Kangisuit River (kahn-ˈGIH-soo-it)

Icy lifeblood of Ikasillit

The mighty Kangisuit river originates at a lake that is the convergence of many spring-fed streams high in the Nukilik Mountains before reaching the Tonrar Cataracts and plunging hundreds of feet to the Kilaun Pool below. From there, it flows, ice cold, down the length of the border to the Ikasuk Bay and the capital city of Sinavik.
As it is the only navigable river of size, the nation of Ikasillit claims the entire river, from bank to bank, as their official border with Uthain. There is a buffer zone on the Uthain side that tends to fall under Ikasillit rule as well, when it is convenient for one party or another.

Geography

The Kangisuit can essentially be broken down into 3 distinct regions: the headwaters, the Arsiaat Wilds, and the settled portion of the waterway.

Headwaters

The official start of the Kangisuit River is Lake Sesi, located where the mountains Kinapak and Tatkret meet, below the frostline. Lake Sesi collects the waters of various hot springs as well as meltwater from both mountains' snowpacks, draining the Nunataq Watershed. From there it overflows into the Kangisuit and the river begins its run down the Tonrar Cataracts, a series of three towering waterfalls of increasing length, dropping to the mountains' feet. It splashes down into the massive Kilaun Pool to begin its run down the border.

Arsiaat Wilds

The Arsiaat Wilds contains about half the length of the Kangisuit. It is a dense, coniferous forest area that tapers off near Napalaq. Coming out of the Kilaun Pool, the river decends through a series of challenging rapids until it reaches the main plateau. Here the river swells with the waters of three tributary rivers: the Arwaki River in Ikasillit, and the Kurragh and Dharbadur Rivers coming from Uthain, turning the river into a major artery that is impossible to bridge by the time it reaches the populated areas.

Settled Region

Starting in the area around Napalaq, the third largest city in Ikasillit, villages and settlements begin to spring up along the waterside. All three of the major population centers are located along the river, as it gives them ample access to a water supply. The Kangisuit continues to grow in size as it drains rivers from both sides. The Ammassuk River enters just West of Napalaq, the Nirladur Tributary joins it halfway between Napalaq and Atamsavik, and finally the Kongulor River enters just before the waters reach the sea. The Kangisuit empties its contents at the capital, Sinavik, discharging into the Ikasuk Bay in the Aibeth Ocean.

Navigation

The Kangisuit River is navigable by barge or shallow-draft ship west from the Ikasuk Bay as far up as the confluence with the Dharbadur River. Small boats and canoes can navigate the waters further, deep into the Arsiaat Wilds until the river meets the Kurragh, where fierce rapids often require portaging to progress farther west.
Travelling across the river can be difficult. It is too wide to bridge with our current architectural knowledge, so people have to rely on regular ferries and water taxis to cross. In busy cities, there will be separate ferries, one for foot traffic, and several others for wagons and animals.

Length
980 miles

Type

River

Owning Organization

Ikasillit

Tributaries
Ikasillit: Arwaki River, Ammassuk River
Uthain: Kurragh River, Dharbadur River, Nirladur River, Kongulor River

Icebreaking

Ice is a constant problem on the Kangisuit. The river can be expected to be mostly ice-free from about mid-Greenbirth (Siqumittuq) until late in Harvesthome (Sikuvalliajuq). The rest of the year, it is impassable without ice breaking techniques.
In the Sinavik area, large, heavy barges designed for crushing the ice beneath their weight are utilized to keep the area including the mouth of the river clear for boat traffic for a good portion of the ice season. From Sinavik west to Atamsavik, crews of people - usually fisherfolk - are employed to cut a navigable path through the ice, using hand tools like saws, picks, and other devices. To travel farther west, or during the months when the ice is too thick, journeys take place primarily by ice sledges, or on land by dogsled.