This body of water eventually became a reservoir of 43 kilometres (26.72 mi) in area, with a maximum depth of 46 metres (151 ft).

[2] In the 19th century, the first surveyors to cross the region noted in their reports that the waters of this river were relatively canoeable and warm.

Thanks to these many settlers and their families, the agro-forestry communities of Chute-Saint-Philippe, Lac-des-Écorces, Val-Barrette and Kiamika were erected in Catholic parishes and in municipalities before setting up their respective school boards.

In his notes of 1863, Stanislas Drapeau, affirms that the township of Kiamica derives its name from the river, which had probably been so designated for a long time.

[3] The toponym Kiamika River was made official on 5 December 1968 at the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.