| Saraana Bay | |
| Pushpin Map: | Quebec |
| Location: | La Tuque |
| Type: | Baie of dam |
| Outflow: | Du Rocher-Matci Bay, Gouin Reservoir |
| Basin Countries: | Canada |
Saraana Bay is a freshwater body of the southwestern part of Gouin Reservoir, in the territory of the town of La Tuque, in the administrative region of Mauricie, in the province of Quebec, in Canada.
This bay extends into the townships of Crémazie (northern part), Évanturel (southern part) and Poisson (a bay on the west side). Following the completion of the Gouin Dam in 1948, the navigability area of Gouin Reservoir and Saraana Bay increased significantly. The water level can vary significantly depending on the management of the Gouin Dam; the level usually falls in late winter in anticipation of the spring freshet.
Recreotourism activities are the main economic activity of the sector. Forestry comes second.
The Forest Road R1009 passes from the west side of Mattawa Bay serving the lower Flapjack River into the northern part of Tessier Lake (Gouin Reservoir) (located south of Saraana Bay). and the southern part of Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir). This R1009 road joins the Southeast route 404 which serves the northern part of the Canadian National Railway.
The surface of Saraana Bay is usually frozen from mid-November to the end of April, however, safe ice circulation is usually from early December to the end of March.
The main hydrographic slopes near Saraana Bay are:
On the east side, Saraana Bay is separated from Bureau Lake (Gouin Reservoir) by a peninsula advancing on to the North, almost to the village of Obedjiwan, Quebec. On the west side, Saraana Bay is separated from Mattawa Bay by a peninsula on the north-east of . This peninsula includes the "Pike Head Mountain" (elevation:) on the east side of a strait connecting the northern part of Mattawa Bay with its South.
Saraana Bay is long and includes many islands, including “Aux Mouettes Island” and “Police Island”. Saraana Bay is fed by:
The mouth of Saraana Bay is located at:
The mouth of a width of of Saraana Bay is located to the northeast being barred by an island with a length of (west side of the river mouth) and a peninsula (on the east side) stretching westward . From there, the current crosses the "Bay of Rocher-Matci" which is attached to the Du Mâle Lake by the Kaopatinak pass.
From the mouth of Saraana Bay, the current flows over to Gouin Dam, according to the following segments:
From this dam, the current flows along the Saint-Maurice River to Trois-Rivières.
In the Atikamek language, this hydronym translates as "Des-Filles-d'Anna" bay.[2]
The toponym "Baie Saraana" was formalized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, i.e. when it was created.[3]