Charley River
| Charly River | |
|---|---|
Flowing through Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Southeast Fairbanks, Yukon–Koyukuk |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Mertie Mountains |
| • location | Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area |
| • coordinates | 64°42′15″N 144°02′41″W / 64.70417°N 144.04472°W |
| • elevation | 4,023 ft (1,226 m) |
| Mouth | Yukon River |
• location | 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Eagle, Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area |
• coordinates | 65°19′02″N 142°46′50″W / 65.31722°N 142.78056°W |
• elevation | 686 ft (209 m) |
| Length | 88 mi (142 km) |
| Type | Wild 208.0 miles (334.7 km) |
| Designated | December 2, 1980 |
The Charley River is an 88-mile (142 km) tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska. Flowing generally northeast from the Mertie Mountains (named after geologist John Beaver Mertie, Jr.) in the northeastern part of the state, the river lies entirely within Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve. The Charley River enters the larger river downstream and 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Eagle.
In 1980, the Charley River and all of its main tributaries became part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. A total of 208 miles (335 km) was declared "wild" along the entire main stem as well as Copper, Bonanza, Hosford, Derwent, Flat-Orthmer, Crescent, and Moraine creeks.
The Charley River watershed is forested chiefly with black spruce and white spruce. This general locus within the Yukon River catchment is the approximate westernmost limit of the black spruce, Picea mariana. The river forms part of the boundary between the Southeast Fairbanks and Yukon–Koyukuk census areas.