Unuk River

[[File:Iskut-Unuk River volcanic center.jpg|thumb|{{center|Aerial view of volcanic features of the Iskut-Unuk River volcanic center showing the Unuk River}}]]

The '''Unuk River''' is a [[river]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]] and the [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Canadian province]] of [[British Columbia]]. It flows from the [[Coast Mountains]] southwest to [[Behm Canal]], northeast of [[Ketchikan, Alaska]].

From its headwaters in a heavily glaciated area in British Columbia, south of the lower [[Iskut River]], the Unuk flows west and south for {{convert|129|km|mi}}, crossing into Alaska and emptying into Burroughs Bay, an inlet of Behm Canal. In Alaska the river flows through the [[Misty Fjords National Monument]].<ref name=unuk>[http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region1/salmon/unuk.cfm Unuk River Chinook Salmon Studies], Alaska Department of Fish and Game</ref>

In [[Tlingit language|Tlingit]] it is called ''Joonáx̱'', the meaning of which is obscure but may have to do with dreaming (cf. ''aawajoon'' “he dreamed”). It is occasionally referred to as ''Oonáx̱'', which is a reduced form. The [[USGS]] reports that a 1906 publication said the correct name for the river is “Junuk” or “Junock”,<ref name=gnis>{{gnis|1415506|Unuk River}}</ref> but it is unclear whether the initial sound is supposed to be an affricate {{IPA|[dʒ]}} or an approximant {{IPA|[j]}}. The former sound would reflect the full Tlingit name, the latter the English adaptation.

The Unuk River supports relatively large runs of [[salmon]], including chinook, coho, pink, chum, and sockeye.<ref name=unuk/>

==See also== *[[List of rivers of British Columbia]]

==References== {{reflist}} The name Unuk is derived from the Tlingit name for the area, Joonáxh (Place of Dreams).

==External links== * {{BCGNIS|25074|Unuk River}}

[[Category:Rivers of Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska]] [[Category:Rivers of Alaska]] [[Category:Rivers of the Boundary Ranges]] [[Category:Stikine Country]] [[Category:International rivers of North America]]