Batchawana Bay

Batchawana Bay is a small bay on the eastern shore of Lake Superior, approximately 50 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Batchawana Bay was termed "Badjiwanung" by the Ojibwe, referring to water that bubbles up. This occurs between Batchawana Island and Sand Point, where the lake narrows and a strong current and undertow results. The Ojibwe believed this was caused by an underwater spirit about to surface. [Chisholm, B. & Gutsche, A., "Superior: Under the Shadow of the Gods", Lynx Images, 1998, p. 28]

Batchawana Bay was an important fishing site for the Ojibwe, and later for the North West Company. The Hudson's Bay Company kept an outpost and fishing station at the mouth of the Batchawana River, which flows into the bay. In the early 1920s, the largest fish ever recorded in the Great Lakes was caught by Frank Lapoint in the bay. A sturgeon, it was reportedly 90 years old, measured 2.25 m (7.5 ft) and weighed 140 kg (310 lb). [Chisholm, B. & Gutsche, A., "ibid", p. 29]

The bay is sheltered from Lake Superior by Batchawana Island, which is an important stopover for migratory birds. The island was reputedly the site of Spirit houses (elevated graves) of the Ojibwe. [Chisholm, B. & Gutsche, A., "ibid", p. 29]

The bay was historically notable as the dividing point separating the two Robinson Treaty areas between the Crown and the Ojibwe people.

Batchawana Bay Provincial Park is located on the western shore of the bay, as is the community of Batchawana Bay. The community is on Highway 563.

Nearby Batchawana Mountain (N 47°4′1.2″, W 84°24′0.0″) is the fourth highest point in Ontario at 653 m (2142 ft). [http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/facts/mountains.html]

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