Severn River (northern Ontario)

The Severn River is a river in northern Ontario. The northern Ontario river has its headwaters near the western border of the province. From the head of the Black Birch River, the Severn River is 982 km (610 mi) long and its drainage basin area is 102,800 km² (39,700 sq mi),[1] a small portion of which is in Manitoba. Its source is Deer Lake and flows northeasterly into Severn Lake, then by a second section to Hudson Bay where it ends at Fort Severn.

Severn River
Severn River near its mouth at Fort Severn
Location of the mouth of Severn River in Ontario
Location
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Physical characteristics
Source	Deer Lake
• location	Deer Lake, Kenora District
• coordinates	52°40′N 94°25′W
• elevation	310 m (1,020 ft)
Mouth	Hudson Bay
• location	Fort Severn
• coordinates	55°59′N 87°38′W
Length	982 km (610 mi)
Basin size	102,800 km2 (39,700 sq mi)
Basin features
River system	Hudson Bay drainage basin

The First Nation communities of Sandy Lake, Bearskin Lake, and Fort Severn are located along the river. These were formed at the sites of former trading posts built when the Severn River was a prominent river during the fur trade era.

Located at the mouth of the river, Fort Severn was established as a trading post in 1689 by the Hudson's Bay Company. It was captured by Pierre le Moyne, sieur d'Iberville in 1690. The post, rebuilt in 1759, has been in continuous operation to this day making this community one of the oldest European settlements in Ontario.

At its source on Deer Lake is the small community of Deer Lake, Ontario.