Couchepaganiche East River facts for kids

The Couchepaganiche East River is a smaller river that flows into the Couchepaganiche River. It's located in Quebec, Canada, specifically in the area of Métabetchouan–Lac-à-la-Croix. This river is part of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.

The lower part of the river valley is easy to reach. You can get there using Quebec Route 169, which runs along the southeast side of Lac Saint-Jean. There are also smaller forest roads that help people get around.

The main activities in this valley are forestry (cutting down trees) and agriculture (farming). Recreational tourism, like visiting for fun, is also important.

The river's surface usually freezes over from early December to late March. However, it's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.

Where is the Couchepaganiche East River located?

The Couchepaganiche East River is surrounded by other important water bodies. Knowing these helps us understand its location better.

• To the north, you'll find the Couchepaganiche River and Lac Saint-Jean.
• To the east, there's La Belle Rivière and the Bédard River.
• To the south, you'll see lac de la Belle Rivière and the Métabetchouane River.
• To the west, it's near the main Couchepaganiche River and Lac Saint-Jean.

Where does the river start?

The Couchepaganiche East River begins in a small, unnamed lake. This lake is about 0.2 kilometers (0.12 miles) long and sits at an altitude of 400 meters (1,312 feet). It's in a forest area, south of a place called Montagne des Trois Round peaks.

The source of the river is:

• About 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles) northwest of lac de la Belle Rivière.
• About 10.2 kilometers (6.3 miles) northeast of the Métabetchouane River.
• About 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) southeast of where the Couchepaganiche East River joins the Couchepaganiche River.
• About 14.8 kilometers (9.2 miles) southeast of where the Couchepaganiche River flows into Lac Saint-Jean.
• About 30.5 kilometers (18.9 miles) south of downtown Alma.

How does the river flow?

From its starting point, the Couchepaganiche East River flows for about 14.3 kilometers (8.9 miles). As it flows, it drops about 267 meters (876 feet) in height. The river flows through both forest and farming areas.

Here's how its journey goes:

• For the first 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles), it flows north through a swampy area.
• Then, for 4.6 kilometers (2.9 miles), it turns west to go around Raven Mountain. It then meets the water from Lake Estaire.
• Next, it flows north for 6.0 kilometers (3.7 miles) through a deep valley. It picks up water from Lac des Passes and then enters farmland, where it winds around.
• Finally, for 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles), it continues north through a farming valley, winding until it reaches its mouth.

Where does the river end?

The Couchepaganiche East River flows into the Couchepaganiche River. This meeting point is on the south bank of the Couchepaganiche River.

This spot is located:

• About 4.6 kilometers (2.9 miles) southeast of where the Couchepaganiche River flows into Lac Saint-Jean.
• About 8.4 kilometers (5.2 miles) east of the village of Desbiens.
• About 14.8 kilometers (9.2 miles) northwest of lac de la Belle Rivière.
• About 21.8 kilometers (13.5 miles) southwest of Alma city center.

From this point, the water from the Couchepaganiche East River travels further. It flows along the Couchepaganiche River for 6.8 kilometers (4.2 miles) northwest. Then, it crosses Lac Saint-Jean for 17.6 kilometers (10.9 miles). After that, it joins the Saguenay River and flows for 172.3 kilometers (107.1 miles) all the way to Tadoussac. There, it finally merges with the Saint Lawrence estuary, which is a huge body of water connected to the Atlantic Ocean.

What's in a name?

This river has had a few different names in the past. It was once called "Baillargeon river," "Petit Bras," and "Couchepaganiche stream." These names are all connected to the main "Rivière Couchepaganiche."

The official name, "Rivière Couchepaganiche Est" (Couchepaganiche East River), was made official on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is a group that names places in Quebec.

Related topics

• Lac-Saint-Jean-Est Regional County Municipality
• Métabetchouan–Lac-à-la-Croix, a town
• Couchepaganiche River
• Lac Saint-Jean, a large lake
• Saguenay River, another important river
• List of rivers of Quebec