{"id":1944,"date":"2018-09-11T03:15:04","date_gmt":"2018-09-11T01:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chaletsbaiedusud.com\/?page_id=1944"},"modified":"2024-02-20T15:46:45","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T20:46:45","slug":"la-petite-histoire-du-reservoir-gouin","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.chaletsbaiedusud.com\/en\/la-petite-histoire-du-reservoir-gouin\/","title":{"rendered":"The history of the Gouin Reservoir"},"content":{"rendered":"

A paradise for walleye and pike fishing, the Gouin Reservoir is well known to fans of this sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>

But what exactly is it? How did this gigantic body of water come about and why?<\/p>\n<\/div>

Its history.<\/h2>\n

As its name suggests, this body of water is a reservoir. It was created by the erection of the La Loutre dam in 1916-1917 and was named after the prime minister of the time, Mr. Lomer Gouin.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Contrary to popular belief, the dam was not built to produce electricity, but to regulate the flow of the Saint-Maurice.<\/p>\n

It was the era of gigantic clearcuttings along the Saint-Maurice River. The wood was transported by the river all the way to Shawinigan and Trois-Rivi\u00e8res.<\/p>\n

Although a small power station provides electricity to operate the dam gates, it is rather meant to optimize the production of electricity of the Saint-Maurice power stations.<\/p>\n

Another important fact is that in 1948, the Shawinigan Water and Power Company decided to raise the level of the reservoir to facilitate the transport of logwood, among other things. The transport of timber on this river ended in 1996.<\/p>\n

Thus, two rivers were deviated from their original course towards James Bay to flow to the St. Lawrence River via the St. Maurice.
\nThe village of Atikamekw Native Americans located 130 km from the work was completely engulfed and destroyed without their permission. Almost no compensation was provided, except for the quick replacement of homes … 5 years later.<\/p>\n

The flooding of huge forest areas created water polluted by mercury amongst others. The Amerindians were not informed until 25 years later …<\/p>\n<\/div>

Some numbers :<\/h2>\n