Gull River (Balsam Lake)
Encyclopedia
The Gull River is a river in Algonquin Highlands and Dysart et al
, Haliburton County
and the single-tier municipality of Kawartha Lakes
in south-central Ontario
, Canada
. It is in the Trent River
and Lake Ontario
drainage basins
, and flows from southern Algonquin Provincial Park
to Balsam Lake
on the Trent–Severn Waterway.
, about 30 kilometres (18.6 mi) north, was named Gull River prior to April 1, 1859.
in the Ottawa River drainage basin. The river leaves the lake at the southeast and loops east, south, west and north west to Percy Lake
.
is an important reservoir
for the Trent–Severn Waterway. The lakes of the system were flooded during the 1800s by man-made cofferdam
s in order to preserve the flow of the river throughout the year. While the original purpose of this was to aid lumberjacks — who were cutting pine, spruce and hemlock in the area — in sending logs downstream to Trenton
after the initial spring flooding had subsided, it would serve a dual purpose when the lock between Balsam Lake and Cameron Lake
was completed in 1873, connecting Trenton with Coboconk
. Balsam lake was raised 5 metres to provide enough depth for steamboats passing through the lock.
Since that time, the Gull River has been an integral part of the Trent-Severn Waterway. The water levels of the lakes in the drainage basin are closely monitored in order to preserve the reservoir year-round, as well as to protect the cottage lands adjacent to the lakes. Lake levels generally swell during the spring thaw and late fall, and settle back to normal by mid-June. The lowest water levels are in late winter.
Most of the lake front property on the lower sections of the Gull River system was divided into deep narrow lots in the 1830s, unlike the regular-sized concessions in the adjacent land. These properties would in time develop into the many cottages that dot the lakes today.
, and the Limestone
sheaths which lie south of it. The lakes and rivers north of Silver Lake twist and wind between the mountains and valleys created by the retreating glaciers at the end of the ice age. The result is the spectacular and pristine wilderness that has earned Highway 35
, that passes through the drainage basin, a reputation as one of the most scenic highways of Ontario.
Dysart et al, Ontario
The United Townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harburn, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde is a municipality in Haliburton County in Central Ontario, Canada...
, Haliburton County
Haliburton County, Ontario
Haliburton is a county of Ontario, Canada, known as a tourist and cottage area in Central Ontario for its scenery and for its resident artists. Minden Hills is the county seat. Haliburton County was established in 1983, but had existed as the Provisional County of Haliburton since 1874...
and the single-tier municipality of Kawartha Lakes
Kawartha Lakes
The city of Kawartha Lakes is a unitary municipality in Central Ontario, Canada. Although called a city, Kawartha Lakes is the size of a typical Ontarian county and is mostly rural....
in south-central Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is in the Trent River
Trent River (Ontario)
The Trent River is a river in southeastern Ontario which flows from Rice Lake to empty into the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. This river is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway which leads to Georgian Bay. The river is 90 km long...
and Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
drainage basins
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
, and flows from southern Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park is a provincial park located between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River in Central Ontario, Canada, mostly within the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District. Established in 1893, it is the oldest provincial park in Canada. Additions since its creation have increased...
to Balsam Lake
Balsam Lake (Ontario)
Balsam Lake is a lake located in the Kawartha lakes region of south central Ontario, Canada. It is 16 km long and averages 3 km wide, though its actual width varies due to the many large bays the carve its shoreline...
on the Trent–Severn Waterway.
Etymology
While there are no sources as to the naming of the Gull river, one of the possible origins is a translation of the name of the village of Coboconk. The name is translated from the Indian (Likely Ojibwa) term, Quash-qua-be-conk, meaning "where the gulls nest." The town of MindenMinden, Ontario
Minden Hills is a township in, and the county seat of Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada. It is an amalgamation of the geographical townships of Snowdon, Lutterworth, Anson, Hindon and Minden. It is usually referred to as Minden, after its largest community. Minden Hills had a permanent population...
, about 30 kilometres (18.6 mi) north, was named Gull River prior to April 1, 1859.
