Nuyakuk River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nuyakuk River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Nuyakuk River in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Dillingham |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Tikchik Lake Wood-Tikchik State Park 316 ft (96 m) 59°56′13″N 158°11′32″W / 59.93694°N 158.19222°W |
| River mouth | Nushagak River 65 miles (105 km) northeast of Dillingham 177 ft (54 m) 59°48′08″N 157°26′13″W / 59.80222°N 157.43694°W |
| Length | 36 mi (58 km) |
The Nuyakuk River is a river in southwestern Alaska, United States. It is about 36 miles (58 kilometers) long. The Nuyakuk River flows into the larger Nushagak River.
The river starts at Tikchik Lake, which is part of Wood-Tikchik State Park. It then flows east. The end of the Nuyakuk River is about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of Dillingham.
Fun on the Nuyakuk River
The Nuyakuk River is a great place for many water activities. People often use different kinds of boats here. It is known as a good river for families or beginners who have some experience with moving boats over land.
Boating and River Challenges
The first 7 miles (11 kilometers) of the river, below Tikchik Lake, can be a bit tricky. You might need to do a portage. This means carrying your boat and gear over land to get around parts of the river that are too difficult to paddle.
Some parts of this upper section have Class II rapids. On the International Scale of River Difficulty, Class II means the water is "medium" difficult. It has clear passages but might have small waves or rocks.
Further down, the river gets much harder. There's a half-mile (0.8 kilometer) section with many ledges. This part is rated Class IV (very difficult) to Class V (extremely difficult). These sections are only for very experienced paddlers.
After these tough spots, the river becomes much easier. It is Class I (easy) all the way to where it joins the Nushagak River. Class I means the water is mostly calm with few obstacles.
Fishing in the Nuyakuk
The Nuyakuk River is also a popular spot for fishing. Many types of game fish live here. These include rainbow trout, char, and Arctic grayling. You can also find different kinds of salmon, like silver salmon and king salmon. Lake trout are also present.
Most people get to the river by floatplane or boat. There is a private lodge along the upper part of the river where visitors can stay. The river also has good places to set up camp, except for the very end near its mouth.
