Rivière aux Outardes (North Shore) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Outardes River |
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Drainage basin in yellow
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| Other name(s) | Rivière aux Outardes |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Unnamed wilderness, about 20 km (12 mi) south of the Otish Mts. Mont-Valin 52°04′22″N 70°33′30″W / 52.07278°N 70.55833°W |
| River mouth | Saint Lawrence River Pointe-aux-Outardes 0 m (0 ft) 49°03′43″N 68°27′58″W / 49.06194°N 68.46611°W |
| Length | 499 km (310 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 19,000 km2 (7,300 sq mi) |
The Outardes River (also known as Rivière aux Outardes) is a long river located in Quebec, Canada. It starts in the Otish Mountains and flows south for its entire journey. Along the way, it passes through Lake Plétipi and Burnt Islands Lake. The river also widens to form the large Outardes 4 Reservoir, which is a big lake created by a dam. Finally, the Outardes River empties into Outardes Bay, which is part of the mighty Saint Lawrence River. This meeting point is about 20 kilometers (12 mi) southwest of the town of Baie-Comeau.
Contents
What is the Outardes River Like?
At the end of its journey, where the Outardes River meets the Saint Lawrence River, the water becomes very wide but also quite shallow. This is because of a sandbar, which is a ridge of sand under the water.
Islands in Outardes Bay
Outardes Bay has several islands. Two of the most interesting islands are:
- White Island (île Blanche): This island is a rock made of white granite, standing about 23 meters (75 ft) tall.
- Mine Island (île de la Mine): This is a bare, red rock that reaches about 15 meters (49 ft) high.
How Did the Outardes River Get Its Name?
The Outardes River has had a few different names over time.
Early Names of the River
- In 1544, an explorer named Jean Alfonse first called it the Cane or Caen River.
- Later, in 1744 and 1764, maps by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin showed the name riviere aux Outardes. This name then became commonly used.
What Does "Outardes" Mean?
- In the late 1700s and early 1800s, English maps called it "Bustard River." This was a translation of an old French word, bistarde or oustarde.
- Today, outardes is the word in Canadian French for Canada geese. So, the river is named after these birds!
- The local Innu people had their own names for the river, such as Pirebistibit or Piletipîstuk Shipu. These names mean "partridge river."
What Rivers Flow Into the Outardes River?
The Outardes River has several important smaller rivers that flow into it. These are called tributaries. Some of the main ones include:
- Silver River (Rivière à l'argent)
- Villéon River
- Long Wood River (Rivière du Bois Long)
- Matonipi River
How is the Outardes River Used for Power?
The Outardes River is very important for making electricity. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was developed as part of a big project called the Manic-Outardes Project. This project built dams and power plants to create hydro-electric power.
Hydro-Electric Power Plants
There are three main power plants on the Outardes River:
- Outardes-2: This plant is located near the mouth of the river, close to Chute-aux-Outardes.
- Outardes-3
- Outardes-4
These power plants use the force of the flowing water to spin turbines and generate clean electricity for homes and businesses.
See also
- In Spanish: Río Outardes para niños
