Great Bear River

The 113-kilometre (70 mi) long Great Bear River, which drains the Great Bear Lake westward through marshes into the Mackenzie River, forms an important transportation link during its four ice-free months. It originates at south-west bay of the lake. The river has irregular meander pattern 350-metre (1,150 ft) wide channel with average depth 6 metres (20 ft). Historic air photos show no evidence of bank erosion or channel migration in a 50-year period.

Great Bear River
Great Bear River exits Great Bear Lake near Deline
Native nameSahtúdé
Location
CountryCanada
Physical characteristics
Source 
 ⁃ locationGreat Bear Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada
 ⁃ coordinates65°08′03″N 123°30′45″W
 ⁃ elevation186 m (610 ft)
MouthMackenzie River
 ⁃ location
Tulita, Northwest Territories, Canada
 ⁃ coordinates
64°54′21″N 125°36′12″W
 ⁃ elevation
60 m (200 ft)
Length113 km (70 mi)
Basin size156,500 km2 (60,400 sq mi)
Discharge 
 ⁃ locationMackenzie River[1]
 ⁃ average528 m3/s (18,600 cu ft/s)
 ⁃ maximum995 m3/s (35,100 cu ft/s)
[2][3]

The low discharge rate is due to small amount of precipitation in watershed area.[4] Great Bear River contained open reaches that had melted out in place over 80 percent of its length in 1972 and 1974.[1]

The settlement of Tulita is located at the mouth of the river.

Tributaries

The tributaries of the Great Bear River include;[3]

  • Porcupine River
  • Rosalie Creek
  • Stick Creek
  • Wolverine Creek
  • St. Charles Creek
  • Brackett River

See also

References
  1. HARE INDIAN RIVER. TABLE 6-1 Great Bear River
  2. "Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Geographical Names (Great Bear River)". Retrieved 2014-12-21.
  3. "Atlas of Canada Toporama". Retrieved 2014-12-21.
  4. Archived 2006-05-07 at the Wayback Machine Maps of Canada Annual Precipitation
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