Kapuskasing River

Course

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

The river begins at Kapuskasing Lake in geographic Kapuskasing Township, Algoma District, 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 into geographic Cargill Township in Cochrane District.

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.

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.

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.

Tributaries