The Steel River (historically also spelled as Steele River) is a river in
Thunder Bay District
Thunder Bay District is a district and census division in Northwestern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. The district seat is Thunder Bay.
In 2016, the population was 146,048. The land area is ; the population density was . Most of ...
in northern
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...
, Canada.
It empties into the north shore of
Lake Superior
Lake Superior in central North America is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface areaThe Caspian Sea is the largest lake, but is saline, not freshwater. and the third-largest by volume, holding 10% of the world's surface fresh wa ...
east of
Terrace Bay
Terrace Bay is a township in Thunder Bay District in northern Ontario, Canada, located on the north shore of Lake Superior east of Thunder Bay along Ontario Highway 17, Highway 17. The name originates from a series of lake Terrace (geology), ter ...
.
Most of the river is protected in a provincial waterway park. It is a popular location for
canoe
A canoe is a lightweight narrow water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using a single-bladed paddle.
In British English, the term ...
ing and
fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...
.
Description
The river starts at the north end of Cairngorm Lake, flowing a short distance north to
Steel Lake, which is a long narrow lake with its outlet also at the very northern end. From here the Steel River turns 180 degrees, flowing due south to Lake Superior. It is a free flowing river with steep canyons and rugged bedrock terrain.
The Steel River was likely used as a minor supply or fur-trading route in the 19th century. One indigenous burial site has been found along the river. It was first advertised as a canoeing destination in the 1890s by the
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway (french: Chemin de fer Canadien Pacifique) , also known simply as CPR or Canadian Pacific and formerly as CP Rail (1968–1996), is a Canadian Class I railway incorporated in 1881. The railway is owned by Canadi ...
, that crosses the river near its mouth.
The Steel River can be paddled as a circular loop via a
portage
Portage or portaging (Canada: ; ) is the practice of carrying water craft or cargo over land, either around an obstacle in a river, or between two bodies of water. A path where items are regularly carried between bodies of water is also called a ...
(albeit with a strenuous climb) from Santoy Lake to Diablo Lake and on to Cairngorm Lake.
The Steel River is among a few north shore rivers that were never used for
log drives.
Steel River Provincial Park
The Steel River Provincial Park consists of a wide corridor along each side of the Steel Lake and River system north of Santoy Lake, including Diablo Lake on the south. It also includes the Little Steel River up to Grehan Lake in the north. It was established in 1989 to protect the cultural and natural features of the river, while also providing backcountry recreational opportunities.
Significant features of the park include long narrow lakes, rugged cliffs, ravines, swamps, ponds, oxbow lakes, and a waterfall.
Although it is a non-operating park, meaning that there are no facilities or services, the campsites and portages are maintained. Permitted activities include boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, and hunting.
See also
*List of rivers of Ontario
This is the list of rivers which are in and flow through Ontario. The watershed list includes tributaries as well.
Dee River, flows between Three Mile Lake and Lake Rosseau.
List of rivers arranged by watershed Hudson Bay
Atlantic Ocean
...
References
External links
{{Commons category-inline
Rivers of Thunder Bay District