HomeMy WebLinkAboutHarbors and Rivers in AK Interim Report No. I Southeastern Alaska 1952HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SURVEY REPORT
A
INTERIM REPOR T 'NO. I
:sOUTHEASTERN A~ASKA
A C F I C c
Prepared by
North Pacific Division .. Corps of Engineers
Dated February 15, 1952
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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS
WASHINGTON 215, D. C.
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
To: THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
1. I submit herewith for transmission to Congress the report of
the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors in response to resolutions
of the Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the House of Representatives,
adopted October 30, 1945, October 30, 1945, October 30, 1945, and Novem-
ber 30, 1945, requesting the Board to review the reports Ketchikan Harbor,
Alaska, submitted in House Document Numbered 113, Seventieth Congress,
First Session, with a view to determining if it is advisable to modify
the existing project in any way at this time; the reports on Kake Harbor,
Alaska, submitted under date of November 19, 1936, with a view to deter-
miping whether any modification of the recommendation contained therein
is advisable at the present time; the reports on Channel across Prince
of Wales Island, Alaska, submitted under date of January 5, 1937, with a
view to determining whether any modification of the recommendation con-
tained therein is advisable at the present time; the reports on Haines
Harbor, Alaska, submitted December 12, 1936, with a view to determining
if the recommendations contained in the said reports should be modified
in any way at this time; and also a resolution of the Committee on Public
Works of the House of Representatives, adopted July 13, 1949, requesting
the Board to review the reports on Port Alexander, Alaska, submitted in
House Document No. 106, 70th Congress, 1st Session, with a view to deter-
mining whether improvements for navigation ~e advisable at this time.
It is also in review of reports on preliminary examinations and surveys
of harbors at Angoon, Gustavus, Hydaburg, Pelican, and Tenakee, Alaska,
and of channel to connect Oliver Inlet and Seymour Canal, Alaska, all
authorized by the River and Harbor Act approved July 24, 1946; of harbors
and rivers in Alaska, with a view to determining the advisability of im-
provements in the interest of navigation, flood control, hydroelectric
power, and related water uses, authorized by the Flood Control Act
approved June 30, 1948, as amended; and of Hoonah Harbor, Alaska, author-
ized by the River and Harbor Act approved May 17, 1950. As this report
covers the southeastern portion of Alaska only, a final report under the
Flood Control Act of 1948, as amended, will be submitted at a later date.
2. After full consideration of the report secured from the divi-
sion engineer, the Board recommends: (1) modification of the existing
project for ~etersburg Harbor, Alaska, to provide for dredging the outer
one-third of the small-boat basin to a depth of 15 feet, at an estimated
cost to the United States of $40,000 for construction and no additional
maintenance; (2) improvement of Pelican Harbor by constructing a small-
boat basin, dredged to a depth of 12 feet and protected by a breakwater
1,000 feet long, at an estimated cost to the United States of $270,000
for construction and $1,000 annually for maintenance; (3) modification
of the existing project for Ketchikan Harbor to provide a small-boat
basin at Bar Point dredged to a depth of 15 feet or to rock, except that
a minimum depth of 6 feet will be provided, and protected by two rock
breakwaters 700 feet and 1,550 feet long, at an estimated total cost to
ENGWD
To: The Secretary of the Army
the United States of $2,947~900 for construction and $12,000 annually for
maintenance in addition to that now required; the initial phase of develop-
ment to consist of the basin~ the 700-foot breakwater, and 1,100 feet of
the other breakwater, at an estimated cost to the United States of
$1,949,000 for construction and $12,000 annually for maintenance in addi-
tion to that now required; and the remaining 450 feet of breakwater to be
undertaken only at such time as found necessary by the Chief of Engineers;
and (4) improvement of Rocky Pass in Keku Strait by removing rock hazards
as necessary to provide a channel with a minimum depth of 5 feet and a
width of 150 feet at The Summit and a width of 200 feet at Devils Elbow;
at a total estimated cost to the United States of $214,000 for construc-
tion and $2,300 annually for maintenance; all generally in accordance with
the plans of the division engineer and with such modifications thereof as
in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers may be advisable; subject to
the condition that for each project responsible local interests provide,
without cost to the United States 9 the necessary lands, easements, and
rights-of-way including quarry rights and spoil-disposal areas, for new
work and subsequent maintenance; and agree to: (a) provide and maintain,
without cost to the Uni.ted States, necessary mooring facilities and
utilities including a public landing with suitable supply facilities open
to all on equal terms; and (b) hold and save the United States free from
damages due to construction and maintenance of the projects; and provided
further that improvement at any of these localities may be undertaken
independently of the others whenever funds for that purpose are available
and the prescribed local cooperation has been provided.
J. After due consideration of these reports, I concur in the views
and recommendations of the Board.
S. D. Sturgis, Jr.
Major General
Chief of Engineers
ENGBR
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S. ARMY
BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS
WASHINGTON 25,0.0.
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
To: The Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army
20 November 1953
1. This interim report is submitted in final response to the fol-
lowing resolutions adopted October 30, 1945, October 30, 1945, October 30,
1945, November 30, 1945, and July 13, 1949, respectively:
Resolved by the Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the
House of Representatives, United States, That the Board of
Engineers for Rivers and Harbors be, and is hereby, re-
quested to review the reports Ketchikan Harbor, Alaska, sub-
mitted in House Document Numbered 113, Seventieth Congress,
First Session, with a view to determining if it is advisable
to modify the existing project in any way at this time.
Resolved by the Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the
House of Representatives, United States, That the Board of
Engineers for Rivers and Harbors be, and is hereby, re-
quested to review the reports on Kake Harbor, Alaska, sub-
mitted under date of November 19, 1936, with a view to
determining whether any modification of the recommendation
contained therein is advisable at the present time.
Resolved by the Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the
House of Representatives, United States, That the Board of
Engineers for Rivers and Harbors be, and is hereby, re-
quested to review the reports on Channel across Prince of
Wales Island, Alaska~ submitted under date of January 5,
1937, with a view to determining whether any modification
of the recommendation contained therein is advisable at the
present time.
Resolved by the Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the
House of Representatives, United States, That the Board of
Engineers for Rivers and Harbors be, and is hereby, re-
quested to review the reports on Haines Harbor, Alaska,
submitted December 12, 1936, with a view to determining if
the recommendations contained in the said reports should
be modified in any way at this time.
Resolved by the Committee on Public Works of the House
of Representatives, United States, That the Board of Engi-
neers for Rivers and Harbors be, and is hereby, requested to
review the reports on Port Alexander, Alaska, submitted in
House Document No. 106, 70th Congress, 1st Session, with a
view to determining whether improvements for navigation are
advisable at this time.
ENGBR
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
It is also in review of reports on preliminary examinations and surveys
of harbors at Angoon, Gustavus, Hydaburg, Pelican, and Tenakee, Alaska,
and of channel to connect Oliver Inlet and Seymour Canal, Alaska, all
authorized by the River and Harbor Act approved July 24, 1946; of har-
bors and rivera in Alaska, with a view to determining the advisability
of improvements in the interest of navigation, flood control, hydro-
electric power, and related water uses, authorized by the Flood Control
Act approved June 30, 1948, as amended; and of Hoonah Harbor, Alaska,
authorized by the River and Harbor Act approved May 17, 1950. As this
report covers the southeastern portion of Alaska only, a final report
under the Flood Control Act of 1948, as amended, will be submitted at a
later date.
2. Southeastern Alaska covers that portion of Alaska lying east of
the 14lat meridian and includes the western slopes of the rugged coastal
mountains of the mainland and the islands of the Alexander Archipelago.
The area extends about 550 miles southeasterly from Mount St. Elias on
the north to Portland Canal on the south. It has a land area of about
35,700 square miles of ·which 40 percent is in islands. The extensive
glaciation of the region has produced a rugged topography, eliminated
most of the soil mantle, and gouged out numerous deep fiords. Drainage
of the mainland areas heads principally in the glaciers and snow fields
of the Coast Range and St. Elias Mountains and is generally westward and
southward, respectively. The Alsek, Taku, and Stikine Rivers are excep-
tions to the general stream pattern in that they rise in the plateaus of
Canada and traverse the mountain divides. The drainage slopes are steep,
rocky, and deeply incised. Most of the larger mainland streams rise in
glaciers and carry great quantities of debris which obstructs navigation
in their lower reaches and at their mouths. The Taku and Stikine Rivers
are navigable for shallow-draft boats to a limited extent. The climate
is maritime in character with mild winters and cool summers. Annual
precipitation is generally high in the area but varies between a maximum
of 270 inches and a minimum of 18 inches. The average annual snowfall
varies from 448 inches to 21 inches. Stream runoff is strongly influenced
by daily weather conditions but is generally a minimum from December to
March or April and a maximum during July, August, and September.
3. The Inside Passage provides more than 1,000 miles of protected
water generally adequate for ocean-going vessels and present and prospec-
tive commerce, except in Neva and Olga Straits at Whitestone Narrows.
Improvements for deep-draft craft in these localities and for small
boats at Sitka, Dry Pass, Douglas, and Juneau, are being considered.
The results of these studies will b6 presented in other reports. Federal
navigation projects have been authorized by Congress at 15 localities.
Work has been completed at four of the projects, some work has been done
at five others, and no work has been started at six. The total Federal
coat to 30 June 1951 was $3,866,941 for new work and $301,767 for mainte-
nance. Federal flood-control projects have been adopted for Skagway and
Hyder. Total Federal costs to 30 June 1951 have been $127,112 of which
$9,323 was for maintenance. The Territorial Government, local interests,
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ENGBR
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
and private industry have constructed facilities for cargo transfer, do-
mestic water supply, and hydroelectric power at nearly every community
or industrial site in the area.
4. Southeastern Alaska has steadily developed a stable economy
based upon local natural resources. The fishing industry provides the
chief source of employment. The forest industries are now expanding
and are expected to develop on a perpetual yield basis. Government and
service industries employ the bulk of the remaining labor force. Few
persons are currently employed, or expected to be in the future, in
agriculture or mining. The population of the area in 1950 was 26,932,
of which about one-fourth were native Indians. The principal towns
and their 1950 populations are: Juneau, the capital, 5,818; Ketchikan,
5,202; Sitka, 2,080; Petersburg, 1,605; and Wrangell, 1,227. Except for
a highway connection at Haines and a narrow gauge railroad from Skagway
to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, the area is dependent upon water
and air transportation. The numerous waterways are relatively well pro-
tected by the islands and small-boat navigation is possible throughout
the year. Coastwise commerce in 1949 totalled 986,040 tons consisting
principally of receipts of petroleum products and general cargo, and
shipments of fish and fish products, logs, lumber, and limestone.
5. Local interests at many public hearings held in the area have
expressed their desire for increased navigation facilities at numerous
sites. They state, in general, that protection for small boats is
needed at many communities and that improvements to provide suitable
connecting channels are necessary for safe and economical operation of
small boats and log tows.
6. The division engineer has determined that navigation improve-
ments at many localities are not warranted at the present time. Gustavus
has no harbor and creation of a small-boat basin would be costly and not
justified for the few boats involved. The evaluable benefits from protec-
tion of the small-boat basin at Haines are insufficient to justify the im-
provement. Protection for Hoonah would require construction of two
breakwaters, one of which would have to extend into water 55 feet deep.
The improvement would not be justified by the foreseeable benefits. A
similar situation prevails at Hydaburg. The residents at Angoon have
recently decided to relocate the community at a new site and improvement
at Angoon is therefore not presently desired. Protection for the small
boats at Kake would require two breakwaters and dredging of a basin. The
benefits would not justify the costs. A sheltered cove 2.5 miles south-
east of town, which is suitable for moorage of small boats, can be reached
by construction of an access road. Klawak has a natural small-boat basin
that is adequate for the needs of the community. At Port Alexander com-
pletion of the existing project and the construction of a breakwater for
the outer basin is not presently justified because local fish runs have
diminished and the town is nearly deserted. The dredging of a small-boat
basin at Tenakee and its protection by breakwaters would not be justified
by the foreseeable benefits. Construction of a channel to connect Oliver
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ENGBR
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
Inlet and Seymour Canal across about 2.3 miles of low-lying land for use
by small boats and log tows would not be difficult; however, an excessive
amount of work would be necessary to widen the mouth of Oliver Inlet to
reduce tidal currents to a safe condition. Construction of a lesser chan-
nel, to permit passage for about 25 percent of the time when tidal currents
at the mouth would not be dangerous~ is not justified under present indus-
trial conditions. Connection of Cholmondeley Sound with Hetta Inlet by
excavation of a channel through a narrow neck of land would save consider-
able distance between Ketchikan and the west coast of Prince of Wales
Island but the costs far exceed the prospective benefits. Also connecting
channels between Tenakee Inlet and Port Frederick and between Young Bay
and Hawk Inlet would provide shorter and more sheltered routes, but the
costs would be excessive in view of the benefits to be derived.
