C-06 North Knife River (Hudson Bay to North Knife Lake upstream)
Geographic Location:
- Northern Manitoba
Name of Trip:
- North Knife River (Hudson Bay to North Knife Lake upstream)
Major Lakes/Rivers:
- North Knife River.
Source of Information:
- Maps: 4 L/10, L/11, L/12, L/15; 64 I/2, I/3, I/6, I/7, I/8, I/9, I/10.
Duration of Trip:
- 25 days paddling.
Total Distance:
- 264 kilometres.
River Rating:
- North Knife River up to class 5.
Portages:
- 19 portages. Some of these can be avoided when traveling downstream. Many portages can be avoided by wading and poling.
- Many trails difficult to follow, overgrown in stretches.
- 15 miles below Klazi Lake is the longest portage, 3-4 miles, but a fairly good trail.
Start (Put In):
- Churchill. Jack Bastone, Box 531 Churchill, R0B 0E0 will take you by canoe to the North Knife River mouth.
Finish (Take Out):
- North Knife Lake. Can arrange for a plan pickup.
Remoteness:
- Fisherman’s outpost cabin 30 miles from the coast.
Comments:
- The river flow responds quickly to rainfall. Beware of rising water levels when camping on rare sand beaches devoid of vegetation due to frequent inundation. Good campsites are hard to find on the upper river due to dense shoreline vegetation. There are occasional sedimentary rock outcrops.
- Polar bears can be seen along the lower river especially in the delta region. A noise maker is recommended!!
