Rivière Pot au Beurre (île d'Orléans) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière Pot au Beurre |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| MRC | L'Île-d'Orléans Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Forested stream near a marsh area Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans 107 m (351 ft) 46°56′06″N 70°59′41″W / 46.93500°N 70.99472°W |
| River mouth | Chenal de l'Île d'Orléans (Saint Lawrence River) Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans 4 m (13 ft) 46°55′53″N 71°01′44″W / 46.93139°N 71.02889°W |
| Length | 3.5 km (2.2 mi) |
The Pot au Beurre River is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows through two towns: Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans and Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. These towns are part of the L'Île-d'Orléans Regional County Municipality. This area is in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec.
A road called Chemin Royale (Route 368) follows the river's lower part. This road runs along the northwest side of Île d'Orléans. In the upper part of the valley, people mostly work in forestry. In the middle and lower parts, farming is the main activity.
The river usually freezes over from early December to late March. However, it's safest to walk on the ice from mid-December to mid-March. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons. It gets higher in spring, usually in March or April, after the snow melts.
Where Does the River Start and End?
The Pot au Beurre River begins as a small stream in a forest. It starts near a marsh area in the southwest of Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. This starting point is about 4.9 kilometers (3 miles) southwest of the village center. It is also 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) west of the chenal de l'Île d'Orléans.
From its source, the river flows for about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles). It drops about 103 meters (338 feet) in height along its path.
- For the first 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles), it flows southwest. It mostly goes through a forest, running parallel to the Royal Road. Near the end of this part, it enters Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans.
- For the last 1.0 kilometer (0.6 miles), it turns northwest. Here, it flows through farmland and crosses Route 368. This part of the river forms the border between Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans and Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans.
The Pot au Beurre River eventually flows into the channel of Île d'Orléans. This channel is about 1.95 meters (6.4 feet) wide where the river joins it. At low tide, the sandy area stretches for about 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles). The river's mouth is directly across from the mouth of the Valin River in Château-Richer. This channel then connects to the larger Saint Lawrence River.
What's in a Name?
The name "Pot au Beurre River" first appeared on a map in 1722. This map showed the borders of the Sainte-Famille parish. The name "Pot au Beurre" was also used for another small river in Yamaska. That river also flows into the St. Lawrence River.
In the past, people used to keep food fresh by putting it in cold water. They would put containers of butter, cheese, meat, and milk into cool river pits or wells. This helped keep the food from spoiling. This is likely how the river got its unique name.
The name "Rivière Pot au Beurre" was officially recognized on August 8, 1977. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which names places in Quebec.
