The Mackenzie River

The Mackenzie River is the longest river in Canada. It flows through the Northwest Territories in northern Canada and empties into the Arctic Ocean. The river and the lands around it are home to many animals and indigenous peoples.

A Mighty Northern River

The Mackenzie River is about 1,115 miles long. If you include the rivers that flow into it, the whole system stretches over 2,600 miles. The river flows through forests, wetlands, and tundra. It is frozen for many months each year.

Life Along the River

Indigenous peoples like the Dene have lived along the Mackenzie River for thousands of years. The river is home to fish like Arctic grayling and northern pike. Moose, bears, and caribou live in the forests along its banks. The Mackenzie Delta is a maze of channels and islands.

Fun Facts

• The Mackenzie River system is the second longest in North America after the Mississippi-Missouri system.
• The Mackenzie Delta is one of the largest deltas in the Arctic.
• The river is named after explorer Alexander Mackenzie, who traveled it in 1789.

Did You Know?

The Mackenzie River is frozen from about October to May, and people can sometimes drive on the ice!