Manicouagan Reservoir

The Manicouagan Reservoir is a large, ring-shaped lake in central Quebec created when the Manicouagan River was impounded to produce a hydroelectric reservoir. The distinctive annular lake occupies the basin of an ancient impact structure and includes a large central island.

Visitors and observers note the reservoir’s conspicuous circular form and the wooded central island, which together form one of Quebec’s most recognisable landscape features. The area has limited tourism infrastructure but attracts photographers, geologists and some boaters.

The basin is the site of mid-20th-century hydroelectric development when dams and water-control structures were constructed to provide electricity; those works transformed the original river system into the present reservoir.

Geographically the reservoir lies in central Quebec and is reached from regional highways and service towns; it is set in a boreal forest landscape with lakes, rivers and mixed woodland surrounding the impounded basin.

• Impact structure visibility: The reservoir fills a distinct ring-shaped basin formed by an ancient meteorite impact and is highly visible from satellite imagery.

What to See #

• René-Levasseur Island: René-Levasseur Island occupies the central uplift of the structure and forms a large island within the reservoir, noted for its steep ring-shaped coastline.
• Hydroelectric works and access roads: Hydroelectric infrastructure and associated roads around the reservoir rim that regulate water levels and supply downstream generating stations.