Iskaskunikaw River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iskaskunikaw |
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Watershed of Nottaway River
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Iskaskunikau Lake Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 275 m (902 ft) 50°30′34″N 77°16′15″W / 50.50944°N 77.27083°W |
| River mouth | Pauschikushish Ewiwach River Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 251 m (823 ft) 50°35′27″N 77°25′48″W / 50.59083°N 77.43000°W |
| Length | 27.4 km (17.0 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Iskaskunikaw River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Pauschikushish Ewiwach River. This river is located in a large area called Eeyou Istchee James Bay.
A northern road from Matagami helps people get to the river. The river usually freezes over in early November and stays frozen until mid-May. It's generally safe to travel on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Contents
Where is the Iskaskunikaw River?
The Iskaskunikaw River is surrounded by several other important water bodies. These include:
- North: Dana Lake and Du Tast Lake
- East: Pauschikushish Ewiwach River, Enistustikweyach River, Evans Lake, and Broadback River
- South: Muskiki River, Nottaway River, and Lake Soscumica
- West: Kakaskutatakuch River, Takutachun Creek Kakuskwapiminakuch, Dusaux Lake, and Nottaway River
River's Starting Point
The Iskaskunikaw River begins at Iskaskunikau Lake. This lake is about 275 metres (902 ft) (902 feet) above sea level.
The lake is located:
- 22.2 kilometres (13.8 mi) (13.8 miles) south of Evans Lake.
- 6.7 kilometres (4.2 mi) (4.2 miles) southeast of where the Iskaskunikaw River ends.
- 26.2 kilometres (16.3 mi) (16.3 miles) southeast of the Pauschikushish Ewiwach River's mouth.
- 45.3 kilometres (28.1 mi) (28.1 miles) south of Dana Lake.
- 87.0 kilometres (54.1 mi) (54.1 miles) north of the town of Matagami.
How the River Flows
The Iskaskunikaw River flows for about 27.4 kilometres (17.0 mi) (17 miles). It starts where Kaochishewechuch Creek joins it.
The river flows:
- For 12.0 kilometres (7.5 mi) (7.5 miles) northwest through marshy areas.
- Then for 11.9 kilometres (7.4 mi) (7.4 miles) northwest until it meets the Kakaskutatakuch River.
- Finally, for 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) (2.2 miles) north to its mouth.
The Iskaskunikaw River empties into the south bank of the Pauschikushish Ewiwach River. From there, the water flows northwest, then northeast. It eventually reaches the south shore of Dana Lake, which then flows into Evans Lake.
Where the River Ends
The mouth of the Iskaskunikaw River is located:
- 16.7 kilometres (10.4 mi) (10.4 miles) southwest of the Pauschikushish Ewiwach River's mouth.
- 41.4 kilometres (25.7 mi) (25.7 miles) from the mouth of Dana Lake.
- 63.8 kilometres (39.6 mi) (39.6 miles) southwest of the mouth of Evans Lake.
- 28.0 kilometres (17.4 mi) (17.4 miles) north of Soscumica Lake.
- 133.1 kilometres (82.7 mi) (82.7 miles) southeast of the mouth of the Broadback River.
- 93.3 kilometres (58.0 mi) (58.0 miles) north of downtown Matagami.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name "Iskaskunikaw River" comes from the Cree language. It means "the river that surrounds a wooden cache." A "cache" is a hidden storage place, often used by Indigenous peoples to store food or supplies.
The name "Iskaskunikaw River" was officially recognized on October 5, 1982, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is Quebec's place-name board.
