Lièvre River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lièvre River |
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Lièvre River at Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette
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| Native name | Rivière du Lièvre |
| Other name(s) | Hare River |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Laurentides, Outaouais |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Laurentian Mountains |
| River mouth | Ottawa River Masson, Outaouais 45°31′25″N 75°25′50″W / 45.52361°N 75.43056°W |
| Length | 330 km (210 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Ottawa River→ Saint Lawrence River→ Gulf of Saint Lawrence |
| River system | Ottawa River drainage basin |
| Basin size | 10,400 km2 (4,000 sq mi) |
The Lièvre River (which means "Hare River" in French) is a cool river in western Quebec, Canada. It starts way up in the Laurentian Mountains. Then, it flows south for about 330 kilometers (205 miles). Finally, it empties into the big Ottawa River near a town called Masson-Angers. This river drains a huge area, about 10,400 square kilometers (4,015 square miles).
The river's name comes from an older French name, Riviere aux Lièvres. This means "River of the Hares." So, it's like the "Hare River."
Contents
River History and Use
The Lièvre River has been important to people for a long time. It has helped with transportation and industry.
Moving Logs Downstream
Years ago, the river was like a highway for logs. Workers would float cut trees, called logs, down the river. These logs were headed to sawmills located closer to the river's end. At the sawmills, the logs were cut into lumber for building.
Paper Production
In 1928, a big factory called a paper mill was built near where the river meets the Ottawa River. This mill used wood from the area to make paper. Over the years, different companies owned the mill. In 1998, it became Papier Masson Ltee. Later, in 2006, the White Birch Paper Company bought it.
Power and Resources
Today, the Lièvre River is also used to make electricity. There are several hydroelectric plants along the river. These plants use the power of the flowing water to create energy. The area around the river also has deposits of Uranium ore, which is a valuable mineral.
Natural Events on the River
The Lièvre River has seen some interesting natural events. In 1903, a clay landslide happened at a place called Leda. Later, in 1908, another landslide occurred at Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette. These events show how nature can shape the river's banks.
The Lièvre River in Art
The beauty of the Lièvre River has inspired artists. The famous poet Archibald Lampman wrote a poem about it called "Morning on the Lièvre."
This poem was even turned into an award-winning short film. The film, also called Morning on the Lièvre, showed two men canoeing on the river. The poem's words were read aloud over the beautiful footage.
River Branches and Towns
The Lièvre River has smaller rivers that flow into it. These are called tributaries. It also flows past several towns and communities.
Main Tributaries
- Mitchinamécus River
- Kiamika River
Communities Along the River
Many towns and villages are located along the Lièvre River.
- Mont-Laurier
- Notre-Dame-de-Pontmain
- Notre-Dame-du-Laus
- Val-des-Bois
- Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette
- Glen Almond (part of L'Ange-Gardien)
- Buckingham (now part of Gatineau)
