Nastapoka River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nastapoka River |
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Falls on Nastapoka River
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Nord-du-Québec |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lacs des Loups Marins Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 373 m (1,224 ft) 56°30′31″N 73°44′58″W / 56.50861°N 73.74944°W |
| River mouth | Hudson Bay, Montreal, Quebec 23 m (75 ft) 56°54′38″N 76°32′46″W / 56.91056°N 76.54611°W |
| Length | 402 km (250 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 13,364 km2 (5,160 sq mi) |
The Nastapoka River is a large river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into Hudson Bay on the east coast. This river is one of the most important rivers in the Nord-du-Québec region. It is the 39th largest river in Quebec. Its watershed, which is the land area that drains into the river, covers about 13,400 km2 (5,200 sq mi).
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River's Journey
The Nastapoka River flows into a part of Hudson Bay called the Nastapoka Channel. This is near the center of the Nastapoka Islands. The river travels about 400 km (250 mi) before reaching the bay. It is located about 40 km (25 mi) north of the Inuit village of Umiujaq, Quebec. It is also close to the very large Richmond Gulf.
Where the River Starts
The Nastapoka River begins at a big lake called Lacs des Loups Marins. This name means "Lake of Sea Wolves" in English. The lake is 84 km (52 mi) long and 12 km (7.5 mi) wide. It sits at an altitude of 373 m (1,224 ft) and covers an area of 484 km2 (187 sq mi). This lake is very special because it is one of the few freshwater lakes in the world where you can find seals!
Waterfalls and Rapids
The Nastapoka River is full of exciting features like waterfalls and fast-moving sections called rapids. Just before it reaches Hudson Bay, the river drops sharply. This creates the Nastapoka Falls, which has a steep vertical drop of 35 m (115 ft). These falls are a popular spot for people visiting Tursujuq National Park.
What "Nastapoka" Means
The name "Nastapoka" comes from the Cree language. It means "someone found a caribou killed by the rapids." This name fits the river well because of its powerful waterfalls and rapids.
Other Names for the River
The Inuit people, who live in the area between Kuujjuarapik and Inukjuak, have their own name for the river. They call it Patirtuuq. This means "where a large amount of bone marrow is found."
How the Name Was Chosen
The name Nastapoka River first appeared in a report from 1877. This report was written by a scientist named Robert Bell. Later, in 1914, the name "Rivière Nastapoka" was put on a map of Quebec. Over the years, there were some small changes and mistakes in how the name was spelled. Finally, in 1946, the Quebec Geography Commission officially accepted the name "Rivière Nastapoka." In 1986, the spelling was confirmed as "Nastapoka."
