Goulais River
The Goulais River (Pronounced: goo-lee) is a river in northern Ontario, Canada,[3] which rises in the Algoma highlands and empties into Goulais Bay on eastern Lake Superior near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It is one of the largest tributaries on the eastern lake, draining an area of approximately 2,000 square kilometres (770 sq mi).
| Goulais River | |
|---|---|
 | |
  | |
| Location | |
| Canada | |
| Province | Ontario |
| District | Algoma |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Goulais Bay |
• location | Goulais and District |
• coordinates | 46°42′41″N 84°26′49″W |
• elevation | 183 m (600 ft) |
| Length | 70 km (43 mi)[1] |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Kirby's Corner |
| • average | 31.9 m3/s (1,130 cu ft/s)[2] |
The river and its tributaries were used to transport logs to local sawmills during the second half of the 19th century. The Algoma Central Railway travels up the river valley on its way to the Agawa canyon.
At one time, the river was an important spawning area for lake sturgeon. However, logging operations, fishing and the installation of an electric barrier to prevent sea lampreys from travelling upstream (removed in 1960) have reduced sturgeon activity in the river.
The river is used for recreational canoeing, kayaking, and swimming, and the headwaters and parts of the river have been protected by the Goulais River Provincial Park.
The river's name is thought to come from the French word goulet or "narrow passage", which is also the source of the English words "gully" and "gullet". The French called the area at the river's mouth Anse de la pêche or "Fish Inlet".
The Goulais River is a popular yellow pickerel fishing area. The river is also home to bass, brook trout, and other species.
Goulais River Provincial Park
| Goulais River Provincial Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 46°59′50″N 83°54′46″W |
| Area | 50.86 km2 (19.64 sq mi) |
| Established | 2003 |
| Governing body | Ontario Parks |
Since 2003, a 5,086 hectares (12,570 acres) section of the river is protected in the Goulais River Provincial Park.[4] It is a waterway park consisting of a strip of land along both shores of the river. Some of its features includes shoreline wetlands, falls, a lake section, and stretches through talus slopes and bedrock resembling rock gardens. It is home to a self-sustaining brook trout population.[5]
As a non-operating park, there are no visitor facilities and services.[5]
The park is part of the Algoma Headwaters Signature Site, that also includes the Algoma Headwaters Provincial Park, Aubinadong-Nushatogaini Rivers Provincial Park, and the Ranger North Conservation Reserve.[6]
See also
References
- Martin, Carol (5 April 2006). "Everything you need to know about the Goulais River". SooToday.com. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- "Monthly Discharge Data for GOULAIS RIVER NEAR KIRBY'S CORNER (02BF014) [ON]". wateroffice.ec.gc.ca. Environment Canada. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- "Goulais River". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- "Goulais River Provincial Park". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- "Goulais River". www.ontarioparks.com. Ontario Parks. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- "Algoma Headwaters Signature Site Management Plan". ontario.ca. Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. March 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
External links
Media related to Goulais River (Ontario) at Wikimedia Commons
