North Fork Chandalar River, 104 miles (167 km) long,[9] begins near Atigun Pass in the Brooks Range and flows generally southeast through Chandalar Lake to meet the Middle Fork and form the main stem.[7] At the North Fork, headwaters is a flat valley known as Chandalar shelf just east of the Dalton Highway, where caribou are known to winter.
The 102-mile (164 km) Middle Fork Chandalar River[10] heads up in the Philip Smith Mountains east of Atigun Pass.[7] It flows generally south from the mountains to join the North Fork.[7]
East Fork Chandalar River, 175 miles (282 km) long,[11] starts near the Romanzof Mountains in the eastern Brooks Range.[7] From there, it flows generally southwest past Arctic Village to enter the main stem upstream of Venetie.[7]
West Fork Chandalar River, a 24-mile (39 km) tributary of the North Fork Chandalar River, flows east from mountainous terrain east of Coldfoot. It joins the North Fork 5 miles (8 km) upstream of that stream's confluence with the Middle Fork.[12]
There is a weather station in the Chandalar Shelf Valley near Atigun Pass. Chandalar Shelf has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc), bordering on a tundra climate (Köppen ET).
More information Climate data for Chandalar Shelf, Alaska, 1991–2020 normals, precip/snowfall 2001-2012: 3250ft (991m), Month ...
Climate data for Chandalar Shelf, Alaska, 1991–2020 normals, precip/snowfall 2001-2012: 3250ft (991m) |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) |
0.9 (−17.3) |
4.6 (−15.2) |
8.8 (−12.9) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
40.6 (4.8) |
57.6 (14.2) |
57.7 (14.3) |
51.6 (10.9) |
39.3 (4.1) |
20.0 (−6.7) |
8.5 (−13.1) |
3.5 (−15.8) |
26.4 (−3.1) |
Daily mean °F (°C) |
−4.8 (−20.4) |
−1.8 (−18.8) |
1.3 (−17.1) |
15.5 (−9.2) |
33.7 (0.9) |
49.0 (9.4) |
51.0 (10.6) |
44.2 (6.8) |
32.0 (0.0) |
14.2 (−9.9) |
2.6 (−16.3) |
−2.3 (−19.1) |
19.6 (−6.9) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) |
−10.6 (−23.7) |
−8.2 (−22.3) |
−6.2 (−21.2) |
7.3 (−13.7) |
26.8 (−2.9) |
40.3 (4.6) |
44.3 (6.8) |
36.8 (2.7) |
24.8 (−4.0) |
8.5 (−13.1) |
−3.3 (−19.6) |
−8.1 (−22.3) |
12.7 (−10.7) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) |
0.73 (19) |
0.84 (21) |
0.31 (7.9) |
0.65 (17) |
0.91 (23) |
1.37 (35) |
2.24 (57) |
1.86 (47) |
1.39 (35) |
1.10 (28) |
0.67 (17) |
0.85 (22) |
12.92 (328.9) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) |
13.1 (33) |
16.2 (41) |
6.5 (17) |
14.9 (38) |
6.9 (18) |
0.8 (2.0) |
trace |
0.1 (0.25) |
2.7 (6.9) |
17.1 (43) |
13.6 (35) |
13.6 (35) |
105.5 (269.15) |
Source 1: NOAA[13] |
Source 2: XMACIS2 (precipitation & snowfall)[14] |
Close
Although the lower river can be fished for northern pike, sheefish, and salmon, the upper river, its tributaries, headwaters, and nearby lakes offer "the most exciting fishing possibilities".[15] The main sportfishing species in the basin are northern pike, Arctic grayling, charr, and lake trout.[15]
Anglers and hunters typically enter the region by airplane or, in winter, by snowmobile. It is possible for experienced boaters to float and fish the river system in rafts or kayaks. Hazards include shallows and rapids. There are no public campgrounds or other facilities; however, there is a fishing lodge at Chandalar Lake.[15]
Sunrise over the East Fork of the Chandalar River, in the
Brooks Range
Chandalar River in summer
Chandalar River in winter
Mountain in the Chandalar River Valley
"Chandalar River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. January 1, 2000. Retrieved October 31, 2013. Alaska Place Names, p. 698
Alaska Place Names, p. 638
Alaska Place Names, p. 296
Alaska Place Names, p. 1036
"xmACIS". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
Limeres, Rene; Pedersen, Gunnar; et al. (2005). Alaska Fishing: The Ultimate Angler's Guide (3rd ed.). Roseville, California: Publishers Design Group. pp. 286–87. ISBN 1-929170-11-4.