The surface of the river is usually frozen from early November to mid-May, however, safe ice circulation is generally from mid-November to mid-April.

This confluence is located at: The name Kitchigama would be derived from kitci and kami, meaning large body of water in algonquin.

According to Father Joseph-Étienne Guinard, the Crees and the Algonquins the term "Kitchigami" means "the sea, the ocean and all large bodies of water".

In the course of history, several graphic variants have been identified: Kitchigoma, Michagami, Michagimi, Matchigama, Michigama, Mitchagimi, Mitchigami.

Recent Cree surveys have identified the toponym "Minikwanaw Shipish", translated as "river of the mountain that drinks".