Saint-Charles River
| Saint Charles River | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Other name(s) | Akiawenrahk |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale |
| Basin features | |
| Main source | Lake Saint-Charles |
| River mouth | Saint Lawrence River |
| Basin size | 550 km2 (210 sq mi) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 33 km (21 mi) |
Saint-Charles River is a river of Quebec (Canada), and the main river in Quebec City. Its Huron-Wendat name is Akiawenrahk.
It springs from Saint-Charles Lake, follows a course of approximately 33 km and ends into Saint Lawrence River. Its drainage basin is 550 km² large and a population of 350 000 persons live on its shores, in Quebec City and the Regional County Municipality of La Jacques-Cartier. It is the most densely populated drainage basin of any Quebec river, with an average population density of 600 inhabitants per square kilometer, mostly concentrated in the last third of its length.
Many streams of Québec City and the surroundings are tributary to Saint-Charles River.
The drainage basin includes six main sub-basins, that are, excluding the Saint-Charles' basin itself:
Saint-Charles River's drainage basin also includes many secondary streams including:
This river crosses the Wyandot territory of Wendake at the north of Quebec City. Rapids and waterfalls are found in this section under the name of Kabir Kouba or «Silver Serpent» in Wyandot language. The Parc de la Falaise et de la chute Kabir Kouba along the falls at this place has an interpretation center and trails allowing visitors to observe the 28 metre high Kabir Kouba waterfall in a 42 metre deep canyon, a rich flora and fossils as old as 455 million years. A song from the singer Claire Pelletier, Kabir Kouba, refers to the many Wyandot legends that revolve around the river.
The Parc linéaire des rivières Saint-Charles et du Berger is a 31 km long pedestrian trail following the river on its whole course. It goes through Quebec City downtown and continues northwards where the landscape is wilder. Many bridges allow visitors to cross the river. People can see, between others: the Kabir Kouba waterfall, a canyon, a bog covered with a wooden boardwalk, a full forest zone, a lake, a great variety of ferns and plants, many bird species and a place to observe them, a water castle, historic buildings, a Wyandot village and artworks.
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Wikipedia