The completion of the all-seasonal road is expected to create significant benefits and opportunities for local residents. (Image Credit: Facebook/Hatchet Lake Development LP)

By Derek Cornet

lifeline

Wollaston Lake Barge makes final crossing

Oct 16, 2026 | 3:59 PM

It appears to be the end of an era for the Wollaston Lake Barge.

Members of Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation, including Prince Albert Grand Council Vice-Chief Joseph Tsannie, came together Oct. 14 to mark its final 42-kilometer crossing. It’s being replaced by an all-season road, which has been under development since 2008 and could receive a grand opening as soon as next month.

“The vessel is unique because it’s the only cable free barge in Saskatchewan and the only one that requires pre-booking,” stated the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways in an email to larongeNOW.

“The Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation operates the barge under contract with the provincial Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways invests about $420,000 annually to operate the Wollaston Lake Barge.”

The barge began operation as a private vessel on the lake in 1974 and operations were assumed in 1980 by provincial government. Typically, the barge operated from spring to fall, although the specific opening and closing dates for the season could vary each year due to weather.

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Access to Wollaston Lake and Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation had been primarily through air travel, barge in the summer, and ice road during the winter. The population of Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation is approximately 2,000, of which over 1,500 reside on reserve.

The Wollaston Lake Barge operated about five months out of the year. (Image Credit: Facebook/Saskatchewan Highway Hotline)

The Wollaston Lake road project is currently led and managed by the federal government and Hatchet Lake. The federal government invested more than $72 million through Indigenous Services Canada to build the road, with an additional $10 million coming from the province.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to see this project continue moving forward to support northern citizens in the province,” the email added.

larongeNOW reached out to Hatchet Lake leadership for comment on this story, but didn’t receive a response by publishing.

—

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Wollaston Lake Barge makes final crossing

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