Ashuapmushuan Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashuapmushuan Lake |
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 Ashuapmushuan Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Le Domaine-du-Roy (RCM) |
| Coordinates | 49°09′35″N 73°45′12″W / 49.15972°N 73.75333°W |
| Type | Natural |
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| Primary outflows | Normandin River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 13.4 kilometres (8.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) |
| Surface area | 28.17 kilometres (17.50 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 371 metres (1,217 ft) |
Ashuapmushuan Lake is a large freshwater lake in Quebec, Canada. It is located in the Le Domaine-du-Roy area. This region is part of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean administrative region. The lake is completely within the Lorne township. It is also part of the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve.
The main activity around the lake is forestry. This means people work with trees and forests. After forestry, recreational tourism is important. Many people visit the lake for fun activities like fishing or boating.
A forest road called Quebec route 167 passes near the lake. This road connects Chibougamau and Saint-Félicien, Quebec. The Canadian National Railway also runs nearby. Other smaller forest roads help people get around the lake.
The surface of Ashuapmushuan Lake usually freezes in early November. It stays frozen until mid-May. However, it is generally safe to be on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
About the Lake's Shape and Size
Ashuapmushuan Lake is about 13.4 kilometres (8.3 mi) long. It stretches mainly towards the north-west. The widest part of the lake is about 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) across. The lake sits at an elevation of 371 metres (1,217 ft) above sea level.
- One bay stretches about 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) to the east from the center of the lake.
- Another bay goes south for about 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi).
- A third bay extends 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) north-easterly from the southern tip. This is where the Licorne River flows into the lake.
The water from Ashuapmushuan Lake flows out through the Normandin River. This river then joins the Ashuapmushuan River.
Rivers and Lakes Nearby
Many rivers and lakes are close to Ashuapmushuan Lake.
- To the north, you can find Aigremont Lake and Denaut Lake. The Ashuapmushuan River and La Loche River are also there.
- To the east are Chiboubiche Lake, the Licorne River, the Ashuapmushuan River, and the Chigoubiche River.
- To the south, you'll find Arlequin Creek, the Marquette River, and Laon Lake.
- To the west are the Marquette River West, Poutrincourt Lake, and the Normandin River.
The water from Ashuapmushuan Lake flows into the Ashuapmushuan River. This river flows north for about 35.9 kilometres (22.3 mi). Then it turns south-east for 144 kilometres (89 mi). Finally, it empties into lac Saint-Jean on its western shore.
The Story Behind the Name
On a peninsula at the north-western end of the lake, a trading post was built a long time ago. This was in the early 1700s. It was located where the Marquette River, Normandin River, and Ashuapmushuan River meet. This trading post was open for many decades.
In the Ilnue language, the name "Ashuapmushuan" means "where moose are being watched". Over the years, people spelled the name of this lake in many different ways. For example, on a map from 1897, it was called "Lac Chamouchouan".
The official name "Lac Ashuapmushuan" was formally recognized on October 5, 1982. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is a group that names places in Quebec.
