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{{short description|Bay on the southern end of the Hudson Bay, Canada}}
{{sprotected2}}
{{About|the body of water|the singer|James Bay (singer)|the former municipality|Baie-James|other uses|James Bay (disambiguation)}}
{{for|the neighbourhood|James Bay, Greater Victoria}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=September 2013}}
⚫ ]
{{Infobox body of water
| name = James Bay
| image = james bay in summer.jpg
⚫ | caption = A satellite image of James Bay
| location = Southern end of ], between ] and ], politically part of ]
| coords = {{coord|53|30|N|80|30|W|type:waterbody_region:CA-NU_scale:4000000|notes=<ref>{{Cite cgndb|OAIFM|James Bay}}</ref>|display=inline,title|name=James Bay}}
| rivers =
| oceans =
| pushpin_map = Ontario
| countries = ]
| length = {{convert|443|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="Tikkanen"/>
| width = {{convert|217|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="Tikkanen"/>
| depth = {{convert|60|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="Tikkanen"/>
| area = {{convert|68300|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| settlements =
| references =
}}


'''James Bay''' ({{lang-fr|Baie James}}) is a large body of water on the southern end of ] in ]. Both bodies of water extend from the ]. James Bay borders the provinces of ] and ]; islands within the bay (the largest of which is ]) are part of ]. The James Bay watershed (formerly the Bames Riverside watershed) is the site of several major ] projects, and is also a destination for river-based recreation and outdoor festivals. Several communities are located near or alongside James Bay, including a number of ] communities such as the ] and nine communities affiliated with the ] of northern Quebec. '''James Bay''' ({{langx|fr|Baie James}},<ref>{{Cite cgndb|OASUI|Baie James}}</ref> {{IPA|fr|bɛ dʒɛmz|pron}}; {{langx|cr|ᐐᓂᐯᒄ|Wînipekw|dirty water}}) is a large body of water located on the southern end of ] in Canada. It borders the provinces of ] and ], and is politically part of ]. Its largest island is ].

Numerous waterways of the James Bay watershed have been modified with dams or diversion for several major ] projects. These waterways are also destinations for river-based recreation. Several communities are located near or alongside James Bay, including a number of ] communities, such as the ] and nine communities affiliated with the ] of northern Quebec.

As with the rest of Hudson Bay, the waters of James Bay routinely freeze over in winter. It is the last part of Hudson Bay to freeze over in winter, and the first to thaw in summer.


==History== ==History==
Human presence along the shores of the bay began after the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the ], around 8,150 years ago. A variety of indigenous cultures have lived in this area. At the time of contact with Europeans, the indigenous peoples along both shores of the bay were ethnically ] peoples.
⚫ The bay first came to the attention of Europeans in 1610, when ] entered it during his exploration of the larger bay that bears his name. James Bay itself received its name in honour of ], an English ] who explored the area more thoroughly in 1630&nbsp;&ndash; 1631.


⚫ ] is believed to have been the first European to enter the bay, when he explored it in 1610 as part of his exploration of the larger bay that was named for him. This southerly bay was named in honour of ], a ] ] who explored the area more thoroughly in 1630 and 1631.
⚫ James Bay is important in the ] as one of the most hospitable parts of the Hudson Bay region (despite its low human population), and as a result its corresponding importance to the ] and ]. The fur-trapping duo of explorers ] and ] convinced the English Crown, primarily ] of Bavaria, a favoured cousin of both ] and ], that a colonial enterprise in ] would yield wealth in minerals and fur. Des Groseilliers accompanied Captain Zachariah Gillam on the ] ''Nonesuch'' and they jointly founded the first fur-trading post on James Bay, Charles Fort. Their success, though lacking in minerals, was such that the company was chartered by Charles II on their return. This charter granted a complete trading monopoly of the whole ] (including James Bay) to the company. At the same time, the first English colony on what is now mainland Canada, ], was formed, with the first "capital" being at Charles Fort. The fact that the first colonial governor, Charles Baley (various spellings exist, including, but not limited to "Bailey"), was a ] might have been an important factor in the style of relations established between the company and its "trading partners", Canada's ].


