Anikovik River facts for kids
The Anikovik River, sometimes called the Anakovik River, is a waterway located in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is about 15 miles (24 km) long.
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River's Path and Features
The Anikovik River begins in the York Mountains, which are about 15 miles (24 km) away from the Bering Sea. As it leaves the mountains, the river first flows west. Then, it makes a sharp turn and flows south all the way to the sea.
River Valley
The river has a wide, flat area next to it called a flood plain. This plain can be from 300 feet (91 m) to half a mile (0.8 km) wide. Higher up, the river flows through a type of rock called greenstone. After its sharp turn to the south, it cuts through other rocks like phyllite and slate. The river drops about 15 to 18 feet (4.6 to 5.5 m) for every mile it flows. A smaller stream called Buhner Creek joins the Anikovik River about 2 miles (3.2 km) before Deer Creek.
York Plateau
For most of its length, the Anikovik River flows across an area known as the York Plateau. Here, the river has carved out a fairly wide valley. Close to where the river meets the sea, its valley and riverbed are filled with gravel. This gravel can be several feet deep and 200 to 300 feet (61 to 91 m) wide.
Gold Mining History
Around the year 1900, people believed that the entire Anikovik River area was rich in gold. This led to a type of gold mining called placer mining, where gold is found in riverbeds. However, all the gold mining operations in the area were eventually stopped. The small pieces of gold found were usually shiny. But larger pieces, called nuggets, often had rust-like stains from iron. Miners also found other minerals like Cassiterite and magnetite mixed with the gold.
Local Settlement
At the mouth of the Anikovik River, there is a small community called York. This settlement serves as a hub for the surrounding region. York is about 85 miles (137 km) from Nome and 45 miles (72 km) from Port Clarence.
See Also
