Saint-Denis River (Kamouraska River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint-Denis River |
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| Native name | Rivière Saint-Denis |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Bas-Saint-Laurent |
| MRC | Kamouraska Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Agricultural streams Saint-Gabriel-Lalemant 74 metres (243 ft) 47°23′09″N 69°49′59″W / 47.38582°N 69.833077°W |
| River mouth | Kamouraska River Saint-Bruno-de-Kamouraska 152 metres (499 ft) 47°28′47″N 69°47′47″W / 47.47972°N 69.79639°W |
| Length | 21.9 kilometres (13.6 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Saint-Denis River (rivière Saint-Denis in French) is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Kamouraska River, which then joins the mighty Saint Lawrence River. The Saint-Denis River is located about two kilometers east of the village of Kamouraska.
This river flows through a region called Côte-du-Sud. It passes through the towns of Saint-Gabriel-Lalemant, Mont-Carmel, and Saint-Bruno-de-Kamouraska. These towns are part of the Kamouraska Regional County Municipality in the Bas-Saint-Laurent area of Quebec.
Where Does the Saint-Denis River Start?
The Saint-Denis River begins in a marshy area in Saint-Gabriel-Lalemant. This starting point is close to the border of Mont-Carmel. From its source, the river generally flows towards the northeast.
The source of the river is about 16.7 kilometers east of the Saint Lawrence River. It is also about 9.4 kilometers southeast of the center of Saint-Gabriel-de-Kamouraska village.
How Does the Saint-Denis River Flow?
The Saint-Denis River travels about 21.9 kilometers through areas that are a mix of forests and farms. Its journey can be divided into several parts:
- It flows 2.8 kilometers north in Saint-Gabriel-Lalemant. Here, it meets the Bras de la Rivière Saint-Denis, which is a smaller branch of the river coming from the southeast. This branch is 4.0 kilometers long and starts at Davidson Lake.
- The river then continues 3.2 kilometers north until it reaches the southern edge of Mont-Carmel.
- Next, it flows 2.8 kilometers northeast through Mont-Carmel. Along this part, it collects water from Anctil brook. It then passes under the Route 287 bridge.
- It travels 3.5 kilometers more to the northeast, reaching the boundary of Saint-Bruno-de-Kamouraska.
- Inside Saint-Bruno-de-Kamouraska, it flows 3.5 kilometers northeast. It crosses the Petit-Moulin road bridge, which is in the village.
- The river then turns northwest for 4.8 kilometers. In this section, it gathers water from several smaller streams. These include the Bouteillerie River, Pelletier stream, Marcel-Dionne stream, Tardif water, Labrie stream, and Ferré stream. It crosses the Petit-Moulin road again.
- Finally, it flows 1.3 kilometers west, curving south, until it joins the Kamouraska River.
The place where the Saint-Denis River joins the Kamouraska River is 5.3 kilometers south of Saint-Pascal village. It is also 3.9 kilometers northwest of Saint-Bruno-de-Kamouraska and 5.9 kilometers northeast of Mont-Carmel.
What's in a Name? The River's History
The name "Saint-Denis river" comes from the nearby parish of Saint-Denis-De La Bouteillerie. This parish is located further west, along the southern coast of the Saint Lawrence River. Another river, the Bouteillerie River, also gets its name from this parish.
An old map from 1882, showing the Woodbridge township, called the Saint-Denis River the "Plate river." This name described how flat the river's path was, meaning it didn't drop much in height. Other names used for parts of the river included "rivière de Bayonne" and "Le Grand Bras."
The official name "rivière Saint-Denis" was made formal on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization responsible for naming places in Quebec.
