By Boat
The Pontiac is delineated by the shorelines of the Ottawa River, a natural frontier between Ontario and Québec. Boaters coming from as far as Montréal, Témiscamingue and The Great Lakes can access the area thanks to a series of hydraulic boat lifts available along the river.
In addition to the large navigable waterway that is the Ottawa, three white water rivers, 4 000 lakes and the famous Rocher Fendu rapids are host to many leisure activities and sports such as swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and rafting, making the Pontiac a water sport destination in the Ottawa Valley.
The Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is one of the largest and history-rich rivers in all of North America. With a span of more than 1,130 km, the Ottawa once served as the select path to great explorers such as Samuel de Champlain on his voyage to the land of the Hurons. Although his trip was only partly documented, Champlain’s journals reveal the many portages made with the help of the « ...tireless Savages, who are used to enduring such necessities of life... »
Nowadays, bypass systems located near dams and rapids allow boats up to 30 feet long, and pontoon boats up to 28 feet long, to travel from Montréal to the North shores of Temiscamingue Lake and even to the Great Lakes.
To plan your excursion across Pontiac, please refer to the MRC Pontiac's Waterway Management page.
The Pontiac's White-Water Rivers
Those who enjoy nature at its best and prefer going down a river in the style of our forefathers, can do so by choosing among the Pontiac’s three white water rivers.
The Dumoine...Rich in History
In 1613, the Dumoine River was preferred by Georgean Bay Indians travelling to Québec City for the fur trade. Through a network of lakes and rivers, they bypassed the Ottawa River where Indian Chief Tessouat had imposed a toll at l'Île-aux-Allumettes; the Iroquois and their merciless raids made trips towards Lachine a dangerous adventure indeed.
The Dumoine River is embedded into pristine wilderness, and discharges into the Ottawa River 13 km upstream of Rapides-des-Joachims. It starts off at Lake Machin and runs 144 kilometres. It is easily accessible by seaplane from Rapides-des-Joachims, and is ideal for beginner- and intermediate-level canoers.
Dumoine River Fact Sheet (available soon)
The Black River...A Beginner's Paradise
You will be amazed by the pure, clear waters of the Black river, its immaculate yellow-sand beaches, breathtaking wilderness campsites, rich, abundant forestland, and the quality of fishing it provides.
The Black river begins at Lake St-Pierre, and snakes down on a south south-east path for 238 km before discharging into the Ottawa river, upstream of Waltham. Beginner-level canoe enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy the long runs through rapids, and short portages.
Black River Fact Sheet (available soon)
The Coulonge River...230 kilometres of variety
The Coulonge River is navigable along most of its waters and provides canoers a variety of courses in a wild and mostly uninhabited area. It begins at Lake Barrage, 155 km North of Fort-Coulonge, and meets the Ottawa river between the towns of
Fort-Coulonge and Davidson.
Canoe trips down the river end abruptly 15 km from the Ottawa River at the Coulonge Falls and their amazing canyon. However, the Coulonge Falls alone are well worth the trip.
Coulonge River Fact Sheet (available soon)
Rocher Fendu Rapids...In Cadieux's footsteps
Between Île-du-Grand-Calumet and the Ontario shore is a veritable maze of islands and islets, interspersed with wilderness channels, home to a rich and varied fauna.
Thirty rapids, including seven large falls, only accessible by canoe or raft, run down a 16-metre slope on a seven-kilometre run. Qualified guides ensure the safety of rafters. Canoeing or kayaking without a guide is not recommended. These are class IV rapids...extremely difficult and dangerous for the uninitiated.
Rocher Fendu Rapids Fact Sheet (available soon)
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