7. The division engineer has investigated hydroelectric power
development at 83 sites having a potential capacity of 395,000 kilowatts.
Other agencies have investigated 117 additional sites ranging in size
from a few kilowatts to about 50,000 kilowatts and many other potential
sites exist throughout the area. The Taiya project involving diversion
of Canadian water to the Taiya River in Southeastern Alaska near Skagway
to produce about 1,000,000 kilowatts is under joint investigation by the
United States and Canada. The division engineer finds that hydroelectric
power projects adequate for foreseeable needs could be developed near the
four major load centers to deliver power at costs varying from 9 to 15
mills per kilowatt-hour.
8. The division engineer finds that the basic economy of the area
is dependent upon small-boat navigation and that expanded facilities are
urgently needed. He concludes that: (a) there is an urgent need for
funds to complete the authorized river and harbor projects at Wrangell,
Petersburg, Sitka, Gastineau Channel, Meyers Chuck, Elfin Cove, Craig,
Metlakatla, and Skagway; (b) authorized improvements in the interest of
coastwise shipping are generally adequate for presently foreseeable needs;
(c) flood control is not a serious problem in the area, the flood problems
on Salmon River at Hyder, Gold Creek at Juneau, and Skagway River at
Skagway are satisfactorily provided for by existing, authorized, or
previously recommended projects, the problem on Ketchikan Creek is being
adequately treated by local interests, and the prevention of erosion
damage along Indian River near Sitka cannot be justified economically at
this time; and (d) the development of hydroelectric power to meet the
growing needs of the area is feasible and, unless beyond local financial
ability, would be developed by local interests. The division engineer
recommends that, if capital requirements for providing additional low-
cost hydroelectric power should exceed the capability of local interests,
consideration be given to the use of Federal funds therefor, in order to
insure the continued growth of the region's economy in the best interests
of the Nation. He also recommends improvements for small-boat navigation
at Petersburg, Pelican, Ketchikan, and Rocky Pass in Keku Strait as dis-
cussed in the following paragraphs provided that in each case local inter-
ests furnish, without cost to the United States, necessary lands,
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ENGBR
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
easements, and rights-of-way including quarry rights and spoil-disposal
areas, both for new work and subsequent maintenance; agree to provide
and maintain, without cost to the United States, necessary mooring facili-
ties and utilities including a public landing with suitable supply facili-
ties open to all on equal and reasonable terms; and agree to hold and
~ave the United States free from claims for damage due to construction and
maintenance of the projects.
PETERSBURG HARBOR
9. Petersburg Harbor is on the easterly shore of Wrangell Narrows
at the north end of Mi tkof Island. Petersburg is the trading and supply
center for portions of the area bordering Wrangell Narrows, Frederick
Sound, and Sumner and Chatham Straits. A large fishing fleet operates out
of the harbor. The extreme range of tide is 24 feet and the dirunal range
is 16.4 feet. The original project, completed in 1937, provides approaches
to the existing wharves with a depth of 24 feet; a small-boat basin 11 feet
deep; and a short channel 8 feet deep and 40 feet wide to the Forest Serv-
ice float. The modified project, not yet constructed, provides for en-
largement of the small-boat basin to a depth of 11 feet over an area of
about 135,000 square feet. The estimate of the cost of the modification
is $292,000. Local interests contributed $8,000 toward the cost of the
existing project and have provided a mooring-float system estimated to have
cost about $15,000.
10. Local interests request further modification of the existing
project to provide a depth of 15 feet over an area of about 3 acres in the
outer half of the existing basin to accommodate existing and prospective
deeper-draft fishing vessels.
11. The division engineer finds that about 35 deeper-draft halibut
boats are presently based at Petersburg and the number is increasing. He
estimates that if the work were accomplished at the same time as the
authorized modification, the first cost would be $40,000 and the annual
carrying charges would be $1,560. The annual maintenance costs would not
be increased. He estimates the average annual incremental benefits re-
sulting from the prevention of grounding of the existing craft at $3,500.
The benefit-cost ratio is 2.24. He recommends modification of the au-
thorized project for Petersburg Harbor to provide for dredging the outer
one-third of the small-boat basin to a depth of 15 feet at an estimated
first cost to the United States of $40,000 and no additional maintenance
cost subject to the previously stated conditions of local cooperation.
PELICAN HARBOR
12. Pelican is on the east shore of Lisianski Inlet near the north-
ern end of Chichagof I91and. It is the last port-of-call for deep-sea
fishermen before leaving inside waters for the principal halibut fishing
grounds in the Gulf of Alaska. The harbor is formed by a bight in the
shore line and is protected from northwest storms by a rock point which
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ENGBR
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
projects from the shore. It is only partially protected from the prevail-
ing southeast winds by two rocky islets and a tidal flat. Extreme tides
range from 13.2 feet to minus 4 feet. There is no existing project for
Pelican. Local interests have constructed about 400 lineal feet of
moorage floats, a seaplane float, and three commercial wharves.
13. Local interests desire a small-boat basin with breakwater protec-
tion to prevent delays to unloading fish catches and eliminate storm dam-
ages to craft and facilities. They state that about 35 boat owners base
at Pelican and that many more would locate there if adequate boat moorage
were available.
14. The division engineer finds that an improved small-boat basin
is urgently needed at Pelican. He estimates its first cost at $291,500,
including $1,500 for aids to navigation and $20,000 to local interests
for moorage floats. The annual carrying charges are estimated at 113,160
consisting of $11,560, Federal, including $1,000 annually for maintenance,
and $1,600, non-Federal. The division engineer estimates the average an-
nual benefits would total $14,650 consisting of $2,450 from reduction in
boat damage, $1,000 from reduction in damages to docks, floats, piling,
and braces from ice brought in by storms, 11,000 for elimination of the
annual cost of removing a fish elevator and float, $4,800 for net savings
in operating costs for boats now going south for winter lay-up, and $5,400
from net value of the increased fish catch made possible by an extension
of the fishing time. The benefit-cost ratio is 1.1. He recommends the
construction of a small-boat harbor at Pelican by dredging an irregularly
shaped area to a depth of 12 feet and providing a breakwater about 1,000
feet long at a total first cost to the United States of $270,000 and
$1,000 annually for maintenance, subject to the previously stated con-
ditions of local cooperation.
KETCHIKAN HARBOR
15. Ketchikan Harbor is in Tongass Narrows on the southerly shore
of Revillagigedo Island. Depths are adequate for ocean-going vessels
but sheltered moorage space for small craft is limited and existing
facilities are grossly overcrowded. At least 1,200 fishing boats based
at Ketchikan make 4,000 to 5,000 trips in the harbor during the season.
Several hundred trips are made annually by boats towing logs or salmon
scows. The existing project for Ketchikan provides for the construction
of a stone breakwater with concrete cap, 940 feet in length, and dredging
of a small-boat basin to a depth of 10 feet. The existing small-boat
basin, known as Thomas Basin, has a normal capacity of 300 boats but it
frequently contains as many as 500. The remaining boats are forced to
moor in exposed locations where they suffer considerable damages. The
total project costs to 30 June 1952 were $257,668 including $32,722 for
maintenance. The mean tidal range is 13 feet while extreme tides range
from 18.6 feet to minus 5 feet.
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ENGBR
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
16. Local interests desire construction of a protected small-boat
basin at Bar Point in Ketchikan capable of accommodating 500 boats with
drafts up to 12 feet. They oppose construction at any other location.
Ward Cove, a natural harbor about 4 miles northwest of Ketchikan, is con-
sidered objectionable because of the distance from town, freezing of
fresh water from Ward Creek, inadequate police and fire protection, and
the congestion expected to result from activities in connection with the
new pulp mill industry. Similar objections or excessive costs are en-
countered in connection with three other sites considered. Local inter-
ests claim that the benefits from a protected harbor would amount to
$300,000.
17. The division engineer finds that another small-boat basin is
urgently needed at Ketchikan. He estimates the total first cost at
$3,120,400 consisting of $2,958?400, Federal, including $10,500 for aids
to navigation, and $162,000, non-Federal. The annual carrying charges
are estimated at $127?000, all Federal, including $12,000 annual mainte-
nance. The non-Federal annual carrying charges of $21,400 are self-
liquidating, including $10,000 annual maintenance. He estimates the
average annual benefits at $156,000, consisting of $47,000 for prevention
of major storm damage to boats, $50,000 for prevention of minor storm
damage to boats, $16,000 for elimination of damage to floats from storms
and overcrowding~ $25,000 from elimination of additional operational
costs resulting from overcrowding, and $18,000 from net savings to can-
nert tenders and larger boats by wintering in Ketchikan instead of Puget
Sound. The benefit-cost ratio is 1.23. He recommends the construction
of a small-boat basin at Bar Point in Ketchikan dredged to depths of 15
feet or to rock except that a minimum depth of 6 feet would be provided,
protected on three sides by two rock breakwaters about 700 feet and
1,550 feet long, capped by a concrete wall at a total first cost to the
United States of $2,947,900 and $12,000 annually for maintenance, subject
to the conditions of local cooperation previously stated; the initial
phase of development to be the construction of the basin 1 the 700-foot
breakwater and 1,100 feet of the other breakwater at a cost to the United
States of $1,949,000 and $12,000 annually for maintenance; and the final
phase of development, the remaining 450 feet of breakwater, to be added
only at such time as its need is clearly demonstrated.
KEKU STRAIT AT ROCKY PASS
18. Keku Strait connects Frederick Sound with Sumner Strait and sepa-
rates Kuiu Island from Kupreanof Island. An 18-mile stretch in the central
portion is a narrow, intricate passage known as Rocky Pass. The bays at
each end of the strait have deep water but the least depth in.the lane of
travel through Rocky Pass is about 1 foot. The diurnal range of tides is
15.7 feet. Numerous rocks constrict the channel and passage is made haz-
ardous by strong currents except at high slack tide. Keku Strait provides
the shortest sheltered route for boats between Ketchikan and Sitka, Kake, or
Cross Sound. It is also the logical route for transportation between the
west coast of Prince of Wales Island and Juneau, Kake, and Sitka.
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ENGBR
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
19. Local interests request improvement of Rocky Pass by dredging,
removal of rock obstructions, and installation of navigation aids to
reduce the existing hazards and permit passage at lower stages of the
tide than is now possible. Devils Elbow and The Summit are two reaches
which are particularly hazardous because of the bends, submerged rocks,
and strong currents. Passage can be made only during a period of about
1 hour before and after each high tide.
20. The division engineer finds that the travel distances for
many of three or four thousand small boats in Southeastern Alaska would
be shortened by 30 to 80 miles a trip if Rocky Pass were improved. He
proposes a channel with a project depth of 5 feet and a width of 150
feet at The Summit and a width of 200 feet at Devils Elbow, and esti-
mates the first cost at $224,000, including $10,000 for aids to navi-
gation, and annual carrying charges at $11,000, including $2,300 for
maintenance, all Federal. He estimates the average annual benefits at
$18,000 for a savings of 3 hours in travel time on 3,000 boat trips.
The benefit-cost ratio is 1.63. He recommends improvement of the navi-
gation lane through Rocky Pass in Keku Strait by removal of rock hazards
in 17 separate locations at a total cost to the United States of $214,000
for construction and $2,300 annually for maintenance, subject to the con-
ditions of local cooperation previously stated.
21. Local interests were advised of the recommendations of the divi-
sion engineer and were afforded an opportunity to submit additional infor-
mation to the Board. Careful consideration has been given to the
communications received.
Views and Recommendations of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors.
22. The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors finds that further
improvements for the protection of small boats are urgently needed in
southeastern Alaska. Hydroelectric power sites are available throughout
the area for the production of low-cost power. Present requirements, how-
ever, are generally limited to four separate major load centers. While
future economic development may require Federal assistance in the develop-
ment of this power, there are currently no multiple-purpose projects in-
volving hydroelectric power and navigation or flood control which would
warrant the Corps of Engineers recommending authorization of such proj-
ects at this time. Flood-control problems in the area have been satis-
factorily resolved where improvements are warranted. Adequate water
resources are available for development to satisfy all foreseeable needs.
23. The Board is of the opinion that the benefits are sufficient
to justify each of the projects proposed. It finds, upon using an inter-
est rate of 2.5 percent in accordance with current policy, that the an-
nual carrying charges and benefit-cost ratios for the various improvements
will be as follows: Petersburg, $1,410 and 2.5; Pelican, $12,060 and 1.2;
Ketchikan, $116,400 and 1.3; and Keku Strait at Rocky Pass, $10,200 and
1.8.
