Montreal River (Wisconsin–Michigan)

The Montreal River is a river flowing to Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the United States. It is 47.8 miles (76.9 km) long[3] and drains approximately 270 square miles (700 km2) in a forested region. For most of its length, the river's course defines a portion of the Wisconsin–Michigan border. The Ojibwe name for the river is Gaa-waasijiwaang, meaning "where there is whitewater".[5][6]

View on the Montreal River, 1870s
For other rivers with the same name, including another one in Michigan, see Montreal River (disambiguation)
Montreal River
The Montreal River in Ironwood-Hurley in 2006. Wisconsin is at left; Michigan is at right.
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan, Wisconsin
Physical characteristics
SourcePine Lake
 • locationOma, Wisconsin
 • coordinates46°16′11″N 90°08′51″W[1]
 • elevation1,611 ft (491 m)[2]
MouthLake Superior
 • location
Oronto Bay
 • coordinates
46°33′56″N 90°25′00″W[1]
 • elevation
610 ft (190 m)[1]
Length47.8 mi (76.9 km)[3]
Basin size270 sq mi (700 km2)approx.[4]
Discharge 
 • locationSaxon, Wisconsin(2006)[4]
 • average295.2 cu ft/s (8.36 m3/s)(2006)[4]
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftWest Fork Montreal River

The Montreal River issues from Pine Lake in the town of Oma in eastern Iron County in northern Wisconsin. It flows initially northwardly to the boundary between Iron County and Gogebic County, Michigan, then northwestwardly along the state line, past the 'twin cities' of Hurley, Wisconsin and Ironwood, Michigan. Downstream of Ironwood and Hurley the Montreal River passes over four named waterfalls. Starting below U.S. Route 2 and going downstream (north), they are Peterson, Interstate, Saxon, and Superior Falls;[7] the last two located just upstream of the river's mouth at Lake Superior. The river enters Oronto Bay on the southwestern shore of Lake Superior approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Ironwood, at Michigan's westernmost point.[8][9]

The West Fork Montreal River[10] issues from Island Lake in central Iron County and flows 24.7 miles (39.8 km)[3] generally northwardly, roughly in parallel to the Montreal River, past the city of Montreal, Wisconsin. It flows into the Montreal River downstream of Hurley.[8] There are four named waterfalls on the West Fork Montreal River: Kimball Falls,[11] Rock Cut Falls,[12] Gile Falls,[13] and Spring Camp Falls.[14]

Both forks of the Montreal River flow through the Gogebic Range, a range of hills near Hurley and Ironwood. The rivers are located in the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (north woods) region of the upper midwest.

See also

References
  1. Geographic Names Information System. "Geographic Names Information System entry for Montreal River (Feature ID #1579905)". Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  2. Geographic Names Information System. "Geographic Names Information System entry for Pine Lake (Feature ID #1571508)". Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  3. U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed May 1, 2012
  4. United States Geological Survey. "USGS Surface-Water Annual Statistics for Wisconsin: USGS 04029990 Montreal River at Saxon Falls near Saxon, WI". Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  5. "Montreal River (origin of place name)". Dictionary of Wisconsin History. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  6. "Ojibwe Dictionary". Freelang. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  7. Geographic Names Information System. Feature IDs #2126325, 2126328, 1621529, 1621836. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  8. Wisconsin Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 1992. pp. 96, 104. ISBN 0-89933-247-1.
  9. Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 2003. p. 113. ISBN 0-89933-335-4.
  10. Geographic Names Information System. "Geographic Names Information System entry for West Fork Montreal River (Feature ID #1580753)". Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  11. Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce. "Hurley: Relax & Play at the Top of Wisconsin." Page 5. 2006. Annual Chamber of Commerce Visitor Guide.
  12. Lisi, Patrick J. "A Guide to Wisconsin's Waterfalls." Page 25. 1991. Wild Rivers Press. Oxford, Wisconsin.
  13. Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce. "Hurley: Relax & Play at the Top of Wisconsin." Page 4. 2006. Annual Chamber of Commerce Visitor Guide.
  14. Geographic Names Information System. Feature ID #1574607 [Spring Camp Falls]. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
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