Rivière aux Outardes (Saguenay River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière aux Outardes |
|
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Anderson River |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean |
| MRC | Le Fjord-du-Saguenay Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Xavier Lac-Croche, Capitale-Nationale 232 units? 48°30′39″N 70°50′58″W / 48.51084°N 70.84939°W |
| River mouth | Saguenay River Saint-Fulgence, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean 4 m (13 ft) 48°27′16″N 70°55′10″W / 48.45444°N 70.91944°W |
| Length | 8.3 km (5.2 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Rivière aux Outardes (which means Bustard River in English) is a smaller river that flows into the Saguenay River. It is located in the town of Saint-Fulgence, in the Le Fjord-du-Saguenay Regional County Municipality, within the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area of Quebec, Canada.
A main road, Route 172, crosses the Outardes River right where it meets the Saguenay River. Another road, Chemin du rang Saint-Louis, runs along the west side of the river.
The main job in this area is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. Recreational tourism, like visiting for fun activities, is the second most important activity.
The river's surface usually freezes over from late November until early April. However, it's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-December to the end of March.
Contents
Where is the Rivière aux Outardes?
The Rivière aux Outardes is surrounded by other rivers and bodies of water. Knowing these helps us understand its location.
Nearby Rivers and Waterways
- To the north, you'll find the Valin River and the Saint-Louis River.
- To the east are the Rivière aux Foins and the large Sainte-Marguerite River.
- The huge Saguenay River is to the south.
- To the west, there's the Loutre River, more of the Valin River, the Caribou River, and the Shipshaw River.
Where the River Starts
The Rivière aux Outardes begins at a place called Lake Xavier. This lake is about 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and sits at an elevation of 232 metres (761 ft) above sea level. Lake Xavier is located about 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) south of a smaller river called Le Petit Bras.
How the River Flows
From Lake Xavier, the Outardes River flows for about 8.3 kilometres (5.2 mi). Here's how its journey goes:
- For the first 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi), it travels southwest through a deep valley. It passes through Lake Travers for about 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) and also collects water from Bedeau Lake.
- Next, it flows southwest for 2.0 kilometres (1.2 mi) until it reaches a road called chemin du rang Sainte-Marie.
- Then, it continues southwest for 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi) through another deep valley, meeting a small stream coming from the north.
- Finally, it flows south for 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) in a deep valley until it reaches its end.
Where the River Ends
The Rivière aux Outardes empties into the north side of the Saguenay River in Saint-Fulgence. This meeting point is:
- About 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) west of the center of Saint-Fulgence village.
- About 11.8 kilometres (7.3 mi) northeast of downtown Saguenay.
- About 94.7 kilometres (58.8 mi) west of where the Saguenay River itself flows into the Saint-Laurent River.
After joining the Outardes River, the water continues to flow along the Saguenay River all the way to Tadoussac. At Tadoussac, the Saguenay River joins the much larger Saint-Laurent River.
Why is it Called Rivière aux Outardes?
The name "Rivière aux Outardes" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special committee in Quebec that names places.
