Dauphine River facts for kids

The Dauphine River is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows through two towns, Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans and Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. These towns are part of the L'Île-d'Orléans Regional County Municipality. This area is located in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec.

A road called Chemin Royale (also known as Route 368) follows the lower part of the river's valley. It runs along the southeast side of Île d'Orléans. In the upper part of the valley, people mostly work in forestry. This means they manage forests and cut down trees. In the middle and lower parts, farming is the main activity.

The Dauphine River usually freezes over from early December to late March. It's safest to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to mid-March. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons. It also depends on how much rain or snow falls. The river's water level is highest in March or April due to melting snow.

River's Journey: Where Does It Flow?

The Dauphine River starts from a small stream in a farming area. This spot is in Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. It's near a road called Route du Mitan. The river begins about 111 meters (364 feet) above sea level.

From its start, the Dauphine River flows for about 11.3 kilometers (7 miles). It drops about 107 meters (351 feet) in height along its path.

• First, it flows southeast for about 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles). It passes through a forest area. Then it enters Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans.
• Next, it turns northeast and flows for about 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles). This part of the river is mostly in farming areas.
• Finally, it continues northeast for about 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles). It crosses Route 368. The river then reaches its end.

The Dauphine River empties into a small bay in Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. This bay is next to Saint-François-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. The bay connects to the Chenal des Grands Voiliers. This channel is part of the mighty Saint Lawrence River. The bay faces a small island called Île Madame.

A Look Back: The River's History

The Dauphine River has a long history. In the 14th century, a man named Mr. Poulin worked as a miller. He ran a mill on this river. Back then, the river was called the "Delphine river." It was located on an island known as Île Saint-Laurent, which is now called Île d'Orléans.

What's in a Name?

The name "Dauphine River" has changed over time.

• In 1652, the river was first called "Rivière Delphine." This name appeared in an old legal document. Old maps from 1695 and 1744 also show this name.
• However, a map from 1689 by Robert de Villeneuve called it "Dauphine river." This name eventually became the most common one used in the area.
• Sometimes in the 1800s, it was even called "Bellefine River."

A historian named Louis-Philippe Turcotte wrote a book in 1867. He explained why the river is called Dauphine. He said it was named "In honor of Madame la Dauphine de France." She was a very important lady in France. Mr. Berthelot, who owned the island, named it after her. He used to be her secretary.

The name "Rivière Dauphine" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is a group that names places in Quebec.