Shields Branch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shields Branch |
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|---|---|
| Native name | "Rivière Saint-Roch" in Quebec |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mountain stream in Sainte-Perpétue, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec, MRC L'Islet Regional County Municipality, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec, in Canada 444 metres (1,457 ft) 47°06′58″N 69°49′37″W / 47.11611°N 69.82694°W |
| River mouth | Big Black River (Saint John River), Township T15 R15 WELS, Maine, United States 263 metres (863 ft) 46°55′26″N 69°37′48″W / 46.92389°N 69.63000°W |
| Length | 44.0 kilometres (27.3 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Shields Branch is a river that flows through two countries: Canada (in Quebec) and the United States (in Maine). In Quebec, it's known as the Rivière Saint-Roch. This river is a branch, or tributary, of the Big Black River.
The Shields Branch flows mostly through forests. It runs through a valley surrounded by the Notre Dame Mountains. Its path is located between two other rivers: the Rochu River (also called "Little Saint Rock River") to the west and the Gagnon River also to the west.
The river starts as a small stream in the L'Islet Regional County Municipality in Quebec. From there, it flows south and southeast. It crosses the border into Maine, where it joins the Big Black River.
Contents
Where the River Flows
The Shields Branch river is about 44.0 kilometres (27.3 mi) (about 27 miles) long. It starts in the Notre Dame Mountains in Quebec.
The Start of the River in Quebec
The very beginning of the "Saint Roch River" (its name in Quebec) is in the town of Sainte-Perpétue, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec. This starting point is:
- About 15.0 kilometres (9.3 mi) (9.3 miles) northwest of the border between Quebec and Maine.
- About 9.8 kilometres (6.1 mi) (6.1 miles) northeast of the village of Sainte-Perpétue, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec.
The River's Journey in Quebec
The first part of the river's journey, which is 27.6 kilometres (17.1 mi) (about 17 miles) long, is entirely within Quebec.
- It flows south through Sainte-Perpétue, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec.
- Then, it enters Saint-Omer, Quebec for a short distance.
- It goes back into Sainte-Perpétue, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec and meets the Saint-Roch Nord River.
- The river then winds southeast, passing through Saint-Pamphile, Quebec.
- It crosses under several bridges, like the "Little North range" bridge and the "Pelletier" bridge.
- It also flows along the border between Saint-Omer, Quebec and Saint-Pamphile, Quebec.
- Finally, it meets the Gagnon River (Saint Roch River) before reaching the border with Maine.
The River's Journey in Maine
After crossing the border, the river is called "Shields Branch" and flows for 16.4 kilometres (10.2 mi) (about 10 miles) in Maine.
- It flows southeast and meets the "Little Saint-Roch River," which also starts in Quebec.
- The river continues to wind southeast, passing under a highway bridge.
- It keeps winding until it reaches its end point.
Where the River Ends
The Shields Branch flows into the Big Black River in Aroostook County, Maine. This meeting point is:
- About 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi) (5.3 miles) southeast of the border between Canada and the US.
- About 11.6 kilometres (7.2 mi) (7.2 miles) southeast of the village of Saint-Pamphile, Quebec.
River Names
The name "Saint-Roch River" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec (which is like Quebec's official board for place names).
