Miguick River facts for kids

The Miguick River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows through a wild area called Linton. This area is part of the Portneuf Regional County Municipality. The river is located in the Capitale-Nationale region.

The Miguick River's watershed is about 303 square kilometers (117 square miles). This makes it the third largest river basin in the Batiscanie area.

Exploring the Miguick River's Path

The Miguick River starts its journey at La Salle Lake. From there, it flows north for about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). Along this part of the river, you can find many fast-moving sections called rapids.

After this, the river makes a big curve. It then heads south for about 14 kilometers (8.7 miles). Finally, the Miguick River flows into the Batiscan River. It joins the Batiscan River on its left side. This meeting point is across from the Island of the Cross (Quebec). It's also about 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) downstream from where the Jeannotte River joins the Batiscan.

Many smaller streams flow into the Miguick River. These streams add more water to the river. One important stream comes from Miguick Lake. Near where the Miguick River meets the Batiscan River, there is a small community called "Miguick." You can even stop there by train if you ask Via Rail. A large railway bridge crosses the Miguick River right at its mouth. In its last few kilometers, the Miguick River twists and turns a lot.

What Does "Miguick" Mean?

The name "Miguick" has been used for a long time. People started using it around 1888-1889, when the railway first arrived in this area. The name "Miguick" comes from an Aboriginal language. It is similar to the words "magwak" or "makwa." In the Algonquin language, these words mean "bear."

Over time, the name changed a bit as different people used it. These included people who worked in the forests, loggers, railway workers, missionaries, and explorers. The name "Miguick River" was officially recorded on December 5, 1968. This was done by the "Commission de toponymie du Québec," which is like Quebec's official place-naming board.

A Look Back at the Miguick River's Past

Before the railway arrived in 1888-1889, it was hard to reach the Miguick River area. You could only get there by boat on the Batiscan River when the ice had melted. From November to April, when the river froze, people could travel using horse-pulled sleighs or wagons on the ice. However, heavy snow could sometimes make travel difficult.

Indigenous people knew the river valley very well. It was a popular spot for hunting, fishing, and trapping animals for their furs. In the second half of the 1800s, companies were allowed to cut down trees near the Batiscan River and its smaller rivers.

The building of roads and the arrival of the railway helped the forest industry grow. The railway line, built between 1888 and 1889, eventually reached Chambord and Lac Saint-Jean.

Around 1888, people also started digging for special building stone near the Miguick River. A mason (a person who works with stone) from Quebec City named Mr. Bélanger ran this quarry. The stone from this quarry was used to build the base of the Jacques Cartier (section Monuments) monument. This monument was opened on June 24, 1889. Masons from this quarry also shaped stones for the wall of the old courthouse in Quebec.

Today, the Miguick area is popular for fun outdoor activities. This is partly thanks to private clubs and the creation of the Portneuf Wildlife Reserve.