Apica River facts for kids

The Apica River is a freshwater river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Pikauba River. The river is located in the Lac-Ministuk area, which is part of the Le Fjord-du-Saguenay Regional County Municipality. This region is known as Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.

The Apica River flows through a narrow valley with steep sides. You can see great views from a rest area a few kilometers north of the Route 169 bridge. This river starts from a series of small lakes, with Lake Micoine being its main source. Near its end, the Apica River flows at the base of Apica mountain, which is about 884 m (2,900 ft) tall.

The upper part of the Apica valley can be reached by Route 169. Other smaller forest roads are also in the area. These roads are used for logging and for fun outdoor activities like hiking or camping.

Forestry, which is the business of managing and cutting down trees, is the main economic activity here. Tourism and recreation come in second.

The Apica River usually freezes over from late November to early April. It's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to late March.

Where the River Flows

The Apica River crosses Route 169. This road connects Quebec City to Lac Saint-Jean. The river is about halfway between Jacques-Cartier Lake and the edge of the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve.

Here are the main areas next to the Apica River:

• To the north: Pikauba River, Félix stream, Damasse stream, Suzor Côté lake, Petite rivière Pikauba.
• To the east: Pikauba River, Lac Godin, Petite rivière Pikauba, Cyriac River.
• To the south: Mignault Lake, Madeleine Creek, Pikauba River, Rivière aux Écorces North-East.
• To the west: Rivière aux Écorces, Lake Paris, Jacqueline Lake.

River's Starting Point

The Apica River begins at Lake Micoine. This lake is about 752 m (2,467 ft) above sea level. The river's starting point is on the north shore of Lake Micoine.

This starting point is located:

• 3.6 km (2.2 mi) southwest of a bend in the Pikauba River.
• 3.7 km (2.3 mi) east of where the rivière aux Canots begins.
• 8.4 km (5.2 mi) northeast of the rivière aux Écorces North-East.
• 5.4 km (3.4 mi) southwest of Route 169.
• 13.4 km (8.3 mi) southeast of where the Apica River meets the Pikauba River.
• 15.4 km (9.6 mi) southeast of where the rivière aux Canots Est meets the Rivière aux Canots.

River's Journey

From Lake Micoine, the Apica River flows for about 19.5 km (12.1 mi). It flows entirely through a forest area. The river drops about 237 m (778 ft) in elevation along its path.

Here's how the river flows:

• It travels 5.5 km (3.4 mi) northwest, going through Mitchell Lake. Mitchell Lake is at an altitude of 752 m (2,467 ft). This lake is connected to Lake Micoine.
• Then, it flows 4.5 km (2.8 mi) northwest, passing through Lake Lemay. Lake Lemay is 2.3 km (1.4 mi) long and is 719 m (2,359 ft) high. Most of this lake is a marshy area.
• Next, it goes 3.3 km (2.1 mi) northwest to where the water from Lake Dagenay flows in.
• It continues 0.4 km (0.25 mi) northwest to the water from Molson Lake.
• The river then winds 0.7 km (0.43 mi) north to the water from Lac du Lédon.
• It flows 3.8 km (2.4 mi) north, making a loop to the east. It passes through the area of the old village of Mont-Apica until it reaches Route 169.
• Finally, it travels 1.3 km (0.81 mi) north to where it meets the Pikauba River.

River's End Point

The Apica River joins the Pikauba River on its west bank. This meeting point is located:

• 0.6 km (0.37 mi) northeast of Route 169.
• 1.6 km (0.99 mi) north of the village center of Mont-Apica.
• 20.6 km (12.8 mi) northwest of where Route 169 and Route 175 meet.
• 38.6 km (24.0 mi) southeast of where the Pikauba River meets Kenogami Lake.
• 56.0 km (34.8 mi) southwest of where the Chicoutimi River meets the Saguenay River.
• 61.0 km (37.9 mi) southeast of the shore of lac Saint-Jean.

From this point, the water flows down the Pikauba River for 61.6 km (38.3 mi) northeast. Then, it crosses Kenogami Lake for 17.6 km (10.9 mi) northeast to the Barrage de Portage-des-Roches dam. After that, it follows the Chicoutimi River for 26.2 km (16.3 mi) east and northeast. Finally, it flows along the Saguenay River for 114.6 km (71.2 mi) east to Tadoussac. At Tadoussac, it joins the Saint Lawrence estuary.

River's Name History

The name "Apica River" has changed over time. Old maps and reports from the 1800s called it "Upika River" or "Upica River." For example, the Dictionary of Rivers and Lakes of the Province of Quebec (from 1914 and 1925) used "Upika River."

The word "upica" comes from the Innu language. It means "it is constricted" when talking about a river, or it could also mean "carrying strap."

In 1961, the name "Upica" was officially changed to "Apica." The nearby mountain was also renamed Mount Apica. This mountain became well-known when a radar station was built there, which is now no longer used.

The name "Apica river" was officially recognized on June 6, 1973, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a place names committee in Quebec.

See Also

• Le Fjord-du-Saguenay Regional County Municipality
• Lac-Ministuk, a TNO
• Pikauba River
• Kenogami Lake
• Chicoutimi River
• Saguenay River
• St. Lawrence River
• List of rivers of Quebec