In the Muskhegowuk (Swampy Cree) language, the river is known as Kistachowan[2] (or Chichichiwan or Chichewan)[3] Sipi.

Trade in the area was long contested by the English from Hudson Bay and the French on the Great Lakes.

Much of the Albany basin was visited by coureurs des bois long before the English penetrated inland.

In 1775-76 Edward Jarvis from Henley House explored the relation between the Kenogami and the Missinaibi Rivers and went down to Michipicoten on Lake Superior.

[4] This river drains an area of 135,200 square kilometres (52,201 sq mi)[1] and has a mean discharge of 1,420 cubic metres (50,147 cu ft) per second.

There are three diversions in the Albany River watershed, all diverting water from the James Bay drainage basin and all undertaken as part of hydroelectric projects.

Features include rugged Precambrian bedrock, moraines, drumlins, and a variety of water-shaped landforms.