Yentna River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yentna River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Yentna River in Alaska
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| Country | United States of America |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | East Fork Yentna River and West Fork Yentna River Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska 200 ft (61 m) 62°16′50″N 151°46′26″W / 62.28056°N 151.77389°W |
| River mouth | Susitna River Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska 26 ft (7.9 m) 61°33′38″N 150°29′4″W / 61.56056°N 150.48444°W |
| Length | 75 mi (121 km) |
The Yentna River is a river located in Southcentral Alaska. It is formed when two smaller rivers, the East Fork and West Fork, join together. The Yentna River then flows southeast. It eventually meets the Susitna River, about 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Anchorage, Alaska.
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River's Name and History
The name 'Yentna' comes from the Tanaina Indian people. Their name for the river was written down by a survey team in 1900. For a while, some people also called it the 'Johnson River.' This was after the first white person known to travel up the river.
Where the Yentna River Flows
The Yentna River starts high up in the mountains. It gets its water from Mount Dall and the Yentna Glacier. A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice! From there, the river flows southeast. It eventually meets the Susitna River near a place called Susitna, Alaska. The whole river system, including all the smaller streams that feed into it, is about 100 miles (160 km) long.
Rivers and Creeks Joining the Yentna
Many smaller rivers and creeks flow into the Yentna River. These are called tributaries. They add more water to the main river. Here are some of the main ones, listed from the mouth of the Yentna up towards its source:
- Kahiltna River 61°51′11″N 150°46′46″W / 61.85306°N 150.77944°W
- Bottle Creek (Yentna River) 61°57′49″N 151°4′44″W / 61.96361°N 151.07889°W
- Skwentna River 61°59′8″N 151°8′23″W / 61.98556°N 151.13972°W
- East Fork Yentna River 62°16′49″N 151°46′26″W / 62.28028°N 151.77389°W
- West Fork Yentna River 62°16′49″N 151°46′26″W / 62.28028°N 151.77389°W
Other important creeks include Lake Creek, Moose Creek, Indian Creek, Fish Lakes Creek, Hewitt Creek, Malone's Slough, Donkey Creek, Johnson Creek, Clearwater Creek, Rich Creek, Flag Creek, Delta Creek, Fourth of July Creek, and the Kichatna River.
Fun Activities on the Yentna River
The Yentna River area is a great place for outdoor activities. Many people come here for fishing, especially for different types of salmon like king, red, and silver salmon. In the winter, the frozen river and surrounding lands are perfect for winter sports. It's also a popular spot for hunting.
