La Belle Rivière (Lac Saint-Jean) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Belle Rivière |
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| Native name | Rivière Couchepagane |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean |
| Regional County Municipality | Lac-Saint-Jean-Est Regional County Municipality |
| Municipalities | Belle-Rivière, Saint-Gédéon |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lac de la Belle Rivière Belle-Rivière 346 units? 48°14′11″N 71°43′11″E / 48.23639°N 71.71972°E |
| River mouth | Lac Saint-Jean Saint-Gédéon 101 m (331 ft) 48°27′36″N 71°47′22″E / 48.46°N 71.78944°E |
| Length | 33.8 km (21.0 mi) |
The Belle Rivière is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into Lac Saint-Jean. The river passes through areas like Belle-Rivière, Hébertville, and Saint-Gédéon. It is an important part of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
The Belle Rivière valley is easy to access. Many roads follow the river. These include Route 169 and several smaller roads. These roads help people get around the area.
The main activities in this valley are forestry and farming. Forestry means managing forests and cutting trees. Farming involves growing crops and raising animals. Tourism is also becoming popular here. People visit for fun and relaxation.
The river usually freezes in winter. It is frozen from early December to late March. It's generally safe to walk on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.
Contents
River's Journey
The Belle Rivière starts at Lac de la Belle Rivière. This lake is its source. From there, the river flows for about 33.8 kilometers (21 miles). It eventually empties into Lac Saint-Jean near Saint-Gédéon.
Nearby Waters
Many other rivers and lakes are close to the Belle Rivière. These are called neighboring watersheds. They are important for the region's water system.
- North side: Bédard River, Petite rivière Bédard, Rouge stream, La Petite Décharge, Saguenay River.
- East side: Vert Lake, Kenogami Lake, Cascouia River, Pikauba River.
- South side: Métabetchouane River, rivière du Milieu, Grand lac des Cèdres outlet, rivière aux Canots, Chaine River.
- West side: Métabetchouane River, Couchepaganiche East River, Puant stream, Dumais stream, Lac Saint-Jean.
Where the River Begins
The Belle Rivière begins at Lac de la Belle Rivière. This lake is about 10.1 kilometers (6.3 miles) long. It sits at an altitude of 346 meters (1,135 feet). This starting point is in a forest area.
The source is located:
- About 6.6 kilometers (4.1 miles) southeast of Route 169.
- About 19.5 kilometers (12.1 miles) southeast of Lac Saint-Jean.
- About 21.3 kilometers (13.2 miles) southeast of where the Belle Rivière joins Lac Saint-Jean.
How the River Flows
From Lac de la Belle Rivière, the Belle Rivière flows for 33.8 kilometers (21 miles). It drops about 245 meters (804 feet) in elevation. The river flows through both forest and farming areas.
Here's how its journey generally goes:
- It flows northeast for about 9.2 kilometers (5.7 miles).
- Then, it turns north and northwest for about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles).
- It continues north for about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). During this part, it enters farmland and zigzags. It then meets the rivière des Aulnaies.
- Next, it flows northwest for 3.0 kilometers (1.9 miles). It passes near Hébertville-Station.
- Finally, it flows west for 3.1 kilometers (1.9 miles) to its mouth.
Where the River Ends
The Belle Rivière empties into a bay on the eastern shore of Lac Saint-Jean. This meeting point is important for the region's water flow.
This confluence is located:
- About 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) south of the bay's entrance.
- About 11.8 kilometers (7.3 miles) south of where Lac Saint-Jean flows out into La Petite Décharge.
- About 13.9 kilometers (8.6 miles) southwest of downtown Alma.
From Lac Saint-Jean, the water from the Belle Rivière continues its journey. It flows north through the lake for about 15.4 kilometers (9.6 miles). Then, it joins the Saguenay River via La Petite Décharge. This journey continues for about 172.3 kilometers (107.1 miles) until it reaches Tadoussac. There, it merges with the Saint Lawrence estuary.
River's Name
The name "La Belle Rivière" means "the beautiful river." It comes from the Montagnais language, where it was called "Mirochip8." This also means "beautiful river."
In the past, it was also known as the Couchepagane River Kushpahigan. The official name "La Belle Rivière" was made official on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which names places in Quebec.