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ENGBR
800.92(Alaska -Southeastern Area)
Subject: Southeastern Alaska
24. The Board recommends: (1) modification of the existing project
for Petersburg Harbor, Alaska, to provide for dredging the outer one-
third of the small-boat basin to a depth of 15 feet, at an estimated
cost to the United States of $40,000 for construction and no additional
maintenance; (2) improvement of Pelican Harbor by constructing a small-
boat basin, dredged to a depth of 12 feet and protected by a breakwater
1,000 feet long, at an estimated cost to the United States of $270,000
for construction and $1,000 annually for maintenance; (3) modification of
the existing project for Ketchikan Harbor to provide a small-boat basin
at Bar Point dredged to a depth of 15 feet or to rock, except that a
minimum depth of 6 feet will be provided, and protected by two rock break-
waters 700 feet and 1,550 feet long, at an estimated total cost to the
United States of $2,947,900 for construction and $12,000 annually for
maintenance in addition to that now required; the initial phase of develop-
ment to consist of the basin, the 700-foot breakwater, and 1,100 feet of
the other breakwater, at an estimated cost to the United States of
$1,949,000 for construction and $12,000 annually for maintenance in addi-
tion to that now required; and the remaining 450 feet of breakwater to be
undertaken only at such time as found necessary by the Chief of Engineers;
and (4) improvement of Rocky Pass in Keku Strait by removing rock hazards
as necessary to provide a channel with a minimum depth of 5 feet and a
width of 150 feet at The Summit and a width of 200 feet at Devils Elbow;
at a total estimated cost to the United States of $214,000 for construc-
tion and $2,300 annually for maintenance; all generally in accordance
with the plans of the division engineer and with such modifications thereof
as in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers may be advisable; subject to
the condition that for each project responsible local interests provide,
without cost to the United States, the necessary lands, easements, and
rights-of-way including quarry rights and spoil-disposal areas, for new
work and subsequent maintenance; and agree to: (a) provide and maintain,
without cost to the United States, necessary mooring facilities and
utilities including a public landing with suitable supply facilities open
to all on equal terms; and (b) hold and save the United States free from
damages due to construction and maintenance of the projects; and provided
further that improvement at any of these localities may be undertaken
independently of the others whenever funds for that purpose are available
and the prescribed local cooperation has been provided.
For the Board:
Inclosures returned, no change.
- 9 -
W. E. Potter
Brigadier General
Acting Chairman
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
,
A
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U.S. ARMY
LEGEND
I I I I I I I I I COMPLETED REPORT
I I CURRENT REPORT
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
STATUS OF INTERIM REPORTS
SCALE IN MILES
SO !C1 100 ISO .ZOO
NORTH PACiriC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON Fr:8.1S,III52
Su&WrT'TilO' ----~~i~ROUP ___ AP~~~~~~---·
RCCO••C.•DilOI ~ ... CD".._-llliiCillll:t:.-·---~~~iOIIi'-o'"'•.o• ~ ...... cc.•
AH-1-1/1
PLATE
SYLLABUS
Southeastern Alaska is that portion of the Terri tory lying
east of the l4lst Heridian and consists of a relatively narrow
strip o.f mountainous mainland together Hith the islands of the
Alexander Archipelago lying inunediately offshore. f..n intricate
system of Haterways cuts the region into a number of relatively
isolated areas but these same water1vays provide a ready avenue
of access between local areas and to the States. Situated as it
is, the entire region has been entirely depeudent upon tvater and
air transportation.
Southeastern Alaska possesses a wealth of natural resources.
The streams and lakes provide some of the finest spmming grounds
for salmon and the extensive inland as Hell as offshore fishing
grounds are prolific producers of halibut. Hineralization is
general throughout the re~;ion and a heavy forest grovrth covers
most of the area up to an elevation of about 2000 feet. The
scenic attractions o.f the area arc Ul1equalcd in North America
and constitrrte tremendously valuable resource •
.A sound economy has developed based upon these great
resources. Fishing has been the principal source of wealth and
tvill continue to rank hi[h in importance, but little further
growth of this industry may be expected sine e the catch novr
approaches the maximum consistent t,li th sustained yield. Lode
gold raining t-ms a major indus'sry in the past and played an im-
portant part in the grmvth of the rce;ion but rising costs have
forced complete shutdmm. There is little possibility that
gold mining Hill be revived, but possibilities for 111ining of
other minerals exist. Indus tries based upon utilization of the
forest resource are just beginning to develop and their expansion,
planned to operate on a perpetual yield basis, is expected to
induce large population gains and a general economic grouth equal
in importance to that based upon fishinc. Continuing growth of the
tourist business should also be favorable to the region.
The division enGineer has conducted an investigation of the
t-Jater resources of Southeactern Aloska with a vievr to deter:.dning
the advisability of improvements in the interest of navigation,
flood control, hydroelectric pouer and rc;la ted vrater uses. This
investigation reveals that tnere is no present need for additional
flood control measures nor for improvements in the interest of
ocean going traffic other than those projects previously authorized
or recommended; that the area lJOu.ld be benefited by improvements
in the interest of small boat traffic at certain localities; and
that numerous comparatively latv cost hydroelectric pmwr possi-
bilities exist, the development of tvh i ch t~rould greatly benefit the
local economy but ~Thich are not presently justified because of the
small size of foreseeable po'"'rer loads.
The division engineer recommends the immed:Late construction of
a protected snall boat basin at Bar Foint in Ketchikan Harbor, a
protected small boat basin at Pelican, modification of the authorized
Petersburg Harbor project and improvsnents to the lane of travel
through Rocky Pass in Keku Strait, at a total cost to the Federal
Govenunent of $3,493,900 for nerr work,
T ii.BLE OF CONTI:.."'''TTS
SYLLABUS
TiillLE OF CONTEHTS
Paragraph SECTION I -INTRODUCTION
1. Authority
4. Status of iuvestigations
5. Scope
6. Previous Reports
SECTION II -DESCRIPTION
7. Geography and topography
11. Climate
26, Geology
32. Seismology
34. Hydrology
54. Sedirnentntion
59.
62.
67.
78.
79.
87.
92.
106.
120,
123.
129.
141.
143.
145.
152.
157.
160.
161.
173.
193.
201.
210.
217.
218.
219.
226.
227.
228.
229.
234.
235.
236.
239.
243.
SECTION III -ECu~Wt:!IC DEVELOFHENT
Introduction
Popu1ation
Employment
Transportation
Hater transportation
Air transportation
Fisheries
i·,;inerals and mining
Nonmetallic minerals
Agriculture
Forest species
Service industries
l'·iiscellaneous manufacturing
Recreation
Wildlife
Public lands and reservations
1hter la't-rs
Pouer supply
Present use and future requirements
Summary
Navig.::1tion
Flood
Drainage
Irrigation
Pouer
Recreation
Fish
Hildlife
Sediment
Uater supply
SECTION IV -FROBLEHS
Pollution and malaria conerol
Existing and authorized projects
Other improvements
Public hearings
ii
i
ii
Page
1
2
3
3
4
5
11
13
14
20
22
23
25
28
28
30
32
36
39 40
41
45
46
46
48
49
50 so
53
58
61
64
66
66
66
67
68
68
68
70
70
70
71
72
SSCTION V -PLAH OF IHPROVE!.~T
Paragraph
INTRODUCTION
DiiPROVEMENTS FOR NAVIGATION
25h.
257·
272.
283.
294.
297.
301.
306.
31LJ..
319.
325.
329.
340.
355.
358.
363.
365.
General
F:etch:i.kan Ho.rbor
Petersburg
Pelican Harbor
Gustavus
Haines
Hoonah
!-Iydaburg
Yake
Port Alexander
Tenakee
Eeku Strait at Rocky Pass
Channel be-b.'men Seymour Canal and Oliver Inlet
Chmmel r'.cross f'ri_nco of Wales Island
vva.tenvay to cormect Tenakee Il11et and Port Frederick
Young Bay -Hawk Inlot
An~;oon
HTPHOVE!rENT S FOR POWER
367.
371.
389.
l~Jl.
416.
4~1+.
441.
473·
4'15·
General
Ketchikan area
Petorsburg--~!rangell area
Sitka crea
Junean area
Transnission lines
SErJTIO:N VI -DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION Ai'TD RECOMMENDATION
Di_scussion
Conclusions
Rec orru:cendat ions
-iii -
Page
74
76
76
76
84
87
91
92
93
94
96
97
98
99
103
107
lOS
109
109
llO
ll2
llG
121
126
132
135
143
145
TABLES
Number Title Page
1. Pending authorized preliminary examinations, surveys
and revietvs 2
2. Previous reports 3a and 3b
3. Temperature data 7a
4. Precipitation data
5. Average strenm flmv data
Ba
14a, 14b and 14c
6. Haximum discharges 19a
7. Total tonnage at ports 30a
B. Trips of vessels at ports 30b
9. Existing pm·rer developments 53a and 53b
10. Authorized River and Harbor projects
1.
2.
3.
4.
5-9.
10.
11.
12-16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
PLATES
Status of Interim Reports
Climatological Stations, Pericxis of Records
Climatic Charactorist:i.cs
.Annual Precipitation and Snovrfall-Temperature Hela tion
Stream Profiles
Stream Gaging Stations, Period of Record
Stream Gaging Stations and Stream Run-off Characteristics
Daily Discharge Hydrographs
Storage Yield Curves
Transportation Routes
Public Lands and Reservations
Ketchikan Harbor, Bar Point Basin
Petersburg Harbor
Pelican Harbor
heku Strait, Rocky Pass
Oliver Inlet -Se;ywour Canal
Basin !VIap
iv
70a
NPADP
CORPS CF SNG IN'F:B?.S, H • S. ARMY
Office of the Division Engineer
N~rth Pacific Division
500 Pittock Block
Portland 5, Oregon
February ' 1952
S1ffiJECT~ Interim Report No. 1 on Survey of Harbors and Rivers in Alaska
- a Comprehensive Survey of Southeastern Alaska.
TO: The Chief of Engineers, Corps of Engineers,
Department of the Army, 1'!.ASHINGTON 25, D. C.
Sl"i!CTION I -HTTRODUCTION
1. Authority. -Section 20)j of the Flood Control Act of 1948,
(Public Law 858 -80th Cong.) reads in part:
"The Secrete.ry of the Army is hereby authorized and directed
to cause pre1 im:i.nary examinations and surveys for flood control
F<nd a 11 ied purposes * * * to be made under the direction of the
Chief of Enp;ineers, in drainage areas of the United States and
its ~rerritorial possessions, which inclucte the follo;·ring named
localities: * * * Harbors and rivers in Alaska, with a view to
determining the advisability of improvements i:ti the interest of
navigation, flood control, hydroelectric power, and related
water uses * * *.11
2. The forec;oing authorization was amended and confirmed by Sec-
tion of the Flood Control Act of 1950, (Public Lav.r 516, 8lst Cong.
2nd sess.) which ~rovides:
"Sccti.on 20}~ of the Flood Control Act of 1948 is hereby amended
by adding to the item therein for harbors and rivers in Alaska
the fo1.lowing: 1 and that Federal investigations and improvements
of rivers and other waterways in Alaska, for navigation, flood
control,. hydroelectric power, and allied purposes shall be con-
tinued under th0 jurisdiction of and shall be prosecuted by the
Department of the Army under the direction of the Secretary of
the Army and the supervision of the Chief of Engineers r ,11
3• Pursuant t.o the will o.f the Eighty and Bighty-first Congresses
as expressed in the enactments above cited, the Chief of Engineers has
directed that the surveys and investigations be accomplished by a series
of interim reports, of which the subject report is a comprehensive study
to supplement the first report~ In addition to the above broad a.uthori-
ties, specific fl.uthorities, as listed in Table 1, requested invest
tions at certain locations.
TABLE 1.-Fending c.utltor:i.zed prdiminary examinations, surveys,
anud roviews:-·-'-'
Locality
Ketnhika.n Harbor
Kake Harbor
Channel across Prince
of '~Iales Ishnd
Haines Harbor
TyT?e
of
report
P..eview of reports
do
do
do
Authority
Resolution, Comm. on
R & H, House of Repre-
sentatives, October 30,
1945-
do
do
Resolution, Comrn. on
R & H, Eouse of Repre-
sentatives, November 30,
1945· ----------------------------------';_.;..::;__ _______ _
Angoon Harbor
Gustavus Harbor
Hydaburg B..arbor
Coonnel from Oliver
Inlet to Seymour
Canal
Pelican Harbor
Tenakee Harbor
Port Alexander
Hoonah Harbor
P .E. and st1rvey
do
do
do
do
do
Review F. E.
r. E. and survey
R & H Act of July 24,
1946
do
do
do
do
do
Resolution, Comm .. on
Public Works, House
of Representatives,.
,July 13, 1949.
R & H Act of W~y 17,
1950.
