Charley River

Charley River
Country United States
State Alaska
Census Area Southeast Fairbanks, Yukon–Koyukuk
Source Mertie Mountains
 - location Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
 - elevation 4,023 ft (1,226 m) [1]
 - coordinates 64°42′15″N 144°02′41″W / 64.70417°N 144.04472°W / 64.70417; -144.04472 [2]
Mouth Yukon River [2]
 - location 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Eagle, Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area
 - elevation 686 ft (209 m) [2]
 - coordinates 65°19′02″N 142°46′50″W / 65.31722°N 142.78056°W / 65.31722; -142.78056Coordinates: 65°19′02″N 142°46′50″W / 65.31722°N 142.78056°W / 65.31722; -142.78056 [2]
Length 88 mi (142 km) [2]
Location of the mouth of the Charley River in Alaska

The Charley River is an 88-mile (142 km) tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska.[2] Flowing generally northeast from the Mertie Mountains in the northeastern part of the state, the river lies entirely within Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve.[3] The Charley River enters the larger river downstream and 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Eagle.[2]

In 1980, the Charley River and all of its main tributaries became part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.[4] A total of 208 miles (335 km) was declared "wild" along the entire main stem as well as Copper, Bonanza, Hosford, Derwent, Flat-Orthmer, Crescent, and Moraine creeks.[4]

The Charley River watershed is forested chiefly with black spruce and white spruce.[5] This general locus within the Yukon River catchment is the approximate westernmost limit of the black spruce, Picea mariana.[6] The river forms part of the boundary between the Southeast Fairbanks and Yukon–Koyukuk census areas.

Boating

The Charley River is generally floated by raft or inflatable canoe or kayak. The upper river is rated Class III (difficult) on the International Scale of River Difficulty, rising to Class IV (very difficult) in high water. The lower 76 miles (122 km) are rated Class II (medium) to III. Dangers include swift current, overhanging or submerged vegetation, rocks, rapids, and weather-related fluctuations in water levels.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Derived by entering source coordinates in Google Earth.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Charley River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. January 1, 2000. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  3. ↑ Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer (7th ed.). Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2010. pp. 118, 128. ISBN 978-0-89933-289-5.
  4. 1 2 "Charley River, Alaska". National Wild and Scenic Rivers. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  5. ↑ J.G. Clough et al. 1995
  6. ↑ C. Michael Hogan. 2008
  7. ↑ Jettmar, Karen (2008) [1993]. The Alaska River Guide: Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting in the Last Frontier (3rd ed.). Birmingham, Alabama: Menasha Ridge Press. pp. 100–02. ISBN 978-0-89732-957-6.

Works cited

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