The Klutina River (Tl’atii Na’ in Ahtna) is a 63-mile (101 km) tributary of the Copper River in the U.S. state of Alaska.[1][3][4] Beginning at Klutina Glacier in the Chugach Mountains, the river flows generally northeast, passing through Klutina Lake, to meet the larger river at the community of Copper Center.[5] The river mouth is 66 miles (106 km) northeast of Valdez.[1]

Klutina River
Klutina River
Klutina River is located in Alaska
Klutina River
Location of the mouth of the Klutina River in Alaska
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Census AreaValdez–Cordova
Physical characteristics
SourceKlutina Glacier
 • locationChugach Mountains
 • coordinates61°23′54″N 146°07′33″W / 61.39833°N 146.12583°W / 61.39833; -146.12583[1]
 • elevation2,287 ft (697 m)[2]
MouthCopper River
 • location
Copper Center
 • coordinates
61°57′19″N 145°17′09″W / 61.95528°N 145.28583°W / 61.95528; -145.28583[1]
 • elevation
961 ft (293 m)[1]
Length63 mi (101 km)[1]

Fishing

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Accessible from the Richardson Highway, which passes through Copper Center, the Klutina River and its tributaries are a major fishery for sockeye salmon and trophy-sized king salmon, the latter sometimes weighing between 50 and 90 pounds (23 and 41 kg).[6] Floatplanes and jet boats, trails, and an unimproved four-wheel-drive road between Copper Center and Klutina Lake provide additional access to game fish in the watershed. In addition to salmon, the main species are Dolly Varden and Arctic grayling.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Klutina River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. March 31, 1981. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  2. ^ Derived by entering source coordinates in Google Earth.
  3. ^ "Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service: Anchorage: Klutina River at Copper Center". National Weather Service. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  4. ^ "State's Title to Submerged Lands Beneath the Klutina River Documented" (PDF). Alaska Department of Law. September 15, 2004. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  5. ^ Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer (7th ed.). Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2010. pp. 85–86. ISBN 978-0-89933-289-5.
  6. ^ a b Limeres, Rene; Pedersen, Gunnar; et al. (2005). Alaska Fishing: The Ultimate Angler's Guide (3rd ed.). Roseville, California: Publishers Design Group. pp. 309–10. ISBN 1-929170-11-4.