Alatna River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alatna River |
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Confluence of Alatna and Koyukuk Rivers
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Type: | Wild |
| Designated: | December 2, 1980 |
The Alatna River is a beautiful river in Alaska, United States. It's so special that a big part of it is protected as a "wild and scenic river." This means it's kept natural and wild for everyone to enjoy. The Alatna River flows through the amazing Gates of the Arctic National Park, which is a huge, wild area in northern Alaska. Many people think it's one of the most beautiful rivers in the country.
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About the Alatna River
The Alatna River starts high up in the Brooks Range mountains. It winds its way through the Endicott Mountains, passing by pretty places like Circle Lake and Takahula Lake. You can even see the tall, rocky Arrigetch Peaks from the river!
The river then flows through the Helpmejack Hills and the Alatna Hills. Finally, it joins the Koyukuk River near a small village called Allakaket. The Alatna River is about 184 miles (296 kilometers) long from where it begins to Allakaket. If you start from Circle Lake, it's about 137 miles (220 kilometers) long.
River's Journey
The first 25 miles (40 kilometers) of the Alatna River are quite shallow and rocky. You might find some small rapids here. For the next 15 miles (24 kilometers), it stays shallow with more rapids.
But don't worry, the river gets calmer further downstream! Near Takahula Lake and Circle Lake, the water becomes deeper. The river starts to curve and wind more gently. The scenery also changes from tall mountain peaks to rolling hills covered in thick boreal forests.
Fun on the River
The Alatna River is a very popular spot for "float trips." This means people use rafts, canoes, or kayaks to float down the river. It's popular because the river is mostly calm, and the views are absolutely amazing.
Float trips can last anywhere from four to fourteen days. The length of your trip depends on where you start and where you finish. It also depends on the weather and how fast the river is flowing.
Starting Your Trip
Many people like to start their float trip at Circle Lake. This is a small lake that you can reach by a special float plane. It's in a really beautiful part of the river valley.
Another good starting point is Takahula Lake. This lake is bigger than Circle Lake and is also accessible by float plane. It's located a bit further downstream.
There's also a place called Gaedeke Lake where you could start. However, the river section near its source, close to Gaedeke Lake, is very shallow and rocky. This means you might have to carry your boat (portaging) or pull it through the water (lining). Most people finish their float trips at the village of Allakaket.
Exploring the River
Many explorers have traveled the Alatna River over the years. In 1931, a famous wilderness activist named Bob Marshall explored and mapped the river. He followed the river all the way from Allakaket upstream into the Brooks Range.
Other explorers also visited the river before him. These included Philip Smith in 1911, the Murie brothers (Olaus and Adolph) in 1923, and a team from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 1924, which included Smith, Fitzgerald, and Mertie. They all helped us learn more about this incredible wild area.
