Batiscanie

Batiscanie is the watershed of the Batiscan River, located in the center of the province of Quebec, Canada, covering 4690 km² on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River. The area covered by Batiscanie is 53% in the administrative région of Mauricie and 47% in the administrative region of the Capitale-Nationale.[1]

For other uses, see Batiscan (disambiguation).
See also: Batiscan River

The territory of the Batiscanie is 87% forest areas (especially in the Middle and Upper Batiscanie) and 7% rivers, lakes and wetlands.[2]

The Batiscan River Valley is designated "Batiscanie" in publications of several historians.

Agricultural areas occupy a total area of 257.08 square kilometres (99.26 sq mi), or 5.5% of the Batiscanie, especially in the south of the territory. In 2010, MAPAQ counted 217 farms in operation in Batiscanie. The sub-basin of the Rivière des Envies (Cravings River) is a growing area of 7,808 hectares (19,290 acres).

According to MAPAQ the agricultural land of Batiscanie has an uncultivated area of 8,351 hectares (20,640 acres), because of certain fallow-land lots and some wooded areas, often subject to limitations related to the nature of the terrain including rocks, steep slopes, streams, and difficult accessibility.

Located in the southern Laurentians, Upper Batiscanie generally includes public land tenure. Agricultural activities are rare because of the climate, soil type, accessibility and low population. The use of this area is mainly focused on forestry, recreational and tourism. Upper Batiscanie counts a thousand lakes. The population density is very low.

The Batiscanie has two physiographic regions: the Laurentian Shield occupying 75% of the northern area, and the lowlands of the St. Lawrence covering the southern territory.

The Batiscan River takes its source at Lac-Édouard, Quebec (Mauricie) and descends on 196 km in a north-south direction to empty into the St. Lawrence River, in Batiscan. This watershed is located between the basin of the Saint-Maurice River, Métabetchouane River to the North, Champlain River to the South-West and the Sainte-Anne River in the East.[3]

Geography
Main article: Batiscan River

The Batiscan River rises in the Edward Lake (lac Édouard), in the municipality of Lac-Édouard and Mauricie. The river is running down on 196 kilometres (122 mi) in the north-south direction and empties into the St. Lawrence River, in the municipality of Batiscan. The watershed is located between the basin of the Saint-Maurice River in the West, the Métabetchouane River in the North, Champlain River in the Southwest and one of the Sainte-Anne River in the South-East.

The Batiscanie has ten major sub-basins covering an area of over 195 square kilometres (75 sq mi) each, feeding the main river Batiscan:

  1. des Envies (Mékinac Regional County Municipality and Les Chenaux) 475.82 square kilometres (183.72 sq mi)
  2. Tawachiche (Mékinac Regional County Municipality) 193.93 square kilometres (74.88 sq mi)
  3. à Pierre (Portneuf Regional County Municipality) 220.64 square kilometres (85.19 sq mi)
  4. White River (Rivière Blanche) (Portneuf Regional County Municipality) 208.65 square kilometres (80.56 sq mi). Note: Although the White River flows into the Rivière-à-Pierre at the height of Rivière-à-Pierre village, its watershed is sufficient to be treated separately.
  5. Miguick (Portneuf Regional County Municipality) 303.56 square kilometres (117.21 sq mi)
  6. Lightning (rivière aux éclairs) (La Jacques-Cartier Regional County Municipality and agglomeration of La Tuque) 294.07 square kilometres (113.54 sq mi)
  7. Moïse River (Quebec) (rivière Moïse) (La Jacques-Cartier Regional County Municipality) 301.56 square kilometres (116.43 sq mi)
  8. Jeannotte (agglomeration of La Tuque) 560.94 square kilometres (216.58 sq mi)
  9. Edward Lake (Lac-Édouard) (agglomeration of La Tuque) 318.41 square kilometres (122.94 sq mi)
  10. Lac aux Biscuits (agglomeration of La Tuque) 243.39 square kilometres (93.97 sq mi).

The last sub-basin includes all other streams (with an area of less than 195 square kilometres (75 sq mi)) and directly related to the Batiscan. This residual sub-basin covers 1,574.24 square kilometres (607.82 sq mi)[2] or 33.6% of the territory.

