Alsek River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alsek River |
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Confluence of the Alsek and Tatshenshini rivers
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 Location of the mouth of the Alsek River in Alaska
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| Countries |
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| State | Alaska |
| Territory | Yukon |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Kluane National Park and Reserve Yukon 60°38′46″N 137°48′26″W / 60.64611°N 137.80722°W |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean Dry Bay, Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska, Alaska 0 m (0 ft) 59°7′40″N 138°37′14″W / 59.12778°N 138.62056°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 28,023 km2 (10,820 sq mi) |
The Alsek River (in the Tlingit language, Aalseix̱' ) is a wild and powerful river in North America. It starts in Yukon, Canada, flows through British Columbia, and then into Alaska in the United States. Finally, it empties into the Pacific Ocean at a place called Dry Bay.
Most of the Alsek River's path is inside protected areas and National Parks. The Alsek and its main branch, the Tatshenshini River, are special. They are part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means they are recognized for their amazing natural beauty and importance.
In 2016, something unusual happened. The Alsek River "stole" the water from another river, the Slims River. This happened because the Kaskawulsh Glacier was melting and shrinking. Scientists believe this change was caused by human-caused climate change. This was the first time people saw climate change directly reorganize a river's path.
Where the Alsek River Flows
The Alsek River begins in Kluane National Park and Reserve. It forms where two other rivers, the Dezadeash River and Kaskawulsh River, meet. From there, it flows south into the northwestern part of British Columbia.
A bit later, another important river, the Tatshenshini River, joins the Alsek. This meeting point is inside Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park. The Alsek then continues its journey until it reaches the Pacific Ocean. It flows into the Gulf of Alaska at Dry Bay, near Yakutat, Alaska.
While some parts of the river are good for kayaking or rafting, other parts are very dangerous. One famous section is called Turnback Canyon. Only the most skilled kayakers can try to navigate it.
On older maps, the Alsek River was sometimes called the Kaskawulsh. The Tatshenshini River was sometimes called the Alsek. Some First Nation elders in Yukon also call the river the Kaskawulsh.
The river flows next to the Lowell glacier. This glacier has sometimes blocked the river, creating a huge lake called "Neoglacial Lake Alsek." The last time this happened was in 1850. When the glacier dam broke, it caused a massive flood. This flood washed away everything in its path all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
The Alsek River carries a lot of silt, which is like fine mud, from the glaciers. This silt makes the river water very cold.
River History and Adventures
The first person known to kayak through the dangerous Turnback Canyon was Walt Blackadar. He did it by himself on August 25, 1971. He wrote about his amazing trip for Sports Illustrated magazine. He warned others, saying, "The Alsek Gorge is unpaddleable!" Even with his warning, some expert kayakers have successfully run Turnback Canyon since then. A mountain overlooking the Alsek was named Mount Blackadar to honor him.
The part of the river inside Kluane National Park is a designated Canadian Heritage River. This means it's recognized for its natural and historical value.
In 1958, a powerful earthquake happened near Lituya Bay. This earthquake changed the land around the river. It caused the Doame River and East Alsek River to join together.
In 2016, the Alsek River's flow increased a lot. This happened after it "captured" the water from the Slims River.
Fishing in the Alsek
The Alsek River and the nearby East Alsek River are known for fishing. People can catch different types of salmon here. These include king, silver, and sockeye salmon. You can also find chum and pink salmon.
The Alsek River is special because its water is very cold. This helps the salmon that live there. The silt in the river also protects the fish from too much sun.
The area is also popular for sport fishing, sightseeing, hunting, and watching animals. There are lodges where people can stay to enjoy these activities.
