Grand Rapids (Manitoba)

Grand Rapids is a town in Manitoba, Canada located on the northwestern shore of Lake Winnipeg where the Saskatchewan River enters the lake. As the name implies, the river had a significant drop at this point (more than 75 feet in less than 3 miles). In modern days, a large hydro electric generating plant has been built. Cedar Lake, just a short distance up the river provides a natural water storage for this plant. PTH 6, the primary roadway in the region, crosses the Saskatchewan River at the Grand Rapids bridge.Grand Rapids was on the main canoe route toward the west. See Canadian Canoe Routes (early). Fort Bourbon stood here at one time. It also sits across the river from Misipawistik Cree Nation.In 1894 fire destroyed a number of buildings in the Grand Rapids docks. The steamboat Colvile also caught fire and was destroyed.HistoryThe first Fort Bourbon was built here in 1741 but was soon moved. Grand Rapids was the only significant obstacle on the Saskatchewan-North Saskatchewan between the Rocky Mountains and Lake Winnipeg. Going downstream the rapids were usually run demi-chargé using the south channel. Upstream the boats were pulled by towlines. In the 1780s the Hudson's Bay Company began to use York boats on the river. A log road was constructed so that these large boats could be hauled on rollers. Here in June 1819, in retaliation for the Battle of Seven Oaks HBC governor William Williams captured a number of Northwest Company men. The next year the Nor'Westers captured some HBC men at the same spot. (see Pemmican War)