Batchawana Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Batchawana Bay |
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 Batchawana Bay
Location in Ontario
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| Location | Algoma District, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 46°52′55″N 84°28′59″W / 46.88194°N 84.48306°W |
| Etymology | Badjiwanung Ojibwe for "water that bubbles up" |
| Part of | Lake Superior |
| Primary inflows | Batchawana River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
Batchawana Bay is a small bay located in the Algoma District of Ontario, Canada. It sits on the eastern shore of Lake Superior, which is one of the Great Lakes. The bay is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of the city of Sault Ste. Marie.
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Discover Batchawana Bay
Batchawana Bay is a special place with a rich history and unique natural features. It has been important to Indigenous peoples and later to European traders. Today, it's a spot for nature lovers and a home to local communities.
What's in a Name?
The name "Batchawana" comes from the Ojibwe word Badjiwanung. This word means "water that bubbles up." This bubbling happens between Batchawana Island and Sand Point. Here, the lake gets narrower, causing strong currents and an undertow. The Ojibwe people believed this was caused by an underwater spirit getting ready to surface.
A Place for Fishers
Batchawana Bay has always been an important fishing spot.
- First, it was a key area for the Ojibwe people to fish.
- Later, the North West Company, a fur trading business, also used it for fishing.
- The Hudson's Bay Company even had a small outpost and fishing station here. This station was located at the mouth of the Batchawana River, which flows into the bay.
A truly amazing fishing story comes from Batchawana Bay. In the early 1920s, the largest fish ever recorded in the Great Lakes was caught here. A fisherman named Frank Lapoint caught a huge sturgeon. It was thought to be 90 years old! This giant fish measured 2.25 meters (7.5 feet) long and weighed 140 kilograms (310 pounds). Imagine catching a fish that big!
Nature and Geography
The bay is shaped by the land around it. On its north side, you'll find Whitefish Point. This point is on the Canadian side of Lake Superior. Batchawana Bay is also separated from Haviland and Harmony Bays by Batchawana Island.
Both Batchawana Island and Whitefish Point are very important for birds. They serve as key routes and resting spots for many different kinds of migratory birds. Historically, Batchawana Island was also believed to be the site of "Spirit houses." These were elevated graves used by the Ojibwe people.
Important History
Batchawana Bay holds a significant place in history. It was the dividing line between two important agreements called the Robinson Treaties. These treaties were made between the Crown (the government) and the Ojibwe people. They helped define land use and rights in the region.
Nearby Attractions
You can find a few interesting places around Batchawana Bay:
- The Batchawana Bay Provincial Park is located on the western shore of the bay. It's a great place to enjoy nature.
- The small community of Batchawana Bay is on the northwest shore. This community is easily reached by Highway 563.
- Nearby, you'll also find Batchawana Mountain. This mountain is the fourth highest point in Ontario. It stands tall at 653 meters (2,142 feet).
