Northumberland County: New Brunswick's Gem

Northumberland County is located in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is the largest county in New Brunswick and incorporates much of the centre of the province, including the great Miramichi River basin and the City of Miramichi, where the river flows into the wide Miramichi Bay. The area is known worldwide for its salmon fishing.

Northumberland County's location in New Brunswick

Northumberland County is located in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is the largest county in the province, covering 12,843.39 square kilometres (4,958.86 sq mi) of land. The area is dominated by the Miramichi River, which flows into the wide Miramichi Bay, part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The river is world-famous for its salmon fishing.

The county is covered by thick forests, and its economy is stimulated by the products of these forests. The highest peaks in the province, including Mount Carleton, lie in the northwestern corner of the county.

The city of Miramichi acts as a local service centre for the county and surrounding regions, with schools, hospitals, government offices, and retail locations. There are also several sawmills in the city and up the Southwest Branch of the Miramichi River. Historically, there were also two large pulp and paper mills in Miramichi.

Chatham was once home to an air force base, CFB Chatham, until 1996. Renous-Quarryville, located along the Southwest Miramichi, was also home to an army post, which has since been replaced by a federal maximum-security penitentiary.

There are five municipalities within Northumberland County, and it is subdivided into thirteen parishes and five First Nations reserves. The county has a rich ethnic mixture, dating back to the Seven Years' War when Acadians and French marines fleeing deportations in southern New Brunswick set up a defended camp near the present-day city of Miramichi.

The Miramichi River and Bay

Northumberland County in New Brunswick, Canada, is dominated by the Miramichi River, which is world-famous for its salmon fishing. The Miramichi River is located in the east-central part of New Brunswick and drains into the Gulf of St. Lawrence via Miramichi Bay. The river's watershed roughly corresponds to Northumberland County, but also includes parts of Victoria, Carleton, York, Gloucester, and Sunbury Counties. The river's estuary, where the river meets the sea, is an important ecosystem and a popular spot for fishing and other recreational activities.

The Miramichi River is made up of two important branches, the Southwest Miramichi River and the Northwest Miramichi River, each with its own tributaries. The two branches meet at Newcastle, where the river becomes navigable for ocean-going vessels. The estuary portion of the river, downriver from Newcastle, flows through a drowned river valley. This means that sea level rise has flooded the mouth of the river with saltwater, creating a unique environment where freshwater and saltwater mix. The estuary is highly dynamic, with constant changes due to freshwater outflows, saltwater intrusions, storms, and ice.

Miramichi Bay, located at the mouth of the Miramichi River, is one of the largest bays along the northeastern coast of New Brunswick. The bay is separated into an inner and outer bay by a line of uninhabited barrier islands, which are constantly reshaped by ocean storms. The inner bay is an important navigation channel for ships entering the port of Miramichi, but it has a shallow depth of only 4 meters on average. The bay offers a productive ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of marine life, including harbour seals, various bird species, and fish such as cod, eel, and Atlantic salmon.

Communities in the county

Northumberland County, located in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada, is home to a diverse range of communities, each with its own unique characteristics and attractions. The county is known for its thick forests, high peaks, and the famous Miramichi River, which draws salmon fishers from around the world.

One of the key communities in the county is the city of Miramichi, which acts as a local service centre for the region. Miramichi offers essential services such as schools, hospitals, government offices, and retail locations. It also has a rich history, previously being home to two large pulp and paper mills and an air force base, CFB Chatham, until 1996. Along the Southwest Miramichi, Renous-Quarryville was once an army post and is now the site of a federal maximum-security penitentiary.

The county is further divided into five municipalities and five First Nations reserves, with three communities belonging to the Miꞌkmaq Nation. These include the Metepenagiag Miꞌkmaq Nation, located at the junction of the Northwest Miramichi River and the Little Southwest Miramichi River; the Eel Ground First Nation, close to the junction of the Northwest and Southwest Miramichi Rivers near Newcastle; and the Burnt Church First Nation on the northern shore of Miramichi Bay.

