Winisk River

The Winisk River is a river in northern Ontario, Canada, that starts at Wunnummin Lake and flows east to Winisk Lake. From there it continues in a mostly northly direction to Hudson Bay. The Winisk River is 475 kilometres (295 mi) long and has a drainage basin of 67,300 square kilometres (26,000 sq mi).[1] The name is from Cree origin meaning "groundhog".

For the town situated along the river, see Winisk, Ontario.
Winisk River
Location
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • elevation242 m (794 ft)
MouthHudson Bay
 • coordinates
55°16′30″N 85°5′30″W
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length475 km (295 mi)
Basin size67,300 km2 (26,000 sq mi)[1]

The river is remote and not accessible by road. Only a few isolated communities are along the river: Wunnumin Lake First Nation (on same lake), Webequie (on Winisk Lake) and Peawanuck, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from its end). It is characterized by strong currents and whitewater while flowing off the Canadian Shield into the Hudson Bay lowlands. Here the river becomes broad.

Tributaries
  • Pipestone River
  • Asheweig River
  • Shamattawa River

Provincial Park
Winisk River Provincial Park
IUCN category II (national park)
LocationOntario, Canada
Nearest cityPeawanuck, Ontario
Area1,411 km2 (545 sq mi)
Established1969[2]
Governing bodyOntario Parks

For most of the length of the Winisk River and its banks, from Winisk Lake to the Polar Bear Provincial Park, has been designated a provincial waterway park. It is a non-operating park, meaning no fees are charged and no visitor facilities or services are present. Visitors must be experienced in travelling through isolated wilderness and skilled in handling whitewater.

See also

References
  1. "Canada Drainage Basins". The National Atlas of Canada, 5th edition. Natural Resources Canada. 1985. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  2. "Winisk River Provincial Park - Waterway". Protected Planet. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014.


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