The study looked at the lower parts of eight rivers that flow into the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories. Researchers gathered information on the shape of the valleys, how much water flows through the rivers, the characteristics of the river channels, how the channels change over time, and how the rivers interact with the Mackenzie River. They also reviewed past research on the Mackenzie River and its history. The study found that it's important to understand how these rivers behave before building anything near them.