Rivière des Trois Pointes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière des Trois Pointes |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Côte-Nord |
| MRC | Manicouagan Regional County Municipality |
| Unorganized territory | Rivière-aux-Outardes |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Marois lake Rivière-aux-Outardes 258 m (846 ft) 49°25′23″N 68°12′17″W / 49.42306°N 68.20472°W |
| River mouth | Rivière aux Anglais Rivière-aux-Outardes 63 m (207 ft) 49°30′35″N 68°14′07″W / 49.50972°N 68.23528°W |
| Length | 11.9 km (7.4 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Rivière aux Anglais, Baie des Anglais |
| Tributaries |
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The Rivière des Trois Pointes (which means "River of Three Points") is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the rivière aux Anglais (English River). This river is located in a wild area called Rivière-aux-Outardes. This area is part of the Manicouagan Regional County Municipality in the Côte-Nord region.
The valley around the Trois Pointes River is mostly reached by following the path of the English River. During winter, the river usually freezes over from early December to late March. However, it's safest to walk or travel on the ice from mid-December to mid-March.
Contents
Journey of the Trois Pointes River
The Trois Pointes River starts its journey in the Canadian Shield. It begins at a small, unnamed lake high up in the forest. This lake is about 0.24 kilometers long and sits at an altitude of 441 meters.
Where the River Begins
The starting point of the river is about 9 kilometers northeast of where the Françoise River meets the English River. It's also close to Lake Franquelin. From its source, the Trois Pointes River flows for about 11.9 kilometers. It drops 195 meters in elevation as it travels through the forest.
River's Path and Lakes
The river's journey can be divided into several parts:
- First, it flows east for 1 kilometer, widening into a lake. Then, it turns southeast for 1.6 kilometers to a bend. Here, water from two other lakes joins it from the west.
- Next, it flows southeast in a straight line for 3.9 kilometers. It crosses all the way through Lake Picard, which is 1.9 kilometers long and sits at 197 meters altitude.
- After that, it travels southeast into a deep valley. Water from Lac du Serpent joins it from the north. The river then flows south, briefly crossing a small bay of Lac des Chutes. This lake is 0.7 kilometers long and is at an altitude of 161 meters.
- Finally, it flows south for 3.0 kilometers, rolling down the mountain. It then turns east, collecting water from another stream. It crosses Lac des Trois Pointes for 0.8 kilometers. This lake is 1.3 kilometers long and is at 71 meters altitude.
Where the River Ends
The Trois Pointes River eventually flows into the north bank of Lac La Chesnaye. The English River also flows through Lac La Chesnaye. The meeting point of the Trois Pointes River and Lac La Chesnaye is about 2.6 kilometers from the mouth of Lac La Chesnaye. This is because the river has to go around a peninsula that stretches 0.85 kilometers to the south. From Lac La Chesnaye, the water then flows down the English River for 11.2 kilometers. It finally reaches Baie des Anglais, which is on the northern shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
Why the Name "Three Points"?
The names "Rivière des Trois Pointes" (River of Three Points) and "Lac des Trois Pointes" (Lake of Three Points) come from a special feature of the lake. This lake has three distinct bays, and each of these bays ends in a point, giving the river and lake their unique names.
The name "Trois Pointes River" was officially recognized on August 2, 1974. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization in charge of place names in Quebec.
