Leaf River (Quebec)
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Leaf River (French: Rivière aux Feuilles, Inuktitut: Kuugaaluk (the large river) or Itinniq (where there are spring tides)[1]) is a river in northern Quebec, Canada, that flows from Lake Minto northeast into Leaf Bay off Ungava Bay. The name "Leaf River", under which it has been known since the 19th century, is probably derived from arctic willow growing on its banks[1]. Its drainage basin is 42,500 km² (16,400 mile²) and has a mean discharge of 590 m³/s (770 yd³/s) [2]. The length of the river measured from Charpentier Bay to Tasiujaq is 320 km; if measured from first descernable current, it is 288 km[3].
At the head of Leaf Bay is the Inuit community of Tasiujaq. The Leaf River herd of barren ground caribou is one of the world's largest, estimated at close to a half-million animals.
[edit] Canoeing Information
Although visited by few, the Leaf River is a fantastic river for canoeing - incredible northern landscape and it is possible to paddle its whole length (with caution) without portaging - it doesn't contain impassable waterfalls or non-navigable rapids[4][5][6][7].
The ice-free period on the river is short: about sixty days. That implies a quite low average daily temperature in the summer (approx. 10°C) generally accompanied by rain (or snow) and wind. In short, it is an environment which offers ideal conditions for... hypothermia![1] For canoeing purposes, it is possible to access Lake Minto by several different waterways (apart from using a charter plane). All depends on the time and the energy a canoeist wants to put into it[1]. Some paddlers choose to ascend Nastapoka/Richard rivers from Hudson Bay[5], some land on Lac Nedlouc and access it via the Charpentier River[4].
Description: rather regular slope distributing 88 rapids over the entire length; very broad with fast current.
Landscape: boundary of arctic tundra and taiga; glaciated valley; wild; hills and mountains.
Characteristics: many campsites; water is potable up to the point where it becomes salted; the water level varies according to the weather.
Dangers: navigation on Lake Minto; climatic conditions; wind; tides (15m); mosquitos & black flies; black bears; icy water; navigation on Leaf Bay.
Interests: caribou; seals; water birds; aurora borealis[1].
Tributaries:[3]
- Charpentier River[4][6]
- Nedlouc River
- Descareaux River
- Daunais River
- Goudalie River
- Vizien River[5]
- Brissard River
- Qijuttuuk River
- Cohade River
- Tuktu River
- Dufreboy Creek
- Viennaux River
- Papijjusaq River
- Peladeau River
- Fanfan River
Outfitters & cabins: The main outfitter (hunting/fishing) on the river (Leaf River Outfitters) is located at 57:54:40.39 N 72:58:41.48 W. It is active between mid June and early October. Another fishing/hunting cabin (Leaf River Estuary Lodge) is located on Leaf Bay at 58:46:19.16 N 70:9:57.87 W.
First known explorers[8]:
1898 Albert Peter Low
1912 Robert J. Flaherty
1976 Bob Davis
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e FQCK (2000). Guide des parcours canotables du Quebec, Tome II, 233. ISBN 2-89000-504-6.
- ^ Atlas of Canada
- ^ a b Quebec Canoe Maps.
- ^ a b c Lester Kovac and Lynette Chubb. Charpentier/Leaf 2007.
- ^ a b c Bassi, Brad. Northern Ungava Canoe Expedition.
- ^ a b Kunin, Tim. Pakboats on the Leaf River.
- ^ Lange, Willem. Pakboats on the Riviere aux Feuilles.
- ^ Bruce W. Hodgins & Gwyneth Hoyle (1997). Canoeing North into the Unknown (A Record of River Travel: 1874-1974), 216-217. ISBN 0-920474-93-4.
[edit] External links
- Leaf River Outfitters
- Leaf River Estuary Lodge
- Tides on Leaf Basin, Québec
- Leaf Bay 7 day tidal predictions, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Nunavik Tourism Association
- Makivik Corporation
