Tangle Lakes facts for kids
The Tangle Lakes are a group of beautiful lakes in the middle of Alaska. They include Long Tangle Lake, Lower Tangle Lake, Round Tangle Lake, and Upper Tangle Lake. These lakes stretch for about 26 kilometers (16 miles). They are all connected by small streams. The Tangle Lakes are also where the Delta River begins its journey.
Quick facts for kids Tangle Lakes |
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Round Tangle Lake with nearby peaks of the Alaska Range
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 Tangle Lakes
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Alaska |
| Coordinates | 63°01′40″N 146°03′41″W / 63.02788°N 146.06152°W |
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Visiting the Tangle Lakes
You can easily reach the Tangle Lakes. The main way to get there is from a special campground. This campground is run by the Bureau of Land Management. It has a boat launch at Round Tangle Lake. This spot is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Paxson. You get there by driving on the Denali Highway.
Fun Activities at the Lakes
The boat launch is also the start of the Delta River Canoe Trail. This trail is a fun adventure that takes 2 to 3 days. It leads to the Gulkana River and the Richardson Highway. The lakes are full of different kinds of fish. You can find lake trout, burbot, and Arctic grayling here. The land around the lakes is mostly tundra. This is because the area is very high up, about 873 meters (2,864 feet) above sea level.
Ancient History of Tangle Lakes
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Tangle Lakes Archeological District
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| Location | Address restricted |
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| Nearest city | Paxson |
| NRHP reference No. | 71001091 |
| Added to NRHP | November 12, 1971 |
The Tangle Lakes area has a very long history. Scientists have studied it a lot. They found many old sites there. Before 1976, almost 150 such sites were discovered. These sites show that people have lived near the Tangle Lakes for a very long time. They have been there since the first people came to the New World.
Why People Lived Here
The old sites are mostly found close to the lakes. They cover an area of about 80 square kilometers (30 square miles). People were likely drawn to this spot because of the strong winds. These winds kept the hills around the lakes clear of deep snow. This meant that caribou could easily find food there. They would graze on the exposed lichen. The lakes themselves were probably not the main reason people settled there. They could not support a large group of people just by fishing.
Protecting the Past
Because of its important history, part of the Tangle Lakes area is now protected. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This means it is recognized as an important archaeological district. This helps make sure these ancient sites are preserved for the future.
