Opawica River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Opawica |
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Watershed of Nottaway River
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Nord-du-Québec |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Gabriel Lake Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 390 m (1,280 ft) 49°40′42″N 74°29′22″W / 49.67833°N 74.48944°W |
| River mouth | Waswanipi River Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 280 m (920 ft) 49°41′07″N 75°57′49″W / 49.68528°N 75.96361°W |
| Length | 225.1 km (139.9 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Opawica River is an important river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Waswanipi River. The Waswanipi River then joins Matagami Lake, which flows into the Nottaway River. Finally, the Nottaway River empties into the southern part of James Bay.
The Opawica River is located in the municipality of Eeyou Istchee James Bay, within the Nord-du-Québec region of Quebec.
Forestry, which is the business of managing and harvesting trees, is the main economic activity in this area. After forestry, tourism, especially activities on the water, is also very important because the river is easy to travel on.
Contents
Getting to the Opawica River
You can reach the northern and western parts of the Opawica River area by using Quebec route 113. This road connects the towns of Chibougamau and Lebel-sur-Quévillon.
There is also a forest road that goes around the southern, eastern, and northern shores of Opawica and Wachigabau lakes. This road connects to route 113 from the north.
The western side of the river's basin can also be reached by the Canadian National Railway. This railway passes between Opawica and Wachigabau lakes. Other forest roads, like R1051 and R1032, help people get to different parts of the river.
River Conditions
The surface of the Opawica River usually freezes over from early November until mid-May. However, it's generally safe to travel on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Geography of the Opawica River
The Opawica River starts at Gabriel Lake. This lake is about 8.0 kilometers (5.0 miles) long and sits at an elevation of 392 meters (1,286 feet). Gabriel Lake is located at the eastern edge of the Nord-du-Québec region.
The land around Gabriel Lake helps divide the water flow. The eastern side of the lake's water basin roughly marks the border between the Le Domaine-du-Roy Regional County Municipality and the Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality).
Surrounding Waterways
The Opawica River is surrounded by many other rivers and lakes. Here are some of the main ones:
- North: Chibougamau River, Obatogamau River
- East: Normandin River, Obatogamau Lakes, Eau Jaune Lake, Rohault Lake, Poutrincourt Lake
- South: Gouin Reservoir, Wetetnagami River, Mégiscane River, Mesplet Lake
- West: Lake Waswanipi, Waswanipi River, O'Sullivan River, Little Waswanipi River
River's Journey
From Gabriel Lake, the Opawica River flows for about 225.2 kilometers (140.0 miles). Its journey can be divided into three main parts:
Upper Course
The upper part of the Opawica River stretches for about 97.5 kilometers (60.6 miles). In this section, the river flows mostly northwest. It passes through several lakes, including:
- A lake known as "lake of Eu"
- An unnamed lake
- Caopatina Lake, which is about 16.7 kilometers (10.4 miles) long
- Des Vents Lake, about 15.4 kilometers (9.6 miles) long
- "Lake Rane"
- "Bay Lake"
- Bras Coupé Lake, which is shaped like a "U" and is about 21.7 kilometers (13.5 miles) long
The river then reaches the eastern shore of Doda Lake.
Intermediate Course
The middle part of the Opawica River is about 51.5 kilometers (32.0 miles) long. Here, the river continues its journey, flowing through:
- Doda Lake, a large lake about 29.4 kilometers (18.3 miles) long. The river flows around a peninsula called "Peninsula of the Tower."
- Françoise Lake (Opawica River)
- Lake Du Guesclin
- La Ronde Lake, which is about 7.1 kilometers (4.4 miles) long
After these lakes, the river flows southwest to the eastern shore of Lessard Lake.
Lower Course
The final part of the Opawica River is about 76.2 kilometers (47.3 miles) long. In this section, the river flows through:
- Lessard Lake, which is shaped like a crescent moon
- Some waterfalls
- Lichen Lake (Opawica River), about 30.0 kilometers (18.6 miles) long
- Wachigabau Lake, about 31.5 kilometers (19.6 miles) long
- Opawica Lake, about 17.1 kilometers (10.6 miles) long, where it flows around Gull Island
After Opawica Lake, the river flows for another 14 kilometers (8.7 miles). It first goes northeast, then turns northwest. This is where the Opawica River meets the Chibougamau River. When these two rivers join, they form the beginning of the Waswanipi River.
The end of the Opawica River is about 81 kilometers (50 miles) west of Chapais and 118 kilometers (73 miles) east of Matagami. There are some rapids about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) upstream from the mouth of the Opawica River. Even further upstream, about 1.6 kilometers (1.0 mile) away, you'll find "Sturgeon Falls," where the river makes a sharp 90-degree turn. The Little Waswanipi River flows into the Opawica River very close to its mouth.
What's in a Name?
The name "Opawica" is used for the river, a lake, and an island in the area.
The official name "Opawica River" was formally recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization in Quebec responsible for naming places.
