Slana River

Slana River
Location of the mouth of the Slana River in Alaska
Location
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Census Area	Southeast Fairbanks, Valdez–Cordova
Physical characteristics
Source	Alaska Range
• location	near Mount Kimball, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
• coordinates	63°08′00″N 144°27′11″W / 63.13333°N 144.45306°W / 63.13333; -144.45306[1]
• elevation	5,141 ft (1,567 m)[2]
Mouth	Copper River
• location	Slana, Valdez–Cordova Census Area
• coordinates	62°42′00″N 144°00′30″W / 62.70000°N 144.00833°W / 62.70000; -144.00833[1]
• elevation	2,103 ft (641 m)[1]
Length	55 mi (89 km)[3]

The Slana River, also known as Slahna, Slakna, or Sla River, is a 55-mile (89 km) tributary of the Copper River in southern Alaska in the United States. It begins near Mount Kimball in the Alaska Range and flows generally south to meet the larger river near Slana.^[3][4]

Its Native American name was first recorded in 1885 by Henry Tureman Allen.^[3]

Tributaries of the Slana River include the Athell Creek, Rufus Creek, Porcupine Creek, Natat Creek, Suslota Creek, Carlson Creek, Suslotina Creek, Slana Slough, Mabel Creek, Granite Creek, Jack Creek, and Alteration Creek.

The first miles of the river are through a narrow valley, but nearer to the mouth it becomes wider and meanders a lot. Between Slana River and Little Tok River lies Mentasta Lake and the Mentasta Pass. Other passes near the Slana are Gillett Pass towards the Dry Tok River, and Sikonsina Pass, towards Burnt Lake and the Big Tok River.^[4]