Queue de Castor River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queue de Castor |
|
|---|---|
Watershed of Nottaway River
|
|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Nord-du-Québec |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Beaucours Lake Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 405 m (1,329 ft) 49°04′50″N 74°29′56″W / 49.08056°N 74.49889°W |
| River mouth | Gabriel Lake (Opawica River tributary) Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 392 m (1,286 ft) 49°14′30″N 74°26′24″W / 49.24167°N 74.44000°W |
| Length | 23.6 km (14.7 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
|
The Queue de Castor River is a river in Quebec, Canada. Its name means "Beaver's Tail River" in English. It flows into Gabriel Lake, which is part of the larger Nottaway River system that eventually reaches James Bay. This river is located in the Nord-du-Québec region, within the Eeyou Istchee James Bay (Municipality).
The river flows through areas known as Beaucours, Feuquières, and Robert. The main activities here are forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. Tourism, like visiting for fun, is also important. There's even a logging camp near Ventadour Lake.
Getting to the river is possible by road. Quebec route 212 helps people travel from Obedjiwan to La Tuque, passing south of Lake Dubois. Another forest road, R1032, runs between the lakes where the Queue de Castor River starts and the Ventadour River.
The river's surface usually freezes over from early November until mid-May. However, it's safest to walk on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Contents
Where the River Flows
The Queue de Castor River is surrounded by many other important water bodies. Knowing these helps us understand its journey.
Nearby Rivers and Lakes
- North of the river are the Cawcot River, Robert Lake, Gabriel Lake, Rohault Lake, and Opawica River.
- To the east, you'll find the Ventadour River, Titipiti River, Robert Lake, Normandin River, Poutrincourt Lake, and Ashuapmushuan River.
- South of the river are Verreau Creek, Principal Lake, Gouin Reservoir, Wapous River, and Magnan Lake.
- To the west, there's the Cawcot River, Yvonne River, and Aigle River (Doda Lake).
The River's Beginning
The Queue de Castor River starts at Beaucours Lake. This lake is about 8.4 kilometers long and sits at an altitude of 405 meters. Beaucours Lake has a V-shape and is fed by Beaucours Creek from the south.
The start of the river at Beaucours Lake is about 14.3 kilometers west of the border of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality).
From its source, the Queue de Castor River flows for about 23.6 kilometers. Here's how it travels:
- It flows southeast for 1.5 kilometers to an unnamed lake.
- Then, it goes northeast for 3.9 kilometers across the northern part of another unnamed lake (9.3 km long, 402 m high) to a road bridge.
- It continues north for 6.4 kilometers, crossing another unnamed lake (4.0 km long, 401 m high) along its full length, up to a forest road bridge.
- Next, it flows northeast for 7.0 kilometers, where the river gets wider, until it reaches the border of Robert Township.
- Finally, it travels northwest for 4.8 kilometers, winding its way to its mouth.
Journey to James Bay
The Queue de Castor River ends by flowing into a bay on the south shore of Gabriel Lake. Gabriel Lake then flows northwest, west, and north to meet the Chibougamau River. When these two rivers meet, they form the Waswanipi River.
The Waswanipi River then flows west through Lake Waswanipi, Goéland Lake, and Olga Lake. It eventually empties into Lake Matagami. From Lake Matagami, the water flows into the Nottaway River, which is a large river that finally reaches Rupert Bay in James Bay. So, the water from the small Queue de Castor River makes a long journey all the way to James Bay!
River's Name History
The area around the Queue de Castor River has a rich history. Different Indigenous groups, like the Atikamekws, the Algonquins, and the Crees, have lived here for a very long time. In the past, the river was simply called "Beavertail River."
The official name, "Queue de Castor River," was formally recognized on December 5, 1968. This happened when the Commission de toponymie du Quebec, which is like a special committee for naming places in Quebec, was created.
