Taureau Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taureau Reservoir |
|
|---|---|
 Taureau Reservoir
Location in Quebec
|
|
| Location | Lanaudière, Quebec |
| Coordinates | 46°45′59″N 73°50′00″W / 46.76639°N 73.83333°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Part of | Saint Lawrence River drainage basin |
| River sources | Matawin River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| First flooded | 1931 |
| Surface area | 95 km2 (37 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 356 m (1,168 ft) |
| Islands | 45; Lacroix Island, Island Village |
The Taureau Reservoir is a large reservoir in Quebec, Canada. It covers about 95-square-kilometre (37 sq mi) of water. This reservoir is located in the Lanaudière region, specifically in an area called Matawinie.
The Taureau Reservoir is part of the huge Saint Lawrence River drainage basin. This means all the water that flows into the reservoir eventually makes its way to the Saint Lawrence River. The reservoir itself is built on the Matawin River.
Contents
How Taureau Reservoir Got Its Name
Have you ever wondered how places get their names? The Taureau Reservoir is named after a fast-moving part of the river, called a rapid. This rapid was flooded when a dam was built in 1931.
The company that built the dam was called Shawinigan Water and Power. People said the loud noise of the rapid sounded like a bull bellowing. That's why they chose the name "Taureau," which means "bull" in French!
Exploring the Geography of Taureau Reservoir
The Taureau Reservoir is a really big lake with a shoreline that stretches for 239.4 kilometres (148.8 mi). Imagine all those miles of beautiful banks! Many parts of the shore have sandy beaches.
One popular spot is the beach at Pointe-fine. It's at the end of a long piece of land that sticks out into the middle of the lake. Other sandy areas, like "Baie du milieu" (Middle Bay) and "des Embranchements," are great for camping and swimming.
How Water Flows In and Out
The Matawin River is the main river that flows into the Taureau Reservoir. It enters the lake on the west side. The water then leaves the reservoir from the eastern side.
The water flow is controlled by a structure called the "Matawin dam." This dam was built at the end of a section called the "Bay of the dam." The water level here is about 356.58 metres (1,169.9 ft) high.
Islands of Taureau Reservoir
The Taureau Reservoir is home to 45 islands! Some of the most important islands are:
- Western Lake Islands: These include "îles jaune" (Yellow Island), "aux grands vents" (High Winds Island), "aux Sables," "de la chauche," and Barineau.
- Central Part Islands: Here you'll find Islands France, "flottantes" (Floating Islands), "Grande Île Jumelle" (Big Twin Island), "Îles jumelles" (Twin Islands), "du village," and West Island.
- Eastern Part Islands: The largest island in this area is Lacroix Island. You can also find the island of grey pine here.
Main Sections and Bays
The Taureau Reservoir is shaped in a unique way. It has three main parts, and each part runs from north to south. These sections are connected by narrow passages. Each part also has several large bays:
- Western Lake: This section includes "baies du Poste" (Post Bays), "du Milieu" (Middle Bay), and Village Bay.
- Central Part: Here you'll find "baies du canot rouge" (Red Canoe Bay), "de ROE," and "Ignace."
- Eastern Part: This section has "baies du Barrage" (Dam Bay) and "de la Bouteille" (Bottle Bay).
