Shawinigan River

Rivière Shawinigan
A painting by Cornelius Krieghoff, showing one of the waterfalls along the Shawinigan
Other name(s)	Petite rivière Shawinigan, Shawinigan River, Little Shawinigan River
Country	Canada
Region	Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, Shawinigan, Mauricie
Basin features
Main source	Areas in and near La Mauricie National Park
River mouth	Confluence with the Saint-Maurice in the baie de Shawinigan 46°32′18″N 72°46′08″W / 46.53833°N 72.76889°W / 46.53833; -72.76889Coordinates: 46°32′18″N 72°46′08″W / 46.53833°N 72.76889°W / 46.53833; -72.76889
Progression	Shawinigan—Saint-Maurice—Saint Lawrence—Atlantic Ocean

The rivière Shawinigan flows in the rural area to the north of Shawinigan, then through the town of Shawinigan, in Mauricie, in Quebec, in Canada. The Shawinigan is a tributary of the right bank of the Saint-Maurice.

The Shawinigan flows through forested areas, agricultural and urban (at the end of his course). At its head, it drains some lakes including lac Barnard (in Maskinongé Regional County Municipality), lac Wapizagonke and other water bodies in the southern zone the La Mauricie National Park.

On its way, its waters flow at first to southbound across the "chutes du diable" falls, then eastward, sometimes following a serpentine path. Then, the river crosses the Saint-Gérard sector (in Shawinigan) where the river veers to the south. Then the river flows in south-westerly direction along the Quebec Autoroute 55, where a drop creates waterfalls. Nearby, an observation deck was erected. Finally, the river flows into the baie de Shawinigan, where it meets the Saint-Maurice at the foot of the Shawinigan hydroelectric complex.

Main bridges spanning the river (from the mouth):

The name "Rivière Shawinigan" was registered on December 5, 1968 in the bank of place names of the Geographical Names Board of Canada.