Partial Preliminary Examination
and Interim Survey, dated December 30, 1949, covered mwigation problems
at certain locations in the Panhandle or Southeastern Alaska lying east
of the lLtlst meridian and was prepared by the District Engineer, Seattle,
lVashington.. Interim Report ~Jo. 2 Gave comprehensive coverage to that
portion of Alaska tributary to the tidal waters of Cook Inlet and was
prepared by the District Engineer, Alaska, submitted Je.nuary 20,. 1950,
and concurred in by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors on
April 5, 1950.. In~·-erim Report :t>Jo. 3, dated October 30, 1950, treating
tha.t portion of Alaska which is drained by the Copper River and also
including the adjacent coastal regions l".rhich drain directly into the
- 2 -
Gulf of Alaska between the 14lst m.eridian and the southern extremity of
the ~:enai Pen:i.nsula n: west lo'"1:;itude 152° was submitted ~.ffay 1, 1951
and concurred in by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors on
October 30, 1951. .Int:::rim Report No.4 contains a comprehensive study of the
Tanana.. f:.i ver Bas in which lies north of the Alaska Range in the central i:1ter-
ior of the Ter'ritory. The subject report, Interim Re;Jort No. l,expa:1ds the
Partial Preliminary ExaJT',ination and Interim Survey of December 30,1949, to
give conprohensive coverage to the Panhandle or the southeastern porti.on of
Alaska lyin,z; cast of the lhlst rnc-1ridian. The areal extent, geographic
location, ar;d relc..ti ve position of the region under consideration in this
report 'Nith r:;spoct to provi.ous and :future theaters of investigation are
shovm 0'1 Plate 1.
5. Scope.-The water resources of the area have been studied to
determi '1e +~he need for improvements in connection wHh iin.'nediate and fore-
seeable problens of navigation, flood control, hydroelectric power, and
related vmtor t::ses. Navigational improve:-:1.ents of three locations were
rccor:m1el1decl for construction by the Seattle District in the initial re-
~Jort, and these vrere not restudied for this report. Considerable data
on needs, problems, and usage of small bo:1.ts for navigation was secured
by the Seattle District, and such data have been used extensively in the
prepa:ratj on of this report. !1uch nev: basic hydrological and meteorological
data have been collected and combined vvi th data from previous technical
i nvesti c;ati ons .• exploratiO":"lS, and surveJ"S. As additional data become
available, modificatio~u; of t:1e report findings may be desirable, and, if
so, corr8ctions will be incorporated in subsequent reports.
6. Previous Reports. -Congress has requested the Corps of Engi-
neers to prepare m.unerous reports in the interest of navigation in South-
easterYl Alaska. Also, the Corps has been directed to investigate means
of alleviatinc; flood damage at a fey; locaEties. A list of these reports
arc gtven in 'fable 2.
- 3 -
TABLE 2. -Previous Reports Page 1 of 2
Nature Date of :Hecomr endation .ltction
Title ~ of l·ublished document : c. c. ..
report Doc. lJo. :Congress:Sess1on: report o.c.B. Congress
Impro·Iements for navigation
Craig Harbor Survey IIay 2, 1932 Unfavorable
do do H.D. 558 76 3 Sep. 11 1939 Favorable .hdopted .... _.,
Douglas Harbor do H.D. 249 75 1 l·'lar. 30, 1937 do do
Dry Pass do TJ 470 70 2 Aug • 20, 1928 do do ...
Dry Straits Prel. Ex:r'.:l11. 556 1 Jun. 3, 1907 Unfavorable
do Survey ll• 68 1 Dec. l, 1916 Favorable !cdopted
Elfin Cove do H.D. 579 76 3 Oct. 2 .. o, do do
Gastineau Channel Nar. 16 ' 1925 Unfavorable
do 1928 do
do do 325 77 l li'eb. / 191+1 Favorable Adopted • 0 ' '-'-' Haines Harbor .rxar::. Jul. 7, 1936 do
p Hyder II arbor do Feb. 15, 1926 Unfavorable
Juneau dock or uharf Survey H. 561 68 2 .Jul. 10, 1924 Favorable
do do H.D. 249 75 1 liar. 30, 1937 do Adopted
Kake Harbor Prel. E:~am. Nar. 2, 1931 Unfavorable
do do Jul. l, 1936 do
Keku Straits do Hay 12, 1931 do
Ketahikan Creek and S axrna.n
Harbor, Tong ass Narrous Survey Tf 113 70 1 Feb. 10, 1927 Favorable lidopted ... ,.,.
do do Oct. 2, ':! Unfavorable ..-'
.l··ietlakatla Harbor Pr·el.Exam. Jun. 27, 1936 do
do Survey H.D. 138 76 1 Jan. 17, 1939 Favorable Adopted
Chuck Harbor do II.D. 222 76 1 Dec. 23, 1938 do
Petersburg Harbor do H. 483 72 2 Dec. 2 2, 1931 do Adol_)ted
do do H.D. 670 76 3 Nov. 8, 1939 do do
Port Alexander do II. 106 70 l Feb. 14, 1927 do do
do do ,t.D. 578 76 3 Sep. 20, 1939 do do
Port Frederick P:,el. Exam. Oct. lh, 1927 Unfavorable
:f'ortland Channel do s. 19 54 2 Nov. 3, 1896 Inderinite
Prince of Island Ship
Canal Across do Jul. 1, 1936 Unfevorable
Page 2 of 2
Nature Date of :Recommendation Action
Title of Fublishcd document o.c.E. of by
report Doc. j_\)O. :Congress:Session: report o.c.E. Congress
Sergi us Narrows Prel. Exam. 'I 1053 62 3 Jun. , l9ll Unfavorable Iio ..L'
Sitka Harbor do ~' ,1. 108 7l l Nev. 20, 1928 Favorable Adopted
do ~urvey H. COLl71.)9 n~ l J"'J!l. 3, 1935 do do
Sitka Harbor do H.D. 263 75 1 rlay 5, 1937 Favorable do
do do H.D. 331 76 l Apr. 4, 1939 do do
do do l"=ar. 1!. '' l9L!4 do
S::agway Harbor do li.D. 547 75 3 Oct. 18, 1937 do .h.dooted
do do H.D. 746 79 2 Apr. ll, 1942 do do
Stikine River Frsl. E...'::ai"Tle B. 210 72 , Get. 16 1930 do do ..l. ' Tenakee Inlet and Port
Frederick on Ghicta;;of
Island cio No'/• 20 /' 1939 Unfavorable
'v..) ~Jedge Cove do Dec. l, 1931 do
a' ":illiam Henry Jc..:t do Jec. 7 ,, 1931 do
'jran.ge1l Harbor Surve~r TJ 161 67 2 -(' 1921 Favora~le Adopted !1. l .. ::t~·-...LC,
do Prel.Ex:c-m. Ear. c: 1926 Unfavorable ~·,
do Survey u 202 72 l l·To"".J. 19, 1931 }10 d. of project i~dopted .... .!. •
do do H.D. 284 76 l Dec. 29' 1938 Favorable do
,ra.."1gell Narrous do H. 39 58 2 Sep. 22,,1903 do l~ot adopted
do c_o ..., .1. 179 67 2 Dec. 3, 1921 do Adopted
do do H. 647 7l 3 Jul. 29, 1930 do do
do do H. D. 260 76 l Har. 9, 1939 do do
ImproveJ11.ent s for flood control
Gold Creek Survey H.D. 54 82 l L'lar. l, 1949 ?c..vorab1e
Salmon Creek do Jun. 23, 1942 Unfavorable
Salmon Ri ·v er do I-I. 228 72 l Nov. 13, 1931 Favorable Adopted
Skagway River in vicinity I'rel. Exmn. ?eb .. 12, 1938 Unfavorable
SkagHay Survey H.D. 695 79 2 Jrm. 28' 1946 Favorable Adopted
do do Sep. 21, 1949 Unfavorable
SECTION II -DF.SCRIP'l'ION
7. Geography and topography. -This supplemental interim report
covers that portion of Alaska lying east oi the lhlst meridian. (See
Plate 25.) The area extends about 550 miles in a southeasterly direc-
tion from Mmmt St. Elias on the north to Portland Canal on the south.
It includes a part of the rugged bordering coastal mountains of the
mainland and the islands of the Alexander Archipelago lying directly
offshore to the west. From !fount St. Elias a narrow strip of mainland
about 40 miles uide and 160 miles long connects the major part of this
area i>Vith the penim;ula forming the hrge land mass of the Territory.
The principal area of the soutl"eastern pc..rt, Hhich is roughly rectangu-
lar in shape.9 has a length of abo11t 390 miles and a mean Hidth of about
120 miles. The totnl land area is about 35,700 square miles of ~rhich
60 percent lies on the mainland and the rest consists of islands lying
:l.mmediate1y offshore,
8. The Alexander Archipel2.go is about 300 miles long and contains
hundreds of islands of \vhich 65 e:-::ceed 4 square miles, 15 exceed 100
square miles, and 6 a":ceed 1,000 sc1uare miles. Prince of Hales Island,
the largest, has au arc1 of 2,770 square miles. Chichagof, AdmirB.lty,
Baranof, Hevillag:l.gedo, and Kupreano.f Islands all exceed 1,000 square
miles in area. Kuiu, Etolin, D211, \Jra.ngell, £.1itkof, Zaremba, Kosciusko,
Kruzof and Annette Islands all exceed 100 square miles. These islands
are separated from each other and from the mainland by an elaborate pat-
tern of watertv-ays,
9. The entire southeastern area is a mountainous mass intricately
cut by 't·raterways lvhich separate the islands from each other and from the
mainland. Numerous spectacular fjords pierce the mainland, affording
passage deep into the Coast Range. These fjords are believed to be for-
mer drainage courses that uere eroded and deepened by glaciers and ice
currents. These seaways are deep, many over 4oo feet, and have hard
rocky bottoms.
- 4 -
16. The land fonns the configuration of the mass produce one
of the most scenic areas upon the contine~'1t. r'iany pe'lks on the mainland
rise to bet'treen 6,000 and 3,000 feet or higher while many of the islands
have h,ooo feet or higher. On the mainland, glaciers fill many of
the narron cm1yons and attain a great size in the northern part of the
area. t of the higher peaks, both on the mainland ar:.d on the islands,
also contain glaciers. A dense forest cover extends from an elevation of
about 2,500 feet doivn to the sea.
Climate. -The climate of Southeast::ern Al::u::!~a is in
nature and iE: characteri
fying influence of the
by mild ninters and cool surnr,,ors. The modi-
Ocean rez:ults in small diff{Jrences betHeen
Hinter and sunu·1er tet<tperatureo, and the 2.verage range behrcen Januar;y and
July tenperatures is af'!Jroximately 2SOJ?, compared wi.th soo to 6oo in the
Midt>rest of the United States and 700 to 80° in central Alaska.
12. 'rl1e tvro main factors affecting the climate of Southeastern
Jnaska are meteorologic and topographic. The princ.ipal meteorologic
factor the so-called Lleutian lou, a semi-permanent low pressure
trough tvhich persists during the Hinter in the North Pacific Ocean, The
counter-clocktdse circulation of air s.round the loH causes an inflou of
relatively lvam, moi:ot f'rot:• tllc south. Occluded storm fronts origina-
ting in the mid-Pacific are frequently imbedded in this large-scale cir-
culation and bring Hidespread precipitation along the entire coast of
Southeastern Alaska. This floH of moist air strikes the many large
topographic barriers consisting of rug2;ed mountain ranp,es lying on the
islands of the archi!1elago, as ,.;ell c;.s the Coast Range and St. Elias
Nountains Hhich border the coast line on the mainland. The orographic
lifting caused by the mountain ranges :)roduces precipitation much in ex-
cess of that which uould occur if no topographic barriers existed. The
average annual precipitation 2t uell-m~pooed mountain regions may be five
or six times the mnount thnt Hould occur -vri th no orogr;:p hie lifting. The
-5 -
air is modified as it passes inland and each successive mountain range
further depletes the moisture from tho air. On the continental side of
the Coast Range in Canada, the clime.te changes abruptly to the cold, dry
regiment of the interior, but a short zone borders the rllnge where a
transition occurs between the maritime and continental influences. Al-
though moist, maritime air normally prevails over Southeastern 2\laska
during the vrinter, occasionally a polar outbreak of cold, dry air from
northern Cano.da invades the area. At these times, tmnperatures are well
below· norm<<l ond clear skies prevail,
13. During the summer, the Aleutian low weakens and moves northvva.rd
over the Bering Sea, Surface hea. ting over the interior of Canada results
in low pressure over the continent, ~1th maritime air from the west or
northwest flowing over the area. This flow of moist air, together with
the passage of an occasional frontal system, produces rain.. Consequently
the climate 1s generally wet the y'3ar around ..
14. Climatological d.9.ta are available only at centers of population,
points of comT".ercial activity, and government inst&.llations and, ·with
very fe·w eYceptions, are at or near tide"·rater on the various inlets. Up
to the present time 7h cl:i.rroa.tolor·irJnl stLtions have been maintained for
which records he.ve been publisl11':ld in TJ, s. ''eather Bureau Climatological
Data for Alaska, but for many of the stations the records are discontin-
uous and of short duration. At present, records are published for 31
stations, Plata 2 indicates the period of record of all climatological
stations for ''·'hich records llave ber.m published by the U. s. '"!eather Bur-
eau, and Plate 3 shows the location and average annual temperatures of
these stations.