⚫ James Bay is important in the ] as one of the most hospitable parts of the Hudson Bay region, although it has had a low human population. It was an area of importance to the ] and ]. The fur-trapping duo of explorers ] and ] convinced the English Crown, primarily ], a favoured nephew of ] and cousin to ], that a colonial enterprise in ] would yield wealth in minerals and fur. Des Groseilliers accompanied Captain Zachariah Gillam on the ] '']'' and they jointly founded Charles Fort, the first European fur-trading post on James Bay.
⚫ Significant fur trapping has continued in the region, but in general the east coast or East Main of James Bay was too easily accessed by French and independent traders from the south so early Hudson's Bay Company emphasis was quickly placed onto interior trapping grounds reached from the west coasts of James and Hudson Bays. It was, nevertheless, the gateway to British settlements in what would become ] (], for example) and as far west as the ].


Their success was such that the company was chartered by Charles II on their return, although they did not bring any minerals. This charter granted a complete trading monopoly to the company of the whole ] (including James Bay). At the same time, the first English colony on what is now mainland Canada, ], was formed, with the first "capital" designated at Charles Fort. The first colonial governor, Charles Baley (various spellings exist, including but not limited to "Bailey"), was a ], and this is believed to have been a factor in his respectful relations with the company's trading partners, the ].
==Cultural impact==


⚫ Significant fur trapping has continued in the region. In general, the east coast or East Main of James Bay was too easily accessed by French and independent traders from the south. The Hudson's Bay Company emphasised from an early period trading relations with tribes in interior trapping grounds, reached from the west coasts of James and Hudson bays. East Main was, nevertheless, the gateway to British settlements in what would become ] (], for example) and as far west as the ].
In 2006, a deep subculture was formed around the ], ] area. A record label was created out of a house on Bruce Street. ''The End of the World Records'' organized a folk music festival on the shores of James Bay. The label was proper set to bring the sound to the area, offering accommodations to over 20,000 spectators and campers on the shores of the bay. Attendees of the festival had the option of either tenting out on the shores for the duration of the festival (scheduled 4 days and nights), or they could be flown or seafared to the neighbouring coast of ] if the scene was considered too loud. Festival-goers bringing children were given free transportation between locations as a result of overfunding.


==Geography== ==Geography==
] ]
James Bay represents the southern extent of the ] ], while the coastal areas are primarily in the ], whereas the northeastern coast bordering Quebec is in the ] ecozone. The eastern shores of the bay form the western edge of the ] in Quebec. As such, the terrain here is rocky and hilly with ]. The western shore is characterised by broad ] lowlands that are an extension of the ]. Its vegetation is mostly ]. A large portion of this area is part of the ]. James Bay represents the southern extent of the ] ]. While the coastal areas are primarily in the ], the northeastern coast bordering Quebec is in the ] ecozone. This rocky and hilly eastern shore forms the western edge of the ] in Quebec and as such, the main habitat is ] of the ] ]. The western shore, however, is characterised by broad ] lowlands that are an extension of the ], and the vegetation is mostly ] bog. A large portion of this area is part of the ]. ]s are common elsewhere along James Bay and ]s can be seen hunting the seals as prey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carc.org/pubs/v19no3/2.htm |title=Sustainable Development in the Hudson Bay / James Bay Bioregion |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714171517/http://www.carc.org/pubs/v19no3/2.htm |archive-date=2016-07-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ]s within James Bay basin could be distinct from those found in Hudson Bay.<ref></ref>


Hundreds of rivers flow into James Bay. The geography of the area gives many of them similar characteristics. They tend to be wide and shallow near the Bay (in the James Bay Lowlands), whereas they are steeper and narrower further upstream (as they pour off the ]). For a larger list of waterways in the region, see ]. Hundreds of rivers flow into James Bay. The geography of the region gives many of them similar characteristics. They tend to be wide and shallow near the Bay (in the James Bay Lowlands), whereas they are steeper and narrower farther upstream (as they pour off the ]). For a larger list of waterways in the region, see ].


