Alagnak River

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Alagnak River
Alagnak River Rapids

Alagnak River Rapids

Data
Water code US :  1398038
location Alaska (USA)
River system Kvichak River
Drain over Kvichak River  → Bering Sea
source Kukaklek Lake
59 ° 7 ′ 53 ″  N , 155 ° 32 ′ 39 ″  W.
Source height 247  m
muzzle Kvichak River Coordinates: 59 ° 0 '17 "  N , 156 ° 51' 37"  W 59 ° 0 '17 "  N , 156 ° 51' 37"  W.
Mouth height 0  m
Height difference 247 m
Bottom slope 1.9 ‰
length 127 km
Catchment area 3600 km²
Left tributaries Nonvianuk River
National Wild and Scenic River

The Alagnak River is a 127 km (79  miles ) long river in the southwest of the US state of Alaska with a drainage area of ​​approximately 3,600 km². In Yupik the word Alagnak means "to be wrong". The course of the river changes and branches every year, which is why it is also called "Branch River" ("to branch").

River course

The Alagnak begins at the outflow of Kukaklek Lake in Katmai National Park . The upper course lies in the Aleutian chain . For the first 9.5 km the Alagnak flows slowly through the tundra . Here the vegetation consists mainly of spruce. Then the valley becomes narrower with almost vertical rock walls. From km 11.5 to km 23 it flows through a gorge at a speed of around 11-13 km / h. The Nonvianuk River flows into the Alagnak at km 33. Westward meandering crosses the Alagnak the Alaska Peninsula and empties into the Kvichak River , which in turn in the Bristol Bay ( Bering Sea flows).

Flora and fauna

Thanks to the abundant supply of salmon, there is a significant bear population ( grizzly and black bear ) on the river in summer and autumn . Most of the catchment area is a winter habitat for caribou . Moose can be found all year round. Beavers , foxes , lynxes , wolverines , mink , otters and occasionally the wolf can be found along the river . There are several species of salmon , rainbow trout , char , grayling and pike in the water . Along the Alagnak there is a diverse vegetation with spruce , willow and many types of berries.

Alagnak Wild River

The upper 108 km of the Alagnak have the status of a protected National Wild and Scenic River within the meaning of the ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act). This section of the river is also called the "Alagnak Wild River" and is administered by the National Park Service .

tourism

The Alagnak is one of the most important rivers for sport fishing in Alaska.

The river is navigable for canoeists. In the gorge you will encounter white water I to III. The Portage is possible, but difficult.

Web links

Commons : Alagnak River  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Kukaklek Lake in the Geographic Names Information System of the United States Geological Survey
  2. ^ Alagnak River in the Geographic Names Information System of the United States Geological Survey
  3. ↑ National Wild & Scenic Rivers - Alagnak River ( Memento from September 15, 2012 in the Internet Archive )