| Madawaska River | |
| Name Etymology: | From name of Algonquian band "Matouweskarini" meaning "people of the shallows" |
| Pushpin Map: | Canada Southern Ontario |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the mouth of the Madawaska River in southern Ontario |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type2: | Province |
| Subdivision Name2: | Ontario |
| Subdivision Type3: | Regions |
| Subdivision Type4: | County/District |
| Length: | 230km (140miles) |
| Discharge1 Avg: | 85m3/s |
| Source1: | Source Lake |
| Source1 Location: | Canisbay Township, Unorganized South Part, Nipissing District |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 45.5644°N -78.6322°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 450m (1,480feet) |
| Mouth: | Ottawa River |
| Mouth Location: | Arnprior, Renfrew County |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 45.4431°N -76.3489°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 70m (230feet) |
| River System: | Ottawa River drainage basin |
| Basin Size: | 8470km2 |
| Tributaries Left: | Opeongo River |
| Tributaries Right: | York River |
The Madawaska River is a river in the Saint Lawrence River drainage basin in Ontario, Canada.[1] [2] The river is 2300NaN0 long and drains an area of 84700NaN0.[3] Its name comes from an Algonquian band of the region known as "Matouweskarini", meaning "people of the shallows".
The Madawaska River rises at Source Lake in geographic Canisbay Township in the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District, in the highlands of southern Algonquin Park. It flows east, dropping 3800NaN0 before emptying into the Ottawa River at Arnprior.
The lower portion of the Madawaska River supports several large lakes, including:
In the late 19th century, the river was used to transport logs from the forested areas surrounding the river. Beginning in the 1960s, the river was used to generate hydroelectric power. Undammed sections of the river are also used for canoeing, kayaking and recreational fishing.
Around 1916, artist Tom Thomson followed the log drive down the river, painting the subject in The Drive (1916-17).[4]
The most common species of game fish found in this river include walleye (yellow pickerel), northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has 5 stations on the Madawaska.[5]
| Mountain Chute | 1967 | 170 MW | 2 | |
| Barrett Chute | 1942 | 176 MW | 4 | |
| Calabogie | 1917 | 5 MW | 2 | |
| Stewartville | 1948 | 182 MW | 5 | |
| Arnprior | 1976 | 82 MW | 2 |
In June 2002 sluice gates at the Barrett Chute Generating Station were accidentally opened, killing two people, and injuring seven. OPG and two employees were charged with criminal negligence. Procedures at the plant were reviewed, and fencing added or repaired.[6]
The Calabogie station is being upgraded in 2022 to double capacity from 5 MW to 10 MW.[7] The original station was badly damaged by a tornado in September 2018. Clean up was completed in 2020. The project is expected to cost 100 million dollars. [8]
Two sections of the river are designated and protected as provincial waterway parks:
Both parks are administered by Ontario Parks but are non-operating, meaning there are no visitor facilities or services available. Both are ideal for whitewater canoeing.
