Mattagami River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mattagami River
Mattagami River at Smooth Rock Falls
Location of the mouth of the Mattagami River in Ontario
Other name(s)	Rivière Mattagami
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Region	Northeastern Ontario
Districts	Cochrane Timiskaming Sudbury
Physical characteristics
Main source	Mattagami Lake Gouin Township, Sudbury District 330 m (1,080 ft) 48°00′46″N 81°33′28″W / 48.01278°N 81.55778°W / 48.01278; -81.55778
River mouth	Moose River Gardiner Township, Cochrane District 48 m (157 ft) 50°43′42″N 81°29′14″W / 50.72833°N 81.48722°W / 50.72833; -81.48722
Length	443 km (275 mi)
Basin features
River system	James Bay drainage basin
Basin size	37,000 km2 (14,000 sq mi)

The Mattagami River is a long river located in Northern Ontario, Canada. It is an important waterway in the region.

This river flows for about 443 kilometers (275 miles). It starts at Mattagami Lake in the Sudbury District. The river then travels north through different areas of Ontario. It eventually joins another river called the Missinaibi River. Together, they form the Moose River. This larger river then flows into James Bay, which is part of Hudson Bay.

The Mattagami River passes through the city of Timmins. It also flows through the town of Smooth Rock Falls. The area that drains into the Mattagami River is very large. It covers about 37,000 square kilometers (14,000 square miles).

The name Mattagami comes from the Ojibwe language. It might mean "the start of water" or "turbulent water." However, the local Ojibwe people have another idea. They believe it means "meeting of the waters." This name makes sense because many rivers join together here.

River's Journey: From Source to Mouth

Mattagami River near Timmins, early 1990s

The Mattagami River begins its journey at Mattagami Lake. This lake is found in the Sudbury District of Ontario. The river then flows north, making its way through different landscapes.

It passes through parts of the Canadian Shield. This is an ancient, rocky area. Further north, it enters the Hudson Bay Lowlands. This area is flatter and has many wetlands. The river's journey ends when it meets the Missinaibi River. This meeting point is in the Cochrane District.

Powering the Region: The River's Role

The Mattagami River is not just a natural waterway. It also plays a role in providing electricity. Ontario Power Generation operates a power station on the river. This station is called the Little Long Generating Station.

It is located where the Groundhog and Kapuskasing Rivers flow into the Mattagami. A large dam, over 5 kilometers (3 miles) long, helps create power here. This power helps light up homes and businesses in the region.

Rivers Joining the Mattagami

Many smaller rivers and streams flow into the Mattagami River. These are called tributaries. They add water to the Mattagami as it flows north. Some of the main tributaries include:

• Kapuskasing River
  • Nemegosenda River
    • Chapleau River
• Groundhog River
  • Ivanhoe River
  • Nat River
• Poplar Rapids River
• Kamiskotia River
• Grassy River
• Tatachikapika River
• Mattagami Lake (the source, but also has its own tributaries)
  • Minisinakwa River
    • Nabakwasi River
      • Opikinimika River
    • Noble River

See also

In Spanish: Río Mattagami para niños