===Hannah Bay=== ===Hannah Bay===
Hannah Bay is the southernmost bay of James Bay. Here the ] and ]s flow into James Bay. About 238&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> is protected under the ] of Canada as the ]. This sanctuary has also been designated as a ] under the ] since May 1987. Hannah Bay is the southernmost bay of James Bay. Here the ] and ]s flow into James Bay. About 238&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> is protected under the ] of Canada as the ]. This sanctuary has also been designated as a ] under the ] since May 1987.


The shores in this area are a mixture of intertidal ], sand, and ]s, ], intertidal ]es, freshwater ponds, ]s, and forested ]lands. <ref></ref> The shores in this area are a mixture of intertidal ], sand, and ]s, ], intertidal ]es, freshwater ponds, ]s, and forested ]lands.<ref>{{dead link |date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> These elements make an abundance of wildlife.

===Islands===
James Bay contains numerous islands.<ref name="Tikkanen">{{cite web |last1=Tikkanen |first1=Amy |title=James Bay |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/James-Bay |website=Encyclopedia Britannia |publisher=University of Chicago |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> The largest of the islands is ], which covers {{convert|3002|km2}}.<ref name="Tikkanen"/>

All of northern Ontario and northern Quebec were part of the Hudson Bay Company's proprietary colony of Rupert's Land, and after Rupert's Land was purchased by Canada in 1869, the area became part of the North-West Territory. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Canada transferred much of the North-West Territory to Ontario and Quebec, thus forming modern northern Ontario and northern Quebec. However, all of the islands in Hudson Bay and James Bay remained part of the North-West Territory.<ref name="Tikkanen"/> Following the partition of the North-West Territory in 1999, the islands in Hudson Bay and James Bay were transferred to the new territory of Nunavut.


==Human development== ==Human development==
], ].]] ], ]]]

===Coastal communities=== ===Coastal communities===
The shores of James Bay are sparsely populated. On the eastern shore in Quebec there are four coastal communities belonging to the ], the ] of the region (from south to north): The shores of James Bay are sparsely populated. On the eastern shore in Quebec there are four coastal communities belonging to the ], the ] of the region (from south to north):
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
Line 39: Line 66:
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]


===Economic development=== ===Economic development===
], crossing into the the Great Lakes watershed near ], into ] and the ], crossing near ] into ] and the ] to ].]] ]


James Bay has returned to prominence in recent decades due to the ]. Since 1971, the ] has developed rivers in the James Bay watershed, notably ] and ] rivers. Built between 1974 and 1996, {{lang|fr|La Grande Complexe}} now has a combined generating capacity of 16,021 ] and produces about 83,000,000,000 ] of electricity each year, about half of Quebec's consumption. Power is also being exported to ] area in large part. A direct transmission high voltage line delivers powers to United States' grid. The James Bay Project continues to expand, with work beginning in 2007 on a new phase that involves the diversion of the ]. Since 1971, the ] has built ] on rivers in the James Bay watershed, notably ] and ] rivers. Built between 1974 and 1996, the ] now has a combined generating capacity of 16,021 ] and produces about 83 billion ] of electricity each year, about half of Quebec's consumption. Power is also exported to the ] via a direct transmission high voltage line. The James Bay Project continues to expand, with work that began in 2010 on a new phase that involves the diversion of the ].


