Hayes

Course

The river begins at the northern end of Molson Lake (about 90 kilometres (56 mi) northeast of the northern tip of Lake Winnipeg) at an elevation of 221 metres (725 ft) and flows northeastward.

Near Molson Lake, the Echimamish River connects with the Hayes. The Echimamish is a river bifurcation that connects the Hayes to the Nelson River, which flows out of Lake Winnipeg. This river connector was used by the voyageurs to travel from York Factory on Hudson Bay, up the Hayes and across to the Nelson and on to Norway House at the north end of Lake Winnipeg.

Northeast of Robinson Lake is Robinson Falls and the mile-long Robinson portage which was the longest portage between Hudson Bay and Edmonton. Somewhere in this area is Hill Gates, a mile-long narrow gorge.

History

Long before Europeans came to Canada, Manitoba First Nations were using the Hayes River as ancient campsites according to pictographs. It traverses the traditional territory of four First Nations: Norway House Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation, Shamattawa First Nation, and York Factory Cree Nation. It continues to be an important source of traditional harvesting for the First Nations.

After the arrival of Europeans in North America, the river became an important link in the development of Canada. In 1684, the Hayes River was named for Sir James Hayes, a Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) charter member and secretary to Prince Rupert, by the French trader and explorer Pierre-Esprit Radisson.

Natural history

The Hayes flows through some of the most pristine natural areas of Manitoba. It is home to polar bear, wolverine, woodland caribou, the ivory gull, sturgeon, brook trout, beluga whales, bald eagles, and moose, as well as a wide range of other wildlife. Travelling downstream, its banks are lined with dense spruce forests, which change to a mosaic of stunted black spruce, tamarack, and bogs.

The Hayes River became a Canadian Heritage River on June 11, 2006. Today, the river remains untouched. No dams or development mar its course. It is the longest naturally flowing river in Manitoba and therefore a popular recreational canoe route.