Chandalar River

{{Short description|River in the United States of America}} {{Infobox river | name = Chandalar River | name_native = {{native name|gwi|T'eedrinjik}} | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology =  | image = ChandalarRiver1.jpg | image_caption = East Fork of the Chandalar River, at Arctic Village | image_size = 300 | map = | map_size = 300 | map_caption = | pushpin_map = USA Alaska | pushpin_map_size = 300 | pushpin_map_caption= Location of the mouth of the Chandalar River in Alaska  | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = United States | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = Alaska | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = Census Area | subdivision_name4 = Yukon–Koyukuk | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 =  | length = {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="gnis"/> | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= near Venetie<ref name="Venetie gauge"/><ref name="Venetie average">{{cite web|title=USGS Surface-Water Annual Statistics for Alaska: USGS 15389500 Chandalar River near Venetie| url=https://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/ak/nwis/annual/?referred_module=sw&site_no=15389500&por_15389500_1=623952,00060,1,1963,1973&year_type=W&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list|publisher=United States Geological Survey|accessdate=November 1, 2013}} For water years 1964–73.</ref> | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = {{convert|5007|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Venetie gauge"/><ref name="Venetie average">{{cite web|title=USGS Surface-Water Annual Statistics for Alaska: USGS 15389500 Chandalar River near Venetie| url=https://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/ak/nwis/annual/?referred_module=sw&site_no=15389500&por_15389500_1=623952,00060,1,1963,1973&year_type=W&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list|publisher=United States Geological Survey|accessdate=November 1, 2013}} For water years 1964–73.</ref> | discharge1_max = {{convert|62800|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}  | source1 = confluence of the river's north and middle forks | source1_location = southeastern Brooks Range, {{convert|23|mi|km}} south-southeast of Chandalar | source1_coordinates= {{coord|67|10|13|N|148|17|50|W|display=inline}}<ref name="gnis"/> | source1_elevation = {{convert|1203|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>Derived by entering source coordinates in Google Earth.</ref> | mouth = Yukon River | mouth_location = {{convert|20|mi|km}} northwest of Fort Yukon, Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|66|36|33|N|146|00|09|W|display=inline,title}}<ref name="gnis">{{cite web | work = Geographic Names Information System| publisher = United States Geological Survey | date = January 1, 2000| url = {{gnis3|1400141}} | title =Chandalar River| accessdate = October 31, 2013}}</ref> | mouth_elevation = {{convert|387|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="gnis"/> | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|9330|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="Venetie gauge"/><ref>Upstream of Venetie</ref> | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }} The '''Chandalar River''' (''T'eedriinjik''<ref>{{cite web|last=Holton|first=Gary|title=Alaska Native Language Archive: Alaska Place Names|publisher=University of Alaska Fairbanks|url=http://www.uaf.edu/anla/collections/map/names/|date=July 16, 2013|accessdate=November 1, 2013}}</ref> in Gwich'in) is a {{convert|100|mi|km|adj=on}} tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska.<ref name="gnis"/> Its French name was "Gens de Large" or "nomadic people" which when written in English from its local pronunciation evolved into "Chandalar."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chandalar River |url=https://alaska.guide/river/chandalar-river |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Alaska Guide |language=en}}</ref> Its peak flow, recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) between 1964 and 1974 at a stream gauge at Venetie, was {{convert|62800|cuft/s|m3/s}} on June 9, 1968.<ref name="Venetie gauge">{{cite web|title=Peak Streamflow for Alaska: USGS 15389500 Chandalar River near Venetie| url=https://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/ak/nwis/peak?site_no=15389500&agency_cd=USGS&format=html|publisher=United States Geological Survey|accessdate=November 1, 2013}}</ref>

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.<ref name="DeLorme">{{cite book|title=Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer|publisher=DeLorme|location=Yarmouth, Maine|pages=136–37|edition=7th|year=2010|isbn=978-0-89933-289-5}}</ref> The Chandalar enters the Yukon River {{convert|20|mi|km}} northwest of Fort Yukon.<ref name="gnis"/>

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.<ref name="Shalev 2016 l727">{{cite web | last=Shalev | first=Asaf | title=Feds recognize Native names of major Alaska river system | website=Anchorage Daily News | date=2016-05-31 | url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/feds-recognize-native-names-major-alaska-river-system/2015/10/12/ | access-date=2023-08-10}}</ref>

==Major tributaries== North Fork Chandalar River, {{convert|104|mi|km}} long,<ref name="Alaska Place Names 698">''Alaska Place Names'', p. 698</ref> 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.<ref name="DeLorme"/> 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 {{convert|102|mi|km|adj=on}} Middle Fork Chandalar River<ref>''Alaska Place Names'', p. 638</ref> heads up in the Philip Smith Mountains east of Atigun Pass.<ref name="DeLorme"/> It flows generally south from the mountains to join the North Fork.<ref name="DeLorme"/>

East Fork Chandalar River, {{convert|175|mi|km}} long,<ref>''Alaska Place Names'', p. 296</ref> starts near the Romanzof Mountains in the eastern Brooks Range.<ref name="DeLorme"/> From there, it flows generally southwest past Arctic Village to enter the main stem upstream of Venetie.<ref name="DeLorme"/>

West Fork Chandalar River, a {{convert|24|mi|km|adj=on}} tributary of the North Fork Chandalar River, flows east from mountainous terrain east of Coldfoot. It joins the North Fork {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} upstream of that stream's confluence with the Middle Fork.<ref>''Alaska Place Names'', p. 1036</ref>

==Climate== There is a weather station in the Chandalar Shelf Valley near Atigun Pass. Chandalar Shelf has a subarctic climate (Köppen ''Dfc''), bordering on a tundra climate (Köppen ''ET''). {{Weather box |location = Chandalar Shelf, Alaska, 1991–2020 normals, precip/snowfall 2001-2012: 3250ft (991m) |single line = Yes

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA2> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00501497&format=pdf |title = Chandalar Shelf Dot, Alaska 1991-2020 Monthly Normals |access-date = November 7, 2023 }} </ref> |source 2 = XMACIS2 (precipitation & snowfall)<ref name = XMACIS2> {{cite web |url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = xmACIS |access-date = November 5, 2023 }} </ref> }}

==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".<ref name="Alaska Fishing">{{cite book|last=Limeres|first=Rene|author2=Pedersen, Gunnar|title=Alaska Fishing: The Ultimate Angler's Guide|edition=3rd|publisher=Publishers Design Group|location=Roseville, California|year=2005|pages=286–87|isbn=1-929170-11-4|display-authors=etal}}</ref> The main sportfishing species in the basin are northern pike, Arctic grayling, charr, and lake trout.<ref name="Alaska Fishing"/>

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.<ref name="Alaska Fishing"/> {{clear}}

==Gallery== <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 </gallery>

==See also== *List of rivers of Alaska

== References == {{reflist|30em}}

==Works cited== *{{cite book|last=Orth|first=Donald J.|author2=United States Geological Survey|title=Dictionary of Alaska Place Names: Geological Survey Professional Paper 567|url=http://137.229.113.112/webpubs/usgs/p/text/p0567.pdf|via=United States Government Printing Office|publisher=University of Alaska Fairbanks|year=1971|orig-date=1967|accessdate=October 31, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017165933/http://137.229.113.112/webpubs/usgs/p/text/p0567.pdf|archivedate=October 17, 2013}}

==External links== *[http://chamorrobible.org/gpw/gpw-20060825.htm Chandalar River Valley Mountain], north of Arctic Village

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

Chandalar River

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