List of rivers of Nunavut facts for kids
Nunavut is a huge territory in northern Canada, known for its vast, wild landscapes, icy waters, and unique wildlife. It's home to many important rivers that flow across the land, shaping the environment and providing homes for animals. These rivers are like natural highways, carrying water from the land to the oceans. This article explores some of the main rivers found in Nunavut.
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What is a Watershed?
A watershed is like a giant bowl or a drainage area. It's an area of land where all the water — from rain, snow, or melting ice — flows downhill into a common body of water. This could be a river, a lake, or even an ocean. Nunavut's rivers belong to two main watersheds: the Arctic Ocean watershed and the Atlantic Ocean watershed.
Rivers Flowing to the Arctic Ocean
Many of Nunavut's rivers flow north into the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean. This ocean is located at the very top of the world. Rivers in this watershed eventually empty into various parts of the Arctic Ocean, like gulfs, sounds, and straits.
Major Arctic Waterways
- Rivers of the Beaufort Sea: Some rivers, like the Bloody River and Dease River, flow towards the Beaufort Sea. The Horton River also heads this way.
- Rivers of the Amundsen Gulf: Rivers such as the Hornaday River, Roscoe River, Croker River, Harding River, and Kagloryuak River (on Victoria Island) empty into the Amundsen Gulf.
- Rivers of the Coronation Gulf: This area receives water from many rivers. Some of these include the Rae River, Richardson River, Coppermine River, Asiak River, Tree River, and Hood River. The Kugaryuak River and its branch, the James River, also flow here. Other rivers are the Burnside River (with its branch, the Mara River), Western River, and Napaaktoktok River.
- Rivers of the Queen Maud Gulf: Rivers like the Ellice River, Perry River (also known as Kuukyuak), Armark River, Simpson River, McNaughton River, and Kaleet River flow into the Queen Maud Gulf.
- Rivers of the Rasmussen Basin: The famous Back River is a major waterway here. It has several branches, including the Bullen River, Consul River, and Baillie River. Other rivers in this basin are the Castor and Pollux River, Hayes River, and Murchison River.
- Other Arctic Rivers: Other rivers flow into different parts of the Arctic Ocean, such as the Nanook River (on Victoria Island) into Viscount Melville Sound, the Hoppner River into Dolphin and Union Strait, the Ekalluk River and Hargrave River into Dease Strait, the Arrowsmith River, Kellett River, and Curtis River into the Gulf of Boothia, the Wolf River into Sverdrup Channel, and the Bacon River into Parry Channel.
Rivers Flowing to the Atlantic Ocean
Some of Nunavut's rivers flow south and east, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This ocean is on the eastern side of Canada. The main body of water these rivers flow into is Hudson Bay.
Major Atlantic Waterways
- Rivers of Hudson Bay: Many important rivers empty into Hudson Bay. These include the Thlewiaza River, Tha-anne River, McConnell River, Wilson River, and Kazan River (with its branch, the Kunwak River). The Thelon River is another major one, with branches like the Dubawnt River and Tammarvi River. Other rivers are the Quoich River, Lorillard River, Ferguson River, Boas River (on Southampton Island), Sutton River (also on Southampton Island), Ford River (on Southampton Island), Copperneedle River, and Maguse River. The Little Partridge River also contributes to this system.
- Rivers of Roes Welcome Sound: Rivers like the Borden River, Gordon River, and Snowbank River flow into Roes Welcome Sound.
- Rivers of Baffin Bay: On Baffin Island, rivers such as the Clyde River, Jungersen River, Kogalu River, and McKeond River flow into Baffin Bay.
- Rivers of Foxe Basin: This area also receives water from many rivers on Baffin Island and Southampton Island. These include the Aua River, Barrow River, Cleveland River (on Southampton Island), Gifford River (on Baffin Island), Rowley River (on Baffin Island), Isortog River (on Baffin Island), Hantzsch River (on Baffin Island), and Koukdjuak River (on Baffin Island), which has branches like the Isurtuq River and Hone River. The Aukpar River (on Baffin Island) and Mary River also flow into Foxe Basin.
- Other Atlantic Rivers: The Soper River flows into Hudson Strait. Further north, rivers like the Turnabout River and Ruggles River flow from Lake Hazen into Nares Strait.
See also
