Kapuskasing River

Kapuskasing River
Rivière de Kapuskasing
River
Kapuskasing River in the town of Kapuskasing
Country Canada
Ontario Ontario
Region Northeastern Ontario
Districts Cochrane, Algoma
Part of James Bay drainage basin
Tributaries
 - left Lost River, Dunrankin River
 - right Remi River, Saganash River, Nemegosenda River
Source Kapuskasing Lake
 - location Kapuskasing Township, Algoma District
 - elevation 312 m (1,024 ft)
 - coordinates 48°31′01″N 82°53′51″W / 48.51694°N 82.89750°W
Mouth Mattagami River
 - location Clay Township, Cochrane District
 - elevation 195 m (640 ft)
 - coordinates 49°48′31″N 82°00′10″W / 49.80861°N 82.00278°WCoordinates: 49°48′31″N 82°00′10″W / 49.80861°N 82.00278°W
Location of the mouth of the Kapuskasing River in Ontario

The Kapuskasing River is a river in the James Bay drainage basin in Cochrane District and Algoma District in northeastern Ontario, Canada.[1][2] The river is a left tributary of the Mattagami River.

Course

For a map showing the river course, see this reference.[2]

The river begins at Kapuskasing Lake in geographic Kapuskasing Township, Algoma District,[3] near the railway point of Elsas, on the Canadian National Railway transcontinental main line and the location of Elsas railway station served by Via Rail Canadian trains. It flows northeast under the mainline, takes in the right tributary Nemegosenda River, passes over the Jackpine Rapids (bypassed by the Jackpine Portage), the Loon Rapids, the Buchan Falls and the Clouston Rapids, and takes in the right tributary Dunrankin River. It heads north over the Cedar Rapids, heads over the Woman Falls and Old Woman Falls, and passes from geographic Shanly Township, Algoma District[4] into geographic Cargill Township in Cochrane District.[5]

The Kapuskasing River continues northeast over the White Otter Falls, the Bakatase Falls, the Camp Three Rapids and the Big Beaver Falls, takes in the right tributary Saganash River and reaches the town of Kapuskasing, where it is crossed by Ontario Highway 11 and the Ontario Northland Railway line (formerly Canadian National Railway, originally the National Transcontinental Railway). It passes over a hydro dam, the Spruce Falls, takes in the left tributary Lost River and right tributary Remi River, and reaches its mouth at the Mattagami River in geographic Clay Township, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of the community of Fraserdale. The Mattagami River flows via the Moose River to James Bay.

Recreation

The Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament, part of the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail (NOWT), is held annually on the river on a 40-kilometre (25 mi) stretch of the river from its mouth upstream.[6]

Economy

Hydroelectric generating stations with a combined capacity of 22 MW are under construction at four sites south of the town of Kapuskasing: Big Beaver Falls, Camp Three Rapids, White Otter Falls and Old Woman Falls. Each site features an identical arrangement: location on the left bank of the river; two 2-metre (6 ft 7 in) diameter and 45-metre (148 ft) long inflatable diversion floodgates in the river; excavated approach channels and tail races; twin intakes, penstocks and identical 2.75 MW bulb turbines. The sites are expected to be in operation by 2012.[7]

In addition, hydroelectric generating stations with a combined capacity of 19.45 MW have been proposed for four sites on the river between its source and to the south of the town of Kapuskasing.[8]

Tributaries

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kapuskasing River". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Kapuskasing River". Atlas of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2011-08-21. Shows the river course.
  3. ↑ "Kapuskasing" (PDF). Geology Ontario - Historic Claim Maps. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  4. ↑ "Shanly" (PDF). Geology Ontario - Historic Claim Maps. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  5. ↑ "Cargill" (PDF). Geology Ontario - Historic Claim Maps. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  6. ↑ "Home page". Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  7. ↑ "01 Accueil" [01 Welcome]. Kapuskasing North Waterpower Project (in French). Hydromega services. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  8. ↑ "Kapuskasing River:Middle Twp. Buchan, Lapinigam Rapids, Near North Boundary, Outlet Kapuskasing Lake". Xeneca Power Development. Retrieved 2011-08-21.

Other map sources: