Frenchman's Bay

Frenchman's Bay is a body of water in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, believed to be named for François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon.

Not to be confused with Frenchman Bay.
Frenchman's Bay in Pickering

The bay was once land locked before a canal was dug into the sandbar to allow vessels to serve what was then referred to as Port Liverpool in 1843.[1]

History

The bay was likely not visited by the namesake French missionary who is believed to have visited the mouth of the Rouge River further west in 1669.[2]

The area around the Frenchman's Bay was settled in 1837 with saw mill opened by Tripp family. Grain mills were later opened with wharf located on the north end.[2]

In 1853 Pickering Harbour Company was incorporated and continues to control water lots on the east side today. Icehouses were operated by Lake Simcoe Ice from 1914 to the 1930s. Today the east end is home to Frenchmans Bay Marina, residential homes (including newer townhouses along Liverpool Road) Slightly east of the bay is Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, while west side is home to Pickering Bay Yacht Club, Frenchman's Bay Canoe Club.

Today

The residential neighborhoods of Bay Ridges and West Shore surround the bay, but the houses along the bay are part of Fairport.

The bay itself and the nature preserve both fall under the authority of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.[3]

A number of city parks are found around the bay:

  • Beachfront Park
  • Bruce Hanscombe Memorial Park
  • Douglas Park
  • Glen Ravine Park
  • Millennium Park
  • Progress Frenchman's Bay East Park
  • Rotary Frenchman's Bay West Park
  • Vistula Ravine

Watershed
Creeks feeding Frenchman's Bay

Besides water flowing in from Lake Ontario via the channel the bay is fed by a few creeks emptying into it:

  • Amberlea Creek (flows above ground at Vistula Creek Park)[4]
  • Dunbarton Creek[5]
  • Krosno Creek[5]
  • Pine Creek[5]

The north end of the bay is a marsh.

References
  1. "The Harbours And Ports Of Lake Ontario, in a Series of Charts, Accompanied By A Description Of Each; Together With The Lighthouses, Harbour Lights, Depth Of Water, Courses And Distances, &c. &c. Compiled From Authentic Sources, The Charts Of Capt. Owen And Lieut. Herbert, From Recent Surveys. As Well As From Personal Observations : The Port Of Liverpool, Or Pickering, Formerly Called Frenchman's Bay". www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca.
  2. "Frenchman's Bay Marina – History".
  3. "Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Reconstruction Project".
  4. "Amberlea Creek Erosion Control Project - Completed".
  5. "Amberlea Creek Erosion Control Project: Environmental Study Report" (PDF). Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. August 2013. p. 3. Retrieved November 19, 2021. ...within Frenchman's Bay, including the four (4) main tributary watersheds: Amberlea Creek, Dunbarton Creek, Pine Creek, and Krosno Creek.

43°49′03″N 79°05′33″W

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