Grasset Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Grasset |
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Nottaway River basin in yellow
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 Lake Grasset
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Baie-James, near Matagami, Quebec |
| Coordinates | 49°56′33″N 78°09′43″W / 49.94250°N 78.16194°W |
| Type | Natural |
| Primary inflows | Subercase River |
| Primary outflows | Kitchigama River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) |
| Surface area | 89 square kilometres (34 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 250 metres (820 ft) |
| Islands | 0 |
Lake Grasset is a freshwater lake located in the southern part of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay area in Quebec, Canada. It is found in the Nord-du-Québec region. This lake covers most of the Grasset township and stretches into the Subercase township to the west.
The main activity around the lake is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. Tourism, like visiting for fun, is the second most popular activity.
There are no main roads to access this area. The lake usually freezes over from early November until mid-May. However, it's generally safe to walk or move on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Contents
Exploring Lake Grasset's Geography
Lake Grasset is quite large, covering about 89 square kilometers (34 square miles). It is shaped a bit like an olive. The lake is 15 kilometers (9 miles) long and up to 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) wide. It sits at an elevation of 250 meters (820 feet) above sea level.
The lake gets most of its water from the Subercase River, which flows in from the southwest. Lake Grasset is the biggest body of water that feeds into the Kitchigama River.
Where is Lake Grasset Located?
The water from Lake Grasset flows out from its northern shore. Here's how far it is from other important places:
- It is about 28.5 kilometers (17.7 miles) west of Lake Matagami.
- It is about 45.9 kilometers (28.5 miles) northwest of the town of Matagami.
- It is about 96.9 kilometers (60.2 miles) east of the border between Quebec and Ontario.
- It is about 126.8 kilometers (78.8 miles) southeast of where the Kitchigama River joins the Nottaway River.
Rivers and Waterways Near Lake Grasset
Many rivers and waterways are close to Lake Grasset. These are called hydrographic slopes.
- To the north: The Kitchigama River and Paul-Sauvé Lake.
- To the east: Lake Matagami, the Nottaway River, and the Bell River.
- To the south: The Subercase River, the Bell River, the Harricana River, and the Samson River.
- To the west: The Samson River and the Harricana River.
The Story Behind the Name: Lake Grasset
The Algonquin people, who are the original inhabitants of this land, call this lake "Apicigamijici." This name means "round lake without islands," which describes Lake Grasset very well.
The name "Lac Grasset" honors the life of André Grasset. He was born in Montreal in 1758 and passed away in Paris in 1792.
André Grasset's Early Life and Priesthood
When André Grasset was six years old in 1764, he moved with his father to Calais, France. He studied at Collège Sainte-Barbe, a famous school in Paris founded in 1460. After his studies, André Grasset decided to become a priest. He joined the Sulpician order and became a priest in Sens in 1783.
André Grasset and the French Revolution
During the time André Grasset became a priest, France was going through big economic and social problems. The country was heading towards the French Revolution, which began in 1789.
During this revolution, the government wanted to control the church. Priests and bishops were told they had to take an oath to the new government. This meant they would no longer get their authority from the Pope. They would become like public employees.
André Grasset believed this went against his deepest religious beliefs. He refused to take the oath. Because of his refusal, he was imprisoned with other priests and bishops in an old monastery in Paris. In 1792, he and many others lost their lives during this difficult period of the revolution.
A Canadian Martyr and Beatification
The French Revolution had a very dark period known as the "Reign of Terror." André Grasset is considered the first person from Quebec to become a martyr during this time. A martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs.
More than a century after his death, André Grasset was honored. He was "beatified" on October 17, 1926. This is a step towards becoming a saint in the Catholic Church. He became the first Canadian-born person to receive this honor.
The name "Lac Grasset" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization responsible for naming places in Quebec.
