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The 177 kilometre-long Jacques-Cartier River is located in south-central Quebec and is easily accessible for nearly all of its length, from its source in the Laurentian Mountains midway between Chicoutimi and Quebec, to its mouth 30 kilometres west of Quebec City. The river is protected for most of its length by Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park in the north and by other publicly owned lands to the south (77% of the shoreline is publicly owned). Most of the river (128 kms) has been nominated to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System for its outstanding beauty, its enormous recreational potential, and for its heritage value in representing the natural and historical evolution of Quebec. The Jacques-Cartier river basin comprises two distinct parts: an upper section in Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park in the Laurentian Mountains, and a lower section comprising the southern edge of the Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands. Lower Section: The lower section extends from Donnacona to Tewkesbury and is mostly protected by large blocks of publicly and privately held land. The river banks here are partially wooded and moderately populated. A regional population of about 25,000 is concentrated in six villages along the river: Donnacona (5,900), Pont-Rouge (3,850), Sainte-Catherine (3,590), Shannon (3,620) Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier (3,160) and Tewkesbury (3,690). Upper Section: The upper section extends from Tewkesbury to the river’s headwaters. This wooded and uninhabited part of the Laurentians is protected by a provincial park and by a wildlife reserve. The former, Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park, comprises 670 square kilometres and includes the deepest part of the river’s valley. Of outstanding, indeed spectacular, beauty in Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park, the river also displays the geological evolution of southern Quebec. The primary feature of the valley is its representation of the two main geological structures associated with Quebec: the Canadian Shield to the north and St. Lawrence Lowlands in the south. In the north, for 160 kilometres from its source to the village of Pont-Rouge, the river crosses the Grenville Province, the youngest of the Canadian Shield ‘provinces’ at 955 million years of age. South of here, for about 17 kilometres, the river crosses the St. Lawrence Lowlands, which are composed of lower Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks about 500 million years old. These limestone and clay shales can be seen clearly at the picturesque Déry fishing site. The present course of the Jacques-Cartier is the result of a long evolution of many geomorphological processes, some of which continue today. Uplifting of the Laurentian Mountains began a period of river erosion in which deep valleys were created along geological weaknesses. The Quaternary glaciations then created the broad valleys of the northern part of the river and the fertile glacial deposits of the St. Lawrence Lowlands. In the lowlands, the melting of the glaciers created the vast inland Champlain Sea around which deltas were formed by streams and rivers. With the gradual draining of this sea, the Jacques-Cartier cut into the marine sediment left behind, creating river terraces which can be seen near Pont-Rouge and Sainte-Catherine. At this time the present course of the river was determined and the spectacular gorge at Déry, which is 1,500 metres long and several dozen metres deep, was gouged out of the limestone. Vegetation: Vegetation evolved progressively after the glaciation: tundra gave way to taiga scrub, then taiga gave way to boreal forest, and finally deciduous forest flourished. The Jacques-Cartier valley contrasts sharply with barren glacial valleys to the north and west. Its vegetation is diverse and lush, with remarkable intrusions of deciduous species into the northern coniferous forests. Wildlife: The Jacques-Cartier valley supports wildlife typical of mixed forests of eastern Canada. There are 23 species of mammal including the moose, black bear, racoon and white tailed deer. There are also 104 known species of birds including the osprey and American kestrel, and 16 species of fish among which are the speckled trout, which is particularly abundant, and the Atlantic salmon, which is being reintroduced.  Although of somewhat secondary historical importance, the Jacques-Cartier River portrays certain elements which are valuable in the understanding of the history and prehistory of Quebec and Canada. Prehistory: It seems the valley has a rich prehistory having been a link between two important regions: the St. Lawrence valley and the Lac St.-Jean area. It is thought that native peoples used the valley as a communication route and for hunting and fishing for about 7,000 years. Over 50 sites have archaeological potential. History: The banks of the St. Lawrence were successively occupied by Iroquois, Algonquin and Europeans in the 17th century, at which time the interior was being exploited by Attikamek and Montagnais Indians. It is known that the Hurons from Lorette divided this back country, which was not then settled by Europeans, with the Algonquin nations. The enigmatic ‘Jesuit trail’, linking Quebec and Lac St.-Jean at this time, seems to have followed in part a trail of these Indian hunters. The development of the Jacques-Cartier valley is an eloquent illustration of the major periods of colonization in Quebec. At the river mouth, the seigniorial pattern of the land subdivision, the place names, and the architecture evoke the French period. After the conquest of 1759, English settlers arrived and established the system of townships. The cantons of Stoneham and Tewkesbury are good examples of this. With the arrival of more colonists, industry began to develop. By the early 19th century, lumbering and agriculture flourished. Along the river, several sawmills and gristmills were constructed. At the same time, sport fishing for salmon reached its heyday, to the extent that a law was passed in 1854 protecting the species. However, in spite of this, salmon became increasingly rare, disappearing completely with the later construction of dams and the industrial use of the water. Commercial activities in the river valley until the 1970’s consisted of lumbering in the back country, and the construction of several hydro-electric dams. A reawakening of public awareness of the valley’s heritage value led to the creation of Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park in 1981. Major historic and cultural sites include:
