Rieutard Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rieutard Lake |
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 Rieutard Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Lac-Jacques-Cartier (TNO), La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality, Capitale-Nationale, Quebec |
| Coordinates | 47°42′10″N 71°26′05″W / 47.70278°N 71.43472°W |
| Lake type | Natural |
| Primary inflows | Discharge of a set of lakes and five streams |
| Primary outflows | Cavée River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 1.1 km (0.68 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.4 km (0.25 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 808 m (2,651 ft) |
Rieutard Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake located in Quebec, Canada. It's an important part of the Jacques-Cartier River system. The lake is found in the unorganized territory of Lac-Jacques-Cartier. This area is within the La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality.
The lake is nestled in the heart of the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve. This makes it a popular spot for nature lovers. A forest road runs along the east side of the lake. This road helps people access the area.
Forestry, which is the business of growing and harvesting trees, is a major activity here. Tourism, like visiting for fun and outdoor sports, is also very important.
Rieutard Lake usually freezes over in early December. It stays frozen until the end of March. It's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.
Contents
Exploring Rieutard Lake's Geography
Rieutard Lake is surrounded by many other waterways. Understanding these helps us see how the lake fits into the larger natural system.
Nearby Waterways and Rivers
The main rivers and lakes close to Rieutard Lake include:
- To the north: Franchère Lake, Germain Lake, and Joyal Stream.
- To the east: Côte l'Enfer Stream and the Jacques-Cartier River.
- To the south: The Cavée River and the Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest.
- To the west: The rivière aux Écorces du Milieu.
Size and Features of the Lake
Rieutard Lake is about 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) long. It is also around 0.4 kilometres (0.25 mi) wide. The lake sits at an elevation of 808 metres (2,651 ft) above sea level.
The lake gets its water from several sources. Water flows in from a group of other lakes to the east. These include Mérillon, Dugas, de la Rocaille, Hardy, Joug, and Dan lakes. Five smaller streams also feed into Rieutard Lake. The lake itself has three small islands.
Where the Water Flows
The water from Rieutard Lake flows out from its southeast side. This water then enters the Cavée River.
From Rieutard Lake's exit point, the water travels a long way:
- It flows for about 30.3 kilometres (18.8 mi) south along the Cavée River.
- Then, it joins the rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest. It travels about 23.9 kilometres (14.9 mi) on this river, mostly west, then north.
- Next, it flows into the main Jacques-Cartier River. The water travels about 60.2 kilometres (37.4 mi) south on this river.
- Finally, near Donnacona, the water from Rieutard Lake merges with the Estuary of Saint Lawrence. This estuary eventually leads to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Story Behind the Name: Rieutard
The name "Rieutard" comes from a French family name. This name was common in France and also in Louisiana, USA.
Historical Connection
There's an interesting historical record about the name. In 1759, a surgeon named Jean-Baptiste Rieutord arrived in Quebec. He was from Grammont, France. He decided to settle in Canada, not knowing that the country would soon become part of England.
Jean-Baptiste Rieutord first settled in Baie Saint-Paul. There, he married a young Canadian woman named Pélagie Perron in 1758. Later, he moved to Château-Richer, where he raised his family.
Official Naming
The name "Lac Rieutard" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec. This commission is responsible for naming places in Quebec.
