{{Short description|Lake in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada}} {{Use Canadian English|date=February 2026}} {{More citations needed|date=April 2008}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Chocolate Lake | image = Chocolate Lake.jpg | caption = Chocolate Lake, including city beach | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Halifax, Nova Scotia | coords = {{coord|44|38|19.9|N|63|37|19.9|W|region:CA_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}} | type = Artificial | inflow = |pushpin_map=Nova Scotia | outflow = | catchment = | basin_countries = | length = | width = | area = | depth = | max-depth = | volume = | residence_time = | shore = | elevation = {{convert|25|m|abbr=on}} | islands = | cities = Armdale, Halifax }} '''Chocolate Lake''' is located in the Armdale neighbourhood of Halifax, Nova Scotia.<ref>{{cite news |author=Robyn Young |title=Chocolate Lake closed:Popular beach is shut down because of high levels of bacteria |url=http://halifax.metronews.ca/index.cfm?sid=47013&sc=89 |publisher=Metro Halifax |date=2007-07-23 |accessdate=2008-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706185257/http://halifax.metronews.ca/index.cfm?sid=47013&sc=89 |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The lake is surrounded by many private homes as well as a Best Western hotel and a city beach. As one of the nearest freshwater lakes to Downtown Halifax, Chocolate Lake is popular with swimmers and families during the summer months.
Chocolate Lake has turtles, muskrats, and catfish. Although it is cited as contaminated,<ref>{{cite book|last=Islam|first=M.R.|title=Nature Science and Sustainable Technology Research Progress|year=2008|publisher=Nova Publishers|pages=178|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b1QdaxJe27wC&q=chocolate+lake+chlorinated}}</ref> the City of Halifax tests the water quality periodically and the beach has rarely been closed for high levels of bacteria. Chocolate Lake is sourced by the Chain of Lakes, which is Halifax’s backup water supply.
In the summer months, the beach is patrolled by lifeguards from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm; at least six deaths have been attributed to Chocolate Lake in roughly the past two decades.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global News: "Chocolate Lake resident wants warning signs installed at all entrance ways to beach"|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7088833/chocolate-lake-resident-wants-warning-signs-installed-at-all-entrance-ways-to-beach/}}</ref> Chocolate Lake is often miscited as an old quarry, confused with the King's and Queen's quarries found in Purcell's Cove.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Halifax Military Preservation Society |title=Purcell's Cove Quarries |url=https://hmhps.ca/sites/purcells-cove-quarries}}</ref> The city also provides changing rooms and washrooms.<ref name="hrm">{{cite web|title=Supervised Beaches, Outdoor Pools and Splash Pads|url=http://www.halifax.ca/rec/https://hmhps.ca/sites/purcells-cove-quarries/Beaches.php|website=Parks and Recreation|publisher=Halifax Regional Municipality|accessdate=25 May 2017}}</ref> Other facilities near the beach include a tennis court, basketball courts, and a children's playground. There is a municipally-run Chocolate Lake Recreation Centre on the opposite side of Herring Cove Road.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chocolate Lake Community Recreation Centre|url=https://www.halifax.ca/rec/centreschocolatelake.php|website=Parks and Recreation|publisher=Halifax Regional Municipality|accessdate=25 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809210330/http://www.halifax.ca/rec/CentresChocolateLake.php|archive-date=9 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Chocolate Lake is referenced in the Jenn Grant song titled "Dreamer" at approximately 1:52.<ref>Jenn Grant. 'Dreamer'. YouTube.com. 26 October 2009 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR0smh6jo4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR0smh6jo4]</ref>
==Transport== Chocolate Lake is within walking distance of the urban West End, Quinpool District, and Armdale, as well as many suburban neighbourhoods in Halifax, and is accessible via Halifax Transit routes 9A/9B and 24. It also has a small parking lot off Melwood Avenue.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.thecoast.ca/Articles-s-31049.413118-150602.113118_Outdoor_swim_guide.html The Coast article]{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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Category:Lakes of Nova Scotia Category:Landforms of Halifax, Nova Scotia Category:Landforms of Halifax County, Nova Scotia