Nicabau Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nicabau Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Nicabau Lake
Location in Quebec
|
|
| Location | Le Domaine-du-Roy (RCM) |
| Coordinates | 49°22′25″N 74°07′46″W / 49.37361°N 74.12944°W |
| Type | Lake of dam |
| Primary inflows |
|
| Primary outflows | Normandin River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 9.7 kilometres (6.0 mi) |
| Max. width | 3.0 kilometres (1.9 mi) |
| Surface area | 14.85 kilometres (9.23 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 386 metres (1,266 ft) |
Nicabau Lake is a freshwater lake located in the western part of Le Domaine-du-Roy in Quebec, Canada. It is part of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.
The lake is mostly in the Ducharme area, with a small part in Bouterque. It forms the western edge of the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve.
Logging is the main activity here, and tourism is also important. A main road, Route 167, runs along the east side of the lake. This road connects Chibougamau to Saint-Félicien, Quebec. A railway line also follows this road, and there used to be a train stop called Nicabau.
The lake usually freezes from early November to mid-May. It is safe to walk on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Geography of Nicabau Lake
Nicabau Lake is at the far western end of the Le Domaine-du-Roy area. The lake is about 9.7 kilometres (6.0 mi) long and 3.0 kilometres (1.9 mi) wide. It sits at an elevation of 386 metres (1,266 ft) above sea level.
The Normandin River flows through the southern part of Nicabau Lake for about 5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi).
The water from Nicabau Lake flows into the Normandin River. The mouth of the lake is located:
- About 2.2 kilometres (1.4 mi) south of the Canadian National Railway.
- About 0.4 kilometres (0.25 mi) southwest of where the Du Tonnerre River (Normandin River) joins.
- About 26.4 kilometres (16.4 mi) northwest of where the Normandin River meets Ashuapmushuan Lake.
- About 15.0 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of the mouth of Poutrincourt Lake.
- About 12.7 kilometres (7.9 mi) northeast of the border of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay municipality.
- About 147 kilometres (91 mi) northwest of where the Ashuapmushuan River flows into Lac Saint-Jean.
Many rivers and lakes are connected to Nicabau Lake.
- To the north, you'll find the Boisvert River, Coquille River, Chibougamau Lake, and Armitage River.
- To the east, there's Poutrincourt Lake, Du Milieu River (Poutrincourt Lake), Marquette River West, Marquette River, and Ashuapmushuan Lake.
- To the south, you'll find the Normandin River, Chaudière River, Ashuapmushuan River, and La Loche River.
- To the west, there's Rohault Lake, Nemenjiche River, Nemenjiche Lake, and Opawica River.
From Nicabau Lake, the water flows southeast for about 39.6 kilometres (24.6 mi). It goes through Ducharme Lake and then into Ashuapmushuan Lake. Ashuapmushuan Lake is the source of the Ashuapmushuan River, which eventually flows into Lac Saint-Jean.
The Name of Nicabau Lake
The name "Nicabau" comes from the Innu language. Over time, its spelling has changed many times. Some old spellings include Nekouba, Nekoubau, Nicoupao, Necoubeau, Nikaubau, or Nikabau. The name Nikabau is thought to mean "lake surrounded by hay."
In the past, Nicabau Lake was an important meeting point for travelers. People used major waterways like the Normandin River to travel from places like Tadoussac or Trois-Rivières all the way to Hudson Bay.
In 1661, two Jesuit priests, Dablon and Druillettes, reached this area. They called it Nekouba and described it as a famous place where a fair was held. All the local Indigenous people would come there to trade. A map from 1661 shows their journey and mentions "Nekouba." Later maps from 1672 and 1680 show names like "Nekoubou River" and "Nek8pas Lake."
In 1703, Guillaume Delisle's map showed "Necouba (post office)" and "R. de Necoub." Another Jesuit, Laure, used the term "Nekubauists" on his map of the "Domaine du Roy in Canada" in 1732.
The official name "lac Nicabau" was formally recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is Quebec's place-name commission.
