Nahanni National Park

 

(nəhăn'ē) , c.1,840 sq mi (4,766 sq km), Northwest Territories, Canada, W of Fort Simpson; est. 1972. Located just E of the Yukon border, the park extends along the lower portion of the South Nahanni River. The river's spectacular course passes through three deep canyons and over Virginia Falls (c.300 ft/90 m high) and numerous rapids. A wilderness area, the park has hot springs and caves and a variety of plant and animal life.

Nahanni National Park Reserve
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location of Nahanni National Park Reserve in Canada
Location	Northwest Territories, Canada
Nearest city	Fort Simpson
Coordinates	61°05′00″N 123°36′00″W / 61.083333, -123.6
Area	28,000 km²[1]
Established	1976
Governing body	Parks Canada

Nahanni National Park*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Canada
Type	Natural
Criteria	vii, viii
Reference	24
Region†	Europe and North America
Inscription History
Inscription	1978  (2nd Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories of Canada, approximately  kilometres ( miles) west of Yellowknife, protects a portion of the Mackenzie Mountains Natural Region. The centrepiece of the park is the South Nahanni River. Four great canyons, called First, Second, Third and Fourth Canyon, line this spectacular whitewater river. The name Nahanni comes from the indigenous Dene language and can be translated as 'spirit.'

At Virginia Falls, the river plunges  metres ( feet) in a thunderous plume. It is more than twice the height of Niagara Falls. In the center of the falls is a dramatic spire of resistant rock, called Mason's Rock after Bill Mason, the famous Canadian canoeist, author, and filmmaker. There is a proposal to rename the falls after former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Aside from the falls, there are many notable rapids on the river including Figure Eight, George's Riffle, and Lafferty's Riffle.

The park's sulphur hotsprings, alpine tundra, mountain ranges, and forests of spruce and aspen are home to many species of birds, fish and mammals. A visitor centre in Fort Simpson features displays on the history, culture and geography of the area. The park was among the world's first four natural heritage locations to be inscribed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1978.

Originally established in 1972, by then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau,^[2] the park was  square kilometres ( square miles) in area.^[3] In 2003 an agreement between the Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada gave temporary protection to  km² ( sq mi).^[2] In 2007 Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that an extra  km² ( sq mi) would be added, bringing the total area to  km² ( sq mi).^[1]

The only practical way to get to Nahanni National Park is by float plane or by helicopter. Around 800-900 people visit the park every year.

See also

• Canadian National Parks
• List of Canadian national parks
• List of Northwest Territories parks
• South Nahanni River
• Nahanni Butte Airport
• Nahanni Butte Water Aerodrome

External links

• Parks Canada
• South Nahanni River
• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Nahanni campaign

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Harper kicks off Arctic sovereignty tour
2. ^ ^{a b}
3. ^ Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada

National Parks of Canada
National parks	Aulavik • Auyuittuq • Banff • Bruce Peninsula • Cape Breton Highlands • Elk Island • Forillon • Fundy • Georgian Bay Islands • Glacier • Grasslands • Gros Morne • Ivvavik • Jasper • Kejimkujik • Kluane • Kootenay • Kouchibouguac • La Mauricie • Mount Revelstoke • Point Pelee • Prince Edward Island • Pukaswa • Prince Albert • Quttinirpaaq • Riding Mountain • Sirmilik • St. Lawrence Islands • Terra Nova • Tuktut Nogait • Ukkusiksalik • Vuntut • Wapusk • Waterton Lakes • Wood Buffalo • Yoho
National Park Reserves	Gulf Islands • Gwaii Haanas • Pacific Rim • Torngat Mountains • Mingan Archipelago • Kluane • Nahanni • Tuktut Nogait
Marine Conservation Areas	Fathom Five • Saguenay-St. Lawrence
National Landmark	Pingo

World Heritage Sites in Canada
Canada	Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks · Dinosaur Provincial Park · Gros Morne · Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump · L'Anse aux Meadows · Old Town Lunenburg · Miguasha · Nahanni · Old Quebec · Rideau Canal · SGaang Gwaay · Wood Buffalo
Canada / USA	Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek · Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

Donate to Wikimedia