Russell Fjord facts for kids
Russell Fjord is a long, narrow inlet of the sea located in Alaska, a state in the United States. It stretches north towards Disenchantment Bay, which is where the huge Hubbard Glacier ends. This fjord is part of a larger area called Yakutat Bay.
The fjord was named in 1901 by Marcus Baker. He worked for the U.S. Geological Survey, a government agency that studies the Earth. The fjord was named after an explorer named Israel Russell. He found this waterway in 1891 while exploring the Yakutat region.
How Russell Fjord Becomes a Lake
Sometimes, the massive Hubbard Glacier moves forward and blocks the entrance of Russell Fjord into Disenchantment Bay. When this happens, the fjord can no longer connect to the ocean. Instead, it becomes a large lake filled with fresh water from the melting glacier.
This has happened a few times. For example, the entrance was completely blocked from May to October in 1986. It also closed for a short time in 2002. When the glacier blocks the fjord, it creates a unique freshwater environment.
Russell Fjord Wilderness Area
The Russell Fjord Wilderness is a special protected area. It is located within the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. This wilderness area covers a huge space, protecting about 348,701 acres (1,411 square kilometers) around the fjord.
This wilderness was created in 1980 by a law called the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The U.S. Forest Service manages and protects this land. It helps keep the area wild and natural. The Wrangell-Saint Elias Wilderness borders this area to the northwest.
