Escuminac River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Escuminac River |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| State | Quebec |
| City | Escuminac |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mountain streams in the Notre Dame Mountains, Rivière-Nouvelle, Quebec (unorganized territory), (Fauvel (township)), Quebec 515 m (1,690 ft) 48°19′42″N 66°46′24″W / 48.32833°N 66.77333°W |
| River mouth | Escuminac, Quebec, Quebec 0 m (0 ft) 66°28′08″N 48°07′23″E / 66.46889°N 48.12306°E |
| Length | 44.6 km (27.7 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Escuminac River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows through the Avignon Regional County Municipality, which is part of the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region. This river is important to the local area, especially for the early settlers of Escuminac, Quebec, who used the fertile land near its mouth for farming.
The Escuminac River eventually flows into the Escuminac Bay. This bay is connected to the Restigouche River and opens up into the larger Chaleur Bay. From there, the water travels further east into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
Contents
Where the River Flows
The Escuminac River flows through a few different areas in Quebec. These include:
- Rivière-Nouvelle, Quebec: This is an unorganized territory, meaning it doesn't have a local government like a town.
- Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec: This is a small municipality.
- Escuminac, Quebec: This is another municipality where the river ends its journey.
Near its end, the river's valley gets wider, creating a flat, green area. This plain was perfect for farming, and the first people who settled in Escuminac used it to grow their crops.
River's Journey: From Source to Sea
The Escuminac River starts high up in the mountains, about 515 meters (1,690 feet) above sea level. Its source is in the Fauvel (township), which is part of the unorganized territory of Rivière-Nouvelle, Quebec.
From its mountain source, the river flows mostly towards the southeast. It runs between other rivers like the Assemetquagan River to its west and the Nouvelle River and Little Nouvelle River to its east.
The river's total length is about 44.6 kilometers (27.7 miles). Along its path, it collects water from many smaller streams and creeks. Some of these include Rachel Brook, Big Creek, Falls Creek, Dawson Creek, and the North Escuminac River (Quebec).
How to Reach the River
You can get to the lower part of the Escuminac River by taking "East Escuminac road" from Route 132. Another way is to use the Escuminac Northwest road, which leads to the small community of Escuminac North. For the upper parts of the river, you'll need to use forest roads.
What's in a Name?
The name "Escuminac" has an interesting history. The "Micmac" people, who are the original inhabitants of this land, called the river "Nipitua'qaneg river." This name means "place bushy" or "which shoots in flight."
Over time, the name changed. In 1815, a surveyor called it "Semenac R." Later, on a map from 1845, a nearby mountain was named "Mt. Scaumenac." The name "Escuminac River" as we know it today was officially approved in 1918. The Commission de toponymie du Québec (Quebec Names Board) formally recognized the name on December 5, 1968.
