BEAUHARNOIS

city, Montrgie region, southern Quebec province, Canada, on the southern shore of Lac Saint-Louis-a widening of the St. Lawrence River-at the mouth of the Saint-Louis River. Founded in 1819, it was named for the Marquis de Beauharnois, governor of New France and owner of the seigneury in which the city developed. Beauharnois, 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Montreal city, together with the village of Melocheville, is now an industrial centre and rail hub on the east outlet of Beauharnois Canal-a major link in the St. Lawrence Seaway. A large hydroelectric station at the Beauharnois Dam west of the city supplies power for much of the province and fosters local industries, which include steel and paper milling, printing, and the manufacture of aluminum, metal alloys, chemicals, furniture, sashes, and doors. Pop. (1991) 6,449.