The Awuna River[pronunciation?] also called Sakvailak by the Iñupiat is a 200-mile (320 km) tributary of the Colville River in the U.S. state of Alaska.[1] Located entirely within the National Petroleum Reserve, it arises in a swamp north of Lookout Ridge in the North Slope Borough.[3] It flows generally east to meet the larger river west of Angoyakvik Pass.[3]
| Awuna River | |
|---|---|
  Location of the mouth of the Awuna River in Alaska | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | North Slope |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Swamp north of Lookout Ridge |
| • location | National Petroleum Reserve |
| • coordinates | 69°20′01″N 158°45′22″W / 69.33361°N 158.75611°W[1] |
| • elevation | 1,202 ft (366 m)[2] |
| Mouth | Colville River |
• location | West of Angoyakvik Pass, National Petroleum Reserve |
• coordinates | 69°02′55″N 155°27′48″W / 69.04861°N 155.46333°W[1] |
• elevation | 722 ft (220 m)[1] |
| Length | 200 mi (320 km)[1] |
Etymology
The river's name Awuna means "westward" or Uwanmun. The name given to the river now by the Iñupiat is Sakvailak.[1][4]