The Kuk River[pronunciation?] (Iñupiaq: Kuuk) is a 35-mile (56 km) long stream in the North Slope Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska.[3] It heads at the confluence of the Avalik and Kaolak rivers and flows north to Wainwright Inlet, 6 miles (10 km) southeast of Wainwright.[1] The inlet links to the Chukchi Sea of the Arctic Ocean.[3]

Kuk River
Kuk River is located in Alaska
Kuk River
Location of the mouth of the Kuk River in Alaska
Etymologyriver
Native nameKuuk (Inupiaq)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
BoroughNorth Slope
Physical characteristics
SourceConfluence of Kaolak and Avalik rivers
 • locationNational Petroleum Reserve–Alaska
 • coordinates70°07′19″N 159°40′16″W / 70.12194°N 159.67111°W / 70.12194; -159.67111[2]
 • elevation8 ft (2.4 m)[2]
MouthWainwright Inlet, Arctic Ocean
 • location
6 miles (10 km) southeast of Wainwright
 • coordinates
70°36′29″N 160°06′40″W / 70.60806°N 160.11111°W / 70.60806; -160.11111[1]
 • elevation
0 ft (0 m)[1]
Length35 mi (56 km)[3]
Kuk river illustration 1930

Kuuk means river in the Inuit language. Nineteenth century maps variously listed streams entering the Wainwright Inlet as "Koh", "Kong", "Tutua Wing", "Ku", "Kook", "Koo", and "Kee".[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Kuk River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. January 1, 2000. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  2. ^ a b From Google Earth positioned on confluence of Kaolak and Avalik rivers
  3. ^ a b c Orth, Donald J.; United States Geological Survey (1971) [1967]. Dictionary of Alaska Place Names: Geological Survey Professional Paper 567 (PDF). United States Government Printing Office. p. 550. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2013.

See also

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