Welcome

Lake Nipissing and the French River watershed in northern Ontario, was created more than ten thousand years ago when the last ice-age receded and left a maze of rivers and small lakes.

The vast 19,100 square kilometre Northern OntarioWatershed has a long and rich history for Canadians having once been used as a major link to Georgian Bay along Canada's historic fur trade and Voyageur route.

The 105 km French River became a Heritage River in 1990. Lake Nipissing covers more than 850 sq. km and is the fourth largest inland lake in Ontario.

The Government of Canada owns and operates three dams on Lake Nipissing at the headwaters of the French River. The Big Chaudière Dam, Little Chaudière Dam and Portage Dam each play a critical role in effective water management.

These dams ensure that appropriate water levels are maintained for general boating and commercial navigation on Lake Nipissing, while balancing additional water management considerations.

Thanks to an integrated water management approach, efforts are being made to achieve consistent water levels on Lake Nipissing and the French River throughout the year. This includes keeping lower water levels in preparation for the spring runoff and a reduction of high water levels on both the lake and the river.