Melozitna River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melozitna River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Melozitna River in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Yukon–Koyukuk |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Ray Mountains 1,529 ft (466 m) 66°02′43″N 152°46′02″W / 66.04528°N 152.76722°W |
| River mouth | Yukon River 2 miles (3 km) northeast of Ruby 157 ft (48 m) 64°45′47″N 155°27′29″W / 64.76306°N 155.45806°W |
| Length | 135 mi (217 km) |
The Melozitna River is a 135-mile (217 km) long river in Alaska, United States. It flows into the Yukon River near the town of Ruby. The river starts in the Ray Mountains and generally flows towards the southwest.
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Exploring the Melozitna River
The Melozitna River is a great place for boating in non-motorized boats like canoes or rafts. Most of the river flows slowly and winds through the land. This part is considered "Class I" (easy) on the International Scale of River Difficulty. This means it's calm and good for beginners.
However, there's a special part called the Melozitna Canyon, which is about 10 miles (16 km) long. Here, the river gets faster. About 4 miles (6 km) of this canyon has rapids that are "Class II" (medium) to "Class IV" (very difficult). Sometimes, you might need to carry your boat around these difficult parts. This is called portaging.
River Safety and Wildlife
When exploring the Melozitna River, it's important to be aware of wildlife. Both grizzly bears and black bears live near the river. Always know how to stay safe around wild animals. The canyon can also be tricky to navigate, so be prepared for challenging sections.
Melozitna Hot Springs
The Melozitna Hot Springs, also known as Melozi Hot Springs, is a natural mineral hot spring. It is located on a smaller river called the Big Melozi, which flows into the Melozitna River. The hot springs are about 10 miles (16 km) from the main river.
You can find these hot springs about 16 miles (26 km) north of the Yukon River. They are also about 30 miles (48 km) downstream from the town of Tanana. The hot springs are on Hot Springs Creek.
History of the Hot Springs
In the past, people built cabins and bathhouses near the hot springs. Around 1911, there were two small log bathhouses with wooden tubs. These were used by both local people and visitors, especially in winter. It was harder to reach the springs in summer because the trails were difficult.
In 1915, the water was described as clear and dark, similar to black sulfur waters. At that time, a trading post and post office called the Hub Roadhouse was located about 16 miles (26 km) away on the Yukon River.
