Madawaska River (Ontario)

Madawaska River
Upper Madawaska River at Whitney
Name origin: From name of Algonquian band "Matouweskarini" meaning "people of the shallows"
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Regions	Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario
Districts	Renfrew County, Nipissing District
Part of	Saint Lawrence River drainage basin
Tributaries
- left	Opeongo River
- right	York River
Source	Source Lake
- location	Canisbay Township, Unorganized South Part, Nipissing District
- elevation	450 m (1,476 ft)
- coordinates	45°33′52″N 78°37′56″W / 45.56444°N 78.63222°W
Mouth	Ottawa River
- location	Arnprior, Renfrew County
- elevation	70 m (230 ft)
- coordinates	45°26′35″N 76°20′56″W / 45.44306°N 76.34889°WCoordinates: 45°26′35″N 76°20′56″W / 45.44306°N 76.34889°W
Length	230 km (143 mi)
Basin	8,470 km^2 (3,270 sq mi)
Discharge
- average	85 m^3/s (3,002 cu ft/s)
Location of the mouth of the Madawaska River in southern Ontario

The Madawaska River is a river in the Saint Lawrence River drainage basin in Ontario, Canada.^[1][2] The river is 230 km (143 mi) long and drains an area of 8,470 km² (3,270 sq mi).^[3] Its name comes from an Algonquian band of the region known as "Matouweskarini", meaning "people of the shallows".

Course

For a map showing the river course, see this reference.^[2]
The Madawaska River originates at Source Lake in geographic Canisbay Township in the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District, in the highlands of southern Algonquin Park. It flows east, dropping 380 m (1,247 ft) before emptying into the Ottawa River at Arnprior.

History

In the late 19th century, the river was used to transport lumber from the forested areas surrounding the river. Beginning in the 1960s, the river was used to generate hydroelectric power. Undammed sections of the river are also used for canoeing, kayaking and recreational fishing.

Tributaries

• Opeongo River
• York River

Lakes and reservoirs

The lower portion of the Madawaska River supports several large lakes, including:

• Centennial Lake
• Black Donald Lake
• Calabogie Lake
• Madawaska Reservoir(Arnprior Head Pond)

Fauna

Most common species of game fish found in this river include: Walleye (Yellow Pickerel), Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, and Large Mouth Bass.

Provincial Parks

Two sections of the river are designated and protected as provincial waterway parks:

• Upper Madawaska River Provincial Park, between Whitney and Madawaska; 10.85 km² (4.19 sq mi).^[4]
• Lower Madawaska River Provincial Park, between Latchford Bridge and Griffith; 12 km² (5 sq mi).^[5]

Both parks are administered by Ontario Parks but are non-operating, meaning there are no visitor facilities or services available. Both are ideal for whitewater canoeing.

See also

• Bonnechere River - nearby river with similar characteristics
• List of Ontario rivers

References

1. "Madawaska River". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
2. "Madawaska River". Atlas of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2012-03-12. Shows the course of the river highlighted on a map.
3. "Rivers Flowing into the Atlantic Ocean". Atlas of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
4. "Upper Madawaska River". Ontario Parks. 2002-11-12. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
5. "Lower Madawaska River". Ontario Parks. 2004-01-05. Retrieved 2012-03-10.

Other map sources:

• McMurtrie, Jeffrey (2008). "Algonquin Provincial Park and the Haliburton Highlands". Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
• Map 9 (PDF) (Map). 1 : 700,000. Official road map of Ontario. Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
• Map 10 (PDF) (Map). 1 : 700,000. Official road map of Ontario. Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
• Restructured municipalities - Ontario map #5 (Map). Restructuring Maps of Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 2006. Retrieved 2012-03-10.

External links

• Ontario Power Generation - History and water management