Moose Factory Island Explained

Moose Factory Island is an island in the Moose River, Ontario, Canada, about from its mouth at James Bay. It is adjacent to the community of Moosonee across the Moose River, from which it is accessible by water taxi in the summer, a 2-minute helicopter ride in the spring and fall during break and freeze up season and by either snowmobile taxi or by driving over the river by vehicle in the winter months. The island is home to the community of Moose Factory. This town is associated with the entire island, but politically, the island is divided into two entities:^[1]

• Factory Island 1 - Indian reserve that makes up the northern two-thirds of the island, belonging to the Moose Cree First Nation (population: 1451).
• Unorganized North Cochrane District - Unincorporated southern third, home to the historic Hudson's Bay Company post and government services, governed by the provincial Local Services Board and the federal Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin that administers the hospital (population: 1007).

Moose Factory Island is part of the poorly drained, sparsely forested Hudson Bay Lowlands. It is flat and made up of marine clay, underlain by sedimentary rocks, mainly limestone, dolomite and shale. Being situated close to James Bay, Moose Factory Island is affected by the Arctic tides which rise and fall twice daily, varying as much as from high to low tide.^[1]

Climate

Moose Factory Island and the Moosonee area has a very cold humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb). The climate data is from Moosonee, around to the west.

Notes and References

1. Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation - Moose Factory Community Profile