Nipigon River

The Nipigon River is a river in Thunder Bay District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.[1] It is about 48 km (30 mi) long and 50 to 200 m (160 to 660 ft) wide, and flows from Lake Nipigon to Nipigon Bay on Lake Superior at the community of Nipigon, dropping from an elevation of 260 to 183 m (853 to 600 ft).

View of the Nipigon River

History

The Nipigon River was formerly known for the size and quantity of the brook trout that were to be found there. However, four dams built on the Nipigon led to a major decline in their population. The four dams are as follows:

  • Cameron Falls Dam built in 1918
  • Virgin Falls Dam built in 1925
  • Alexander Dam built in 1930
  • Pine Portage Dam built in 1950

Modern uses

Three hydroelectric dams, Cameron Falls Dam, Alexander Dam, and Pine Portage Dam on the Nipigon provided 2,144 gigawatt-hours in 2000.[2] This however effectively makes travel via boat between Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior impossible. The river is also a popular fishing destination.

Fishing
Prince Edward, Prince of Wales talks with river guide Neil McDougall at their camp on the Nipigon River, 1919.

In 1915 Dr Cook caught the world record for the largest brook trout, aka 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 the National Archives of Canada.[3] 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.

See also

References
  1. "Nipigon River". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
  2. "Chapter 2: Ecological Land Use and Resource Management Strategy" (PDF). Lake Nipigon Conservation Reserve Resource Management Plan. Ontario Parks. July 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
  3. Whalen, James. "Royalty on the Nipigon". Brook Trout Heaven. Retrieved 2013-04-01.


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