Du Chef River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Du Chef |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Five Axe, Rivière-Mistassini, Quebec (unorganized territory), RCM Maria-Chapdelaine Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec 454 m (1,490 ft) 49°19′30″N 73°48′56″W / 49.32500°N 73.81556°W |
| River mouth | Ashuapmushuan River Lac-Ashuapmushuan, Quebec (unorganized territory), RCM Le Domaine-du-Roy, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec 382 m (1,253 ft) 49°20′21″N 73°23′36″W / 49.33917°N 73.39333°W |
| Length | 155.6 km (96.7 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Du Chef River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It's a major branch of the Ashuapmushuan River. This river flows through the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. It passes through two main areas: Maria-Chapdelaine and Le Domaine-du-Roy.
The Du Chef River is very important for the local economy. The main activity in its valley is forestry, which means harvesting trees. After forestry, tourism and outdoor activities are the next most important things people do here. A forest road called R0203 helps people get around the valley. This road connects to Route 167, which goes from Chibougamau to Saint-Félicien, Quebec.
The river usually freezes over in early November. It stays frozen until mid-May. However, it's generally safe to walk or travel on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Contents
River's Journey
The Du Chef River starts from File Axe Lake. This lake is about 16.1 kilometers (10 miles) long and sits at an elevation of 454 meters (1,490 feet). From there, the river flows for about 155.6 kilometers (96.7 miles) until it joins the Ashuapmushuan River.
Where the River Flows
The river's path is divided into three main parts:
Upper Course
The upper part of the Du Chef River is about 54.6 kilometers (33.9 miles) long. It starts from File Axe Lake and flows mostly south. Along the way, it crosses several smaller lakes, including Carbonneau Lake and Laganière Lake. It also meets the Chonard River and the De la Petite Meule River.
Middle Course
The middle part of the river is about 49.9 kilometers (31 miles) long. After joining the De la Petite Meule River, the Du Chef River continues to flow south. In this section, it meets the De l’Épervier River and the Dobleau River. It also flows through different areas, including the northern part of Guyart Township.
Lower Course
The final part of the Du Chef River is about 51.1 kilometers (31.8 miles) long. From where it meets the Nestaocano River, it flows mostly south and southeast. It passes through the townships of Desgly and Aiguillon. Finally, it reaches its mouth, where it flows into the Ashuapmushuan River.
The Du Chef River joins the Ashuapmushuan River on its north bank. The Ashuapmushuan River then flows southeast for about 193 kilometers (120 miles) until it reaches Lac Saint-Jean near Saint-Félicien, Quebec.
Name of the River
The name "Du Chef River" has been used for a long time, at least since the 1800s. It appeared on a map made by surveyor Henry O'Sullivan between 1897 and 1899. We don't know the exact reason for this name.
Historically, this river was an important travel route. People used it to travel between Lac Saint-Jean and Lake Mistassini. For example, a botanist named André Michaux used this route in 1792.
The local Indigenous people, the Innu community, call this river "Shetshishkuesheu." This name means "river where there is shade."
The official name "Rivière du Chef" was made official on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is Quebec's place-name board.
