Killik River
Encyclopedia
The Killik River, which has its headwaters in the northern portion of Gates of the Arctic National Park and flows north on to the property of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
, is a river
on the North Slope of the central Brooks Range
in Alaska
. The Killik is a tributary of the Colville River
, with which it merges south of Angoyavik Pass. It arises in the Endicott Mountains
, in the vicinity of Survey Pass at about N 67° 46.5', and flows through a broad, U-shaped valley. The direction of flow initially is to the northwest, then bending approximately 90° to the northeast before heading generally north at about N 68° 56' and W 154° 12'. North of the Park boundary the river's course runs through the foothills of the Brooks Range
and on to the coastal plain.
Major tributaries of the Killik are April Creek and Easter Creek, both of which approach the Killik from the southeast. North of Easter Creek, tributary streams, such as Aniakvik Creek and Nigaktukvik Creek, flow predominantly through short, narrow, V-shaped valleys. Numerous changes of the river's course within this valley have left behind a large number of lakes, as well as gravelbars and sandbars. The tundra
in the Killik valley appears to be dominated by copious stretches of dwarf birch
(betula nana), and sedge
s, with large expanses of sedge bogs
and tussocks.
The Killik is fed largely by precipitation and snow melt, and hence its waters are relatively clear of the sediment that characterizes glacial streams.
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, or ASRC, is one of thirteen Alaska Native Regional Corporations created under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 in settlement of aboriginal land claims. Arctic Slope Regional Corporation was incorporated in Alaska on June 22, 1972...
, is a river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
on the North Slope of the central Brooks Range
Brooks Range
The Brooks Range is a mountain range in far northern North America. It stretches from west to east across northern Alaska and into Canada's Yukon Territory, a total distance of about 1100 km . The mountains top out at over 2,700 m . The range is believed to be approximately 126 million years old...
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. The Killik is a tributary of the Colville River
Colville River (Alaska)
The Colville River is a major river of the Arctic Ocean coast of Alaska in the United States, approximately 350 mi long. One of the northernmost major rivers in the North America, it drains a remote area of tundra on the north side of the Brooks Range entirely above the Arctic Circle...
, with which it merges south of Angoyavik Pass. It arises in the Endicott Mountains
Endicott Mountains
The Endicott Mountains are a range of mountains, part of the Brooks Range in northern Alaska. They are located in the middle of the Brooks range and run some east-west. To the east are the Philip Smith Mountains and to the west are the Schwatka Mountains...
, in the vicinity of Survey Pass at about N 67° 46.5', and flows through a broad, U-shaped valley. The direction of flow initially is to the northwest, then bending approximately 90° to the northeast before heading generally north at about N 68° 56' and W 154° 12'. North of the Park boundary the river's course runs through the foothills of the Brooks Range
Brooks Range
The Brooks Range is a mountain range in far northern North America. It stretches from west to east across northern Alaska and into Canada's Yukon Territory, a total distance of about 1100 km . The mountains top out at over 2,700 m . The range is believed to be approximately 126 million years old...
and on to the coastal plain.
Major tributaries of the Killik are April Creek and Easter Creek, both of which approach the Killik from the southeast. North of Easter Creek, tributary streams, such as Aniakvik Creek and Nigaktukvik Creek, flow predominantly through short, narrow, V-shaped valleys. Numerous changes of the river's course within this valley have left behind a large number of lakes, as well as gravelbars and sandbars. The tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
in the Killik valley appears to be dominated by copious stretches of dwarf birch
Dwarf Birch
Betula nana is a species of birch in the family Betulaceae, found mainly in the tundra of the Arctic region.-Description:...
(betula nana), and sedge
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae are a family of monocotyledonous graminoid flowering plants known as sedges, which superficially resemble grasses or rushes. The family is large, with some 5,500 species described in about 109 genera. These species are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group...
s, with large expanses of sedge bogs
Poor fen
A poor fen is a natural wetland habitat, consisting of dense low growth of small sedges and other plants...
and tussocks.
The Killik is fed largely by precipitation and snow melt, and hence its waters are relatively clear of the sediment that characterizes glacial streams.