A proposed development project, the ], centres on constructing a large ] to separate southern James Bay from Hudson Bay. This would turn the bay into a freshwater lake, due to the numerous rivers that empty into it. The main benefit expected from this would be to redirect this freshwater for human use. It seems very unlikely that the GRAND Canal will actually ever be built. A proposed development project, the ] (GRAND Canal), centred on constructing a large ] to separate southern James Bay from Hudson Bay. This would turn the bay into a freshwater lake, due to the numerous rivers that empty into it. The main benefit expected from this would be to redirect this freshwater for human use. Water would be pumped south from the newly formed James Lake into the ], crossing into the Great Lakes watershed near ], into ] and the ], crossing near ] into ] and the ] to ] (Georgian Bay).


==Recreation== ==Recreation==

===Canoeing=== ===Canoeing===
Many of the rivers flowing into James Bay are popular destinations for wilderness canoe-trippers. Among the more popular rivers are: Many of the rivers flowing into James Bay are popular destinations for wilderness canoe-trippers. Among the more popular rivers are:
*] (Ontario) *] (Ontario)
*] (Ontario) *] (Ontario)
*] - recognised as a ] *] (Ontario)—recognised as a ]
*] (Quebec) *] (Quebec)
*] (Quebec) - to be diverted in 2007 for hydroelectric development *] (Quebec)—diverted in 2009 for hydroelectric development and no longer a popular destination


Two less-travelled rivers are the Groundhog River and the ]. The Groundhog is less travelled in modern times due to a series of seven dams that are about a day or two up-river from the Moose. Canoeists can contact the dam company and arrange to be towed around the dams on company trucks, but they must make arrangements specific to the hour, and they cannot be late. The Groundhog flows into the ] after a set of ] known as Seven-Mile. The Mattagami then flows into the Moose; it is at the meeting of the Missinaibi and Mattagami rivers that the Moose river begins, marked by an island known as Portage Island. This point is about two or three days travel by canoe to Moosonee. Though the Missinaibi and the Groundhog are both fairly high in the summer, the Moose is often quite low. Depending on the tides, groups have had to walk long stretches of the river. Rapids on the Groundhog tend to be bigger and more technical than those on the Missinaibi, but the campsites are few and poor, because the volume of travel is so much less. Two less-travelled rivers are the Groundhog River and the ]. The Groundhog is less travelled in modern times due to a series of seven dams that are about a day or two up-river from the Moose. Canoeists can contact the dam company and arrange to be portaged around the dams on company trucks, but they must make arrangements specific to the hour, and they cannot be late. The Groundhog flows into the ]. The Mattagami then flows into the Moose; it is at the meeting of the Missinaibi and Mattagami rivers that the Moose river begins, marked by an island known as Portage Island. This point is about two or three days travel by canoe to Moosonee. Though the Missinaibi and the Groundhog are both fairly high in the summer, the Moose is often quite low. Depending on the tides, groups have had to walk long stretches of the river. Rapids on the Groundhog tend to be bigger and more technical than those on the Missinaibi, but the campsites are few and poor, because the volume of travel is so much less.


The Harricana River flows into James Bay several miles east of ], so anyone wishing to take this route must allow about two days to cross the bay, an extremely dangerous proposition if the tides and the weather are unfavourable. The Harricana River is wild, powerful, dangerous river that flows into James Bay {{convert|40|mi|km|abbr=}} east of ] after two infamous sections of river known as 1-mile and 7-mile island. Consistent whitewater and waterfalls make these sections of river extremely dangerous. Anyone wishing to take this route must allow about two days to cross the bay, an extremely dangerous proposition if the tides and the weather are unfavourable.


The most common access point for paddlers to this area is Moosonee, at the southern end of James Bay. A campsite at ] provides large campgrounds with firepits and outhouses on an island across the river from the town. Water taxis will ferry people back and forth for about ]1 each. Many of these rivers finish near Moosonee, and paddlers can take the ] train south to ] at the end of a trip. The most common access point for paddlers to this area is Moosonee, at the southern end of James Bay. A campsite at ] provides large campgrounds with firepits and outhouses on an island across the river from the town. Water taxis will ferry people back and forth for about ]20 each. Many of these rivers finish near Moosonee, and paddlers can take the ] train south to ] at the end of a trip. This train regularly features a 'canoe car' enabling paddlers to travel with their canoes.


