Lac des Neiges
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| Lac des Neiges | |
|---|---|
  Lac des Neiges Location in Quebec | |
| Location | Lac-Jacques-Cartier, La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality, Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada |
| Coordinates | 47°28′30″N 71°02′05″W / 47.47500°N 71.03472°W |
| Lake type | Natural |
| Primary inflows | 22 unidentified streams and outlet of Boily Lake. |
| Primary outflows | Rivière des Neiges |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.1 km (0.68 mi) |
| Surface area | 7.0 ha (0.027 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 842 m (2,762 ft) |
The Lac des Neiges (English: Lake of Snow) is a freshwater body located in the unorganized territory of Lac-Jacques-Cartier, in the La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality, in the administrative region of Capitale-Nationale, in the province of Quebec, in Canada.
The hydrographic side of this lake is mainly served by the forest road R0308 coming from the South and passing on the east side of the lake. A secondary forest road runs along the east shore to serve a dozen chalets in the mouth of the lake and the area north of the upper part of the Rivière des Neiges.
Because of its altitude, the surface of Lac des Neiges is generally frozen from the end of November to the beginning of April; however, safe circulation on the ice is generally done from mid-December to the end of March. The water level is controlled by a dam built at its mouth.
Enclosed between the mountains, this 7 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi) and 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) in length is about 70 kilometres (43 mi) north of Quebec city in Forêt Montmorency, in Laurentides Wildlife Reserve.[1] This lake is located 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) east of Fradette Lake which is crossed from south to north by the Malbaie River and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) south of Malbaie Lake (La Côte-de-Beaupré).[2]
This lake turns out to be the source of the Rivière des Neiges. The surface of the lake is at 842 metres (2,762 ft) above sea level. Lac des Neige has a marsh area in the north and northeast.[2]
The main mountain peaks around Lac des Neiges are:
- North side: two peaks at 979 metres (3,212 ft) each;
- East side (described from north to south): a summit at 1,019 metres (3,343 ft), a summit at 984 metres (3,228 ft), Mont Francine-C.McKenzie at 990 metres (3,250 ft), a vertex at 1,003 metres (3,291 ft);
- South side: a summit at 1,029 metres (3,376 ft);
- West side (described from north to south): summit at 969 metres (3,179 ft), Mont Pierre-Dugua-De Mons at 1,007 metres (3,304 ft), Mont de la Québécoises at 1,110 metres (3,640 ft), a summit at 1,099 metres (3,606 ft), a summit at 1,030 metres (3,380 ft), Mont Jean-Hubert at 1,061 metres (3,481 ft), a peak at 930 metres (3,050 ft) and another at 930 metres (3,050 ft).[2]
The summit of Mont Belle Fontaine, the highest in the reserve, peaks at 1,148 metres (3,766 ft) at 5.0 kilometres (3.1 mi) southwest of Lac des Neiges. Formerly a fire tower was installed there.[2]
With an average flow, the Rivière des Neiges weaves 40 km in a southerly direction to empty into the Montmorency River. The Rivière des Neiges, whose bed is very rocky, flows at the bottom of a glacial valley which becomes more and more steep and spectacular as one approaches the point of confluence. Its low water level does not allow navigation, except for the kayak descent during the spring flood.