Great Slave Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Americas. It covers 11,000 square miles (28,600 square kilometers) in Canada’s Northwest Territories. It ranks second behind Great Bear Lake among the largest lakes lying entirely within Canada. Great Slave Lake is fed chiefly by the Slave River, which combines the waters of the Peace and Athabasca systems. Its outlet forms the beginning of the great Mackenzie River.
Yellowknife, the capital and largest city of the Northwest Territories, and several small settlements lie on or near the lake’s shores. Yellowknife is a gold-mining center. Commercial fishing in the lake and good timber on the southern shore provide other sources of income in the area. Great Slave Lake is famous for severe and unpredictable storms. Ice covers Great Slave Lake eight months a year.
In 1771, the English explorer Samuel Hearne became the first white person to reach the lake. Fur trading developed in the area. Several fur-trading posts were established, and later became permanent settlements. The lake was named for the local Slavey Indians (also known as the Dene Tha).
