Rivière du Sud (Richelieu River tributary) facts for kids

The Rivière du Sud (which means River of the South in English) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Richelieu River. This river passes through several towns like Saint-Alexandre and Henryville.

The area around the river is mostly used for farming. This makes agriculture the most important activity in the valley. In the lower parts of the river, forestry (growing and cutting trees) is also important.

During winter, the river usually freezes over. You can often walk or play on the ice from late December to early March. The amount of water in the river changes throughout the year. It depends on the season and how much rain or snow falls.

Where is the Rivière du Sud Located?

The Rivière du Sud is surrounded by other important water bodies.

• To the north, you'll find the Rivière des Hurons.
• To the east is the Yamaska River.
• To the south, it's near Lake Champlain and Missisquoi Bay.
• To the west, it's close to the Richelieu River.

The Rivière du Sud starts where two smaller streams, Méthé and Martel, meet. This starting point is in a farming area. It's about 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) south of the village of Saint-Alexandre. This village is located south of Mont Saint-Grégoire.

The River's Journey

The Rivière du Sud flows for about 10.8 kilometers (6.7 miles) southwest. It goes through farming areas, passing east of Henryville. Then, it flows for another 3.4 kilometers (2.1 miles) southwest through marshy areas. Here, it meets the Boue stream. In this part, the river actually splits into two paths that run side-by-side.

Finally, the Rivière du Sud flows 5.4 kilometers (3.4 miles) north. It goes through more marshy areas and under the Métier bridge (which is Route 225). It then reaches the eastern bank of the Richelieu River. This meeting point forms a piece of land called "Pointe du Gouvernement."

The end of the Rivière du Sud is near Île aux Noix. It's about 16.7 kilometers (10.4 miles) downstream from the Jean-Jacques-Bertrand bridge in Lacolle. It's also 26.7 kilometers (16.6 miles) downstream from the border between Canada and the United States.

A Look at the River's Past

The Rivière du Sud has some interesting history.

Early Roads and Ferries

In 1845, a road from Henryville was extended to the Richelieu River. At "Pointe du Gouvernement," a ferry would take people across the Richelieu River to Saint-Paul. This part of the road was later no longer used.

Military Importance

Between 1759 and 1760, during a time of conflict, French soldiers built small forts called blockhouses. One was built to protect Île aux Noix from English troops coming from the south. Another was set up at "Pointe du Gouvernement." The French feared that English troops might use the Rivière du Sud to get around their defenses and reach Missisquoi Bay and Lake Champlain. When English troops got close, both blockhouses were abandoned. This shows that the river was very important for military strategy.

Joseph Bouchette, a surveyor in Lower Canada, wrote about the river in 1815. He noted that it was "navigable for boats and canoes for about six miles." This means small boats could travel on it for a good distance.

Why is it Called "Rivière du Sud"?

The name "Rivière du Sud" (River of the South) has a simple origin. The first settlers in this area came from Cap-Saint-Ignace. In that region, there is also a river called "Rivière du Sud." It is believed that these settlers simply used the same name for this new river.

The name "Rivière du Sud" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is in charge of place names in Quebec.