Selawik River

The Selawik River is a waterway in Alaska that flows westward through the Purcell Mountains and surrounding terrain toward Selawik Lake at sea level. It transitions from highland areas to tundra lowlands over its course.

This river was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 1980, formally recognizing its environmental importance. The designation protects its natural condition from commercial development.

The name Selawik comes from the Iñupiat language and means 'place of sheefish', showing how vital this waterway has been to local communities for fishing.

Visitors should use small motorized boats in the lower sections of the river, while upper areas require non-motorized watercraft only. Reaching the upper portions requires arriving by aircraft, as no road access exists.

The river undergoes a striking transformation along its course: in the highlands it runs clear over gravel, while in the lower tundra sections it becomes slow-moving and stained brown by tannins with a silty bottom. This change reflects the different geology and plant life encountered downstream.

GPS coordinates: 66.50156,-158.37710

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:43