Baker Creek (Alaska) facts for kids
Baker Creek is a stream in Alaska, a state in the United States. It flows into the Tanana River. Smaller streams like Thanksgiving Creek, Gold Run Creek, Eureka Creek, and Pioneer Creek flow into Baker Creek. Seattle Junior Creek is a smaller stream that flows into Pioneer Creek. In the early 1900s, people looked for gold in the Baker Creek area, about 30 miles south of Rampart.
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Exploring Baker Creek's Land
Baker Creek flows along the southwest side of a large, flat area. This flat area is about 7 to 10 miles wide and 10 miles long. The streams here flow through open valleys, not narrow canyons.
When streams flow from northeast to southwest, or east to west, the southern bank is usually steep. The northern bank slopes gently. Even across the wide Baker Flats, you can see this. The north side has a long, gentle slope, while the south side rises sharply from the valley floor.
Main Streams in the Gold Area
Several important streams are found in the Baker Creek gold area:
- Eureka Creek: This creek is next to the Baker-Minook divide. It flows southwest for about 5 miles, then turns south.
- Pioneer Creek: This creek flows next to Eureka Creek, about 1 to 2 miles to the southeast. It eventually joins Eureka Creek on Baker Flats.
- Rhode Island Creek: This stream flows south, about 1.5 miles west of Eureka Creek.
- Omega Creek: This creek is in the western part of the gold area.
Many smaller creeks flow into these main streams. These smaller creeks are often dry during the summer and fall. The larger streams do not drop much in height, so it can be hard for water to reach higher areas called benches.
Baker Creek's Past
Henry Tureman Allen named Baker Creek in 1885. Some people believe it is the same stream that Ivan Petrof called Saklekageta in 1880.
Gold Discoveries
People found gold in the Baker Creek area on Eureka Creek. Mining started there in the winter of 1898-1899, and a small amount of gold was collected.
- In July 1901, gold was found on Glenn Creek.
- In 1902, gold was discovered on the benches along Pioneer Creek.
- In February 1903, gold was found on Thanksgiving Creek.
- More gold discoveries were made during the summer of 1904.
