Bernier River (Saint-Maurice River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bernier River |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Mauricie |
| Regional County Municipality | Maskinongé Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Martel Lake Saint-Boniface 181 m (594 ft) 46°33′22″N 72°50′14″E / 46.556193°N 72.837285°E |
| River mouth | Saint-Maurice River Saint-Boniface 32 m (105 ft) 46°30′39″N 72°46′32″W / 46.510852°N 72.775673°W |
| Length | 10.0 km (6.2 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Saint-François River, St. Lawrence River |
| Tributaries |
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The Bernier River is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Saint-Maurice River. The Saint-Maurice River then joins the big St. Lawrence River. The Bernier River is completely inside the town of Saint-Boniface. This area is part of the Maskinongé Regional County Municipality in the Mauricie region.
The river usually flows towards the southeast. It passes through areas with forests and farms. You can find it between the village of Saint-Boniface and the city of Shawinigan.
During winter, the river's surface freezes. This usually happens from mid-December until the end of March. It's generally safe to walk on the ice from late December to early March. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons and how much rain or snow falls.
Where the Bernier River Starts and Ends
The Bernier River begins at a place called Martel Lake. This lake is about 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) long and sits 181 metres (594 ft) above sea level. You can find this starting point in Saint-Boniface.
The source of the river is located:
- About 5.6 kilometres (3.5 mi) north of the center of Saint-Boniface village.
- About 4.7 kilometres (2.9 mi) north of the center of Saint-Gérard-des-Laurentides village.
- About 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) northwest of Shawinigan Bay.
From Martel Lake, the Bernier River flows for about 10.0 kilometres (6.2 mi). Here's how its journey goes:
- It flows 2.9 kilometres (1.8 mi) southeast in Saint-Boniface, passing under a railway bridge.
- Then, it continues 3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi) southeast, crossing under Route 153 and then Highway 55.
- It flows another 0.9 kilometres (0.56 mi) southeast, where it meets the Blanche River.
- Finally, it travels 3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi) northeast until it joins the Saint-Maurice River.
The Bernier River flows into the west side of the Saint-Maurice River in Saint-Boniface. This meeting point is:
- About 3.0 kilometres (1.9 mi) downstream from where the Shawinigan River joins the Saint-Maurice River.
- About 3.8 kilometres (2.4 mi) east of the center of Saint-Boniface village.
Naming the Bernier River
The name "Bernier River" was officially recognized on March 6, 1975. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the group in Quebec responsible for naming places.
More About Rivers and Places
Here are some other interesting places and rivers related to the Bernier River:
- Maskinongé Regional County Municipality
- Saint-Boniface, the town where the river flows
- Blanche River, a smaller river that flows into the Bernier River
- Saint-Maurice River, the larger river the Bernier River flows into
- St. Lawrence River, a very big river that the Saint-Maurice River eventually joins
- List of rivers in the Saint-Maurice basin
- List of rivers of Quebec
