Maskoskanaw River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maskoskanaw |
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Watershed of Saguenay River
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Malsain Lake Lac-Ashuapmushuan, Quebec, Le Domaine-du-Roy (RCM), Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec 460 m (1,510 ft) 48°51′21″N 74°11′22″W / 48.85583°N 74.18944°W |
| River mouth | Frontenac Lake (Milieu River) Lac-Ashuapmushuan, Quebec, Le Domaine-du-Roy (RCM), Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec 427 m (1,401 ft) 48°56′33″N 74°06′18″W / 48.94250°N 74.10500°W |
| Length | 24.4 km (15.2 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Maskoskanaw River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into Frontenac Lake (Milieu River). A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. This river is located in the wild area of Lac-Ashuapmushuan, Quebec. This area is part of the Le Domaine-du-Roy region in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
The river flows through two areas called Huard and Buade. The main activities in this river valley are forestry (cutting down trees) and tourism. People enjoy visiting the area for fun.
Forest roads, like R0212, cross the area. Another road, Quebec route 451, goes near Patterson Lake. These roads help people get around the region. The river usually freezes over from early November to mid-May. It is safe to walk on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Contents
River's Path and Nearby Waters
The Maskoskanaw River is surrounded by other important water bodies. Knowing these helps us understand its journey.
Neighboring Water Basins
Here are the areas next to the Maskoskanaw River:
- North: Frontenac Lake (Milieu River), Milieu River (Normandin River), Poutrincourt Lake, Normandin River.
- East: Marquette River West, Marquette River, Marquette Lake.
- South: Berlinguet Lake, Berlinguet Creek, Gouin Reservoir, Wapous River.
- West: Normandin Lake (Normandin River), Normandin River, Gouin Reservoir, Magnan Lake, Pokotciminike River.
Where the River Starts
The Maskoskanaw River begins at Malsain Lake. This lake is about 0.9 kilometres (0.56 mi) long and 0.2 kilometres (0.12 mi) wide. It sits at an altitude of 502 metres (1,647 ft). The start of the river is located:
- 11.1 kilometres (6.9 mi) south of where the Maskoskanaw River ends (joins Frontenac Lake).
- 26.7 kilometres (16.6 mi) south of where the Milieu River (Normandin River) ends.
- 40.7 kilometres (25.3 mi) south of Poutrincourt Lake. The Normandin River flows through this lake to the north.
- 55.6 kilometres (34.5 mi) south of Nicabau Lake. The southern part of this lake is also crossed by the Normandin River.
- 48.2 kilometres (30.0 mi) southwest of where the Normandin River ends (joins Ashuapmushuan Lake).
The River's Journey: Upper Section
The Maskoskanaw River flows for 24.4 kilometres (15.2 mi). The first part, the "Upper Maskoskanaw River," is about 13.1 kilometres (8.1 mi) long. Here's how it flows:
- It flows northeast for 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi). It crosses Canelier Lake and a small part of Black Lake.
- Then, it goes south and east for 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi), crossing the southern part of Serpent Lake.
- It continues south for 3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi), crossing Camp Lake.
- For 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi), it makes a big U-shape towards the north. Here, it receives water from Lakes Brenard, Rainoir, Morion, and Jabot.
- Finally, it flows northeast for 4.0 kilometres (2.5 mi) through Patterson Lake. This lake gets most of its water from the lakes of Cîme and Musicat.
The River's Journey: Lower Section
The "Lower Maskoskanaw River" is about 11.3 kilometres (7.0 mi) long. Its path includes:
- Flowing northeast for 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) to the southwest shore of Ranger Lake.
- Crossing Ranger Lake for 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) towards the northeast.
- Moving northwest for 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi), making a turn towards the west. This part reaches the border between Huard and Buade Townships.
- Continuing northwest for 3.9 kilometres (2.4 mi) in Huard Township. The river widens here before reaching its end.
Where the River Ends
The Maskoskanaw River flows into Frontenac Lake (Milieu River). This meeting point is located:
- 3.0 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of the end of Frontenac Lake (Milieu River).
- 16.2 kilometres (10.1 mi) south of the end of the Milieu River (Normandin River).
- 31.0 kilometres (19.3 mi) south of Poutrincourt Lake. The Normandin River flows north through this lake.
- 34.6 kilometres (21.5 mi) northeast of a bay in Gouin Reservoir. This reservoir is the starting point for the Saint-Maurice River.
- 45.4 kilometres (28.2 mi) southwest of Nicabau Lake. The Normandin River crosses the southern part of this lake.
- 36.7 kilometres (22.8 mi) southwest of where the Normandin River ends (joins Ashuapmushuan Lake).
- 132.7 kilometres (82.5 mi) west of where the Ashuapmushuan River ends (joins lac Saint-Jean).
The Maskoskanaw River flows into a bay on the eastern side of Frontenac Lake (Milieu River). This lake is 6.6 kilometres (4.1 mi) long and 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) wide. Its altitude is 427 metres (1,401 ft). From there, the water flows north for 4.4 kilometres (2.7 mi) to the end of the lake. Then, the water goes down the Milieu River (Normandin River) to the south shore of Poutrincourt Lake. The current then crosses Poutrincourt Lake for 15.4 kilometres (9.6 mi) to the north.
After Poutrincourt Lake, the water flows north for 15.6 kilometres (9.7 mi). It makes a 2.0 kilometres (1.2 mi) hook to the east, reaching the south bay of Nicabau Lake. Then, it flows 5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi) north and east, crossing the southern part of Nicabau Lake. From there, the water flows southeast along the Normandin River for 38.7 kilometres (24.0 mi) to the northwest shore of Ashuapmushuan Lake. Finally, the water flows through the Ashuapmushuan River to Saint-Félicien, Quebec, on the west shore of Lac Saint-Jean.
Naming the Maskoskanaw River
The name "Maskoskanaw River" was officially recognized on September 6, 1984. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization responsible for naming places in Quebec.
