Aishihik River facts for kids
The Aishihik River, sometimes called Canyon Creek, is a river located in the Yukon Territory in Canada. It starts from Aishihik Lake and flows south. The river eventually joins the Dezadeash River, which is part of a larger system of rivers and lakes called the Alsek River watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common river or lake.
Contents
About the Aishihik River
The Aishihik River is an important waterway in the Yukon. It's known for its natural beauty and its connection to the history of the region. The river flows through a landscape of forests and mountains, making it a scenic spot.
Otter Falls and the Canadian $5 Bill
One of the most famous spots on the Aishihik River is Otter Falls. These beautiful waterfalls were once featured on the back of the 1954 series of Canadian $5 bills. Imagine a waterfall from your own country being on money! This shows how special and well-known Otter Falls were.
Hydroelectric Power
Today, the amount of water flowing over Otter Falls and in the northern part of the Aishihik River is less than it used to be. This is because of a hydroelectric dam and power station. This station is owned by the Yukon Energy Corporation. Hydroelectric power uses the force of moving water to create electricity. The dam helps control the river's flow to generate clean energy for the area.
The Alaska Highway Crossing
The Aishihik River also crosses the famous Alaska Highway. This happens at a small place called Canyon Creek, Yukon. At this spot, you can see a replica of one of the original wooden bridges that were built when the Alaska Highway was first constructed. It's a cool reminder of the highway's history and how it was built through challenging terrain.
