Vermilion River (Sudbury District) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vermilion River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Vermilion River in Ontario
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Region | Northeastern Ontario |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Unnamed lake 425 m (1,394 ft) 47°07′35″N 81°18′55″W / 47.12639°N 81.31528°W |
| River mouth | Spanish River 195 m (640 ft) 46°15′37″N 81°41′11″W / 46.26028°N 81.68639°W |
| Length | 200 km (120 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Great Lakes Basin |
| Tributaries |
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The Vermilion River is a river in Ontario, Canada. It flows through the Sudbury District and the city of Greater Sudbury. This river is part of the larger Lake Huron drainage basin, which means its waters eventually flow into Lake Huron.
Contents
Journey of the Vermilion River
The Vermilion River starts in a lake that doesn't have a name, located in a part of Sudbury District that isn't organized into towns. This starting point is about 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) northwest of a small place called McKees Camp.
From there, the river flows north to Tramp Lake. Here, it meets the Canadian National Railway (CN) main train line. This is where the famous The Canadian passenger train runs.
The river then turns southeast, passing through Thor Lake and Post Lake. For a long time, the CN railway line runs right beside the river. It goes past a settlement called Laforest and reaches Baseline Lake and Raphoe.
The Vermilion River then enters the area of Greater Sudbury near Sellwood. It picks up water from the Roberts River, which flows into it from the right side. This happens near Milnet, where the river also meets Sudbury Municipal Road 84. The river then turns south and reaches the community of Capreol. Here, the river and the railway line go their separate ways.
The river heads west, and the Rapid River joins it from the right. It then flows over the Kettle Rapids and is joined by the Nelson River, also from the right. Turning southwest, it passes by Rayside-Balfour and gets more water from the Onaping River near Onaping Falls.
The Vermilion River is then crossed by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) main line, where the Sudbury – White River train runs. After this, it flows into Vermilion Lake.
River's Path to Lake Huron
The Vermilion River leaves Vermilion Lake from the east, flowing over the Domtar Stobie Dam. The Whitson River joins it from the left. The river then loops southeast before heading south. It flows over McFadden Falls, Cascade Falls, and Duncan Chute, which are all small waterfalls or rapids.
Ontario Highway 17 crosses the river. It then reaches McCharles Lake, which is east of the community of Whitefish. From this point, the river forms the border between Greater Sudbury and the Whitefish Lake 6 Indigenous reserve.
At Rat Lake, the river turns west and then southwest. It flows over the Wabagishik Dam and enters Nairn and Hyman township in Sudbury District at Wabagishik Lake. Finally, the Vermilion River reaches its end at the Spanish River. This happens in an unorganized part of Sudbury District, just east of the town of Espanola. The Spanish River then flows into the North Channel of Lake Huron.
How the River is Used
The Vermilion River and its smaller rivers are important for making electricity.
Electricity from Water
The Stobie Dam on the Vermilion River and other structures on the Onaping River help control the water flow. This controlled water is used to create hydroelectricity at the Lorne station and other power plants along the Spanish River.
The Lorne Falls Dam was first built in 1909 by the Lorne Power Company. Today, it is owned by Vale Inco, a large mining company.
Rivers Joining the Vermilion
Many smaller rivers and creeks flow into the Vermilion River, adding to its water. Here are some of them:
- Wabagishik Lake (which includes Blake Creek)
- Muskawin Creek
- McCharles Lake (which includes Fairbank Creek)
- Levey Creek
- Gordon Creek
- Whitson River
- McKenzie Creek
- Vermilion Lake (which includes Cameron Creek)
- Sandcherry Creek
- Nelson River
- Rapid River
- Grassy Creek
- Wisner Creek
- Hutton Creek
- Roberts River
- Bessie Creek
- Lonely Creek
- Burnish Creek
- Helen Creek
- Coonie Creek
- Pilon Creek
