Slave River—Mountain Rapids
Last Review/Updated: May 10, 2002
American White Pelicans |
Here the ecosystems of the Precambrian Shield and the Western Sedimentary Basin meet, fostering an unusually diverse assembly of flora and fauna. This is the most northerly nesting place in North America for American white pelicans; their nesting islands in the Slave River can be seen from a viewpoint on the west bank.
Within
10 kilometres are four sets of spectacular rapids where the powerful
river meets an outcrop of Precambrian granite. Portions of the portage
route of early explorers and fur traders are still visible. This is
a spawning area for northern lamprey, northern pike, whitefish and
goldeye, among other fish.
As much of the soil is sandy, jack pine and various grasses have established themselves here. White spruce, white birch and balsam poplar grow along the river. The undergrowth contains highbush cranberry, alder, wild rose, bunchberry, raspberry, honeysuckle and willow. Calypso orchids can also be found.
