Arctic Red River

BW

The Arctic Red River is a left tributary of the Mackenzie River in Canada's Northwest Territories. He was called by the natives Tsiigèhnjik what " iron river " means.

Course

The source of the river lies in the northern Mackenzie Mountains. Then it flows over a length of 120 km through the mountains Backbone Range and Canyon Range. The entire valley in the upper reaches of the river is dominated by glaciers. On the Peel Plateau, the river from the mountains Yellow Range and lichen is surrounded Range, while he himself flows through a 100 to 200 m deep gorge, which is characterized by black shale cliffs and is caused by thermokarst erosion. The tributaries Cranswick River and Sainville River ( also called the Bernard Creek ) flow into the Mackenzie Lowlands. At the mouth of the river in the Mackenzie River, the settlement Tsiigehtchic is located on Dempster Highway.

Flora

At the headwaters of the river in the Mackenzie Mountains are above 900 m before any plants or shrubs only, grasses and dwarf birches. Below this level, there are forests of white spruce, in which individual trees up to 600 years old can be.

Fauna

The river is an important spawning ground for fish such as whitefish, pike or burbot. On the banks of the river to graze on the upper reaches of the infertile soils of the Mackenzie Mountains adapted sheep being chased by grizzly bears, while the lower reaches are mainly found moose, wolves, marten, muskrat, beaver, otter, lynx, wolverines, and red foxes. On the whole riverside, two different reindeer species occur.

History

On the banks of the river lived the Gwich'in. 1789 was Alexander Mackenzie in the catchment area of the river. 1868, the first missionaries of the Catholic Church came to the river. 1921 a church was built. Late 19th or early 20th century build both the Hudson 's Bay Company and the Northern Trading Company trading post.

Use

Since there are no portages in the lower reaches of the river, it is used from early June to late September at a length of 200 km from Kayak, canoe and raft riders. In addition, recreational fishing in the Arctic Red River and its tributaries, camping on the banks as well as hunting and trekking the upper reaches is possible.

In addition, the wood from the surrounding forests is used as firewood. In addition, is operated at the mouth of fishing and hunting in the surrounding areas for moose and waterfowl.