Chandalar River

The Chandalar River (T'eedriinjik[6] in Gwich'in) is a 100-mile (160 km) tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska.[1] Its peak flow, recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) between 1964 and 1974 at a stream gauge at Venetie, was 62,800 cubic feet per second (1,780 m3/s) on June 9, 1968.[3]

Chandalar River
East Fork of the Chandalar River, at Arctic Village
Chandalar River is located in Alaska
Chandalar River
Location of the mouth of the Chandalar River in Alaska
Native nameT'eedrinjik (Gwichʼin)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Census AreaYukon–Koyukuk
Physical characteristics
Sourceconfluence of the river's north and middle forks
 • locationsoutheastern Brooks Range, 23 miles (37 km) south-southeast of Chandalar
 • coordinates67°10′13″N 148°17′50″W[1]
 • elevation1,203 ft (367 m)[2]
MouthYukon River
 • location
20 miles (32 km) northwest of Fort Yukon, Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge
 • coordinates
66°36′33″N 146°00′09″W[1]
 • elevation
387 ft (118 m)[1]
Length100 mi (160 km)[1]
Basin size9,330 sq mi (24,200 km2)[3][4]
Discharge 
 • locationnear Venetie[3][5]
 • average5,007 cu ft/s (141.8 m3/s)[3][5]
 • maximum62,800 cu ft/s (1,780 m3/s)

The Chandalar River main stem begins at the confluence of the North Fork Chandalar River and the Middle Fork Chandalar River and flows generally southeast through the state's northern interior southeast of the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range.[7] The Chandalar enters the Yukon River 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Fort Yukon.[1]

In 2015 the Chandalar became federally recognized by the United States Board on Geographic Names as their indigenous Gwichʼin names Teedriinjik River meaning "shimmering river" and Ch'idriinjik River meaning "heart river". The names had been in use for over a thousand years by the Athabaskans.[8]

Major tributaries

North Fork Chandalar River, 104 miles (167 km) long,[9] begins near Atigun Pass in the Brooks Range and flows generally southeast through Chandalar Lake to meet the Middle Fork and form the main stem.[7] At the North Fork, headwaters is a flat valley known as Chandalar shelf just east of the Dalton Highway, where caribou are known to winter.

The 102-mile (164 km) Middle Fork Chandalar River[10] heads up in the Philip Smith Mountains east of Atigun Pass.[7] It flows generally south from the mountains to join the North Fork.[7]

East Fork Chandalar River, 175 miles (282 km) long,[11] starts near the Romanzof Mountains in the eastern Brooks Range.[7] From there, it flows generally southwest past Arctic Village to enter the main stem upstream of Venetie.[7]

West Fork Chandalar River, a 24-mile (39 km) tributary of the North Fork Chandalar River, flows east from mountainous terrain east of Coldfoot. It joins the North Fork 5 miles (8 km) upstream of that stream's confluence with the Middle Fork.[12]

Recreation

Although the lower river can be fished for northern pike, sheefish, and salmon, the upper river, its tributaries, headwaters, and nearby lakes offer "the most exciting fishing possibilities".[13] The main sportfishing species in the basin are northern pike, Arctic grayling, charr, and lake trout.[13]

Anglers and hunters typically enter the region by airplane or, in winter, by snowmobile. It is possible for experienced boaters to float and fish the river system in rafts or kayaks. Hazards include shallows and rapids. There are no public campgrounds or other facilities; however, there is a fishing lodge at Chandalar Lake.[13]

  • Sunrise over the East Fork of the Chandalar River, in the Brooks Range
    Sunrise over the East Fork of the Chandalar River, in the Brooks Range
  • Chandalar River in summer
    Chandalar River in summer
  • Chandalar River in winter
    Chandalar River in winter
  • Mountain in the Chandalar River Valley
    Mountain in the Chandalar River Valley

See also

References
  1. "Chandalar River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. January 1, 2000. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  2. Derived by entering source coordinates in Google Earth.
  3. "Peak Streamflow for Alaska: USGS 15389500 Chandalar River near Venetie". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  4. Upstream of Venetie
  5. "USGS Surface-Water Annual Statistics for Alaska: USGS 15389500 Chandalar River near Venetie". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved November 1, 2013. For water years 1964–73.
  6. Holton, Gary (July 16, 2013). "Alaska Native Language Archive: Alaska Place Names". University of Alaska Fairbanks. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  7. Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer (7th ed.). Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2010. pp. 136–37. ISBN 978-0-89933-289-5.
  8. Shalev, Asaf (2016-05-31). "Feds recognize Native names of major Alaska river system". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  9. Alaska Place Names, p. 698
  10. Alaska Place Names, p. 638
  11. Alaska Place Names, p. 296
  12. Alaska Place Names, p. 1036
  13. Limeres, Rene; Pedersen, Gunnar; et al. (2005). Alaska Fishing: The Ultimate Angler's Guide (3rd ed.). Roseville, California: Publishers Design Group. pp. 286–87. ISBN 1-929170-11-4.

Works cited
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