The Batiscanie has 103 dams on its territory and only one is used for hydroelectricity, 71 are listed in the administrative region of Mauricie and 32 in the region of the Capitale-Nationale. Dams impoundments (generally not more than a meter high) are used for wildlife or recreational uses and resort

Municipalities and unorganized territories

The only three municipalities whose territory is 100% in Batiscanie are: Saint-Stanislas, Saint-Séverin and Saint-Tite. Municipalities and unorganized territories located in Batiscanie (or holding area) are:

Municipality or unorganized territoriesOccupied areas in Batiscanie (in each municipality or U.T.)[4]
Lac-Édouard, QuebecThe whole territory except the northwest part
Lac Croche (U.T.)All half midwestern
La Bostonnais (U.T.)Only a small area west of the unorganized territory
La TuqueOnly two zones, one between La Bostonnais, Edward lake, Linton, Quebec and Lac-Lapeyrère,

and the area northwest of Edward lake

Lac-Lapeyrère (U.T.)The whole territory, except an area to the west of the limit of La Tuque and Lac-Masketsi
Linton (U.T.)Entire area except for a small area to the east (bordering Saint-Raymond and Lac Blanc)
Lac Blanc (White Lake) (U.T.)All the northwestern half
Saint-RaymondOnly a small area in the northwest
Rivière-à-PierreAll the territory except the south-east (bordering Saint-Raymond) and a small area in the west to the edge of Lac-Masketsi (U.T.)
Trois-Rives, QuebecOnly a small area on the edge of Lac-Masketsi territory of Lac-aux-Sables and Sainte-Thècle
Notre-Dame-de-MontaubanThe whole territory, except the south-east, on the border of Saint-Ubalde
Lac-aux-SablesThe whole territory, except the area of Mission Lake to the west, on the edge of Sainte-Thècle, Quebec, unless another area on the boundary of Saint-Ubalde
Sainte-Thècle, QuebecThe whole territory, except an area at the north-east (the limit of Trois-Rives) and another small area near the lake missionary northeast
Saint-Roch-de-MékinacAn area to the southeast, on the border of Grandes-Piles and Sainte-Thècle, Quebec
Shawinigan (sector Grandes-Piles)area located at the east of this watershed line: from the limit of Hérouxville (sector Tavibois), Gabriel lake, Clair lake (and the mountain of 4th row), and the territory of 1st, 2nd and 3rd row, located at nord-east of Lake Roberge (Grandes-Piles).
Shawinigan (Lac-à-la-Tortue, Quebec sector)Lac-à-la-Tortue, Quebec sector (except the southwest area near the Saint-Maurice River)
Saint-Adelphe, QuebecWhole territory except watershed Charest River (located in the East)
Hérouxville, QuebecAll the territory except the northwest area on the edge of Grandes-Piles and Shawinigan (Lac-à-la-Tortue, Quebec sector)
Saint-Narcisse, QuebecAll the territory except the southwest area, the limit of Champlain and Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes
Saint-Prosper, QuebecAn area to the west, on the edge of Saint-Stanislas and Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan
Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan, QuebecThe whole territory, except for two areas: one in the east, at the limit of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, and the other south-west, near the limit of Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes
BatiscanPart of its territory drains directly into the St. Lawrence River, or south-west and is either on the verge of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade.

U.T. = Unorganized Territory

Population in Batiscanie

According to 2011 Canadian census, Batiscanie was inhabited by 16,140 residents over an area of 2838 km² organized in 13 municipalities. In 2002, there were 16 500 inhabitants. Only 10.6% of the population of Batiscanie lives north of Lac-aux-Sables, a territory representing 58.6% of the Batiscanie. The most populous municipality in the watershed is Saint-Tite, followed by Sainte-Thècle. The municipality with the largest area is Lake Edward, followed by Rivière-à-Pierre.

