Rivière des Aulnaies (la Belle Rivière) facts for kids

The Rivière des Aulnaies is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into La Belle Rivière. This river is located in the town of Hébertville, which is part of the Lac-Saint-Jean-Est Regional County Municipality in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Roads like Quebec Route 169 help people get around the river's valley. These roads are important for farming, logging, and for the people who live there. Farming is the main activity in this area.

The river usually freezes over from early December to late March. It's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.

River's Path and Location

The Rivière des Aulnaies is surrounded by other important bodies of water. Knowing these helps us understand where the river fits in.

Nearby Rivers and Lakes

• North: La Belle Rivière, Boivin-Tremblay brook, Bédard River, Petite rivière Bédard, Rouge brook, la Petite Décharge, Saguenay River.
• East: Kénogamichiche Lake, Pont Flottant stream, Kenogami Lake, Cascouia River, Pikauba River.
• South: Vert Lake, La Belle Rivière, Lac de la Belle Rivière, Métabetchouane River, Rivière aux Canots, Rivière aux Écorces.
• West: Large Sec lake, La Belle Rivière, Métabetchouane River, Vouzier stream, Couchepaganiche River, Lac Saint-Jean.

Where the River Starts

The Rivière des Aulnaies begins at Kénogamichiche Lake in Hébertville. This lake is about 6.8 kilometers (4.2 miles) long and sits at an elevation of 142 meters (466 feet).

The river's starting point is:

• 0.26 kilometers (0.16 miles) north of Vert Lake.
• 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) northeast of Quebec Route 169.
• 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) southeast of the center of Hébertville village.
• 5.1 kilometers (3.2 miles) south of where the Rivière des Aulnaies joins La Belle Rivière.

How the River Flows

From its start, the Rivière des Aulnaies flows for 5.9 kilometers (3.7 miles). It drops about 19 meters (62 feet) in elevation along its path. The river flows through both farmland and the village area.

Its journey includes:

• Flowing 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) northwest.
• Then, it turns west for 3.3 kilometers (2.1 miles), passing through the village of Hébertville. It then bends northwest until it reaches its end.

Where the River Ends

The Rivière des Aulnaies flows into La Belle Rivière on its east bank. This meeting point is in a place called Village-de-la-Chute.

This spot is located:

• 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles) northwest of the center of Hébertville village.
• 8.3 kilometers (5.2 miles) southeast of where La Belle Rivière meets Lac Saint-Jean.
• 15.1 kilometers (9.4 miles) south of downtown Alma.

From the mouth of the Rivière des Aulnaies, the water travels down La Belle Rivière for 6.1 kilometers (3.8 miles). Then, it crosses the eastern part of Lac Saint-Jean for 15.4 kilometers (9.6 miles). Finally, it joins the Saguenay River via la Petite Décharge for 172.3 kilometers (107.1 miles) until it reaches Tadoussac. There, it flows into the Saint Lawrence estuary.

River's Name

The name "Rivière des Aulnaies" 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.

Related Information

• Lac-Saint-Jean-Est Regional County Municipality
• Hébertville, a town
• Kénogamichiche Lake
• Vert Lake
• La Belle Rivière, another river
• Lac Saint-Jean, a large lake
• Saguenay River, a major river
• List of rivers of Quebec