The Chandalar River (T'eedriinjik in Gwich'in) is a 100 mi tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska. Its French name was "Gens de Large" or "nomadic people" which when written in English from its local pronunciation evolved into "Chandalar." Its peak flow, recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) between 1964 and 1974 at a stream gauge at Venetie, was 62800 cuft/s on June 9, 1968. The Chandalar River main stem begins at the confluence of the North Fork Chandalar River and the Middle Fork Chandalar River and flows generally southeast through the state's northern interior southeast of the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range. The Chandalar enters the Yukon River 20 mi northwest of Fort Yukon. In 2015 the Chandalar became federally recognized by the United States Board on Geographic Names as their indigenous Gwichʼin names Teedriinjik River meaning "shimmering river" and Ch'idriinjik River meaning "heart river". The names had been in use for over a thousand years by the Athabaskans.

Major tributaries

North Fork Chandalar River, 104 mi long, 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. 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 mi Middle Fork Chandalar River heads up in the Philip Smith Mountains east of Atigun Pass. It flows generally south from the mountains to join the North Fork. East Fork Chandalar River, 175 mi long, starts near the Romanzof Mountains in the eastern Brooks Range. From there, it flows generally southwest past Arctic Village to enter the main stem upstream of Venetie. West Fork Chandalar River, a 24 mi tributary of the North Fork Chandalar River, flows east from mountainous terrain east of Coldfoot. It joins the North Fork 5 mi upstream of that stream's confluence with the Middle Fork.

Climate

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).

Recreation

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". The main sportfishing species in the basin are northern pike, Arctic grayling, charr, and lake trout. 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.

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