], ], is a town further to the north and east on James Bay. It is accessible via the ], and is the most common end point for trips on the Broadback, Pontax, and Rupert rivers (the town itself is situated at the mouth of the Rupert). ], ], is a town farther to the north and east on James Bay. It is accessible via the ], and is the most common end point for trips on the Broadback, Pontax, and Rupert rivers (the town itself is situated at the mouth of the Rupert).


==References== ==References==
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==Further reading== ==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
<div class="references-small">
* Dignard, N. ''Habitats of the Northeast Coast of James Bay''. : Environment Canada, Canada Wildlife Service, 1991. ISBN 0662189477 * Dignard, N. ''Habitats of the Northeast Coast of James Bay''. : Environment Canada, Canada Wildlife Service, 1991. {{ISBN|0-662-18947-7}}
* Francis, Daniel, and Toby Elaine Morantz. ''Partners in Furs A History of the Fur Trade in Eastern James Bay, 1600-1870''. Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1983. ISBN 0773503854 * Francis, Daniel, and Toby Elaine Morantz. ''Partners in Furs A History of the Fur Trade in Eastern James Bay, 1600-1870''. Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1983. {{ISBN|0-7735-0385-4}}
* Kenyon, Walter Andrew. ''The History of James Bay, 1610-1686 A Study in Historical Archaeology''. Archaeology monograph, 10. Toronto, Canada: Royal Ontario Museum, 1986. ISBN 0888543166 * Kenyon, Walter Andrew. ''The History of James Bay, 1610-1686 A Study in Historical Archaeology''. Archaeology monograph, 10. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ], 1986. {{ISBN|0-88854-316-6}}
* McCutcheon, Sean. ''Electric Rivers The Story of the James Bay Project''. Montréal: Black Rose Books, 1991. ISBN 1895431182 * McCutcheon, Sean. ''Electric Rivers The Story of the James Bay Project''. Montréal: Black Rose Books, 1991. {{ISBN|1-895431-18-2}}
* Niezen, Ronald. ''Defending the Land Sovereignty and Forest Life in James Bay Cree Society''. Cultural Survival studies in ethnicity and change. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1998. ISBN 020527580X * Niezen, Ronald. ''Defending the Land Sovereignty and Forest Life in James Bay Cree Society''. Cultural Survival studies in ethnicity and change. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1998. {{ISBN|0-205-27580-X}}
* Reed, Austin. ''Goose use of the coastal habitats of northeastern James Bay''. Ottawa, Ont: Canadian Wildlife Service, 1996. ISBN 0662250338 * Reed, Austin. ''Goose use of the coastal habitats of northeastern James Bay''. Ottawa, Ont: Canadian Wildlife Service, 1996. {{ISBN|0-662-25033-8}}
* Salisbury, Richard Frank. ''A Homeland for the Cree Regional Development in James Bay, 1971-1981''. Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1986. ISBN 0773505504 * Salisbury, Richard Frank. ''A Homeland for the Cree Regional Development in James Bay, 1971-1981''. Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1986. {{ISBN|0-7735-0550-4}}
* Siy, Alexandra. ''The Eeyou People of Eastern James Bay''. New York: Dillon Press, 1993. ISBN 0875185495 * Siy, Alexandra. ''The Eeyou People of Eastern James Bay''. New York: Dillon Press, 1993. {{ISBN|0-87518-549-5}}
{{refend}}
</div>


