Sturgeon River Provincial Park

The Sturgeon River Provincial Park is a provincial park in northern Ontario, Canada, that protects about 70 kilometres (43 mi) long section of the Sturgeon River and its banks,[4] from Woods Lake (at the boundary of Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Park in Timiskaming District) to the Sudbury-Nipissing District boundary. It was established in 1989 and expanded in 2005. It protects outstanding water routes that provide recreational canoe camping opportunities. Other activities include hunting and fishing.[3]

Sturgeon River Provincial Park
Upper Goose Falls
Map showing the location of Sturgeon River Provincial Park
Map showing the location of Sturgeon River Provincial Park
Location in Ontario (Canada)
LocationSudbury District, Ontario, Canada
Nearest cityGreater Sudbury
Coordinates46°58′13″N 80°27′46″W / 46.97028°N 80.46278°W / 46.97028; -80.46278[2]
Length70 km (43 mi)
Area7,985 ha (30.83 sq mi)[3]
DesignationWaterway
Established1989
Governing bodyOntario Parks
Websitewww.ontarioparks.ca/park/sturgeonriver
Map

It used to have an area of 33.5 square kilometres (12.9 sq mi) and the park ended south of the Obabika River and Lower Goose Falls. It was extended south in 2005 and now has an area of 79.85 square kilometres (30.83 sq mi). The river itself is 177 kilometres (110 mi) long and continues until it empties at the north shore of and into Lake Nipissing. The town of Sturgeon Falls is located on the river about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north of its mouth.

The park is one of the several provincial parks in the Temagami area. It forms a natural corridor with the adjacent Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park, Solace Provincial Park, Chiniguchi Waterway Provincial Park, and Obabika River Provincial Park. All parks are managed by Ontario Parks.[4]

Features

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The river features a continually changing landscape, from the Temagami highlands, with bedrock outcrops and long slender lakes to narrow river channels, rapids and shallows, eventually turning to sandy shores.[3]

This river is only suitable for experienced backcountry canoeists.[5] With some 65 rapids, canoeists should be able to portage and/or have whitewater canoeing skills.[6] Detailed maps for navigation are essential. Despite its remote setting, it is an operating park, requiring permits for camping (not for day use). The only facilities are 35 backcountry campsites.[3]

 
Kettle Falls

References

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  1. ^ UNEP-WCMC. "Protected Area Profile for Sturgeon River Provincial Park". World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  2. ^ "Sturgeon River Provincial Park". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  3. ^ a b c d "Sturgeon River". www.ontarioparks.com. Ontario Parks. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Policy Report P173e: STURGEON RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK (WATERWAY CLASS)". Crown Land Use Policy Atlas. Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  5. ^ Ontario Parks official website - Sturgeon River Archived 2009-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Wilson, Hap (1988). Temagami canoe routes (Rev. and updated ed.). Merrickville, Ontario: The Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association. ISBN 0969325819.
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