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Centennial Lake, Renfrew County
Centennial Lake in Renfrew County was created in 1967 and given the name Centennial because it was created in the year of Canada's centennial.
Centennial Lake, and Black Donald Lake downstream are reservoir lakes and were created by the construction of the Mountain Chute Generating Station and dam. The flooding of the Madawaska River covered 8,500 acres, wiping out the settlement of Black Diamond Mines, which now lies under 80 feet of water, and swallowed up White Fish Lake.
The Madawaska River originates at Source Lake in southern Algonguin Park and flows to the Ottawa River at Arnprior, Ontario, a distance of 230 kilometres (143 miles). From Source Lake to the Ottawa River the Madawaska River drops 380 metres (1,247 ft), making it a treacherous river with many rapids.
As early as 1860 the Madawaska River was used as a means to transport the timber that had been logged from the area. One hundred years later damming the river would provide Ontario with hydroelectric power and create Centennial Lake.
Today Centennial Lake is used for recreational purposes. Some areas around the lake are quite remote while other areas along the shoreline are interspersed with cottages and campgrounds.
