Russian River (Alaska) facts for kids
| Russian River | |
|---|---|
 Salmon jumping in the Russian River |
|
| Location: | Kenai Peninsula, Alaska |
| Depth: | Shallow |
| Famous for: | Fishing, especially Salmon |
The Russian River is a short but important river in Alaska. It is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) long. This river is located on the Kenai Peninsula, a large piece of land that sticks out into the ocean.
The Russian River starts high up in the Kenai Mountains from a place called Upper Russian Lake. It then flows north through Lower Russian Lake. Finally, it empties into the larger Kenai River near the town of Cooper Landing. The native Denaina people, who have lived in this area for a very long time, called this river Chunuk'tnu.
Contents
Fishing for Salmon
Just like the Kenai River, the Russian River is very famous for fishing. People especially love to catch salmon here. Salmon are a type of fish that are born in fresh water, live most of their lives in the ocean, and then return to fresh water to lay their eggs.
Salmon Runs
The Russian River has special times of the year when many salmon swim upstream. These times are called "runs."
- Sockeye Salmon: There are two big runs of sockeye salmon each year. The first run happens in the middle of June. The second run is in the middle of July.
- Coho Salmon: You can also find coho salmon, sometimes called silver salmon, in August.
Visiting the Russian River
The Russian River is a beautiful place, but you cannot drive directly to it. You need to plan how to get there.
How to Get There
There are two main ways to reach the river:
- Hiking: You can hike to the river from several parking lots at the Russian River Campground. This campground is about half a mile past Gwin's Lodge, at Milepost 52 on the highway.
- Ferry: Another way is to take the Russian River ferry. This ferry crosses the Kenai River and takes people, especially fishermen, right to where the Russian River meets the Kenai.
Important Things to Know
If you plan to visit, remember that there is a fee for parking and for using the ferry. One of the parking lots in the Russian River Campground leads to a 2.3-mile walk to the Russian River Falls. This walk is mostly flat and easy. At the falls, there are great viewing platforms where you can watch the water.
Wildlife at the Falls
The area around the falls is also a good place to see wildlife. Bears often come to fish for salmon below the falls and further downstream. It is important to be aware of your surroundings and follow safety rules when in bear country.
