Boucanée River facts for kids

The Boucanée River (which means "Smoked River" in English) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into Lake Pohenegamook. A river that flows into another body of water is called a tributary.

The Boucanée River is located in the southern part of the Gaspé Peninsula. It runs through the towns of Saint-Athanase, Quebec and Pohenegamook, Quebec. This area is part of the Témiscouata Regional County Municipality (RCM).

The river flows into the western side of Lake Pohenegamook. This lake is the biggest one along the Saint Francis River. The Saint Francis River then flows south, through Beau Lake (Maine-Quebec) and Lake Glacier. Finally, it reaches the St. John River in New Brunswick. The St. John River flows through New Brunswick and empties into the Bay of Fundy, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean.

You can reach the Boucanée River by using the "chemin de la Rivière-Noire" (Black River road) or Route 289.

Where the Boucanée River Starts

The Boucanée River begins at Lake Boucané. This lake is about 0.7 kilometres (0.43 mi) long and sits at a height of 497 metres (1,631 ft). It is located in the town of Saint-Athanase, Quebec, within the Notre Dame Mountains.

The source of the river is:

• About 3.0 kilometres (1.9 mi) northwest of the village of Saint-Athanase.
• About 5.0 kilometres (3.1 mi) southwest of "Lac des Huards" (Lake of Loons).
• About 13.2 kilometres (8.2 mi) north of where the Boucanée River joins Lake Pohenegamook.

How the River Flows

The Boucanée River flows for about 16.1 kilometres (10.0 mi). Here's how it travels:

• It flows southeast for 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) in Saint-Athanase, passing under the "chemin de la Rivière-Noire" bridge.
• Then, it turns northeast for 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi), going under the Tom Fox path bridge.
• It flows southeast for 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi), reaching the border of Pohenegamook, Quebec.
• It then goes northeast for 1.0 kilometre (0.62 mi), where water from "lac au Foin" (Hay Lake) and Alphonse Lake joins it.
• It continues northeast for 3.8 kilometres (2.4 mi), passing under a Canadian National train bridge.
• For 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi), it flows northeast, crossing the "rang Ignace-Nadeau" path twice, until it meets "ruisseau des Cèdres" (Cedars stream).
• Finally, it flows eastward for 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi). It crosses Route 289 (Main Street) and passes south of the "Montagne de la Croix" (Mountain of the Cross). It also crosses the road to "Tête-du-Lac" (Lake-head), which is the road along the west shore of Lake Pohenegamook.

The Boucanée River ends by flowing into the western side of Lake Pohenegamook in Pohenegamook, Quebec. This meeting point is:

• About 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) north of the village of Saint-Éleuthère, Quebec.
• About 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) south of the main source of Lake Pohenegamook.
• About 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) northwest of where Lake Pohenegamook empties out.

What's in a Name?

The name "Boucanée" comes from the French word for "smoked." This name is used for both the lake and the river. It refers to an old way of preserving meat by smoking it over a fire, often under a shelter. This process also gives the meat a special flavor.

The name "Boucanée River" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec (Quebec Geographical Names Board).

The Old Viaduct

In 1913, a special bridge called the Boucanée River Viaduct was built. It was made for the National Transcontinental Railway near Rivieres du Loup, Quebec. The viaduct was designed by an engineer named Philip Louis Pratley.