Gauthier River facts for kids

The Gauthier River (or Rivière Gauthier in French) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows through the city of Saguenay, specifically in the area called La Baie. This river is a branch of the much larger Saguenay River.

The Gauthier River valley is important for local activities. Many roads, like Chemin du Lac-des-Maltais and Route 170, help people get around. These roads are used by farmers, forest workers, and people enjoying outdoor activities.

The main economic activity in this valley is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. Tourism and recreation, like visiting for fun, are also important.

During winter, the Gauthier River usually freezes over. It's typically frozen from early December to late March. However, it's safest to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.

Where the River Flows

The Gauthier River starts from a lake called Lac des Maltais. This lake is about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) long and sits at an elevation of 182 meters (597 feet). The river begins in an area mostly used for farming.

The river's source is located:

• About 2.3 km (1.4 mi) southeast of a small village called Malherbe.
• About 6.8 km (4.2 mi) southwest of the Bagotville Airport.

From its start, the Gauthier River flows for about 23.5 kilometers (14.6 miles). As it flows, it drops about 178 meters (584 feet) in elevation. Most of its journey is through farmland.

Here's how the Gauthier River flows:

• It first goes north, crossing a road and a railway. It also passes through Roger-Pedneault Lake.
• Then, it continues north, going west of the Bagotville Airport and crossing Route 170.
• It turns northeast, crossing Autoroute 70.
• It flows north again, curving east and crossing Route 372 (also known as Boulevard Saint-Jean-Baptiste).
• The river then winds northwest, where it meets a stream called Crères stream.
• It continues winding northwest, then north, passing under a bridge on Rang Saint-Joseph road.
• It turns northeast, meeting another stream called Paradis brook.
• Finally, it flows north, making a few turns, until it reaches a bridge on Chemin du Rang Saint-Martin.

Where the River Ends

The Gauthier River flows into a small bay on the south side of the Saguenay River. This area is part of La Baie sector.

This meeting point is located:

• About 2.6 km (1.6 mi) from the north bank of the Saguenay River.
• About 8.1 km (5.0 mi) northeast of downtown Saguenay.
• About 11.0 km (6.8 mi) north of the Bagotville Airport.

After the Gauthier River joins the Saguenay River, its waters travel about 119.4 kilometers (74.2 miles) eastward. Eventually, they reach Tadoussac, where the Saguenay River merges with the Saint Lawrence Estuary.

Neighboring Rivers

Many other rivers and streams are close to the Gauthier River. They share the same larger water systems.

• To the north: The Saguenay River.
• To the east: Streams like Saint-Martin brook, Paradis brook, and the rivière à Mars. Also, the Baie des Ha! Ha!.
• To the south: The Frenière River and the Rivière du Moulin.
• To the west: The Rivière du Moulin, Rivière aux Rats, and the Chicoutimi River.

What's in a Name?

The name "Gauthier" is a common family name that comes from France.

The official name "Rivière Gauthier" was formally recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is a group in Quebec that names places.

Related Articles

• Saguenay, a city in Quebec
• Saguenay River
• List of rivers of Quebec