Rivière à l'Ours Ouest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rivière à l'Ours Ouest |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Côte-Nord |
| MRC | Manicouagan Regional County Municipality |
| City | Baie-Comeau |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Unidentified Lake Havre-Saint-Pierre 119 m (390 ft) 50°30′08″N 63°12′15″W / 50.50222°N 63.20417°W |
| River mouth | Gulf of Saint Lawrence Havre-Saint-Pierre 39.4 m (129 ft) 50°19′42″N 63°05′48″W / 50.32833°N 63.09667°W |
| Length | 28.4 km (17.6 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Rivière à l'Ours Ouest is a river in Quebec, Canada. Its name means "West Bear River" in English. This river flows into the Rivière à l'Ours. It is located in the area of Havre-Saint-Pierre. This region is part of the Côte-Nord area of Quebec.
Most of the river valley is covered by forests. You can reach the lower part of the river by Route 138. In winter, people use snowmobile trails to get around. The river usually freezes over from early November to late April. However, it's generally safe to travel on the ice from late November to early April.
Contents
Where the River Starts and Flows
The West Bear River begins in an unnamed lake near Havre-Saint-Pierre. This lake is about 2.5 km (1.6 mi) long and sits 119 m (390 ft) above sea level. Many small lakes surround this starting point. The lake's outlet, where the river begins, is on its northeast side.
This starting point is about 40.3 km (25.0 mi) northeast of downtown Havre-Saint-Pierre. It is also 24.9 km (15.5 mi) northwest of where the main Bear River meets the sea.
The River's Journey
From its source, the West Bear River flows for about 28.4 km (17.6 mi). It drops about 79.6 m (261 ft) in height along its path. The river mostly flows through forested areas.
Here's how the river flows:
- For 1.5 km (0.93 mi), it goes northeast, crossing four small lakes. Then it turns southeast through the fourth lake.
- It flows southeast for 7.7 km (4.8 mi) through Lake Cormier. This lake is 6.8 km (4.2 mi) long and 87.9 m (288 ft) high.
- Next, it travels southeast for 3.3 km (2.1 mi) through Lake Mannier. This lake is 2.9 km (1.8 mi) long and 85.6 m (281 ft) high.
- It continues southeast for 3.4 km (2.1 mi) through Little Uatnakantuk lake. This lake is 3.3 km (2.1 mi) long and 76 m (249 ft) high.
- Then, it flows southeast for 2.2 km (1.4 mi) until it meets the Detour Stream. This stream comes from the southwest.
- For 8.6 km (5.3 mi), it first goes southeast, then east. It forms some loops and passes through marshy areas. It then meets another river coming from the northwest.
- Finally, it flows 1.7 km (1.1 mi) east, making a small turn north, until it reaches its mouth.
Where the River Ends
The West Bear River joins the Rivière à l'Ours on its southwest bank. This area has many marshlands.
The meeting point of the two rivers is:
- 2.1 km (1.3 mi) north of Route 138.
- 4.3 km (2.7 mi) northwest of where the main Rivière à l'Ours flows into the sea.
- 21.1 km (13.1 mi) southwest of Baie-Johan-Beetz.
- 37 km (23 mi) northeast of the village of Havre-Saint-Pierre.
After joining, the water flows along the main Bear River for 5.8 km (3.6 mi) southeast. Then, it travels 2.9 km (1.8 mi) east through Victor Bay. It goes around Victor Island, which is part of the northern shore of the Estuary of Saint Lawrence.
What's in a Name?
The name "Rivière à l'Ours Ouest" became official on December 5, 1968. This was recorded by the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.
