Rupert River

In the James Bay region, from the 49th to the 52nd parallel, the vegetation zone is the boreal forest. Black spruce dominates the territory. At the head of the Rupert River, black spruce is king, in association with other species such as poplar and birch, or jack pine and larch.

The Rupert River rises in Lake Mistassini and flows 600 km further west into Rupert Bay, part of James Bay. It is made up of several powerful rapids, including the Rapides Kaumwakweyuch, near the Route de la Baie-James and commonly known as the Rapides d’avoine.

This river is considered the traditional route between the bay and the interior. In the past, Cree canoeists used it for the fur trade.

It was in 1974 that sports enthusiasts first became interested in the challenge of descending its turbulent waters. It is now a popular destination for canoe-camping and white-water canoeing enthusiasts.

On the north shore are the Rupert Falls. An interpretive trail leads to the foot of the rapids. An ideal spot for a picnic. You can fish for lake trout and whitefish. The Rupert River also features a boat launch and primitive campsite.

In 1668, an expedition led by explorer Médard Chouart des Groseilliers, a Frenchman working for the British government, made its way to the mouth of the Rupert River to break the French stranglehold on the fur trade.

The river was named in honor of the expedition’s instigator, Prince Rupert. A fort was founded at the river’s mouth, and later became Rupert House, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s oldest trading post.