Matanuska River

Matanuska River. . , The Dena'ina called this river the Chatanhtnu and the Ahtna called this river Ts'itonhtna' which means "river from which trail comes out". The Matanuska River watershed was an important route between Cook Inlet and the Copper River Basin used for many centuries by the Coastal Dena'ina and Interior Ahtna Hwt'aene' and for hunting, fishing, trading and as a travel corridor to visit extended family. Beginning in the 1880's, trails used by the Indigenous Peoples became the trails explorers used to access interior Alaska. Many segments of the trails are still in use today., The Matanuska River flows 75 miles from its headwaters at the Matanuska Glacier down to the salt water of the Knik Arm and Cook Inlet. The braided channels of the Matanuska River can dramatically change overnight as the river changes course. Silty in the summer, the "Mat" runs clear and turquoise in the late fall, winter, and early spring. Runs of red (sockeye), dog (chum), king (Chinook) and silver (coho) salmon and resident fish travel up the Matanuska River to spawn in local streams like Moose Creek, Granite Creek, Eska Creek and Kings River as well as in clear-water side channels along the silty Matanuska River.