Faucher River facts for kids

The Faucher River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into Tessier Lake, which is part of the large Gouin Reservoir. This river is located in the town of La Tuque, within the Mauricie region.

The Faucher River flows through different areas called townships, like Buies, Provancher, and Faucher. The main activity in this river valley is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. There's also some tourism here. People can visit thanks to the Canadian National Railway that runs near Tessier Lake and Lac Duchamp, where the village of Clova, Quebec is located.

Roads like Route 404 help people get around. This road connects Clova, Quebec to Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir). It also links up with Road 400, which leads to the Gouin Dam. Other smaller forest roads are used for logging and for people enjoying nature.

The Faucher River usually freezes over from mid-November until the end of April. However, it's generally safe to walk or travel on the ice from early December to late March.

Where is the Faucher River Located?

The Faucher River is surrounded by many other lakes and rivers. Knowing these helps us understand its place in the water system:

• To the North: You'll find parts of the Gouin Reservoir, including Mattawa Bay, Flapjack River, Adolphe-Poisson Bay, and Saraana Bay.
• To the East: There's Tessier Lake (Gouin Reservoir), Oskélanéo River, Oskélanéo Lake, and Mistatikamekw River.
• To the South: You'll see Snow Lake, Brouillard Lake, Clova River, Aux Bleuets River, and the Tamarac River (Gatineau River).
• To the West: There's Bull Lake, the Tamarac River (Gatineau River), Flapjack River, Provancher Creek, and the Mégiscane River.

Where Does the Faucher River Start?

The Faucher River begins in an unnamed lake. This lake is about 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and sits at an elevation of 436 metres (1,430 ft). It's surrounded by marshy areas.

The starting point of the river is:

• About 6.0 kilometres (3.7 mi) northwest of Clova, Quebec.
• About 10.3 kilometres (6.4 mi) west of where the Faucher River ends.
• About 15.9 kilometres (9.9 mi) southwest of the main part of Tessier Lake (Gouin Reservoir).
• About 65.3 kilometres (40.6 mi) southwest of Obedjiwan, Quebec, a village on the north shore of the Gouin Reservoir.
• About 97.8 kilometres (60.8 mi) southwest of the Gouin Dam, which controls the water flow from the Gouin Reservoir into the Saint-Maurice River.

How Does the Faucher River Flow?

The Faucher River flows for about 30.9 kilometres (19.2 mi). Here's how its journey unfolds:

• It flows 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) south, passing through Baril Lake.
• Then, it travels 5.6 kilometres (3.5 mi) south, receiving water from Lake Gregoire, before turning east towards Lake Duchamp.
• It crosses Lake Duchamp, which is at an elevation of 415 metres (1,362 ft), for 5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi) to the northeast.
• Next, it goes 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) east, making a curve, to reach the south shore of Buies Lake.
• It flows 6.7 kilometres (4.2 mi) north, crossing Buies Lake (elevation: 412 metres (1,352 ft)).
• The river continues 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) northeast through Lake Jaux (elevation: 410 metres (1,350 ft)).
• Finally, it flows 5.0 kilometres (3.1 mi) south through Faucher Lake (elevation: 410 metres (1,350 ft)).
• The last 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi) of the river flows east until it reaches its mouth.

Where Does the Faucher River End?

The Faucher River ends where it meets the western side of the southern part of Tessier Lake. This spot is located:

• About 4.7 kilometres (2.9 mi) south of the Canadian National Railway line.
• About 12.7 kilometres (7.9 mi) south of the main part of Tessier Lake (Gouin Reservoir).
• About 59.9 kilometres (37.2 mi) south of Obedjiwan, Quebec.
• About 89 kilometres (55 mi) southwest of the Gouin Dam.
• About 202.6 kilometres (125.9 mi) northwest of downtown La Tuque.

From where the Faucher River joins Tessier Lake, the water travels a long way, about 170.9 kilometres (106.2 mi), to reach the Gouin Dam. This journey includes:

• 18.3 kilometres (11.4 mi) north through Tessier Lake (Gouin Reservoir).
• 17.7 kilometres (11.0 mi) north through the outlet of Tessier Lake (Gouin Reservoir).
• 53.0 kilometres (32.9 mi) northeast, crossing Mattawa Bay and the western part of the Gouin Reservoir near Obedjiwan, Quebec.
• 81.9 kilometres (50.9 mi) east through Marmette Lake, then southeast through Brochu Lake, and finally east through Kikendatch Bay until it reaches the Gouin Dam.

After the Gouin Dam, the water flows into the Saint-Maurice River, which eventually reaches Trois-Rivières.

What Does "Faucher" Mean?

The name "Faucher" comes from a French family name. In this area, the name "Faucher" is used for the township, a lake, and this river.

The name "Faucher River" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a government body that names places in Quebec.