Burke Street Spring

## Overview Burke Street Spring is a public drinking spring located in the small community of Mattawan, Ontario, in the Nipissing District of northeastern Ontario, Canada. Situated along Burke Street, this community spring has served as a local water source for area residents and travelers passing through the region. The spring is maintained as a public access point, and visitors have noted that a donation container is available on-site to help support its upkeep. Mattawan sits near the confluence of the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers, an area with deep historical roots as a vital fur trade route used by Indigenous peoples, voyageurs, and early European explorers for centuries. The region's Canadian Shield geology, characterized by ancient Precambrian rock formations, gives rise to numerous natural springs fed by groundwater filtering through layers of granite and gneiss — often producing notably clean and mineral-rich water. ## Directions 1. The spring is located in Mattawan, Ontario, along Burke Street. 2. GPS coordinates: **46.350927, -78.755148** — enter these into your navigation app for the most direct route. 3. If traveling along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17), watch for signs directing you into the Mattawan area and navigate to Burke Street using local roads. 4. The spring should be visible from the roadside near the provided coordinates. ## What to Expect Burke Street Spring is a straightforward, roadside public drinking spring — the kind of no-frills community water source that has long been a tradition in rural Ontario. Visitors can expect easy access without any significant hiking or trail navigation required. A donation container is available at the spring, and contributions are appreciated to help with ongoing maintenance. The surrounding Mattawan area is quiet and rural, set against the scenic backdrop of the Nipissing District's forests and waterways. If you're passing through on Highway 17 or exploring the nearby Mattawa River Provincial Park, this spring makes for a convenient stop. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary with seasonal conditions. While the spring has historically been used as a public drinking water source, visitors should use their own discretion regarding consumption.