Nushagak River facts for kids
The
Quick facts for kids Nushagak River |
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Nushagak River
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 Location of the mouth of the Nushagak River in Alaska
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| Native name | Iilgayaq |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Alaska Range |
| River mouth | Nushagak Bay Bristol Bay 0 m (0 ft) 58°47′58″N 158°37′57″W / 58.79944°N 158.63250°W |
| Length | 280 mi (450 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 13,400 sq mi (35,000 km2) |
The Nushagak River (called Iilgayaq by the local Yup'ik people) is a long river in southwest Alaska, United States. It starts high up in the Alaska Range mountains. From there, it flows about 450 km (280 mi) (280 miles) southwest. It finally reaches Nushagak Bay, which is part of a bigger area called Bristol Bay. This bay is located east of the town of Dillingham, Alaska.
Contents
River's Path and Branches
The Nushagak River is about 450 kilometers (280 miles) long. It gets its water from a large area of about 13,400 sq mi (35,000 km2) (34,700 square kilometers). Many smaller rivers and streams flow into the Nushagak. These are called tributaries.
Main Tributaries
The Mulchatna River is a very important tributary that joins the Nushagak. Other rivers that boats can travel on to reach the Nushagak include the Nuyakuk River and the King Salmon River. People often use special boats called jet-boats to explore these smaller rivers and the upper parts of the Nushagak.
Smaller Streams
Some smaller streams that also flow into the Nushagak River are the Wood River, the Iowithla River, and the Kokwok River.
Communities Along the River
Several small villages are located right on the banks of the Nushagak River. These include Portage Creek, Ekwok, Koliganek, and New Stuyahok. The larger town of Dillingham, with about 2,466 people, is found on Nushagak Bay, where the river meets the sea.
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Wildlife and Fishing
The Nushagak River is famous for its amazing wildlife, especially its fish. It is a very important place for fishing in Alaska.
Salmon Species
Five different kinds of Pacific salmon come to the Nushagak River and its branches to lay their eggs. These include:
- Chinook salmon (also known as King salmon)
- Coho salmon
- Sockeye salmon
- Chum salmon
- Pink salmon
The yearly run of King (Chinook) salmon is especially popular. It usually happens from mid-June to mid-July.
Other Fish
Besides salmon, many other types of fish live in the Nushagak River. These include Rainbow trout, Northern pike, Grayling, Burbot, Whitefish, and Arctic char.
Importance of Fishing
Fishing is a huge part of life and the economy in this area. People fish for:
- Commercial purposes: Catching fish to sell.
- Subsistence: Catching fish for their own food, a traditional way of life for local communities.
- Sport: Fishing for fun and recreation.
It is believed that more than half of all the wild salmon caught in the world come from the Nushagak River and the wider Bristol Bay area. This makes the river incredibly important for global salmon supplies.
Protecting the River
The Nushagak River and its wildlife are very important to the people who live there. There have been discussions about a proposed mine called the Pebble Mine. This mine would be located near the start of the Koktuli River, which is one of the Nushagak's tributaries. Many villages along the Nushagak River are against this mine. They are worried about how it might affect the river's clean water and the healthy fish populations.
See also
In Spanish: Río Nushagak para niños
