Gouin Reservoir

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Gouin Reservoir
image_lake = Gouin Reservoir 74.72W 48.61.jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Mauricie
coords = coord|48|38|N|74|45|W|type:waterbody_region:CA-QC|display=inline,title
type = Artificial
inflow =
outflow = Saint-Maurice River
catchment =
basin_countries = Canada
length = convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on
width = convert|48|km|mi|abbr=on
area = convert|1570|km2|sqmi|abbr=on
depth = convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore = convert|5650|km|mi|abbr=on
elevation = convert|404|m|ft|abbr=on
islands =
cities =

The Gouin Reservoir (in French: "Réservoir Gouin") is a man-made lake in the central portion of the Canadian province of Quebec. It is not one contiguous body of water, but the collective name for a series of connected lakes separated by innumerable bays, peninsulas, and islands with highly irregular shapes. It has therefore a relative long shoreline of over 5,600 km (excluding islands) compared to its surface area of 1,570 km². [ [http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/phys05.htm Principal lakes, elevation and area, by provinces and territories ] ] It is the source of the Saint-Maurice River.

The reservoir is named after Jean Lomer Gouin, who was Premier of Quebec when, in 1918, the Shawinigan, Water & Power Company impounded the reservoir for hydroelectric development. [ [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0003338 The Canadian Encyclopedia] ] The Gouin Reservoir has no generating station at its dam, but is used to control the flow of the St-Maurice River for the stations down-stream (all operated now by Hydro-Québec). [ [http://www.hydroquebec.com/generation/hydroelectric/saint_maurice/index.html Hydro-Québec - St-Maurice Water Resource System] ]

There are no paved roads to the Gouin Reservoir, but it is accessible by several unpaved forest roads and by bush plane. The reservoir is a popular fishing destination with numerous commercial outfitters and private lodges along its shores.

The small Atikamekw community of Obedjiwan is located on the reservoir's north shore.

Fauna

Fish species present include the walleye, northern pike, and sauger.

Waterfowl present in the region include the American Black Duck ("Anas rubripes"), Mallard ("Anas platyrhynchos"), Green-winged Teal ("Anas crecca"), Ring-necked Duck ("Aythya collaris"), Common Merganser ("Mergus merganser"), Hooded Merganser ("Lophodytes cucullatus"), Common Goldeneye ("Bucephala clangula"), Bufflehead ("Bucephala albeola"), Common Loon ("Gavia immer"), Canada Goose ("Branta canadensis"), Bald Eagle ("Haliaeetus leucocephalus").

References