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37-449: The Lake was previously known as Lake Present, but in 1906 was informally renamed by the group of prospectors who later opened Chesterville gold mine . Larder lake has two large arms, Southwest Arm and Northeast Arm, and four bays: Fitzpatrick Bay in the southwest; and Dublin Bay, Northwest Bay and Spoon Bay at the northwest. A 5.5-kilometre (3.4 mi) long peninsula extends in the middle of

74-424: A body length (excluding the tail) of 20–35 cm (8–14 in). They are covered with short, thick fur of medium to dark brown color. Their long tails, covered with scales rather than hair, are laterally compressed and generate a small amount of thrust, with their webbed hind feet being the main means of propulsion , and the unique tail mainly important in directional stability. Muskrats spend most of their time in

111-752: A depth of 854 meters and the eighteen levels of the mine went to a maximum depth of 835 meters. The majority of the gold was found in the upper 400 metres of the mine. Miner Percy Robinson (aged 23) was killed at the mine in July 1940. In 1944, the mine employed 166 men. In 1945 the mine's fatal accident rate was categorised in the lowest of the six brackets of categorisation used by the Government of Ontario, with an average accident rate between zero and thirty fatal accidents per year per thousand persons employed. In 1944, daily ore production averaged at 350 tons, increasing to 487 in 1945 once more men had returned from

148-523: A study by Environment Canada documented "high concentrates" of nickel, gold, copper, lead and zinc in Larder Lake. The lake surface is generally frozen from mid-November to late April; however, the period of safe ice circulation is usually from mid-December to mid-April. Chesterville gold mine Chesterville Gold Mine was a gold mine located in McGarry, Ontario . Gold was discovered at

185-588: A white formation in a rock embedded in a cliff face, which he retrieved, cracked open and found that it contained gold. The group incorporated the Chesterville Larder Lake Gold Mining Company on March 20, 1907 with J.T. Kearns' son L. J. Kearns as president, J. B. Streit as vice-president and E. V. Oag as the company secretary and treasurer. J. T. Kearns was a director at the time of registration, and appointed as company treasurer later. The company's registered office

222-573: A word of Algonquian (possibly Powhatan ) origin, muscascus (literally "it is red", so called for its colorings), or from the Abenaki native word mòskwas , as seen in the archaic English name for the animal, musquash . Because of the association with the " musky " odor, which the muskrat uses to mark its territory, and its flattened tail, the name became altered to musk-beaver; later it became "muskrat" due to its resemblance to rats. Similarly, its specific name zibethicus means "musky", being

259-401: A year. Muskrat populations appear to go through a regular pattern of rise and dramatic decline spread over a six- to 10-year period. Some other rodents, including famously the muskrat's close relatives, such as the lemmings, go through the same type of population changes. Native Americans have long considered the muskrat to be an important animal. Some predict winter snowfall levels by observing

296-403: Is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent native to North America and an introduced species in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. The muskrat is found in wetlands over various climates and habitats. It has crucial effects on the ecology of wetlands, and is a resource of food and fur for humans. Adult muskrats weigh 0.6–2 kg ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 – 4 + 1 ⁄ 2  lb), with

333-540: Is only slightly longer. It is almost certainly the most prominent and heaviest member of the diverse family Cricetidae , which includes all voles , lemmings , and most mice native to the Americas, and hamsters in Eurasia. The muskrat is much smaller than a beaver ( Castor canadensis ), with which they often share a habitat. Muskrats are covered with short, thick fur, which is medium to dark brown or black, with

370-594: Is particularly concerning in areas with delicate ecosystems, where they can outcompete or displace native species. Several European countries have implemented control measures and eradication programs to manage muskrat populations and mitigate their impact. Muskrats normally live in families consisting of a male and female and their young. During the spring, they often fight with other muskrats over territory and potential mates. Many are injured or killed in these fights. Muskrat families build nests to protect themselves and their young from cold and predators. Muskrats burrow into

407-528: Is the round-tailed muskrat ( Neofiber alleni ). It is the largest species in the subfamily Arvicolinae , which includes 142 other species of rodents, mostly voles and lemmings . Muskrats are referred to as " rats " in a general sense because they are medium-sized rodents with an adaptable lifestyle and an omnivorous diet. They are not, however, members of the genus Rattus . They are not closely related to beavers , with which they share habitat and general appearance. The muskrat's name probably comes from

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444-933: The BBC David Attenborough wildlife documentary The Life of Mammals . Plant materials compose about 95% of their diets, but they also eat small animals, such as freshwater mussels , frogs , crayfish , fish , and small turtles . Muskrats follow trails they make in swamps and ponds. They continue to follow their trails under the ice when the water freezes. Muskrats provide an important food resource for many other animals, including mink , foxes , cougars , coyotes , wolves , lynx , bobcats , raccoons , bears , wolverines , eagles , hawks , large owls , snakes , alligators , and bull sharks . Otters , snapping turtles , herons , bullfrogs , large fish such as pike and largemouth bass , and predatory land reptiles such as monitor lizards prey on baby muskrats. Caribou , moose , and elk sometimes feed on

