Keele River
Encyclopedia
The Keele River is a tributary of the Mackenzie River
, about 410 kilometres (254.8 mi) long, in the western part of the Canadian
Northwest Territories
. Flowing in a generally northeast direction, it drains a sparsely populated, rugged area of the Mackenzie Mountains
.
, the Keele flows northwest to join the Tsichu and Intga Rivers, then cuts through the Backbone Ranges. The river turns to the north as the Natla River comes in from the south. In this north-flowing section, the Ekwi River joins from the left before the Twitya River enters, also from the left, sending the Keele flowing eastwards around the Tigonankweine Range. The Toochingkla River flows in from the right, before the Keele cuts between the Canyon and Redstone Ranges. It then leaves the mountains and receives Middle Creek from the right, merging into the Mackenzie some 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) downstream from the Redstone River
and 50 kilometres (31.1 mi) south-southeast of Tulita
.
people to travel from their summer hunting grounds in the Yukon to winter camps on the Mackenzie River. After hunting for moose and beaver in the mountains, the Mountain Dene or Shuhtaot'ine would trade these furs at Tulita (formerly Fort Norman), many kilometers downstream from the Keele's confluence with the Mackenzie. After signing Treaty 11
(regarding the transfer of lands in the Yukon to the federal government for purposes of oil exploration) with King George V
in 1921, the Dene no longer went to the Yukon as frequently and as a result the Keele was also less traveled. The Keele also has been known as the Gravel River.
is possible on most of the Keele and on some of its tributaries, most notably the Ekwi River. The Keele itself is broad, deep, swift, and presents few technical challenges, while the Ekwi and other tributaries are much smaller and shallower.
Mackenzie River
The Mackenzie River is the largest river system in Canada. It flows through a vast, isolated region of forest and tundra entirely within the country's Northwest Territories, although its many tributaries reach into four other Canadian provinces and territories...
, about 410 kilometres (254.8 mi) long, in the western part of the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
. Flowing in a generally northeast direction, it drains a sparsely populated, rugged area of the Mackenzie Mountains
Mackenzie Mountains
The Mackenzie Mountains are a mountain range forming part of the Yukon-Northwest Territories boundary between the Liard and Peel rivers. The range is named in honour of Canada's second Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie. Nahanni National Park Reserve is in the Mackenzie Mountains.The Mackenzie...
.
Course
Originating in a small lake near the border of the Northwest Territories and the YukonYukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
, the Keele flows northwest to join the Tsichu and Intga Rivers, then cuts through the Backbone Ranges. The river turns to the north as the Natla River comes in from the south. In this north-flowing section, the Ekwi River joins from the left before the Twitya River enters, also from the left, sending the Keele flowing eastwards around the Tigonankweine Range. The Toochingkla River flows in from the right, before the Keele cuts between the Canyon and Redstone Ranges. It then leaves the mountains and receives Middle Creek from the right, merging into the Mackenzie some 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) downstream from the Redstone River
Redstone River
The Redstone River is a large river in the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is about long. It is a tributary of the Mackenzie River, joining it on the left bank some north of Wrigley...
and 50 kilometres (31.1 mi) south-southeast of Tulita
Tulita, Northwest Territories
Tulita, which in Dene language means "where the rivers or waters meet," is a hamlet in the Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. It was formerly known as Fort Norman, until 1 January 1996...
.
History
People have inhabited the area surrounding the Keele River for at least 11,000 years. The river was originally a path for some tribes of the Mountain DeneDene
The Dene are an aboriginal group of First Nations who live in the northern boreal and Arctic regions of Canada. The Dené speak Northern Athabaskan languages. Dene is the common Athabaskan word for "people" . The term "Dene" has two usages...
people to travel from their summer hunting grounds in the Yukon to winter camps on the Mackenzie River. After hunting for moose and beaver in the mountains, the Mountain Dene or Shuhtaot'ine would trade these furs at Tulita (formerly Fort Norman), many kilometers downstream from the Keele's confluence with the Mackenzie. After signing Treaty 11
Treaty 11
Treaty 11, the last of the Numbered Treaties, was an agreement established between 1921 and 1922 between King George V and various First Nations in what is today the Northwest Territories....
(regarding the transfer of lands in the Yukon to the federal government for purposes of oil exploration) with King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
in 1921, the Dene no longer went to the Yukon as frequently and as a result the Keele was also less traveled. The Keele also has been known as the Gravel River.
Recreation
RaftingRafting
Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this...
is possible on most of the Keele and on some of its tributaries, most notably the Ekwi River. The Keele itself is broad, deep, swift, and presents few technical challenges, while the Ekwi and other tributaries are much smaller and shallower.