Kenogamissi Lake

Kenogamissi Lake

This lake is on the great Mattagami River which begins its journey approximately 190 Km. southwest of our location (at the arctic watershed) and travels north to join the Moose River and finally merging with the salty water of James Bay.

The waterway was first extensively used by aborigines, then the fur traders of the Hudson Bay Company, followed by the resource industries and more recently, starting in the early 20th century, aiding in the production of hydro electric power.

We call it home, and we would be honored if You allowed us to share it with You.

There are 2 maps South of this one showing the headwaters of the Mattagami and the headwaters of the Grassy systems, and 1 South West showing the headwaters of the Tatachikapika system. Also 1 North showing the continuation of the Mattagami canoe route from Timmins to Smooth Rock Falls

To view levels and flows through the watershed visit Ontario Power Generation.

Boreal Trees

Jack Pine

Conifer; evergreen; 18 - 30 m tall; straight trunk with little taper; highly variable crown shape; roots moderately deep; young bark redish-brown to gray and thin becoming dark brown and flaky.

Pure jack pine stands are usually of fire origin; it is a commercially important species for lumber. Used in varied ways by aboriginal peoples; also has a very high wildlife value providing food and shelter to a diverse variety of mammals and birds.

Trembling Aspen

Hardwood; deciduous; 15 - 20 m tall; trunk cylindrical with little taper and branch-free for most of its length; smooth and waxy bark from pale green to grayish; crown short and rounded; roots shallow and wide-spreading.

This is considered an invasive species usually occurring after a forest disturbance like fire or clear-cut. The tree gets its name from the way in which the leaves 'tremble' or quiver in the slightest breeze. As a member of the willow family it contains salicylic acid. Used to make pulp, plywood, matches and chopsticks. It provides food for many species of the Boreal including the black bear.

Balsam Fir

Conifer; evergreen; 15+ m tall; pyramid-shaped crown; shallow roots; young bark grayish smooth with raised blisters filled with aromatic resin, older bark has irregular brownish scales.

Wood from this tree is soft, white, light and odorless; used for lumber or pulp. The resin or gum is used to make turpentine and has historically been used in remedies fro colds, sores and wounds. This tree has a high wildlife value providing browse and cover to moose, grouse, hare, and other small mammals and song birds.

Balsam Poplar

Hardwood; deciduous; up to 30 m tall; crown wide and open with few stout upward growing branches; greenish brown smooth bark turning grayish and furrowed with irregular V-shaped crevices.

This species is also used for pulp and plywood. Aboriginal peoples used the lower bark to make fishing floats, the buds to make ointment for cuts and to rub inside their nostrils to relieve congestion. Besides providing browse for snowshoe hare, moose and beaver, other small mammals also occasionally eat its seeds.

Black Spruce

Conifer; evergreen; 10 - 18 m tall; trunk straight with little taper and without branches for much of its length; branches drooping with ends turned upward; bark dark grayish brown, thin and scaly, inner bark deep olive green.

When young, black & white spruce are difficult to distinguish; hairy buds are found only in the black species. Because of its long strong fibers it is a commercially important pulpwood species used in the manufacturing of paper products. The resin was historically used as chewing gum; of high wildlife importance, it is favored by moose for cover.

White Spruce

Conifer; evergreen; 24 - 40 m tall; noticeably tapered trunk; crown cone shaped, spreading to slightly drooping branches; bark light grayish, thin and scaly.

This is a commercially important tree species for lumber and pulpwood; it is also used in the manufacture of violins and guitars. Aboriginal peoples used the pliable roots for snowshoes and the inner bark to make a poultice for wounds and swells. White spruce also has a high wildlife value providing food and cover to the species noted earlier as well as caribou and white-tailed deer.

White Birch

Hardwood; deciduous; 15 - 25 m tall; trunk slender often curving to top of crown which consists of many upward-growing branches ending in clusters of fine branchlets; in the open crown is pyramid-shaped with an irregular rounded outline.

One of the best-known traditional uses by aboriginal peoples is the construction of canoes. The birch-bark was also used as a waterproof layer for spoons, funnels, torches and artwork. This species has a very high wildlife value.

Tamarack

Deciduous; evergreen; up to 18 m tall; straight trunk with little taper; wide-spreading shallow roots; young bard gray, thin and smooth, becoming reddish brown and scaly.

Aboriginal peoples used the roots sew the edges of canoes and weave baskets; the inner red bark was steeped for a medicinal tea. Also known as 'Larch' the wood is fairly hard. Heavy and oily; considered decay-resistant has been used to make railway ties, utility poles, and the roots for shipbuilding. Spruce grouse feed on buds, chickadees, crossbills and skirls eat the seeds.

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