The MRC des Appalaches is located on the edge of the Canadian Shield, more precisely in the Appalaches region. It thus overlaps the Appalachian platform and the Notre-Dame mountains, which has the effect of modeling a topography characterized by the alternation of high hills and valleys. These hills have an average altitude of 450 meters with culminating mountains at more than 600 meters (including Mount Adstock which reaches an altitude of 710 meters).
The territory is also characterized by the presence of four watersheds: those of the Bécancour (northwest), Chaudière (northeast), Saint-François (southeast) and Nicolet (southwest) rivers. . There are thirty-three (33) lakes and ponds covering an area of approximately 7,000 hectares, or more than 4% of the entire area of the MRC.
Seven (7) structural zones form the geological mosaic of the MRC. But this geological diversity is mainly interesting from an economic point of view since the ophiolitic complex of Thetford Mines, where we find peridotite with serpentine, is the main source of asbestos.
Generally, the soils are more conducive to the establishment of the forest than to the practice of intensive agriculture. The main limitations are related to the thinness of the deposits and the stoniness as well as poor drainage conditions and steep slopes. The combination and severity of these various limitations result in nearly 70% of the entire territory being class seven (7) according to the classification of Canada lands. Obviously, this classification only gives an overview of the agricultural potential and it does not take into account the cropping systems likely to improve yield or the numerous efforts to improve these soils over several generations.
#Thetford Mines #QC #quebec #Tourism #Local #Municipality #MRC
