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Henri-Mercier Lake facts for kids

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Henri-Mercier Lake
Henri-Mercier Lake is located in Quebec
Henri-Mercier Lake
Henri-Mercier Lake
Location in Quebec
Location Lac-Jacques-Cartier (TNO), La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality, Capitale-Nationale
Coordinates 47°29′15″N 71°35′46″W / 47.4875°N 71.59611°W / 47.4875; -71.59611
Lake type Natural
Primary inflows (clockwise from the mouth) Discharge of lakes Pellucide, Rothnie and du Préfet, discharge of lac Peggy.
Primary outflows Discharge going to Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest
Basin countries Canada
Max. length 6.3 km (3.9 mi)
Max. width 0.7 km (0.43 mi)
Surface elevation 662 m (2,172 ft)

Lac Henri-Mercier is a beautiful freshwater lake located in the province of Quebec, Canada. It's part of the Capitale-Nationale region, specifically in the unorganized territory of Lac-Jacques-Cartier.

This lake is special because it's found inside the famous Jacques-Cartier National Park. The water from Lac Henri-Mercier flows into the rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest.

The area around the lake is used for different activities. The main one is forestry, which means managing forests for wood. But it's also a popular spot for fun outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and enjoying nature.

If you visit in winter, you'll see the lake's surface freeze over. It usually starts freezing in early December and stays frozen until late March. It's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.

About the Lake's Location

Lac Henri-Mercier is nestled among mountains, making it a very scenic spot. It's a long, narrow lake, about 6.3 kilometres (3.9 mi) (3.9 miles) long and 0.7 kilometres (0.43 mi) (0.43 miles) wide. The lake sits at an elevation of 662 metres (2,172 ft) (2,172 feet) above sea level.

The lake gets its water from several smaller lakes, including Pellucide, Rothnie, Préfet, and Peggy lakes. At the northeast end of Lac Henri-Mercier, there's a small bay with a dam. This dam helps control the water flow from the lake.

Nearby Rivers and Lakes

The area around Lac Henri-Mercier is filled with other important bodies of water. Here are some of the main ones:

The water from Lac Henri-Mercier flows into the Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest. From there, it eventually joins the larger Jacques-Cartier River, which then flows all the way to the Saint-Laurent river.

Naming the Lake

The name "Lac Henri-Mercier" has been used for this lake since 1942. Before that, it was known as "Lac Paul."

The official name was adopted by the Commission de géographie de Québec (which is now called the Commission de toponymie du Québec) on March 5, 1959. Later, on December 5, 1968, the name "lac Henri-Mercier" was officially confirmed.

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