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Aniak River

Coordinates: 61°34′28″N 159°29′15″W / 61.57444°N 159.48750°W / 61.57444; -159.48750
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Aniak River
Sunset along the Aniak River
Aniak River is located in Alaska
Aniak River
Location of the mouth of the Aniak River in Alaska
Native nameAnyaraq (Central Yupik)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Census AreaDillingham, Bethel
Physical characteristics
SourceKuskokwim Mountains
 • locationnortheast of Kisaralik Lake, Dillingham Census Area
 • coordinates60°20′09″N 159°13′12″W / 60.33583°N 159.22000°W / 60.33583; -159.22000[1]
 • elevation2,766 ft (843 m)[2]
MouthKuskokwim River[3]
 • location
Aniak, Bethel Census Area
 • coordinates
61°34′28″N 159°29′15″W / 61.57444°N 159.48750°W / 61.57444; -159.48750[1]
 • elevation
52 ft (16 m)[1]
Length95 mi (153 km)[1]

The Aniak River (/ˌæniːˈæk/) (Yup'ik: Anyaraq) is a 95-mile (153 km)[4] tributary of the Kuskokwim River in the U.S. state of Alaska.[1][5] Beginning south of Aniak Lake, the river generally flows north. The upper sections drain part of the Kilbuck and Kuskokwim mountains, and the lower portions transition to the Kuskokwim lowlands and tundra.[6][7][3] The river empties into the Kuskokwim River slightly east of Aniak.[6][3] Its tributaries are the Salmon, Kipchuk, and Buckstock rivers.[8][9]

Overview

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Aniak is a Yup'ik word meaning "the place where it comes out," which refers to the mouth of the Aniak River where it flows into the Kuskokwim River.[10] This river played a role in the Placer Gold Rush of 1900–01,[11] when prospectors from Nome rushed to the Kuskokwim River Delta after hearing of discoveries[12] along the "Yellow River", later believed to be the Aniak River[13] because of the yellow tint from silt carried from headwater streams.[14] Prospectors returned in 1911 when it was announced gold had again been discovered in the river.[15]

The Aniak is home to five species of Pacific salmon, the most common (about 80-85%) being chum salmon. The others are the Chinook, sockeye, pink, and the coho. Between 2005 and 2009, commercial fisherman brought in an average of 46,316 fish annually.[5][8][9][16] In addition to salmon, the Aniak is home to Arctic char, rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and, near the river mouth in spring, northern pike and sheefish, making it a prime sports fishing location. In addition, Aniak Lake supports populations of lake trout. Several sports fishing outfitters operate along the Aniak.[17][8][16]

Navigation of the river is tricky, since it is swift flowing with multiple channels and many hazards, including debris loads, log jams and sweepers (trees hanging just above the water which "sweep" the surface as it flows by) that change position with each spring's ice breakup cycle. [15][18] The lower river is more navigable[19] with an experienced boat driver. The upper river, however, is typically only accessed by rafts which can be dropped off by airplane at Aniak Lake,[20] 100 mi (160 km) upstream from the Kuskokwim confluence. The Aniak River itself, approximately 25 mi (40 km) from the mouth, is unusable for surface travel in winter due to incomplete freeze and speed of flow. Historical winter trails parallel most of its length.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Aniak River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. January 1, 2000. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  2. ^ Derived by entering source coordinates in Google Earth.
  3. ^ a b c "Aniak River: Site and River". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  4. ^ Geological Survey Professional Paper (Report). Geological Survey (U.S.). 1967. p. 79.
  5. ^ a b "Aniak River Overview". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  6. ^ a b Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer (7th ed.). Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2010. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-89933-289-5.
  7. ^ Geological Survey Professional Paper (Report). Geological Survey (U.S.). 1954. p. 9.
  8. ^ a b c Lafferty, Robert; Bingham, Allen E. (August 2002). Survey of the Rod-and-Reel Fisheries in the Aniak River, Alaska, 2001 (PDF) (Report). Alaska Department of Fish and Game. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  9. ^ a b Arctic/Yukon/Kuskokwim Proposal Index (PDF) (Report). Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 2022. p. 41. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  10. ^ "Village of Aniak – 2021 Project". Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  11. ^ Unicom, Inc. Archaeological Compliance, Section 106 Report, Aniak Telecommunication Tower Locality (Report). Stephen R. Braund & Associates. 2005-08-17. p. 11.
  12. ^ Dorava, Joseph M. (1994). Environmental Overview and Hydrogeologic Conditions at Aniak, Alaska (PDF) (Report). U.S. Geological Survey. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  13. ^ Brown, Charles M. (1983). Alaska's Kuskokwim River Region (Report). Bureau of Land Management. p. 101.
  14. ^ "2024 Pricing: Aniak River". Papa Bear Adventures. 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  15. ^ a b Brown, C. Michael (1985). Extract of Alaska's Kuskokwim River Region: A History (PDF) (Report). p. 10, 13. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  16. ^ a b "Aniak River: Fish". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  17. ^ Limeres, Rene; Pedersen, Gunnar; et al. (2005). Alaska Fishing: The Ultimate Angler's Guide (3rd ed.). Roseville, California: Publishers Design Group. p. 249. ISBN 1-929170-11-4.
  18. ^ Schneiderhan, D.J. (April 1988). Aniak River Salmon Escapement Study, 1985-1987 (PDF) (Report). Alaska Department of Fish and Game. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  19. ^ "Overview". fishlodges.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  20. ^ "Kuskokwim Drainage Management Area: Fishing Opportunities". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
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