Arnaud River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arnaud River |
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Payne Bay and mouth of the Arnaud River. Kangirsuk is faintly visible on the north (left) shore.
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| Other name(s) | Rivière Arnaud |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Nunavik |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Payne Lake |
| River mouth | Ungava Bay 59°58′55″N 69°45′31″W / 59.98194°N 69.75861°W |
| Length | 377 km (234 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 49,500 km2 (19,100 sq mi) |
The Arnaud River (also known as the Payne River) is a long river in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada. It flows from high lands through many lakes formed by glaciers. The river empties into Ungava Bay. It's frozen for most of the year, flowing mainly in the summer.
About the Arnaud River
The Arnaud River is about 377 kilometers (234 miles) long. It starts in Payne Lake. From there, it flows through a series of lakes. The river's path is not always clear. In its upper parts, there are several main channels. Many of these channels don't even have names.
The river's basin, which is the land area that drains into the river, covers about 49,500 square kilometers (19,100 square miles). This area is almost completely barren. This means there are very few plants growing there.
Life Along the River
The Inuit village of Kangirsuk is located near the mouth of the Arnaud River. It sits on the north shore of Payne Bay. This is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) inland from the western coast of Ungava Bay.
About 22 kilometers (14 miles) upstream from Kangirsuk, you can find an interesting place. It's an archaeological site called the Hammer of Thor. This site shows signs of ancient human activity.
Climate and Environment
The area around the Arnaud River has a very harsh climate. The average temperature is only about 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) even in the middle of summer. This means it's very cold for most of the year.
The ground in this region has permafrost. This is ground that stays frozen all the time. It extends deep into the earth, starting from only half a meter (1.6 feet) below the surface.
Because of the cold, very few plants can grow here. The only vegetation you'll find are low shrubs. No trees grow anywhere in the Arnaud River basin. This is true even in places that are somewhat sheltered from the wind. The river freezes for a very long time each year.
Images for kids
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Payne River at Kangirsuk
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Inuit Encampment, Payne River (Arnaud) (2241)
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