Rivière des Sept Crans facts for kids

The Rivière des Sept Crans is a small river in Quebec, Canada. Its name means "river of the seven escarpments" in English. It flows into the Rivière aux Chiens. This river is located on the north side of the famous Saint Lawrence River.

The Rivière des Sept Crans flows through a few different areas. These include the wild lands of Lac-Jacques-Cartier. It also passes through the towns of Beaupré and Château-Richer. These places are all part of the La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality. This region is known as Capitale-Nationale.

The valley where the river flows is mostly used for forestry. This means cutting down trees for wood. Some tourism also happens here. The river usually freezes over from early December to late March. 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.

Where the River Starts

The Rivière des Sept Crans begins high up in the mountains. It starts where two small streams meet. This area is behind the Côte-de-Beaupré. It is also northwest of Mont Sainte-Anne. This starting point is in the unorganized territory of Lac-Jacques-Cartier.

Key Starting Points

The river's source is located near other important rivers:

• It is about 3.0 kilometres (1.9 mi) southwest of where the Rivière aux Chiens begins.
• It is also about 3.0 kilometres (1.9 mi) southeast of the Smith River.
• The source of the rivière du Sault à la Puce is about 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi) to the east.
• The mouth of the Sept Crans river is about 7.1 kilometres (4.4 mi) to the northwest.

The River's Journey

From its source, the Rivière des Sept Crans flows for about 10.2 kilometres (6.3 mi). During this journey, the river drops about 255 metres (837 ft) in elevation. This creates many rapids along its path.

First Section of the River

For the first 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi), the river flows southeast. It collects water from five smaller streams coming from the west. Towards the end of this section, it goes through a series of rapids. It then reaches where another stream joins it from the north.

Middle Sections of the River

The river continues for 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) towards the southeast. It crosses two more sets of rapids. Then, another stream joins it from the west. After this, it flows for 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) further southeast. This part of the valley is quite deep. The river goes through many more rapids here. Another part of the Sept Crans river joins it from the northwest.

Final Stretch to the Mouth

For its last 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi), the river stays in a deep valley. It flows southeast and passes through three more areas of rapids. Finally, it reaches its mouth.

Where the River Ends

The Rivière des Sept Crans flows into the west bank of the Rivière aux Chiens. This happens in the town of Beaupré. This meeting point is about 5.1 kilometres (3.2 mi) northwest of the Saint Lawrence River. It is also about 6.1 kilometres (3.8 mi) west of the center of Beaupré town.

After the Sept Crans river joins it, the Rivière aux Chiens flows for about 8.3 kilometres (5.2 mi). It generally moves southward until it reaches the northwest bank of the Saint Lawrence River.

Why the Name "Sept Crans"?

The name "Rivière des Sept Crans" means "river of the seven escarpments." An escarpment is a long, steep slope or cliff. The river got its name because there are seven noticeable cliffs or rocky areas along its banks. These features make the river's landscape unique.

The official name "Rivière des Sept Crans" was made formal on February 4, 1982. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec. This group is in charge of naming places in Quebec.