April 25, 2025
Top 5 Hudson Bay’s Little Known Facts
By Nadia Schimnowski
Tucked into the northeastern corner of Manitoba, Hudson Bay is a vast and awe-inspiring body of water. A place of striking beauty, deep cultural roots, and ecological significance – a region shaped by ice, water and time. Whether you’re a nature lover, a geography buff or just curious about Manitoba’s hidden gems, this northern body of water is full of surprises. Continue reading to uncover five fascinating facts about Hudson Bay that might just change the way you see this iconic region.
1. It’s the Second Largest Bay in the World – No Biggie 😉
Manitoba is home to the second largest bay in the world! Hudson Bay spans more than 1.2 million square kilometres (470,000 square miles) and has an average depth of 100m and maximum of 270m. The entire Hudson Bay watershed is about 3.8 million kilometres square making it the largest ocean watershed in Canada! That means water travels all the way from southwestern Alberta, across the prairie provinces to northeastern Quebec, also in northwest territories and Nunavut, and empties into Hudson Bay.
2. It’s Rooted in Culture and Knowledge
The coast of Western Hudson Bay is home to five communities. These include Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Whale Cove, Churchill and Fort Severn. But long before the English names, local Indigenous communities gave the bay powerful identities. Local names for the bay include:
- Kischekumee (Inineemowin Cree); ocean/hudson bay
- Kangiqsualuk ilua (Inuktitut); “the bay of the big river”
- Tasiujarjuaq (Inuktitut); “the big river place”
- Azhashkiiwaaboo-wiikwed (Anishinaabemowin Ojibwe); “muddy bay”
These names reflect deep-rooted connections between people and place, carried through language and lived experiences.
3. It’s a Huge Water Filter
Did you know that Hudson Bay contributes 20% of the Arctic Ocean’s freshwater? Thanks to approximately 40+ major rivers including the Seal, Nelson and Churchill Rivers that push the flow of freshwater into Hudson Bay. These rivers highly influence the amount of freshwater in the region, adding around 30% of Canada’s freshwater flow into the bay.
Because of this massive freshwater input, Hudson Bay has lower salinity than most oceans. So even though it looks oceanic, the bay’s mix of salt and fresh water gives it unique physical and ecological characteristics.
4. Wildlife Wonderland!
Hudson Bay is bursting with life – from marine to terrestrial creatures, we bet you never knew that:
- Polar bears gather in and around Churchill every fall —about 1,000 of them on average — earning the town the title Polar Bear Capital of the World.
- 55,000 beluga whales (around 28% of the world’s population) migrate to the bay each summer to moult, calve, and feed.
- According to a report conducted by Audubon in 2023, the Hudson Bay lowlands provide essential habitat for as many as 250 bird species, at least 131 of which breed in the region. Examples include snow geese, arctic terns, and red-throated loons.
Honourable mentions include the bearded seal, ringed seal, harbour seal, fourhorn sculpin, sea angel, tiny brittle starfish, and lion’s mane jellyfish in the southwestern region of the bay.
5. A Potential Candidate for Marine Protection
Hudson Bay isn’t just beautiful – it is a crucial wildlife habitat. CPAWS Manitoba and other environmental and Indigenous organisations are advocating for a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in the area..
What is a National Marine Protected Area? An NMCA is a protected region in the ocean and along coastlines, similar to a park, but is dedicated to preserving marine life. This protection would help ensure marine wildlife and entire ecosystems are protected against harmful activities such as overfishing, pollution, or excessive industrial development. This allows species to continue thriving, and the area can recover from environmental damage if needed and is designed to promote the ecologically sustainable use of marine areas by harmonizing conservation practices with human activities, including shipping and tourism.
Western Hudson Bay has been a candidate for protection since 2017 by the federal government. Now more than ever it is critical that we plan for the future of the environment. Establishing an NMCA in Hudson Bay would safeguard wildlife, help combat climate change by storing carbon, and promote long-term economic opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Hudson Bay isn’t just a place on the map – it is a living, breathing system that connects land, water, wildlife and people across thousands of kilometres. Next time you think of Manitoba, don’t just picture wheat fields – picture this icy blue giant, alive with history, water, and wild wonder.
HOW TO LEARN MORE:
Oceans North; Western Hudson Bay Report
Marine Marvels of Hudson Bay Blog