river in Nord-du-Québec region, western Quebec province, Canada, rising in the Otish Mountains of central Quebec, flowing nearly due west, and discharging into James Bay. Its course of about 500 miles (800 km) is interrupted by numerous falls and rapids. Known earlier under the names of Hudson, Canuse, and Slude, the river was probably discovered in 1685 when the Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post (Eastmain) at its mouth.