Réservoir Manicouagan

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Manicouagan, Réservoir
Réservoir Manicouagan, 1942 km2, elev 360 m, is located in southeastern Québec about 140 km from the Labrador border. The second-largest natural lake in Québec, it was created by a METEORITE millions of years ago. The circular-shaped reservoir contains a centrally situated island, Île René-Levasseur, capped by 952 m high Mont de Babel. Fed by 4 rivers, it drains south, via the Rivière MANICOUAGAN, and empties into the ST LAWRENCE RIVER near BAIE-COMEAU.

Hydroelectric developments have resulted in the damming of the water flow at the 214 m high Daniel Johnson (Manic 5) Dam, one of the world's largest, situated 40 km south of the reservoir (1971). The availability of power has attracted several industries over the years, yet the area still retains its attraction for canoeists, fishermen and wildlife enthusiasts.

Its name is possibly of Montagnais origin and might mean "where there is bark" (for canoe making). The lake appears on Jonathan Carver's map of Québec (1776) as Lake Asturagamicook, and is shown to be drained by the Manicouagan or Black River.

Manicouagan, Satellite Image
Manicouagan, Satellite Image
This satellite photo shows the huge, almost perfect circle that scientists believe resulted from the impact of a giant meteorite. The collision melted the rock and pressure created the central mound. The impact, some 200 million years ago, would likely have caused an environmental disaster (courtesy Canada Centre for Remote Sensing).
Manic 2
Manic 2
Hydro-Québec's Manic 2 is the largest hollow-joint gravity dam in the world (Corel Professional Photos).

Author DAVID EVANS


Links to Other Sites
Earth Impact Database
An illustrated Earth Impact Database of confirmed impact structures located around the world. This site also describes criteria for identifying impact craters and explains related geological processes. From the University of New Brunswick Planetary and Space Science Centre.

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