481-624: The Blanche River , Lake Timiskaming and the Ottawa River to the Saint Lawrence River. The community of Larder Lake (in the eponymous municipal township of Larder Lake) is located on the northwest shore of Spoon Bay, and the communities of Virginiatown and Kearns, both part of municipal McGarry township, are located at the northeast end of Northeast Arm. Ontario Highway 66 travels in an east-west direction along

518-554: The Second World War . The mine closed in 1952. In total, it produced 2,957,820 tonnes of ore at 3.77 grammes of gold per tonne, totalling 11,162kg of gold. The mine also produced 603kg of silver. The ownership of the mine transferred to Kerr Addison Mines Ltd in 1957. Tailings from the mine remain on site at the northeast edge of Larder Lake. Muskrat Castor zibethicus Linnaeus, 1766 The muskrat or common muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus )

555-478: The 20th century and have become an invasive species in northwestern Europe. They primarily inhabit wetlands, areas in or near saline and freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, or ponds. They are not found in Florida, where the round-tailed muskrat , or Florida water rat ( Neofiber alleni ), fills their ecological niche . Their populations naturally cycle; in areas where they become abundant, they can remove much of

592-509: The adjective of zibethus " civet musk ; civet ". The genus name comes from the Huron word for the animal, ondathra , and entered Neo-Latin as Ondatra via French. An adult muskrat is about 40–70 cm (16–28 in) long, half of that length being the tail, and weighs 0.6–2 kg ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 – 4 + 1 ⁄ 2  lb). That is about four times the weight of the brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ), though an adult muskrat

629-500: The bank with an underwater entrance in streams, ponds, or lakes. These entrances are 15–20 cm (6–8 in) wide. In marshes, push-ups are constructed from vegetation and mud. These push-ups are up to 90 cm (3 ft) in height. In snowy areas, they keep the openings to their push-ups closed by plugging them with vegetation, which they replace daily. Some muskrat push-ups are swept away in spring floods and must be replaced yearly. Muskrats also build feeding platforms constructed in

666-615: The belly a bit lighter ( countershaded ); as the animal ages, it turns partly gray. The fur has two layers, which protect it from cold water. They have long tails covered with scales rather than hair. To aid in swimming, their tails are slightly flattened vertically, a shape that is unique to them. When they walk on land, their tails drag on the ground, which makes their tracks easy to recognize. Muskrats spend most of their time in water and are well suited to their semiaquatic life. They can swim underwater for 12 to 17 minutes. Their bodies, like those of seals and whales , are less sensitive to

703-477: The buildup of carbon dioxide than those of most other mammals. They can close off their ears to keep water out. Their hind feet are partially webbed and are their primary means of propulsion. Their tail functions as a rudder, controlling the direction they swim. Muskrats are found in most of Canada, the United States, and a small part of northern Mexico. They were introduced to Europe at the beginning of

740-497: The community of Kearns, in what is now in the township of McGarry. The mine is located next to what used to be known by Indigenous peoples as Lake Present, but since renamed by the mine's founders as Larder Lake , near Mount Cheminis . The mine's grounds covered 753 acres. In 1906, the land that became the mine was staked by a group of friends from Chesterville, Ontario : dairy farmer Herman Hummel, Jesse Elliot, Wesley Barkley, and store-keeper J. T. Kearns . Hummel spotted

777-565: The costs of operating the business prompted Hummel to sell his share of the ownership. Diamond drilling in 1937 identified more gold ore, and a 500-ton-capacity mill was built in 1938. The mine opened in June 1939. The first gold bar was produced on July 29, 1939. Later that year, the mine produced $ 67,244 of gold in September, and $ 96,215 of gold in October. The mine's shaft reached

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814-464: The eating of flesh, except for fish, is prohibited); this tradition dates back to at least the early 19th century. In 2019, it was reported that a series of muskrat dinners were held during Lent in the areas along the Detroit River , with up to 900 muskrats being consumed at a single dinner. The preparation involved the removal of the musk glands and the gutting and cleaning of the carcass before

851-536: The lake from south to north up to the Big Narrows, separating the lake into two parts. The major islands include Big Pete Island, Island CC and Island U. Larder Lake has five named inflows: Sharp Creek and Benson Creek at the southwest; Pancake Creek to Northwest Bay; Bear Creek to the tip of Northeast Arm; and Milky Creek at the east. The primary outflow is the Larder River, at the southeast, which flows via

888-410: The location in 1906 and the Chesterville Larder Lake Gold Mining Company was incorporated in 1907. Logistical and financial challenges delayed the start of mining until 1939. The mine produced 11,162kg of gold and 603kg of silver before closing in 1952. Ownership of the mine transferred to Kerr Addison Mines Ltd in 1957. The mine was located west of the previously-established Kerr-Addison Mine in

