Le Petit Bras (Amédée River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Le Petit Bras |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Côte-Nord |
| MRC | Manicouagan Regional County Municipality |
| City | Baie-Comeau |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Little Lake Baie-Comeau 187 m (614 ft) 49°15′55″N 68°14′47″W / 49.26528°N 68.24639°W |
| River mouth | Amédée River Baie-Comeau 50 m (160 ft) 49°12′05″N 68°15′03″W / 49.20139°N 68.25083°W |
| Length | 11.8 km (7.3 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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Le Petit Bras (which means The Little Arm in English) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Amédée River. This river runs through the town of Baie-Comeau, which is part of the Manicouagan Regional County Municipality in the Côte-Nord region.
The area around Le Petit Bras is important for different activities. The upper part of its valley is served by Quebec Route 389, and the lower part by Quebec Route 138. These roads help people travel and transport goods. Besides some industrial and urban areas, the main activity in this valley is forestry, which means growing and cutting down trees for wood.
In winter, the Amédée River, which Le Petit Bras flows into, usually freezes over. This happens from early December to late March. People can often travel safely on the ice from mid-December to mid-March, except in areas where the water moves too fast.
Where Le Petit Bras Starts
Le Petit Bras begins its journey from a small lake. This lake is about 0.3 km (0.19 mi) long and sits at an altitude of 187 m (614 ft) (about 614 feet) above sea level.
This starting lake is located:
- About 2.7 km (1.7 mi) (1.7 miles) west of Castelnau Lake.
- Around 4.5 km (2.8 mi) (2.8 miles) west of lac à la Chasse (Baie-Comeau).
- Roughly 7.1 km (4.4 mi) (4.4 miles) north-west of where Le Petit Bras joins the Amédée River.
The River's Journey
Le Petit Bras flows for a total of 11.8 km (7.3 mi) (about 7.3 miles). During its journey, the river drops about 137 m (449 ft) (449 feet) in elevation.
Here's how the river flows:
- It starts by flowing south, then turns northwest. It crosses Quebec Route 389 before meeting another small stream.
- Next, it makes a hook shape, flowing south and then southeast. Along this part, it collects water from several other small streams. It passes through a marshy area before entering Petit Bras Lake.
- It then flows south through Petit Bras Lake, which is about 1.6 km (0.99 mi) (1 mile) long. After the lake, it crosses another small lake and continues south.
- The river then flows southwest, passing by the Jean-Noël-Tessier industrial park.
- Finally, it turns southeast and crosses Quebec Route 138. It makes another turn southwest before reaching its end, where it flows into the Amédée River.
Where Le Petit Bras Ends
Le Petit Bras joins the northeast bank of the Amédée River. This meeting point is:
- About 5.4 km (3.4 mi) (3.4 miles) northeast of where the Manicouagan River flows into the larger body of water.
- Around 1.9 km (1.2 mi) (1.2 miles) northwest of the mouth of the Amédée River itself.
Name History
The name "Le Petit Bras" was officially recognized on August 2, 1974. This happened at the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special office that keeps track of all the names of places in Quebec.
