Information AboutLa Grande River |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT LA GRANDE RIVER | |
| rivers of quebec | |
| hydro-québec | |
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The river has been extensively developed as a source of Hydroelectric power by Hydro-Québec . An area of 9,900 Km&2 was flooded in the first phase of development. A later phase saw almost all of the flow of the Eastmain River being diverted into the La Grande watershed. These hydroelectric development projects were called La-Grande-1 (LG-1), Robert-Bourassa , La Grande-2A (LG-2A), La Grande-3 (LG-3), La Grande-4 (LG-4), Laforge-1 , Laforge-2 and Brisay . As a result of the development projects, the Cree people of the region lost some parts of their traditional hunting and trapping territories. Organic Mercury levels also increased in the fish, which forms an important part of their diet, as the organic material trapped by the rising waters in the new reservoirs began to filter into the food chain. Careful follow-up by Cree health autorities since the 1980s have been largely successful and they continue to promote the regular consumption of fish, with the notably exception of the predatory species living in the reservoirs, which still show high levels of mercury. On March 13 1989 , a massive Solar Storm caused a failure of the La Grande complex which plunged most of Quebec into darkness for nine hours. At one time, this river was known as the Fort George River. The Hudson's Bay Company operated a Trading post on the river at '''Big River House''' from 1803 to 1824. In 1837, a large trading post was established at '''Fort George''' on an island at the mouth of the river. The Cree village of Chisasibi , is now situated near the mouth of the river. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINK |
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