How big and deep is Great Bear Lake?

Posted on Aug 25, 2025 / Travel

How big and deep is Great Bear Lake?

Great Bear Lake covers more than 31,000 square kilometers, making it larger than Belgium and significantly bigger than many of the world’s smaller countries. Its maximum depth reaches over 400 meters, and its vast volume of cold, clear water makes it an important reservoir in the Arctic watershed. The lake has five distinct arms—Smith, Dease, McVicar, McTavish, and Keith—that give it a unique star-like shape. Because of its immense size and depth, the water remains cold year-round, and ice can cover the surface for up to eight months. Its sheer scale makes it a critical geographic and ecological feature in northern Canada.



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