Millions of tonnes of cargo have passed through the Portages around the Slave River rapids. Resources, such as fur, dominated the southern bound cargo manifests for many years until the discovery of oil and other valuable mineral resources  in the 1930's and 40's. The value of goods transported across these portages is difficult to calculate however some individual shipments of fur exceeded $75,000 early in the century.

During the war years, hundreds of American soldiers were stationed at Fort Fitzgerald and Fort Smith. They were transporting supplies for the construction of the "Canol" oil pipeline between Norman Wells, NT and Whitehorse, YK. These soldiers were also responsible for the construction  of the first winter road between Fort Smith and Hay River which made it possible to ship goods from Edmonton to Fort Smith during the winter months.

Some of the most unique passengers on the Slave River made their passage during the summer of 1925. On June 15th, 1925 the first train load full of the plains buffalo left Wainwright, Alberta. Custom cars carried supplies of water and food and the living cargo north for two days and 400 miles. Later the animals were loaded on two special barges that were pushed by a steam boat 275 miles down the Athabasca and the Slave rivers. One by one the buffalo were released in the southern parts of Wood Buffalo Park. Seven return trips were required to move all of the animals to their new home along the banks of the Slave River.

Buffalo barge at waterways.Alberta. altogether 1,634 young animals under two years were selected and shipped north by railway and river-boat.	Alberta Arctic Transportation Company at Fort Fitzgerald around 1930.
The 75HP tractor was brought in to travel the portage around 1918. It was owned by Lawson and Habbard. The tractor is now on display at the Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith.	Fort Smith, Slave River. Hudson's Bay Company transport loaded with $75,000 worth of furs.
Space was at a premium when using the smaller water vessels.