| Nipigon River | |
|---|---|
 Nipigon River viewed to the south, with Nipigon Bay in the distance | |
 Map of original Nipigon River basin, not including the diverted basin | |
  | |
| Location | |
| Canada | |
| Province | Ontario |
| District | Thunder Bay |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Lake Nipigon |
| • coordinates | 49°27′35″N88°13′00″W / 49.45972°N 88.21667°W /49.45972; -88.21667 |
| • elevation | 259 m (850 ft) |
| Mouth | Nipigon Bay |
• location | Red Rock |
• coordinates | 48°57′42″N88°15′00″W / 48.96167°N 88.25000°W /48.96167; -88.25000 |
• elevation | 184 m (604 ft) |
| Length | 48 km (30 mi)[1] |
| Basin size | 25,400 km2 (9,800 sq mi)[2] |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Alexander Generating Station |
| • average | 350 m3/s (12,000 cu ft/s)[3] |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Great Lakes Basin |
| Waterbodies | Helen Lake |
| Bridges | Nipigon River Bridge, CP Railway Bridge |
TheNipigon River is located inThunder Bay District inNorthwesternOntario,Canada.[4] Theriver is about 48 km (30 mi) long[1] (or 209 kilometres (130 mi) when measured to the head of Ombabika River[2]) and50 to 200 m (160 to 660 ft) wide[citation needed], and flows fromLake Nipigon to Nipigon Bay onLake Superior at the community ofRed Rock, dropping from an elevation of 260 to 183 m (853 to 600 ft). It is the largest tributary of Lake Superior.[5]
Since 1943, 14,360 square kilometres (5,545 sq mi) of theOgoki River basin has been diverted to the headwaters of the Little Jackfish River, a tributary of Lake Nipigon. This diversion increases the size of the river's watershed by almost 60% to 39,760 square kilometres (15,350 sq mi), and contributes an average of about 116 cubic metres per second (4,100 cu ft/s) to the Nipigon River.[6][7] This increased flow has caused significant erosion and landslides along the river.[5]
The Nipigon River was formerly known for the size and quantity of thebrook trout that were to be found there. However, fourdams built on the Nipigon led to a major decline in their population. The four dams are as follows:
Threehydroelectric dams on the Nipigon, Cameron Falls Dam, Alexander Dam, and Pine Portage Dam (all operated byOntario Power Generation),[8] provided 2,144gigawatt-hours in 2000.[9] This however effectively makes travel via boat between Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior impossible. The river is also a popular fishing destination.
| Installation (in downstream order) | Capacity | Head[10] | No. of units | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Portage Generating Station | 145 MW | 32 m 105 ft | 4 | 1950 |
| Cameron Falls Generating Station | 92 MW | 22 m 72 ft | 7 | 1920 |
| Alexander Generating Station | 69 MW | 18 m 60 ft | 5 | 1930 |
46 fish species have been identified in the Nipigon River, including the rare sturgeon, cisco, and “coaster” brook trout.[5]
In 1915, Dr Cook caught the world record for the largestbrook trout, also known as speckled trout or coaster trout. Four years later,Prince Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor), spent time fishing on the Nipigon; a trout that he caught was mounted and today is displayed at theNational Archives of Canada.[11] The river also has a run of lake trout, rainbow trout and salmon during various times of the year. Fish that migrate up the river are able to get to the first dam which is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) from the mouth of the river system. The reservoir between the dams are good fishery, especially for large speckled trout and lake trout.
Fishing starts the first of May until freeze up at the end of November. The river can be accessed from boat, or fished by shore from various strategic locations.
