Eau Claire was the planetary capital of the Federation frontier colony of Belle Terre. The name is French for "Clear Water", referencing the river that ran nearby. (ST - New Earth novel: Belle Terre) Eau Claire was the site of the offices of the colonial governor, Evan Pardonnet, and was to be a major spaceport. However, the planetary disasters that occurred following the quasar olivium eruption from the "Quake Moon" caused severe flooding in the Eau Claire River Valley, and the region was sarcastically referred to by the colonists as "the Big Muddy". Due to the government's inability to aid the survivors - which translated to some among the colonists as unwillingness - it also became known by other unflatting nicknames as "So Unfair" and "Au Contraire". (ST - New Earth novels: Belle Terre