Fort McPherson Water Aerodrome

The primary reason for the closure (de-registration) of the Fort McPherson Water Aerodrome was redundancy and economic factors following the establishment and enhancement of the nearby land-based Fort McPherson Airport (CZFM). The land airport provides more reliable, year-round service with larger, faster aircraft, diminishing the need for a separate, seasonal water-based facility for scheduled operations. The cost of maintaining and certifying a water aerodrome with declining traffic was no longer justifiable.

The site is the Peel River adjacent to the Hamlet of Fort McPherson. There is no longer any dedicated infrastructure such as docks, ramps, or buildings specifically for a water aerodrome. The river is used for local boating and transportation. While it is no longer a registered aerodrome, float-equipped aircraft can and likely still do land on the water on an ad-hoc, prior-arrangement basis, as is common practice on many northern Canadian waterways. However, it has no official status, services, or published procedures.

Like many water aerodromes in the Canadian North, this facility was a critical lifeline for the Hamlet of Fort McPherson before the establishment of a reliable all-weather runway. Located on the Peel River, it served as a base for float-equipped aircraft (like the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-3 Otter) which were essential for transporting people, mail, medicine, and supplies. It connected the community to regional hubs like Inuvik and Aklavik and supported trapping, hunting, and resource exploration activities. It was a vital link in the transportation network for the Gwich'in community, the RCMP, and government services in the era of bush flying.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening or re-registering the Fort McPherson Water Aerodrome. The community's aviation needs are fully met by the Fort McPherson Airport (CZFM), which has a 3,500-foot gravel runway and handles scheduled passenger and cargo flights. Re-establishing an official water aerodrome would offer no significant advantage and is considered unnecessary.