Ashuapmushuan River
Encyclopedia
The Ashuapmushuan River is a river in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of the Canadian provinces of Quebec
. It starts at the outlet of Lake Ashuapmushuan, and flows first in a north-easterly direction for about 30 kilometres (18.6 mi) whereafter it continues south-east to Saint-Félicien
. There it drains into Lake Saint-Jean of which it is the third largest tributary after the Peribonka
and Mistassini River
s. The river is 181 kilometres (112.5 mi) long but its source is 266 kilometres (165.3 mi) from its mouth.
Typical median summer flow is between 200 and 300 m3/s, whereas during spring run-off, the median flow is 1050 m3/s, but the river could swell anywhere from a minimum of 400 to a maximum of 2400 m3/s. Lowest flow conditions occur in March with a median flow of 75 m3/s, and a minimum of 54 to a maximum of 120 m3/s.
The Ashuapmushuan River forms the northern boundary of the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve for most of its length. As a wild undeveloped river, and accessible from Quebec Route 167
close to Lake Ashuapmushuan, it is a popular destination for canoe camping
.
A new 276.6 square kilometres (106.8 sq mi) aquatic reserve is being considered that would protect 126 kilometres (78.3 mi) of the Ashuapmushuan River, including its floodplain and valley slopes. The reserve prohibits logging, mining, and hydro-electric development, while protecting critical landlocked salmon habitats, biodiversity, and sites of archaeological interest.
The river was however first called Necouba by Louis Jolliet
in 1679. This name was also used by Jean-Baptiste-Louis Franquelin
and Guillaume Delisle
in 1686 and 1703 respectively. But in 1732 surveyor Normandin considered this an error, who referred to the Necoubeau as a tributary to Lake Ashuapmushuan that was called Lake Chomonchouane by Laure on his maps of 1731 and 1732. Therefore Normandin renamed the river to Chomontchouane. In 1917, the Commission de géographie officially adopted the modernized spelling of Chamouchouane.
used the river for his voyage to Hudson Bay
in 1672.
In 1685, French fur traders set up a trading post on the eastern shore of Lake Ashuapmushuan that remained almost continuously in operation until the middle of the 19th century. It successively came under control of the Traite de Tadoussac (French period), King's Posts (English period), the North West Company
(1802), and the Hudson's Bay Company
(1821). During this period, the river became a major link in the fur trade route from Tadoussac
to Hudson Bay since its source is just east of Lake Mistassini
on the Rupert River
. The vestiges of the post are considered some of the most valuable and best preserved relics from the era.
After the fur trade, the Ashuapmushuan River was used by logging companies to drive logs
downstream.
(Salmo salar ouananiche). Newly hatched salmon remain in the river for 2 to 4 years before migrating to Lake Saint-Jean where it remains for most of its adult life. Then, at age 4 to 8, it will return to the river to spawn. While the Ashuapmushuan River has significantly contributed to salmon production for the lake, the salmon population has seen a sharp decline in the 1990s. Despite conservation measures, its status remains of concern.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. It starts at the outlet of Lake Ashuapmushuan, and flows first in a north-easterly direction for about 30 kilometres (18.6 mi) whereafter it continues south-east to Saint-Félicien
Saint-Félicien, Quebec
Saint-Félicien is a city in the Canadian province of Quebec. The town is located within the Le Domaine-du-Roy Regional County Municipality in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. Its population as of 2006 is 10,477.-Geography:...
. There it drains into Lake Saint-Jean of which it is the third largest tributary after the Peribonka
Peribonka River
The Peribonka River is a river in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area in Quebec, Canada. It is long and drains an area of . It drains into Lac Saint-Jean at Pointe-Taillon National Park and is the largest tributary of this lake...
and Mistassini River
Mistassini River
The Mistassini River is a river in central Quebec, Canada, draining into the north-western portion of Lac Saint-Jean. It is long and has a watershed area of...
s. The river is 181 kilometres (112.5 mi) long but its source is 266 kilometres (165.3 mi) from its mouth.
Typical median summer flow is between 200 and 300 m3/s, whereas during spring run-off, the median flow is 1050 m3/s, but the river could swell anywhere from a minimum of 400 to a maximum of 2400 m3/s. Lowest flow conditions occur in March with a median flow of 75 m3/s, and a minimum of 54 to a maximum of 120 m3/s.
The Ashuapmushuan River forms the northern boundary of the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve for most of its length. As a wild undeveloped river, and accessible from Quebec Route 167
Quebec Route 167
Route 167 is an isolated provincial highway in Quebec, Canada. It begins at the shore of Lac Saint-Jean in Saint-Félicien. It proceeds north-west to Chibougamau away. There are no services along this long stretch. At Chibougamau, the highway turns north-east towards Mistissini.Maps are conflicting...
close to Lake Ashuapmushuan, it is a popular destination for canoe camping
Canoe camping
Canoe camping is a combination of canoeing and camping. It is similar to backpacking, but canoe campers travel by canoes or kayaks...
.
