Palmer River (Bécancour River tributary) facts for kids

The Palmer River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Bécancour River, which then joins the mighty St. Lawrence River. This river runs through the towns of Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton and Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds. It is located in the Les Appalaches Regional County Municipality area.

Where the Palmer River Flows

Rivers flow through areas called watersheds or drainage basins. These are like big bowls where all the rain and melted snow eventually flow into one river.

The Palmer River's neighboring watersheds are:

• To the north: Armagh River, Saint-Georges River (Chêne River tributary), Saint-André River, Filkars River.
• To the east: Nadeau River (Nouvelle-Beauce), Palmer East River, Cinq River.
• To the south: Osgood River, Sunday River, Prévost-Gilbert River, Ashberham River.
• To the west: Bécancour River.

River's Beginning

The Palmer River starts in a forested area in Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton. Its source is near a soapstone quarry. This spot is east of a small community called Rumpelville. It is also north-west of Broughton Station.

River's Journey

The Palmer River generally flows towards the north-west. It travels about 30.3 kilometres (18.8 mi) (or 18.8 miles (30.3 km)) from its source to where it ends.

Here is how the river flows:

• For the first 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi), it goes northeast, then turns northwest. It passes a bridge on the 3rd rang road.
• Next, it flows for 3.4 kilometres (2.1 mi) towards the north-west. It goes past a place called "Roche à Vallières." It also passes south-west of the village of Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton. This section ends at the 16th rang road bridge.
• Then, for 8.3 kilometres (5.2 mi), it flows north. It collects water from the Whetstone River (from the east) and the Perry River (from the southwest). It crosses the 15th and 14th rang roads. This part ends at the border of Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds.
• After that, it travels 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) northwesterly. It collects water from the Palmer East River (from the east). This section reaches route 216, near the hamlet of "Wilson."
• Finally, it flows 6.7 kilometres (4.2 mi) west. It passes about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) north of the center of Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds. It also collects water from the Osgood River. This is where it meets the Bécancour River.

River's End

The Palmer River empties into the east bank of the Bécancour River. This happens in the town of Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds. Its meeting point is about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) upstream from the border of Sainte-Agathe-de-Lotbinière. It is also 7.6 kilometres (4.7 mi) south of Sainte-Agathe-de-Lotbinière village. The spot is 11.4 kilometres (7.1 mi) west of the center of Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds.

Why the Palmer River is Called That

The name "Palmer River" has been used since the late 1800s. No one knows for sure where the name came from. Researchers have looked into it, even asking old settlers and miners.

Old maps from 1937 show the river as "Rivière des Palmes." This name was used for both the Palmer East River and the main Palmer River. However, local people usually called it the "Palmer River."

Some experts think "Palmer River" and "East Palmer River" might come from a different pronunciation of "Palm River." This name might have been used by early Irish and Scottish settlers.

Interestingly, the valley of this river, just south of Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton, has many types of reeds. People sometimes call these reeds "palms."

The name "rivière Palmer" became official on December 5, 1968. This was decided by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a naming committee for places in Quebec.