Chandalar River

The Chandalar River (''T'eedriinjik'' in Gwich'in) is a tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska. Its peak flow, recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) between 1964 and 1974 at a stream gauge at Venetie, was on June 9, 1968.

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. The Chandalar enters the Yukon River northwest of Fort Yukon.

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.

Major tributaries

North Fork Chandalar River, long,''Alaska Place Names'', p. 698 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. 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 Middle Fork Chandalar River heads up in the Philip Smith Mountains east of Atigun Pass. It flows generally south from the mountains to join the North Fork.

East Fork Chandalar River, long, starts near the Romanzof Mountains in the eastern Brooks Range. From there, it flows generally southwest past Arctic Village to enter the main stem upstream of Venetie.

West Fork Chandalar River, a tributary of the North Fork Chandalar River, flows east from mountainous terrain east of Coldfoot. It joins the North Fork upstream of that stream's confluence with the Middle Fork.''Alaska Place Names'', p. 1036

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". The main sportfishing species in the basin are northern pike, Arctic grayling, charr, and lake trout.

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.

Gallery

File:ChandalarRiver2.jpg, Sunrise over the East Fork of the Chandalar River, in the Brooks Range
File:Chandalar River in summer.jpg, Chandalar River in summer
File:Chandalar River in winter.jpg, Chandalar River in winter
File:Chandalar River Valley.jpg, Mountain in the Chandalar River Valley

See also

* List of rivers of Alaska

References

Works cited

*

External links

Chandalar River Valley Mountain
north of Arctic Village

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Rivers of Alaska
Rivers of Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska
Brooks Range
Tributaries of the Yukon River
Rivers of Unorganized Borough, Alaska