Rainy River (Minnesota–Ontario)

The position and course of the Rainy River

The Rainy River (French Rivière à la Pluie ) is a 140 kilometer long river, which forms part of the border between the United States and Canada and so separates the northern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota from the Northwest Ontario, Canada.

The river has its origin in the Rainy Lake (French: Lac la Pluie ), which he leaves on its west side in west-northwest direction.

The river is crossed by two border bridges, the Baudette - Rainy River International Bridge between Baudette and Rainy River - this city is named after the river - and the Fort Frances - International Falls International Bridge between International Falls, Minnesota and Fort Frances, Ontario - here is also obtained with hydro electric power. On the Canadian side since 1901 follows the Canadian National today belonging Ontario and Rainy River Railway the river. About 19 kilometers northwest of Baudette flows into the river at its southern end in the Lake of the Woods.

The catchment area of the river stretches east to the heights of the country, about 100 km west of Lake Superior, as was once the southeast corner of the 1670 assigned to the Hudson's Bay Company land. The river carries its waters finally on the Winnipeg River, Lake Winnipeg and the Nelson River to Hudson Bay.

Hydropower plants

The Fort Frances hydropower plant has 8 turbines with a total capacity of 12.8 MW. It is 4 km from the outflow from the Rainy Lake removed and operated by AbitibiBowater.

Drainage level

• Rainy River at the gauge Fort Frances - hydrographic data from R- ArcticNet - Level measurement 1905-2000
• Rainy River at Manitou Rapids level - hydrographic data from R- ArcticNet - Level measurement 1928-2003