Mackenzie (the river). Description, geographical location

Mackenzie is the largest river in the north of America, in particular Canada. Its length is more than 4000 km. From this article you can learn a lot of interesting about this pond.

origin of name

The longest river in Canada is named after the explorer and discoverer, Scotsman Alexander Mackenzie. It was he who made the first voyage through its waters in 1789. This river has interested the Europeans as a potential route that will lead to the Pacific Ocean. But Mackenzie is a river that could not lead them to the Pacific coast, as it is fenced off from the west by the Rocky Mountains.

The first name of the river in English means "disappointment", or "discontent." It is likely that the first researcher she made a not very pleasant impression.

Geographical location of the Mackenzie River

The Mackenzie River flows in the north-west of the country. Thanks to numerous tributaries, it is a ramified river system. It occupies about 20% of Canada. The river basin lies immediately in several Canadian provinces. It includes a number of Canadian lakes. The main way the river passes through the lands of the circumpolar region of the country, which are called the Northwest Territories.

Mackenzie originates from the Great Slave Lake. It is the deepest pond on the North American continent. Its depth is 614 meters. This lake is rightfully considered one of the wonders of the local nature. Mackenzie flows into the bay of the Beaufort Sea of the Arctic Ocean. 11% of the total runoff is its water.

At the confluence of the bay, the swampy delta of the Mackenzie River forms, it occupies a vast area - about 12,000 sq. Km. Km. Here the soil is frozen by permafrost.

Northwest - it is in this direction carries its water Mackenzie. The river formed a valley from the thickness of alluvial and water-glacial deposits. It is covered mainly by spruce forest and swamped.

Description of the river

Mackenzie is not only the longest river in the north of America, but also deep enough. Therefore, it is suitable for navigation. On it in the summer during 2000 km river ships go. But the channel of the river and in winter is used for economic purposes, however, very unusual. The ice road for cars is the winter Mackenzie. The river forms a very thick and solid ice. The thickness of it can reach up to 2 meters, so the movement of cars is absolutely safe.

Since the reservoir refers to arctic water sources, it feeds mainly on snow-rain sediments. During the melting of snow and ice, serious floods often occur. The climate of Canada is quite severe. In view of this, the Mackenzie River in the central and northern regions of the country is covered with ice for more than six months: from mid-October to early May. Sometimes the ice-break may last until the beginning of June, mainly in the lower reaches of the reservoir.

Where and how does the river flow?

The Canadian River flows through the vast territory of the country. This area consists mainly of forests and forest-tundra. As a rule, these are uninhabited, untouched by human space. The shores of Mackenzie, covered with forests, are very picturesque. There are many species of wild animals, including all the famous grizzly bears. A lot of sites are heavily waterlogged - about 18% of the total area of the river basin. All along the Mackenzie River, the photo of which is presented in this article, has a fairly wide channel, it can reach 5 km. The water is calm, leisurely. The difference in altitude from the source of Mackenzie to its mouth is very small and is just over 150 meters.

Interesting Facts

Near the northernmost settlement of Canada, Tuktoaktuk, where the mouth of the Mackenzie River is located, there are hydrolakkolites, or pingos. These are cone-shaped hills. They consist of gravel and other elements of the soil, which are literally squeezed from the bowels of the earth to the surface under the influence of ice from the bottom. The hills can be up to 40 meters high and about 300 meters in diameter.

In the waters of Mackenzie, there are about 53 species of fish. An interesting fact is that many fauna representatives are genetically related to those that live in the Mississippi River. Scientists have a theory that in the past these reservoirs could be connected by lakes and ducts.

River today

Mackenzie is the main transport artery. It transported goods both in winter and in summer. The level of seasonal fluctuations of water in the river is used for hydroelectric power production. Several dams have been built on it. They not only produce the energy necessary for a person, but also fight floods during a high water. In the south, it became possible to develop agriculture.

The territory of the Mackenzie Basin is rich in minerals:

1. Oil.
2. Gas.
3. With coal.
4. Gold.
5. Tungsten.
6. Potassium salt.
7. Silver.
8. Uranom.
9. Diamonds and others.

Thanks to developments in the field of mining, many unfriendly places in the Mackenzie Basin have turned into man-made territories. Mackenzie is a river whose banks are almost entirely covered with forests. Therefore, the extraction of raw materials and blanks is in full swing here. Only 1% of Canada's population lives in the basin - only about 400,000 people. This is approximately 0.2 people per 1 square. Km. But recently ecotourism has played an increasingly important role in the regional economy.

The Mackenzie River is a very attractive place for tourists - adventurers who can make a trip by canoe or boat. Not for nothing every year thousands of travelers from all over the world come here.