Macoustigane River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Macoustigane |
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Watershed of Nottaway River
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Nord-du-Québec |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Unidentified lake Senneterre, Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 462 m (1,516 ft) 48°42′09″N 76°19′59″W / 48.70250°N 76.33306°W |
| River mouth | Wetetnagami River Senneterre, Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 368 m (1,207 ft) 48°48′25″N 76°17′48″W / 48.80694°N 76.29667°W |
| Length | 20.7 km (12.9 mi) |
The Macoustigane River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Wetetnagami River. This river is located in the Nord-du-Québec region, near the town of Senneterre.
The Macoustigane River flows through two areas called Charette and Adhémar. The main activity in this area is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. Tourism is also important, especially around the Lake Wetetnagami Biodiversity Reserve. This reserve is a special protected area for nature. A forest road runs near the river, helping people access the area.
During the cold Canadian winter, the Macoustigane River usually freezes over. It's typically covered in ice from early November until mid-May. It's safest to be on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Where is the Macoustigane River?
The Macoustigane River starts in Senneterre, Quebec. It begins from a lake that doesn't have a name. This lake is about 462 meters (1,516 feet) above sea level. The lake is at the bottom of a mountain that is 552 meters (1,811 feet) tall.
The Macoustigane River flows for about 20.7 kilometers (12.9 miles). As it flows, it passes through several small lakes, including a larger one called Macoustigane Lake.
The River's Journey
The Macoustigane River flows into the Wetetnagami River. The Wetetnagami River then flows north into Nicobi Lake. From Nicobi Lake, the water goes into the Nicobi River, which then joins the Opawica River.
The Opawica River meets the Chibougamau River, and together they form the Waswanipi River. The Waswanipi River then flows through Lake Waswanipi, Goéland Lake, and Olga Lake. Finally, it empties into Matagami Lake. From Matagami Lake, the water flows into the Nottaway River, which eventually reaches Rupert Bay in James Bay. This shows how the Macoustigane River is part of a much larger system of rivers and lakes in Quebec.
What does "Macoustigane" mean?
The name "Macoustigane" comes from the Algonquin people, who are one of the First Nations groups. The word "Macoustigane" means "head of the bear."
Over time, this land has been home to different Indigenous groups, including the Atikamekw, Algonquins, and Cree.
The name "Rivière Macoustigane" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization in Quebec responsible for naming places.
