Chenal de l'Île d'Orléans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chenal de l'Île d'Orléans |
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|---|---|
| Native name | Old names: "Chenal Nord" and "Chenal Orléans" |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| Regional County Municipality | La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Beaupré and Château-Richer |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | St. Lawrence River Quebec (city) 4 m 49°17′55″N 70°58′49″W / 49.298512°N 70.98038°W |
| River mouth | St. Lawrence River Beaupré 4 m 47°00′26″N 70°57′37″W / 47.00722°N 70.96027°W |
| Length | 33.1 km (20.6 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Chenal de l'Île d'Orléans (which means Orléans Island Channel in English) is a natural waterway. It is part of the huge Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada.
This channel is formed by Île d'Orléans, a large island. The island is about 33.1 km (20.6 mi) long and 8.3 km (5.2 mi) wide. The channel runs along one side of the island, separating it from the mainland.
During winter, the channel's surface usually freezes. This happens from mid-December until the end of March.
You can get to the channel using Quebec Route 138, which follows the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. Another way is Chemin Royal, which runs along the northwest side of Île d'Orléans.
What is the Chenal de l'Île d'Orléans?
The Chenal de l'Île d'Orléans begins near Quebec City. It is opposite where two major highways, the Dufferin-Montmorency Expressway and the Félix-Leclerc Expressway, meet. On the other side of the channel is the town of Sainte-Pétronille, located at the southwestern tip of Île d'Orléans.
At its start, the channel is about 2.1 km (1.3 mi) wide.
The channel flows under the Île d'Orléans bridge, which connects the island to the mainland.
Where does the channel end?
The Chenal de l'Île d'Orléans eventually joins back with the main Saint Lawrence River. This meeting point is between Pointe aux Prêtres on the mainland and Pointe Argentenay at the northern end of Île d'Orléans.
This spot is located:
- About 6.5 km (4.0 mi) northeast of the Sainte-Anne River (Beaupré) mouth.
- About 12.3 km (7.6 mi) northwest of the St. Lawrence River's southeast shore.
- About 30.6 km (19.0 mi) northeast of the bridge that connects Île d'Orléans to L'Ange-Gardien.
- About 40.1 km (24.9 mi) southeast of downtown Quebec City.
At its end, where it meets the St. Lawrence River, the channel is about 2.8 km (1.7 mi) wide.
History of the Name
The name "Chenal de l'Île d'Orléans" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This happened when the Commission de toponymie du Québec (Quebec's place name commission) was created.