Population of the Batiscanie in 2011[5]
Municipality Population MRC / RCM Area
km2 sq mi
Lake Édouard 167MRC de La Tuque 97,975 37,828
Rivière-à-Pierre 700MRC de Portneuf 521 201
Notre-Dame-de-Montauban 845MRC de Mékinac 163 63
Lac-aux-Sables 1,329MRC de Mékinac 285 110
Sainte-Thècle 2,507MRC de Mékinac 216 83
Saint-Tite 3,725MRC de Mékinac 91 35
Hérouxville 1,275MRC de Mékinac 54 21
Saint-Séverin 830MRC de Mékinac 61 24
Saint-Adelphe 932MRC de Mékinac 135 52
Saint-Stanislas 351MRC des Chenaux 86 33
Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan 1,047MRC des Chenaux 97 37
Saint-Narcisse 1,794MRC des Chenaux 10,487 4,049
Batiscan 941MRC des Chenaux 44 17

Municipalities of Batiscanie

Municipalities of the territory of Batiscanie are:

1. Lac Édouard

Lake Edward in the heart of the Haute-Mauricie (High Mauritian) forest, located at 65 km east of La Tuque. The municipality with 167 inhabitants is integrated into the town of La Tuque. Approximately 980 km ² and counting 300 lakes, the city is the third largest in the Mauricie area. The village which is located on the shores of Lake Edward Island (26 km long), is surrounded by mountains (the Laurentians) and forests. Despite the distance, visitors access by car, train, quad, snowmobile or seaplane. Lake Edward is a paradise for hunting, fishing, water sports, beaches and numerous bays. Services are provided by three and four ZECS outfitters. The municipality has a network of over 26 km of hiking trails. In the history, the Lac-Edouard was known for its hospital and railway station. Its territory includes the proposed biodiversity reserve Seigneurie-of-Triton (408 km2 or 158 sq mi), Ecological Reserves Judith-De Brésoles (10.9 m2 or 117 sq ft), Bog-in-Strips (4.3 km2 or 1.7 sq mi). There is also a wildlife habitat on the island Hoffman.

2. Rivière-à-Pierre

Rivière-à-Pierre is in the Portneuf Regional County Municipality. First designated "mission Canton Bois" (mission of Township Wood), the Township Bois was constituted in 1897. The local economy was mainly based on agriculture and forestry. The new name of the municipality of Rivière-à-Pierre was awarded in 1948. The local Via Rail station serves the village since 1885. The granite is extracted from the surrounding mountains has a worldwide reputation. A replica of the cross of Gaspé was crafted in granite and erected in the village. This cross is half of the height of the original cross of Gaspé erected in Gaspé. The municipality is the gateway to the Portneuf Wildlife Reserve. The Church of St. Bernardin was the heart of the history of the locality. Falls of Marmite are popular with outdoor attractions. Rivière-à-Pierre is a paradise for water sports, camping, hunting, fishing, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles.

3. Notre-Dame-des-Anges

This town is located at the north-eastern part of the Mékinac Regional County Municipality. The locality is split in two by the Batiscan River. 850 inhabitants of the municipality administers an area of 163.53 square kilometres (63.14 sq mi). With 53 lakes, the land is mostly wooded, while agricultural area accounts for 8% of the territory. The economy of the town was mainly related to the timber industry with 34 sawmills operating in local history. The fall of the legendary "five dollars" is located above the village. Municipalities of Notre-Dame-des-Anges and Montauban-les-mines were merged to become the municipality of "Notre-Dame-de-Montauban".

4. Lac-aux-Sables

With almost 500 chalets built around 47 lakes and three rivers, Lac-aux-Sables is a paradise of resort of mid-Batiscanie region, in the Mékinac Regional County Municipality. The territory count two villages: Lac-aux-Sables and Hervey-Jonction.

With around 300 inhabitants, Hervey-Jonction is the location of the Hervey-Jonction Station that is used today as a switching point for two passenger Via Rail trains (Abitibi and Saguenay). On the religious aspect, the Catholic parish St. Leopold d'Hervey-Jonction can serve the local population. On the civilian side, the sector is integrated into the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables.

Batiscan River cuts the municipal territory into two parts. The right bank of the Batiscan River has two major tributaries, the Tawachiche River and the "Propre River". The main attractions are related to the resort and tourism: five campgrounds, an important camp for students ("Lac en coeur") since 1946, an area of controlled for hunting and fishing (Zec Tawachiche) since 1979, and a beautiful golf club (the Saint-Rémi) since 1970.

