The Madawaska River is a river in the Saint Lawrence River drainage basin in Ontario, Canada. The river is 230 km long and drains an area of 8470 km2. Its name comes from an Algonquian band of the region known as "Matouweskarini", meaning "people of the shallows".

Geography

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 380 m before emptying into the Ottawa River at Arnprior.

Tributaries

Lakes and reservoirs

The lower portion of the Madawaska River supports several large lakes, including:

History

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).

Fauna

The most common species of game fish found in this river include walleye (yellow pickerel), northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass.

Hydroelectric Power

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has 5 stations on the Madawaska. 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. The Calabogie station is being upgraded in 2022 to double capacity from 5 MW to 10 MW. 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.

Provincial parks

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.

Sources