A Dam Site for Sore Eyes Traditional Cache
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Drive to end of Hwy 508 past Calabogie Peaks, past Black Donald waste site until you reach Mountain Chute Dam. Cross bridge - up to the top - park in designated area.
Original Contents of Orange marine canister include
log book, pencil & sharpener, whistle, backpackers towel, flashlight (no batteries), waterproof matches,Tonka toy.
As you arrive at Mountain Chute Dam you will veer left to cross the bridge across the Madawaska River and to your right is the dam and to the left awesome view down the river. Steep climb to the top where you will find large designated parking area for unloading ATV's or snowmobiles. This is main access route into the back country on many ATV trails and groomed snowmobile trails in the winter.
You want to look for this cache close to one of the
Canoe Portage signs and Parking sign.
The late Rita Quilty of Renfrew wrote about this area in her out of print book, The Black Donald Story. A summary of her Mountain Chute description follows.
On a memorable day in November, 1950, the final cave-in occurred at Black Donald Mines. Ontario Hydro had long appreciated the huge hydro opportunity that the Madawaska River held at Mountain Chute. Back in 1947, they had signed an agreement with the Black Donald Graphite Company to buy the property when the graphite ore (black lead) supply was depleted. Now they did not have to wait. They could use this natural site for a huge dam and generating station.
Airplanes and huge vehicles moved in. Private land around Whitefish Lake was expropriated as well as land along the Madawaska River towards Griffith. By the early 60’s, all trees had been cut and buildings burned. The village of Black Donald Mines disappeared in smoke.
By 1966, the dam and generating station were ready and then Hydro filled the 8,500 acres of the headpond. The depth of the new body of water reached 150 feet in some spots. Whitefish Lake was raised by more than 80 feet.
The new headpond was named Centennial Lake and went more than 22 miles upstream along the Madawaska River. The easterly portion of the new body of water was officially named Black Donald Lake. Today Canadian and American tourists have summer or all year homes here.
At a final cost of $31.3 million dollars the sluiceway opened on March 26, 1967 – Canada’s Centennial Year.
Reference
The Black Donald Story by Rita Quilty, 1990
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va cvyr bs oynfgrq ebpx
ol Cnexvat naq Cbegntr fvtaf.
Treasures
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