Ipnavik River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ipnavik River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Ipnavik River in Alaska
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| Native name | Ipnavik |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Brooks Range |
| River mouth | Colville River National Petroleum Reserve 68°53′46″N 156°27′30″W / 68.8960°N 156.4582°W |
| Length | 68 miles (109 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Colville River |
The Ipnavik River is a river in Alaska, about 68 miles (109 km) long. It flows into the Colville River. This river is in the Alaska North Slope, a wild area in northern Alaska. The Iñupiat people, who have lived here for a very long time, named the river. They called it "Ipnavak," which means "place where young Dall sheep grow up." The river starts high up in the Brooks Range mountains.
What's in a Name?
The name "Ipnavik" comes from the Iñupiat language. It means "place where young Dall sheep grow up." Dall sheep are a type of wild sheep that live in the mountains of Alaska.
People first wrote down the river's name in 1925. This was done by Gerald Fitzgerald from the United States Geological Survey. He recorded the name as "Ipnavak."
The Ipnavik River area is also known for being very remote. It is one of the farthest places from roads and towns in the United States. It is about 120 miles (190 km) from the villages of Ambler and Atqasuk.
Where the River Flows
The Ipnavik River is about 68 miles (109 km) long. It is a branch, or "tributary," of the larger Colville River. The river begins in the Brooks Range mountains.
From there, the Ipnavik River flows towards the northeast. It joins the Colville River about 50 miles (80 km) north of Howard Pass. The river flows through a wild and beautiful part of Alaska.
A Look at History
The Iñupiat people have lived near the Ipnavik River for thousands of years. They are the native people of this area. You can still find signs of their ancient way of life. These include old hunting structures and piles of caribou bones. These show how they lived off the land long ago.
In 2012, the United States Congress thought about protecting the Ipnavik River. They considered making it part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This system helps keep rivers wild and beautiful. They also considered other rivers in the area for this protection.
Fish in the River
One of the most common fish in the Ipnavik River is the Arctic grayling. In the Iñupiat language, this fish is called Sulukpaugaq.
The Arctic grayling is very important to the Iñupiat people. They rely on it for food. It is also a popular fish for people who enjoy sport fishing in Alaska.
