Rivière à la Chute facts for kids

The Rivière à la Chute is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Sautauriski River. This river is located in the Capitale-Nationale region. It passes through the areas of Lac-Jacques-Cartier and Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury.

The entire river flows inside Jacques-Cartier National Park. This park is managed by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq). The valley around the river is easy to reach. Route 175 runs along its east side. This road connects the cities of Quebec and Saguenay. Other smaller roads help people get around for logging and fun outdoor activities.

Logging is the main business here. Tourism, like hiking and camping, is the second most important activity. The river's surface usually freezes from early December to late March. It is generally safe to walk or play on the ice from late December to early March.

River's Journey: Where It Starts and Flows

The Rivière à la Chute begins at a lake called Lac des Quatre Jumeaux. This lake is 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) long and 0.9 kilometres (0.56 mi) wide. It sits high up at an altitude of 759 metres (2,490 ft). The lake is in the Lac-Jacques-Cartier area. It has a unique shape, nestled between mountains. There are two peninsulas reaching into the lake.

The river's path looks a bit like a question mark. For most of its journey, it flows next to the Jacques-Cartier River. The Rivière à la Chute travels for 22.1 kilometres (13.7 mi). During this journey, it drops 485 metres (1,591 ft) in height.

Here is how the river flows:

• It goes 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) northwest, passing through Lake Perche.
• Then it turns 0.8 metres (2 ft 7 in) east, going through a marshy area. After that, it heads north, crossing Lake Vaucaire.
• It continues 1.4 metres (4 ft 7 in) northeast, curving around a mountain.
• The river flows 7.9 metres (26 ft) southeast through a deep valley.
• It then goes 3.2 metres (10 ft) south in the Cauchon area. Here, it collects water from Lac de la Chute.
• Next, it travels 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) south through another deep valley.
• Finally, it flows 4.8 metres (16 ft) south, picking up water from a small stream. This leads to its mouth.

The Rivière à la Chute joins the Sautauriski River. From there, the water travels 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) south in the Sautauriski River. Then, it follows the Jacques-Cartier River south. Eventually, all this water reaches the great St. Lawrence River.

River's Name: "Rivière à la Chute"

The name "Rivière à la Chute" has been used on maps and other documents since at least 1925. This name was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. It was added to the Place Names Bank by the Commission de toponymie du Québec.