Brébeuf Lake (Saint-Jean River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brébeuf Lake |
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 Brébeuf Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Rivière-Éternité |
| Coordinates | 48°11′07″N 70°35′53″W / 48.18528°N 70.59805°W |
| Lake type | Natural |
| Primary inflows | Pierre River, bras de Ross, ruisseau des Papinachois, outlet of Lac Rond. |
| Primary outflows | Saint-Jean River (Saguenay River tributary) |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 12.5 km (7.8 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.4 km (0.87 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 226 m (741 ft) |
Brébeuf Lake is a beautiful body of water in Quebec, Canada. It's located in the area called Rivière-Éternité. This lake is a "tributary," which means its water flows into the larger Saint-Jean River.
Brébeuf Lake is part of a special area known as the zec du Lac-au-Sable. A "zec" is a controlled exploitation zone. This means the government manages how people use the land and water for activities like fishing and hunting. This helps protect nature and keep the area healthy.
You can reach the southwest part of Brébeuf Lake using a forest road. This road connects to Route 170 near the village of Saint-Félix-d'Otis. Other smaller forest roads also lead to the lake. These roads are used for forestry work and for people visiting for fun.
The main economic activity here is forestry, which involves cutting down trees. After that, tourism, like people visiting for recreation, is the next most important activity.
The lake's surface usually freezes from late November to early April. However, it's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to the end of March.
Contents
Exploring Brébeuf Lake's Location
Brébeuf Lake is surrounded by many other interesting bodies of water. Knowing these helps us understand where the lake is in the bigger picture.
Nearby Lakes and Rivers
Here are some of the main lakes and rivers close to Brébeuf Lake:
- To the north: Bailoquet Lake, Éternity Lake, Otis Lake, Lac à la Croix, and the huge Saguenay River.
- To the east: Périgny Lake, the Saint-Jean River, Petit Saguenay River, and the Saguenay River.
- To the south: Rivière à la Catin, Cami River, Lac des Canots, Pierre River, Vipère Lake, Cinto Lake, and Rivière à Mars North-West.
- To the west: Pierre River, Bras de Ross, and the Ha! Ha! River.
Lake Size and Features
Brébeuf Lake is about 12.5 km (7.8 mi) long. It's divided into three main parts. At its widest, it measures about 1.4 km (0.87 mi). The lake sits at an elevation of 226 m (741 ft) above sea level.
The Pierre River flows through Brébeuf Lake for about 2.9 km (1.8 mi) towards the east. The lake also has a peninsula on its south shore. This peninsula creates a narrow passage, or "strait," along the north side of the lake. On the east side of this peninsula, you'll find an area called "Anse à Taschereau."
The lake gets most of its water from the Pierre River, Bras de Ross, Papinachois stream, and the outlet of Rond Lake. Some of the main bays around the lake include "Anse à Bacalem," "Anse à la Balle," and "Anse à Taschereau."
Mount Lac Bruno, which is 334 m (1,096 ft) high, is located very close to the southwest shore of the lake. On the northeast shore, there are several peaks that are even taller, rising over 450 meters.
Where the Lake's Water Goes
The water from Brébeuf Lake flows out from a small bay on its east side. From there, the water travels a long way!
- It's about 4.7 km (2.9 mi) south of Éternity Lake.
- It's about 14.2 km (8.8 mi) southeast of the village of Saint-Félix-d'Otis.
- It's about 21.0 km (13.0 mi) southeast of a bay on the Saguenay River.
- It's about 23.8 km (14.8 mi) northeast of Lake Ha! Ha!.
- It's about 27.4 km (17.0 mi) southeast of where the Saint-Jean River meets the Saguenay River.
- It's about 47.7 km (29.6 mi) southeast of downtown Saguenay.
- It's about 61.3 km (38.1 mi) southwest of the town of Tadoussac.
From Brébeuf Lake's exit, the water flows down the Saint-Jean River for 38.9 km (24.2 mi) to the northeast. Then, it flows east along the Saguenay River for 45.7 km (28.4 mi). Finally, the Saguenay River empties into the mighty St. Lawrence River near Tadoussac.
How Brébeuf Lake Got Its Name
The name "Lac Brébeuf" honors a very important historical figure: Jean de Brébeuf.
The Story of Jean de Brébeuf
Jean de Brébeuf was a Jesuit priest born in Condé-sur-Vire, France, in 1593. He came to New France (what is now Canada) in 1625. He worked as a missionary, sharing his faith with Indigenous peoples. He spent time with the Innu people near Quebec City and later in Huronia, where he started a mission.
In 1649, during a difficult time of conflict, Jean de Brébeuf and another priest, Father Gabriel Lalemant, were captured by the Iroquois. They died on March 16, 1649. Many years later, on June 20, 1930, Pope Pius XI recognized Jean de Brébeuf as a saint. He was canonized along with six other Jesuits who also died between 1642 and 1649.
The name "Lac Brébeuf" was officially given to the lake on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization responsible for naming places in Quebec.
