Wulik River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wulik River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Wulik River in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | North Slope, Northwest Arctic |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | De Long Mountains 5 miles (8 km) north of Sheep Mountain, North Slope 2,563 ft (781 m) 68°22′43″N 162°51′45″W / 68.37861°N 162.86250°W |
| River mouth | Kivalina Lagoon, Chukchi Sea East of Kivalina, Northwest Arctic 0 ft (0 m) 67°43′54″N 164°31′01″W / 67.73167°N 164.51694°W |
| Length | 80 mi (130 km) |
The Wulik River is a stream about 80 miles (129 km) long. It's located in the northwestern part of Alaska, a state in the United States. This river starts in the De Long Mountains in an area called the North Slope Borough. It then flows southwest until it reaches Kivalina Lagoon, which is part of the Chukchi Sea. This lagoon is just east of a town called Kivalina.
Exploring the Wulik River
The Wulik River begins high up in the De Long Mountains. These mountains are found in the North Slope Borough of Alaska. From there, the river travels about 80 miles (129 km) towards the southwest. Its journey ends when it flows into Kivalina Lagoon. This lagoon is connected to the Chukchi Sea, which is part of the Arctic Ocean. The mouth of the river is near the village of Kivalina.
Umiak Bend: A Place with a Story
Along the Wulik River, there's a special spot called Umiak Bend. This bend is about 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Kivalina. It got its name from a type of Inuit boat called an umiak. An umiak is a traditional boat made from animal skins. Long ago, one of these boats was destroyed at this bend because the water was very rough. That's how this part of the river got its unique name.
How the Wulik River Got Its Name
The name "Wulik" has been used for a long time. In 1886, a lieutenant from the United States Navy was exploring the area. He wrote down the name of this river as "Woleek," which was the name the local Inuit people used for it. Over time, the spelling changed slightly to "Wulik," but it still honors its original name.
