Nahanni Butte Seaplane Base

The primary reason for the closure was redundancy and economic obsolescence. The development of the land-based Nahanni Butte Airport (CBD6) provided a more reliable, year-round transportation option that did not depend on the river being ice-free. Land-based aircraft can typically carry heavier loads and operate in a wider range of weather conditions compared to floatplanes. As air traffic shifted to the new airstrip, there was no longer an economic or logistical need to maintain and register a formal seaplane base on the river.

The physical site of the former seaplane base is simply a stretch of the Liard River adjacent to the community of Nahanni Butte. There are no remaining dedicated facilities such as docks, ramps, or buildings associated with the former base. The river itself is still used by the community for local boat traffic and transportation. While it is physically possible for a floatplane to land on the river on an ad-hoc basis (subject to Canadian Aviation Regulations), it is no longer a registered, maintained, or officially recognized aerodrome.

The Nahanni Butte Seaplane Base was historically a vital transportation link for the remote Dene community of Nahanni Butte. Located on the Liard River, it served several critical functions before the establishment of reliable road and all-weather air access:

1. **Community Supply:** For decades, floatplanes were the primary means of transporting mail, food, medicine, and other essential goods into the community during the summer and fall months.
2. **Passenger and Medical Transport:** It connected residents to regional hubs like Fort Simpson for medical appointments, commerce, and family visits.
3. **Resource Industry Support:** The base was a key staging point for mineral, oil, and gas exploration activities in the Nahanni Range and surrounding wilderness.
4. **Tourism:** It was an important gateway for tourists, particularly canoers and adventurers, entering the world-renowned Nahanni National Park Reserve. Charter operators like Simpson Air would have used the base to fly clients and gear into the park's headwaters.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Nahanni Butte Seaplane Base as an official, registered facility. The community's aviation needs are fully and more effectively met by the land-based Nahanni Butte Airport (CBD6). Re-establishing and maintaining a formal seaplane base would incur costs without providing any significant advantage over the existing airport, making it economically and logistically unfeasible.