Provancher Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Provancher Creek |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Mauricie |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Provancher Lake La Tuque (Provancher Township), Mauricie, Quebec 413 m (1,355 ft) 48°14′38″N 75°30′34″W / 48.24389°N 75.50944°W |
| River mouth | Mégiscane River La Tuque (Provancher Township), Mauricie, Quebec 406 m (1,332 ft) 48°20′25″N 75°30′40″W / 48.34028°N 75.51111°W |
| Length | 17.5 km (10.9 mi) |
Provancher Creek (which is Ruisseau Provancher in French) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Mégiscane River, which is a larger river. This creek is located west of the huge Gouin Reservoir. It flows entirely through a forest area near the town of La Tuque in the Mauricie region.
The main activities in the valley around Provancher Creek are forestry (cutting down trees for wood) and tourism, like camping or fishing. A forest road, R1009, crosses the lower part of the creek's valley. This road helps people get around the western side of the Gouin Reservoir.
Usually, the surface of Provancher Creek freezes from mid-November until late April. However, it's safest to walk or travel on the ice from early December to late March.
Where Provancher Creek Flows
Provancher Creek starts from Provancher Lake. This lake is about 3.6 kilometers long and sits at an altitude of 413 meters. The lake is located in Provancher Township.
From Provancher Lake, the creek flows for about 17.5 kilometers (about 10.9 miles) through the forest. It mostly stays within Provancher Township.
The creek's journey includes:
- Flowing north for 1.8 kilometers.
- Continuing north for 7.6 kilometers, making many small turns.
- Heading north again for 5.5 kilometers, reaching a bend.
- Turning west for 2.6 kilometers, briefly entering Poisson Township before returning to Provancher Township, until it reaches its mouth.
Provancher Creek's Journey to the Ocean
Provancher Creek eventually joins the Mégiscane River. This meeting point is about 6.8 kilometers south of Du Poète Lake.
From where Provancher Creek meets the Mégiscane River, the water travels a long way to the Gouin Dam. This journey is about 144.95 kilometers (about 90 miles) and includes several steps:
- The water flows north along the Mégiscane River for 8.0 kilometers to Du Poète Lake.
- It then crosses Du Poète Lake for 3.2 kilometers, heading northeast.
- Next, it flows southeast for 14.25 kilometers through diversion channels, crossing Piciw Minikanan Bay and Adolphe-Poisson Bay.
- The water then travels northeast for 37.6 kilometers across Du Mâle Lake (Gouin Reservoir), and east across Bourgeois Lake and Toussaint Lake, passing south of the village of Obedjiwan, Quebec.
- Finally, it flows east for 81.9 kilometers, crossing Marmette Lake, then southeast across Brochu Lake, and east again through Kikendatch Bay until it reaches the Gouin Dam.
After passing the Gouin Dam, the water continues its journey down the Saint-Maurice River all the way to Trois-Rivières. From there, it eventually reaches the Saint Lawrence River and then the Atlantic Ocean!
What's in a Name?
The name "Provancher" comes from a French family name.
The official French name, "ruisseau Provancher," was made official on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec. This commission is in charge of naming places in Quebec.