The Jacques-Cartier is located less than an hour from Quebec City and annually attracts thousands of fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. It offers a wide range of activities, of which by far the most popular are fishing and boating. Fishing: Salmon fishing was reopened in 1984 following a resoration program for Atlantic salmon. Speckled trout continue to be a popular species for fishermen, although brown and rainbow trout, pike and walleye can also be caught. River Touring: The Jacques-Cartier River is well known beyond Quebec for its canoeing and rafting. Each year, a large number of visitors make the trip, canoeing and camping at serviced sites within Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park. Although of secondary importance, there are five other canoe routes totalling 33 kilometres which are heavily used between Donnacona and Tewkesbury. River running using inflatable rafts is also increasingly popular. Other Activities: Several other activities which make use of the opportunities provided by the outstanding natural environment are pursued along the river. These include rock climbing, bicycle touring, hiking, cross-country skiing, picnicking, and nature observation and interpretation.  Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park: Before exploring the river, visitors are encouraged to make use of the visitor reception centre in Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park. Here they will receive a warm welcome, and the information available will allow them to take full advantage of their stay. Planned interpretation programs include permanent exhibits, audio-visual shows, guided tours, and various demonstrations. Visitor reception and interpretation centre in Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park: From May to October, the park provides visitors with facilities and services for camping, hiking and cycling, canoeing, canoe-camping, climbing and picnicking. At the visitor reception centre it is possible to rent equipment for the park’s outdoor activities. Introductory canoeing courses are offered, and a minibus service for renters and their equipment is available. In the winter, the park is open for cross-country skiing (on ungroomed trails), and for ice climbing, for which permits are required. Visitors wishing to make trips longer than one day are also required to make reservations. Beyond the Park: South of the provincial park, a number of municipal parks provide river access, opportunities for nature observation, picnic sites, hiking and cross- country skiing. In addition, five interpretation centres at different locations provide information about the region. Rafting trips are operated at Saint-Catherine and Tewkesbury by private companies. Accommodation: In the provincial park, campsites and chalets are available. To the south, Donnacona, Pont-Rouge, Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, Stoneham and Tewkesbury provide complete restaurant and lodging services. Access: Access to the northern section of the river is by Highway 175, via the provincial park From Quebec City, visitors can reach the southern section via Highway 40. Roads from Brule, Montcalm and Dublin, and Route 369, provide access to the river corridor between Donnacona and Shannon, where access is interrupted by Valcartier Military Base. Tewkesbury is accessible by routes 369 and 371. Topographic Maps: The Jacques-Cartier River is covered by National Topographic Series maps at the 1:250,000 scale by maps 21L and 21M, and at the 1:50,000 scale by 21L/12-14 and 21M/3. These may be obtained from the Canada Map Office, 615 Booth Street, Ottawa, K1A 0E9 (Tel. 613–995–4510). The Canadian Heritage Rivers System: National Manager, Canadian Heritage Rivers System, c/o Parks Canada, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0M5. Tel. 819–994–2913, Fax 819–953-4704. E-mail address: donald.gibson@pc.gc.ca Jacques-Cartier River and Provincial Park: Quebec Ministry of Recreation, Fish and Game, Outdoor Recreation and Parks Branch, 700, boulevard Lebourgneuf, Bureau 12, Québec (Québec) G2J 1E2, (418)528-8787 poste 229; Téléc : (418)528-8781; courriel : gendreau.philippe@sepaq.com ; www.sepaq.com For more information on the Jacques Cartier, check out http://www.quebecregion.com/eng/otccir3e.html; http://www.canot-kayak.qc.ca and http://www.quebecweb.com/tourisme/quebec/mrcjacartier/introfranc.html. Visit this web site for information on the salmon ladders installed on the Jacques Cartier: http://www.rtsq.qc.ca/quebec/dc020.htm Ted Mosquin, Special Bulletin: a Supplement to Nature Canada, Volume 1, Oct–Dec 1972. Fédération Québecoise du Canot-Camping, Quebec Canoe Routes Map (Les percours conotables du Québec), n.d. Available from F.Q.C.C, 4545 Ave. Pierre de Coubertin, Box 1000, Station M Montreal, H1V 3R2. Government of Quebec, Canadian Heritage Rivers System, Nomination of the Jacques Cartier River, Ministry of Recreation, Fish and Game, 1987. Voyages: Canada’s Heritage Rivers – Lynn E. Noel, editor. Published by Breakwater Books of Newfoundland and sponsored by QLF/Atlantic Centre for the Environment. Newfoundland orders toll free: l–800–563–3333, Canadian orders and inquiries outside Newfoundland toll free: 1–800–387–0172, U.S. orders and inquiries toll free: 1–800–805–1083. Discount available from Canadian River Management Society, Tel. 613–824–0410. |
