Hay River Harbour Restoration Project

Overview

The Hay River Harbour Restoration Project is an initiative to improve navigation in Hay River Harbour by removing excess sediment. This sediment build-up, combined with record low water levels, has made it difficult for vessels to operate safely. The harbour is a vital marine supply hub, supporting Marine Transportation Services, the Canadian Coast Guard, commercial fishing, and the public

Key Project Achievements

In summer 2024, sediment was cleared from two key areas of Hay River Harbour:

  • Area A: The outfall into Great Slave Lake
  • Area B: The East Channel "fingers"

This work created a navigation channel large enough for Marine Transportation Services, the Coast Guard, and commercial fishing vessels to operate safely.

Between June 9 and August 11, approximately 55,000m³ of sediment was removed. The sediment is being stored on Vale Island for drying and testing. It’s clean and will be offered for public use in 2025.

The project was developed with input from harbour users, including MTS, fishers, and the Coast Guard.

Background

The dredging design was developed in 2023 to create a 30m wide, 2.4m deep channel, large enough for the harbour’s biggest vessels. Despite challenges like the Hay River evacuation and low water levels, some dredging was completed in 2023, with the rest finished in 2024. Improvements were made to boost efficiency and adapt to the low water conditions.

The Project acquired a Type B Water License from the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MV2023L8-0005), and a Letter of Advice from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (#23-HCAA-00530). The project registered as a ‘minor work’ under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act’s online registry, under the registry #10480.

Team

The core design, environmental, and oversight team supporting the project was by Westmar Advisors and Associated Environmental Consultants Inc. The construction contract was carried out by Rowes Construction Ltd.

Funding and Support

The GNWT received $3 million in support from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and $5 million from Transport Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan for the harbour restoration work. The balance of the project costs, approximately $7 million dollars, was funded by the GNWT.

Looking Ahead

Starting in 2025, GNWT will monitor the channel and plan for future maintenance. Long-term solutions are in progress, with ongoing discussions with the Town of Hay River to improve navigation at Porritt Landing.

Questions or concerns? We value your input! For further information or to share your concerns, please reach out to inf_communications@gov.nt.ca.