kids encyclopedia robot

Indian River (Muskoka District) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Indian River
Steamship on Indian River Muskoka Lakes.jpg
Steamship on the Indian River, 1910
Indian River (Muskoka District) is located in Ontario
Indian River (Muskoka District)
Location of the mouth of the river in Ontario
Country Canada
Province Ontario
Region Central Ontario
District Muskoka
Municipality Muskoka Lakes
Physical characteristics
Main source Lake Rosseau
228 m (748 ft)
45°07′12″N 79°34′38″W / 45.12000°N 79.57722°W / 45.12000; -79.57722
River mouth Lake Muskoka
226 m (741 ft)
45°05′37″N 79°33′44″W / 45.09361°N 79.56222°W / 45.09361; -79.56222
Basin features
River system Great Lakes Basin

The Indian River is a cool river in Ontario, Canada. It's located in a beautiful area called Muskoka Lakes. This river is part of the huge Great Lakes Basin. It connects two important lakes: Lake Rosseau and Lake Muskoka.

About the Indian River

The Indian River flows through the Muskoka District in Central Ontario. It acts like a natural waterway connecting Lake Rosseau, which is upstream, to Lake Muskoka, which is downstream. This river is a vital part of the local water system.

How the River Flows

The river starts its journey from Lake Rosseau at a place called Port Carling Dam. From there, it flows through a narrow spot called the Forman Narrows. After that, it reaches Mirror Lake. Finally, the river ends its journey at Lake Muskoka near Hanna Point.

Making the River Navigable

For a long time, it was hard for boats to travel between Lake Rosseau and Lake Muskoka. This changed in 1871. That year, a dam was built, and special water elevators called locks were created. These locks helped boats move up and down between the different water levels of the lakes.

Why Locks Were Important

Making the river easy to navigate was a big deal. It allowed large steamships to travel between the two lakes. This made it much easier for people to get around. It also helped new vacation spots and resorts grow around Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph. People could now easily visit these beautiful areas by boat.

kids search engine
Indian River (Muskoka District) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.