Madawaska River (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".

This article is about the Madawaska River in Ontario. For other rivers named Madawaska, see Madawaska River (disambiguation).
Madawaska River
Upper Madawaska River at Whitney
Madawaska River (Ontario) is located in Southern Ontario
Madawaska River (Ontario)
Location of the mouth of the Madawaska River in southern Ontario
EtymologyFrom name of Algonquian band "Matouweskarini" meaning "people of the shallows"
Location
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
Regions
County/District
Physical characteristics
SourceSource Lake
 • locationCanisbay Township, Unorganized South Part, Nipissing District
 • coordinates45°33′52″N 78°37′56″W
 • elevation450 m (1,480 ft)
MouthOttawa River
 • location
Arnprior, Renfrew County
 • coordinates
45°26′35″N 76°20′56″W
 • elevation
70 m (230 ft)
Length230 km (140 mi)
Basin size8,470 km2 (3,270 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average85 m3/s (3,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionOttawa River→ Saint Lawrence River→ Gulf of Saint Lawrence
River systemOttawa River drainage basin
Tributaries 
 • leftOpeongo River
 • rightYork River

Geography

The Madawaska River rises at Source Lake in geographic Canisbay Township in the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District, in the highlands of southern Algonquin Park.[2] It flows east, dropping 380 m (1,247 ft) before emptying into the Ottawa River at Arnprior.

Tributaries

Lakes and reservoirs

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

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.

Tom Thomson, The Drive, Winter 1916-17. University of Guelph Collection, Art Gallery of Guelph, Guelph

Around 1916, artist Tom Thomson followed the log drive down the river, painting the subject in The Drive (1916-17).[4]

Fauna

The most common species of game fish found in this river include walleye (yellow pickerel), northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass.

Hydroelectric Power

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has 5 stations on the Madawaska.[5]

OPG Madawaska Stations
StationYearCapacityUnits
Mountain Chute1967170 MW2
Barrett Chute1942176 MW4
Calabogie19175 MW2
Stewartville1948182 MW5
Arnprior197682 MW2

In June 2002 sluice gates at the Barrett Chute Generating Station were accidentally opened, killing two people, and injuring seven. OPG and two employees were charged with criminal negligence. Procedures at the plant were reviewed, and fencing added or repaired.[6]

The Calabogie station is being upgraded in 2022 to double capacity from 5 MW to 10 MW.[7] The original station was badly damaged by a tornado in September 2018. Clean up was completed in 2020. The project is expected to cost 100 million dollars. [8]

Provincial parks

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

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

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. Archived from the original on 2007-02-02. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
  4. Silcox, David P. (2011). The Group of Seven and Tom Thomson. Richmond Hill: Firefly Books. pp. 211, 256. ISBN 978-1554078851.
  5. "Our hydroelectric stations in Ontario". opg.com. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  6. "OPG charged in dam mishap". CBC news. 2004-07-09. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  7. "Renewing Calabogie". opg.com. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  8. McIntyre, Bruce (2022-04-26). "New Calabogie generating plant slated for $100 million investment". City News Ottawa. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  9. "Upper Madawaska River". Ontario Parks. 2002-11-12. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  10. "Lower Madawaska River". Ontario Parks. 2004-01-05. Retrieved 2012-03-10.

Sources
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