Rivière à l'Ours (Ashuapmushuan River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière à l'Ours |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean |
| MRC | Le Domaine-du-Roy |
| TNO or Municipality | Lac-Ashuapmushuan, Sainte-Hedwidge et Saint-Prime |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lac à l'Ours Lac-Ashuapmushuan 416 m (1,365 ft) 48°26′40″N 72°37′09″W / 48.44444°N 72.61917°W |
| River mouth | Ashuapmushuan River Saint-Prime 101 m (331 ft) 48°38′48″N 72°23′26″W / 48.64667°N 72.39056°W |
| Length | 55 km (34 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Ashuapmushuan River, Lac Saint-Jean, Saguenay River |
| Tributaries |
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The Rivière à l'Ours (which means 'Bear River' in French) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Ashuapmushuan River. This river passes through areas like Lac-Ashuapmushuan, Saint-Félicien, and Saint-Prime. It's located in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
Forest roads help people access the upper parts of the river valley. The main activities here are forestry (cutting trees) and fun outdoor tourism in the Zec de la Lièvre area. Closer to the end of the river, farming is important.
The river usually freezes from early December to late March. However, it's safest to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.
River's Journey
The Bear River starts at Bear Lake. This lake is 2.4 km (1.5 mi) long and sits 416 m (1,365 ft) high up in the mountains. Many smaller lakes and streams feed into Bear Lake.
The mouth of Bear Lake is located:
- 26.1 km (16.2 mi) south of Saint-Félicien.
- 26.7 km (16.6 mi) south-west of Saint-Prime.
- 28.1 km (17.5 mi) southwest of where the Bear River ends.
From Bear Lake, the Rivière à l'Ours flows for about 55 km (34 mi). It drops 315 m (1,033 ft) in height along its path. The river first goes through forests, then through farming areas closer to its end.
River Flow Details
- The first 2.9 km (1.8 mi) of the river flows east. It goes through Little Bear Lake and another small lake. It also picks up water from Squatter Lake.
- For the next 28.7 km (17.8 mi), the river heads north. It winds and turns, picking up water from other streams and lakes like Miroir Lake. It even flows through parts of Saint-Prime and Saint-Félicien.
- The river then flows east for 7.4 km (4.6 mi). It curves north and meets the Ovide River. At this point, the river forms the border between Saint-Félicien (north side) and Saint-Prime (south side).
- For 12.3 km (7.6 mi), the river goes north, winding through four areas with rapids. It then turns northeast and finally north, meeting the Petite rivière à l'Ours.
- The river continues northeast for 1.4 km (0.87 mi), making a loop before joining the rivière du Castor.
- Finally, for 2.3 km (1.4 mi), the river flows northeast. It crosses the 3rd range road, winds, and then turns north. It crosses the main street (Route 169) of Saint-Prime and a railway before reaching its mouth.
Where the River Ends
The Bear River flows into the Ashuapmushuan River. This meeting point is just past a piece of land that sticks out into the Ashuapmushuan River. After the Bear River joins, the Ashuapmushuan River flows around three islands.
This meeting point is located:
- 4.0 km (2.5 mi) northeast of downtown Saint-Félicien.
- 7.4 km (4.6 mi) north-west of downtown Saint-Prime.
- 5.8 km (3.6 mi) north-west of the mouth of the Ashuapmushuan River.
- 56.3 km (35.0 mi) west of downtown Alma.
From here, the water travels down the Ashuapmushuan River for 7.3 km (4.5 mi). Then, it crosses Lac Saint-Jean for its entire length (41.1 km (25.5 mi)). After that, the water enters the Saguenay River and flows for 172.3 km (107.1 mi) east to Tadoussac. At Tadoussac, the Saguenay River joins the huge Estuary of Saint Lawrence.
River's Name
The name "rivière à l'Ours" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.
