Charley River Explained

Charly River
Map Size:300
Pushpin Map:USA Alaska
Pushpin Map Size:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of the mouth of the Charley River in Alaska
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:United States
Subdivision Type2:State
Subdivision Name2:Alaska
Subdivision Type4:Census Area
Subdivision Name4:Southeast Fairbanks, Yukon - Koyukuk
Length:88miles
Source1:Mertie Mountains
Source1 Location:Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Source1 Coordinates:64.7042°N -144.0447°W
Source1 Elevation:4023feet[1]
Mouth:Yukon River
Mouth Location:55miles northwest of Eagle, Yukon - Koyukuk Census Area
Mouth Coordinates:65.3172°N -142.7806°W[2]
Mouth Elevation:686feet

The Charley River is an 88miles tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska.[2] Flowing generally northeast from the Mertie Mountains (named after geologist John Beaver Mertie, Jr.) 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 55miles northwest 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 208miles 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 (intermediate) on the International Scale of River Difficulty, rising to Class IV (advanced) in high water. The lower 76miles are rated Class II (novice) to III. Dangers include swift current, overhanging or submerged vegetation, rocks, rapids, and weather-related fluctuations in water levels.[7]

See also

Works cited

Notes and References

  1. Derived by entering source coordinates in Google Earth.
  2. Web site: Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey . January 1, 2000. [{{gnis3|1400160}} Charley River]. November 6, 2013.
  3. Book: Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer. DeLorme. Yarmouth, Maine. 118, 128. 7th. 2010. 978-0-89933-289-5.
  4. Web site: Charley River, Alaska. National Wild and Scenic Rivers. November 7, 2013.
  5. J.G. Clough et al. 1995
  6. C. Michael Hogan. 2008
  7. Book: Jettmar, Karen. The Alaska River Guide: Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting in the Last Frontier. Menasha Ridge Press. Birmingham, Alabama. 3rd. 2008. 1993. 100 - 02. 978-0-89732-957-6.