925-485: The meat was parboiled for four hours with onion and garlic and finally fried. Muskrat fur is warm, becoming prime in northern North America at the beginning of December. In the early 20th century, the trapping of the animal for its fur became an important industry there. During that era, the fur was specially trimmed and dyed to be sold widely in the US as "Hudson seal" fur. Muskrats were introduced at that time to Europe as

962-651: The muskrat has been included in the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (the Union list) since August 2, 2017. This implies that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union . Muskrats were introduced to Europe in the early 20th century for fur farming. In many European countries, muskrats have become problematic, damaging flood control systems, crops, and river banks with burrowing activities. Their presence

999-418: The muskrat industry by eating muskrats caught in traps or taking skins left out to dry. Muskrats, like most rodents, are prolific breeders. Females can have two or three litters a year of six to eight young each. The babies are born small and hairless and weigh only about 22 g (340 gr). In southern environments, young muskrats mature in six months, while in colder northern environments, it takes about

1036-680: The muskrat populations have declined by at least one-half in 34 US states. The collapse was near-total, between 90 and 99 percent in a handful of states. Rhode Island's muskrat populations are estimated to be roughly 15 percent of what they were several decades ago. The decline in muskrat populations began in the 1990s and early 2000s. Ondatra zibethicus has 16 subspecies: O.z. albus , O.z. aquihnis , O.z. bemardi , O.z. cinnamominus , O.z. macrodom , O.z. mergens , O.z. obscurus , O.z. occipitalis , O.z. osoyoosensis , O.z. pallidus , O.z.ripensis , O.z. rivalicus , O.z. roidmani , O.z. spatulatus , O.z. zalaphus and O.z. zibethicus . In Europe,

1073-579: The north side of the lake, and Ontario Highway 624 travels in a north-south direction along on the west side of the lake. There are gold mines around Larder Lake, including Kerr-Addison Mine . The lake has been contaminated by mine tailings. In 1992, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment fined mining company Deak Resources $ 50,000 due to polluting effluent discharged into the lake. Pollutants included heavy metals and cyanide . In 1994,

1110-434: The result of alligator predation. While much wetland habitat has been eliminated due to human activity, new muskrat habitat has been created by the construction of canals or irrigation channels (e.g., acequias ), and the muskrat remains widespread. They can live alongside streams that contain the sulfurous water that drains away from coal mines. Fish and frogs perish in such streams, yet muskrats may thrive and occupy

1147-503: The size and timing of muskrat lodge construction. In several Native American creation myths , the muskrat dives to the bottom of the primordial sea to bring up the mud from which the earth is created after other animals have failed in the task. Muskrats have sometimes been a food resource for North Americans. In the southeastern portion of Michigan , a longstanding dispensation allows Catholics to consume muskrat as their Friday penance, on Ash Wednesday , and on Lenten Fridays (when

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1184-446: The vegetation in wetlands. They are thought to play a major role in determining the vegetation of prairie wetlands in particular. They also selectively remove preferred plant species, thereby changing the abundance of plant species in many kinds of wetlands. Species commonly eaten include cattail and yellow water lily . Alligators are thought to be an important natural predator, and the absence of muskrats from Florida may, in part, be

1221-588: The vegetation which makes up muskrat push-ups during the winter when other food is scarce for them. In their introduced range in the former Soviet Union, the muskrat's greatest predator is the golden jackal . They can be completely eradicated in shallow water bodies. During the winter of 1948–49 in the Amu Darya (river in central Asia), muskrats constituted 12.3% of jackal feces contents, and 71% of muskrat houses were destroyed by jackals, 16% of which froze and became unsuitable for muskrat occupation. Jackals also harm

1258-438: The water and can swim underwater for 12 to 17 minutes. They live in families of a male and female pair and their young. They build nests to protect themselves from the cold and predators, often burrowed into the bank with an underwater entrance. Muskrats feed mostly on cattail and other aquatic vegetation but also eat small animals. Ondatra zibethicus is the only extant species in the genus Ondatra ; its closest relative

1295-499: The water from cut pieces of vegetation supported by a branch structure. They help maintain open areas in marshes, which helps to provide habitat for aquatic birds . Muskrats are most active at night or near dawn and dusk. They feed on cattails and other aquatic vegetation. They do not store food for the winter, but sometimes eat the insides of their push-ups. While they may appear to steal food beavers have stored, more seemingly cooperative partnerships with beavers exist, as featured in

1332-465: The wetlands. Muskrats also benefit from human persecution of some of their predators. The muskrat is classed as a "prohibited new organism" under New Zealand's Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 , preventing it from being imported into the country. The trematode Metorchis conjunctus can also infect muskrats. According to an article in Hakai Magazine , from April 2024,

1369-404: Was in room 404 of 330 Bay Street , Toronto. Initially, the company struggled to attract the necessary financing; the location of the ore was isolated, lacking road access, making transportation and the construction of a mill expensive. The relatively lower gold value at the time, negatively impacted the company's ability to raise finances. In the 1920s, the company launched a muskrat farm,

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