La Pêche River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Pêche River |
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La Pêche River at Wakefield
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Map of the Ottawa River drainage basin
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| Native name | Rivière La Pêche |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Outaouais |
| Regional county | Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | La Pêche Lake Pontiac 45°37′36″N 76°11′21″W / 45.62667°N 76.18917°W |
| River mouth | Gatineau River Wakefield 45°38′14″N 75°55′48″W / 45.63722°N 75.93000°W |
| Length | 20 km (12 mi) |
The La Pêche River (which means "The Fishing River" in French) is a cool river in western Quebec, Canada. It starts from La Pêche Lake inside Gatineau Park. The river then flows until it joins the bigger Gatineau River near the town of Wakefield.
Contents
Where the La Pêche River Flows
The La Pêche River is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) long. It begins at La Pêche Lake in a place called Pontiac. From there, it mostly flows towards the east.
As it travels, the river passes through different areas. You'll see woodlands, farms, and even some parts of towns. A lot of its journey is inside the beautiful Gatineau Park.
Lakes that Feed the River
La Pêche Lake, where the river starts, gets its water from many smaller lakes. These lakes are mostly to the west and north of La Pêche Lake. Some of these lakes include Martin, Serpent, Fisher, and du Loup.
As the La Pêche River continues its path, it collects water from even more lakes and streams. These smaller water sources join the river from both its north and south sides.
Joining the Gatineau River
Finally, the La Pêche River flows into the Gatineau River. This meeting point is about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) south of the famous covered bridge in Wakefield. Wakefield is part of the city of Gatineau. The Gatineau River then flows further south to join the Ottawa River.
Why It's Called "La Pêche"
The name "La Pêche River" means "The Fishing River." This name was given because the lake where the river starts, La Pêche Lake, was known for having lots of fish.
Back in the early 1800s, explorers like Joseph Bureau found the lake full of fish. They especially noted many pike and trout. Because it was easy to get to from the Ottawa River and the city of Ottawa, it became a popular spot for sport fishing.
The official name "La Pêche River" was recorded on December 24, 1976. This was done by the "Geographical Names Board of Québec." The names of both the lake and the river are connected because of their history with fishing.
History of the River Area
The La Pêche River played an important role in the development of the area. In 1838, a mill was built on the river. This mill was located at MacLaren Falls, near Wakefield.
This old mill is still around today! It has been turned into a lovely inn called the Moulin Wakefield Inn and Spa. Besides the grain mill, there was also a textile mill and a sawmill in the same spot. These mills helped the settlement of Wakefield grow and become the town it is today.
