Swanson River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swanson River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Swanson River in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | Kenai Peninsula |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Gene Lake Kenai National Wildlife Refuge 224 ft (68 m) 60°50′46″N 150°29′04″W / 60.84611°N 150.48444°W |
| River mouth | Number Three Bay on Cook Inlet Kenai Peninsula, 19 miles (31 km) northeast of Kenai 16 ft (4.9 m) 60°48′01″N 151°01′23″W / 60.80028°N 151.02306°W |
| Length | 40 mi (64 km) |
The Swanson River is a stream in south-central Alaska, United States. It is about 40 miles (64 km) long. The river starts at Gene Lake in the Swanson Lakes area. From there, it flows southwest and then north. It finally reaches Number Three Bay in Cook Inlet.
Most of the river runs through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This is a special place that protects animals and their homes. As the river gets closer to its end, it goes past the Swanson River Oil Field. It then flows through Captain Cook State Recreation Area. Finally, it goes under Kenai North Road before joining Cook Inlet.
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Fun on the Swanson River: Boating and Fishing
The Swanson River and its many lakes are great for outdoor adventures. People love to explore them in light canoes and kayaks. There are two main canoe trails that are easy to paddle. They are rated Class I on the International Scale of River Difficulty.
Canoe Trails for Adventure
- The Swan Lake Route is about 60 miles (97 km) long. It connects 30 lakes. Sometimes, you have to carry your boat between lakes. These carrying spots are called portages. Some portages can be up to 0.5 miles (0.80 km) long.
- The Swanson River Route is 46 miles (74 km) long. This trail crosses 40 lakes. It also has portages, some up to a mile long. These portages can be easy or tough, especially if the ground is swampy.
Things to Know Before You Go
When you are on these trails, be ready for a few challenges. The ground can be boggy, which means it's wet and soft. Strong winds can create waves on the lakes. Mosquitoes can also be a bother, so bring bug spray! Finding a good spot to camp can sometimes be tricky.
Floating Down the River
You can also float down the Swanson River itself. One trip goes from Gene Lake all the way to the North Kenai Road bridge. A shorter float is about 19 miles (31 km) long. This trip goes from Gene Lake to Swanson River Landing. This landing is near Swan Lake Road and the Rainbow Lake Campground.
Fishing Fun
The lakes and streams of the Swanson system are full of fish. Many people enjoy fishing here. The main types of fish you can catch are silver salmon, rainbow trout, and Arctic char. You might also find Dolly Varden fish.
