Bulstrode River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bulstrode River |
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|---|---|
| Native name | Rivière Bulstrode |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Chaudière-Appalaches and Centre-du-Québec |
| MRC | Les Appalaches Regional County Municipality, Arthabaska Regional County Municipality, L'Érable Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mountains streams Saint-Fortunat 448 m (1,470 ft) 45°58′04″N 71°35′28″W / 45.9677089°N 71.5909731°W |
| River mouth | Nicolet River Saint-Samuel 130 m (430 ft) 46°02′45″N 72°15′12″W / 46.04583°N 72.25333°W |
| Length | 90 km (56 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Nicolet River, St. Lawrence River |
| Tributaries |
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The Bulstrode River (called rivière Bulstrode in French) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Nicolet River.
The Bulstrode River starts in the mountains and flows generally north, then northwest, and finally southwest. It passes through several towns and areas. These include:
- In the Les Appalaches Regional County Municipality (MRC), which is part of the Chaudière-Appalaches region: the town of Saint-Fortunat.
- In the Arthabaska Regional County Municipality (MRC), part of the Centre-du-Québec region: the towns of Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, Saint-Norbert-d'Arthabaska, Victoriaville, Saint-Valère, and Saint-Samuel.
- In the L'Érable Regional County Municipality (MRC), also in Centre-du-Québec: the towns of Sainte-Sophie-d'Halifax and Princeville.
The river flows through both farming areas and forests.
Where is the Bulstrode River?
The Bulstrode River is surrounded by other rivers and land features. Here are some of its neighbors:
- To the north: The Bécancour River, Bourbon River, and Noire River.
- To the south: The Nicolet River, Lachance River, and Gosselin River.
- To the east: The Bécancour River, Larochelle River, and rivière au Pin.
The Bulstrode River is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) long. It begins in the hilly area of Saint-Fortunat.
As it flows south, the Bulstrode River joins the Nicolet River in Saint-Samuel. The river also flows through the Gaudet Reservoir in Victoriaville. After the dam at the reservoir, the river goes around the city of Victoriaville. It flows west for about 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles), then turns south for about 3.1 kilometers (1.9 miles). After that, it heads west towards the village of Saint-Valère, and then southwest towards Saint-Samuel.
What's in a Name?
The name "Bulstrode" is used for the river, a township, a street in Victoriaville, and even a town called "Saint-Valère-de-Bulstrode." It was also part of the old name for a small village called "hameau Defoy." The Bulstrode River meets the Nicolet River west of Victoriaville. It collects water from towns like Saint-Valère, Saint-Samuel, and Victoriaville. The river also flows through the Bulstrode township.
There are a few ideas about where the name "Bulstrode" comes from. One idea is that it honors a knight named Richard Bulstrode (1610-1711). He was an ambassador for England in the 17th century. He worked for several kings and wrote popular memoirs. Another idea is that the name comes from a place in England called "Bulstrode Park." We don't know for sure where that park's name came from.
The official name "Bulstrode River" was recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a place names committee in Quebec.
River Life
Long ago, in 1875, the Bulstrode River and the Nicolet River were famous for their Atlantic salmon. These salmon were quite large, often weighing between 18 and 24 pounds!
