Rivière de la Roche Plate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière de la Roche Plate |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| Regional County Municipality | Portneuf Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Saint-Raymond |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lac du Partage Saint-Raymond 647 m (2,123 ft) 47°06′17″N 71°47′46″E / 47.10468°N 71.79607°E |
| River mouth | Bras du Nord Saint-Raymond 190 m (620 ft) 47°02′17″N 71°51′14″E / 47.03806°N 71.85389°E |
| Length | 9.7 km (6.0 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Rivière de la Roche Plate (which means "flat rock river" in English) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Bras du Nord. This river is located in the municipality of Saint-Raymond, within the Portneuf Regional County Municipality. The upper part of the river runs through the western area of the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve.
The main road that follows the lower part of the Roche Plate river valley is called rang Saguenay. This road goes north, then turns west. It serves the north shore of the Bras du Nord river, including a small village called Pine Lake. Another smaller forest road also runs along this valley.
The most important activity in this area is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. Tourism and outdoor activities are also popular.
The surface of the Roche Plate River usually freezes from early December to late March. However, it's generally safe to walk or travel on the ice from late December to early March. The river's water level changes with the seasons and how much rain or snow falls. The biggest flood, called the spring flood, happens in March or April.
Where is the Roche Plate River?
The Roche Plate River is surrounded by other rivers and areas. Here are its neighbors:
- North side: The Neilson River, Couat Lake, Couat Creek, and the Talayarde River.
- East side: The Talayarde River.
- South side: The Bras du Nord.
- West side: The Bras du Nord and the Neilson River.
The River's Journey
The Roche Plate River starts from a small forest lake that hasn't been officially named. This lake is about 0.23 kilometres (0.14 mi) long and sits 647 metres (2,123 ft) high. The lake's outlet is about 8.6 kilometres (5.3 mi) north of where the Roche Plate River ends. It's also 24.6 kilometres (15.3 mi) north of the mouth of the Bras du Nord. The mouth of the Sainte-Anne River is 68.8 kilometres (42.8 mi) further north.
The Roche Plate River flows for about 9.7 kilometres (6.0 mi) towards the southwest. It flows mostly straight through the municipality of Saint-Raymond. The river drops about 457 metres (1,499 ft) from its source to its mouth. It flows entirely through a small valley in a forest.
Here's how the river flows:
- It travels 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) south, passing through a small unnamed lake. Then it crosses a flat lake (at 623 metres (2,044 ft) altitude) for 0.3 kilometres (0.19 mi). This part ends at the outlet of Lac Bédard and Petit lac Bédard.
- Next, it flows 4.3 kilometres (2.7 mi) south, dropping 380 metres (1,250 ft) down the mountain. This section ends where a stream joins it from the west.
- Finally, it flows 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) south through a small valley until it reaches its mouth.
The river joins the Bras du Nord upstream of a bend. This meeting point is about 3.4 kilometres (2.1 mi) upstream from the small village of Pine Lake.
From this meeting point, the water flows south along the Bras du Nord for 28.1 kilometres (17.5 mi). Then, it follows the Sainte-Anne River for about 76 kilometres (47 mi) towards the southwest. Eventually, it reaches the northwest bank of the St. Lawrence River.
What's in a Name?
The name "Rivière de la Roche Plate" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special committee that names places in Quebec.
