A series of dikes and canals were needed to divert the water from these rivers and still today; these works are unknown to the general public. Village of Obedjiwan  The small Atikamekw community of Obedjiwan is located on the reservoir's north shore. During the construction of the first Loutre dam (the name given to the dam prior to the Gouin name as it is known today), the Amerindians lived near Obedjiwan Lake, which was flooded when the reservoir was filled. At that time, the residents moved and rebuilt their village on the site of the present village of Obedjiwan, Quebec. Village of Oskélanéo  The village of Oskélanéo is connected to Gouin Reservoir via Oskélanéo Lake and Oskélanéo River. This river flows on the south shore of Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir). The village of Oskélanéo was formed following the arrival in 1910 of the transcontinental railroad; the station was designated "Oskélanéo River". Through the railroad, the village became a supply depot and access point to the Rupert River, Mistassini Lake and other areas of northern Quebec. It also became a starting point for hunting and fishing expeditions in the region, as well as for forestry projects. Although no paved road leads to the Gouin Reservoir, it is nevertheless accessible by several forested pathways, snowmobile trails and by air. The hydrographic slope of the Gouin Reservoir is accessible by:  The main rivers flowing into the Gouin reservoir are (clockwise from the Gouin dam): This large reservoir has many bays and islands making navigation more complex. Before the existence of geolocation systems that developed in the 2000s, many navigators have lost their way on this water, misfires. The main lakes included in the reservoir or related are: Toussaint, Magnan, McSweeney and Du Mâle Lake. (Clockwise, from the mouth) The many passes between the islands or peninsulas facilitate navigation on the reservoir.(Clockwise, from the mouth) Fishes  Fish species present include the walleye, northern pike, and sauger. Fishers sometimes catch lake trout and brook trout, but these species are more marginal because this vast body of water is the ideal reference point for pike, which is very fond of small fish. Waterfowl  Waterfowl present in the region include the American black duck ("Anas rubripes"), mallard ("Anas platyrhynchos"), green-winged teal ("Anas crecca"), ring-necked duck ("Aythya collaris"), common merganser ("Mergus merganser"), hooded merganser ("Lophodytes cucullatus"), common goldeneye ("Bucephala clangula"), bufflehead ("Bucephala albeola"), common loon ("Gavia immer"), Canada goose ("Branta canadensis"), bald eagle ("Haliaeetus leucocephalus").