River Trenche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trenche River |
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Main tributaries of Saint-Maurice River
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| Native name | River La Trenche |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Quebec |
| Region | Mauricie |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 48°21′15″N 74°06′00″W / 48.35417°N 74.10000°W |
| River mouth | Saint-Maurice River 47°49′48″N 72°51′42″W / 47.83000°N 72.86167°W |
| Length | 150 km (93 mi) |
The Trenche River is a river in Quebec, Canada. People often call it “La Trenche” in French. It flows southwest through two big forest areas. These areas are Lac-Ashuapmushuan and La Tuque (urban agglomeration). The Trenche River is one of the five most important rivers that flow into the Saint-Maurice River.
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Where Does the Trenche River Flow?
The Trenche River flows between the Saint-Maurice River and the Croche River. It has many islands along its path. The river flows entirely through forest areas. Along the way, you can find many rapids and waterfalls.
Lakes Along the Trenche River
The river gets wider in different spots. This forms several lakes. Some of these lakes include Pegasus Lake, "à la Boîte" Lake, Lauzon Lake, "Du Chapeau" Lake, and Tourouvre Lake.
Where the River Ends
The Trenche River flows into the Saint-Maurice River. This happens near Rapide-Blanc. Its mouth, or end, flows into Tourouvre Lake. This lake is created by the Trenche Dam.
What Rivers Join the Trenche?
Several smaller rivers flow into the Trenche River. These are called tributaries.
- Little River Trenche West
- Trenche East River
- South River Trenche
- Rivière de la Tête à l'ours
- Rivière Raimbault
What Does "Trenche" Mean?
The name "Trenche" has an interesting history. In 1829, a person named Joseph Bouchette called this river "Ice Chisel." An "ice chisel" is a tool. It is used to make holes in ice.
Why Use an Ice Chisel?
People used ice chisels for many reasons. They could make holes for fishing. They also used them for trapping beavers. Another use was to cut ice blocks. These blocks would fill "coolers" or ice houses. This kept food cold during warm seasons. The ice was often stored between layers of sawdust. Cutting ice was usually done in the coldest part of winter. This happened on rivers near homes or villages. It was also used in remote forest areas.
How the Name Changed
Trappers, travelers, and hunters used the "Tranche" tool. They used it for themselves or traded it with Indigenous people. When the British first came to Canada, English traders called the tool "chisel" or "ice chisel." But French-speaking fur traders, known as "Courreurs de bois," used the French word "tranche." This word became more common for the tool.
In 1889, Father Napoleon Caron wrote about his trips on the Saint-Maurice River. He confirmed the spelling "rivière Tranche."
The name "River Trenche" was officially recorded on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec. This group is in charge of place names in Quebec.
