Solomon River (Alaska) facts for kids

The Solomon River is a waterway located in the U.S. state of Alaska. It flows near the city of Nome, which is a well-known area in Alaska.

Where is the Solomon River Located?

The Solomon River starts near the Casadepaga River, separated by a low area of land. It flows south for about 20 miles (32 kilometers). The river then empties into Port Safety Lagoon, which is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Nome.

How Does the River Flow?

Near its mouth, the Solomon River flows through a wide, flat area called a coastal plain for about 5 miles (8 kilometers). Here, the river's slope is gentle, dropping only about 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) per mile. Further upstream, away from the coast, the river flows through a wider valley. The slope becomes much steeper, dropping at least 50 feet (15 meters) per mile.

In this valley, the river has cut deeply into the land. This has created flat areas of gravel, called terraces, which are 20 to 50 feet (6 to 15 meters) above the water. The riverbed itself is filled with wide gravel bars, ranging from 100 to 500 feet (30 to 150 meters) across. These bars are often partly covered by water.

Important Places Along the River

The towns of Solomon and Dickson are located at the mouth of the river. These towns provide access to the gold mining areas nearby. Dickson is also the end point for the Council City and Solomon River Railroad, which was important for transportation in the past. A wooden bridge, about 180 feet (55 meters) long, crosses the river at Mile Point 41.0. This bridge is owned by the State Highway Agency.

When Was the River Discovered?

The Solomon River was named by Pierce Thomas in June 1899. He was the first to claim a mining spot there. In the same year, people explored the river and its smaller streams for gold. By 1900, about $10,000 worth of gold was mined in this area.

How Did Dredges Change Mining?

In 1905, a large machine called a dredge was successfully used to mine gold on the Solomon River. This was a big moment for mining in the Seward Peninsula. It proved that dredges could play a very important role in finding gold. While other dredges had been tried before, this was the first one to operate on such a large scale.

What Are the Solomon River's Tributaries?

The Solomon River has several important smaller streams, called tributaries, that flow into it. These include Shovel Creek, Big Hurrah Creek, East Fork, and Coal Creek. They usually join the Solomon River at right angles, flowing from the east or west.

Key Tributaries of Solomon River

• Nugget Creek
• Jerome Creek
• Manila Creek
• Shovel Creek
• Mystery Creek
• West Creek
• Kasson Creek
• Big Hurrah Creek
• Little Hurrah Creek
• Coal Creek
• Penny Creek
• Lion Creek