Penny River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Penny River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Penny River in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| District | Nome Census Area |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Seward Peninsula 876 ft (267 m) 64°42′16″N 165°33′21″W / 64.70444°N 165.55583°W |
| River mouth | Norton Sound, Bering Sea 10 miles (16 km) west of Nome 0 ft (0 m) 64°32′10″N 165°44′20″W / 64.53611°N 165.73889°W |
| Length | 13 mi (21 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 36 sq mi (93 km2) |
The Penny River is a small but interesting waterway in Alaska, one of the U.S. states. It's also sometimes called the Schrader No Name River. This river flows across the Seward Peninsula, a large piece of land that sticks out into the Bering Sea.
Contents
Where is the Penny River?
The Penny River is found in the wild and beautiful state of Alaska. Specifically, it's located on the Seward Peninsula. This area is part of the Nome Census Area.
The river's journey ends when it flows into the Norton Sound. This sound is a part of the much larger Bering Sea. The mouth of the river, where it meets the sea, is about 10 miles (16 km) west of a town called Nome.
How Long is the Penny River?
The Penny River is not a very long river. It stretches for about 13 miles (21 kilometers). To give you an idea, that's like walking a little more than half a marathon!
River's Beginning
The Penny River starts its journey high up on the Seward Peninsula. Its source is about 876 feet (267 meters) above sea level. This is where the small streams come together to form the river.
River's End
After its short trip, the Penny River reaches its end at the Bering Sea. When it flows into the sea, it is at sea level, which is 0 feet (0 meters) in elevation. It joins the sea near the mouth of another river called the Cripple River.
What is a Drainage Area?
Every river has a "drainage area" or "basin." This is all the land where rain and melting snow collect and flow into that river. For the Penny River, its drainage area is about 36 square miles (93 square kilometers). This means all the water from this amount of land eventually makes its way into the Penny River.
River's Tributaries
The Penny River gets water from several smaller streams. These smaller streams are called tributaries. They feed into the main river, making it bigger.
From the west side, the Penny River receives water from:
- Willow Creek
- Snowshoe Creek
- Homestake Creek
From the east side, it gets water from:
- Quartz Creek
- Negsue Creek
These tributaries are important because they help keep the Penny River flowing. They also bring water from different parts of the surrounding land.
