Petite rivière Saint-François facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petite rivière Saint-François |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| Regional County Municipality | Charlevoix Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Petite-Rivière-Saint-François |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of two mountain streams Petite-Rivière-Saint-François 457 m 47°18′32″N 70°35′59″W / 47.30892°N 70.59960°W |
| River mouth | Saint Lawrence River Petite-Rivière-Saint-François 4 m 47°07′15″N 70°50′07″W / 47.12083°N 70.8352°W |
| Length | 112 km (70 mi) |
The Petite rivière Saint-François (which means Little Saint-François River in English) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Saint Lawrence River, which is a very large river. This small river is located in the area called Charlevoix Regional County Municipality, within the Capitale-Nationale region.
The part of the river closer to the Saint Lawrence River is easy to reach. A road called rue Principale runs along it. This area is popular for fun activities like vacations and tourism. Nearby mountains also offer exciting things to do, especially at the Massif de Charlevoix ski resort. This ski center is very close to the river and has slopes facing it.
The lower part of the Petite rivière Saint-François usually freezes over from early December to late March. It's generally safe to walk on the ice from mid-December to mid-March. The upper part of the river stays frozen for a bit longer. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons and how much rain or snow falls. The river usually floods a little in March or April when the snow melts.
Where the River Starts and Ends
The Petite rivière Saint-François begins where two mountain streams meet. This spot is in the municipality of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. It's on the north side of a mountain peak called Liguori, which is about 820 meters (2,690 feet) high.
The River's Journey
From its starting point, the river flows for about 3.9 kilometers (2.4 miles) towards the southeast. Near the end of this path, it turns east. During its journey, the river drops about 453 meters (1,486 feet) in height. It also crosses paths with Principale Street and a railway line that runs along the river.
The Petite rivière Saint-François then empties into the northwest side of the Saint Lawrence River. This meeting point is also in the municipality of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
How the River Got its Name
When Samuel de Champlain explored the Saint Lawrence River in 1603, he called this small river "Little River." Later, people also called it "Bergeron river" or "Rivière du Sot."
The official name, "Petite rivière Saint-François," was made formal on December 5, 1968. This name was recorded by the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special group that names places in Quebec.
