Ferguson River (Nunavut)

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Ferguson River
Origin Ferguson Lake
Mouth Nevill Bay on
northwestern Hudson Bay
Basin countries Canada

The Ferguson River originates on the eastern bank of Ferguson Lake within the northern Hearne Domain, Western Churchill province of the Churchill craton, the northwest section of the Canadian Shield in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region.

The river was first traversed by Canadian Arctic explorer Joseph Burr Tyrrell's Geological Survey of Canada 1894 canoe expedition that included Robert Monro Ferguson, Scottish sportsman and aide-de-camp to Lord Aberdeen, Governor General of Canada. Ferguson became the namesake of the river and the lake.[1][2][3](Hodgins, 1994, pg. 109)

The river flows eastward through several lakes:

Before reaching its outflow, the river passes though narrows, the "The Canyon" 62°06′23″N 93°22′18″W / 62.10639, -93.37167, then empties into Nevill Bay 62°01′38″N 93°16′53″W / 62.02722, -93.28139 opposite Bibby Island 61°52′29″N 93°04′27″W / 61.87472, -93.07417 in northwestern Hudson Bay between Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.[4]

The river was first explored in 1894 by Joseph Burr Tyrrell and his party, who received guidance about the local lakes and rivers from area Inuit. Tyrell named the river after one of his travelling companions.[5]

Ferguson River flows through the migratory path of Barren-ground caribou. Arctic charr can be found in the river, while muskox, wolves, and Arctic fox also inhabit the area.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Joseph Burr Tyrrell. everything2.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-27.
  2. ^ Arctic Profiles. ucalgary.ca }accessdate=2008-01-25.
  3. ^ J. Burr Tyrrell (May 10, 1897). Report of the Doobaunt, Kazan and Ferguson Rivers and the North-West Coast of Hudson Bay. Geological Survey of Canada. Retrieved on 2008-01-27.
  4. ^ Annual Report - Geological Survey of Canada. Google Book Search. Geological Survey of Canada (1898). Retrieved on 2008-01-24.
  5. ^ Arctic Profiles. ucalgary.ca }accessdate=2008-01-25.