Rivière Jacques-Cartier Sud facts for kids
The Jacques-Cartier South River is a beautiful waterway in Quebec, Canada. It's a smaller river that flows into the Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest. This river is found in a special area called Lac-Jacques-Cartier. This area is part of the La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality in the Capitale-Nationale region.
A big part of this river flows through the amazing Jacques-Cartier National Park. The river starts from a lake called Petit lac Jacques-Cartier. People in this area mostly work in forestry, which means managing forests and cutting trees for wood. Recreational tourism, like visiting for fun activities, is also very popular.
During winter, from early December to late March, most of the river freezes over. It's usually safe to walk or play on the ice from late December to early March, but always be careful!
Quick facts for kids Rivière Jacques-Cartier Sud |
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| Regional County Municipality | La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality |
| Unorganized territory | Lac-Jacques-Cartier |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Petit lac Jacques-Cartier Lac-Jacques-Cartier 674 m (2,211 ft) 47°24′40″N 71°30′46″W / 47.41119°N 71.51265°W |
| River mouth | Jacques-Cartier River Lac-Jacques-Cartier 650 m (2,130 ft) 47°24′26″N 71°31′48″W / 47.40722°N 71.53°W |
| Length | 6.5 km (4.0 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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Contents
Discovering the Jacques-Cartier South River
Where the River Begins and Flows
The Jacques-Cartier South River starts its journey from Petit lac Jacques-Cartier. This lake is about 3.9 kilometers (2.4 miles) long and sits high up at 674 meters (2,211 feet) above sea level. It's located in the Lac-Jacques-Cartier territory.
From a small dam at the end of Petit lac Jacques-Cartier, the river flows for about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles). During its journey, the river drops about 24 meters (79 feet) in height.
- The first part of the river flows north for 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles). It makes a curve towards the east and collects water from Lac de l'Écuyer.
- Then, it continues flowing north for another 4.0 kilometers (2.5 miles) until it reaches its mouth.
The Jacques-Cartier South River eventually joins the Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest. From there, the water travels further, eventually reaching the mighty Saint-Laurent river.
Neighboring Waterways and Natural Surroundings
The Jacques-Cartier South River is surrounded by other important bodies of water. These are part of its watershed, which is the area of land where all the water drains into this river or its connected rivers.
- To the north: You'll find the Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest and Charles-Savary lake.
- To the east: More of the Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest, the main Jacques-Cartier River, and the Rocheuse River.
- To the south: Petit lac Jacques-Cartier, Lac Gregory, the Tourilli River, and the Rivière Sainte-Anne.
- To the west: Again, the Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest.
The Story Behind the Name: Jacques Cartier
Who Was Jacques Cartier?
The river is named after a famous explorer, Jacques Cartier. He was born in Saint-Malo, France, in 1491 and passed away in 1557. Jacques Cartier made three important trips to Canada between 1534 and 1542.
In 1534, King François I of France sent him on an adventure to the New World. His main goals were to find gold and discover a new passage to Asia. During this trip, he explored Anticosti Island and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He also placed a cross in Gaspé Bay, claiming the land for France.
On his second trip in 1535, Cartier sailed up the Saint Lawrence River all the way to a place called Hochelaga (which is now Montreal). He also spent a tough winter in Stadaconé (now Quebec City).
His final journey in 1541 was to help set up the first French settlement in America. He chose a spot at the mouth of the Cap-Rouge river, naming it Charlesbourg-Royal. Cartier left the settlement in June 1542. He later realized that the "gold" and "diamonds" he had found were actually just common minerals: iron pyrite (often called "fool's gold") and quartz.
Jacques Cartier was the first person to map the Saint Lawrence River. His explorations were very important for understanding the geography of Canada.
When the River Got Its Name
The name "rivière Jacques-Cartier Sud" was officially recognized on September 28, 2007. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the official body for naming places in Quebec.
Related Pages
- Jacques-Cartier National Park
- Lac-Jacques-Cartier, an unorganized territory
- La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality
- Capitale-Nationale, an administrative region
- Rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest
- Jacques-Cartier River
- Petit lac Jacques-Cartier
- List of rivers of Quebec
