Mary River (Alaska) facts for kids
The Mary River is a waterway in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is located on the northwestern part of the Seward Peninsula. This area was once part of the Agiapuk River mining district.
About the Mary River
The Mary River is about 20 miles long. It flows into the upper end of a place called Imuruk Basin. About 5 miles from where it enters the basin, the river splits into two branches. Both branches are about the same size.
The lower part of the Mary River flows through flat lands. These flat lands are next to the Imuruk Basin. Above these flat areas, the valleys of the two branches of the Mary River are wide. The rivers gently curve and flow across these broad, flat areas.
Land Around the River
Between the two branches of the river, there is a wide, flat-topped ridge. This ridge is about 700 feet high. It is partly covered with washed gravel. Where the Mary River enters the lowlands of Imuruk, you can see gravel bluffs and separate gravel hills. These bluffs and hills are what is left of an older, higher gravel plain.
On the ridge between the river's forks, there are two low, rocky hills. Because the land around them is mostly flat, these hills stand out as important landmarks. These hills are made of white, shiny limestone. The way the rock layers are formed is hard to see because of cracks and breaks in the rock.
Rocks and Gold
Other than these limestone hills, the main rock in the area is a type of rock called calcareous mica schist. You can find pieces of this rock on the surface. A wide band of dark, layered rock called Kuzitrin slates is found between the Mary River and the Kuzitrin River, near Mary's Igloo.
Near the beginnings of the two branches of the Mary River, the main rock is made of calcareous and graphitic schists. These are similar to the rocks found on Igloo and Budd creeks, which are small streams that flow into the American River. Not much of the main rock is visible along the Mary River itself. People have not found gold on this river.
