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McKinley River facts for kids

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McKinley River
KantishnaGeologicMap.png
Kantishna Region Geologic map showing the location of the Muldrow Glacier origin of the river
McKinley River is located in Alaska
McKinley River
Location of the mouth of the McKinley River in Alaska
Country United States
State Alaska
District Denali Borough
Physical characteristics
Main source Muldrow Glacier
Denali National Park and Preserve
3,117 ft (950 m)
63°21′51″N 150°25′59″W / 63.36417°N 150.43306°W / 63.36417; -150.43306
River mouth Kantishna River
confluence with Birch Creek, 23 miles (37 km) east of Lake Minchumina
646 ft (197 m)
63°51′59″N 151°33′20″W / 63.86639°N 151.55556°W / 63.86639; -151.55556
Length 58 mi (93 km)

The McKinley River (also called Henteel no' Tl'o by some native people) is a river in central Alaska, United States. It is about 58 miles (93 kilometers) long. This river is a branch, or tributary, of the Kantishna River. It helps drain water from the northern part of the Alaska Range. This area is southwest of Fairbanks.

Journey of the McKinley River

The McKinley River begins at the Muldrow Glacier. This glacier is in the northern Alaska Range. It is located inside Denali National Park and Preserve. This park is famous for Denali, North America's tallest mountain.

From its start, the river flows mostly northwest. It travels through the open, treeless land called tundra. This tundra is north of the Alaska Range. Eventually, the McKinley River meets up with Birch Creek. Together, they form the larger Kantishna River. This meeting point is close to Chilchukabena Lake.

How the River Got its Name

The river got its name, McKinley Fork, in 1905. It was named by a person named A.H. Brooks. Other names for the river include Henteeth No' Tl'o and Hintusno' Dikats. These names come from local native languages.

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