Pukaskwa River Explained

Pukaskwa River
Name Etymology:From the Ojibwa word "Pukasu"
Pushpin Map:Canada Ontario
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of the mouth of the Pukaskwa River in Ontario
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:Canada
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Ontario
Subdivision Type3:Region
Subdivision Name3:Northern Ontario
Subdivision Type4:Districts
Source1:Gibson Lake
Source1 Location:Algoma District
Source1 Coordinates:48.3306°N -85.3286°W
Source1 Elevation:464m (1,522feet)
Mouth:Lake Superior
Mouth Location:Homer Township
Mouth Coordinates:48.0039°N -85.8925°W
Mouth Elevation:183m (600feet)
River System:Great Lakes Basin
Tributaries Left:East Pukaskwa River
Tributaries Right:Fox River

The Pukaskwa River is a river in Thunder Bay District and Algoma District in Northern Ontario, Canada.[1] It is in the Great Lakes Basin and is a tributary of Lake Superior, which it enters at the south end of Pukaskwa National Park. It is a remote, pristine, free-flowing, medium-sized Shield river, with lots of whitewater, best travelled in spring.[2]

A waterfall at Schist Falls,[3] just upstream of the river mouth and with a drop of, can only be visited by travelling along the river.

The river's name is said to come from the Ojibwa word "Pukasu", which refers to cooking the marrow in the bones of animals. The legend is that a native of the area is said to have killed his wife, burned the bones and thrown them into the river.

The Pukaskwa River was featured in the artwork and films of Bill Mason, including Waterwalker (1984).[2]

Geography

The river begins at Gibson Lake which straddles the border between Algoma District and Thunder Bay District. The river exits the lake in Algoma District, travels southwest into Thunder Bay District and into Jarvey Lake, which also straddles the border. It passes into Algoma District then back into Thunder Bay District before leaving Jarvey Lake at the south west heading in a southwest direction. it briefly turns west, takes in the right tributary Fox River, and heads south. The river resumes a southwest course, enters geographic Homer Township,[4] takes in the left tributary East Pukaskwa River, flows over the Schist Falls, and reaches its mouth at Lake Superior.

From upstream of the East Pukaskwa River confluence to the river mouth, the Pukaskwa River forms the southern boundary of Pukaskwa National Park.

Tributaries

Pukaskwa River Provincial Park

The Pukaskwa River Provincial Park protects a long section of the Pukaskwa River, including its headwater lakes. The remaining of the river is protected in the adjacent Pukaskwa National Park. It was established in 2002 and offers a remote whitewater river experience for persons with advanced canoeing and camping skills.[2]

The park features "spectacular scenery" as the Pukaskwa River flows through lakes and small wetlands that are linked by bedrock channels with shallow sandy till rock uplands and sand and gravel deposits.

It is a non-operating park, meaning that there are no services. The only facilities provided are 4 backcountry campsites. Permitted activities include boating, canoeing, fishing, and hunting.

Canoeing

Canoeing the Pukaskwa River is considered to be challenging due to its remoteness and difficulty, and navigable only during spring run-off, from May to early June. Once reaching the river's mouth, paddlers will require a boat shuttle or a lengthy paddle along the undeveloped coast of Lake Superior to reach civilization (either paddle north to the Park's office at Hattie Cove, or a paddle east to Michipicoten).[5] [6]

The river has some 57 rapids that can be run in high water, ranging from Class I to IV. One notable whitewater section is the Ringham’s Gorge, a 3adj=midNaNadj=mid whitewater canyon. There are also a few Class V rapids and several waterfalls that need to be portaged.[6]

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. FCITM. Pukaskwa River. 2014-09-14.
  2. Web site: Pukaskwa River Park Management Statement (2006 – Amended 2019) . Ontario.ca . Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks . 12 October 2021 . en . 12 November 2015.
  3. FCNKH. Schist Falls. 2014-09-14.
  4. Web site: Homer. PDF. Geology Ontario - Historic Claim Maps. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry. 2014-09-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20140915093703/http://www.geologyontario.mndmf.gov.on.ca/website/historic_claim_maps/H/Homer.pdf. 2014-09-15. dead.
  5. Web site: Backcountry paddling - Pukaskwa National Park . www.pc.gc.ca . Parks Canada, Government of Canada . 13 November 2021 . 6 May 2021.
  6. Web site: Paddling Routes - Pukaskwa River . www.lakesuperioradventures.ca . Lake Superior Adventures . 13 November 2021.