Opaoca River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Opaoca |
|
|---|---|
Watershed of Nottaway River
|
|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Anorthosite Lake Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 336 m (1,102 ft) 49°40′53″N 77°09′58″W / 49.68139°N 77.16611°W |
| River mouth | Olga Lake (Waswanipi River), Waswanipi River Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 256 m (840 ft) 49°40′53″N 77°09′58″W / 49.68139°N 77.16611°W |
| Length | 66.6 km (41.4 mi) |
The Opaoca River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into Olga Lake, which is part of the Waswanipi River system. The river is located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality) area, in the Nord-du-Québec region.
The Opaoca River flows through several different areas called townships. These include Bourbaux, Berthiaume, Noyelles, Le Tardif, Comporte, and Pouchot.
Forest roads, like the R1026, help people access the area around the Opaoca River. The river is usually frozen from early November until mid-May. However, it's generally safe to travel on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Contents
River's Location and Flow
The Opaoca River is surrounded by other important water bodies. Knowing these helps us understand where the river fits in the larger water system.
Nearby Waterways
- North: Olga Lake and the Waswanipi River.
- East: Goéland Lake, Lake Waswanipi, Waswanipi River, Baptiste River, and Iserhoff River.
- South: Baptiste River and the Bell River.
- West: Bell River.
Where the River Starts
The Opaoca River begins at a place called Anorthosite Lake. This lake is about 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) long and sits at an elevation of 336 metres (1,102 ft) above sea level. Anorthosite Lake is located where the Bourbaux, Berthiaume, and Noyelles townships meet.
The start of the Opaoca River is:
- 12.8 kilometres (8.0 mi) southeast of where the Opaoca River meets Olga Lake.
- 32.3 kilometres (20.1 mi) southeast of the main part of Olga Lake.
- 60.3 kilometres (37.5 mi) south of Matagami Lake.
- 97 kilometres (60 mi) southeast of Lake Soscumica.
- 233 kilometres (145 mi) southeast of the mouth of the Nottaway River.
- 48.0 kilometres (29.8 mi) east of the town of Matagami.
How the River Flows
The Opaoca River flows for about 66.6 kilometres (41.4 mi). It starts by flowing southwest, then turns northwest. It winds around, sometimes heading north, then northwest again. It also flows northeast and east, getting wider as it goes. Finally, it flows north into its mouth.
Where the River Ends
The Opaoca River empties into Elisabeth Bay, which is an arm of Olga Lake. The Waswanipi River flows across the northern part of Olga Lake.
The mouth of the Opaoca River is located:
- 19.8 kilometres (12.3 mi) southeast of the main outlet of Olga Lake.
- 46.8 kilometres (29.1 mi) southeast of Matagami Lake.
- 18.8 kilometres (11.7 mi) southwest of Goéland Lake.
- 220 kilometres (140 mi) southeast of the mouth of the Nottaway River.
- 35.3 kilometres (21.9 mi) east of downtown Matagami.
The Name of the River
The name "Opaoca" likely comes from the Cree language. It is thought to be a different way of saying "opawakaw," which means "a pass or narrowing between sandbanks."
The name was officially recognized by the "Commission de géographie du Québec" (Geographical Survey of Quebec) in 1948. The spelling "Opaoka" also appeared on a map of the Pouchot township in 1965.
The name "Opaoca River" was officially set on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Quebec, which is the commission responsible for place names in Quebec.
