Seine River (Ontario)

The Seine River is a river in Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay Districts in northwestern Ontario, Canada. It flows from Lac des Mille Lacs to Rainy Lake.

The river was an important route in the days of the fur trade. Gold was discovered along the river near the end of the 19th century and several mining operations established in the area. In 1943, a section of the river was diverted near Steep Rock Lake to gain access to a large iron ore deposit under the lake. That mine has since been closed. The river is used for recreational canoeing and kayaking.

Course

Upper Reaches

The rivers flows west out of the northwest arm of Lac des Mille Lacs in Thunder Bay District over the Lac des Mille Lacs Dam, owned by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and operated by the Valerie Falls Limited Partnership (Brookfield Renewable Power) (See Lac des Mille Lacs Dam). It flows through Mosher lake, takes in the left tributary Firesteel River and briefly flows through the southeast corner of Kenora District. The river turns southwest into Rainy River District, heads over the Long Rapids and Camp Six Rapids, takes in the left tributary Mercutio River, tumbles over the Islands Falls, reaches Bradshaw Lake and flows into the Marmion Lake and reservoir, where it takes in four right tributaries.

Seine River Diversion

Lower Reaches

Below Steeprock Lake, the river takes in the major left tributary Atikokan River and the minor left tributary Caribus...
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