imported>JohnnyBflat: Importing Wikidata short description: "Waterfall in Outaouais, in Quebec, Canada" (Shortdesc helper)

2021-07-09T08:47:40Z

Importing Wikidata short description: "Waterfall in Outaouais, in Quebec, Canada" (Shortdesc helper)

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{{Short description|Waterfall in Outaouais, in Quebec, Canada}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Chutes Coulonge
| photo = ch_coulonge.jpg
| photo_width = 250
| photo_caption =
| type =
| location = [[Fort-Coulonge]], [[Quebec]]
| coords = {{coord|45|53|16.80|N|76|47|24.00|W}}
| area =
| created =
| operator =
| visitation_num =
| status =
| open =
}}

The '''Coulonge Chutes''' (in French: '''''Chutes Coulonge''''') is a non-profit recreation park and historical exhibition area operating in [[Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Quebec|Mansfield-et-Pontefract]], in the [[Pontiac Regional County Municipality, Quebec|Pontiac Regional County Municipality]] of western [[Quebec]], Canada. Its main attraction is the {{convert|42|m|ft|sp=us}} high Grandes Chutes [[waterfall]] of the [[Coulonge River]] and {{convert|100|m|ft|sp=us}} long cement [[Timber slide|log slide]].

Although the last [[log driving|log drive]] ended here in 1982, the waterfalls and gorge of the Coulonge River enjoy a substantial popularity among tourists, hikers and cyclists for playing a tremendous role in the reimagining of [[ecotourism]] in an area no longer able to survive upon resource extraction alone.

== History ==

At the beginning of the 19th century, early forestry operations pushed tall [[Eastern White Pine|white pines]], squared by [[axe]], down into the Ottawa River, destined to be sold by auction near the [[Canadian Parliament]] buildings and exported to [[England]] where they were used to build ships during the [[Berlin Decree]] proclaimed by [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]. Timber from the area played a large part in the construction of cities along the American East Coast including [[Boston]] and [[New York City]].

In the 1830s and 1840s, [[George Bryson Sr.]] settled near the mouth of the [[Coulonge River]], an [[Ottawa River]] [[tributary]] - acquiring thousands of acres of timber rights including {{convert|200|acre|km2}} directly surrounding what is known as The Grandes Chutes, located approximately 15 kilometers north of the Ottawa River itself. In 1843, Bryson built the [[:File:Pont-Rouge12a.jpg|Marchand covered bridge]].

[[File:Chutes-Coulonge 1024x584.JPG|thumb|250px|left|The Coulonge Chutes]]
As more settlers arrived in the area from [[Ireland]], [[Scotland]], the [[United States]], [[Germany]] and [[Poland]], many small towns along the length of the river were established.

Bryson constructed a [[sawmill]] on the river's edge around 1850. Because the Coulonge Falls were a huge obstacle in the transportation of local timber, a massive {{convert|3000|ft|m}} wooden log slide was constructed to enable wood to pass freely over the treacherous drop. In 1923, a cement slide replaced the wooden chute. [[J.E. Boyle]], constructed a sawmill in [[Davidson, Quebec|Davidson]] - still in operation today - exporting to the United States and other Canadian provinces.

The Coulonge River and the log slide remained in use for log drives until 1982. The site became a public park in 1985 when a reception chalet was opened.

== See also ==
* [[Fort Coulonge]]
* [[Ottawa River]]

== External links ==
* [http://chutescoulonge.qc.ca/ Chutes Coulonge official website]

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Outaouais]]
[[Category:Parks in Quebec]]
[[Category:Open-air museums in Canada]]
[[Category:Forestry museums in Canada]]
[[Category:Museums in Outaouais]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Outaouais]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Outaouais]]

Coulonge Chutes - Revision history

imported>JohnnyBflat: Importing Wikidata short description: "Waterfall in Outaouais, in Quebec, Canada" (Shortdesc helper)