Rivière-aux-Outardes

Rivière-aux-Outardes is an unorganized territory on the Côte-Nord in eastern Quebec. It is part of the tourist region of Manicouagan. The main tourist attractions of Rivière-aux-Outardes are:
 * its major hydroelectric infrastructures, in particular: Jean-Lesage power station (Manic-2), Daniel-Johnson dam and Manic 5 power station (Manic-5);
 * its magnificent valleys along Route 389: in particular the valley of the Manicouagan River (with its majestic cliffs),
 * hunting and trapping: hunting small game (hare, white partridge, etc.) or big game (moose) via two outfitters;
 * fishing: fishing on bodies of water or streams abundant with fish of native species;
 * wild camping: in an angelic territory, far from the hectic life of urban areas and in the most beautiful scenery of nature;
 * the descent of rivers in kayaks, canoes or other light boats;
 * expeditions by quad (in summer and on the trails in winter) or by snowmobile (in winter): the intrepid venture further and further on the territory to discover the jewels of these endless forests;
 * aerial flight over this territory to admire from the air, the hydroelectric infrastructures, René-Levasseur Island (formed by the fall of a meteorite 214 million years ago) and Lake René- Levasseur surrounding this last island, the deep valleys, the remaining mountains capped with snow longer in the spring, the rivers manifesting themselves in different moods, the immense virgin forests, the bodies of water of all shapes decorating the forest landscape, and the impressive cliffs;
 * the Manic-5 or Monts Groulx hiking trails;
 * the observation of the sky: the aurora borealis, the clear starry skies allowing to distinguish the movement in the sky of large satellites, the superb sunrises and sunsets, the clouds announcing the weather to come, and the migratory birds passing by millions in the spring and fall.

Understand
This vast territory not organized into a municipality was incorporated on January 1, 1986. More or less rectangular in shape, this territory includes all the land north of the coastal municipalities of the MRC of Manicouagan: Pessamit, Ragueneau, Baie-Comeau, Franquelin and Godbout. In 2016, 94 people live in the territory, most of them French-speaking.

This territory has mainly developed thanks to the development of hydroelectric infrastructures (including the transport of electricity by high-voltage lines), the forest industry and recreational and tourist activities (in particular resorts around the Toulnustouc River).

The origin of this toponym derives from the Rivière aux Outardes which flows south to empty into the St. Lawrence River at the height of Chute-aux-Outardes (southwest of Baie-Comeau).

By plane
The seaplane is a practical means of transport to access the territory, usually for fishing & hunting, trapping, or any other expedition in wild forest areas. In winter, planes landing in this territory are equipped with skis.

By car
The territory is accessible via Quebec Route 138 which runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf, then Route 389 which begins in Baie-Comeau and heads north via Gagnon, Mount Wright, Fermont, Labrador City and Wabush (Labrador).


 * From Montreal (689 km, time: 8 hours. From downtown Montreal, take the Jacques-Cartier bridge (east); take route 132 (east), highway 20 (east); then successively Autoroute 73 (north), Autoroute 40 (east) and Route 138 to Baie-Comeau; take Rex Fort Road to Manic 2, going up the west bank of the Manicouagan River for 28 km.

Get around
This territory does not have drivable roads, except in the southern part of the territory where a few forest roads connect to the municipalities to the south. However, you can travel there to a limited extent by all-terrain vehicles (ATV) in summer or more efficiently by snowmobile in winter, thanks to the freezing of the water bodies. Several snowmobile trails, which are connected to the Route Blanche pass through this TNO.

This territory has one main road, Quebec Route 389. It connects Route 138 (in Baie-Comeau) and the Labrador border (Route 510 in Wasbush) over 582 km. In summary, the route of route 389 passing through the unorganized territory of Rivière-aux-Outardes is (successively starting from the south):
 * 21 km, to the bridge downstream of the Manic 2 dam (Jean-Lesage generating station);
 * 193 km, to the middle of the Manic 5 dam, at the top of which passes Route 389;
 * 162 km, up to the height of the old village of Gagnon (located in the unorganized territory of Rivière-Mouchalagane).

A few forest roads in this territory connect to the southern municipalities of Manicouagan allowing various recreational tourism activities related to forestry. The main secondary roads are:
 * a 28-km forest road between the intersection of Route 138 (at Pointe-Lebel) and the village of Manic-5 (Route 389), linking the two places via the west bank of the Manicouagan River;
 * a 74-km forest road between the intersection of Route 389 (south of Manic-5) and Lake Manicouagan;
 * a 34-km forest road between the intersection of Route 138 (in Ragueneau) and Lac au Loup Marin.

Visitors can circulate in this territory by quad in summer or more efficiently by snowmobile in winter, thanks to the freezing of the bodies of water. Several snowmobile trails cross the territory.

Do
Several activities are offered to visitors to enjoy an immersive outdoor experience and discover the jewels of Manicouagan's backcountry.

Connect
Low-altitude satellite communication services (e.g., Starlink satellite constellation) are increasingly accessible in remote areas such as the North Shore; they allow you to make video calls, play online games, view streaming video, and perform other high-speed activities, among other things. In remote areas, these satellite communication services offer security and efficiency.

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