Photo credit : Hooké
Adopt the Bonaventure River to:
- Preserving this natural gem
- Fair sharing of its use
Your contribution allows us to continue to protect Quebec's rivers
The Bonaventure River in Gaspésie is in a way the muse of the rivers of Quebec: all of them would like to be like it, to have such clear water and such an abundance of salmon in its bed! Fascinating, even exotic, the Bonaventure is so popular that it is the scene of a conflict of use... and the appearance of suspicious algae, which could be the sign of a broader problem affecting the quality of the water.
Do you know the Bonaventure River?
Micmac name
Waqam'tgug (“clear, calm”) or Oagametgog (“pure watercourse”)
Length
115km
Source
Lake Bonaventure
Region
Gaspésie
Average flow
41.10 m3/s
2,391 km2
Salmon river: grab your fishing rods!
Although brook trout are found there, it is for Atlantic salmon fishing that the Bonaventure River is famous. There are no less than a hundred salmon pools there! To fish there, it is not enough to have a fishing license; you must also obtain a right of access to the Controlled Exploitation Zone (ZEC), managed by the Bonaventure Sports Fishermen's Association.
Place to escape… very popular
Fishermen and fishermen are not the only ones who want to take advantage of the assets of the Bonaventure River; Ecotourism enthusiasts also want to taste its pleasures. Normal: its calm, translucent waters are ideal for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming. It is therefore no surprise that the tourism industry experienced notable excitement during the pandemic, while Quebecers wanted to escape as far as possible within the permitted limits (hello Gaspésie!)… and thus tore away the Bonaventure.
Photo credit : Hooké
What are the environmental issues?
Usual conflict on the river between canoeists and fishermen
The first section of the Bonaventure River flows in the Chic-Chocs, an area not very accessible to the general public. The closer we get to Chaleur Bay, the more traffic is felt and the more tensions emerge. How can we reconcile the interests of local owners, fishermen, water sports enthusiasts and swimmers, often tourists?
Ask the government to act
A coalition of national outdoor federations bringing together the Fondation Rivières, Aventure ecotourisme Québec, the Regroupement des organizations de bassins versants du Québec (ROBVQ), Nautisme Québec, Canot Kayak Québec and Eau vive Québec was created in 2021 in order to help resolve a conflict of use on the Bonaventure River. In the form of open letter, we asked the government of Quebec to begin a reflection on the viable use and healthy cohabitation of uses on Quebec's lakes and rivers by bringing together the public, private and social stakeholders concerned.
Water quality
Although the water of the Bonaventure River is very clear, algae has been proliferating in its tributary for several years. What could possibly be the source of this phenomenon? Does this compromise the water quality of the Bonaventure?
Propose improvements to wastewater treatment systems
Alerted by the proliferation of algae at the mouth, the South Gaspésie Water Council (CEGS) mandated the Fondation Rivières in 2021 to produce a performance study of municipal sanitation systems and diagnosis of pollution sources. We discovered that no form of phosphorus removal or measurement of phosphorus concentrations in the effluent was required for some stations discharging their treated water into the Bonaventure, among others. The Foundation and the CEGS have therefore called on the Ministry of the Environment (MELCC) to act quickly to offer support to municipalities in terms of logistical, scientific and financial resources.
Raise awareness among the public and elected officials about wastewater spills
Since 2020, the Fondation Rivières has disclosed the list of municipalities that stand out in terms of the intensity of their wastewater discharges into waterways, including the Bonaventure River. This exercise makes it possible to distinguish municipalities which have improved their situation in previous years from those where the situation has deteriorated. THE prize list serves as a lever to encourage elected officials to make the necessary corrections to improve the health of the rivers into which wastewater is discharged.
Photo credit : Hooké
Help us by adopting the Bonaventure River
The Fondation Rivières is mobilizing on this river to:
- Preserving this natural gem
- Fair sharing of its use
Donate and join an important mobilization movement!
Charity receipt
Fondation Rivières issues tax-deductible donation receipts, regardless of the amount. A receipt will be sent to you by email at the beginning of the year following the year of your adoption.
Can you swim in the Bonaventure River?
The water quality of the Bonaventure River is good enough for swimming, particularly at Malin Beach. Usually very busy in the summer period, it had to be closed in the summer of 2022 due to a legal dispute.
Is the Bonaventure River navigable?
YES! Discover the canoe routes of the Bonaventure River by accessing the Canot Kayak Québec and Eau Vive Québec map: Bonaventure and Bonaventure West.