Ruisseau de la Martine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ruisseau de la Martine |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| Regional County Municipality | Charlevoix Regional County Municipality |
| Municipality | Petite-Rivière-Saint-François |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Rivière du Sault and a stream Petite-Rivière-Saint-François 108 m 47°20′50″N 70°33′35″W / 47.34722°N 70.55972°W |
| River mouth | Saint Lawrence River Petite-Rivière-Saint-François 4 m 47°20′50″N 70°33′35″W / 47.34722°N 70.55972°W |
| Length | 2.3 km (1.4 mi) |
The Ruisseau de la Martine (which means Martine stream in English) is a small river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the famous Saint Lawrence River. This stream is located in the area of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, which is part of the Charlevoix Regional County Municipality in the Capitale-Nationale region.
The valley around the stream is a popular spot for fun activities. A road called Rue Principale runs along the Saint Lawrence River and then follows the Martine stream's valley. Many people come here for vacations and outdoor adventures. The nearby mountains are also used for exciting activities, especially the big Massif of Charlevoix ski resort. This ski center is very close to the stream and has slopes facing it.
The Martine stream usually freezes over from early December until late March. However, it's safest to walk on the ice from mid-December to mid-March. The amount of water in the stream changes with the seasons and how much rain or snow falls. The biggest flood of the year usually happens in March or April when the snow melts.
Where is the Martine Stream?
The Martine stream starts where two other water bodies meet: the Sault river (coming from the east) and another small stream (coming from the north). This spot is in the municipality of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
Here's how far its source is from other places:
- It's about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) south of downtown Baie-Saint-Paul.
- It's about 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) west of the center of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François village.
- It's about 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) east of Route 138. Route 138 is a main road that runs 5 to 6 kilometers (3.1 to 3.7 miles) away from the stream at this point, along the Saint Lawrence River.
From its starting point, the stream flows for about 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) towards the southeast. Near the end, it turns east. As it flows, it drops about 104 meters (341 feet) in height. It also crosses Rue Principale and the railway line that runs along the river.
The Martine stream eventually empties into the northwest side of the Saint Lawrence River. This meeting point is on a small piece of land called "Pointe de la Rivière" in the hamlet of Maillard, which is also in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
Here's how far its mouth is from other places:
- It's about 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) west of the northwest shore of the Saint Lawrence River.
- It's about 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) north of the center of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François village.
- It's about 5.9 kilometers (3.7 miles) east of Route 138.
What's in a Name?
The name "Martine stream" was officially given to the lower part of this river in 1976. However, this river was called "Rivière du Sault" (which means "Sault River") by a mapmaker named Joseph Bouchette on his maps from 1815 and 1831.
Later, people started calling it "Ruisseau du Sot." This name was a different way of spelling "Sault" from Bouchette's time. The word "sault" refers to a place where a river has a sudden drop or a waterfall.
The official name "Petite rivière Saint-François" was recognized on August 17, 1978, by the Quebec Place Names Bank.
