Petite rivière Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petite rivière Smith |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| RCM | La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality |
| Unorganized Territory | Lac-Jacques Cartier |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of two forested streams Lac-Jacques Cartier 610 m 47°09′59″N 71°01′24″W / 47.16638°N 71.02333°W |
| River mouth | Smith River Lac-Jacques Cartier 547 m 47°08′55″N 71°00′51″W / 47.14861°N 71.01417°W |
| Length | 2.8 km (1.7 mi) |
The Petite rivière Smith (which means Little Smith River in English) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Smith River. This area is mostly forest, and people often visit for fun outdoor activities.
The river is located in a place called Lac-Jacques-Cartier. This is part of the La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality, which is in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec.
Because it's quite high up, the Petite rivière Smith usually freezes over from late November to early April. It's safest to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to late March. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons, especially during spring when snow melts.
Contents
Where the River Starts and Flows
The Petite rivière Smith begins where two small forest streams meet. This spot is high up, about 610 metres (2,000 ft) above sea level. It's in a forest area between two mountains.
The river's source is located in the unorganized territory of Lac-Jacques-Cartier. It is about 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) north of one mountain peak and 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) south of another.
The River's Journey
From its start, the Petite rivière Smith flows for about 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi) through the forest. As it flows, it drops about 63 metres (207 ft) in height.
First, it travels about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) southwest through a deep valley. Along the way, it passes through a small, quiet lake. This lake is about 0.2 kilometres (0.12 mi) long and sits at an altitude of 569 metres (1,867 ft).
After the lake, the river continues for about 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi). It first goes southwest, then curves to the south. Finally, it reaches its mouth, where it joins the Smith River.
Flowing to the Saint Lawrence River
Once the Petite rivière Smith joins the Smith River, the water continues its journey. The Smith River flows southwest for about 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi).
Then, the water flows into the Montmorency River. This larger river travels generally south for about 40.7 kilometres (25.3 mi). Eventually, it empties into the northwest side of the mighty Saint Lawrence River.
Why the River is Called "Smith"
The name "Petite rivière Smith" is connected to the larger river it flows into, the "Smith River". "Petite" means "little" in French, so it's the "Little Smith River".
The name "Petite rivière Smith" was officially recognized on November 1, 1988. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the group in Quebec that names places.
