Portrait
© Sépaq - Steeve Pellerin
The Megantic region is defined by its fascinating history and its landscape of wide-open spaces. This territory spreads across 282 750 hectares.
The area topography is composed of pastoral hillsides and steep rugged terrain, with an average altitude varying from 365 to 550 metres. There are two distinct topographic zones: border mountains to the south and the high Appalachian plateau in the northern part.
Mont Gosford - © Nathalie Poirier
Along the horizon, mountain summits of the Appalachian Chain mark the international border between Canada and the United States. These peaks are the northern continuation of the White Mountains in New England. The highest and most magnificent elevations are Gosford Mountain (1 193 m) and Mount Megantic (1 104 m). Also contributing to the beautiful panorama of the southern region are Scotch Mountain, Saddle Hill and Marble Mountain. In the north, two other important mountains, Ste-Cécile Mountain (890 m) and Mount Morne (820 m) of St-Sébastien, highlight the landscape.
Waterways and lakes in the area connect to make an interesting hydrographical plan. There are at least
15 lakes and about
30 streams that together comprise the impressive headwaters of the Chaudière and St. Francis Rivers.
Lac Mégantic © André Samson
Lake Megantic is central to the area’s geography. Measuring 16 km in length and 1.5 km in width, it flows toward the north and provides headwaters to the Chaudière River. The lake is fed from the south by waters from the Arnold River. In the northwest sector of the area, the Bluets and Felton Rivers flow toward the St. Frances Lake, joining the basin of headwaters from which emerges the St. Francis River.
