Fourchette River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fourchette River |
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| Native name | Rivière Fourchette |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Administrative region | Chaudière-Appalaches |
| RCM | Lotbinière Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mountain streams Saint-Sylvestre 279 metres (915 ft) 46°22′38″N 71°12′34″W / 46.377336°N 71.209398°W |
| River mouth | Filkars River Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage) 156 metres (512 ft) 46°24′17″N 71°17′50″W / 46.40472°N 71.29722°W |
| Length | 19.9 kilometres (12.4 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Filkars River, Beaurivage River, Chaudière River, St. Lawrence |
| Tributaries |
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The Fourchette River (which means "Fork River" in French) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It's like a smaller stream that flows into the Filkars River. From there, its water joins the Beaurivage River, then the Chaudière River, and finally empties into the mighty St. Lawrence River.
This river winds its way through two towns: Saint-Sylvestre and Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage. Both of these towns are in a region called Lotbinière Regional County Municipality, which is part of Chaudière-Appalaches in Quebec.
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Where the Fourchette River Flows
The Fourchette River is part of a bigger system of rivers. It flows through a "watershed," which is an area of land where all the water drains into the same river or lake. Think of it like a giant bowl where all the rain and snowmelt eventually ends up in one main river.
River Neighbors and Connections
The Fourchette River has several "neighbors" in terms of water flow. Here are some of the main rivers nearby:
- To the north: The Filkars River and Beaurivage River.
- To the east: The Beaurivage River, Nadeau River, Vallée River, and Chaudière River.
- To the south: The Saint-André River, Filkars River, and Palmer River.
- To the west: The Saint-André River, Armagh River, Saint-Georges River, and rivière aux Chevreuils.
Where the River Starts
The Fourchette River begins in the town of Saint-Sylvestre. Its source is about 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) northeast of the village center. This starting point is north of Route 216. It's also about 7.1 kilometers (4.4 miles) north of Mount Handkerchief and 4.0 kilometers (2.5 miles) southeast of the village of Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage.
The River's Journey
From its beginning in Saint-Sylvestre, the Fourchette River travels about 19.9 kilometers (12.4 miles). Here's how its journey unfolds:
- First, it flows northeast for about 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) in Saint-Sylvestre.
- Then, it turns north for about 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles). During this part, it makes a big curve to the east. It even passes through Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage for a short distance.
- Next, it heads northwest for about 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles). It flows through both Saint-Sylvestre and Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage until it reaches the "route du Moulin" road.
- After that, it travels westward for about 9.0 kilometers (5.6 miles) in Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage, reaching Craig Road.
- Finally, it flows northwest for about 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) until it meets another river.
Where the River Ends
The Fourchette River empties into the Filkars River. This happens on the south bank of the Filkars River, within the town of Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage. This meeting point is about 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) upstream from where the Filkars River itself joins a larger river. It's also about 1.1 kilometers (0.7 miles) upstream from the "Route du Petit Lac" road.
What's in a Name?
The word "toponymy" means the study of place names. The name "rivière Fourchette" was officially recognized on August 8, 1977. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special group in Quebec that decides and approves names for places.
