South Mékinac River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Mékinac River |
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Mauricie |
| Regional County Municipality | Mékinac Regional County Municipality |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Gabriel Grandes-Piles 292 m (958 ft) 46°45′06″N 72°41′42″W / 46.751725°N 72.694965°W |
| River mouth | North Mékinac River Saint-Tite 138 m (453 ft) 49°49′51″N 64°22′41″W / 49.83083°N 64.37806°W |
| Length | 17.8 km (11.1 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Nivo-pluvial |
| Tributaries |
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The South Mékinac River is a waterway in Quebec, Canada. It flows through the towns of Grandes-Piles, Hérouxville, and Saint-Tite. This river is an important part of the Mauricie region and the Mékinac Regional County Municipality.
Contents
River's Journey: Where the South Mékinac River Flows
This river starts its journey high in the mountains near Grandes-Piles. It has two main starting points.
River's Sources: Lake Gabriel and Jean-Baptiste Lakes
- Lake Gabriel: Water from Lake Gabriel flows into other lakes. These include Lac de la Bouteille and Lac à la Truite. The water travels about 2.9 kilometres (1.8 mi) before crossing Lac à la Truite for 900 metres (3,000 ft).
- Jean-Baptiste Lakes: The two Jean-Baptiste lakes also feed the river. Their waters flow through Lac des Caribous, a small lake, and Lac Gagnon. Finally, they reach Lac à la Truite. Lac à la Truite also gets water from Castor Lake. From the highest Jean-Baptiste Lake to Lac à la Truite, the water travels about 4.4 kilometres (2.7 mi).
Upper Course: From Lac à la Truite to Petit lac du Castor
From Lac à la Truite, the river flows for about one kilometer. It then empties into Lac Tavibois in Grandes-Piles. A dam at Lac Tavibois helps control the water level. This dam is right on the border between Grandes-Piles and Hérouxville.
After the dam, the water goes over a small waterfall. It then flows into Lake Léo, which also has a small dam. From Lake Léo, the water moves east into Tessier Lake. The river crosses Tessier Lake for about 1.0 kilometre (0.62 mi). Tessier Lake also collects water from a stream coming from the north. This stream drains the side of Le Chaudron mountain.
From the dam at Tessier Lake, the river flows northeast for 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi). It then turns southeast for 0.4 kilometres (0.25 mi), crossing Chemin des Petites-Forges. After that, the river flows south for 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi). It winds around and then crosses Petit lac du Castor. This lake is about 0.6 kilometres (0.37 mi) long and very narrow. Many cottages are built around Petit lac du Castor.
Middle Course: Through Small Lakes and Streams
From the dam at Petit lac du Castor, the river flows southeast. It crosses a small, narrow lake, about 0.9 kilometres (0.56 mi) long. After this lake, the river flows east for 1.65 kilometres (1.03 mi). It makes two turns, one north and one south. Then it meets water from another lake.
The river continues for 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi). First, it flows south for 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) to a stream. Then, it goes east for 1.0 kilometre (0.62 mi), crossing Lake Ayotte. Lake Ayotte has a dam located near the Camp Val Notre-Dame. Finally, the river flows southeast for 0.6 kilometres (0.37 mi) to meet the Ruille stream.
Lower Course: Reaching the North Mékinac River
From there, the river heads northeast for 650 metres (2,130 ft). It then crosses into the town of Saint-Tite. The river flows for another 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in Saint-Tite. It crosses Route 159.
The South Mékinac River then flows into the North Mékinac River. This meeting point is about 200 metres (660 ft) past Route 159.
Most of the river's path, about 13.2 kilometres (8.2 mi) from Lac à la Truite, flows through forests. In total, the river runs for about:
- 6.1 kilometres (3.8 mi) in Grandes-Piles
- 9.2 kilometres (5.7 mi) in Hérouxville (because of its winding path)
- 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi) in Saint-Tite
River's Name: The Meaning of Mékinac du Sud
The name "Rivière Mékinac du Sud" (South Mékinac River) was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.
Related Topics
- Grandes-Piles, a town
- Hérouxville, a town
- Saint-Tite, a town
- Mékinac Regional County Municipality (MRC)
- Tavibois, a place for rest and meetings
- North Mékinac River
- Rivière des Envies
- Daughters of Jesus (of Kermaria), a religious group
- Camp Val Notre-Dame, a fun vacation camp
- List of rivers of Quebec
