Lake Winnipeg

Three to four weeks of our expedition will be spent paddling along the Eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg. The large, shallow basin this lake is located in was carved by glaciers during the ice age, and was filled with water when Lake Agassiz drained into Hudson Bay nearly 10,000 years ago. With almost 9,500 square miles of surface area, Lake Winnipeg is estimated to be the 10th largest lake in the world. However, it has an average depth of about 40 feet, which makes this lake particularly hazardous for paddlers due to the threat of large swells. Nutrient runoff from nearby agricultural lands has damaged the health of this lake, and is a main contributor to frequent algal blooms. The name “Winnipeg” is derived from the Cree’s name for this lake–win nipee, which means “muddy water.” The Aninishanbee, Ininew, and Dakota are some groups of indigenous people who have lived in this area for over 6,000 years. There are currently around one dozen First Nation communities that exist on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, and over 20,000 people that live in these communities.