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* "" Extensive and detailed information on the James Bay region of Quebec, a well as the James Bay and Trans-Taiga Roads. * "" Extensive and detailed information on the James Bay region of Quebec, as well as the James Bay and Trans-Taiga Roads.
* "" Read about and see this endangered river soon to be diverted by Hydro-Québec. * "" Read about and see this endangered river soon to be diverted by Hydro-Québec.
* "" special feature on James Bay from ]. * "" special feature on James Bay from ].
* *
* - Includes discussion of Ungava Bay as a feasible location for tidal power generation. (''PESN''; Aug. 14, 2006)


{{List of seas}}
{{coord|53|41|48|N|80|35|04|W|region:CA_type:waterbody|display=title}}
{{Marginal seas of the Atlantic Ocean}}
{{Bays of Nunavut}}


{{Authority control}}
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Latest revision as of 04:45, 19 December 2024

Bay on the southern end of the Hudson Bay, Canada This article is about the body of water. For the singer, see James Bay (singer). For the former municipality, see Baie-James. For other uses, see James Bay (disambiguation).
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (September 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
James Bay
A satellite image of James Bay
James Bay is located in OntarioJames BayJames Bay
LocationSouthern end of Hudson Bay, between Ontario and Quebec, politically part of Nunavut
Coordinates53°30′N 80°30′W / 53.500°N 80.500°W / 53.500; -80.500 (James Bay)
Basin countriesCanada
Max. length443 km (275 mi)
Max. width217 km (135 mi)
Surface area68,300 km (26,400 sq mi)
Average depth60 m (200 ft)

James Bay (French: Baie James, pronounced [bɛ dʒɛmz]; Cree: ᐐᓂᐯᒄ, romanized: Wînipekw, lit. 'dirty water') is a large body of water located on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. It borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, and is politically part of Nunavut. Its largest island is Akimiski Island.

Numerous waterways of the James Bay watershed have been modified with dams or diversion for several major hydroelectric projects. These waterways are also destinations for river-based recreation. Several communities are located near or alongside James Bay, including a number of Aboriginal Canadian communities, such as the Kashechewan First Nation and nine communities affiliated with the Cree of northern Quebec.

As with the rest of Hudson Bay, the waters of James Bay routinely freeze over in winter. It is the last part of Hudson Bay to freeze over in winter, and the first to thaw in summer.

History

Human presence along the shores of the bay began after the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the last ice age, around 8,150 years ago. A variety of indigenous cultures have lived in this area. At the time of contact with Europeans, the indigenous peoples along both shores of the bay were ethnically Cree peoples.

Henry Hudson is believed to have been the first European to enter the bay, when he explored it in 1610 as part of his exploration of the larger bay that was named for him. This southerly bay was named in honour of Thomas James, a Welsh captain who explored the area more thoroughly in 1630 and 1631.

James Bay is important in the history of Canada as one of the most hospitable parts of the Hudson Bay region, although it has had a low human population. It was an area of importance to the Hudson's Bay Company and British expansion into Canada. The fur-trapping duo of explorers Pierre-Esprit Radisson and Médard des Groseilliers convinced the English Crown, primarily Prince Rupert of the Rhine, a favoured nephew of Charles I and cousin to Charles II, that a colonial enterprise in the north would yield wealth in minerals and fur. Des Groseilliers accompanied Captain Zachariah Gillam on the ketch Nonsuch and they jointly founded Charles Fort, the first European fur-trading post on James Bay.

Their success was such that the company was chartered by Charles II on their return, although they did not bring any minerals. This charter granted a complete trading monopoly to the company of the whole Hudson Bay basin (including James Bay). At the same time, the first English colony on what is now mainland Canada, Rupert's Land, was formed, with the first "capital" designated at Charles Fort. The first colonial governor, Charles Baley (various spellings exist, including but not limited to "Bailey"), was a Quaker, and this is believed to have been a factor in his respectful relations with the company's trading partners, the First Nations.

