The 113-kilometre (70 mi) long Great Bear River, which drains the Great Bear Lake westward through marshes into the Mackenzie River, forms an important transportation link during its four ice-free months. It originates at the southwest bay of the lake. The river has an irregular meander pattern 350-metre (1,150 ft) wide channel with average depth 6 metres (20 ft). Historic air photos show no evidence of bank erosion or channel migration in a 50-year period.
The low discharge rate is due to the small amount of precipitation in the watershed area. Great Bear River contained open reaches that had melted out in place over 80 percent of its length in 1972 and 1974.
The settlement of Tulita is located at the mouth of the river.
The tributaries: Porcupine River, Rosalie Creek, Stick Creek, Wolverine Creek, St. Charles Creek, Brackett River.
