What Are Some of the Major Bodies of Water in Canada?

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Lake Melville in Newfoundland is the largest lake in Canada, with Amadjuak Lake in Nunavut coming in second. Canada’s longest river is the Albany River, which flows from Lake St. Joseph all the way to James Bay, and the second longest river, the Severn, flows through central Ontario into Georgian Bay on Lake Huron.

Other large lakes in Canada include Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Lake Erie in Ontario, Lake Manitoba in Manitoba, Lake Superior in Ontario, Great Slave Lake in Northwest Territories and Lake Athabasca in Saskatchewan. Large bays include Hudson Bay and Baffin Bay. Other long rivers are the Yukon River, the Ottawa River, the McKenzie River, the Peace River, the St. Lawrence River, the Athabasca River, the Fraser River and the Liard River. With all of these lakes, rivers and bays, Canada has the world’s largest supply of fresh water. Canada also has many fjords, inlets, waterfalls, streams and ponds.

Besides providing sources of clean drinking water to Canada’s citizens, its lakes and rivers create numerous recreational opportunities for Canadian residents and visitors. Boating and fishing are both very popular pastimes in Canada, and people come from all over the world to visit some of Canada’s best sports fishing lodges.

Because it is predicated that the planet can expect to face major water shortages at some point during this century, many Canadian citizens are already concerned that their resources may be at risk from other nations who don’t have ready access to fresh water. Many believe that the next wars are likely to be over water instead of over oil.