Montréal (Rivière-des-Prairies)

The Rivière des Prairies is a river in Quebec (Canada). It is located between the island of Montreal, Île Jésus and Île Bizard. It separates the cities of Montreal and Laval.

The Rivière des Prairies rises in Lac des Deux Montagnes between, on the one hand, the western tip of Île Bizard and Cap Saint-Jacques on the island of Montreal, and on the other hand, between Île Bizard and Île Jésus. These two arms surround Île Bizard. Before joining the St. Lawrence River, it collects the waters of the Rivière des Mille Îles. The Rivière des Prairies is partly navigable but is hindered by a hydroelectric dam. Thus, the passage between its tributary and its outlet is blocked to navigation. The Rivière des Prairies receives 70% of the water from Lac des Deux Montagnes. It is an extension of the Ottawa River.

The river was also formerly fed by streams from Montreal Island that are now channeled, such as the former Provost Creek. Among the minor direct tributaries of the Rivière des Prairies, there are several current streams from Montreal Island (Pinel Creek, De Montigny Creek, Bertrand Creek, Rivière à l'Orme, etc.) and Jesus Island (La Pinière Creek, Corbeil Creek, etc.).