Abbott's Guide to Ottawa and Vicinity/Chats Falls

by George F. Abbott

 

CHATS FALLS.

Thirty miles, as the crow flies, from the city, on the Upper Ottawa at the foot of Lake les Chats is a series of rapids from which the lake takes its name. The river here is nearly one mile in width, and is barred in a diagonal direction by a huge ledge of limestone rock over which the water pours in white foam, and with great noise, from a height of fifty feet. In periods of high water there are thirty-three distinct falls, while there are but sixteen at low water. The power capable of being developed from these falls is from 140,000 to 170,000 horse power. This will be a valuable commercial asset in the near future.