ALASKA, IQ 



and the principal mouth is at the northwest. This river, with its 

 tributary the Chittyna, was explored in 1885 by Lieutenant Allen 

 (Reconnoissance in Alaska, Senate Ex. Doc. 125, Forty-ninth 

 Congress, second session). He followed the Copper River for 

 some 389 miles, and says that it drains, approximately, 25,000 

 square miles. By way of the Slana River and Lake Suslota, the 

 Tanana, a tributary of the Yukon, can be reached. Lieutenant 

 Allen says (pp. 69-7 1 ) : 



To find two rivers of the magnitude of the Tanana and Copper heading so 

 near each other as almost to have intersecting tributaries, and to be so entirely 

 different in their characteristics, 1 consider one of the most interesting discov- 

 eries of the expedition. . . . The pass over the Alaskan range, Lake Suslota, 

 is probably the best locality that will permit communication between the Yukon 

 Basin and the Copper River country, and would doubtless be used should the 

 minerals of the latter region prove of sufficient importance. The possibility 

 of the ascent of the Copper with provisions can hardly be entertained, unless 

 it be made with sleds during the winter. 



The Sushitna River empties into Cook Inlet. This river is 

 said to connect both with the Tanana and the Kuskokwim by 

 trails. \\ est of Augustin Island is a small stream by which, 

 through the mountain gorges, portage is made to Lake Iliamna. 

 This lake, says Mr, Dall, is supposed to be rather shallow, and is 

 known to be over 80 miles long and about 24 broad— fully half" 

 as large as Lake Ontario. At Fort Alexandra is the mouth of 

 the Nushagak, said to be 150 miles in length, and to connect by 

 means of lakes and rivers with the Kuskokwim. This is the 

 second largest river in Alaska, In his report on the Territory, 

 Mr. Petroff says: 



The length of the main artery of this division is not known, the head waters 

 of the Kuskokwim having thus far been untouched by the explorer or trader. ' 

 We have the statements of natives to the effect that the upper Kuskokwim River 

 flows sluggishly through a vast plateau or valley, the current acquiring its impe- 

 tus only a short distance above the village of Napaimute. From this point 

 down to the trading station of Kalmakovsky and to the southern end of the 

 portage route between this river and the Yukon, the banks are high and gravelly 



