Lake Vlimeux (Mékinac) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Vlimeux |
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 Lake Vlimeux
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Mékinac Regional County Municipality, Mauricie, Quebec |
| Coordinates | 46°50′41″N 72°41′43″W / 46.84472°N 72.69528°W |
| Type | natural |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.450 km (0.280 mi) |
Lake Vlimeux is a lake found in Quebec, Canada. It stretches across two towns: Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac and Sainte-Thècle. This lake used to mark the old northwestern border of the lordship of Batiscan. This land was once owned by the Jesuits.
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Where is Lake Vlimeux?
Lake Vlimeux is mostly in Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac. A smaller part is in Sainte-Thècle. The lake is about 4.3 kilometers east of the Saint-Maurice River. It is also 6.4 kilometers west of Lake Jesuit.
Size and Shape of the Lake
Lake Vlimeux covers an area of 1.1 square kilometers. It is about 2.1 kilometers long. The lake has three main sections. The southern part is 300 meters wide. The central part, which is a long bay, is 450 meters wide. The northern part is 700 meters wide.
The lake has a very uneven shape. It looks a bit like a tree with its top facing south. Five small streams flow into Lake Vlimeux. The lake also has three islands and several peninsulas. Water from Lake Pleau and Lake Elizabeth, located to the south, flows into Lake Vlimeux.
How Water Flows from the Lake
Water from Lake Vlimeux flows out from its northern end. It goes into a stream called Vlimeux Creek. This creek then flows through a smaller lake called Little Lake Vlimeux. These two lakes are only 150 meters apart.
The government of Quebec has built a small dam at the start of Vlimeux Creek. From there, the creek flows north. It passes through Sainte-Thècle and then into Trois-Rives. Finally, Vlimeux Creek flows into the Mekinac River. The Mekinac River then empties into the Saint-Maurice River.
What Does "Vlimeux" Mean?
The name "Lake Vlimeux" first appeared on a map in 1881. It was also in a book about Quebec's rivers and lakes in 1914. Over time, the name was sometimes spelled differently, like "Villemieux" or "Vilimieux."
In 1959, the Commission de toponymie du Québec (which names places in Quebec) tried to change the name to "Lake Venimeux." This new name appeared in official documents in 1969 and 1978. However, the board later changed its mind. On January 31, 1980, they officially brought back the old name, "Lake Vlimeux." This was because "Vlimeux" was a well-known name in the area.
In old French-Canadian language, "vlimeux" describes someone who is tricky, mischievous, or sly. It means someone who might use clever ways to get what they want. The word can also mean playful or funny. Some people think the word "vlimeux" might come from a word meaning "poisonous." However, today, when used for children, it often means something pleasant or nice. It is quite unusual to use "Vlimeux" as a place name.