In addition to the municipalities and reserves, Northumberland County is also home to several unincorporated communities, including Neguac, Tabusintac, and Village-Saint-Laurent. These communities are scattered throughout the county and often have their own unique charm and history.

Some other notable communities in the county include:

• Redmondville, an unincorporated community.
• Glenwood, another unincorporated community.
• Black River-Hardwicke, a Local Service District.
• Barryville-New Jersey, an area with enhanced services within the local service district.
• Murray Settlement.
• White Rapids, a settlement.
• Weaver Siding, another settlement.
• Upper Blackville, a small community along the banks of the Miramichi River.
• Wayerton, a community in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

The county's economy and industry

Northumberland County, located in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada, has a diverse economy driven by natural resources, tourism, and local industries. Here is an overview of the county's economy and industry:

Natural Resources:

Northumberland County is known for its thick forests, which cover most of the county and play a vital role in stimulating the local economy. The county also has several sawmills located in the city of Miramichi and along the Southwest Branch of the Miramichi River. In addition, the county was once home to two large pulp and paper mills.

Tourism:

The county is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its natural attractions. The Miramichi River, which dominates the county, is world-famous for its salmon fishing. The lower portion of the river forms an estuary that widens into Miramichi Bay, part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This makes the county a draw for anglers and nature enthusiasts.

Local Industries and Services:

The city of Miramichi serves as a local service centre for Northumberland County and the surrounding regions. It offers essential services and amenities, including schools, hospitals, government offices, and retail locations. The city caters to the needs of both residents and visitors, contributing to the county's economy.

First Nations Communities:

Northumberland County is home to five First Nations reserves and three communities that are part of the Miꞌkmaq Nation. These communities have a significant cultural and historical presence in the county and contribute to its economic and social fabric.

Agriculture and Other Industries:

While not as prominent as forestry, agriculture also plays a role in the county's economy. The county's flatlands and river valley floodplains provide some areas for agricultural activities. Additionally, there may be other small-scale industries and businesses contributing to the local economy, such as those related to transportation, construction, and manufacturing.

Overall, Northumberland County's economy is closely tied to its natural resources, particularly its forests and rivers, with tourism and local services also playing vital roles in sustaining the region.

The county's history

Northumberland County is located in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is the largest county in New Brunswick and incorporates much of the centre of the province, including the great Miramichi River basin and the City of Miramichi, where the river flows into the wide Miramichi Bay. The area is known worldwide for its salmon fishing.

The history of Northumberland County can be traced back to the Seven Years' War when Acadians and French marines fleeing deportations in southern New Brunswick set up a defended camp near the present-day city of Miramichi. The county was one of the original eight counties of New Brunswick, with the parishes of Newcastle and Alnwick being erected in 1786. The county's rich ethnic mixture is evident in the presence of five First Nations reserves, including Big Hole Tract 8 (South) and three communities that are part of the Miꞌkmaq Nation: Metepenagiag Miꞌkmaq Nation, Eel Ground First Nation, and Burnt Church First Nation.

In 1814, several new parishes were established in Northumberland County, including Glenelg, Chatham, Nelson, Ludlow, and Northesk. Saumarez and Beresford were also established in 1814 but later became part of Gloucester County in 1826. Wellington and Carleton, established in the same year, became part of Kent County in 1826. The county continued to undergo subdivisions, with Blissfield and Blackville being set off from Ludlow in 1830, Hardwicke from Glenelg in 1851, and Derby from Nelson in 1859. Southesk was set off from Northesk in 1879, followed by Rogersville from Nelson in 1881.

The county is covered by thick forests, which contribute to its economy, and boasts the highest peaks in the province, including Mount Carleton. The Miramichi River, famous for its salmon fishing, dominates the county, with its lower portion forming an estuary that widens into Miramichi Bay, part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The city of Miramichi serves as a local service centre for the county, providing schools, hospitals, government offices, and retail locations.

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