The Susitna River is a 313-mile (504 km) river in Southcentral Alaska that begins at Susitna Glacier on Mount Hayes in the Alaska Range and flows to Cook Inlet near Knik Arm. It is the 15th largest river in the United States by discharge.[1]
| Length | 313 miles |
|---|---|
| Drainage basin | 20,000 sq mi |
| Average discharge | 51,000 cu ft/s |
| Source | Susitna Glacier, Mount Hayes |
Course
The river rises at about 2,500 feet and empties into Cook Inlet roughly 24–25 miles from Anchorage. Tributaries include the East Fork, West Fork, Yentna, Deshka, Talkeetna, Chulitna, Oshetna, Tyone and Maclaren rivers.[1]
Naming
The Dena’ina name Susitnu is often glossed as sandy river, and Russian charts recorded a form of the name in 1847.[1]
FAQs
How long is the Susitna? 313 miles.
Where does it start? Susitna Glacier on Mount Hayes.
What does the name mean? Often glossed as sandy river.
Sources
Key facts
- 313 miles
- 20,000 sq mi basin
- Dena’ina name Susitnu
Quick checkLength?Show answer
313 miles.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Susitna River. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue