Ottawa River

You are now walking along the Ottawa River, the main tributary of the St. Lawrence River. It is the longest river in Quebec and the eighth largest in Canada. Its source lies in the Laurentians, at Lake Capimitchigama, and it flows into the St. Lawrence after widening at Lake of Two Mountains. The river’s name pays tribute to the Ottawa people, an Indigenous nation of Canada that was part of the First Nations. They primarily lived in what is now Ontario, Michigan, and the Lake Huron region. The Ottawa River has played a crucial role in Canada’s history. In the 19th century, it was essential for fur trade and timber commerce, helping to shape the country’s economic development. Today, it remains a rich natural habitat, home to diverse plant and animal species, and serves as a key water source for several urban areas along its banks, including Ottawa.