French River (Ontario)

For other locations with the same name, see French River (disambiguation).
French River
Rivière des Français, Wemitigoj-Sibi
Recollet Falls of the French River near Hwy. 69
Country Canada
Province Ontario
Region Nipissing, Parry Sound, and
Sudbury Districts
Source Lake Nipissing
 - location Nipissing District
 - coordinates 46°12′30″N 79°49′30″W / 46.20833°N 79.82500°W / 46.20833; -79.82500
Mouth Georgian Bay
 - location Parry Sound District
Coords for Main Outlet:
 - coordinates 45°56′26″N 80°54′06″W / 45.94056°N 80.90167°W / 45.94056; -80.90167Coordinates: 45°56′26″N 80°54′06″W / 45.94056°N 80.90167°W / 45.94056; -80.90167
Length 110 km (68 mi)
Basin 19,100 km2 (7,400 sq mi)
Location of the mouth of the French River in Ontario

The French River (French: ''Rivière des Français'' or in Ojibway Wemitigoj-Sibi) is a river in Central Ontario, Canada. It flows 110 kilometres (68 mi) from Lake Nipissing west to Georgian Bay.[1] The river largely follows the boundary between the Parry Sound District and the Sudbury District, and in most contexts is considered the dividing line between Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario. The French River was designated a Canadian Heritage River in 1986.

Geography

The French River flows through typical Canadian Shield country, in many places exposing rugged glaciated rock but also through heavily forested areas on the upper portion. The mouth of the river forms an extensive delta, containing countless islands and numerous channels which vary from narrow, enclosed steep-walled gorges, falls and rapids, to broad expanses of open water.

Tributaries of this river include the:

History

It was used as a transportation corridor by the Algonquian peoples of this region. The Ojibwa named this the "French River" because it became associated with French explorers of the 17th century, including Étienne Brûlé, Samuel de Champlain and Pierre-Esprit Radisson, and missionaries.

Other explorers who later followed this route included Simon Fraser, Alexander Mackenzie and David Thompson.

Together with the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers, the French River formed part of the water highway from Montreal to Lake Superior in the days of the fur trade. It remained a major canoe route until about 1820. Around 1855,[2] the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada provided newfound access to the area and the Georgian Bay. This led to increased exploration and interest for fishing and logging during the era of the Industrial Revolution. After the Great Chicago Fire in 1871,[3] there was a boom in logging along with the creation of Lumber barons in the Great Lakes. The French River was "ripe for the picking with its seamlessly inexhaustible supply of timber and proximity to the American markets".[4]

Near the end of the 19th century, logging became the primary activity in the area. It was later settled as a summer tourist and recreation area. For this reason, the French River was designated a Canadian Heritage River in 1985.[5] Because of the rugged nature of the Canadian Shield country surrounding this river, large parts of this river remain relatively untouched and it is now a popular location for recreational canoeing, kayaking, photography, camping, fishing and boating.

Following bouts of overfishing, in the 1994 the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources placed a slot limit on fishing to protect prime breeding year classes and increase the trophy fish population in the French River.

French River Waterway Provincial Park

French River Provincial Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Location Ontario, Canada
Nearest city French River
Noëlville
Area 517.40 square kilometres (199.77 sq mi)
Established 1989
Governing body Ontario Parks

Most of the river's shores from Lake Nipissing to the Georgian Bay, except for the land occupied by the Dokis First Nation between the Upper and Lower French River, have been protected and designated as a provincial waterway park. There are 230 undeveloped back-country campsites available in the park along the river. French River continues to attract vacationers and cottage owners who enjoy the clear water, rocky shores and pine growth forests.

See also

References

  1. ↑ PWGSC, French River & Lake Nipissing
  2. ↑ Marsh, James. "Railway History". Historica Canada. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  3. ↑ "The Great Chicago Fire". Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  4. ↑ Kelly, Wayne. "Capturing the French River". Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  5. ↑ "French River Provincial Park Management Plan" (PDF). Retrieved January 17, 2016.
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