Petite rivière Muskrat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petite rivière Muskrat |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Chaudière-Appalaches |
| MRC | Les Appalaches Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Adstock |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Forest streams Adstock 391 m (1,283 ft) 45°58′34″N 71°05′21″W / 45.976083°N 71.089083°W |
| River mouth | Grand lac Saint François Adstock 289 m (948 ft) 45°58′59″N 71°09′33″W / 45.98306°N 71.15916°W |
| Length | 9.2 km (5.7 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Saint-François River, St. Lawrence River |
| Tributaries |
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The Petite rivière Muskrat is a small river in Quebec, Canada. Its name means Little Muskrat River in English. This river flows into Grand lac Saint François, which is the starting point for the larger Saint-François River. The Petite rivière Muskrat flows through the area of Adstock, a town in the Les Appalaches Regional County Municipality. This region is called Chaudière-Appalaches and is located on the South Shore of the St. Lawrence River.
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Where is the Petite rivière Muskrat?
This river is part of a larger system of waterways. Rivers and lakes are often connected in what are called watersheds. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common point, like a river or a lake.
Here are some of the main watersheds near the Petite rivière Muskrat:
- North side: The Muskrat River and the Hamel River.
- East side: The Hamel River.
- South side: The Rivière aux Bluets (Grand lac Saint François) and Grand lac Saint François.
- West side: The Muskrat River and the rivière de l'Or.
Where the river starts
The Petite rivière Muskrat begins south of a village called "Saint-Method-de-Frontenac". It starts east of Lake Rochu, which is about 343 metres (1,125 ft) (1,125 feet) above sea level. This area is close to the border between the Les Appalaches Regional County Municipality (MRC) and another region called Beauce-Sartigan. The main Muskrat River starts about 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) (2.2 miles) north of where the Petite rivière Muskrat begins.
How the river flows
From its starting point, the Petite rivière Muskrat flows for about 3.9 kilometres (2.4 mi) (2.4 miles) towards the southwest. It passes south of Lake Rochu and Lake Bolduc. Then, it reaches the edge of Parc national de Frontenac, a national park.
The river then flows for about 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) (1.3 miles) towards the northwest, leaving the park. After this, it flows for another 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) (2 miles) towards the west, crossing back into the park.
Where the river ends
The Petite rivière Muskrat finally empties into a marshy area. This area is at the bottom of a small bay called "Baie aux Rats Musqués," which is part of the northeast shore of Grand lac Saint François. The mouth of the river is near a road bridge that crosses this small bay. The main Muskrat River also flows into the northern part of Frontenac National Park.
What's in a name?
The name "Petite rivière Muskrat" has a history. In the past, this river was known by its French name, "Petite rivière aux Rats Musqués." This name also means "Little Muskrat River."
The official name, "Petite rivière Muskrat," was recorded on August 4, 1969, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec. This commission is in charge of naming places in Quebec.
