Mistatikamekw River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mistatikamekw |
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Map of Saint-Maurice River watershed
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Mauricie |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Unidentified Lake La Tuque (Tassé Township), Mauricie, Quebec 454 m (1,490 ft) 48°10′01″N 74°51′51″W / 48.16694°N 74.86417°W |
| River mouth | Bureau Lake (South Bay) La Tuque (Achintre Township), Mauricie, Quebec 405 m (1,329 ft) 48°12′02″N 75°07′31″W / 48.20056°N 75.12528°W |
| Length | 35.5 km (22.1 mi) |
The Mistatikamekw River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Oskélanéo River, which then leads to the South Bay of Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir). This river is located in the town of La Tuque, in the Mauricie region.
The Mistatikamekw River passes through several areas called townships: Tassé, Montpetit, Faucher, and Achintre. The main activities in this river valley are forestry (cutting down trees) and recreational tourism (like fishing or boating).
A road called Route 404 helps people get to the upper part of the river. This road connects to Clova, Quebec and Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir). It also links up with Route 400, which goes to the Gouin Dam. Other smaller forest roads are used for logging and fun outdoor activities.
The surface of the Mistatikamekw River is usually frozen from mid-November to the end of April. However, it's generally safe to walk or travel on the ice from early December to late March.
Contents
River's Journey: Where it Starts and Flows
The Mistatikamekw River begins in an unnamed lake. This lake is about 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) long and sits at an altitude of 454 metres (1,490 ft) (about 1,490 feet). It's located northwest of Dugré Lake.
River's Neighbors: Nearby Waters
The Mistatikamekw River is surrounded by other important bodies of water.
- To the north: Oskélanéo River, Benjamin Lake, Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir), Nemio River, and Saraana Bay.
- To the east: Benjamin Lake, Dugré Lake, and De La Galette River (Gouin Reservoir).
- To the south: Parker Lake, Bazin River, Douville River, and Gosselin River.
- To the west: Oskélanéo Lake, Oskélanéo River, Tessier Lake (Gouin Reservoir), and Flapjack River.
River's Path: From Source to Mouth
The Mistatikamekw River flows for about 35.5 kilometres (22.1 mi) (about 22 miles).
- For the first 3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi), it flows southwest.
- Then, for 13.5 kilometres (8.4 mi), it continues southwest through Montpetit Township, getting close to the Canadian National Railway.
- Next, it turns northwest for 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi) towards Faucher Township.
- It continues northwest for 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) in Faucher Township.
- Finally, it flows northwest for 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) through Achintre Township, crossing Lake Cantons, until it reaches its mouth.
The mouth of the Mistatikamekw River is where it joins the Oskélanéo River. From this point, the water travels about 145.5 kilometres (90.4 mi) (about 90 miles) to the Gouin Dam.
- It flows north for 8.9 kilometres (5.5 mi) to the South Bay of Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir).
- Then, it goes north for 43.8 kilometres (27.2 mi) to the end of Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir).
- Finally, it flows northeast for 92.8 kilometres (57.7 mi), passing through Marmette Lake, Brochu Lake, and Kikendatch Bay, until it reaches the Gouin Dam.
From the Gouin Dam, the water continues its journey along the Saint-Maurice River all the way to Trois-Rivières.
River's Name: Mistatikamekw
The name "Mistatikamekw" comes from an Indigenous language. The official name "Mistatikamekw River" was made formal on September 3, 1981, by the Commission de toponymie du Quebec, which is like a government board that names places in Quebec.
