Chinchaga River facts for kids
The Chinchaga River is a river located in the northwestern part of Alberta, Canada. It is like a smaller stream that flows into a larger river, which is called the Hay River.
The water from the Chinchaga River travels a long way. It joins the Hay River, and then its water flows into the huge Great Slave Lake. From there, it continues its journey down the Mackenzie River all the way to the Arctic Ocean. The name "Chinchaga" comes from First Nations languages, and it means "Big Wood River." A large part of the land around the Chinchaga River was affected by a big forest fire in 1950.
Where Does the Chinchaga River Start?
The Chinchaga River begins in a group of small lakes called the Chinchaga Lakes. These lakes are found in a wet, marshy area known as muskeg in northeastern British Columbia. The river starts at a height of about 795 meters (2,608 feet) above sea level.
The River's Journey
From its start, the Chinchaga River flows east into Alberta. It then continues to flow northeast. When it gets west of a place called Keg River, it turns and flows north. Finally, the river meets the Hay River. This meeting point is between Zama Lake and High Level, at a height of about 325 meters (1,066 feet).
Along the lower part of the river, you can see many U-shaped lakes. These are called oxbow lakes. They form when the river changes its path over time. The Chinchaga River is about 500 kilometers (310 miles) long. On average, about 30 cubic meters (1,059 cubic feet) of water flow from it into the Hay River every second.
Smaller Rivers and Streams That Join Chinchaga
Many smaller rivers and streams flow into the Chinchaga River, adding to its water. These are called tributaries. Here are some of them:
- Lennard Creek
- Tanghe Creek
- Werniuck Creek
- Sloat Creek
- Vader Creek
- Thordarson Creek
- Waniandy Creek
- Haro River
- Haig River
