Moncouche River facts for kids

The Moncouche River (which is rivière Moncouche in French) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Métabetchouane River from its east side. The Moncouche River runs through the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve.

This river flows through two main areas:

• The unorganized territory of Belle-Rivière. This is in the Lac-Saint-Jean-Est Regional County Municipality.
• The unorganized territory of Lac-Jacques-Cartier. This is in the La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality.

The main activity in this river valley is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. Tourism, like visiting for fun, is the second most important activity.

The Moncouche River usually freezes over from late November to early April. It's generally safe to walk or travel on the ice from mid-December to the end of March.

Where is the Moncouche River?

The Moncouche River is surrounded by other important water bodies. Knowing these helps us understand its location.

Nearby Rivers and Lakes

• North side: The Métabetchouane River, Huard Lake, and the Rivière à la Carpe.
• East side: The Rivière aux Écorces, the Rivière aux Montagnais, and the Ruisseau Contourné.
• South side: The Métabetchouane River.
• West side: The Métabetchouane River and Métabetchouane Lake.

The Source of the River

The Moncouche River starts at Starr Lake. This lake is about 3.3 kilometers (2.05 miles) long and sits at an altitude of 477 meters (1,565 feet). Starr Lake has a unique shape, looking a bit like a big "X" or a star. It has several bays, or inlets, on its north, center, and south sides.

How the River Flows

From Starr Lake, the Moncouche River flows for 14.7 kilometers (9.13 miles). During its journey, the river drops about 80 meters (262 feet) in elevation.

Here's how the river flows:

• It travels 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles) south to the northeast shore of Saint-Véran Lake.
• Then, it flows 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles) southwest, going all the way through Saint-Véran Lake. This lake is at an altitude of 399 meters (1,309 feet).
• Next, it continues 3.3 kilometers (2.05 miles) southwest, crossing all of Moncouche Lake. This lake is also at an altitude of 399 meters (1,309 feet).
• It's interesting to know that Saint-Véran Lake and Moncouche Lake are connected. This creates a long stretch of 6.2 kilometers (3.85 miles) perfect for boating!
• The river then flows 1.0 kilometer (0.62 miles) south until it meets the Rivière aux Montagnais, which comes from the east.
• Finally, it travels 5.0 kilometers (3.1 miles) southwest. Along this part, it goes around an island and through Lake Méandre before joining the Métabetchouane River.

Journey to the Ocean

Once the Moncouche River joins the Métabetchouane River, the water continues its long journey.

• The current flows north along the Métabetchouane River for 83.9 kilometers (52.13 miles) until it reaches the south shore of Lac Saint-Jean.
• From there, the water crosses Lac Saint-Jean for 22.8 kilometers (14.17 miles) towards the northeast.
• Then, it follows the Saguenay River via La Petite Décharge for 172.3 kilometers (107.06 miles).
• Finally, the water reaches Tadoussac, where it merges with the Saint Lawrence Estuary, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean.

What's in a Name?

The name "rivière Moncouche" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special committee that names places in Quebec.