Dismal Lakes are a series of three interconnected lakes in the Canadian Nunavut located roughly midway between the Coronation Gulf and Great Bear Lake, east of the Dease River. The discharges into the narrows between the second and third Dismal Lakes, and the third lake discharges into the Kendall River. The lakes were named by explorer Thomas Simpson. The narrows between the first and second lakes are a favoured crossing-place for the caribou. The narrow river is confined between steep gravel hills and has a fairly strong current.