Unuk River facts for kids
The Unuk River is a river that flows through two countries: the U.S. state of Alaska and the Canadian province of British Columbia. It starts in the Coast Mountains and flows southwest, eventually reaching the Behm Canal. This canal is located northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska.
Where Does the Unuk River Flow?
The Unuk River begins high up in the mountains of British Columbia. This area is covered by many glaciers. The river flows for about 129 kilometers (80 miles) west and then south.
It crosses the border into Alaska. There, it empties into Burroughs Bay, which is part of the Behm Canal. In Alaska, the Unuk River flows right through the beautiful Misty Fjords National Monument.
What's in a Name?
The native Tlingit people have a special name for the Unuk River. They call it Joonáx̱. The exact meaning of this name is not fully known. However, some believe it might be connected to the idea of dreaming.
Sometimes, people also use a shorter version of the name, Oonáx̱. The USGS mentioned in 1906 that the river was also called “Junuk” or “Junock.”
Amazing Salmon Runs
The Unuk River is very important for many types of salmon. It supports large groups of these fish. You can find several kinds of salmon here, including:
- Chinook salmon
- Coho salmon
- Pink salmon
- Chum salmon
- Sockeye salmon
These salmon travel up the river to lay their eggs. This journey is a vital part of their life cycle.
