Smith River (Montmorency River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smith River |
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|---|---|
| Native name | Old name: "Rivière de la Décharge" |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| Regional County Municipality | La Jacques-Cartier Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Saint-Hilaire Lake Lac-Jacques-Cartier (unorganized territory) 657 m 47°09′06″N 70°58′10″W / 47.15162°N 70.96946°W |
| River mouth | Montmorency River Lac-Jacques-Cartier 374 m 47°08′35″N 71°04′10″W / 47.14306°N 71.06944°W |
| Length | 12.6 km (7.8 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Smith River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the Montmorency River. This means it's a smaller river that joins a bigger one. The river runs through a wild area called Lac-Jacques-Cartier. This area is part of the Capitale-Nationale region.
The valley around the Smith River is important for two main things. First, people work in forestry here, which means they manage forests and cut down trees. Second, it's a place for recreational tourism. This means people visit for fun activities like hiking or fishing.
Because the river is high up, its surface usually freezes from late November to early April. It's safest to walk on the ice from mid-December to the end of March. The lower part of the river freezes a little later and thaws a little earlier. The amount of water in the river changes with the seasons and how much it rains. A big flood often happens in March or April when the snow melts.
Where the Smith River Starts and Flows
The Smith River begins in a lake called Saint-Hilaire Lake. This lake is about 5.4 kilometres (3.4 mi) long and sits at an altitude of 657 metres (2,156 ft). It's located between two mountains: Mont du Lac Saint-Hilaire (880 metres (2,890 ft) high) and Mont du Lac à Foin (910 metres (2,990 ft) high).
The lake's starting point for the river is in the unorganized territory of Lac-Jacques-Cartier. It is:
- 1.25 kilometres (0.78 mi) north of the top of Mont du Lac Saint-Hilaire.
- 7.7 kilometres (4.8 mi) north-east of where the Smith River joins the Montmorency River.
- 14.1 kilometres (8.8 mi) north-west of the St. Lawrence River.
From Saint-Hilaire Lake, the Smith River flows for about 12.6 kilometres (7.8 mi). It drops about 283 metres (928 ft) in height along its path.
Here's how the river flows:
- It goes 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) north-west, following the base of Mont du lac Saint-Hilaire. It reaches a bend where Gagnon stream joins it.
- Then, it flows 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) westward, making small curves. It meets Smith Creek, which comes from Lac Bonnet.
- Next, it travels 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) south, picking up water from another stream. It then meets the Petite rivière Smith (Little Smith River).
- Finally, it flows 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) first south-west, then curves west through a deep valley. This is where it reaches its mouth and joins the Montmorency River.
After the Smith River joins the Montmorency River, the water continues to flow for about 40.7 kilometres (25.3 mi) generally south. It eventually reaches the north-west bank of the St. Lawrence River.
The Name of the River
This river used to be called "Rivière de la Décharge." The name "Smith" is a family name that comes from Anglo-Saxon origins. The names "rivière Smith" (Smith River) and "Petite rivière Smith" (Little Smith River) are connected.
The official name "rivière Smith" was formally recognized on December 13, 1996, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec.