15. The averae;e annual temperatures near sea level in Southeastern
Alaska range from h0° to 46° F., which correRponds to the average annual
temperatures fo 1md in a band crossing the northern United States through
b1onte.na, South Dakota, southern Minnesota, ';!isconsin, New York, and the
south half of Maine.. The mean Je.nuary temperature in Southeastern Alaska
-6-
varies from 22° to 37°, 1"ith the v:armer tenperatures occurring along the
outer coast of the a:reh~pelago and gradually t.lecreasing; inland. Skagway,
which is the inwardmost stqtion, located or: the end of Taiya Inlet, has
r:, ·o a mean ,January temperature of c:2.6 • This reflects the transitional zone
between the nari time and continental cliJT.a:tes of the interior of C(UJada ..
The average January temperature of' 36.1° at Craig, located on the west
side of Prince of ~:"ales Island, is about the same as that of YYashington,
D. C. or Anarillo, Texas. The lov·rest temneraturos reported vary from plus
5° at View Cove to minus }.j.0° at 1Ioose Valley (Mile 2e,. Haines Highway) ..
Subzero tempers.tnres are rare along the coast and their frequency of
occurrence v.rould compare with western Ore~on or central Texas. The
summers in Southeastern Alaska a ro cool.. The menn ~Tuly temperatures
range from 5h 0 to 513° for stations at or near sea level, vrhich is cooler
than any section of the United States for that Month.,. The maximum tempera-
ture reported over the area is 96° at Ketchike.n, while at Juneau the maxi-
mum was 89°. At other stations the hi~hest reported temperatures range
16. The growinR see.son, >'.'hich is the ave:r:-ace number of days between
the last frost in the spring rrnd thr:-first in the fr,n,. :ranges from 58 to
228 days, depending upon tho 1oc~.Ltiun r:J.nd exposure to warm,moist winds
from the Pacific Ocean. '£he forer~oing temperature data represent condi-
tions at see. level. The general lack of cli:1atological stations located
at elevations appreciably above sea level makes exact determinations of
surface temperatures over '1:-.he mountAinous rcq~ions impossible. However,.
free air temperatures, detcTmined from radiosonde observations at
Annette Airport, indicate th~lt the avere.P",e decrease of temperatures with
height is about 2,9° F per 1,000 feet in ,January as well as in July ..
Fairly close approximationn of avernge temperatures at evated locations
may be detArmined by applying the normal lapse-rates to nearby sea level
temPerature d~ctn~ A summary of temperature data for representative sta-
tions with at least three years of record appears in Table 3· Graphs
- 7 -
Station
Angoon
Annette Island
Annex Creek
Baran or
Bell Island
Calder
Canyon Island
Cape Decision
Cape Spencer
Craig·
Fortmann Hatchery
Gull Cove
Gustavus, C.A.A.
Haines, C.A.A.
Hyder
Juneau
Juneau Airport
Kake
Ketchikan
Little Port Walter
Moose Valley lJI
Petersburg
Radio ville
Sitka Magnetic
Skagway
Sultzer
Tenakee
Tree Point
View Cove
Wrangell
Yakutat
TABLE 3 -Temperature data
Length of Average temperature, degrees F.
temperature
Elevation record, y Jan. Jlay July Sept. Annual
35
110
24
20
10
20
85
39
81
13
132
18
22
257
20
72
15
8
15
14
400
100
15
67
18
30
19
36
13
37
36
years
11 28.9 46.1
10 35~8 50.4
33 24.2 47.4
14 31.1 45.6
19 29.9 48.9
22 29.1 45.3
10 19.3 48.6
9 36.6 46.7
14 34.1 45.6
13 36.1 48.2
22 25.9 47.7
10 31.5 46.9
1L 29.6 46.9
26 24.2 48.6
8 25.9 46.7
55 27.8 47.7
10 25.2 46.8
12 30.5 45.2
39 33.6 48.6
15 34.5 46.2
5 12.6 46.3
20 30.2 48.,2
15 35.8 48.7
68 32.8 46.8
38 22.6 48.7
4 28.6 49.5
7 32.1 48.3
18 36.0 49.5
12 37.2 48.8
35 30.2 49.3
28 29.0 43.9
1/ To Jan. 1951
2/ Also recorded in other years
3/ Prior to 1915
54.8 48.2
57.6 53.9
54.8 49.1
54.5 50.4
58.6 52.9
53.3 50.1
55.6 49.9
53.3 51.5
52.5 50.4
55.9 53.7
58.2 52.4
53.8 49.8
55.1 49.9
57.4 50.2
55.8 5o.o
56.7 50.4
55.5 48.6
54.1 49.4
57.7 53 .. 7
54.9 51.3
57.6 48.8
55.5 49.9
56.2 53.6
54.9 52.0
57.7 5o.o
55.2 54.8
55.6 52.0
56.6 53.1-t
56.1 54.8
57.6 51.9
53.0 48.7
~ Formerly called Mile 28 Haines Highway
40 .. 9
46.0
40.0
42.0
43.6
41.6
39.0
44.5
42.6
45 .. 1
43.0
41.9
41.4
40.5
40.7
42.2
40.3
42.1
45.4
43.5
35.5
42.6
44.9
43.9
40.6
43.8
42.8
h6.1
46.4
43.8
40.3
Maximum
temperature
Degrees
75 . 1950
90 1941
84 1950 y
78 1937
90 1934
84 1929
85 1940 y
70 1944
79 1942
86 1947
93 3/
80 1941
83 1947
90 1936 y
89 1937
89 1915
83 1950 ?I
88 1930
96 3/
77 19'42
93 1950
82 1941
89 1950
87 3/
92 1923
82 1916
83 1944
88 1940
88 1934
92 1934
82 1936
Minimum Average GrOll'ing season
temperature frost free
Degrees Year period, Last frost First frost
days in spring in fall
-6 1933 158 May 16 Sept. 6
-4 1947 187 May 21 Sept. 13
-18 1917 149 May 24 Aug. 20
-7 1950 163 May 23 Sept. 26
-10 1947 174 May 24 Oct. 5
-9 1917 121 June 27 Aug. 10
-21 1943 135 May 23 Sept. 1
1 1947 228 Apr. 29 Oct. 24
-1 1947 203 May 25 Oct. 2
-2 1947 172 July 24 Oct. 3
-23 1916 145 May 5 Sept. 16
-2 1947 151 May 18 Aug. 25
-17 1948 115 June 11 Aug. 15
-16 1947 143 June 11 Aug. 17
-8 1939 147 May 27 Oct. 3
-15 1916 169 June 8 Aug. 19
-21 1949 132 May 31 Aug. 25
-4 1933 159 May 24 Sept. 19
-8 1916 171 June 5 Sept. 9
3 1947 184 May 26 Oct. 6
-40 1947 58 June 14 July 1
-19 1947 142 June 2 Aug. 27
-4 1949 192 May 5 Sept. 17
-8 1947 156 June 8 Aug. 25
-22 1~7 112 June 25 Aug. 25
-3 147 May 22 Oct. 16
-3 1950 146 May 31 Oct. 3
-5 1950 2j 148 June 7 Aug. 25
5 1943 -208 May 17 Oct. 25
l -10 1947 165 May 30 Aug. 18
-22 1947 133 June 12 Aug., 25
showine; average temperatures through the year and gro·wing season data for
selected stations are shown on Plate 3 ..
17. Precipitation over tho basin is characterized by high annual
amounts and wide var:i.r.l.tion in short distances. The schematic preci pita-
tion profile shown on Plate 3 illustrates the approxinRte variation of
annual rrecipitation along a 1 extendine; from the Pacific Oeean north-
eastward through Sitka, across Baranof Isl>md, Chatham Strait, Admiralty
Island, Douglas Island, June~w, and the Coast Range into Yukon Territory
of Canada.. This di8.grflm revo!l.ls that on the outer coast the effect of
the mountain barrier extfmcls sem•rn.rd some 30 or L-1-0 miles from the coast
line. From records at Hiddleton Island, the average annual precipitation
in the open ocean at this latitude is estimated to be about 65 inches per
year.. On the windvvard side of Baranof Island the precipitation rises to
a maximum in excess of 250 inches annually near the summit of the range
of mountains. On the lea side it c1rops rapidly and, in 10 or 20 miles,
it drops to as low as i.JO inches in a so-called "rain shadow",. until the
air is further lifted in pas sins over the mountains on Admiralty Island ..
Similarly,. the massive Coast Range on the mainland exerts an additional
influence,. as shown by the preclpitation of 81-t inches at Juneau and about
152 inches at Perseverance Camp, located a 1 the 1,100-foot elevation
3 miles away. On the Jea sidr:! of +he Const Honge in Canada, the precipi-
tation drops to between 10 e.nd 20 inches rmnuelly, which is characteristic
of the dry, continental clim.ate of the northern part of Canada ..
18.. Stre.am-flow records are of greet value jn estimating the average
precipitation over the rugged, mounteinous regions. The annual run-off in
inches from those streams which have been gaged by the u. s. Geological
Survey greatly exceerts in most cases the annual precipitation recorded at
nearby sea level climatological stations. The run-off from the gaged
streams,. corrected for losses by evaporation and transpiration, consti-
tutes the principal bo.sis of evaluatinr; the average precipitation in the
mountain areas. Table 4 lists avera~e monthly and annual precipitation for
selected stations v.r:i.th at least 3 yoara of record.
-8-
---Length of
Station Elevation record, y Jan. Feb, Mar.