5. Sainte-Thècle

The municipality of Sainte-Thècle has 55 lakes covering an area of 213.5 square kilometres (82.4 sq mi). This parish town of 2478 (in 2011) is known for its resort especially around lakes Croche and "du Jesuit". The high mountains of Precambrian period located in row St-Joseph and in Township Lejeune (North-West of the municipality) offer exceptional views. Sainte-Thècle is also a paradise for hunting, fishing, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicles and other outdoor activities.

The church, rectory and cemetery, located on the dominant hill of the village are a historical heritage of great interest. The Parc St-Jean-Optimist, located in the Lac Croche is a public site for summertime leisure (swimming, docks, picnic tables ...). The Lawrence Naud promenade, located near the Lac Croche, is an ideal site to view the lake.

The agricultural and forestry industries have marked its history. In the 19th and 20th century, there were many sawmills and flour. The main industries of the 20th century were Groleau Inc, Pierre Naud inc and "Veillet et frères".

The territory of Sainte-Thècle is characterized by three river basins of Batiscanie: the Rivière des Envies, the Pierre-Paul River and Tawachiche River which has a north-south route 25 kilometres (16 mi) entirely in the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables. Thousands years ago, Native American activities has been particularly intense in St-Thomas row, where many aboriginal artifacts were found and are now stored at UQTR (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières).

6. Saint-Tite

Saint-Tite is the only city in the Batiscanie. The 2011 census counted 3,880 residents there. Agriculture and forestry are the predominant economic sectors. From the early 20th century, the tanning industry and leather processing is located at the point where this small industrial town was designated the "city of leather". Many SMEs have made leather items, such as gloves and boots there. Many items are made in Western style.

With its many shops, Saint-Tite is also a commercial center serving the entire region. Saint-Tite became the chief town of the region, notably in the field of educational administration, as the Commission scolaire de Normandie (1969-1998) clung to his head office. Today, the "École secondaire Paul-le-Jeune", opened in 1969, is the only high school in the MRC. Saint-Tite is also an important center for health and social services. The Mékinac Regional County Municipality (RCM) established its headquarters in Saint-Tite.

The agricultural plain of the St. Lawrence Valley ends at Saint-Tite at the foot of Laurentians. Saint-Tite is located in the watershed of the Rivière des Envies, whose main tributary is the "Little Mekinac River". The major lakes are: Trottier, Perchaude and Pierre-Paul. This lake is the head of the Pierre-Paul River flowing into Sainte-Thècle, Quebec and Saint-Adelphe, Quebec, to throw in the Batiscan River, at the height the village of Saint-Adelphe.

The first settler Francois D'Assise Cossette stood around Lake Kapibouska. The clearing of land began in earnest in 1835. The mission of Saint-Just-de-Kapibouska was recognized in 1851. The Catholic parish of Saint-Tite is canonically founded in 1859, the same year the opening of the post office. Civil erection takes place in 1863 in breaking away from Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Quebec and Saint-Stanislas-de-la-Rivière des Envies. In 1910, the city of Saint-Tite was incorporated, detaching itself from the municipality of the parish. Finally, in 1998, the Municipality of the Parish and the city got together to form the new city of Saint-Tite.

Inaugurated in 1967 by a large rodeo, Festival Western de Saint-Tite annually attracts up to 800,000 visitors during the 10 days of festivities.

7. Saint-Adelphe

8. Hérouxville

9. Lac-à-la-Tortue

10. Saint-Stanislas

11. Saint-Narcisse

12. Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan

13. Batiscan

The municipality of Batiscan is the oldest parish in the Batiscanie and the only municipality in the Batiscanie to be located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. The mouth of the Batiscan River is part of its territory. Incorporated as a municipality in 1855, Batiscan is part of the Les Chenaux Regional County Municipality since 2002. Covering an area of nearly 44 square kilometers, the municipality had 941 people at the 2011 census. By highway, Batiscan is thirty minutes from Trois-Rivières and about one hour from province of Quebec. Batiscan is the only parish of the Batiscanie to have a highway segment.

