 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "North Channel" Ontario – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(September 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
TheNorth Channel is the body of water along the north shore ofLake Huron, in theCanadian province ofOntario and the state ofMichigan in theUnited States of America.[1] It stretches approximately 160 nautical miles (300 km) and is bordered on the east byGeorgian Bay, on the west by theSt. Marys River, to the north by the easternAlgoma District and part of theSudbury District, and to the south by the islands ofManitoulin,Cockburn,Drummond andSt. Joseph. At its widest point it is over 30 km (20 miles) wide.[2]
In addition to Georgian Bay, the North Channel is connected to the main body of Lake Huron by theFalse Detour Channel and theMississagi Strait, which separate the above-noted islands.
The channel is recognized as one of the best freshwater cruising grounds in the world. There are full-service marinas in various small communities along the shore providing sufficient provisions. A large section of the north shore is bordered byLa Cloche Provincial Park providing for a scenic environment.[3]
The only road crossings of the North Channel are at theLittle Current Swing Bridge, which carriesHighway 6 betweenManitoulin Island and the mainland ofNorthern Ontario, and the Bernt Gilbertson Bridge, which carriesHighway 548 from the mainland onto St. Joseph Island. The bridges are located at two of the narrowest points along the entire channel.
Some areas of the North Channel are protected by organizations such as theGeorgian Bay Land Trust and Escarpment Biosphere Preserve.
The communities on the mainland side of the North Channel, between the townships ofTarbutt andNairn and Hyman, are commonly grouped as the North Shore region. This designation does not generally include the communities on St. Joseph or Manitoulin islands.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
46°04′10″N82°53′41″W / 46.06942°N 82.894592°W /46.06942; -82.894592
