White Lake straddles the boundary between Renfrew and Lanark Counties, with its northern and eastern shores touching McNab/Braeside and its southern portion extending into Lanark Highlands. The lake derives its name from its light-coloured marl bottom, and was long prized for fishing, logging access, and scenic beauty.

By the late 1800s, the community of White Lake had formed around mills powered by the lake’s outflow and became a focal point for trade and transport. The Canadian Atlantic Railway further boosted development. Today, White Lake is a premier recreational destination, with long-standing cottages, boat launches, and shoreline subdivisions.

Surveyors working around White Lake must reconcile early industrial plans with fragmented shoreline development. Crown shoreline reserves, fluctuating high water marks, and encroachments require careful mapping. Title descriptions may reference mill privileges or early leasehold arrangements, while newer registered plans overlay more modern uses.