years
Angoon 3S 11 4.74 3.5.3 2.82
Annette w. B. Airport 110 10 10.49 6.75 8.53
Annex Creek 24 34 9.29 7.14 6.40
Baranof 20 14 16,62 9.70 13.89
Bell Island 10 19 11.02 7.10 8.17
Calder 20 22 9.82 8.47 7.31
Canyon Island (Taku Pass) 35 10 6,81 ),66 2.65
Cape Decision 39 8 7.5L L.73 s.112
Cape Spencer 81 14 9.49 5,L2 6.90
Craig 13 13 13.67 7.15 8,84
Fortmann Hatchery 132 22 11.87 11.4? 11.34
Gull Cove 18 10 1),05 5.97 9.04
Gustavus, C,A,A, 22 14 6.09 2.70 3.17
Haines, C .A.A. 257 24 6.74 4.07 4.92
Hyder 20 8 12.45 6,29 6,81
Jumbo Mine 1500 3 2/ 18.18 13.49 17.3L
Juneau 57-7.16 5.53 5.51
Juneau Airport 10 4.06 L,20 3.05
Kake 10 5.62 5.31 3.10
Kasaan 18 8,;l6 6.80 6.22
Ketchikan 15 40 13.96 11.11 12.17
Little Port Walter 14 14 24.86 1).97 17.84
Moose Valley 3/ 400 5 4.36 1.74 2.16
Petersb1,1rg -100 20 10.15 ?.1? ?.58
Radioville 15 15 10, ?6 5.911 8.07
Sitka Magnetic 67 89 6.48 6.56 6.26
Skagway 18 38 2.35 l.L? 1.34
Speel River 15 14 11.32 11.40 11.16
Sulzer 30 4Y 6.72 ?.4L 9.88
Tenakee 19 7 6.25 ).98 4.68
Tree Point 36 19 9.45 6.77 ?.64
View Cove 13 12 18.74 11.16 12.99
Wrangell 37 34 8.31 6.40 5.63
Yakutat w. B. Airport 36 30 11.90 8.87 9.48
!( To Jan. 1951 for periods of record see also Plate 2
]I Average of less than 3 years record
~ Formerly called Mile 28 Haines Highw~
Apr, May
2,82 2.45
8.?9 4.20
5.90 5.61
11.58 7.18
6.72 5.16
8.48 5.50
2.54 2.14
4.74 ).45
5.L5 5.81
8.56 5.39
12.02 8.21
5.04 3.66
2.97 2.82
3.17 2,00
5.27 3.?1
11.00 8,62
5.49 5.22
3.07 2.95
3.08 3.06
6.39 5.65
11.04 8.~2
12.95 10.75
.97 .93
6.86 5.41
5.82 5.16
5.L6 4.15
1.h6 .89
8,1L 6.33
7.89 4.57
3.74 2.66
?.02 4.62
11.68 8,85
4.99 4.27
7.75 7.51
TABLE 4 -Precipitation data
June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Novo
Average
Dec, Annual, Maximum Minimum annual
inches Inches Year Inches Year snowfall,
inches
1.98 3.26 3.89 6.20 7.59 5.48 4.66 49.!.2 37.83 1946 )1.20 1933 77.2
4.93 5.70 4.64 9.51 16.08 11.02 9.39 99.53 124.66 1949 91.27 1945 38.5
4.72 6.70 10.76 14.48 18.17 11!.13 9.54 112,84 162,)1 1943 81.27 1927 223.2
5.00 4.24 6.64 13.58 28.50 21.59 18.85 156.:37 199.97 1939 116.72 1950 188.1
5.10 5.62 8.07 11.46 16.70 13.81 10,73 109.66 137.32 1939 95.10 1940 122.7
),76 4,28 6.72 11.15 16.82 15.20 13.39 110.90 134.81 1913 91.51 1916 85.8
2.14 2.79 4.05 6.36 10.66 8.44 7.14 60.38 75.02 1943 43.88 1940 189.9
2.92 ).84 3.26 7.75 14.15 10.11 8.34 76.25 94.12 1943 72.l.t7 1945 24.6
5.93 8,8L 8.98 15.81 18.61 15.58 10.58 117.LO 154.41 1949 89.01 1950 4L.l.t
4.19 4.51 6,09 9.2) 17.)5 1).71 11.94 110,64 123.40 1939 95.22 1940 39.4
5.45 6.86 8.65 14.16 19.80 21.25 16.07 147.16 177.81 1915 112.52 1920 90.2
2.85 5.21 5.05 11.97 18,)7 1).77 9.80 10).78 120.73 1943 87.34 1941. 107,)
2,L9 L,Jl 4.04 7.32 9.75 7.15 4.33 57.14 70.28 1943 33.50 1950 58,)
l.L2 1.94 2.65 5.86 11.71 8.50 6.79 58.77 / 90.04 1943 42.23 1934 129.7
3.L4 3.28 4.45 7.87 12.90 14.49 12.22 93.18 96.33 1939 67.19 1937 192.7
6,LO 8.69 16.49 12.72 27.28 34.01 21.24 195.46 227.60 1917 11!6. 74 1916 4L8.4
L.o4 4.14 7.38 10.17 n.Ll 9.19 7.58 83.72¥ 119.48 1939 4L.60 1910 108,6
3.66 4.22 4.72 6,58 8.32 5.40 4.13 54.36 60,06 1948 38.61 1950 87.3
2.17 2.51 4.56 5.20 11,00 6.69 5.55 54.99 72.60 1930 35.16 1922 48.5
3.91 3.15 4.59 6.19 10.79 10.87 1 10.56 84.08 109.66 19)1 68.91 1938 50.2
6.33 8.12 11.:34 12.16 20.11 20.18 15.94 150.98 202.19 1949 117.12 1937 31.9
7.42 10.39 12.40 23.65 39.41 30.52 30.52 234.68 269.30 1943 181.97 1950 117.8
.74 1.39 2.28 4.67 6.27 4.44 3.10 33.05 39.37 1948 25,01 1950 97.2
4.66 5.51 7.)5 11.65 17.56 12.99 10.62 107.51 128.36 1943 82.14 1950 96.7
4.58 8.22 9.18 14.06 17.98 14.25 10.71 114.73 139.59 1939 8).17 1941 23.6
J.J5 4.39 7.20 10.?6 13.05 10.41 9.24 88.91 y 140.26 1886 58.21 1872 38.9
.93 1.42 1.84 ).36 5.21 ).96 2.68 26,L2 · 41..87 194L 17.56 1908 43.3
4.13 6,80 12.33 18.02 20.33 18.26 13.33 141.55 166.63 1917 109.03 1927 -4.26 4.56 7.6) 13.65 17.51 32.67 12.46 129.20 103.18 1916 155.22 1917 -2.58 4.64 4.66 8.90 12.51 7.77 6.40 45.17 -----84.5
5.53 5.85 5.69 8.67 14.15 12.50 11.24 141.55 121.50 1932 73.96 1937 21.0
5.91 6.04 7.67 12.21 21.00 22.54 19.L1 158.50 197.32 1939 1!.1,89 1937 39.0
3.73 4.79 5.84 8,64 12.25 11,26 8.o4 84.15 113.38 1939 73.64 1944 67.0
4.84 8,22 11.21 15.88 19.76 16.00 12.55 133.97 137.?2 1923 99.98 1921 98.3
19. The seasonal distribution of precipitation is fairly uniform~
The maximun1 monthly precipitation is generally in October, and the mini-
mu.m in J;me. On the average, from lt5 to 50 neroent of the annual pre-
cipitation fa 11 s during the i-t-month period, September through December,
while only 20 to 25 percent occurs from April through July. Bar diagrams
illustrating the average monthly precipitation at selected stations are
shown on Plate 4. '1"he variation in annual ~recipitBtion is relatively
small. The fo11owintr. tabulation indicates the ran~e that has occurred
at key climatological stations.
Period Av. ann ..
Station of record, precip.,. Minimum Year Maximum Year
years inches -Inches % of Av .. Inches %Of Av.
Annex Creek 3L~ .84 81.27 72 162.31 ll\4
Fortman Hatch. 22 11+7 .16 112.52 76 177.81 121
F.aines 24 58·77 h3.23 7h 90.04 153
Juneau 57 83.72 LJ_~. 6o 1/ 53 1/ 119.48 143
Ketchikan 40 150.98 117 .. 12 -78-202.19 134
Sitka Magnetic 89 88.91 513.21 1/ 66 J/ 140.26 y 158 1/
Skagway 38 26.h2 17 ·56-66I/ 41.87 158-
r!range11 34 84.15 73.64 87 113.38 135
ij Occurred prior to 1915; records questionable.
20. During the past 30 years the annual precipitation varies from
about 75 to 150 percent of normal. The areas of high precipitation have
less variation than ar<?as of lo~tr precinit9.tion. The tabulation on Plate 3
shows annual precipitation for all stations and the period of record.
21 .. 1''hile the number of rainy days is excessive, the intensity of
precipitation is moderate. The av0rage number of days per year in which
at least 0.01 inch of precinitation occurs varies betYreen 200 and 250 in
the wet areas, and between llO and 130 in the Skagwa.y-Klukvvan area.
Ketchikan has procipi tation on an average of 240 days per year: Juneau,
22lr Sitka, 206; and Skagvwy, 11)!.• In tho east"'rn half of the United
States, 100 to 140 days oer year with at least 0.01 inch of precipitation
are normal. The maxim1m observed 2LJ.-hour rain was 10 .. 94 inches at Little
Port 1·ral ter, and 8.86 inches v·erc reported for Speel River. Precipitation
over 7.00 inches per day is unco:mn:on at the reporting stations. The
- 9 -
maximum reporter'! one-hour precipitation at Juneau is 0,56 inch, and the
maximum hourly amount rrobably does not exceed 1.00 inch anywhere on the
area. Local convective type storms are rare, and the average frequency
of thunder storms is less tln n once a ye11.r.
22. The average annual snowfall at the reporting stations varies
from 21 inches at Tree Point to 4Lt-8 inches at Jumbo Mine. The following
tabulation shows the average annual r.nowfaJl and percentae;e of the annual
precinitation that falls as snow for selected stations=
Station snov'fall
inches
predp.
inC1lCS
% of annual
precip. fall-
ing a~ snov1 y
Averar,e
Jan. temp.
degrees F.
------------------·-·--·-·-·-·--.. --------·-----
Annex Creek 223.2 112 .01-+ lS1.,8
Haines 129.7 )8.77 22.1
Jumbo ~~inc LJ+8 .4 J CJ5 .!.,6 23.0
Juneau 108.6 83 ,,'(2 13.0
Ketchikan ~1.9 150.98 2.1
Petersburg 9C). 7 107 ·-51 9 .. 0
Radioville 23.6 llJ.1-o 73 2.3
Sitka 3R .. 9 88.91 4·5
Skagway 43.j 26.42 16.11-
1/ Density of newly fallen snow assumed to be 10 percent ?J Estimated
2h.2
24.2
25.0 2/
27.8-
33.6
30.2
35·8
~2.8
22.6
23. The snovrfall-tempernture-relation curve on Plate 4 shows the
average relationship beb·0en average annual January ter:1peratures and per-
cent of precipitation that f8.lls as snow. From this chart, it is possible
to estimate the average annual snovrfRll from the mean annual precipitation
and the average January temperatures. For ex:o.mple, on tho southwest side
of Ravillagigedo Island at the 4,.000 foot level, the average annual pre-
cipi te.tion is o.pproximately 300 inches and the average January temperature,.
computed from Ketchikan with the average lapse rate of 2.9° F per 1,000
feet, is about 22° F. From the curve, 30 percent of the annual precipita-
tion would fall as snow,. which would be 90 inches of we.ter equivalent of
snow, or 900 inches of newly-fe.llen enow with 10 percent density.. This
would be approxim11.tely equivalent to a 21-foot snow depth v:ith 35 percent
average density,. if no loss occurred during the winter season .. There are
presently no snow courses in operation in southeast Alaska.
10
2h. The poss-ible cb.ily h:-mrs of' Gunshine in Goutheest Alaska vary
from about 7 in t.he winter to lF) in the swnl''er. Climatological records
at Juneeu and Ketchikan indicate that 28 and 27 percent of nossible sun-
shine, respectively, have been received over the periods of record.
Values of from 50 to 65 percent are common in the ~Tidwest of the United
Sts.tes •.
25. ~-:ind data are available at the present time for Annette Island,
Juneau, and Yakutat, from records nublished by the u. S. ''leather Bureau,
At Juneeu, the m[ncimum velocity for the period 1917 through 1949 was 64
....
miles oer hour. The averng-e of the maximum annual wind velocities is 42
miles per hour, and the averag;e wind speed is 7,3 miles per hour. The
maximum wind at Ketchilmn from 1'?')6 to 1947 was 45 miles per hour, while
the average of the maxim11m P.nnual wind wus 32 and the average wind was
6.4 miles per hour. The nrcvailinf direction of high v1inds is south or
southeast. Local topoe:raphy greatly affects the normal flow of air, and
the deep passes in the mo1mtain barriers may act as funnels, so tha.t v:ind
velocities in the canyon sections may greatly exceed the average veloci-
ties that would ocenr if no mountain barriers wero present. This is par-
ticularly true of 'i'Ei.]<u Jnlet, Stikine Fi.ver, and Lynn Canal when a high
pressure gradient develops along; the AJ<tska CoR.st 1 and strong winds blow
down the CHnyons from tho 1nterior of Canada to the coastal region.
26. Gec:]._of'Y. -Southeastern Alaska lies within the rugrsed mountain-
ous region of the Pacific Mountain system v.rhich includes a broad zone or
ranges forming a concave belt parallel to the southern coast of Alaska.
In the vicinity of Vancouver Isl'lnc1 this system includes tvro prominont
ranges -the Coo.st Range of the mr-.inland and the Va.ncouver Range of
Vctncouver Island "''dch, &CIJording to some geolof!ists, are separated by
the submerged part of the Pacific Coast downfold 'i1Jti<elh extends from the
Gulf of C8.lifornia through British CoJ.wnbia and A1e.ska. Evidently
Clarence c~truit, PevilJagigedo Channel, Fichols PassA.ge ano the lowlands
bordering them occupy this downvrarped trough which extends northwestward
-ll -
beneath the Tertiary ~ormations of E~gle, Zaremba, Kashevarof, Prince of
Fales, Kupreanof, Kuiu, and Admiralty Islands. Tertiary formations are
exposed at least locally in or on the borders of all the basins of the
downfold that are not complAtely submerged. The mountainous islands and
peninsulas to the east of this Tertiary belt may be grouped with the
Coast Range of the ~ainland.
27. To the west of the trough lies what was named the Prince of
'·'ales Range by Buddin~to~1 and Chapin in U. S. Geo1og:i.cal Survey Bu1letin
• 800. This range is a complex group of short, rug~ed mountains that reach
a ma.ximum altitude of about 1+1 000 feet. The range is composed almost
wholly of Paleozoic form<J.tions with associated intrusive rocks of Upper
Jurassic or Lower Cretnceous azo.
28. Tho trough bet¥men the Coast Range and the Prince of ~·:ales
Range apparently terminates at Chatham Strait. Chatham Stre.it and Lynn
Canal constitute a e;reat fjord eroded along a faulted zone. This fjord
is 250 miles long, 3 to 6 miles broad, and 1,000 to 2,900 feet deep. It
traverses the general trend of the mountain ranges and of the bedrock
structure at an anp;le of about 30° to the genera1 northwest to southeast
trend of the waterways, mountain nm;:es, end. the lonf.\ axes of the islands.
29. During the ice e,ge all the valleys and most of the mountains
of both the mainlrmd and the islands were buried under a great ice sheet
that extended acroRs the v,;hole region to the Pacific Ocean. The land-
forms show evidence of extensive glaciation, although some of the higher
peaks stood above the surface of the great ice field. The ice apparently
had, in general, a southwestward flow·, although topography influenced the
direction locally.
