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In 1938, a high-grade iron deposit was confirmed to
exist under the waters of Steep Rock Lake in northwestern Ontario,
Canada, near the small town of Atikokan. Steep Rock Iron Mines was
incorporated in 1939 to develop and extract ore from this site. The
project required the dewatering of the lake which had a surface area of
over five square miles, the diversion of a major river system, the
lowering of nearby Finlayson Lake by 40 feet, and the largest dredging
project ever undertaken in Canada. In order to lower Finlayson Lake, a
tunnel was cut through solid rock 1400 feet long to provide drainage.
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Dewatering Steep Rock Lake |
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The project was enormous in its scope and, over the
40 years that the mines were active, provided great economic benefit to
the area. Steep Rock Iron Mines Ltd. contributed a great deal to the
post-war economic growth of Ontario. Locally, the company initiated the
development of Atikokan, set up its infrastructure, and provided stable
employment for more than 35 years. In its lifetime, the mine was Ontario’s
foremost producer of iron ore.
When the mine closed in 1980, the site was allowed to
return to its natural state. Pumps were turned off and the pits began
filling with water. Steep Rock Lake is now host to a commercial fish
farm. Fast growing poplar trees and scrub provide wildlife habitat,
while local residents enjoy hiking, biking, and rockhounding. The Atikokan
Mining Attraction organization is actively promoting tourism
at the former iron mine site.
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A view of the Lake from a hiking lookout point
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