Ninilchik River

The Ninilchik River (Dena'ina: Niqnalchintnu) is a 21-mile-long (34 km) stream on the Kenai Peninsula of the U.S. state of Alaska.[3] From headwaters near the west coast of the peninsula, the river flows south, parallel to the coast, then turns sharply west near Ninilchik.[4] Ninilchik Road runs parallel to the lower river along its left bank to near the road's intersection with the Sterling Highway.[4] At Ninilchik, the river passes under the highway, flows through Ninilchik State Recreation Area, and empties into Cook Inlet.[4]

Ninilchik River
Ninilchik River in Ninilchik, Alaska - June 3, 2011
Ninilchik River is located in Alaska
Ninilchik River
Location of the mouth of the Ninilchik River in Alaska
Native nameNiqnalchintnu (Tanaina)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
BoroughKenai Peninsula
Physical characteristics
SourceKenai Peninsula
 • coordinates60°12′02″N 151°18′34″W[1]
 • elevation275 ft (84 m)[2]
MouthCook Inlet
 • location
Ninilchik, 38 miles (61 km) southwest of Kenai
 • coordinates
60°03′27″N 151°39′36″W[1]
 • elevation
23 ft (7.0 m)[1]
Length21 mi (34 km)[3]

A small boat harbor, used mainly by fishing boats, is dredged out of the river mouth near the town.[5] The river is a popular fishing location for king salmon in May and June, silver salmon and Dolly Varden in late summer and early fall, and steelhead in late fall.[6] Digging for razor clams along the beaches near Ninilchik is also popular.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Ninilchik River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. March 31, 1981. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  2. Derived by entering source coordinates in Google Earth.
  3. Orth, Donald J.; United States Geological Survey (1971) [1967]. Dictionary of Alaska Place Names: Geological Survey Professional Paper 567 (PDF). University of Alaska Fairbanks. United States Government Printing Office. p. 691. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 17, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  4. Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer (7th ed.). Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2010. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-89933-289-5.
  5. "Visitor Information". Ninilchik Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  6. Limeres, Rene; Pedersen, Gunnar; et al. (2005). Alaska Fishing: The Ultimate Angler's Guide (3rd ed.). Roseville, California: Publishers Design Group. p. 323. ISBN 1-929170-11-4.


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