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Why does the Yukon River take a long detour before reaching Norton Sound?
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Yukon River
Five Finger Rapid on the upper Yukon River in Yukon.
The Yukon River is forced to take a long detour to the south and west before reaching Norton Sound because it must navigate around mountainous terrain that blocks its direct path to the coast. Although the river is only about 100 miles (160 km) due east of the sound after passing the confluence of the Koyukuk River, this physical barrier necessitates a journey of several hundred additional miles.1