Seine River (Ontario)

For other places with the same name, see Seine River (disambiguation).
Seine River
Name origin: Named after the Seine River in France
Country Canada
Province Ontario
Region Northwestern Ontario
Districts Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay
Part of Hudson Bay drainage basin
Tributaries
 - left Atikokan River, Mercutio River
 - right Eye River, Firesteel River
Source Lac des Mille Lacs
 - location Thunder Bay District
 - elevation 457 m (1,499 ft)
 - coordinates 48°58′46″N 90°43′49″W / 48.97944°N 90.73028°W / 48.97944; -90.73028
Mouth Rainy Lake
 - location Rainy River District
 - elevation 338 m (1,109 ft)
 - coordinates 48°39′56″N 92°49′19″W / 48.66556°N 92.82194°W / 48.66556; -92.82194Coordinates: 48°39′56″N 92°49′19″W / 48.66556°N 92.82194°W / 48.66556; -92.82194
Length 240 km (149 mi)
Location of the mouth of the Seine River in Ontario.

The Seine River is a river in Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay Districts in northwestern Ontario, Canada. It flows 240 kilometres (149 mi) from Lac des Mille Lacs to Rainy Lake.

The river was an important route in the days of the fur trade. Gold was discovered along the river near the end of the 19th century and several mining operations established in the area. In 1943, a section of the river was diverted near Steep Rock Lake to gain access to a large iron ore deposit under the lake. That mine has since been closed. The river is used for recreational canoeing and kayaking.

Course

Upper Reaches

The river flows west out of the northwest arm of Lac des Mille Lacs in Thunder Bay District over the Lac des Mille Lacs Dam, owned by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and operated by the Valerie Falls Limited Partnership (Brookfield Renewable Power) (See Lac des Mille Lacs Dam).[1] It flows through Mosher lake, takes in the left tributary Firesteel River and briefly flows through the southeast corner of Kenora District. The river turns southwest into Rainy River District, heads over the Long Rapids and Camp Six Rapids, takes in the left tributary Mercutio River, tumbles over the Islands Falls, reaches Bradshaw Lake and flows into the Marmion Lake and reservoir, where it takes in four right tributaries.

Seine River Diversion

Main article: Seine River Diversion

Lower Reaches

Below Steeprock Lake, the river takes in the major left tributary Atikokan River and the minor left tributary Caribus Creek, then takes in the outflow from the Seine River Diversion on the right. It flows west over the Boyce Rapids, takes in the right tributary Eye River, passes through the Chubb Narrows and Banning Narrows, and reaches Calm Lake. The lake is controlled at the west end by the Calm Lake Dam and generating station (10 MW), built in 1926 and operated today by Abitibi-Consolidated Hydro.[2][3] The river heads out of the lake southwest over the Manitou Rapids into Fin Bay on Laseine Lake. This lake is controlled at the west end by the Sturgeon Falls Dam and generating station (8 MW), also built in 1926 and also operated today by Abitibi-Consolidated Hydro.[2][3]

The river heads west, is crossed by Ontario Highway 11, passes the community of Seine River Village (post office established in 1895 on the right bank,[4] and reaches its mouth at Seine Bay on Rainy Lake.

Tributaries

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Lac des Mille Lacs Dam". Seine River Watershed. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
  2. 1 2 "Calm Lake Dam". Seine River Watershed. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  3. 1 2 "ACH Limited Partnership". AbitibiBowater. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  4. ↑ "Seine River Village". Ontario Rural Routes. RuralRoutes.com. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
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