Great Slave Lake

Northwest Territories, Canada

---

Great Slave Lake, located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, is the second-largest lake in the territory and the deepest lake in North America, reaching depths of 614 meters (2,014 feet).

It covers an area of about 27,200 square kilometers (10,500 square miles) with an irregular shoreline featuring many bays and islands, including a deeply indented East Arm that is part of the proposed Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve. The lake’s waters are extremely clear and fed primarily by the Slave and Hay Rivers, draining westward through the Mackenzie River into the Arctic Ocean.

It is surrounded by boreal forests, wetlands, and tundra, forming an almost pristine ecosystem, although mining activities and climate change pose environmental challenges. The lake supports a rich variety of fish like trout and whitefish, and the region is home to Indigenous Dene communities, including the largest nearby city, Yellowknife.

Great Slave Lake is a vital natural resource providing fishing, transportation, and recreational opportunities and is admired for its vast wilderness and stunning vistas.