A new 276.6 square kilometres (106.8 sq mi) aquatic reserve is being considered that would protect 126 kilometres (78.3 mi) of the Ashuapmushuan River, including its floodplain and valley slopes. The reserve prohibits logging, mining, and hydro-electric development, while protecting critical landlocked salmon habitats, biodiversity, and sites of archaeological interest.
Etymology
The name Ashuapmushuan, which wasn't officially adopted until 1982, is an Innu word meaning "place where one lies in wait for moose".The river was however first called Necouba by Louis Jolliet
Louis Jolliet
Louis Jolliet , also known as Louis Joliet, was a French Canadian explorer known for his discoveries in North America...
in 1679. This name was also used by Jean-Baptiste-Louis Franquelin
Jean-Baptiste-Louis Franquelin
Jean-Baptiste-Louis Franquelin was born at Saint-Michel de Villebernin, France in 1651. He died in France around 1712. He was a cartographer, a royal hydrographer, and a teacher of navigation. He was also the first official cartographer in Canada....
and Guillaume Delisle
Guillaume Delisle
Guillaume Delisle was a French cartographer who lived in Paris.His father, Claude Delisle studied law and then later settled in Paris as private teacher in geography and history, and afterwards filled the office of royal censor...
in 1686 and 1703 respectively. But in 1732 surveyor Normandin considered this an error, who referred to the Necoubeau as a tributary to Lake Ashuapmushuan that was called Lake Chomonchouane by Laure on his maps of 1731 and 1732. Therefore Normandin renamed the river to Chomontchouane. In 1917, the Commission de géographie officially adopted the modernized spelling of Chamouchouane.
Geography
The Ashuapmushuan basin is part of the Central Laurentians in the natural region of the Lake Manouane Depression. The river is enclosed in narrow valleys for a large part of its course, with powerful rapids and a dozen waterfalls, of which the most impressive are the Chaudière Falls.Tributaries
The major tributaries of the Ashuapmushuan are (in upstream order):- Rivière au Doré
- Pémonca River
- Cran River
- Vermillion River
- Grand Portage River
- Rivière du Chef
- Crochue River
- Nestaocano River
- Hilarion River
- Lake Ashuapmushuan
- Normandin River
- Marquette River
History
The Ashuapmushuan River Basin is home to several archaeological sites that show that indigenous people occupied the area for thousands of years. European explorers and missionaries came in the 17th century. For instance, Charles AlbanelCharles Albanel
Charles Albanel was a Freech missionary explorer in Canada, and Jesuit priest. In 1649, he arrived in Canada, at Tadoussac. In 1672, at the time when the Hudson's Bay Company was beginning operations, he was a leader of a French party that went by the Saguenay River, Lake Mistassini, and the...
used the river for his voyage to Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay , sometimes called Hudson's Bay, is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada. It drains a very large area, about , that includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, most of Manitoba, southeastern Nunavut, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota,...
in 1672.
In 1685, French fur traders set up a trading post on the eastern shore of Lake Ashuapmushuan that remained almost continuously in operation until the middle of the 19th century. It successively came under control of the Traite de Tadoussac (French period), King's Posts (English period), the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
(1802), and the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
(1821). During this period, the river became a major link in the fur trade route from Tadoussac
Tadoussac, Quebec
Tadoussac is a village in Quebec, Canada, at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Saguenay rivers. It was France's first trading post on the mainland of New France and an important trading post in the seventeenth century, making it the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in...
to Hudson Bay since its source is just east of Lake Mistassini
Lake Mistassini
Lake Mistassini is the largest natural lake by surface area in the province of Quebec, Canada, with a total surface area of approximately 2,335 km² and a net area of 2,164 km². It is located in the Jamésie region of the province, approximately east of James Bay...
on the Rupert River
Rupert River
The Rupert River is one of the largest rivers in Quebec, Canada. From its headwaters in Lake Mistassini, the largest natural lake in Québec, it flows west into Rupert Bay on James Bay. The Rupert drains an area of . There is some extremely large whitewater on the river, but paddlers can avoid...
. The vestiges of the post are considered some of the most valuable and best preserved relics from the era.
After the fur trade, the Ashuapmushuan River was used by logging companies to drive logs
Log driving
Log driving is a means of log transport which makes use of a river's current to move floating tree trunks downstream to sawmills and pulp mills.It was the main transportation method of the early logging industry in Europe and North America...
downstream.
Fauna
The Ashuapmushuan River and its tributaries provide spawning grounds and habitats for landlocked salmonAtlantic salmon
The Atlantic salmon is a species of fish in the family Salmonidae, which is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into the north Atlantic and the north Pacific....
(Salmo salar ouananiche). Newly hatched salmon remain in the river for 2 to 4 years before migrating to Lake Saint-Jean where it remains for most of its adult life. Then, at age 4 to 8, it will return to the river to spawn. While the Ashuapmushuan River has significantly contributed to salmon production for the lake, the salmon population has seen a sharp decline in the 1990s. Despite conservation measures, its status remains of concern.