Kegaska River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kegaska River |
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| Native name | Tshehkahkau Hipu |
| Other name(s) | Rivière Kégaska |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Côte-Nord |
| RCM | Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Gulf of Saint Lawrence 0 metres (0 ft) 50°10′45″N 61°21′11″W / 50.1791667°N 61.3530556°W |
| Length | 100 kilometres (62 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 721 square kilometres (278 sq mi) |
The Kegaska River (also called Rivière Kégaska in French) is a cool river in Quebec, Canada. It's known for its salmon. The river flows through a wild area called Petit-Mécatina. This area is part of the Côte-Nord region. The river eventually flows into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
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Where is the Kegaska River?
The Kegaska River flows from north to south. It is about 100 kilometres (62 mi) long. It runs between two other rivers: the Natashquan River to the west and the Musquaro River to the east.
For most of its journey, about 80 kilometres (50 mi), the river winds through hills. Then, it slows down and meanders through flat, swampy areas. Before reaching the ocean, it flows through a large lake called Lake Kegaska. This lake is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) long and covers 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi).
The river has many exciting spots. You can find several rapids and waterfalls along its path. Near the coast, it flows through marshy lands.
The river's mouth is in the unorganized territory of Petit-Mécatina. The town of Natashquan is about 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of where the river meets the sea. The small village of Kegashka and its harbor are 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east. The sandy beaches nearby are great for watching birds and marine animals. People also like to gather clams there.
In 2009, a new steel bridge was built over the river. It is 36 metres (118 ft) long. This bridge was important for building a new section of Quebec Route 138. This road connects Kegaska to the Natashquan River.
What Does "Kegaska" Mean?
The Innu people have their own names for this area. They call Kagaska Bay Tshekahkat and the river Tshehkahkau Hipu. These names might come from a word meaning "rocky cliff with a steep top."
Other ideas for the name's meaning include "bay on each side of the point" or "a peninsula." Some also say "kegaska" comes from an Innu word meaning "a shortcut or easy passage." This passage would be between the mainland and islands during high tide.
What is the Kegaska River Like?
An old book from 1914 described the Kegaska River. It said the river forms a beautiful bay. This bay is a great harbor for small boats. Fishing families used to live in parts of this bay.
The river has good waterfalls. A surveyor named G. Leclerc said in 1910 that it was one of the best places for hunting. Many birds, like eider ducks, black ducks, and wild geese, make their nests here. There are also many seabirds.
The river is full of fish! The salmon here are usually small, weighing less than 10 pounds[convert: unknown unit]. They are not often caught with a fishing line. However, there are lots of trout. According to Mr. Leclerc, a person could catch over 150 trout in one day!
The River's Basin
A river basin is the area of land where all the water drains into a river. The Kegaska River's basin covers 721 square kilometres (278 sq mi). It is located between the basins of the Natashquan River and the Musquaro River.
The basin includes parts of Petit-Mécatina and Côte-Nord-du-Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent. The area has a harsh climate with strong winds. Because of this, the plants are sparse. In some places, you can even see the bare rock, which is made of gneiss and granite.
How People Use the River
For a long time, the Innu people used the Kégaska River. It was a path for travel and later for trading furs. In 1702, a man named Augustin Le Gardeur de Courtemanche got permission to hunt and fish in this area. During that time, seal and whale oil were very important for lighting lamps.
In 1831, the Hudson's Bay Company set up a post at the river's mouth. They used it for salmon fishing and trading.
Today, the Kegaska River is a great home for Atlantic salmon. These salmon can travel up to 100 kilometres (62 mi) into the river and its smaller streams. People enjoy sport fishing here. They can fish from boats or by wading in the water. The best fishing spots are in the lowest 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) of the river. The salmon caught here usually weigh between 2.5 to 4 kilograms (5.5 to 8.8 lb).
A group called the Leslie Foreman Fishing Club has special rights to fish on part of the river. This club is named after a family from Nova Scotia who settled there in 1855. Their fishing area goes up to Lake Kegaska, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the river's mouth. The club has cabins near the river's mouth. They also have another cabin 17 kilometres (11 mi) northwest of Kegaska, close to Lake Kegaska. It's easiest to reach this cabin by float plane.
