Rivière aux Canots (Métabetchouane River tributary) facts for kids

The Rivière aux Canots is a cool river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Métabetchouane River. This river runs through a special area called Belle-Rivière. It's part of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. The top part of the river even goes through the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve.

The river's surface usually freezes from late November to early April. But it's safest to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to late March.

Exploring the River's Path

The Rivière aux Canots is surrounded by other rivers and lakes. Here are some of its neighbors:

• North side: The Métabetchouane River and La Belle Rivière (Lac Saint-Jean).
• East side: Gendreau stream and the Pika River.
• South side: Huard lake and the Métabetchouane River.
• West side: The Métabetchouane River again, plus the Bruyante River.

Where the River Starts

The Rivière aux Canots begins at a lake called Lac Staffieri. This lake is about 0.9 kilometers long. It sits at an elevation of 435 meters (about 1,427 feet) above sea level. The lake has a unique U-shape because of a small "island" almost touching its north shore.

The River's Journey

From Lac Staffieri, the Rivière aux Canots flows for 27.3 kilometers (about 17 miles). As it travels, it drops about 105 meters (344 feet) in height. Here's how its journey unfolds:

• It flows north for 4.6 kilometers, making three turns to the east. It then meets the Gendreau stream.
• Next, it goes northwest for 2.4 kilometers. Here, water from "Lac des Massettes" joins it.
• It continues northwest, then west, for 5.5 kilometers. It winds around a lot! Water from lakes Hogue, Glun, Castagnet, and Gingras flows into it here.
• For 2.9 kilometers, it snakes north. Water from "Lac Sous-le-Vent" adds to its flow.
• It then heads northwest for 3.0 kilometers, making a small turn south first. Water from Morainique lake joins it.
• Finally, it flows northwest for 8.9 kilometers, winding quite a bit at the end. This is where it reaches its mouth on the east bank of the Métabetchouane River.

Flowing to the Ocean

Once the Rivière aux Canots joins the Métabetchouane River, the water keeps moving! It flows north for 38.3 kilometers until it reaches the south shore of Lac Saint-Jean. From there, the water crosses Lac Saint-Jean for 22.8 kilometers to the northeast. Then, it enters the Saguenay River through La Petite Décharge. The Saguenay River carries the water for a long 172.3 kilometers until it reaches Tadoussac. At Tadoussac, the water finally mixes with the huge Saint Lawrence estuary, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean!

What's in a Name?

The name "Rivière aux Canots" means "Canoe River." This name likely comes from how people used canoes on this river a long time ago. It tells us that the river was important for travel and transport.

The name "Rivière aux Canots" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This happened at the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special office that keeps track of all the names of places in Quebec.

More to Explore

Here are some other interesting places and topics related to the Rivière aux Canots:

• Belle-Rivière: The unorganized territory where the river flows.
• Laurentides Wildlife Reserve: A large protected area the river passes through.
• Métabetchouane River: The river that the Rivière aux Canots flows into.
• Lac Saint-Jean: A large lake that the Métabetchouane River flows into.
• Saguenay River: A major river that connects Lac Saint-Jean to the St. Lawrence.
• St. Lawrence River: One of the largest rivers in North America.
• List of rivers of Quebec: A list of many other rivers in Quebec.