South Knife River, Manitoba

The South Knife River is a small river with its headwaters at Etawney Lake. It is pristine in its natural state and is susceptible to variation in its flows by the whims of nature. Canoeing the South Knife requires a high degree of competence in wilderness skills and white water skills as it has many white water challenges, a moderate to high degree of difficulty and is extremely isolated. From Etawney Lake to it’s delta on Hudson’s Bay, the South Knife spans about 280 km(170 miles). The river carves its way through the northern boreal forest, the sub artic tundra and the Hudson Bay lowlands to the sea at Hudson’s Bay. The delta is about 20 miles north of the town of Churchill. The river provides a continual white water challenge including rock dodging, large standing waves, hydraulics and shallow quiet stream paddling as you navigate the extensive delta to the Bay. For hiking opportunities, old beach ridges and an esker are available to explore the surrounding environment and search for evidence of historic value.

South Knife River Geography:

The drainage area of the Knife River is much smaller than either the Churchill or the Seal Rivers, so as a result, the river is much smaller. The Knife River is made up of the North Knife and South Knife Rivers which join to form the Knife about 88 kilometers from Hudson’s Bay as the crow flies. The upper reaches of the South Knife flow through glacial deposits of clay, silt and gravels that typify this area of the transitional zone between the boreal forest and the sub Artic tundra. Conifers are associated with the river valley and the immediate adjacent slopes of the river valley walls. Beyond the valley floor, the spruce stands thin and grade to isolated and widespread tamarack. Ground cover is dominated by lichens, mosses, dwarf birch, Labrador tea and sedge. As the river swings north to the Bay, the soils are more typically alluvial sands and gravels supporting only sparse vegetation on the river flood plain.. Tundra becomes more evident on the uplands along the river route as the conifers begin to appear diminished in both size and frequency and small willow dominates. The Knife River Delta is a maze of stream channels that intermingle with each other creating deep dead end channels, shallow fast flowing channels and little oxbows. The vegetation that has volunteered on this constantly changing site has created an interesting and unique diversity of vegetation communities throughout the delta.

South Knife River Facts:

• The Knife River system (including both North and South Knife tributaries) is a pristine, natural river.
• The South Knife River course is smaller than the Seal or the Churchill but is unique in that the rapids are plentiful and diverse including standing waves, large boulder rapids, and demanding drops.
• The delta is a myriad of channels that requires extensive exploring to find a navigable route that is continuous to the mouth of the Hudson’s Bay.
• The Knife and it tributaries provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. Moose, wolf and black bear are the largest mammals, however caribou sign will be evident as the large herds pass through this area during the migration southward in October- November.. Worn caribou trails are evident on the tundra and the occasional esker that cris-crosses the landscape.
• Seals and Beluga whales are occasionally in near the estuary in Hudson’s Bay. Polar Bears may also be in the area, so care is required.
• The alluvial deposits that make up the Knife River Delta have created the only saltwater delta in Manitoba.

South Knife River History:

There is very little written or otherwise available regarding the history on this river system. The presence of fur bearing animals like the wolf, martin, fox and lynx suggests that the area was certainly trapped by the native Dene people or perhaps the Swampy Cree and logically was a fur producer for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Only the ghosts of the forest know for sure what course history took here.

Recreation on the South Knife River:

The small watershed that supports the Knife River System determines the charateristics of the river flow. In years of low runoff rocks protrude making navigation a challenge. In high water years, the rocks are submerged but standing waves and hydraulics challenge the canoeist. Upon leaving Etawney Lake, the river splits into several smaller channels and a series of blind turns and small rapids. A couple of high ledges can surprise you here, so your undivided attention is required as portages may be necessary. Once the river flows into a single stream again, you’ll experience rock gardens, large standing waves, and rock strewn channels that require good paddling technique and white water experience. There are a couple of more serious drops on this section requiring portage in most cases. Your experience and skill will determine whether to run the drops or portage.

South Knife Lake provides an opportunity to do some quiet paddling and enjoy the scenery. There are ample lunch sites and camping spots on the lake. The rapids downstream of the lake will make you wish you brought your spray skit. The river widens here a bit and the flow intensifies to an extremely fast current. In this lower section of the river rapids occur on nearly every bend and you’ll get your share of large standing waves and all forms of turbulence all the way down to Hudson’s Bay. This is definitely the most challenging part of the river and it will tax your equipment and your ability.

Once you approach the delta, you are faced with another challenge, navigating the appropriate channel that will permit canoe access to the open water of the Hudson’s Bay. Most of the channels are very narrow and shallow and navigable channels change from one year to the next as the river fills old channels and cuts new ones. Generally the more central channels are the best, however selecting the right one is always a challenge.

The South Knife River route is a very fulfilling trip in that it offers exhilarating white water, abundant wildlife, easy access to the arctic tundra, challenging navigation through the delta and outstanding fishing throughout. Fishing includes lake trout and Northern Pike on Etawney Lake and grayling in the river. There is also brook trout in some of the tributaries, but finding the right stream can be a challenge.

South Knife River Access:

Etawney Lake is accessed by float plane from Venture Air floatplane base in Thompson, Manitoba. People, gear and canoes are transported by air in the deHavilland Otter that will drop you off at the the lake and return to Thompson Manitoba, leaving you to begin your adventure. Following your trip down river and your arrival at the delta and Hudson’s Bay, the barge will pick up you, the canoes and gear and transport you to the town of Churchill, a hot meal, clean sheets and a comfortable bed. Here you will make arrangements to board the VIA RAIL train with your canoes and make the overnight trip to Thompson and the Venture Air Base. The train operates on a three times a week schedule, so you may have the time to enjoy Churchill. There is lots to see here and, if your so inclined, organized tours to learn about the area and its natural history.

Churchill is 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the mouth of the Knife River in very shallow rock strewn Hudson’s Bay. Weather here can change dramatically in minutes and create extremely dangerous and life threatening conditions. It is not recommended that canoeist try to paddle to Churchill, it is not safe!

South Knife River Services:

The only service along the South Knife River is an outpost lodge located about ¼ of the way down the river from Etawney Lake. The outpost is not always inhabited so you can’t depend on it . There are no other services until you get to Churchill.

South Knife River Hazards:

Negotiating this river requires extensive experience in white water canoeing. Seasonal and annual water flows can vary greatly and the nature of the rapids can change considerably from year to year. This is a wilderness experience requiring wilderness skills, as help is very far off and communication difficult if an emergency should arise. In addition, wildlife can present a hazard, especially Black Bears and Polar Bears. Providing you are knowledgeable of how to camp in bear country, chances of having a problem is extremely small, however, you should be prepared in the unlikely event you do have a problem. Polar Bears wander the shores of Hudson’s Bay and perhaps the delta, they are travelers but may hole up during the heat of the day in hollows they dig in the wet mud/gravel along the Bay shoreline or inland amongst the willows or riparian vegetation. Be ever aware if you are hiking near the coast.

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