Course
The Gull River begins at Longboot Lake in the geographic township of Bruton in Dysart et al, Haliburton County. This is in the southern arm of Algonquin Provincial Park, and just south of the York RiverYork River (Ontario)
The York River is a river in Ontario, Canada, which originates at Yorkend Lake in the southern extension of Algonquin Park. The river flows through the town of Bancroft, Ontario, continues on through the Conroy Marsh, a provincially significant wetland and empties into the Madawaska River.The...
in the Ottawa River drainage basin. The river leaves the lake at the southeast and loops east, south, west and north west to Percy Lake
Percy Lake (Ontario)
Percy Lake is a lake of Ontario, Canada, located west of the southern portion of Algonquin Park in the municipality of Dysart et al, Ontario in Haliburton County. It is located to the east of Haliburton Lake. Several cottages have been built on the northern shore of Percy Lake, and much of its...
.
History
The Gull River drainage basinDrainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
is an important reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
for the Trent–Severn Waterway. The lakes of the system were flooded during the 1800s by man-made cofferdam
Cofferdam
A cofferdam is a temporary enclosure built within, or in pairs across, a body of water and constructed to allow the enclosed area to be pumped out, creating a dry work environment for the major work to proceed...
s in order to preserve the flow of the river throughout the year. While the original purpose of this was to aid lumberjacks — who were cutting pine, spruce and hemlock in the area — in sending logs downstream to Trenton
Trenton, Ontario
Trenton is a community in Southern Ontario in the municipality of Quinte West, Ontario, Canada. Located on the Bay of Quinte, it is the main population centre in Quinte West....
after the initial spring flooding had subsided, it would serve a dual purpose when the lock between Balsam Lake and Cameron Lake
Cameron Lake (Ontario)
Cameron Lake, Ontario is one of the Kawartha Lakes and is a lake bordering the town of Fenelon Falls and is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway. The lake is some 6.7 kilometres long by 3.5 kilometres wide and is quite deep, reaching 15 metres in places...
was completed in 1873, connecting Trenton with Coboconk
Coboconk, Ontario
Coboconk is a community in the city of Kawartha Lakes, in the south-central portion of the Canadian province of Ontario. The village lies at the junction of Highway 35 and former Highway 48, on the northern tip of Balsam Lake, the highest point on the Trent–Severn Waterway...
. Balsam lake was raised 5 metres to provide enough depth for steamboats passing through the lock.
Since that time, the Gull River has been an integral part of the Trent-Severn Waterway. The water levels of the lakes in the drainage basin are closely monitored in order to preserve the reservoir year-round, as well as to protect the cottage lands adjacent to the lakes. Lake levels generally swell during the spring thaw and late fall, and settle back to normal by mid-June. The lowest water levels are in late winter.
Most of the lake front property on the lower sections of the Gull River system was divided into deep narrow lots in the 1830s, unlike the regular-sized concessions in the adjacent land. These properties would in time develop into the many cottages that dot the lakes today.
Geology
The river's lowest and southernmost lake, Silver Lake, lies upon the boundary line between the granite Canadian ShieldCanadian Shield
The Canadian Shield, also called the Laurentian Plateau, or Bouclier Canadien , is a vast geological shield covered by a thin layer of soil that forms the nucleus of the North American or Laurentia craton. It is an area mostly composed of igneous rock which relates to its long volcanic history...
, and the Limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
sheaths which lie south of it. The lakes and rivers north of Silver Lake twist and wind between the mountains and valleys created by the retreating glaciers at the end of the ice age. The result is the spectacular and pristine wilderness that has earned Highway 35
Highway 35 (Ontario)
King's Highway 35, also known as Highway 35, is a provincial highway in the Canadian province of Ontario, linking Highway 401 with Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Algonquin Park. The highway travels from west of Newcastle, through Lindsay and the Kawarthas and into Haliburton before terminating...
, that passes through the drainage basin, a reputation as one of the most scenic highways of Ontario.