Rivière des Aulnaies (rivière du Milieu) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière des Aulnaies |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Lanaudière |
| MRC | Matawinie Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Carufel Saint-Michel-des-Saints 438 m (1,437 ft) 46°43′25″N 74°02′08″W / 46.72361°N 74.03556°W |
| River mouth | Rivière du Milieu (Lanaudière) Baie-de-la-Bouteille 353 m (1,158 ft) 46°47′56″N 73°58′09″W / 46.79889°N 73.96917°W |
| Length | 17.6 km (10.9 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Rivière des Aulnaies (which means alders river in English) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Rivière du Milieu. This river is located west of the Saint-Maurice River, in a region called Lanaudière.
The Rivière des Aulnaies flows through two main areas:
- Saint-Michel-des-Saints (a municipality)
- Baie-de-la-Bouteille (an unorganized territory, meaning it doesn't have a local government like a town).
This river is part of a larger water system. Its water eventually flows into the Rivière du Milieu, then into the Taureau Reservoir, and finally into the Matawin River. The Matawin River then joins the Saint-Maurice River, which flows into the mighty Saint Lawrence River at Trois-Rivières.
The area around the Rivière des Aulnaies is mainly used for two things:
- Forestry: This means cutting down trees to make wood products.
- Recreational tourism: People visit for fun activities like hiking, fishing, or camping.
The river flows through thick forests. During winter, from about mid-December to the end of March, the river's surface is usually frozen solid.
Where the Rivière des Aulnaies Starts and Flows
The Rivière des Aulnaies begins at a lake called Carufel Lake. This lake is about 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) long and sits at an elevation of 438 meters (1,437 feet) above sea level. It's located in the Brassard area, within the municipality of Saint-Michel-des-Saints. Carufel Lake is on the side of a mountain that reaches 573 meters (1,880 feet) high.
The start of Carufel Lake is about 9.5 kilometers (5.9 miles) southeast of where the Rivière des Aulnaies joins another river. It's also about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) northwest of the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints.
From Carufel Lake, the Rivière des Aulnaies flows for about 17.6 kilometers (10.9 miles). Here's how its journey goes:
- It flows southeast for 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles). Along this path, it crosses two lakes: Brod Lake (0.6 km long) and Saint-Martin Lake (0.9 km long).
- Next, it turns northeast and flows for 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles). It passes the outlet of Lac du Trèfle, which is another small lake.
- It continues northeast for 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles), crossing Beaulieu Lake (0.3 km long) near the end of this section.
- Then, it flows north for 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) until it reaches the border of the Laviolette area.
- Finally, it flows northeast for a short 0.2 kilometers (0.1 miles) in the Laviolette area, crossing a forest road, until it meets the Rivière du Milieu.
Where the River Ends
The Rivière des Aulnaies joins the Rivière du Milieu on its southwest bank, in the Laviolette area.
The spot where the Rivière des Aulnaies joins the Rivière du Milieu is:
- 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles) downstream from where the Laviolette River joins.
- 13.5 kilometers (8.4 miles) northwest of the center of Saint-Michel-des-Saints.
- 22.9 kilometers (14.2 miles) west of the mouth of the Taureau Reservoir.
- 81 kilometers (50 miles) west of where the Matawin River joins the Saint-Maurice River.
What's in a Name?
The name "Rivière des Aulnaies" was officially given to this river on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is a group in Quebec responsible for naming places. The word "Aulnaies" refers to "alders," which are a type of tree often found near rivers and wetlands.
