Indian River (Alaska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian River - Kaasdahéen |
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An 1890 photograph of a bridge over Indian River
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| Native name | Tlingit: Kaasda Héen |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Region | Southeast Alaska |
| City | Sitka |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Sitka, Alaska |
| Length | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
Indian River, also known as Kaasda Héen in the Tlingit language, is a beautiful river about eight miles (13 km) long. It flows through the town of Sitka on Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a single river or lake.
A River's Name
The Indian River got its name a long time ago. In 1826, when Russians were settling near Sitka, they called it Reka Koloshenka. This Russian name was later translated into English in 1883. That's how it became known as Indian River.
Home to Salmon and Wildlife
Indian River is a very important place for salmon. Many salmon swim up this river to lay their eggs, which is a key part of their life cycle. The river ends right in the middle of Sitka National Historical Park. It also flows past the Alaska Raptor Center, a place that helps injured birds of prey.
The river goes about five miles into Baranof Island. Then, it splits into two different branches. There's a trail that follows the southern branch. If you walk along this trail, you can reach a viewpoint to see a 21-meter (about 69 feet) waterfall.
Why So Much Water?
Indian River carries a lot of water. This is because Baranof Island gets a huge amount of rain. All that rainfall means the river always has plenty of water flowing through it.
A River's Role in History
Indian River played an important part in the Battle of Sitka. A very strong Tlingit fort was located right next to where the river meets the sea. This made the river's mouth a key spot during the historical events.
