Mackenzie River

The Mackenzie River (Slavey language: Deh-Cho, big river or Inuvialuktun: Kuukpak, great river) is the largest and longest river system in Canada, and is exceeded only by the Mississippi River system in North America. 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. The river's mainstem runs 1,738 kilometres (1,080 mi) in a northerly direction to the Arctic Ocean, draining a vast area nearly the size of Indonesia. It is the largest river flowing into the Arctic from North America, and with its tributaries is one of the longest rivers in the world.

Course

Rising out of the marshy western end of Great Slave Lake, the Mackenzie River flows generally west-northwest for about 300 km (190 mi), passing the hamlet of Fort Providence. At Fort Simpson it is joined by the Liard River, its largest tributary, then swings towards the Arctic, paralleling the Franklin Mountains as it receives the North Nahanni River. The Keele River enters from the left about 100 km (62 mi) above Tulita, where the Great Bear River joins the Mackenzie. Just before crossing the Arctic Circle, the river passes Norman Wells, then continues northwest to merge with the Arctic Red and Peel rivers. It finally empties into the Beaufort Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean, through the vast Mackenzie Delta.

Mackenzie River (Victoria)

The Mackenzie River, an inland intermittent river of the Wimmera catchment, is located in the Grampians region of the Australian state of Victoria. Rising in the Grampians National Park, on the northern slopes of the Great Dividing Range, the Mackenzie River flows generally north by west and drains into the Wimmera River, southwest of Horsham.

Course and features

The Mackenzie River rises on the northern slopes of the Great Dividing Range, and flows generally west by north, joined by one minor tributary, before reaching its mouth to flow into the Wimmera River at Banyena; southwest of Horsham. The Mackenzie River descends 62 metres (203 ft) over its 57-kilometre (35 mi) course.

The river is crossed by the Henty Highway, south of Horsham.

Etymology

In the local indigenous language the river is named Bun-nah, meaning "tea-tree scrub"; and in the Jardwadjali language, Bunud, meaning "mallee tree, tea-tree scrub".

See also

References

Mackenzie River (Queensland)

The Mackenzie River is a river located in Central Queensland, Australia. The Mackenzie River is a major tributary of the Fitzroy River, part of the largest river catchment flowing to the eastern coast of Australia.

Course and features

Formed by the confluence of the Comet and Nogoa rivers flowing from the Expedition Range, the river rises north of Comet and flows generally north by east towards the Broadsound Range. North of the settlement of Royles, the river flows south by east and west of the Goodedulla National Park towards Duaringa and splits as an anabranch on multiple occasions. The river is joined by twenty-four tributaries including the Isaac and Connors rivers and Funnel Creek. Northeast of Duaringa, the Mackenzie is joined by the Dawson River and together they form the Fitzroy River. From source to mouth, the Mackenzie River descends 79 metres (259 ft) over its 275-kilometre (171 mi) course.

The Bingegang Weir near Middlemount contains barramundi, southern saratoga and golden perch. The Bedford Weir and Tartrus Weir are also stocked with barramundi. Bedford Weir is popular with water-skiers and camping is permitted adjacent to the reservoir.