Seine River (Ontario)

The Seine River is a river in Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay Districts in northwestern Ontario, Canada. It flows 240 kilometres (149 mi) from Lac des Mille Lacs to Rainy Lake.

For other places with the same name, see Seine River.
Seine River
Location of the mouth of the Seine River in Ontario
EtymologyNamed after the Seine River in France
Location
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
RegionNorthwestern Ontario
Districts
Physical characteristics
SourceLac des Mille Lacs
 • locationThunder Bay District
 • coordinates48°58′46″N 90°43′49″W
 • elevation457 m (1,499 ft)
MouthRainy Lake
 • location
Rainy River District
 • coordinates
48°39′56″N 92°49′19″W
 • elevation
338 m (1,109 ft)
Length240 km (150 mi)
Basin features
River systemHudson Bay drainage basin
Tributaries 
 • leftAtikokan River, Mercutio River
 • rightEye River, Firesteel River

The river was an important route in the days of the fur trade. Gold was discovered along the river near the end of the 19th century and several mining operations established in the area. In 1943, a section of the river was diverted near Steep Rock Lake to gain access to a large iron ore deposit under the lake. That mine has since been closed. The river is used for recreational canoeing and kayaking.

Course

Upper reaches

The river flows west out of the northwest arm of Lac des Mille Lacs in Thunder Bay District over the Lac des Mille Lacs Dam, owned by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and operated by the Valerie Falls Limited Partnership (Brookfield Renewable Power) (See Lac des Mille Lacs Dam).[1] It flows through Mosher lake, takes in the left tributary Firesteel River and briefly flows through the southeast corner of Kenora District. The river turns southwest into Rainy River District, heads over the Long Rapids and Camp Six Rapids, takes in the left tributary Mercutio River, tumbles over the Islands Falls, reaches Bradshaw Lake and flows into the Marmion Lake and reservoir, where it takes in four right tributaries.

According to Barnes, the Upper Seine River was a "prime gold area." Key mines included the Harold Lake Mine (1894-1896), the Hammond Reef Mine (1894-1922), and the Sawbill Mine (1897-1899).[2]

Seine River Diversion
Main article: Seine River Diversion

Lower reaches

Below Steeprock Lake, the river takes in the major left tributary Atikokan River and the minor left tributary Caribus Creek, then takes in the outflow from the Seine River Diversion on the right. It flows west over the Boyce Rapids, takes in the right tributary Eye River, passes through the Chubb Narrows and Banning Narrows, and reaches Calm Lake. The lake is controlled at the west end by the Calm Lake Dam and generating station (10 MW), built in 1926 and operated today by Abitibi-Consolidated Hydro.[3][4] The river heads out of the lake southwest over the Manitou Rapids into Fin Bay on Laseine Lake. This lake is controlled at the west end by the Sturgeon Falls Dam and generating station (8 MW), also built in 1926 and also operated today by Abitibi-Consolidated Hydro.[3][4]

The river heads west, is crossed by Ontario Highway 11, passes the community of Seine River Village (post office established in 1895 on the right bank,[5] and reaches its mouth at Seine Bay on Rainy Lake.

Gold was discovered in the area by J.S. Campbell in 1893, which resulted in the Golden Crescent Mine. Other notable mines included the Foley Mine (1897-1898), the Gold Star Mine, and the Olive Mine (1897-1909). However, most of the mines in the area closed down with the collapse of the gold rush from 1903 to 1904.[2]:21–23

Tributaries
  • Albertson Creek (right)
  • McLeod Creek (right)
  • Suckers Creek (left)
  • Swamp Creek (left)
  • Laseine Lake
    • Price Creek (left)
    • Mills Creek (left)
  • Calm Lake
    • Little Joe Creek (right)
    • Niven Creek (right)
  • McCaulay Creek (left)
  • Arnold Creek (right)
  • Jackfish Creek (left)
  • Eye River (right)
  • Caribus Creek (left)
  • Atikokan River (left)
  • Hardtack Creek (right)
  • Marmion Lake
    • Sawbill Creek (right)
    • Lumby Creek (right)
    • Light Creek (right)
    • Caribou River (right)
  • Mercutio River (left)
  • Firesteel River (right)

See also

References
  1. "Lac des Mille Lacs Dam". Seine River Watershed. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
  2. Barnes, Michael (1995). Gold in Ontario. Erin: The Boston Mills Press. pp. 13-19-21. ISBN 155046146X.
  3. "Calm Lake Dam". Seine River Watershed. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  4. "ACH Limited Partnership". AbitibiBowater. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  5. "Seine River Village". Ontario Rural Routes. RuralRoutes.com. Retrieved 2010-08-10.

Sources
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