Black River (Abitibi River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black River |
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The Vernon L. Miller Memorial Bridge taking Highway 101 across the Black River into the community of Matheson
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 Location of the mouth of the Black River in Ontario
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Region | Northeastern Ontario |
| Districts |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Unnamed lake Kirkland Lake, Timiskaming District 357 m (1,171 ft) 48°13′16″N 79°58′17″W / 48.22111°N 79.97139°W |
| River mouth | Abitibi River Iroquois Falls, Timiskaming District 239 m (784 ft) 48°41′58″N 80°38′06″W / 48.69944°N 80.63500°W |
| Basin features | |
| River system | James Bay drainage basin |
The Black River is a river in Ontario, Canada. It flows through the Cochrane District and Timiskaming District in Northeastern Ontario. This river is part of the large James Bay drainage basin. A drainage basin is an area of land where all the water drains into one main river or lake. The Black River is a "right tributary" of the Abitibi River. This means it's a smaller river that flows into the Abitibi River from the right side. The town of Black River-Matheson is even named after this river!
Contents
The River's Journey
The Black River starts from a lake that doesn't have a name. This lake is located in Morrisette Township, near Kirkland Lake in the Timiskaming District. It's just north of the Kirkland Lake Airport.
From there, the river flows north into Bisley Township in the Cochrane District. Then, it turns and heads northwest. It enters Melba Township, which is part of the Black River-Matheson area.
What the River Meets Along the Way
As the Black River flows, other smaller rivers and creeks join it. These are called tributaries.
- The Little Black River and Whiteclay River join from the left side.
- The river then goes under Ontario Highway 572.
- The Pike River joins from the right side.
The Black River also flows through the Black River Generating Station and its dam. This station was built in 1929 and helps create electricity. After that, the river passes under Ontario Highway 101 at the community of Matheson.
The River's End
From Matheson, the river continues to flow northwest. The original river path in this area is now flooded. This is because of the Iroquois Falls Generating Station on the Abitibi River downstream. The water levels are now the same.
Further along, the Watabeag River joins the Black River from the left. The Black River then enters Walker Township, which is part of the municipality of Iroquois Falls. Finally, the Shallow River joins from the right, and the Driftwood River joins from the left. The Black River then reaches its mouth at the Abitibi River.
The Abitibi River then flows into the Moose River, which eventually reaches James Bay.
Following the River
In the Black River-Matheson area, both Ontario Highway 11 and the Ontario Northland Railway main line follow the river valley. This means you can see the river as you travel along these routes from the community of Wavell to Matheson.
Tributaries of the Black River
Here are some of the rivers and creeks that flow into the Black River:
- Driftwood River (left)
- Shallow River (right)
- Warbler Creek (left)
- Watabeag River (left)
- Russell Creek (left)
- Salve Creek (right)
- Pike River (right)
- Little Wildgoose Creek (left)
- Malloch Creek (left)
- Whiteclay River (left)
- Little Black River (left)
- Barnet Creek (right)
- Melba Creek (left)
- Cochenour Creek (right)
- Kellett Creek (left)
- Bisley Creek (left)
- Gourlay Creek (left)
