Birth of a River -- Finger Mountain, Yukon-Koyukuk Borough, AK USA - Flora and Fauna Information Signs on Waymarking.com

This sign is one of three placed by the US Bureau of Land Management at finger Mountain, a popular and unique landform along this part of the Dalton Highway, not far from the Arctic Circle.

The sign reads as follows:

"THE BIRTH OF A RIVER

Melting snow and rain from the surrounding hills collects in the low basin (Olson Lake) in front of you. As the water drains from the basin, it forms the Kanuti River. Vegetation in the basin acts like a sponge to slow the release of water. This action maintains the river flow throughout the summer. Many rivers in Interior Alaska begin this way.
The Kanuti River flows west from Olson’s Lake 175 miles to join the Koyukuk River. By Alaskan standards, the river is not large, yet it drains an area nearly the size of Delaware.

Typical Wetland System

The Kanuti River is the main artery of a wetland system that includes hundreds of small streams, lakes and ponds. Wetlands like these are important to wildlife, especially migratory waterfowl. When drought grips the lower 48 states and Canada, Alaskan wetlands can accommodate ducts that usually nest to the south."

Visit Instructions:
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Date Logged Log User Rating   12/01/2022 Benchmark Blasterz visited it