User:Geo Swan/Navigation on the Magnetawan River

From pre-columbian times the canoe navigation on the Magnetawan River provided a route connecting the Ottawa River to Georgian Bay.

The headwaters of the river lie in Ontario's large Algonquin Park, one of Canada's first wilderness parks. Rapids on the upper reaches of the Magnetawan are enjoyed by fans of whitewater transit.

Steamship period
Steamships were employed on the Magnetawan River from the late 19th century until 1934.

Dams and locks were built to extend the portion of the Magnetawan River that was navigable.

Tugboats towed rafts of timber down the river. A tug named Mike was the last vessel to travel on the river. The Northern Belle was struck by a devastating fire in Byng Inlet, on November, 10, 1898.