This is the largest lake you will see on the Dempster Highway. It was named for Ernest Chapman, a trader, trapper and prospector. There are many other smaller lakes in the vicinity and together they support a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. The lake is also home to a variety of fish, including arctic grayling, burbot, round whitefish, and long nose sucker. The Porcupine Caribou Herd overwinters in this area. In October, you might see as many as 40,000 caribou crossing the highway here.
At the turnout, read about the tragic Lost Patrol of Northwest Mounted Police, who lost their way and died near here in the winter of 1910-11.
