Kazan River

Kazan Falls on the lower reaches

The Kazan River ( Inuit language: Harvaqtuuq ) is a river in Nunavut ( Canada).

Measured from the end of the Ennadai Lake is the river length of 732 km. The Kazan River has its origin in northern Saskatchewan and flows in a northerly direction to its confluence with the Baker Lake, which flows to Chesterfield Inlet. Along its river are several lakes, including Lake Ennadai, Angikuni Lake and Lake Yathkyed, and the 25 m high waterfall Kazan Falls. The flow region is characterized by taiga and tundra. The lowermost portion of the Kazan River - below the Ennadai Lake - which is still south of the tree line is passed as a Canadian Heritage River.

Fauna and Flora

Although a number of animal species can be observed along the river, the area (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus ) is famous for its barren-ground caribou ( the Qamanirjuaq and the Beverly herd ). About 300,000 caribou cross the region. It is the largest migration of land animals. Other wildlife that can be seen here include musk oxen, wolverines, peregrine falcon and many fish species.

Recreational use

The river is gaining in importance as a tourist destination for kayakers and canoeists.