Mackenzie Bay is a vast, shallow coastal embayment in the Beaufort Sea, forming the marine terminus of the Mackenzie River Delta within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. This dynamic Arctic estuary is characterized by its extensive, nutrient-rich waters heavily influenced by the massive freshwater outflow of the Mackenzie River. The bay's geography is complex, featuring several distinct sub-regions including the expansive East Mackenzie Bay area near Kendall Island and the western Niaqunnaq (Shallow Bay). The entire system is seasonally covered by land-fast sea ice, with a significant stamukhi zone—a pressure ridge of ice that dams the river's flow in winter and spring. The summer months bring open water, creating a highly productive marine environment that serves as critical habitat for migratory beluga whales and supports a unique subsistence and recreational fishery.