Nanook River

Nanook River
Mouth	Hadley Bay, Viscount Melville Sound 71°36′00″N 107°46′59″W / 71.600°N 107.783°W / 71.600; -107.783 (Nanook River)Coordinates: 71°36′00″N 107°46′59″W / 71.600°N 107.783°W / 71.600; -107.783 (Nanook River)
Basin countries	Canada
Mouth elevation	Sea level

The Nanook River (meaning "polar bear") is located on Victoria Island in Northern Canada, commencing in the Northwest Territories and ending in Nunavut.

The Nanook River originates in the island's central plain,^[1] south of the Shaler Mountains.^[2] about two hours by Twin Otter north of Cambridge Bay.

The river flows east, passes through a rapid,^[3] and then enters Namaycush Lake. From here, it proceeds northwards through several lakes, the last being the largest at 10 km (6.2 mi) long and 7 km (4.3 mi) wide.^[4] The final 8 km (5.0 mi) include several uncharted rapids before the river's mouth reaches Hadley Bay, emptying into Viscount Melville Sound.^[5]

No glaciers feed the river. Lousewort, arctic poppy, aven, sedge, willow thickets are found along the river. Arctic fox, lemming, muskox, snowy owl, Peary caribou frequent the river, and polar bears are common at its mouth.

See also

• List of rivers of the Northwest Territories
• List of rivers of Nunavut

References

1. ^ Struzik, Ed (2005). Ten Rivers: Adventure Stories from the Arctic. CanWest Books. pp. 105. ISBN 0973671947. http://books.google.com/books?id=162ycz325jsC&pg=PA105&lpg=PA105&dq=Nanook+River+Victoria+Island&source=bl&ots=xgvFlPEklW&sig=esq8c3nlDUOOsS8Z3Ol9yo7LwMs&hl=en&ei=9Km2San7FonKtQOr08X3CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA105,M1. 
2. ^ "Nunavut - Land of Adventure". GORP.com. http://www.gorp.com/weekend-guide/travel-ta-nunavut-rafting-snow-sports-paddling-sidwcmdev_057382.html. Retrieved 2009-03-10. 
3. ^ Struzik (2005), p. 110
4. ^ Struzik (2005), p. 115
5. ^ Hodgins, Bruce W.; Gwyneth Hoyle (1994). Canoeing north into the unknown: a record of river travel, 1874 to 1974. Dundurn Press Ltd.. pp. 253. ISBN 0920474934. http://books.google.com/books?id=eBn41p-P9lYC&pg=PA253&lpg=PA253&dq=Nanook+River+Victoria+Island&source=bl&ots=XShvdYSn_h&sig=Lz9B6UjeLsTlZj0ReaLBLpa7LGs&hl=en&ei=fam2ScyJKInYsAPvjLz2CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result.