Rivière du Moulin (Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île d'Orléans) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière du Moulin |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| MRC | L'Île-d'Orléans Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Agricultural and forestry stream Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans 107 m (351 ft) 46°52′43″N 71°01′44″W / 46.87861°N 71.02889°W |
| River mouth | Chenal des Grands Voiliers (Saint Lawrence River) Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans 4 m (13 ft) 46°52′39″N 70°58′38″W / 46.87750°N 70.97722°W |
| Length | 5.8 km (3.6 mi) |
The Rivière du Moulin (which means River of the Mill in English) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows through the town of Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. This town is part of the L'Île-d'Orléans Regional County Municipality.
A road called Chemin Royale (also known as route 368) follows the lower part of the river's valley. This road runs along the southeast shore of Île d'Orléans. Most of the land around the river is used for farming.
The river's surface usually freezes from early December until late March. It's generally safe to walk on the ice from mid-December to mid-March. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons and how much rain falls. The biggest flood usually happens in March or April.
Where Does the River Start and End?
The Moulin river begins where the forest meets farmland in Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. This starting point is about 107 meters (351 feet) above sea level. It's located on the northwest side of a place called Coast at Gobeil.
From its source, the river flows for about 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles). It drops about 103 meters (338 feet) in height along its journey.
The River's Journey
- For the first 4.1 kilometers (2.5 miles), the river flows towards the northeast. It starts in a forest area, then moves into farmland. It even crosses a golf course! Along this part, it meets another small stream.
- For the next 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles), the river turns southeast and then east. It flows down a hill and through the village of Saint-Laurent-d'Orléans.
The Moulin river finally empties into the Anse de l'Église (Church Cove). This cove is on the northwest bank of the Chenal des Grands Voiliers. The Chenal des Grands Voiliers is a channel of the big Saint Lawrence River.
At low tide, the sandy area near the river's mouth is about 0.24 kilometers (0.15 miles) wide. The Chenal des Grands Voiliers itself is about 2.95 meters (9.7 feet) wide here. There is also a marina built on a point of land on the east side of the cove.
Why is it Called "River of the Mill"?
The name "Rivière du Moulin" comes from an old mill. It is believed that a mill was built along the lower part of this river way back in the 1600s.
The official name "Rivière du Moulin" was made formal on February 11, 1971. This was done by the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special group that names places in Quebec.
