Watts Dam - Armour Twp, ON
Posted by: 
13acres
N 45° 36.588 W 079° 22.598
17T E 626581 N 5051976
A provincially owned dam on the South Magnetawan River.
Waymark Code: WM131TE
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 08/28/2020
Views: 0
Watts Dam is a concrete stop log dam located on the South Magnetawan River. Its location is approximately half way between the villages of Katrine and Burk's Falls in the Township of Armour, Ontario. The dam is owned by The Province of Ontario and is managed by The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. History shows some of the first wooden dams being built on the Magnetwan river in 1885 to improve navigation on the river. People and cargo were moved by steam boat along the river and transferred from boat to boat in between the dams and rapids. I could not find a concrete cast date anywhere on the dam or any information on its construction date but judging by the look of the board forming, the concrete structure has been there for quite some time.
The coordinates N45° 36.588 W079° 22.598 were taken on the north corner of the dam wall just adjacent to the railing and gate.
Access
To access the dam, make your way to exit 252 on Highway 11 and travel down Three Mile / Doe Lake Road towards Katrine 1.5km. Turn right on Ferguson Road and travel 200m where you will find Doe Lake Park on your left. The parking and launching coordinates are N45° 34.245 W079° 22.020. Launch and paddle upriver 7.3km to the portage trailhead at N45° 36.571 W079° 22.544. A quick 100m hike along a well defined path will get you to the dam.
