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Twentymile River

Coordinates: 60°50′43″N 148°59′21″W / 60.8452°N 148.9893°W / 60.8452; -148.9893
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Twentymile River
Twentymile River at its delta at the Seward Highway bridge. (Portage Peak in the background)
Twentymile River is located in Alaska
Twentymile River
Location in Alaska
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
CityPortage
Physical characteristics
SourceVarious small glaciers
MouthTurnagain Arm
 • location
Portage
 • coordinates
60°50′43″N 148°59′21″W / 60.8452°N 148.9893°W / 60.8452; -148.9893
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length17 mi (27 km)
Discharge 
 • locationmouth
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftMoraine River, Glacier River

The Twentymile River is a river near the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.[1] It rises in a remote valley from meltwater of several small glaciers on Whitecrown in the Chugach Mountains and flows out into a large, wide valley where it receives the water of the Moraine and Glacier rivers. Eventually, the river empties into Turnagain Arm after flowing 17 miles (27 km) [2][3] to a broad marshy delta alongside the deltas of Portage Creek and the Placer River.[4] Contrary to popular belief, the source of the river is not Twentymile Glacier.[5]

This river is known locally for its large runs of smelt (hooligan) every summer during the month of May. Many people from Anchorage go there to dipnet for them. It also has some small salmon runs.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Alaska Topographic Maps by Topo Zone". TopoZone. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  2. ^ Orth, Donald J. (1967). Dictionary of Alaska Place Names. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 997. usgs twentymile river naming.
  3. ^ "Twentymile River".
  4. ^ The Milepost, 59th edition, page 556, ISBN 9781892154217
  5. ^ Orth, Donald J. (1967). Dictionary of Alaska Place Names. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 997. usgs twentymile river naming.