Madawaska River (Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madawaska River |
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Upper Madawaska River at Whitney
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 Location of the mouth of the Madawaska River in southern Ontario
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Regions | |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Source Lake Canisbay Township, Unorganized South Part, Nipissing District 450 m (1,480 ft) 45°33′52″N 78°37′56″W / 45.56444°N 78.63222°W |
| River mouth | Ottawa River Arnprior, Renfrew County 70 m (230 ft) 45°26′35″N 76°20′56″W / 45.44306°N 76.34889°W |
| Length | 230 km (140 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Ottawa River→ Saint Lawrence River→ Gulf of Saint Lawrence |
| River system | Ottawa River drainage basin |
| Basin size | 8,470 km2 (3,270 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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The Madawaska River is a river in the Saint Lawrence River drainage basin in Ontario, Canada. The river is 230 km (143 mi) long and drains an area of 8,470 km2 (3,270 sq mi). Its name comes from an Algonquian band of the region known as "Matouweskarini", meaning "people of the shallows".
Geography
The Madawaska River rises at Source Lake in geographic Canisbay Township in the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District, in the highlands of southern Algonquin Park. It flows east, dropping 380 m (1,247 ft) before emptying into the Ottawa River at Arnprior.
Tributaries
Lakes and reservoirs
The lower portion of the Madawaska River supports several large lakes, including:
- Centennial Lake
- Black Donald Lake
- Calabogie Lake
- Madawaska Reservoir(Arnprior Head Pond)
- Kamaniskeg Lake
History
In the late 19th century, the river was used to transport lumber from the forested areas surrounding the river. Beginning in the 1960s, the river was used to generate hydroelectric power. Undammed sections of the river are also used for canoeing, kayaking and recreational fishing.
Around 1916, artist Tom Thomson followed the log drive down the river, painting the subject in The Drive (1916-17).
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Tom Thomson, The Drive, Winter 1916-17. University of Guelph Collection, Art Gallery of Guelph, Guelph
Fauna
The most common species of game fish found in this river include walleye (yellow pickerel), northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass.
Provincial parks
Two sections of the river are designated and protected as provincial waterway parks:
- Upper Madawaska River Provincial Park, between Whitney and Madawaska; 10.85 km2 (4.19 sq mi).
- Lower Madawaska River Provincial Park, between Latchford Bridge and Griffith; 12 km2 (5 sq mi).
Both parks are administered by Ontario Parks but are non-operating, meaning there are no visitor facilities or services available. Both are ideal for whitewater canoeing.
See also
In Spanish: Río Madawaska para niños
