Petite rivière à l'Ours (rivière à l'Ours) - West facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petite rivière à l'Ours |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean |
| MRC | Le Domaine-du-Roy Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Saint-Félicien |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Small unidentified lake Saint-Félicien 239 m (784 ft) 48°38′26″N 72°35′14″W / 48.64056°N 72.58722°W |
| River mouth | Ashuapmushuan River Saint-Félicien 108 m (354 ft) 48°37′23″N 72°27′26″W / 48.62306°N 72.45722°W |
| Length | 13.1 km (8.1 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Rivière à l'Ours, Ashuapmushuan River, Lac Saint-Jean, Saguenay River |
| Tributaries |
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The Petite rivière à l'Ours (which means "Little Bear River" in English) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows through the town of Saint-Félicien. This river is a branch of the larger rivière à l'Ours.
Forestry, which is cutting down trees, is the main activity in the upper part of the river valley. In the lower part, farming is more common. Roads like forest roads and local streets help people get to different parts of the river valley.
The Petite rivière à l'Ours is usually frozen from early December to late March. However, it's safest to walk on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.
Where the Little Bear River Flows
The Little Bear River starts from a small, unnamed lake in the western part of Saint-Félicien. This lake is about 0.3 km (0.19 mi) long and sits at an altitude of 239 m (784 ft). The area around the lake is marshy.
The lake's starting point is:
- 1.1 km (0.68 mi) east of the rivière à la Carpe.
- 10.5 km (6.5 mi) southwest of downtown Saint-Félicien.
- 10.9 km (6.8 mi) west of where the Little Bear River ends.
From its source, the Little Bear River flows for about 13.1 km (8.1 mi). It drops about 131 m (430 ft) in height as it flows, mostly through forest areas.
The River's Journey
The river's path can be broken down into several parts:
- It flows 2.6 km (1.6 mi) southeast, then northeast, passing through two small lakes. It then meets a stream coming from the northwest.
- It continues 5.8 km (3.6 mi) northeast until it reaches a road called Chemin du rang Simple.
- Next, it flows 1.9 km (1.2 mi) east, crossing Notre-Dame road. Here, it picks up water from lakes Cossette and Petit.
- Finally, it travels 2.8 km (1.7 mi) east, collecting water from two more streams, until it reaches its mouth.
Where the River Ends
The Little Bear River flows into the rivière à l'Ours on its west bank. This meeting point is located:
- 2.8 km (1.7 mi) south of downtown Saint-Félicien.
- 8.1 km (5.0 mi) west of where the Ashuapmushuan River ends.
- 20.1 km (12.5 mi) northwest of downtown Roberval.
After joining the Little Bear River, the water continues its journey. It flows down the rivière à l'Ours for 3.7 km (2.3 mi). Then it enters the Ashuapmushuan River for 7.3 km (4.5 mi).
The water then crosses Lac Saint-Jean for its full length, about 41.1 km (25.5 mi). Finally, it follows the Saguenay River for 172.3 km (107.1 mi) east to Tadoussac. There, it joins the Saint Lawrence Estuary, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean.
About the Name
The name "Petite rivière à l'Ours" means "Little Bear River." There are actually two rivers with "Little Bear River" in their name that flow into the rivière à l'Ours. This article is about the western one.
The name "Little Bear River" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special committee for place names in Quebec.
