| Rivière Shawinigan | |
| Image Alt: | Image of a painting by Cornelius Krieghoff, showing one of the waterfalls along the Shawinigan |
| Name Other: | Petite rivière Shawinigan, Shawinigan River, Little Shawinigan River |
| Source1 Location: | Areas in and near La Mauricie National Park |
| Mouth Location: | Confluence with the Saint-Maurice in the baie de Shawinigan |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 46.5383°N -72.7689°W |
| Progression: | Shawinigan—Saint-Maurice—Saint Lawrence—Atlantic Ocean |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type2: | Region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, Shawinigan, Mauricie |
The rivière Shawinigan flows in the rural area to the north of Shawinigan, then through the town of Shawinigan, in Mauricie, in Quebec, in Canada. The Shawinigan is a tributary of the right bank of the Saint-Maurice.[1]
The Shawinigan flows through forested areas, agricultural and urban (at the end of his course). At its head, it drains some lakes including lac Barnard (in Maskinongé Regional County Municipality), lac Wapizagonke and other water bodies in the southern zone the La Mauricie National Park.
On its way, its waters flow at first to southbound across the "chutes du diable" falls, then eastward, sometimes following a serpentine path. Then, the river crosses the Saint-Gérard sector (in Shawinigan) where the river veers to the south. Then the river flows in south-westerly direction along the Quebec Autoroute 55, where a drop creates waterfalls. Nearby, an observation deck was erected. Finally, the river flows into the baie de Shawinigan, where it meets the Saint-Maurice at the foot of the Shawinigan hydroelectric complex.
Main bridges spanning the river (from the mouth):
The name "Rivière Shawinigan" was registered on December 5, 1968 in the bank of place names of the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[2]