Dog Salmon River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dog Salmon River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Dog Salmon River in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | Lake and Peninsula |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mount Kialagvik Alaska Peninsula 981 ft (299 m) 57°09′31″N 156°44′50″W / 57.15861°N 156.74722°W |
| River mouth | Ugashik River 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Ugashik 0 ft (0 m) 57°28′51″N 157°29′02″W / 57.48083°N 157.48389°W |
| Length | 70 mi (110 km) |
The Dog Salmon River is a river in Alaska, a state in the United States. It is about 70-mile (110 km) long. This river flows into the Ugashik River.
The Dog Salmon River starts near Mount Kialagvik. It then flows northwest through the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge. Finally, it joins the Ugashik River about 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of a place called Ugashik. This meeting point is at the top of Ugashik Bay, which is part of Bristol Bay.
About the Dog Salmon River
The Dog Salmon River begins high up, at about 981 feet (299 m) above sea level. It flows down a valley in the Aleutian Range mountains. This valley is located between Mount Chiginagak and Mount Kialagvik.
How the River Flows
The river is quite shallow. It has many bends and loops, which are called "oxbow turns." Because of these turns and its shallow depth, boats cannot easily travel on it.
The bottom of the river is a mix of gravel and mud. The water starts out milky from the glaciers that feed it. As the river flows, it picks up more mud, making the water look even muddier.
Why "Dog Salmon"?
The river gets its name from the types of fish that live there. It is home to many Chum Salmon. These fish are sometimes called "dog salmon." You can also find smaller numbers of Pink Salmon and Dolly Varden char in the river.
Not the Only One
It's important to know that there are other rivers in Alaska named Dog Salmon River. This particular river should not be confused with those found in other areas, like the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta or eastern Norton Sound.
