Great Bear Lake

views updated May 29 2018

Great Bear Lake Lake in Northwest Territories, nw Canada; the largest lake in Canada and fourth largest in North America. It was first explored in 1825 by John Franklin. It is drained in the w by the Great Bear River. Although the lake is one of North America's deepest, it is icebound for eight months of the year. Area: c.31,800sq km (12,300sq mi).