Kuskokwim Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kuskokwim Mountains |
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Nowitna River in Kuskokwim Mountains.
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Dillingham High Point |
| Elevation | 5,250 ft (1,600 m) |
| Geography | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borders on | Pacific Coast Ranges |
The Kuskokwim Mountains are a long chain of mountains in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area in Alaska, United States. They are located west of the larger Alaska Range and southeast of the Yukon River. Imagine a big, curvy line of mountains stretching across a part of Alaska – that's the Kuskokwim Mountains!
These mountains begin in the interior of Alaska, not far from Fairbanks. They stretch for about 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Canyon Creek and Chikuminuk Lake in the southwest all the way to the Tanana River in the northeast. At their widest point, they can be up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) across.
Contents
Where are the Kuskokwim Mountains?
The Kuskokwim Mountains are surrounded by several important rivers and other mountain ranges.
Rivers and Neighboring Areas
On their southeast side, you'll find rivers like the Kantishna, Kuskokwim, Holitna, and Kogrukluk. To the northwest, there are other mountain ranges such as the Kaiyuh, Russian, and Kilbuck Mountains. Rivers like the Innoko, Dishna, and Iditarod also flow in this area.
How the Mountains Got Their Name
The Kuskokwim Mountains get their name from the Kuskokwim River, which is a major river that flows right through them. Other rivers like the Aniak and Nowitna also wind their way through these mountains.
Early Exploration
The Kuskokwim Mountains were officially reported and named in 1898 by Josiah Edward Spurr. He was a geologist from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Spurr originally called the lower mountains at the northeast end of this range the "Tanana Hills."
Parts of the Kuskokwim Mountains
The Kuskokwim Mountains are made up of several smaller mountain groups, sometimes called sub-ranges. These include:
- Ahklun Mountains
- Eek Mountains
- Wood River Mountains
- Russian Mountains
- Kilbuck Mountains
