and ranges from three to four kilometres wide. The co-ordinates of the lake are, and is 2,147 feet above sea level. The lake forms part of a chain of finger lakes, sometimes referred to as "The Southern Lakes", they form the headwaters of the Yukon River.The community of Marsh Lake, Yukon is located along the northern shores of the lake.HistoryDuring the Klondike Gold Rush the Yukon River system was heavily relied upon for transportation. The passes and railhead to the southeast left the prospectors at Lake Bennett, the early ones had to build their own boats and float down the windy and dangerous Lake Bennett, Tagish Lake and "Mud Lake" before beginning on the Yukon River. A network of steamboats were soon developed and they began ferrying passengers to the rapids at Canyon City just outside what is now Whitehorse. These steamboats needed firewood, and one site was located on the southeast end of Marsh Lake, The Crystal Palace allowed passengers some time off the boat and the crew time to replenish their fuel wood supplies.