Lachine Rapids facts for kids
The Lachine Rapids are a cool part of the Saint Lawrence River. They are located between the Island of Montreal and the south shore, close to the old city of Lachine.
These rapids have big, steady waves called standing waves. This happens because the huge amount of water and the strong current flow over rocks and drops in the riverbed. Even when the water level changes with the seasons, the waves stay in the same spot, though their size and shape might change a bit. The rapids stretch for about 3 miles (4.8 km).
For a long time, these rapids were a big problem for boats. Ships couldn't sail through them! People had to take their goods off the boats and carry them around the rapids. This was called "portaging." Later, the Lachine Canal was built in Montreal to help boats get around the rapids. Even then, it was often easier to send goods by train to Montreal's port. That's why Montreal is still a major train center and one of Canada's biggest ports today. Now, large ships use the South Shore Canal, which is part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, to safely pass the rapids.
Nature and Wildlife
The Lachine Rapids are home to many small islands. These islands are important resting and nesting spots for migratory birds that travel long distances.
A Look Back in Time
The first European to see these rapids was Jacques Cartier in 1535. He was sailing up the Saint Lawrence River because he thought he had found a way to Asia, called the Northwest Passage.
In 1611, Samuel de Champlain named the rapids "Sault Saint-Louis." He named them after a young crew member named Louis who sadly drowned there. This name was also used for Lac Saint-Louis. The name "Sault Saint-Louis" was used until the mid-1800s, but then people started calling them the Lachine Rapids, after the nearby town.
The first Europeans known to travel past these rapids were Champlain and Étienne Brûlé on June 13, 1611. Brûlé continued further up the river to live with the Algonquin people. Champlain himself didn't travel further up the Ottawa River until May 1613.
Fun and Adventure Today
Today, the Lachine Rapids are a place for exciting adventures! You can go whitewater rafting or take a jet boat tour right through the rapids from Montreal. Whitewater kayaking has also become very popular. There's even a special river surfing spot on a standing wave near the Habitat 67 building.45°30′00″N 73°32′31″W / 45.50000°N 73.54194°W
Images for kids
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The Lachine Rapids
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The Lachine Rapids
