Bloodvein River

The Bloodvein River is a river in Canada. It flows west from its headwaters in Red Lake in northwest Ontario to the east side of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba through the boreal forests of the Canadian Shield. It is around 300 kilometres (190 mi) long. Lakes along its length include Knox Lake, Pipestone Lake and Artery Lake.

Bloodvein River
Bloodvein River (near the mouth at Bloodvein)
Location of the mouth of the Bloodvein River
Location
Country	Canada
Provinces	Manitoba Ontario
Physical characteristics
Source	near Peisk Lake
• location	Ontario
• coordinates	51°12′03″N 94°22′49″W
• elevation	400 m (1,300 ft)
Mouth	at Bloodvein First Nation
• location	Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba
• coordinates	51°47′25″N 96°42′55″W
• elevation	217 m (712 ft)
Length	300 km (190 mi)
Basin features
River system	Nelson River basin
[1][2][3][4]

First Nation peoples have used the river for centuries, and their petroglyphs and rock paintings can be found on some shoreline cliffs.[5] The river along with many other rivers on the east side of Lake Winnipeg is part of a unique wilderness area untouched by major developments such as logging roads, mines, or dams.

The Bloodvein River became Manitoba's first Canadian Heritage River in 1987. For most of its length, the river is within Atikaki Provincial Park in Manitoba and the Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Ontario.[6][5] It is included on Canada's Tentative List for World Heritage sites and has the potential of being part of a United Nations World Heritage Site.[5]

The First Nation community of Bloodvein situated at the mouth is the only major community along the river. The community is served by the Bloodvein River Airport.

From 1980 to 2015, Bloodvein was only accessible by the HMV Edgar Wood Ferry during warm months. The ferry operated for 35 years until it was cancelled in 2015, due to decreased usage after the completion of a road allowing access to Bloodvein.[7]