Nipigon, Ontario

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Population: 1,752 (2006)
Area: 109.14 km²
Density: 16.1/km²
Latitude: 49°00"N
Longitude: 88°25"W
Area code: 807
Postal code (2007): P0T 2J0
Name of inhabitants: Nipigonian sing., -s pl.

Nipigon (Canada 2006 Census population 1,752) is a township in Thunder Bay District, Northwestern Ontario, Canada, located on the most northern point of Lake Superior and situtated along the west side of the Nipigon River and south of the small lake running between Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior. The bay is situated to the north and has several islands. Lake Nipigon is located about 20 to 30 km north of Nipigon. Nipigon is passed by the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17) and forms a T-junction with Highway 11 and is joint with Highway 17 westward. The Canadian Pacific rail runs through Nipigon. Other rail links point to Marathon, Ont. which is also run by Canadian National. The chief industries in Nipigon are forest products, fishing, and tourism.

1 Mill Fire
2 Geography
3 Nearest places
4 External links

[edit] Mill Fire

On February 6, 2007, a devastating fire ripped through Multiply Forest Products, burning the mill to the ground. The mill was the main employer in the town. Less than a month earlier workers at the mill had purchased it from Columbia Forest Products of Portland, Oregon. At the time of the sale, a $4-million modernization plan for the mill was also announced. More than 100 people were employed at the plant, which produced hardwood underlayment for vinyl, ceramic tile and laminate flooring.

A cause for the fire has yet to be determined.

[edit] Geography

For about 15 km, Highway 11 runs within Nipigon River and a lake. Nipigon is located NE of Thunder Bay and Minnesota, SW of Geraldton and Longlac, W of Marathon and NW of Sault Ste. Marie. The crater on Mars named Nipigon Crater or Crater Nipigon is named after this town.

Nipigon is surrounded with pine and other variety of forests. The power line connecting hydro from Lake Nipigon supplies electricity to Thunder Bay and area. The other power line runs between Thunder Bay and the rest of Ontario. Timbering has been common sporadically to the north, the northwest and further north within Lake Nipigon along with parts of the southwest which formed old forest roads to the northeast and north. The municipality of Greenstone lies to the north. A manufacturing plant lies to the south. Several other unincorporated municipalities were around Nipigon. A communications tower near Nipigon broadcasts a local radio station and television channels from Thunder Bay including CKPR (TBT) and CBQT.