Final answer:
The Nelson River is the river that begins at the northern end of Lake Winnipeg and flows northeast into Hudson Bay.
Step-by-step explanation:
The river that travels from its source at the northern end of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba in a northeasterly direction before emptying into Hudson Bay is the Nelson River. It's important to understand the role rivers play in an ecosystem, as they are dynamic, continuously moving bodies of water that carry water from a source to their mouth. The Nelson River, like many other rivers such as the Mississippi in North America, serves as a critical component in its regional ecosystem by providing a habitat for wildlife and functioning as a natural waterway for transportation and trade.