Emeraude Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Émeraude Lake |
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 Émeraude Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Saint-Ubalde, Portneuf Regional County Municipality, Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada |
| Coordinates | 46°49′15″N 72°14′05″W / 46.82083°N 72.23472°W |
| Lake type | Natural |
| Primary inflows | Discharge of two small lakes including Lac à la Hache |
| Primary outflows | Discharge from Emerald Lake leading to the northeast shore of Blanc Lake |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.3 km (0.81 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 176 m (577 ft) |
Émeraude Lake is a beautiful lake found in the northern part of Saint-Ubalde, a town in Quebec, Canada. It's part of the Capitale-Nationale region.
The lake is well-known for the Montagne du Lac Émeraude (Emerald Lake Mountain) nearby. It's also very popular for vacations, with about forty cozy cabins built around its shores. Émeraude Lake is connected to the Portneuf Regional Natural Park, which offers lots of fun outdoor activities.
Most of the roads around the lake are forest roads. These roads help people get to the lake and the nearby forest. The main activities here are forestry (working with trees) and tourism, like vacationing.
Usually, Émeraude Lake freezes over from early December to late March. It's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.
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About Émeraude Lake
Émeraude Lake is shaped a bit like a triangle. It is about 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) long and 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) wide at its widest point. On its eastern side, there's a tall cliff that is 64 metres (210 ft) high. This cliff is part of the Emerald Lake Mountain, which reaches a peak of 240 metres (790 ft).
The lake has five small bays, each shaped like a tiny triangle. The entire lake is surrounded by thick forest, making it a peaceful natural spot.
Lake's Location and Nearby Park
Émeraude Lake is located very close to the Portneuf Regional Natural Park, just 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) southwest of its border. This large park covers about 70 kilometres (43.50 mi). It includes several other lakes like Long Lake, Montauban Lake, Carillon Lake, and Sept Îles Lake.
The park is a great place for outdoor fun. You can find hiking trails, cross-country skiing paths, and boat ramps there. There's even a 5.1 kilometres (3.2 mi) bike path that connects Blanc Lake and Carillon Lake, going around the Emerald Lake Mountain.
How Water Flows from the Lake
Water flows out of Émeraude Lake from a small bay on its northwest side. From there, the water travels through a series of rivers:
- First, it flows 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) northwest, then southwest, into a bay on the northeast shore of Blanc Lake.
- Then, it crosses Blanc Lake for about 4.1 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the southwest and south.
- Next, it flows 29.25 kilometres (18.18 mi) south through the Blanche River.
- After that, it goes 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) south through the Noire River.
- Finally, the water travels 11.5 kilometres (7.1 mi) south along the Sainte-Anne River. The Sainte-Anne River then empties into the Saint-Laurent River.
What's in a Name?
The name "Émeraude" comes from the word "emerald." An emerald is a beautiful green precious stone. It's a type of beryl mineral, and its green color comes from tiny amounts of chromium, vanadium, and sometimes iron. Emeralds are considered one of the four most valuable gemstones, along with diamonds, sapphires, and rubys.
The name "Lac Émeraude" (Émeraude Lake) was officially recorded on June 7, 1996. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization in Quebec responsible for naming places.
