| Madawaska River | |
|---|---|
 Upper Madawaska River atWhitney | |
  Location of the mouth of the Madawaska River in southern Ontario | |
| Etymology | From name of Algonquian band "Matouweskarini" meaning "people of the shallows" |
| Location | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Regions | |
| County/District | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Source Lake |
| • location | Canisbay Township,Unorganized South Part,Nipissing District |
| • coordinates | 45°33′52″N78°37′56″W / 45.56444°N 78.63222°W /45.56444; -78.63222 |
| • elevation | 450 m (1,480 ft) |
| Mouth | Ottawa River |
• location | Arnprior,Renfrew County |
• coordinates | 45°26′35″N76°20′56″W / 45.44306°N 76.34889°W /45.44306; -76.34889 |
• elevation | 70 m (230 ft) |
| Length | 230 km (140 mi) |
| Basin size | 8,470 km2 (3,270 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 85 m3/s (3,000 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Ottawa River→St. Lawrence River→Gulf of St. Lawrence |
| River system | Ottawa Riverdrainage basin |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Opeongo River |
| • right | York River |
TheMadawaska River is a tributary of theOttawa River in theSt. Lawrence Riverdrainage basin inOntario, Canada.[1][2] The river is 230 km (143 mi) long and drains an area of 8,470 km2 (3,270 sq mi).[3] Its name comes from anAlgonquian band of the region known as "Matouweskarini", meaning "people of the shallows".
The Madawaska River rises atSource Lake in geographic Canisbay Township in theUnorganized South Part ofNipissing District, in the highlands of southernAlgonquin Park.[2] It flows east, dropping 380 m (1,247 ft) before emptying into theOttawa River atArnprior.
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 generatehydroelectric power. Undammed sections of the river are also used forcanoeing,kayaking and recreational fishing.
Around 1916, artistTom Thomson followed thelog drive down the river, painting the subject inThe Drive (1916-17).[4]
The most common species of game fish found in this river includewalleye (yellow pickerel),northern pike,muskellunge,smallmouth bass, andlargemouth bass.[5]
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has 5 stations on the Madawaska.[6]
| Station | Year | Capacity | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.[7]
The Calabogie station is being upgraded in 2022 to double capacity from 5 MW to 10 MW.[8] 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.[9]
Two sections of the river are designated and protected as provincial waterway parks:
Both parks are administered byOntario Parks but are non-operating, meaning there are no visitor facilities or services available. Both are ideal forwhitewater canoeing.