Significant fur trapping has continued in the region. In general, the east coast or East Main of James Bay was too easily accessed by French and independent traders from the south. The Hudson's Bay Company emphasised from an early period trading relations with tribes in interior trapping grounds, reached from the west coasts of James and Hudson bays. East Main was, nevertheless, the gateway to British settlements in what would become Manitoba (Winnipeg, for example) and as far west as the Rocky Mountains.

Geography

Hannah Bay at the southern end of James Bay.

James Bay represents the southern extent of the Arctic Archipelago Marine ecozone. While the coastal areas are primarily in the Hudson Plains, the northeastern coast bordering Quebec is in the Taiga Shield ecozone. This rocky and hilly eastern shore forms the western edge of the Canadian Shield in Quebec and as such, the main habitat is boreal forest of the Eastern Canadian Shield taiga ecoregion. The western shore, however, is characterised by broad tundra lowlands that are an extension of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and the vegetation is mostly muskeg bog. A large portion of this area is part of the Polar Bear Provincial Park. Ringed seals are common elsewhere along James Bay and polar bears can be seen hunting the seals as prey. Beluga whales within James Bay basin could be distinct from those found in Hudson Bay.

Hundreds of rivers flow into James Bay. The geography of the region gives many of them similar characteristics. They tend to be wide and shallow near the Bay (in the James Bay Lowlands), whereas they are steeper and narrower farther upstream (as they pour off the Canadian Shield). For a larger list of waterways in the region, see list of Hudson Bay rivers.

Hannah Bay

Hannah Bay is the southernmost bay of James Bay. Here the Kesagami and Harricana Rivers flow into James Bay. About 238 km is protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act of Canada as the Hannah Bay Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary has also been designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention since May 1987.

The shores in this area are a mixture of intertidal mud, sand, and salt flats, estuarine waters, intertidal marshes, freshwater ponds, swamps, and forested peatlands. These elements make an abundance of wildlife.

Islands

James Bay contains numerous islands. The largest of the islands is Akimiski Island, which covers 3,002 square kilometres (1,159 sq mi).

All of northern Ontario and northern Quebec were part of the Hudson Bay Company's proprietary colony of Rupert's Land, and after Rupert's Land was purchased by Canada in 1869, the area became part of the North-West Territory. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Canada transferred much of the North-West Territory to Ontario and Quebec, thus forming modern northern Ontario and northern Quebec. However, all of the islands in Hudson Bay and James Bay remained part of the North-West Territory. Following the partition of the North-West Territory in 1999, the islands in Hudson Bay and James Bay were transferred to the new territory of Nunavut.

Human development

James Bay, near Chisasibi, Quebec

Coastal communities

The shores of James Bay are sparsely populated. On the eastern shore in Quebec there are four coastal communities belonging to the Cree, the indigenous people of the region (from south to north):

On the western shore in Ontario there are five coastal communities (from south to north):

Economic development

Possible scenario of the GRAND Canal scheme, showing the initial water capture and diversion into Lake Huron.

Since 1971, the government of Quebec has built hydroelectric dams on rivers in the James Bay watershed, notably La Grande and Eastmain rivers. Built between 1974 and 1996, the James Bay Project now has a combined generating capacity of 16,021 MW and produces about 83 billion kWh of electricity each year, about half of Quebec's consumption. Power is also exported to the United States via a direct transmission high voltage line. The James Bay Project continues to expand, with work that began in 2010 on a new phase that involves the diversion of the Rupert River.

A proposed development project, the Great Recycling and Northern Development Canal (GRAND Canal), centred on constructing a large dike to separate southern James Bay from Hudson Bay. This would turn the bay into a freshwater lake, due to the numerous rivers that empty into it. The main benefit expected from this would be to redirect this freshwater for human use. Water would be pumped south from the newly formed James Lake into the Harricana River, crossing into the Great Lakes watershed near Amos, into Lake Timiskaming and the Ottawa River, crossing near Mattawa into Lake Nipissing and the French River to Lake Huron (Georgian Bay).

