Pipestone River (Kenora District)

The Pipestone River is a river in northwestern Ontario, Canada.[1] It is a major tributary of Winisk River via Wunnummin Lake.[2] This pristine river flows through the rugged wilderness of Ontario's northern boreal forest, and drains into Wunnummin Lake.[3][4]

Pipestone River
Pipestone River (Kenora District) is located in Ontario
Pipestone River (Kenora District)
Location
Canada
ProvinceOntario
DistrictKenora
Physical characteristics
Mouth 
 • location
Wunnummin Lake
 • coordinates
52°53′20″N 89°23′18″W
 • elevation
242 m (794 ft)
Basin features
ProgressionPipestone→ Winisk→ Hudson Bay

The river has extensive whitewater sections, including 37 sets of rapids ranging from Class 1 to 5+. The portion of the river from Nord Road (formerly Highway 808) to its mouth is protected in the Pipestone River Provincial Park.[3] Because of its remoteness and lack of facilities and services, canoeists require well-skilled wilderness and whitewater experience.[4]

At Misamikwash Lake (formerly known as Big Beaver Lake), the Hudson's Bay Company operated a fur trading post and outpost called Big Beaver House, that operated from 1911 to 1965. It was established by William King Oman as an outpost in 1911 and became a full trading post in 1945. In 1948, a store and warehouse were built. It closed in 1965 and moved its business to Wunnummin Lake.[5]

Geography

Significant tributaries of the Pipestone River are (in upstream order):

  • Wachusk River
  • Paseminon River
  • Morris River
  • North Pipestone River

Significant lakes along its course include (in upstream order):

  • Hilyard Lake
  • Misamikwash Lake
  • Horseshoe Lake
  • Kecheokagan Lake

The Frog Rapids (52°12′05″N 90°47′30″W) are just upstream of where the Pipestone River flows into Horseshoe Lake.[6] The 2 km (1.2 mi) Frog Portage, whose upstream endpoint is located about 7.8 km (4.8 mi) by water above the rapids on Kecheokagan Lake, allows canoeists to bypass the rapids. This segment of the Pipestone River is not part of Pipestone River Provincial Park.

References
  1. "Pipestone River". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  2. "Winisk River". www.britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  3. "Pipestone River Provincial Park Management Plan". ontario.ca. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  4. "Pipestone River Provincial Park". www.ontarioparks.com. Ontario Parks. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  5. "Hudson's Bay Company. Big Beaver House". pam.minisisinc.com. Archives of Manitoba. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  6. "Frog Rapids". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 21 April 2023.


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