Peeking between the cities of Brossard and La Prairie flows a natural treasure. This is the Riviere Saint-Jacques. It is one of the last natural rivers in the greater Montreal area.
The Riviere Saint-Jacques meanders gracefully. It flows through the Montérégie region’s agricultural lowlands. This area lies near the Saint Lawrence River. The river drains both sparsely and densely populated areas. These include agricultural towns and suburban cities. They sit on Montreal’s south shore.
The Riviere Saint-Jacques stretches 33.1 kilometers. It flows from Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur to the Saint Lawrence River. Its mouth lies between Brossard and La Prairie.
The river’s main hydrographic slopes include Prairie Creek to the north. The Acadia River flows to its east. Saint-André Creek is to the south. The St Lawrence Seaway lies to the west.
Do you know how the Riviere Saint-Jacques gets its start? Agricultural streams south of Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur feed it. These streams lie west of the Acadia River watershed.
Heading downstream from Autoroute 10 the Riviere Saint-Jacques continues its journey. It flows northwest through agricultural zones. It passes Brossard’s Illinois Park. It winds its way to Route 134, Taschereau Boulevard. The river then passes east of Parc Émilie-Gamelin in La Prairie. Here, it gathers water from the Saint-Claude stream. This stream’s main tributaries include the “ruisseau des Bois” and “Battle Creek”. Finally the river flows westward across a golf course.
Have you noticed the bends in the river? Rivers flowing through lowlands often form bends and oxbow lakes. This is due to soil erosion. A notable oxbow lake exists in Brossard. It forms an island.
Once called the “rivière Saint-Lambert” the name Riviere Saint-Jacques was later made official.
A regional park creation is underway here. It’s sponsored by the Ville-Marie Priority Intervention Area Committee. This park aims to encompass the Bois de Brossard and the Bois de la Commune in La Prairie.
From the seaway, you can navigate this river by canoe or kayak. This can be done up to Autoroute 30. The Riviere Saint-Jacques is surrounded by former farmland. Its banks are home to turtles and water birds. Ducks and herons are often seen here. Radisson Park provides access. Visitors can rent boats there.
In 2014, Brossard acquired a strip of riparian land. It aims to protect this waterfront area.
The Riviere Saint-Jacques was first described by Samuel de Champlain. He wrote about it in his notes from his 1611 voyage.
Protecting the Riviere Saint-Jacques involves preserving its surrounding forest. This creates a haven for local wildlife. The river is home to over 20 rare animal and plant species. It’s also a crucial spawning area for fish.
A fish spawning ground was completed in 2017. It supports fish reproduction in the river. The Riviere Saint-Jacques supports a diverse ecosystem.
So take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty and ecological importance of the Riviere Saint-Jacques. It stands as a testament to the region’s natural heritage.