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 Ontario, Canada. It is about 230 kilometers (143 miles) long. The river's name comes from an old Algonquian word, "Matouweskarini," which means "people of the shallows." This name describes the areas where the river is not very deep.
Contents
Geography
The Madawaska River starts at Source Lake in Algonquin Park. It flows east and drops about 380 meters (1,247 feet) before joining the Ottawa River near Arnprior.
Rivers Joining It
Other rivers that flow into the Madawaska River are called tributaries. They include:
Lakes Along the River
The lower part of the Madawaska River has several large lakes. These include:
- Centennial Lake
- Black Donald Lake
- Calabogie Lake
- Madawaska Reservoir (also known as Arnprior Head Pond)
- Kamaniskeg Lake
River's Story
For a long time, the Madawaska River has been important to the people living nearby.
Past Uses
In the late 1800s, the river was like a highway for lumber. Workers would float logs down the river from the forests to sawmills. Later, starting in the 1960s, the river's power was used to make electricity for homes and businesses.
Fun on the River
Today, parts of the river that don't have dams are great for outdoor activities. People enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in its waters.
Art Inspired by the River
A famous Canadian artist named Tom Thomson painted a picture called The Drive (1916-17). It shows the exciting scene of logs being floated down the river.
Animals in the River
The Madawaska River is home to many kinds of fish. Some of the most common fish that people like to catch are:
- Walleye (also called yellow pickerel)
- Northern pike
- Muskellunge
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
Protected Areas
Two parts of the Madawaska River are special and are protected as provincial waterway parks. This means they are kept natural for everyone to enjoy.
- Upper Madawaska River Provincial Park: This park is between Whitney and Madawaska. It covers about 10.85 square kilometers (4.19 square miles).
- Lower Madawaska River Provincial Park: This park is between Latchford Bridge and Griffith. It covers about 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles).
Both parks are managed by Ontario Parks. They don't have visitor centers or services, but they are perfect for whitewater canoeing adventures.
See also
In Spanish: Río Madawaska para niños
Images for kids
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Tom Thomson, The Drive, Winter 1916-17. This painting is part of the University of Guelph Collection, Art Gallery of Guelph, Guelph.
