Le Gros Bras (Gouffre River tributary) facts for kids

Le Gros Bras (which means The Big Arm in English) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Rivière du Gouffre. This river runs through the Charlevoix Regional County Municipality.

The river starts in the beautiful Grands-Jardins National Park. It then flows through areas like Lac-Pikauba and Saint-Urbain.

The main road serving this area is Quebec Route 138. As you go north, smaller roads like chemin Saint-François lead into the forest. The main activities here are forestry and tourism.

The river usually freezes from early December to early April. It's safest to walk on the ice from mid-December to late March. The water level changes with the seasons and rain. The river often floods in April when the snow melts.

River's Journey: Where Le Gros Bras Flows

Le Gros Bras starts where two forest streams meet. This spot is high up, about 710 meters (2,329 feet) above sea level. It's surrounded by mountains, like Mont Jean-Palardy.

The river's source is located:

• About 10.9 km (6.8 mi) east of the Malbaie River.
• About 17.8 km (11.1 mi) north-west of the village of Saint-Urbain.
• About 16.5 km (10.3 mi) north-west of where Le Gros Bras joins the Gouffre river.
• About 30.5 km (19.0 mi) north-west of Baie-Saint-Paul.

From its source, Le Gros Bras flows for 22.4 km (13.9 mi). It drops about 518 meters (1,699 feet) along its journey.

Here's how the river flows:

• It travels about 3.0 km (1.9 mi) southeast through a deep valley. It collects water from a small lake and the Lake du Gros Ruisseau.
• For the next 5.1 km (3.2 mi), it continues southeast. It picks up water from Lake Georges. It also passes a campsite and leaves Grands-Jardins National Park.
• It flows about 4.8 km (3.0 mi) southeast through Saint-Urbain. It collects water from another small lake and passes a mining area. It then meets the Rivière des Monts.
• It goes about 2.0 km (1.2 mi) southeast, forming a small loop. Here, it meets the Parent stream.
• The river continues for 5.6 km (3.5 mi) southeast. It winds through a deep valley and collects water from a small lake. It then meets Le Petit Bras.
• Finally, it flows about 1.9 km (1.2 mi) southeast. It crosses Quebec Route 381 before reaching its mouth.

Where Le Gros Bras Meets the Gouffre River

Le Gros Bras joins the Rivière du Gouffre in the town of Saint-Urbain. This meeting point is:

• About 2.5 km (1.6 mi) upstream from the road bridge in Saint-Urbain village.
• About 1.6 km (1.0 mi) north-west of the center of Saint-Urbain.
• About 7.5 km (4.7 mi) south-west of the center of Saint-Hilarion.
• About 14.6 km (9.1 mi) north-west of Baie-Saint-Paul.
• About 30.6 km (19.0 mi) south-west of La Malbaie.

After Le Gros Bras joins it, the Rivière du Gouffre flows for another 25.3 km (15.7 mi). It drops about 56 meters (184 feet) before emptying into Baie-Saint-Paul and then into the mighty St. Lawrence River.

The Name: Le Gros Bras

The name "Le Gros Bras" first appeared on a map in 1870. Local people still use this name today. It was also noted on a map of Saint-Urbain in 1958.

Other names that were sometimes used include Bras Nord-Ouest, Rivière à Yves, and Rivière du Gros Bras. The official name "Le Gros Bras" was made formal on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec.

Related Articles

• Charlevoix Regional County Municipality
• Lac-Pikauba, an unorganized territory
• Saint-Urbain, a municipality
• Grands-Jardins National Park
• Bras Nord de la Rivière des Monts
• Rivière des Monts
• Le Petit Bras (Le Gros Bras)
• Rivière du Gouffre
• St. Lawrence River
• List of rivers of Quebec