Ontaritzi River facts for kids

The Ontaritzi River is a small but important river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Jacques-Cartier River. You can find it in the town of Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, which is part of the La Jacques-Cartier Regional County Municipality. This area is known for its beautiful natural scenery and is located in the Capitale-Nationale region.

The river valley is easily reached by Duchesnay Road on its north side. The area around the Ontaritzi River is mostly residential, with many homes and resorts. Forestry, which is the business of managing and harvesting trees, is also important on the south and west sides. Nearby, Lake Saint-Joseph is a very popular spot for fun outdoor activities and vacations.

The Ontaritzi River usually freezes over from early December to late March. It's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from late December to early March. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons and how much rain or snow falls.

Where the River Flows

The Ontaritzi River is part of a larger network of waterways. It's surrounded by several other important rivers and lakes.

Nearby Waterways

• To the north: Lake Saint-Joseph and the Rivière aux Pins.
• To the east: The Jacques-Cartier River.
• To the south: The Jacques-Cartier River and the mighty Saint-Laurent River.
• To the west: Sergent Lake and the Sainte-Anne River.

The River's Journey

The Ontaritzi River starts at the Duchesnay dam, which is at the mouth of Lake Saint-Joseph. From there, it flows for about 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) before joining the Jacques-Cartier River.

Here's how its journey unfolds:

• For the first 0.3 kilometers (0.19 miles), it flows southwest until it reaches a road bridge on Route 367.
• Next, it forms a loop towards the west for about 0.4 kilometers (0.25 miles). Here, two smaller streams join the river from the west.
• The river then flows east for about 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles). It mostly follows Route 367, which is a residential area. During this part, the river makes a 200-meter (656-foot) hook to the west and then south, where another stream joins it. This section of the river flows around a mountain that is about 230 meters (755 feet) high.
• Finally, it flows east for 0.5 kilometers (0.31 miles), crossing a road, until it reaches its mouth.

The Ontaritzi River flows into the northwest bank of the Jacques-Cartier River. From this meeting point, the water travels about 15.4 kilometers (9.6 miles) south along the Jacques-Cartier River. The Jacques-Cartier River then flows into the northwest bank of the Saint-Laurent River.

The River's Name: Ontaritzi

The name "Ontaritzi" has an interesting history! In 1976, a group called the Association of Ontaritzi Residents wanted to bring back an old name used by the Wendat people (also known as the Hurons). They asked for the river's name to be changed from "Décharge du Lac Saint-Joseph" or "Rivière Duchesnay" to "Rivière Ontaritzi," and their request was granted.

What Does Ontaritzi Mean?

Originally, the name Ontaritzi was used more for the lake than for the river flowing out of it. In 1829, Nicolas Vincent, a Wendat chief from Lorette, drew a map that called the lake "Ontaritai." Later, in an 1873 directory, it was listed as "Lake Ontaritzi or St. Joseph."

People have suggested a few meanings for the name:

• "Lake of high winds"
• "Pass a lake" (from the words ontaretse or antaritaie)
• "Where it is hot" (from the word otarixhein)

The name "Ontaritzi river" was officially recognized on October 2, 1980, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special committee for place names in Quebec.