30.. The predominant features of tho bedrock geology of southeastern
Alaska are comprised of: (a) The composite Coast Range batholith of the
mainland and the associated outlying :i.ntrusi ve bodies on the islands of
the Alexcnct':lr Arch'ipelago and in the Glacier Bay re on;-(b) A meta-
morphic-complex belt that lies adjacent to the Coast Range batholith and
consists of injection ss, crystalli.ne schist, marble, phyllite, and
highly schistose r;reenstone derived from earlier formations; (~) Three
belts of Lesozoic fonnaci.ons -o::1e through Juneau and ivlitkof Islt~.nd, one
through Keku Straits and Gravina Island, a.'1d one through the l'lest coast
of Chicha~;of and Ba.ra.nof Islands: {_~) A belt of Tertiary formations on
Zare1nba, Kupreanof, Kuiu, and Admiralty Islands, and another alo:1g the
outside 2,1ahlland coast northwest of Icy PoL1t, and; (::_) Paleo zoic forma-
tions vrhich form probably two-thirds of the country roc!c of the Alexander
Archipelago and the Glacier Bay regions.
31. Volcanic rock:s are represented throughout the geoloc;ic sequence
from early i"f;.leozoic to Recent Basalt.Andcsito, tuff, and rhyolite are
prese:-1t as well as their olr.ler J11eta:norphic counterparts such as Grayvracke,
greenstones, ~ud schists. Intrusive igneous rocks, chiefly quartz diorite
with lesser r.:nou.nts of diorite, quartz monzonite, and granite, comprise
the Coast Rn.nge bacholith, and its many outliers on the islands to the
'Nest. Sandstones and co~1glomerates are fonnd in the Tertiary formations
and were present with shales and limestones in the older forrc.ations which
are now m~::;ta'll.orphosed to varying degrees. Two types of meta.r.wrphism pre-
vail in the pre-Tertiary bedded rocks throughout Southeastern Alaska. One
has resulted mainly in the fo~nation of a slaty or schistose .foliation in
the rocks, 1vi thout rrarked coarse re-crystallization or the forma"t:;ion of
high-temperature 1:1inerals. The other type affected particularly the wide
belt adjoini11p; tho Co8.st Range batholith and resulted in the i'ormation of
phyllite, sc!list, and gneiss wtth narked re-crysta.lli zation and change in
character of the co1·1stituent minerals.
32. Seismology.-The mountalnous area comprising Southeastern
Alaska is subject to recurrins seismic activity. Light shocks are a. com-
mon occurre:::1ce, and occasionally fairly sevore shocks stril~e the area.
Probably the major center of activity is centered in the St. Elias Range
at the northwestern part of the area. There, at Yakutat Bay, the severest
shock recorded in the Panhandle occurred in 1899· Yakutat Bay was not
-13-
visited by scientific men until {_, ye:lrE: later, but, even at ths.t time, im-
portant topographical changes were noted -one being a local displacement
of the land mass of about 48 feet. Since that occurrence, numerous shocks
have been recorded by meteorological stations in that portion of the area
north of a line from Juneau to Sitka.. SrJUth of this line frequency of
shocks has been much less, but practically every meteoroloricnl ~tation
has reported earthquakes of sufficient intensity to cause observers to
record them. ..
33· Damage has been light. Settlenents are widely scattered, and
a major quake has not occurred in th0 immediate vicinHy of any major
settlement. Based on tho seismic activity of the area, though, strong
to severe shocks may occur at any time.,
3h· Hydrology. -Southeastern Alaska may bo likened to a drainage
bas in in ':hich the tidnl cr:~mnel s alid vvaterways lyins generally north and
south,. taken as a single tidal inlet, are analogous to a main river system
and its principal tributnries into V·'hich the actual drainage te.kes place.
Hundreds of lakes, rivers, and creeks drain from the west ~ide of the
Coast Range and St. Blias Mountoins and from the isl::mds of the Archi-
pelago directly into the tidal bsys snd inlets. Surveys of those waters
have been limitod almost exclu:.-;ivc;Jy 'to strAamG vvhich have potential vr1.lue
for power develo)'rnent, dor;,estic v~a+:er supply or for cannery or industrial
use.. Such surveys have been made on a com]Jaratively small number of
streams and seldom do they include the entire drainage basins. Existing
topographic maps are also of s~~h nro~ortions or state of incompletion as
to limit jnformation roln.tive to the characteristics of the streams and
lakes. These inadequacies havD been overcome to an extent by study of
aerial photographs jn order to c1efine the watersheds and evaluate the effect
of glaciers, topography, ver,etation, and natural lake storage on the stream
run-off. The drainar:c pattern of the area is delineated to some extent on
Plate 25. The depiction of the streams on the map has been limited to those
which have been investigated as to p0ssi.ble potential develomnent and these
streams are listed in Table 5• -1!+-
Stream
t'AH:LAND STREA'm
Salmon River
Thumb Creek
Soule ier River
D::wis River
i?Jilson River
Tiinstnnley Creak
Punchbowl Creek
Granite Creek
Chickamin River
Unuk River
Short Creek
Shelokum Creek
Anan Creek
Tyee Creek
VJhi te River
Harding
Tom Creek
Aaron Creek
Mill Crflek
Stikine f:i ver
Delta Creek
CascAde Creek
Scenery Creek
Sweetheart Falls
Creek
VJhiting
Tease Creek
Speel River
Long River
Crater Creek
Dorothy Creek
Turner Creek
Yehring Creek
Taku River
Bovndary Creek
Annex Creek
Carlson Creek
Sheep Creek
Gold Creek
Salmon Creek
Lemon Creek
Nug:get Creek
Davies Creek
Antler
Skagvv·ay River
Taiya River
Chilkoot
Chilkat P.jv0r
Endicott Riv'3r
Alsek River
'l'i dal
Drainage
ra inage
Area at
Mouth,
Square
Average Flow ---
c.f.s.
c .. f.s.
per square
mile
MHes --------·-----~--------------------------
Portland Canal
do
do
do
Behm Canal
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
Bradfield Canal
do
c1o
do
do
do
do
Dry Strait
Thomas Bay
do
do
Port Sn0ttisham
Stephens Passage
do
do
do
do
do
Taku Inlet
do
do
do
do
do
do
I60
18
80
83
150
13.2 2/
12 3'/
8 3/
600 -
20 2/
17 y
48
11-J-.2
h3
109
17 2.1
ll3
37 y
19,. 700
9·3
21.Lf 2/
28 -
Ge.stiner.1u Channel
do
do
do
do
Berncrs Bay
do
Taiya Inlet
do
Lynn Canal
do
do
Gulf of Alaska
-lh a.-
1,600 1/
200 T/
880 T/
'917-
1,500 1/
153 -
153
-95
5~400 1/
8 ,.600 -
226
217
580
177
530
1,300 y
209
1,320 1/
397-
59,000 1/
llO-
255
300
'339
8,J300 1/
· 150 T/
2,600-
J-J-62
196
l[f2
500 1/
'160-
20,000
260 1/
66-
337
50
llO
54
300
171
160 1/
46 T/
troo T/
300 T/
190 I/
2,.46o T/
750 T/
14,ooo y
IO 1/
ll T/
ll T/
ll-
10 1/
11.5
12.7
ll .. C)
9.0 1/
9.0 T/
11.3-
12.8
12,:1:
12.6
12.3
12.0 1/
12.3-
ll. 7 1/
10 .. 7-
3·0 1/ :n.9-
11.9
10.7
.6
10 .. 0 1/
.1 I/
.2 -
13·9
16.5
8 .. 9
') .. 6
10.0
3 .. 0
10.0 y
8.3 .o
ll. 7
ll.6
ll .. 7
11.8
11.7
8.9 1/
8.5 I/
2 .. 5 I/
2.5 T/
2.0 v
2.0 1/
5.0 T/
1.5 y
Table 5 Continued
Stream
Tid'll
Drainage
F.A. HTLAJ'JD S TREAUS (Con t' d )
FRHWE OF ' .. 1ALES ISLAND
Elakas ereek
Heynolds Creek
Clover Creek
Yegan Creek
fTugel Creek
Karta I:.iver
Klakas Inlet
Hetta Inlet
Clarence Strait
Moira Sound
do
Kasaan Bay
AN!TETTS I SLJi. ND
Waterf.~tll Creek :Nichols Phssag0
Hassler Creek P.evilla,<?;igedo
Cb:mnel
Purple Lake Outlet do
REVILLAGIGEDO ISLi.ND
I'Iahoney Cre
Deaver Falls Creek
Case Creek
Ketchikan Creek
Naha I\iver
Orchard Creek
Claude Creek
Grace Creek
Manzanitfl Creek
Ella Creek
Fish Creek
Falls Creek
ETOLIN ISlJHm
McHenry Creek
Kunk Creek
George Inlet
do
do
Tong.ass J?arrov'lS
Behm Canal
do
do
do
do
clo
T'torne !.rm
CarroJl
Clarence Streit
Zimovia Strait
'THAliiGELL I SLlJlD
Thoms Creek
fHTKOF ISLA:t>ID
Crystal Creek
BARANOF ISUd1ID
Maksoutof River
Plotnikof Creek
Vodopad Eiv0r
Medvetcha Ri·ver
Hidden ?8lls Creek
Takutz Creek
Zimovia Strait
'ira.ngell Narrows
PE.cific Ocean
'.-:h~; l e f;ay
Sitka Sound
do
Chatham Strait
do
Dridnar:;e.
Area at
!Vi011.th,
ro
Miles
11.2
5·8
14.5
8.5 9.h
1~9 .. 5 3/
2.0
5 ·3 G.B
5·7 2/
5.8 "2/
h·75-
13·5 2/
54.6-
59
7·9 2/
30.-2 y
.':)
·7
.]
36·5 y
1.16 y
.. 5
21 •. 0 21
31.0
39
5·8 3/
13.2-
-14 b -
Average Flow
c.f.s.
20 y
50 1/
70 ]/
lC8
109
90
8
670 1/
rn2-·7oy
h25
1:54
2t:;l
J.j.l6
h67
160 1/
3f~ y
95
13
31~.8
280
h98
80
185
c.r.s.
per square
mile
11.5 1/
10 .. 3 r;
10 .. 0 T/
10 .. 0 I/
10 .. 0 y
9·3
10.0 y
10.0 1/
10.0 y
.. o
19 .. 0
19.0
16~2
12 ·-3 y
9~7
8.9 y
14 .. 0 .. } ~
·7
12.9
12.6
12.0 1/
11 .. 8 y
12.0
12.2
13·3
9·4
12.7
13.8
14.0
Table S Continued
Stream
Tj_dul
Drainage
r·TAH'LMID STH:t:i:AiviS (Cont 1 d)
BI,PANOF ISLAND (Cont 1 d)
Baranof Rjver
Coal Creek
Milk Creek
Prentwood Creek
Deer Cre0.k
Tiostislaf Creek
Chatham Stnti t
c1o
do
do
do
do
c:IICci .GOF IS L\ m
Goulding Creek
forcunine Creek
Facifi c Oean
clo
ADHIRALTY ISI~ ND
Hassel boq~ I\iver
Thayer Creek
florence Creek
Eathleen Creek
1/ Estimated
!'Ti tchell Bay
Ch['_tham Strc it
do
c1o
2/ At g3.ging station near mouth l/ At loYrer hke outlet
D1·aina ge
Area at
Mouth,
Square
Miles
29·5 3/
20.5 3/
10.7 y
6 .. 6 21
8.0
4 2/
27 .l 3/
6.6 -
107
53·2 3/
38.7 3/
~1.4-
-lh c -
Average Flow
---c.r.s.
C • f oS
L~31
567
lL.o 1/
135 T/
150 T/
80 !I
per square
mile
1Lf .. 5
19.7
13 .l 1/
2o T/ -/ 19.2 1/
2o.o I/
• Drainage of the r:air.land e.rer. s heac'ls principally in the glaciers
and snow fields of the Coe st f:ange and St. Bl ias 1·Iountains and is generally
westward except at the northern end of the region wl:ere draina.e;e is also
southward to Lynn Canal and Glacier Bay.. The Alsek, Taku, and St:i_kine
Rivers, while also receiving a considerable proportion of their flow from
glaciers and :.1rest slope drainage of the St. Elias Mountains and Coast
Range, are exceptions to the general stream characteri st:tc s in thrJ.t they
rise in the plateaus of British Columbia and traverse mountain divides •.
Chi1kat,. Skagway,. Sped, "ihi ting, Unuk, Chickamin, and Salmon Rivers
(named in order from their location north to south) rise in the snowfields
and ciers of the mountain rs.nrr;es but their extreme hear'l.waters reach
into canad"l., Except in t~1e valloys :;,_t the lower reaches of the large
rivers the hnd rises sharply from tidewater to about 2,000 feet eleva-
tion, then slopes less ~~.bruptly but still vri th extreme ruggedness to the
divides of the mountain r rmges. 'rhe drs slopes are steep, rocky~
and deeply cut by past glaciation so that there are many small drainage
bo.sins adjacent to t:idrtl inlets e.nd bays which indent the coastline as
branches of the main waterways. Some of these sn'f',ller streams have glaciers
at their headv;aters and :Yi3ny have l0kos along t"1eir courses. drainage
areas of these smr,ller stre<.l.mG v&ry from a fraction of a square mile to
160 square miles in the case of Davis River.
