Rivière aux Rognons facts for kids

The Rivière aux Rognons (which means Kidneys River in English) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Jeannotte River. This river runs through the areas of Lac-Édouard and La Tuque. It is located in the Mauricie region of Quebec.

The Rivière aux Rognons flows between two larger rivers: the Batiscan River to its east and the Saint-Maurice River to its west. It is part of the larger Batiscan River system, which eventually flows into the Saint Lawrence River. The river flows through a forest area. It is almost like an island because Lake Édouard (Quebec) has two outlets, creating a natural boundary. This "island" is surrounded by the Batiscan River, the Jeannotte River, and Lake Édouard. The river usually freezes over from mid-December until the end of March. For a long time, since the mid-1800s, logging and forestry have been the main activities in the area around the Rivière aux Rognons.

Where the Rivière aux Rognons Starts and Flows

The Rivière aux Rognons begins in a forest. Its source is a lake called Lac Chevautier. This lake is about 0.7 kilometres (0.43 mi) long and sits at an altitude of 374 metres (1,227 ft). Lac Chevautier is located west of the Sanford train stop. It is also found between two mountains. One mountain reaches 472 metres (1,549 ft) high, and the other is 456 metres (1,496 ft) high.

The start of the river is:

• 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) west of the Batiscan River.
• 19.1 kilometres (11.9 mi) south of the village of Lac-Édouard.
• 43.1 kilometres (26.8 mi) east of downtown La Tuque.

The Rivière aux Rognons flows for about 24.6 kilometres (15.3 mi). Here's how its journey goes:

Upper Part of the River

The first part of the river is about 9.6 kilometres (6.0 mi) long.

• It flows 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi) south through Lake Marteau. This lake is 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) long and is 367 metres (1,204 ft) above sea level.
• Then, it flows 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) south through Lac au Coeur. This lake is 0.6 kilometres (0.37 mi) long and is 364 metres (1,194 ft) high.
• Finally, it flows 5.1 kilometres (3.2 mi) south through "Lac aux Rognons." This lake is 9.2 kilometres (5.7 mi) long and is 362 metres (1,188 ft) high. There is a dam at the end of this lake.

Lower Part of the River

The second part of the river is about 15.0 kilometres (9.3 mi) long.

• It flows 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) southwest into a bay on the north shore of Lac Laurier.
• It then flows 6.2 kilometres (3.9 mi) south through Lac Laurier. This lake is 6.3 kilometres (3.9 mi) long and is 341 metres (1,119 ft) high. There is another dam at its end.
• Next, it flows 3.0 kilometres (1.9 mi) southwest through Caribou Lake. This lake is 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) long and is 323 metres (1,060 ft) high. It has a dam at its southern end.
• It continues 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) south through Lake Béliveau. This lake is 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) long and is 321 metres (1,053 ft) high. Water from Vallée and Maynard lakes flows into Lake Béliveau from the east.
• The river then winds for 2.9 kilometres (1.8 mi) (or 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) in a straight line) southwest until it joins the Jeannotte River.

The Rivière aux Rognons joins the Jeannotte River in La Tuque. This meeting point is 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) upstream from the northern edge of the Portneuf Wildlife Reserve.

The place where the Rivière aux Rognons meets the Jeannotte River is:

• 6.0 kilometres (3.7 mi) northwest of where the Jeannotte River itself joins another river.
• 40.3 kilometres (25.0 mi) south of the center of Lac-Édouard village.
• 38.4 kilometres (23.9 mi) southeast of the city center of La Tuque.

What's in a Name?

The name "Rognon" is a French family name. The word "rognon" itself means "kidneys" (like an animal's kidneys). The name "Rivière aux Rognons" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization in charge of place names in Quebec.