The Despreux River is a tributary of the Harricana River, flowing into the municipalities of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality), in Jamésie, in the administrative region from Nord-du-Québec, in Quebec, in Canada.

Despreux
Harricana River basin in yellow
Location
CountryCanada
ProvinceQuebec
RegionNord-du-Québec
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationEeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec
 • coordinates50°10′32″N 79°04′53″W / 50.17556°N 79.08139°W / 50.17556; -79.08139
 • elevation261 m (856 ft)
MouthHarricana River
 • location
Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality), Nord-du-Québec, Quebec
 • coordinates
50°30′54″N 79°08′14″W / 50.51500°N 79.13722°W / 50.51500; -79.13722
 • elevation
97 m (318 ft)
Length44.7 km (27.8 mi)[1]

The surface of the river is usually frozen from early November to mid-May, however, safe ice movement is generally from mid-November to the end of April.

Geography

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The main hydrographic slopes near the Despreux River are:

The Despreux River derives its source from a forest stream (elevation: 261 metres (856 ft)), located in the municipality of Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality).

The source of the Despreux River located at:

  • 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi) West of the Harricana River;
  • 15.1 kilometres (9.4 mi) East of the source of the Malouin River;
  • 30.5 kilometres (19.0 mi) East of the Ontario border.

From the source, the Despreux River flows over 44.7 kilometres (27.8 mi) according to the following segments:

  • 15.4 kilometres (9.6 mi) north, to the dump (coming from the South-East) of Lake Despreux;
  • 24.9 kilometres (15.5 mi) to the North, to a creek (coming from the South);
  • 4.4 kilometres (2.7 mi) northeasterly to mouth.[2]

The Despreux River flows on the west bank of the Harricana River across the Island of Seven Mile, to:

  • 88.6 kilometres (55.1 mi) South-East of the mouth of the Harricana River;
  • 26.9 kilometres (16.7 mi) East of the Ontario border;
  • 136 kilometres (85 mi) North-West of downtown Matagami, Quebec.

Toponymy

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The toponym "Despreux River" was formalized on December 5, 1968, at the Commission de toponymie du Québec, when it was founded.[3]

See also

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Notes and references

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  1. ^ Atlas of Canada
  2. ^ Distances from the Department of Natural Resources Canada's Atlas of Canada (published on the Internet).
  3. ^ Commission de toponymie du Quebec - Bank of Place Names - Toponym: "Despreux River"