Bras Coupé Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bras Coupé Lake |
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Watershed of Nottaway River
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 Bras Coupé Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality) |
| Coordinates | 49°33′40″N 75°56′38″W / 49.56111°N 75.94389°W |
| Type | Natural |
| Primary inflows | Opawica River, outlet of lac Le Gantier, outlet of lake Bernard, outlet of lake Denning, outlet of lake Lescure, outlet of lake Sébastien. |
| Primary outflows | Opawica River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 22.3 kilometres (13.9 mi) |
| Max. width | 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) |
| Surface area | 22 kilometres (14 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 343 metres (1,125 ft) |
Bras Coupé Lake (which is Lac du Bras Coupé in French) is a freshwater lake in the southern part of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay area in Quebec, Canada. This beautiful lake is located south of Chapais, Quebec.
The main activity around the lake is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. After that, tourism is important. Many people visit to enjoy the lake, especially because it's 22.3 kilometres (13.9 mi) long and great for boating!
You can reach the lake by a forest road that runs east to west. This road helps people get to the southern part of the lake.
The lake usually freezes over from early November until mid-May. But it's safest to walk or drive on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Contents
What is Bras Coupé Lake Like?
Bras Coupé Lake is actually a wider part of the Opawica River. It has a unique shape, a bit like a horseshoe that's open towards the southwest.
The lake has several long pieces of land called peninsulas. These peninsulas stretch out into the water. They create many interesting bays and smaller lakes within the main lake.
For example, one peninsula stretches about 8.6 kilometres (5.3 mi) into the lake. Another one helps separate Bras Coupé Lake from Bay Lake.
Size and Flow
Bras Coupé Lake is about 22.3 kilometres (13.9 mi) long. At its widest, it's about 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) across. The lake sits at an elevation of 343 metres (1,125 ft) above sea level.
The Opawica River flows right through almost the entire length of Bras Coupé Lake. This means the river's current moves through the lake for about 20.3 kilometres (12.6 mi).
The lake also has many islands, bays, and peninsulas, making it a very interesting place to explore.
Nearby Lakes and Rivers
The Opawica River connects Bras Coupé Lake to several other important water bodies. These include Bay Lake, Rane Lake, Lac des Vents, Irene Lake, and Caopatina Lake. The Surprise Lake also flows into Caopatina Lake.
Bras Coupé Lake gets its water from several smaller lakes. These include Denning Lake, Lescure Lake, Lac Gantier, Lac Sébastien, and Lake Bernard.
The water from Bras Coupé Lake then flows southwest. It travels about 10.9 kilometres (6.8 mi) to reach Doda Lake.
Where is the Lake Located?
The mouth of Bras Coupé Lake (where its water flows out) is in the southwest part of the lake. From there, it's:
- About 70.3 kilometres (43.7 mi) southeast of where the Opawica River meets the Chibougamau River.
- About 348 kilometres (216 mi) southeast of the mouth of the Nottaway River.
- About 59.8 kilometres (37.2 mi) southwest of the center of Chibougamau.
- About 86.0 kilometres (53.4 mi) east of the village of Waswanipi.
Surrounding Waterways
Other important rivers and lakes near Bras Coupé Lake include:
- To the north: Obatogamau River and Irene River.
- To the east: Irene Lake, Obatogamau Lakes, Opawica River, Lac des Vents, and Lac La Dauversière.
- To the south: Lake of the Winds, Caopatina Lake, and Surprise Lake.
- To the west: Doda Lake, Françoise Lake (Opawica River), and the Opawica River.
Why is it Called Bras Coupé Lake?
The name "Bras Coupé" means "Cut Arm" in French. This name was officially given to the lake in 1935. It describes the lake's unique shape. It looks like a river arm that is "cut" or divided by four large peninsulas. These peninsulas are located downstream from Lac des Vents.
The name "Lac Du Bras Coupé" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec. This commission is in charge of naming places in Quebec.
