White River (Yukon)

White River
White River near Beaver Creek, Yukon
Location of the mouth of the White River in Yukon
Native nameTadzan ndek (Hän)
Location
Countries
  • United States
  • Canada
State/Territory
Census AreaValdezCordova in Alaska
Physical characteristics
SourceRussell Glacier
  locationWrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Saint Elias Mountains, Alaska
  coordinates61°40′18″N 141°50′01″W / 61.67167°N 141.83361°W / 61.67167; -141.83361
  elevation4,258 ft (1,298 m)
MouthYukon River
  location
12 miles (19 km) upstream of the mouth of the Stewart River, Yukon
  coordinates
63°11′24″N 139°35′23″W / 63.19000°N 139.58972°W / 63.19000; -139.58972
  elevation
2,129 ft (649 m)
Length200 mi (320 km)

The White River (French: Rivière Blanche; Hän: Tadzan ndek) is a tributary about 200 miles (320 km) long, of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska and the Canadian territory of Yukon. The Alaska Highway crosses the White River near Beaver Creek.

The White River is glacier-fed and contains large amounts of suspended sediment. It transports 19 million tons of sediment per year in the upper part of its basin. This dramatically changes the clarity of the Yukon River, which remains sediment laden from the confluence to its mouth.