Recreation

Canoeing

Many of the rivers flowing into James Bay are popular destinations for wilderness canoe-trippers. Among the more popular rivers are:

Two less-travelled rivers are the Groundhog River and the Harricana. The Groundhog is less travelled in modern times due to a series of seven dams that are about a day or two up-river from the Moose. Canoeists can contact the dam company and arrange to be portaged around the dams on company trucks, but they must make arrangements specific to the hour, and they cannot be late. The Groundhog flows into the Mattagami. The Mattagami then flows into the Moose; it is at the meeting of the Missinaibi and Mattagami rivers that the Moose river begins, marked by an island known as Portage Island. This point is about two or three days travel by canoe to Moosonee. Though the Missinaibi and the Groundhog are both fairly high in the summer, the Moose is often quite low. Depending on the tides, groups have had to walk long stretches of the river. Rapids on the Groundhog tend to be bigger and more technical than those on the Missinaibi, but the campsites are few and poor, because the volume of travel is so much less.

The Harricana River is wild, powerful, dangerous river that flows into James Bay 40 miles (64 km) east of Moosonee after two infamous sections of river known as 1-mile and 7-mile island. Consistent whitewater and waterfalls make these sections of river extremely dangerous. Anyone wishing to take this route must allow about two days to cross the bay, an extremely dangerous proposition if the tides and the weather are unfavourable.

The most common access point for paddlers to this area is Moosonee, at the southern end of James Bay. A campsite at Tidewater Provincial Park provides large campgrounds with firepits and outhouses on an island across the river from the town. Water taxis will ferry people back and forth for about C$20 each. Many of these rivers finish near Moosonee, and paddlers can take the Polar Bear Express train south to Cochrane at the end of a trip. This train regularly features a 'canoe car' enabling paddlers to travel with their canoes.

Waskaganish, Quebec, is a town farther to the north and east on James Bay. It is accessible via the James Bay Road, and is the most common end point for trips on the Broadback, Pontax, and Rupert rivers (the town itself is situated at the mouth of the Rupert).

References

  1. "James Bay". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  2. ^ Tikkanen, Amy. "James Bay". Encyclopedia Britannia. University of Chicago. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  3. "Baie James". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  4. "Sustainable Development in the Hudson Bay / James Bay Bioregion". Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  5. Beluga whales in James Bay: a separate entity from eastern Hudson Bay belugas?
  6. Southern James Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary fact sheet

Further reading

  • Dignard, N. Habitats of the Northeast Coast of James Bay. : Environment Canada, Canada Wildlife Service, 1991. ISBN 0-662-18947-7
  • Francis, Daniel, and Toby Elaine Morantz. Partners in Furs A History of the Fur Trade in Eastern James Bay, 1600-1870. Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1983. ISBN 0-7735-0385-4
  • Kenyon, Walter Andrew. The History of James Bay, 1610-1686 A Study in Historical Archaeology. Archaeology monograph, 10. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Royal Ontario Museum, 1986. ISBN 0-88854-316-6
  • McCutcheon, Sean. Electric Rivers The Story of the James Bay Project. Montréal: Black Rose Books, 1991. ISBN 1-895431-18-2
  • Niezen, Ronald. Defending the Land Sovereignty and Forest Life in James Bay Cree Society. Cultural Survival studies in ethnicity and change. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1998. ISBN 0-205-27580-X
  • Reed, Austin. Goose use of the coastal habitats of northeastern James Bay. Ottawa, Ont: Canadian Wildlife Service, 1996. ISBN 0-662-25033-8
  • Salisbury, Richard Frank. A Homeland for the Cree Regional Development in James Bay, 1971-1981. Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1986. ISBN 0-7735-0550-4
  • Siy, Alexandra. The Eeyou People of Eastern James Bay. New York: Dillon Press, 1993. ISBN 0-87518-549-5

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