Tanana River Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Tanana River
Tanana River near Fairbanks, Alaska
Course of the Tanana River, formed by the shorter Nabesna River (left) and Chisana River (right), then flowing northwest to meet the Yukon River
Native name	Tth’iitu’ Niign, Tth'eetoo'
Country	United States
State	Alaska
District	Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Physical characteristics
Main source	confluence of the Nabesna and Chisana rivers Northway Junction, Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge 1,672 ft (510 m) 63°02′57″N 141°51′52″W / 63.04917°N 141.86444°W / 63.04917; -141.86444
River mouth	Yukon River near Tanana 200 ft (61 m) 65°09′38″N 151°57′37″W / 65.16056°N 151.96028°W / 65.16056; -151.96028
Length	584 mi (940 km)
Basin features
Basin size	44,000 sq mi (110,000 km²)

The Tanana River is a very long river in Alaska, USA. It flows for about 584 miles (940 km). This river is a tributary of the Yukon River, which means it flows into the Yukon River.

The name "Tanana" comes from the Koyukon language, which is spoken by some Native Alaskan people. In their language, "tene no" or "tenene" means "trail river."

The Tanana River starts in eastern Alaska, near a place called Northway. It begins where two other rivers, the Chisana and Nabesna rivers, join together. From there, the Tanana River flows northwest. It runs along the northern side of the Alaska Range mountains. The Alaska Highway generally runs next to it.

As the river moves through central Alaska, it enters a flat, wet area called the Tanana Valley. It flows south of the city of Fairbanks. Many other rivers join the Tanana in this marshy area. Some of these include the Nenana and the Kantishna. Finally, the Tanana River flows into the Yukon River near the town of Tanana.

Every winter, the ice on the river at Nenana gets about 43 inches (110 cm) thick. This thick ice is part of a fun annual game called the Nenana Ice Classic.

History of the Tanana River
The Nenana Ice Classic
Major Rivers Joining the Tanana
Images for kids
See also

History of the Tanana River

People have lived near the Yukon River, including the Tanana River area, for over 12,000 years. Scientists have found signs of ancient people, called Paleo-Arctic people, living here. Later, people from the Tanana tribe lived in this region for about 1,200 years.

In 1885, a man named Lieutenant Henry Tureman Allen from the U.S. Army was the first to explore the Tanana River. He wanted to find a way to reach the Yukon River entirely within Alaska. He and his team traveled up the Copper River, then crossed over to the Tanana River. They floated down the Tanana to the Yukon River and continued to its mouth. During their five-month trip, Allen's team mapped the Copper, Tanana, and Koyukuk rivers.

Today, much of the Tanana River area is still wild and natural. Fairbanks, a city with about 100,000 people, is a center for gold mining. People have been mining gold in this area since the mid-1800s. Some farming also happens in the valley near Fairbanks.

The Nenana Ice Classic

Since the early 1900s, people in Alaska have played a game about when the river ice will melt. Each year, thousands of people pay $2.50 to guess the exact date and minute the ice on the Tanana River will break up in Nenana.

This game is called the Nenana Ice Classic. It helps raise money for local charities. Sometimes, the prizes for guessing correctly are very large! For example, in 2010, three winners shared a prize of $279,030. In 2012, the biggest prize ever was $350,000.

Here is how the game works:

In October or November, after the river starts to freeze, a special tripod is placed on the ice in the middle of the river.
This tripod is connected to a clock on the shore.
When spring comes and the ice starts to melt and move, the tripod also moves.
When the tripod moves, it stops the clock.
The date when the ice breaks up has changed over the years, from April 20 to May 20.