Knik Glacier
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The Knik Glacier is located just 50 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska on the northern end of the Chugach Mountains. The ice field averages over 25 miles long and over 5 miles across making it one of the largest glaciers in southcentral Alaska. Knik Glacier feeds the 25 mile long Knik River which empties into the Knik Arm section of the Cook Inlet.
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[edit] Lake George
Lake George a glacial lake formed near the face of the glacier received national recognition by the National Natural Landmark (NNL) Program. Lake George was recognized because of a unique natural phenomenon called a "jökulhlaup" an Icelandic term for Glacial lake outburst flood. The breakup of this ice dam would send a violent wall of water, ice and debris down the river valley causing massive flooding and sometimes devastation to local settlers properties. The jökulhlaup occurred annually until it ceased sometime in 1967 due to glacial recession.
[edit] History
Early pioneers were said to hold a yearly lottery, gambling on the exact date when the jökulhlaup would break and flood the Knik River Valley. The flooding would often close vital transportation routes between Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
[edit] Cinema
In 1991 Paramount Pictures used Knik Glacier to film a portion of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Knik Glacier was the setting for a scene in which Capt. Kirk and Dr. McCoy are rescued from the Klingon Ice Planet Prison Rura Penthe.
[edit] Present day
Today the glacier is a unique visitor destination, sharing its natural beauty with locals and visitors from around the world. With several tour companies operating in the area, visitors can view the glacier by air via a flightseeing company, All-terrain vehicle tour, by jetboat http://www.glacierjetalaska.com or by airboat charter.
