Mira River (Nova Scotia)

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The Mira River is a Canadian river located in southeastern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and is the longest river in Nova Scotia.

With a meander length of approximately 55 km (34 miles) , the Mira has a very slow flow rate. The river occupies a trench arching from southwest to northeast across the southern part of Cape Breton County; much of the eastern part of the river is a tidal estuary, with noticeable tides extending beyond Albert Bridge. The river's source is traced to a series of lakes clustered around Victoria Bridge near the boundary with Richmond County. Flowing past the communities of Marion Bridge and Albert Bridge, the river discharges through the "Mira Gut" at the community of the same name into the Mira Bay.

The river's width and calm waters make it ideal for pleasure boating and other recreational activities; numerous cottages line its banks. Several campgrounds and parks, along with the Mira Boat Club at Albert Bridge make the Mira River an important vacation destination in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Popular swimming spots include Marion Bridge, Mira Gut Beach, Sanagree Island, Mira Water Park, and Albert Bridge.

The Mira region is also home to the Two Rivers Wildlife Park.

The Mira River has also been the inspiration for local songwriter Allister MacGillivray's Song for the Mira, which has become a renowned folk song. It has been recorded by several artists but in particular by Springhill, Nova Scotia, native Anne Murray. Song for the Mira has been recorded by Murray on several occasions during her illustrious career, but most recently as a duet with Irish sextet Celtic Woman on her 2007 CD (released in the U.S. in January 2008) Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends.

The mouth of the river, which drains into Mira Gut, is spanned by a bridge with a revolving middle span. This bridge, along with Albert Bridge, have been known to be used as diving boards by youths seeking adventure. The activity has not been as prevalent in recent years due to public fears of injury and liability, and to threats made by the Cape Breton Regional Police of fines or jail time for jumpers.^[1] The Gut bridge was used due to the high currents experienced at mid tide. Albert Bridge was used due to its height above water and the deep pool situated below the northwestern end of the bridge.