Glacier Creek (Turnagain Arm) facts for kids
Glacier Creek is a stream that starts in the Chugach Mountains in Alaska. It flows into Turnagain Arm, which is a part of Cook Inlet. You can find it near the town of Girdwood.
Discovering Glacier Creek
What are Tributaries?
A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. Think of it like a branch joining a bigger tree trunk! Glacier Creek has several important tributaries that add to its flow.
Crow Creek
Crow Creek is the biggest stream that joins Glacier Creek. It begins high up in the mountains, in an area that separates the waters flowing into Turnagain Arm from those flowing into Eagle River. Eagle River itself flows into Knik Arm.
Crow Creek is about 4 to 5 miles (6.4 to 8 kilometers) long. It starts near Raven Creek, another stream, in a wide mountain pass called Crow Creek Pass. This pass is about 3,550 feet (1,082 meters) above sea level. Crow Creek joins Glacier Creek from the northwest, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) away from Turnagain Arm.
California Creek
California Creek has carved a steep, narrow valley in the mountains west of Glacier Creek. It joins Glacier Creek about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Turnagain Arm. The rocks at the bottom of California Creek are like those found in Crow Creek. The small stones (gravel) are also similar. However, California Creek's gravel has less granite and doesn't show as many signs of being shaped by glaciers.
Winner Creek
Winner Creek joins Glacier Creek just below where Crow Creek flows in. Its valley, the rocks at its bottom, and its gravel are very much like those of California Creek.
