Arctic Red River
Encyclopedia
The Arctic Red River is the name of a tributary to the Mackenzie River
in the Northwest Territories
, Canada
.
In 1993 the river was designated as part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System
. It was also the name of a community on the Mackenzie where the river joins, now known as Tsiigehtchic
. The Dempster Highway
crosses the Mackenzie at this point.
The Arctic Red River's headwaters are in the Mackenzie Mountains
, from where it flows 500 km (310.7 mi) northwest to its confluence with the Mackenzie.
The river flows through a deep canyon as it flows through the Peel Plateau. The aboriginal name for the river, Tsiigèhnjik, translates as iron river. The lower 200 km (124.3 mi) of the river are navigable by kayak
ers and canoe
rs, without requiring portaging
.
Mackenzie River
The Mackenzie River is the largest river system in Canada. It flows through a vast, isolated region of forest and tundra entirely within the country's Northwest Territories, although its many tributaries reach into four other Canadian provinces and territories...
in the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
In 1993 the river was designated as part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System
Canadian Heritage Rivers System
The Canadian Heritage Rivers System was established in 1984 by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to conserve and protect the best examples of Canada's river heritage, to give them national recognition, and to encourage the public to enjoy and appreciate them. It is a cooperative...
. It was also the name of a community on the Mackenzie where the river joins, now known as Tsiigehtchic
Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories
Tsiigehtchic is a Gwich’in community located at the confluence of the Mackenzie and the Arctic Red River, in the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The community was formerly known as Arctic Red River, until 1 April 1994.Population is 175 according to the 2006 Census...
. The Dempster Highway
Dempster Highway
The Dempster Highway, also referred to as Yukon Highway 5 and Northwest Territories Highway 8, is a highway that connects the Klondike Highway in Yukon, Canada to Inuvik, Northwest Territories on the Mackenzie River delta...
crosses the Mackenzie at this point.
The Arctic Red River's headwaters are in the Mackenzie Mountains
Mackenzie Mountains
The Mackenzie Mountains are a mountain range forming part of the Yukon-Northwest Territories boundary between the Liard and Peel rivers. The range is named in honour of Canada's second Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie. Nahanni National Park Reserve is in the Mackenzie Mountains.The Mackenzie...
, from where it flows 500 km (310.7 mi) northwest to its confluence with the Mackenzie.
The river flows through a deep canyon as it flows through the Peel Plateau. The aboriginal name for the river, Tsiigèhnjik, translates as iron river. The lower 200 km (124.3 mi) of the river are navigable by kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
ers and canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
rs, without requiring portaging
Portage
Portage or portaging refers to the practice of carrying watercraft or cargo over land to avoid river obstacles, or between two bodies of water. A place where this carrying occurs is also called a portage; a person doing the carrying is called a porter.The English word portage is derived from the...
.