Chilkat River

The Chilkat River is a river in British Columbia and southeastern Alaska that flows southward from the Coast Range to the Chilkat Inlet and ultimately Lynn Canal. It is about 80 kilometres (50 mi) long. It begins at Chilkat Glacier, in Alaska, flows west and south in British Columbia for 27 kilometres (17 mi), enters Alaska and continues southwest for another 60 kilometres (37 mi).[2] It reaches the ocean at the abandoned area of Wells, Alaska and deposits into a long delta area.

Chilkat River
A view up the Chilkat River valley from the Takshanuk Mountains
Location of the mouth of the Chilkat River in Alaska
Location
Countries	Canada, United States
Province	British Columbia
State	Alaska
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Chilkat Glacier, Coast Mountains
• coordinates	[1]
Mouth	Chilkat Inlet
• location	1 mile (1.6 km) southwest of Haines, St. Elias Mountains
• coordinates	59°12′15″N 135°28′47″W[1]
• elevation	0 ft (0 m)[1]
Length	52 mi (84 km)[1]

The river was named by the Russians for the Chilkat group of Tlingit, called /Ǯiɬqut/ in their own language,[3] who lived in the region. The name means "salmon storehouse".[2]

Near the Chilkat River is the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, where thousands of bald eagles appear between October and February, to take advantage of late salmon runs. Nearby Haines, the nearest town, is the most common organization spot for birdwatchers.

Tributaries

• Klehini River
• Tsirku River

See also

• Chilkat Peninsula
• List of rivers of Alaska
• List of British Columbia rivers

References

1. "Chilkat River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. January 1, 2000. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
2. "Chilkat River". BC Geographical Names.
3. Bright, William (2004). Native American placenames of the United States. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-8061-3598-4. Retrieved 11 April 2011.