The Madawaska River originates in Quebec, in Lake Témiscouata, and flows into the Saint John River in Edmundston. This same Saint John River acts as the border between Canada and the United States.
The Madawaska River was very instrumental in the early days of the Canadian forest industry, during the log drive era. We are in the region where the first trees were cut down for the Canadian naval industry.
The log drive technique consists of transporting wood by floating to its destination, which was once a common practice. Over the years, the forest industry has been transformed and many sawmills have appeared in the region, as well as several mills and a factory.