Loups Marins River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loups Marins River |
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| Other name(s) | Rivière aux Loups Marins |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Côte-Nord |
| RCM | Sept-Rivières Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Gulf of Saint Lawrence 0 metres (0 ft) 50°15′33″N 65°44′40″W / 50.259167°N 65.744444°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 186 square kilometres (72 sq mi) |
The Loups Marins River (also known as Rivière aux Loups Marins in French, which means Seal River) is a cool river located in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. It flows all the way into the big Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
Contents
Where the River Flows
River's Journey
The Loups Marins River starts its journey high up on the Canadian Shield, which is a huge, ancient rocky area in Canada. From there, it flows south until it reaches the Saint Lawrence. The path the river takes is shaped by cracks and breaks in the rocks below.
Name and History
The official name, Loups Marins River, was given on December 5, 1968. We don't know exactly where the name came from, but "Loups Marins" means "Seal River" in French.
River Mouth and Estuary
The place where the river meets the sea is called its mouth. The Loups Marins River's mouth is in the town of Sept-Îles. The river's estuary, which is where the river water mixes with the ocean's salty water, is about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) west of a spot called Pointe à la Perche. This estuary is a good place for boats to find shelter when strong west winds blow. You can even spot a wooden cross on the rocks, marking the western entrance to the estuary. This part of the river has about 3 meters (10 feet) of water.
River Basin and Surroundings
The area of land that collects all the water flowing into the Loups Marins River is called its basin. This basin covers about 186 square kilometers (72 square miles). It sits right between two other river basins: the Matamec River to the west and the Pigou River to the east. Parts of the Loups Marins River basin are in an unorganized territory called Rivière-Nipissis, and other parts are within the municipality of Sept-Îles.
Wildlife and Nature
Ecosystems of the River
Maps of Quebec's natural areas show that the Loups Marins River flows through special "ecological regions." These areas are known for their spruce trees and moss, which are common plants in this part of Canada.
Amazing Animals
Scientists have spotted some interesting animals near the river. For example, the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) was seen in a forest of fir trees and alders on the west side of the river between 1999 and 2000. This type of bat is thought to be a threatened or vulnerable species in Quebec, meaning it needs protection.
Protected Areas
A special area called the Waterfowl concentration area of Rivière aux Loups Marins, Île de la Grande Anse, helps protect birds. This area, which is about 9.18 square kilometers (3.54 square miles), was set up in 1998. It covers the eastern part of the river's estuary and the coastline stretching east to Île de la Grande Anse. It's a very important spot for waterfowl, which are birds that live near water, like ducks and geese.
