Winisk River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Winisk River |
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 242 m (794 ft) |
| River mouth | Hudson Bay 0 m (0 ft) 55°16′30″N 85°5′30″W / 55.27500°N 85.09167°W |
| Length | 475 km (295 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 67,300 km2 (26,000 sq mi) |
The Winisk River is a long river in northern Ontario, Canada. It starts at Wunnummin Lake and flows into Winisk Lake. From there, it mostly flows north until it reaches Hudson Bay.
The Winisk River is about 475 kilometres (295 mi) long. This is like driving from Toronto to Ottawa and back! Its drainage basin (the area of land where all the water flows into the river) is huge, covering 67,300 square kilometres (26,000 sq mi). The name "Winisk" comes from the Cree language and means "groundhog".
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Exploring the Winisk River
The Winisk River is very remote, meaning it's far away from cities and towns. You can't reach it by road. Only a few small communities are found along its banks. These include Wunnumin Lake First Nation (on the lake where the river starts), Webequie (on Winisk Lake), and Peawanuck, which is about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from where the river meets Hudson Bay.
River Features and Flow
The river has strong currents and whitewater sections. This happens as it flows off the Canadian Shield, which is a rocky, ancient part of Canada's land. Then, it enters the Hudson Bay lowlands, where the land is flatter. Here, the river becomes much wider and calmer.
What Rivers Join the Winisk?
Many smaller rivers flow into the Winisk River, adding to its size and power. These are called tributaries. Some of the main tributaries include:
- Pipestone River
- Asheweig River
- Shamattawa River
Winisk River Provincial Park: A Wild Place
| Winisk River Provincial Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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| Location | Ontario, Canada |
| Nearest city | Peawanuck, Ontario |
| Area | 1,411 km2 (545 sq mi) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Governing body | Ontario Parks |
Most of the Winisk River, from Winisk Lake all the way to the Polar Bear Provincial Park, is part of a special protected area. This area is called the Winisk River Provincial Park. It was created in 1969 to protect the river and its natural surroundings.
Visiting the Park: What to Expect
This park is a "non-operating" park. This means there are no fees to enter, and you won't find any visitor centers, campgrounds, or services like washrooms. It's truly a wild place! Visitors need to be very experienced in wilderness travel. They must also be skilled at handling whitewater, as some parts of the river can be challenging. It's a place for true adventurers who love nature.
