Rivière à Matte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière à Matte |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| Regional County Municipality | Portneuf Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Neuville, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Forest stream Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures 130 units? 46°45′09″N 71°34′28″W / 46.75252°N 71.57448°W |
| River mouth | Saint Lawrence river Neuville 4 m 46°41′28″N 71°38′07″E / 46.69111°N 71.63528°E |
| Length | 12.5 km (7.8 mi) |
The Rivière à Matte (which means Matte's River in English) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the famous St. Lawrence River. This river is located in the town of Neuville, which is part of the Portneuf Regional County Municipality in the Capitale-Nationale region.
The area around the Matte River is mostly used for farming and forestry. The main road that follows the river is Route 365. Other smaller roads like 2nd Range Road, Gravel Road, and Lomer Road also help people get around.
Like many rivers in Quebec, the Matte River freezes over in winter. Usually, it's frozen from early December to late March. It's safe to walk or play on the ice from late December to early March. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons. More water flows in spring, usually in March or April, when the snow melts.
Where the Matte River Flows
The Matte River starts in a forest area in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures. This spot is very close to the border of Neuville. It's also north of the village of Saint-Nicolas.
The source of the river is about 6.1 kilometers (3.8 miles) north of Neuville's town center. It's also about 5.0 kilometers (3.1 miles) northwest of the St. Lawrence River.
From its start, the Matte River flows for about 12.5 kilometers (7.8 miles). It drops about 81 meters (266 feet) in height along its journey. Here's how it flows:
- First, it travels about 4.1 kilometers (2.5 miles) south. It curves to the west through the forest and crosses Lomer Road. It also passes a small, unnamed lake.
- Next, it flows about 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) south. It forms tiny streams in both forest and farm areas. It crosses Route 365 and then goes under the bridge for Highway 40.
- Then, it continues about 3.0 kilometers (1.9 miles) south through farmland. It reaches the Canadian Pacific train tracks.
- Finally, it flows about 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) south. It makes a loop to the west and goes through some rapids. It crosses Route 365 again, then makes another turn to the west. After crossing Route 138, it makes one more turn before reaching its end.
The Matte River meets the St. Lawrence River near Neuville. This meeting point is about 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles) northeast of where the Jacques-Cartier River joins the St. Lawrence. It's also about 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) southeast of the center of Pont-Rouge.
Why is it Called Rivière à Matte?
The name "Matte" comes from a French family name. The river is named after Nicolas Matte. He was born in France in 1636 and moved to New France (which is now Quebec) before 1666.
Nicolas Matte was counted in the first census of the colony in 1665-1666. He was 26 years old and lived in a place called Lordship of Notre-Dame-des-Anges. A few years later, in 1670, he moved to a new area. This area was called Dombourg, but it's known as Neuville today.
In Neuville, Nicolas Matte worked as a farmer. He started a large family with his wife, Madeleine Auvray. She was a "Daughter of the King," which means she was one of the young women sent from France to help build the colony. Nicolas Matte is known as the ancestor of all the Matte families in America.
The name "Rivière à Matte" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the group in Quebec that names places.
More to Explore
- Portneuf Regional County Municipality
- Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
- List of rivers of Quebec
