Petit lac Wayagamac facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petit lac Wayagamac |
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 Petit lac Wayagamac
Location in Quebec
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| Location | La Tuque, Mauricie, Quebec, Canada |
| Coordinates | 47°22′40″N 72°31′38″W / 47.37778°N 72.52722°W |
| Lake type | Natural |
| Primary outflows | Little Bostonnais River (French: Petite rivière Bostonnais) |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 4.5 km (2.8 mi) |
| Max. width | 2.4 km (1.5 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 281 m (922 ft) |
Petit lac Wayagamac is a beautiful lake found in the city of La Tuque, in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada. This area is known for its many lakes and forests. Until 2006, the land around this lake was part of a special area called Petit-Lac-Wayagamac. Later, it became part of the larger city of La Tuque. Today, the land around the lake is managed by the Zec de la Bessonne, which helps protect nature and organize outdoor activities.
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Where is Petit lac Wayagamac located?
Petit lac Wayagamac is located in a lovely natural setting. It is about 18.5 kilometres (11.5 mi) southeast of downtown La Tuque. It is also only 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) east of a bigger lake called Lake Wayagamac. Both of these lakes are surrounded by the Laurentian Mountains. Some of these mountains are taller than 400 metres (1,300 ft) high!
What does the lake look like?
This lake in Haute-Mauricie has a length of about 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi). It is also 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) wide. The lake sits at an elevation of 281 metres (922 ft) above sea level. Two interesting parts of the lake are Bouleau Bay and Mystérieux Bay. Bouleau Bay gets water from Bouleau Creek, which flows in from the north. Mystérieux Bay is where the Mysterious River flows out of the lake.
The Little Bostonnais River
The water from Petit lac Wayagamac flows into the Petite Rivière Bostonnais, also known as the Little Bostonnais River. This river travels about 4.4 kilometres (2.7 mi) before it reaches Lake Wayagamac. From there, the water continues its journey. Lake Wayagamac then empties into another part of the Little Bostonnais River, which is about 10.6 kilometres (6.6 mi) long. This river eventually flows into the Saint-Maurice River near the city of La Tuque. In total, the water from Petit lac Wayagamac travels about 23.6 kilometres (14.7 mi) before reaching the Saint-Maurice River.
What does "Wayagamac" mean?
The name "Wayagamac" has an interesting history. According to some experts, the word "waweia gamak" comes from the Algonquin language. It means "at the round lake." Another expert, Father Joseph-Étienne Guinard, also said that "waiagamak" means "a round lake." However, if you look at Petit lac Wayagamac, it actually looks more like a triangle than a circle!
The name "Wayagamack" was first written down in 1876 by a surveyor named Télésphore Chavigny De La Chevrotière. Later, in 1913, the name "Wayagamack" was also used for a large paper factory in Trois-Rivières. The official name "Petit lac Wayagamac" was recorded on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is a group that names places in Quebec.
