Dauphin Lake was named for the heir to the French throne in 1739 by Francois de La Verendrye. It is in western Manitoba near the city of Dauphin, Manitoba. The lake covers an area of 200 square miles (520 km2) and has a drainage basin of about 3,250 square miles (8,400 km2). The Mossey River drains the lake into Lake Winnipegosis. The basin is drained by seven major streams and has a total relief of 1,900 feet (580 m). The lake is located within the territory of three rural municipalities; in descending order of area they are the Rural Municipality of Ochre River, the Rural Municipality of Dauphin, and the Rural Municipality of Mossey River.