Here are ten facts you probably didn't know about the St. Lawrence River!
1. Density
The St. Lawrence, 17th longest river in the world, is almost 1,200 kilomeres-long. It corresponds to the distance of 42 marathons combined.
2. Wildlife
Approximately 83 different terrestrial and marine mammals have settled in the St. Lawrence River. Would you like to admire a humpback whale, a beluga, a seal or a blue whale from up close? Come aboard one of AML Cruises boats!
3. Temperature
The temperature of the St. Lawrence River is around 4 degrees Celsius, during summer as well as winter. If you are planning to take a cruise, make sure you dress warmly even if you are going in mid-July!
4. Islands and archipelagos
The St. Lawrence's River is crowded with over 600 islands and archipelagos. A must-see is the Île Verte and its luxuriant landscapes which you can admire on the cruise departing from Rivière-du-Loup. Browse the other getaways available at croisieresaml.com/en and discover our majestic local panoramas.
5. Fluvial station
In June of 2018, AML Cruises inaugurated a new fluvial station in the Port of Montreal. Waiting areas are now available and provide direct access to the AML Cavalier Maxim.
6. Basin
The St. Lawrence, with Ontario's Great Lakes, form one of the largest hydroponic basins in the world. Our national water basin represents 20 % of the world’s freshwater reserves.
7. Activities
About 60 % of the local population engages in leisure activities related to the St. Lawrence such as fishing, swimming, mammal and seabird observation, navigation and cruises.
8. Age
The St. Lawrence River is only 5,000 years old. It may seem old but it’s very young for a waterway of this magnitude!
9. Whales
The length of the humpback whale is equivalent to a trailer-truck. You can recognize it by its dorsal fin located on its hump. Discover this marine mammal by booking your whale watching cruise with AML!
10. Navigation
The St. Lawrence River is one of the most challenging waterways to navigate. The shoals are numerous and the visibility is often limited especially in winter. The tides are dense and can exceed six metres while the currents are powerful and multidirectional. Between Montreal and Les Escoumins, commercial vessels over 100 feet in length must relinquish control to licensed pilots to navigate the St. Lawrence. It helps protect the river and marine ecosystems of these areas.