In the Native American prehistory, the territory of Batiscan was occupied at different times by the Iroquois, Algonquin, Montagnais and Atikamekw. The founding of Trois-Rivières in 1634 promoted trade with the Indians and the settlement of Aboriginal communities. In 1639, the Jesuits are given the "Seigneurie de Batiscan" (Lordship of Batiscan), they exploited up to the early 19th century. The first settlers arrived in 1666. The parish of St. Francis Xavier Batiscan was canonically erected in 1684.

Batiscan benefits including a municipal dock on the St. Lawrence River and a ramp to the water, two bike paths, a primary school, a medical clinic. Batiscan has several heritage sites: the old rectory Batiscan, Calvary Lacoursière and the building of the municipal dock. Historically, agriculture, forest, river navigation and fishing have formed predominant economic activities. From the 20th century, the resort and water activities characterize the municipality.

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See also

Lakes:

  1. Batiscan Lake, Quebec, in Upper-Batiscanie,
  2. Lac aux Biscuits in Upper-Batiscanie,
  3. Croche Lake (Sainte-Thècle), Mid-Batiscanie,
  4. Lake of the Cross (Lac-Édouard) (Lac à la croix), in Upper-Batiscanie,
  5. Lake Édouard (Quebec), in Upper-Batiscanie,
  6. Lac-Masketsi, Quebec, in Mid-Batiscanie,
  7. Lac Pierre-Paul, in Saint-Tite,

Rivers:

  1. Rivière-à-la-Lime, in Lower-Batiscanie,
  2. Veillet River, in Lower-Batiscanie,
  3. Lightning River (rivière aux éclairs), in Upper-Batiscanie,
  4. Batiscan River,
  5. Grand River Bostonnais (Portneuf)
  6. Rivière des Envies, in Sainte-Thècle, Saint-Tite, Saint-Séverin and Saint-Stanislas
  7. River des Chutes, in Lower-Batiscanie,
  8. Jeannotte River, in Upper-Batiscanie,
  9. Miguick River, in Upper-Batiscanie,
  10. Moïse River (Quebec), in Upper-Batiscanie,
  11. Pierre-Paul River, in Mid-Batiscanie,
  12. Propre River, in Mid-Batiscanie,
  13. Serpentine River, in Upper-Batiscanie,
  14. Tawachiche River, Lac-aux-Sablesin Mid-Batiscanie,
  15. Tawachiche West River, in Lac-aux-Sables in Mid-Batiscanie.

Others:

  1. Island of the Cross (Quebec) (Île à la Croix), in Upper-Batiscanie,
  2. Lordship of Batiscan, in Lower and Mid-Batiscanie,
  3. Lordship of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, covering Lower and Mid-Batiscanie,
  4. Batiscan River Park, in Lower Batiscanie.

Areas of controlled development:

References
  1. "Société d'aménagement et de mise en valeur du bassin de la Batiscan (Management and development Society of the Batiscan basin), "Plan directeur de l'eau du bassin versant de la rivière Batiscan-2011" (Director plan of the watershed of the Batiscan River), 248 p., p. 4" (PDF) (in French). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-24.
  2. "Société d'aménagement et de mise en valeur du bassin de la Batiscan (Management and development Society of the Batiscan basin), "Plan directeur de l'eau du bassin versant de la rivière Batiscan-2011" (Director plan of the watershed of the Batiscan River), 248 p., p.11, citing MDDEP, 2005" (PDF) (in French). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-24.
  3. "Société d'aménagement et de mise en valeur du bassin de la Batiscan (Management and development Society of the Batiscan basin), "Plan directeur de l'eau du bassin versant de la rivière Batiscan-2011" (Director plan of the watershed of the Batiscan River), 248 p., p.18" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-24. (in French)
  4. "Commission development and implementation value of the Batiscan - Director plan of the watershed of the Batiscan River - 2011 Location Map of municipalities and non organized territories of Batiscan River Watershed, p. 7" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-24.
  5. Document "Liste des municipalités locales - Population 2011" (List of local municipalities) published by "Ministère des affaires municipales et des régions du Québec" (Ministry of municipal affairs and regions of Quebec)

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