Saraana Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saraana Bay |
|
|---|---|
 Saraana Bay
Location in Quebec
|
|
| Location | La Tuque |
| Coordinates | 48°26′10″N 75°15′00″W / 48.43611°N 75.25000°W |
| Type | Baie of dam |
| Primary inflows |
|
| Primary outflows | Du Rocher-Matci Bay, Gouin Reservoir |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 16.4 kilometres (10.2 mi) |
| Max. width | 13.3 kilometres (8.3 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 402 metres (1,319 ft) |
Saraana Bay is a large freshwater bay located in the southwestern part of the Gouin Reservoir in Quebec, Canada. It is found within the area of La Tuque.
This bay became much larger and easier to travel by boat after the Gouin Dam was finished in 1948. The water level in the bay can change a lot. This depends on how the Gouin Dam is managed. The water level usually drops in late winter. This prepares for the spring melt, when water levels rise again.
People mostly visit Saraana Bay for fun activities like fishing and boating. This is the main way the area makes money. Logging and forestry are also important here.
A forest road, R1009, runs near the bay. This road helps people get to the southern part of Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir). It also connects to Quebec route 404.
The surface of Saraana Bay is usually frozen from mid-November until the end of April. However, it's generally safe to travel on the ice from early December to the end of March.
Contents
Exploring Saraana Bay's Geography
Saraana Bay is surrounded by many other lakes and bays. These are called hydrographic slopes. They are like the "neighbors" of the bay.
Waterways Around Saraana Bay
- North side: Gouin Reservoir, Du Mâle Lake, Hanotaux Bay, Plamondon Bay.
- East side: Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir), Nemio River, Nemio Lake.
- South side: Tessier Lake (Gouin Reservoir), Flapjack River, Clova River.
- West side: Mattawa Bay, Adolphe-Poisson Bay, Saveney Lake, Tamarac River.
Natural Features of the Bay
On its east side, Saraana Bay is separated from Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir) by a long piece of land. This land stretches for about 16.2 kilometres (10.1 mi) north. It almost reaches the village of Obedjiwan, Quebec.
On the west side, another long piece of land separates Saraana Bay from Mattawa Bay. This land is about 33 kilometres (21 mi) long. It includes a hill called "Pike Head Mountain," which is 453 metres (1,486 ft) high.
Saraana Bay is 16.4 kilometres (10.2 mi) long. It has many islands, like "Aux Mouettes Island" and "Police Island." Several lakes and rivers feed water into Saraana Bay. These include Tessier Lake, Arcand Lake, and Gasparo Lake.
Where Saraana Bay Connects
The mouth of Saraana Bay is where its water flows out. It is located:
- About 25.6 kilometres (15.9 mi) southwest of the village of Obedjiwan, Quebec.
- About 76.5 kilometres (47.5 mi) west of the Gouin Dam.
- About 197 kilometres (122 mi) west of downtown La Tuque.
The mouth of Saraana Bay is about 0.3 kilometres (0.19 mi) wide. An island and a peninsula almost block it. From here, the water flows into the "Bay of Rocher-Matci." This bay then connects to Du Mâle Lake.
From the mouth of Saraana Bay, the water travels about 116 kilometres (72 mi) to the Gouin Dam. It flows through Du Mâle Lake and parts of the Gouin Reservoir. Then it crosses Marmette Lake and Brochu Lake (Gouin Reservoir). Finally, it reaches Kikendatch Bay and the Gouin Dam.
From the Gouin Dam, the water continues its journey down the Saint-Maurice River all the way to Trois-Rivières.
The Name of Saraana Bay
In the Atikamek language, the name "Saraana" means "Des-Filles-d'Anna" bay. This name was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec.
