Olomane River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olomane River |
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| Other name(s) | Rivière Olomane |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Côte-Nord |
| RCM | Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Gulf of Saint Lawrence 0 metres (0 ft) 50°14′00″N 60°38′20″W / 50.2333333°N 60.6388889°W |
| Length | 200 kilometres (120 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 5,426 square kilometres (2,095 sq mi) |
The Olomane River is a cool river located in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. In French, it's called Rivière Olomane. This river is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) long. It flows into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
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Where is the Olomane River?
The Olomane River is in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. Its basin, or the area of land it drains, is quite large. It covers about 5,426 square kilometers (2,095 square miles).
River's Path
The river starts in a wet, swampy area. First, it flows towards the northwest. Then, it makes a sharp turn and heads south. Finally, it reaches the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The river's mouth is in a place called Côte-Nord-du-Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent.
Nearby Communities
The Innu settlement of La Romaine is right by the river's mouth. It sits on the west side of the bay.
What's in a Name?
The name Olomane comes from the Innu language. The word Olomanoshibo means "Paint River." This is because the water sometimes looks reddish. You can find reddish ocher deposits along the riverbanks.
How the Name Changed
Over time, the river's name has changed a bit.
- In 1685, a map by Jean-Baptiste-Louis Franquelin called it Ouraman.
- Later, people used names like Eau ramane, Oraman, and Olomanasheebou.
- The name Olomane was officially chosen in 1921.
- Some people also called it Grande Romaine. This helped tell it apart from another river, the Romaine River, which is further west.
History and Settlement
The Innu people have a long history with the Olomane River. They traditionally spent their winters hunting inland. Then, in the summer, they would gather at the river's mouth.
Trading Post History
A trading post was set up at the mouth of the river. It operated for a long time, from 1710 to 1925. This was a place where people could trade goods. The Hudson's Bay Company also had an exchange there. About 50 Innu families would come to trade each year.
Life by the River
People living near the river focused on fishing for cod. They also hunted animals in the area. In the past, the river was known as a great hunting spot.
Modern Energy Needs
Today, the community of La Romaine needs more electricity. There are plans to explore building a small hydroelectric power plant on the Olomane River. This plant would use the river's water to create clean energy for the village.
