James Bay

James Bay (French: Baie James, pronounced [bɛ dʒɛmz]; Cree: ᐐᓂᐯᒄ, romanized: Wînipekw, lit. 'dirty water') is a body of water located on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Its shorelines are in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; its islands, surface waters, and depths are in Nunavut. Its largest island is Akimiski. Numerous waterways of the James Bay watershed have been modified with dams or diversions for several major hydroelectric projects, while still attracting river-based recreation. Several communities are located near or alongside James Bay, including a number of Aboriginal Canadian communities, such as the Kashechewan First Nation and nine communities affiliated with the Cree of northern Quebec. James Bay is the last part of Hudson Bay to freeze over in winter, and the first to thaw in summer.