Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve - Rivers and Streams

The most prominent aquatic features of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve are the two rivers from which it takes its name, the Yukon River and the Charley River. The Yukon River spans the preserve in an east-west orientation. A river traveler will cover approximately 160 miles of the river"s total 1800 mile length between Eagle on the eastern end and Circle on the western. The entire 1.1 million acres of the Charley River watershed lie within the preserves southern extension.

Floating at least a major portion of the 106 miles of the Charley has become a favorite pastime for many people, including both recreationists and hunters. Other significant rivers within the preserve include the Tatonduk, Nation and Kandik Rivers all entering the Yukon from the north while the Charley enters from the south. Smaller creeks and streams provide habitat for a wide range of plants and animals including arctic grayling, salmon, pickerell and beaver.

The streams on the south side of the Yukon are also the source of a great deal of placer deposited gold. Creeks such as Coal Creek, Woodchopper Creek, Ben Creek, Sam Creek and Fourth of July Creek all supported gold mining efforts in the early- to mid-twentieth centuries.