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Rapid River (Alaska-Yukon)

Coordinates: 67°16′37″N 141°37′58″W / 67.27694°N 141.63278°W / 67.27694; -141.63278
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Rapid River
Rapid River (Alaska-Yukon) is located in Alaska
Rapid River (Alaska-Yukon)
Location of the mouth of Rapid River in Alaska
EtymologyNamed because of the "boulder stream rapids that extend three quarters of a mile up stream from its mouth."
Location
Countries
  • Canada
  • United States
TerritoryYukon
StateAlaska
Physical characteristics
SourceLahchah Mountain
 • locationNorthwest Yukon, Yukon, Canada
 • coordinates67°42′13″N 140°43′01″W / 67.70361°N 140.71694°W / 67.70361; -140.71694
 • elevation745 m (2,444 ft)
MouthPorcupine River
 • location
Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States
 • coordinates
67°16′37″N 141°37′58″W / 67.27694°N 141.63278°W / 67.27694; -141.63278
 • elevation
197 m (646 ft)
Length75 km (47 mi)

The Rapid River is a river in Yukon, Canada and Alaska, United States.

Etymology

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The stream was published as Sucker River by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) in 1890. The current name was mentioned by R. G. McConnell of the Geological Survey of Canada in 1888. It was so named because of the "boulder stream rapids that extend three quarters of a mile up stream from its mouth."

Hydrology

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The source of the Rapid River is on the slopes of Lahchah Mountain at an elevation of 745 metres (2,444 ft), about 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of Old Crow. The river travels 15 kilometres (9 mi) west to reach the United States border, where it crosses into Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska at 67°38′30″N 141°00′00″W / 67.64167°N 141.00000°W / 67.64167; -141.00000 at an elevation of 476 metres (1,562 ft). The river reaches its mouth at the Porcupine River at an elevation of 197 metres (646 ft), 12.8 kilometres (8.0 mi) north of the settlement of Old Rampart.

See also

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References

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  • "Toporama - Topographic Map Sheet 116N10". Atlas of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  • Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) - Feature Detail Report for: Rapid River. United States Geological Survey. 1981-03-31. Retrieved 2010-02-03. USGS Feature ID: 1408534