Tebay River facts for kids
The Tebay River is a beautiful waterway found in the U.S. state of Alaska. Its name comes from an Alaska Native language and means "a variety of sheep." This river is located about 36 miles (58 km) southwest of a town called McCarthy. It flows through the amazing Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, which is a huge area of wilderness.
Where Does the Tebay River Flow?
The Tebay River starts high up in the Chugach Mountains. It is one of the main rivers that flows into the Chitina River. The Tebay River joins the Chitina River about 20 miles (32 km) before the Chitina meets the larger Copper River.
River's Journey and Water Sources
The Tebay River helps drain the Hanagita Valley. It gets water from a few small glaciers through its southern branches. There are also several lakes at the very beginning of the river, which are called its headwaters.
The Tebay River flows out of the Tebay Lakes. However, most of its water comes from Hanagita Creek, which is a very important stream. A smaller amount of water comes from Bridge Creek, which flows out of Summit Lake.
River's Speed and Features
Between the Tebay Lakes and Bridge Creek, the river moves slowly. The river channel is deep and winds around a lot. But after Hanagita Creek joins, the river changes! It drops about 1,000 feet (300 m) over a stretch of 6 miles (9.7 km) as it rushes towards the Chitina River.
Hanagita Creek is the biggest stream in the Hanagita Valley. It collects water from many small lakes and lots of other smaller streams that flow into it. Sangaina Creek is the largest of these smaller streams. It has a fast current and many large rocks in its path.
