Mackenzie River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mackenzie River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Arctic Ocean |
| Length | 1,738 km (1,080 mi) |
The Mackenzie River is a very important river in northern Canada. It got its name from a famous explorer, Alexander Mackenzie. This big river collects water from a huge area called a watershed. This watershed covers parts of Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon.
The Mackenzie River flows north for about 1,738 kilometers (1,080 miles). It starts at Great Slave Lake and ends in the Arctic Ocean. Only a few small towns are located along the river. These include Fort Providence and Norman Wells. During the summer, when the ice melts, boats use the river for transport.
Contents
About the Mackenzie River
The Mackenzie River is the longest river system in Canada. It is also the second-largest in North America. It carries a lot of fresh water into the Arctic Ocean. This river is very important for the environment and for people living in the region.
Where the Water Comes From
Many other rivers flow into the Mackenzie River. These are called tributaries. Some of the main tributaries include the Liard, Keele, Great Bear, Arctic Red, and Peel Rivers.
The Slave River, Peace River, and Athabasca River are also very important. They provide most of the water that fills up Great Slave Lake. This lake is where the Mackenzie River officially begins its journey north.
Life Along the River
The Mackenzie River flows through a vast wilderness. This area is home to many animals and plants. The river and its delta provide important habitats. Many Indigenous communities, like the Dene people, have lived along the Mackenzie River for thousands of years. They use the river for fishing, hunting, and travel.
Images for kids
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Dene fishing camp on the Mackenzie River, north of the Arctic Circle
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Mackenzie at Tsiigehtchic
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Lakes and black spruce forest in the Mackenzie Delta
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The Mackenzie River enters the Beaufort Sea, July 2017. About 7 percent of the fresh water that flows into the Arctic Ocean each year comes out the Mackenzie and its delta, and much of that comes in large pulses in June and July after the freshet—when inland ice and snow melts and floods the river.
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Steamboat Wrigley on the Mackenzie River, c. 1901
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Mackenzie River near its head at Fort Providence
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A frozen Mackenzie River at Fort Good Hope, March 2007
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Mackenzie River at Fort Simpson, at the confluence of the Liard River
See also
In Spanish: Río Mackenzie para niños
