Winisk 90 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Winisk 90
Indian reserve
Winisk Indian Reserve No. 90
Winisk 90 Location in Ontario
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
District	Kenora
First Nation	Weenusk
Area
• Land	53.10 km2 (20.50 sq mi)

Winisk 90 is a special place in Northern Ontario, Canada. It used to be a First Nation community and an reserve. Today, it is known as a ghost town because its residents had to move away.

This community was located in the Kenora District right along the Winisk River. It was once home to the Weenusk First Nation.

Why Winisk 90 Became a Ghost Town

In 1986, a big flood hit the Winisk area. This event is known as the 1986 Winisk Flood. The flood was so powerful that it destroyed the town.

Because of the damage, the people of the Weenusk First Nation had to leave their homes. They moved to a new place called Peawanuck, which is about 30 kilometers (18 miles) inland from the old site.

Military History in Winisk

Before the flood, Winisk was also important for Canada's defense. From 1958 to 1965, it was home to the RCAF Station Winisk. This was a radar control station that was part of the Mid-Canada Line. The Mid-Canada Line was a series of radar stations built to detect any incoming aircraft during the Cold War.

Winisk Airport: A Hub of Activity

The community of Winisk had its own airport, known as Winisk Airport (YWN). It had a long gravel runway, over 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) long. You can still see parts of this old runway in aerial photos today. It is located on the east bank of the Winisk River, across from where the town used to be.

How the Airport Was Built

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) built the airport between 1957 and 1958. Its main purpose was to serve the RCAF Station Winisk. This shows how important the military base was to the area.

Airport Operations and Closure

In 1964, an airline called Transair started offering regular passenger flights. These flights connected Winisk to major cities like Montreal and Ottawa, and even to Churchill, Manitoba.

Even after the RCAF left in 1965, the airport continued to operate. Another airline, Austin Airways, also connected Winisk with other northern communities. However, when the town was relocated in 1986 after the flood, the Winisk Airport closed down. It was replaced by the new Peawanuck Airport near the community's new home.

Airlines and Destinations

Here are some of the places airlines flew to from Winisk Airport: