Five Finger Rapid

Further along the Yukon River is Five Finger Rapid. In the time of sternwheelers only one channel (the northern most) was deep enough to let the ship pass through the Fiver Finger Rapid. The current is very strong here but when the water level was low the boats could steam up and through the rapid. At high water the falls created a 1 -2 foot drop. As a result a cable was attached to the rocks so that sternwheelers could winch themselves up stream. While the system worked, boats continued to strike the rocks. In 1900 blasting began to get rid of the rapid and the channel was widened by 20 feet. The rocks are favourite nesting sites for some birdsRead more