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List of lakes of the Northwest Territories facts for kids

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The Northwest Territories (NWT) is a huge part of northern Canada. It's famous for its amazing wilderness and, most of all, its many, many lakes! This article will tell you about some of the biggest and most important lakes found here.

Giant Lakes of the Northwest Territories

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Canadian Provinces and Territories

The Northwest Territories is home to some of the largest lakes in the world! When we talk about the size of a lake, we include any islands that are inside it. If a lake crosses a border into another province or territory, it's usually listed with the place that has most of the lake's area.

Let's look at some of the biggest lakes in the NWT. These are all larger than 400 km2 (150 sq mi), which is a huge amount of water!

Northwest Territories Lakes: The Big Ones (over 400 km2 (150 sq mi))
Lake Name Total Area (including islands) Height Above Sea Level Deepest Point Total Water Volume
Great Bear Lake 31,328 km2 (12,096 sq mi) 156 m (512 ft) 446 m (1,463 ft) 2,236 km3 (536 cu mi)
Great Slave Lake 28,568 km2 (11,030 sq mi) 156 m (512 ft) 614 m (2,014 ft) 1,580 km3 (380 cu mi)
Lac La Martre 1,776 km2 (686 sq mi) 265 m (869 ft) 19.9 m (65 ft)
Kasba Lake 1,341 km2 (518 sq mi) 336 m (1,102 ft)
MacKay Lake 1,061 km2 (410 sq mi) 431 m (1,414 ft)
Hottah Lake 918 km2 (354 sq mi) 180 m (590 ft)
Aylmer Lake 847 km2 (327 sq mi) 375 m (1,230 ft)
Nonacho Lake 784 km2 (303 sq mi) 354 m (1,161 ft)
Clinton-Colden Lake 737 km2 (285 sq mi) 375 m (1,230 ft)
Selwyn Lake 717 km2 (277 sq mi) 398 m (1,306 ft)
Point Lake 701 km2 (271 sq mi) 375 m (1,230 ft)
Wholdaia Lake 678 km2 (262 sq mi) 364 m (1,194 ft)
Lac de Gras 633 km2 (244 sq mi) 396 m (1,299 ft) 56 m (184 ft)
Buffalo Lake 612 km2 (236 sq mi) 265 m (869 ft)
Tathlina Lake 573 km2 (221 sq mi) 280 m (920 ft)
Artillery Lake 551 km2 (213 sq mi) 364 m (1,194 ft)
Snowbird Lake 505 km2 (195 sq mi) 359 m (1,178 ft)
Sambaa K'e 504 km2 (195 sq mi) 503 m (1,650 ft)
Lac des Bois 469 km2 (181 sq mi) 297 m (974 ft)
Colville Lake 455 km2 (176 sq mi) 245 m (804 ft)
Faber Lake 439 km2 (169 sq mi) 213 m (699 ft)

Great Bear Lake: A True Giant

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Deline is a community located on the shores of Great Bear Lake.

Great Bear Lake is the largest lake that is completely within Canada. It's so big, it's the eighth-largest lake in the world! Imagine a lake so vast that it covers an area bigger than some countries. It's also very deep, reaching down to 446 m (1,463 ft). This lake is important for the local communities and wildlife.

Great Slave Lake: Deep and Important

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Utsingi Point on Great Slave Lake.

Great Slave Lake is the second-largest lake in the Northwest Territories. It's also the deepest lake in North America, plunging to an incredible 614 m (2,014 ft)! That's deeper than the tallest buildings in many cities. The city of Yellowknife, the capital of the NWT, is located on its northern shore. The lake is a major part of the region's history and economy.

Lac La Martre: A Fishing Hotspot

Lac La Matre
Lac La Martre is known for its excellent fishing.

Lac La Martre is another significant lake in the NWT. While not as massive as the Great Lakes, it's still very large. It's well-known for its excellent fishing, especially for species like Northern pike and Lake trout. Many people visit this lake for outdoor adventures.

More Lakes of the Northwest Territories

See also: Category:Lakes of the Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories has countless lakes, big and small. Here is a list of many of them:

See also

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