Killik River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Killik River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Killik River in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | North Slope, Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of April and Kakivilak creeks Gates of the Arctic National Park, Brooks Range, Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area 4,863 ft (1,482 m) 67°46′09″N 154°32′54″W / 67.76917°N 154.54833°W |
| River mouth | Colville River 52 miles (84 km) southwest of Umiat, North Slope Borough 548 ft (167 m) 69°00′26″N 153°54′35″W / 69.00722°N 153.90972°W |
| Length | 105 mi (169 km) |
The Killik River is a river in Alaska, a state in the United States. It flows for about 105 miles (169 kilometers). The Killik River is a branch, or tributary, of the larger Colville River.
This river starts in the northern part of Gates of the Arctic National Park. It then flows north into land owned by the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.
Where the River Starts and Flows
The Killik River begins high up in the Endicott Mountains. These mountains are part of the central Brooks Range in northern Alaska. The very start of a river is called its headwaters.
From its headwaters, the river first flows northwest. Then, it makes a sharp turn and flows northeast. As it continues, other smaller streams, like April and Easter creeks, join it.
The river keeps flowing northeast for most of its journey. Closer to where it ends, it turns northwest again. Another important stream, the Okokmilaga River, also joins the Killik River here.
The Killik River eventually empties into the Colville River. The place where a river meets another body of water is called its mouth. The mouth of the Killik River is about 52 miles (84 kilometers) southwest of a place called Umiat.
What the River Valley Looks Like
The main part of the Killik River flows through a valley shaped like a "U". This shape was carved out by ancient glaciers. You can find lakes, sand dunes, and even piles of rock and dirt left by glaciers, called lateral moraines, along the valley.
The land around the river is mostly tundra. Tundra is a type of flat, treeless plain found in very cold regions. It's often covered in small plants.
At the start, the valley is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) wide. As the river flows further, the valley gets wider, reaching between 3 and 5 miles (5 and 8 kilometers) across. In these wider parts, the river becomes braided. This means it splits into many smaller channels that weave in and out, like braids.
The tundra here is covered with plants like dwarf birch and different types of sedges. There are also large areas of wet, spongy ground called sedge bogs and grassy clumps called tussocks.
How the River Gets Its Water
The Killik River gets most of its water from two main sources:
- Rain: Water from rainfall adds to the river's flow.
- Snowmelt: When the snow and ice from the mountains melt, the water runs into the river.
Because it's fed mostly by rain and melting snow, the Killik River's water is usually quite clear. It doesn't carry a lot of dirt or mud, which is common in rivers fed by glaciers.
