Ausable River (Lake Huron) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ausable River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Ausable River in Ontario
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
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| Main source | Staffa West Perth, Perth County 334 m (1,096 ft) 43°28′26″N 81°18′54″W / 43.47389°N 81.31500°W |
| River mouth | Lake Huron Port Franks, Lambton Shores, Lambton County, Ontario 176 m (577 ft) 43°14′1.7154″N 81°54′18.9606″W / 43.233809833°N 81.905266833°W |
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The Ausable River is a cool river in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It flows into Lake Huron at a place called Port Franks, Ontario. The river starts in a hilly area near Staffa, Ontario. This spot is about 334 metres (1,096 ft) above sea level.
Even though the river twists and turns for over 240 kilometres (150 mi), its end is only about 64 kilometres (40 mi) away from its start. The Ausable River drains an area of 1,142 square kilometers (441 sq mi) of land. It drops 158 metres (518 ft) in height from where it begins to where it meets Lake Huron.
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How the River Changed
Back in 1875, engineers from the Canada Company started a big project. They called it "The Cut." This project changed the river's path a lot. It helped drain small lakes and wet areas so the land could be used for farming.
Before "The Cut," the Ausable River flowed through Grand Bend. There, it made a sharp turn south. It then ran next to the Lake Huron shoreline for several kilometers. Finally, it entered the lake at Port Franks. This sharp "bend" is how the town of Grand Bend got its name! You can still see parts of the old river path in Pinery Provincial Park. It's called the Old Ausable Channel. Sometimes, it almost dries up in the summer.
Home to Special Animals
The Ausable River is a home for many important animals. It has several types of mussels that are in danger. It also has fish species that are threatened or endangered. The river is also home to the threatened eastern spiny softshell turtle. Protecting the river helps these special creatures survive.
A Look into the Past
Near Arkona, the river has carved out a deep gorge. This Ausable Gorge shows fossils from a time called the Middle Devonian period. These fossils are like clues to what life was like millions of years ago. Long ago, there was also a power plant that used water to make electricity (hydroelectric) near Rock Glen Falls.
What's in a Name?
The name "Ausable" comes from the French language. French explorers called it Rivière aux Sables. This means "sandy river." Over time, the name changed to Aux Sables River in English. Then, in the early 1900s, it became shorter, just "Ausable."
Tributaries
