George River (Quebec)

Infobox_River
river_name = George River


image_size = 400px
caption =
origin = Lac Janniere, Nunavik, Quebec
mouth = Ungava Bay
basin_countries = Canada
length_km = 609
length =
elevation_m = 488
elevation =
mouth_elevation_m = 0
mouth_elevation =
discharge_m3/s = 940
discharge = [http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/facts/rivers.html Atlas of Canada] ]
watershed_km2 = 41700
watershed =

George River (Inuktitut: "Kangirsualujjuap Kuunga (river of the great bay)", Naskapi: "Mushuan Shipu (River without trees)", Innu: "Metsheshu Shipu" (Eagle River)")cite book | author = FQCK | title = Guide des parcours canotables du Quebec, Tome II | year = 2000 | pages = 234 - 235 | isbn = 2-89000-504-6] ) is a river in northern Quebec, Canada, that flows from Lac Janniere mainly north to Ungava Bay.

The George River was (re)named in 1811 by two Moravian missionaries Benjamin Gottlieb Kohlmeister and George Kmoch. The Moravian Church (its members known as Hussites - followers of Jan Hus) was founded in the fifteenth century Bohemia (current Czech Republic). These two missionaries came first to Labrador, then to Ungava Bay with a vision to evangelize the Inuit. They wrote in their diary: "We then proclaimed the name of the Kangertlualuksoak henceforth to be 'George River' ". The Moravian brothers wanted to honour George III, king of Great Britain and Ireland from 1760.

The George is a big and wide river. It offers relatively easy and inexpensive access to Ungava Bay, compared to other major rivers of this area, hence its canoe-camping popularity. The George originates about 175 kilometres east of Schefferville in Lac Janniere, between bogs and swamps. The headwater lakes are shallow, connected by rushing rapids. After Lake Advance, the river runs through heavy whitewater until it reaches beautiful Indian House Lake, which stretches 60 km if measured by Canadian topo maps, or 100 km if measured by its flatwater character. After Indian House Lake, the George really starts to flow. It offers an abundance of rapids with various levels of difficulty until it reaches Kangiqsualujjuaq close to Ungava Bay. Because of its easy access, many people without the necessary experience and skills have travelled this river and unfortunately lost their lives. The river is big and powerful - the French word "Fleuve", also used to describe the St. Lawrence River, describes its character better than the word "Riviere". The power of the George leaves no room for error. Climatic conditions are ideal for hypothermia. Canoeists have to contend also with serious tidal effects in the last 40 km.

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