Québec National Parks, one of the three magnificent Sépaq Networks

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	Conservation Mission

Mission Statement

Parc national de la Yamaska was created to ensure the permanent protection of an area representative of the natural region known as the Appalachian Lowlands.

Natural Environment

The park is located in the Appalachian Lowlands region, characterized by undulating hills from 105 to 375 metres in height. The bottom of the main dam is the park's lowest point at 126 metres, while the highest point reaches 206 metres in the north central section.

The deposits that now cover the rocky bed are a result of geomorphological phenomena in the past 10,000 years or so. During this brief lapse of time, the area went through a rapid-fire series of earth-shaking events-the passage of a glacier, the formation of a preglacial lake (Lake Vermont), the deposit of glacial matter (till, block field), partial immersion by the Champlain Sea, and the deposit of shaley sediments.

The park's vegetation and land forms underwent many disturbances after colonization. Clearing for farmland, selective logging, maple syrup production, and the creation of the reservoir, created a mosaic of landscapes and natural environments. Of all the park's scenery, one particularly worth visiting is Yamaska Nord River at the eastern end of the park.

No fewer than 20 plant communities make up the park's vegetation. This great variety of natural environments is, in fact, a key feature of the park. In a short walk, visitors can cross a maple stand, several types of mixed and conifer forests, or even an open area in regeneration. In less disturbed areas, Laurentian maple prevails. In moister areas, red maple, trembling aspen, American elm, eastern hemlock, fir and gray birch may be found together.

Thanks to the work of botanists, 40 tree species, 41 bush species, and some 425 herbaceous plant species have been noted in the park.

The park is also home to fascinating amphibians. There are over 30 mammal species, and the park is graced with a wide variety of bird fauna. Approximately 230 species have been spotted so far.