Wetetnagami River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wetetnagami |
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Watershed of Nottaway River
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Nord-du-Québec |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Nemenjiche Lake Senneterre, Quebec, Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 472 m (1,549 ft) 48°40′39″N 76°24′21″W / 48.67750°N 76.40583°W |
| River mouth | Nicobi Lake Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, Nord-du-Québec, Quebec 336 m (1,102 ft) 49°17′13″N 76°54′27″W / 49.28694°N 76.90750°W |
| Length | 87.8 km (54.6 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Wetetnagami River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows into the southern part of Nicobi Lake. This river passes through two main administrative areas:
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue, specifically in Senneterre, Quebec;
- Nord-du-Québec, in the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James area.
The Wetetnagami River flows through several townships, including Charrette, Adhémar, Labrie, Moquin, Effiat, and Muy. The river's surface is usually frozen from early December until late April. The main activity in this area is forestry, which means cutting down trees. After that, tourism and outdoor fun are the next most important activities.
Forest roads R1015 (running north-south) and R1051 (running east-west) help people get around the Wetetnagami River Valley.
There's a special area called the [Wetetnagami Lake Biodiversity Reserve]. It covers about 234.2 kilometres (145.53 mi) and is located east of Sennetterre, Quebec, near the Gouin Reservoir. This reserve helps feed the Wetetnagami River, as well as Wetetnagami Lake and Achepabanca Lake. Many fun outdoor activities are allowed in this reserve.
Contents
Exploring the Wetetnagami River's Path
The Wetetnagami River is surrounded by other important water areas. To the north, you'll find Nicobi Lake, Opawica River, and Lake Waswanipi. To the east are the Muy River, Panache River, Fortier River, Macho River, and Mégiscane River.
To the south, there's the Mégiscane River, Macho River, Berthelot Lake, and Achepabanca River. On the west side, you'll see the O'Sullivan River and Périgny River.
Where the River Begins
The Wetetnagami River starts in Senneterre, Quebec, at the end of Louison Lake. Louison Lake is about 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) long and 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) wide. It sits at an elevation of 472 metres (1,549 ft). Mountains surround this lake, with some peaks reaching over 500 metres (1,600 ft) high.
The start of the Wetetnagami River at Louison Lake is located:
- About 72.0 kilometres (44.7 mi) south of where the Wetetnagami River ends.
- About 69.7 kilometres (43.3 mi) northeast of downtown Senneterre, Quebec.
- About 60.3 kilometres (37.5 mi) southeast of the village of Lebel-sur-Quévillon.
The Wetetnagami River generally flows north. It runs mostly parallel to and east of the O'Sullivan River.
The River's Journey
From Louison Lake, the Wetetnagami River flows for about 87.8 kilometres (54.6 mi). Its journey can be divided into three main parts:
Upper Section of the River
This first part of the river is about 18.5 kilometres (11.5 mi) long. It includes:
- A 4.1 kilometres (2.5 mi) stretch that winds southwest.
- Flowing north through Kâwîsikomînikak Lake for 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi).
- Winding southwest for 3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi) to Mitikocike Lake.
- Crossing Mitikocike Lake for 2.0 kilometres (1.2 mi).
- Flowing north through another unnamed lake for 4.0 kilometres (2.5 mi).
- Heading northwest for 5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi) to the south end of Wewedinagamik Lake.
Middle Section of the River
This middle part is about 21.4 kilometres (13.3 mi) long. It covers:
- 10.3 kilometres (6.4 mi) flowing north through Wewedinagamik Lake. This lake is formed by the river widening.
- 11.1 kilometres (6.9 mi) flowing north through Wetetnagami Lake. These two lakes are connected by a short narrow passage. Wetetnagami Lake also receives water from the Saint-Père River on its east side.
Lower Section of the River
The final part of the river's journey is about 47.9 kilometres (29.8 mi) long. It includes:
- 5.9 kilometres (3.7 mi) flowing north to a forest road.
- 11.5 kilometres (7.1 mi) flowing north into Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, where it meets the Dazemard River.
- 10.7 kilometres (6.6 mi) flowing north through a marshy area to meet the Panache River.
- 0.6 kilometres (0.37 mi) flowing northwest to meet the Muy River.
- 10.8 kilometres (6.7 mi) flowing northwest to another forest road.
- 8.4 kilometres (5.2 mi) flowing northeast to a dam at its end, where it joins Nicobi Lake.
Where the River Ends
The Wetetnagami River flows into a small bay on the south side of Nicobi Lake. From there, the water flows into the Nicobi River, which then goes north to join the Opawica River. The Opawica River continues north until it meets the Chibougamau River. This meeting point is where the Waswanipi River begins.
The Waswanipi River flows west, passing through the northern part of Lake Waswanipi, Goéland Lake, and Olga Lake. Finally, it empties into Matagami Lake. Matagami Lake then flows into the Nottaway River, which eventually reaches Rupert Bay in James Bay.
The spot where the Wetetnagami River meets Nicobi Lake is located:
- About 22.4 kilometres (13.9 mi) southwest of where the Nicobi River begins.
- About 31.3 kilometres (19.4 mi) east of Lake Waswanipi.
- About 70.6 kilometres (43.9 mi) northeast of the village of Lebel-sur-Quévillon.
History of the Wetetnagami River Area
In the past, different Indigenous groups lived in this area at different times. These groups included the Attikameks, the Algonquins, and the Cree people.
The name "Wetetnagami River" became official on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization responsible for naming places in Quebec.