36.. The islands of the Archipelago c1rs.in principally to the east
and west directly to tid£,.1 waters. Three of t:r.e larger islands, namely
Chic'h<J.gof, Baranof, and 11 Ishnds and,in part, Prince of ''Tales Island,
lie with their western shores on tl1e Forth ific Ocean. Many other
smaller islands are exposed to direct influence of the ocean but all the
remaining areas are surro1mded hy tbe many channels, canals, sounds and
straits. The westerly slopes draining towards the ocean are more gradual
than the drainage slopes tovrard the mainland so that generally the streams
flowing westvrard aro longer ..
-15 -
37• The ln.rgest stree"!l on the islands is Hasselborg River vrith a
drainage a reo. of 107 square miles on Admiralty Island. It heads in leke s
at elewction 247,. flows westward six mi s, and emnties into IHtchel1 Bay.
Other relatively hrg:e streams are Medvetcha and Maksoutof Rivers, both of
which drain to westward on Baranof Island,. Significant streams on the
islands head in raountains, the highest of which ra s a peak elevation about
7,.000 feet. The usual maximu.rn elevation of most strenm basins, however,.
is about 4, feet, and general basin elevP..tions rise to 3,000 feet and
probably average less than 2,000 feet.
38. Frofilo datn. for the rivers and creeks have been taken from the
best existing maps and are plotted on f'la tes 5 to 9, inol usi ve, from vrhich
it may be seem t'bat slopes for m:v::.ller m~dnland streams vary from 200 feet
per mile to 1,000 feet per mi1e.. ThA gradients of streams on the islands
vary from 100 foet ner mile to 500 feet per mile. h'l.rger rivers of the
mainland have relatively flat slopeiJ of fror.1 1 to 8 feet per mile in their
lower r12·1ches and rise to slopes of about 100 feet per mile through the
mountains then level off to flat slopes again where their headwaters lie in
the ph tea us beyond the coast mountains ..
39. The stror~m flow characteristics have been derived from stream
flow records and correla t:Lon of' s~wh records of stre::>.ms one with another
and with prncipite.tion reeords. Of the hundreds of streams with significant
flow, 62 have daily dischare;e records at streSt:n gaging stations for reriods
some ti~ne prior to 1951, some records starting in 1909.
L+O. A complete list of all strenm gar;ing stations vr.it h r:eriods of
record is shovm on Plate 10. The list of stations is repeated in Plate 11
on which each station is located und pertinent run-off data is tabulated.
Hany of the stree.m g~eq::ing stations vrere jnstal1ed by permittees under li-
cense of the Federal Power Commission and in coopers.tion vrith the Forest
Service. Tho gag;e i nctallations have in the past often been located at
the outlets of lakes on the lower courses, affording access by airplane
and usually providing a good control point.
-J.6 -
L+l• Daj ly stream flow recon1s for yer,.r s prior to 1921 have been pub-
lished by the u. S. Geological Survey, but no drlily records have been nub-
liGhed s:i.nce the record. A summary of monthly discha rg:.e records for
all stations operated prior to 1916 j_s nublished jointly by Federal
Power Comndssion and the Forest Service in "Wo.ter Fowers of Southeast
Ahtska, 1947"·
1+2. Hydro graphs of daily flov,-of selected streams are plotted on
Flate:s 12 to 16, inclusive. Streams vtith e.vailable records represent a-
ti ve of vari.ous sections of the mainland and Archipelago were chosen to
determine the general stream flow characteristics of the section. In some
instances breaks in the records up to 2 years have been filled by correla-
tion 1'rith records of ot"tcr strer.c:ns of sirilar basin character:istics and
con:parable record flows to provide continuous records of from 10:. to 20
years ...
1+3. D''tily flow and annual run-off patterns are both affected to
varying degrees by the elevation of the basin,. tho e::tent of glaciers
contributing to run-off, the oresence of natural storage such as lakes
along the stream course, the:: general geologic forrration of the basin, and
the positioe1 of the basin vd.th respect to adjacent physiographic fel?ltures
which determine its exposure to nrec:i
1+4. Run-off throughout the entire southeastern area is strongly
influenced by de:ily w8ather conditions as demonstrated 'by the daily hydro-
graphs. These are plotted for representative streams on Plates 12 to 16,.
inclusive .. Records for larger streams svch as the Stikine and Tsku Rivers
are lacking but a. short !=EJriod of record on Speel River indicE:.tes t:rE-t
dai weather conditions pror'luce 2. similar variation for these larger
streams, espec5.ally dur th0 1ate sunlr<Jer months when tem!'erature chanE':eS
are reflected in c:i.er molt from day to day.
• Daily flows in all streams are at a minimun from December through
March or Lpd 1. Durinr: the vdnter and early spring months, precipitntion
has a.ccumul~~ted as snow in the hir;h basins .. 'Yith the rise in temperature
17-
in late snring , the run-off increasr:;s rapidly v:ith the spring snow-melt~
High flows usually occur during July, Aur.;ust and September. Throufh the
months of July to November there are many sharp fluctuations above the
high base flow. By the middle of rrovember, the flows have begun to re-
cede to the low flows which nr evail through the vJinter.
J " • .j.{.J 0 .Average run-off distribution is illustrated by the animal run-
off patterns shown on rlate 11. These patterns bve been derived from
the monthly run-off data for all years of record with short breaks in
record closed as described e~rlier.
,~7. On Revil1agigedo Isl<Lnd, the stream b8.sins are practically
devoid of g:bcir:;rs, so t'l.at the flov.' is almost entirely snow-melt and
rainfall run-off. The flow in r::trr::ams on the i slr,nd is well sustained
so tho. t run-off ner month val·i"l~1 only from m:inimuw of 5 !'ercent of annual
in ~~arch to maxjmum of 11~ percent of annual in October. Streams along
the mainland vrhere run-off is strongly infhwnced by gb.cial and snow-
melt conform in flow to the patterns tynical of streams in the Juneau
area. The h) f,her percent of run-off in those streams comes during the
five months from May to lJovembor which Drodnce 70 percent of the annual
ru~-off. The innucncc of temnornture on p;lacial I"elt is realized in
~he higher run-off dur:inr~ tho late s1;1~mer months ·which creates a varia-
tion of from 11 rercent of hn:nnl in February to 20 percent of annml in
August.
48 .. From the flow dat:c, run-off patterns and 1nass diagrams were
derived for <::troams th9.t v·ould be typ5 cal for all streams within specific
areas. ~hese dat~ furnished tho basis to compute the sustained yield
possible with provision of given amounts of storage. The storage-yield
curves so derj ve arc shown on Plato 17" The ~torarf'-yield curves show
th'l.t where the run-off throughout the year is more uniformly distributed
by fairly uniform r&infull and more moderate temperatures, as in the
Ketchikan area, the storage required to obtain a desired sustained yield
is less than where the run-off is ·influenced by r::1acial and snow-melt.
-18 -
49. Flood flows occur usl:~lly C:Urint=; the months of July,, August,
September and October. Floods are the result of intense rainfall usually
augmented by snow-melt and of 11;lo.cier melt follovrinrc periods of hi~e:h
temperature. Floods m~y possibly result also from sudden release of en-
trained lakes in or behind glaciPrs.-Computations for this report h'lve
allowed for ample increo.ses of flow from snow-melt to provide sufficient
factor to cover the contingency of a release from glaciers.
50.. The sharp rise and decline of flow i.s characteristic of floods
resulting principally from rainfr.ll. Floi11 in the larger rivers of the
mainland and some of the smaller streams which are supplied by acier
molt have daily rises in the late sun:::1er which are super:i.mposed on the
high b'l.se flow but would not be expected to coincide with or contribute
heavily to high flood flows caused princip~.lly by rainstorm[;.
51. The crests of the major as well as the many lesser floods of
each year are of one day's duration or less. The volume of run-off dur-
ing such· floods is relatively small and may be regulated to some extent
by lakes in the stream course.
5~?. A notable rfl.instorm wh5ch re;;ulted in flood flows in mapy
streams occurred Sentember ?r 8 and 9, 1927. RainfB.ll reported for these
3 days as 11 inches at S!Jeel Piver caused s. flood ne8.k of 6,.000 cubic feet
per seeond in Long River belm'r S0cond Lake near Spcel River. It is esti-
mated that the run-off from Lone: River Basin from this storm was equal to
31,000 acre-feet or 17.3 inches which is 156 percent of the rain fa 11 re-
corded at Speel River. The difference may be acco1mtod for by the fact
that the rainfall was much more intense at the higher elevation of the
basin.
53•• t.1:aximum observed daily flows, where available from record, are
shoV'm for various streams in Tahle 6.
-19 -
Tj,BLlJ 6 -l,~exir'1um Di:::ch8r s
---·--~----·· Niaximum
Dra ina. »;e observed discha -·-------.. -" area,. c.f.so Stream squBro c.f.s. per Date
milr:s squ8.re
mile -·------·-------··-··-
Davis 160 19,.500 122 nov. ' 1936
Tlinstanley Creek 13.2 1,430 lOR Sep .. 22, 1947
Sheloku:rn L'l.k:e Outlet 17 2,780 161-t nov .. 1, 1917
Cascade Creek 21.4 3,280 153 Sep. 11, 1947
Sweetheart Falls Creek 27.0 107 Sop. ' 1918
Spee1 River 214 166 Sep. 27~ 1918
Long Piver .2 ,.000 180 Sep. 10, 1 r;/27
Crater Creek 11.<) 3,100 260 Sep. 9~ 1927
Dorothy Cr8ek 16 .. 0 1,780 111 Nov. 7.' J ,. 1950
Annex Creek 6 .. 14 584 95 Jan. a· , 1926
Sheep-Creek l~. ·3 Aho 195 Sep. 8, 19h8
Gold Greek 9.76 2,700 277 Sep. 8,. 1948
seYerance Cree]r 2 ,qtf 5h3 185 Oct. 30, 1949
Ketchikan Creek 1/;.f) 4,.400 326 Nov .. 18, 1 7
Beaver Falls Creek 5·8 2',180 377 Nov. 7 J• 1929
Mahoney Creek 5·7 3~870 680 Oct. J 1949
Swan Lake Outlet 36 .. :;; 5 ,.500 lSl Nov. 1, 1917
Fish Greek at Thorne 32.1 1+~600 1J-+3 Nov. 1, 1917
Ella Greek 19.7 1, 720 87 Dec .. 6,. 1930
Manzanita Creek 33·9 3~1-+70 105 Oct. ,13,1927
Grace Creek: )0.2 3,470 115 Augo ,. 1929
Orchard Creek 59.0 6,660 113 Dec. , 1919
Crystal Creek 1..45 162 112 Aug. 10 ,. 1933
Medvetcha River :SQ .. / 7,100 182 Sep .. 8 . I9L~8
Baranof Lake Outlet 29.5 1.+,170 11..:.1 Sep. , 1922
-19 a -
54• Sed:irr:entation .. -1~xtsmsive glacbtion during the ice age swept
most of the disintegrated rock from the land forms of Southeastern Alaska.
n}wre recession of this ice cap has occurred, there remained generally
sound rock with only a minim11m of' morainR.l debris, A heavy vegetal cover
on the lower slopes has tended to stabilize the limited amount of detri-
tal mat;erial and has resulted in genere_lly clear flowing streams.
'Sspecially is this true in the islands where all streams are very short
with steep gradients.
55• A somewhat different condition exists upon the mainland where
much of the ice cap still exists and 11ctive tcl9c:iers continue to generate
large amounts of debris. He1·e the streFJ.ms, most of v1hich rise in glaciers,
carry great quantities of c1ebr:is, ar: evidenced by the vast deposits at the
mouths of all ns.jor clraineges.
56. The major strea;ns f1o'·~ing from the m:dnland enter the sea through
fjords and msny have filled a considerable area at the head of th8 sea chan-
nel. Alsek ver has completely filled Dry Bay. Tho Chilkat River V!hich
enters Lynn C~mal through Ch:l.llco.t Inlet has built an extensive debris cone
at the head of the Inlet and Sl<a~way Rjver enters the hee.dwr.ter of Lynn
Canal over a lal'l:'e del te.. 8irni11? rly,. th8 h0e.d of Tr:J.iya Inlet :has been
blocked by debris from Taiya I\iver. fur·t~her south,. the outwash from
Mendenhall and Lemon Glaciers ha.s pr0.cticelly cJ os~;d the north half of
Gastineau ChLcnnel, and Stikine Piver has deposited sufficient n:a teri.al at
its mouth to nearly connect Ei.tkof Ishnd to the mainland at low tide.
Other mainland streams S'JCh a:s T8ku, Speel, '?hitinr:, Unuk, and small
drainages are relat:lvoly .iust F>.s heavy sediment contributors, although
deposits from these have not as yet encroached significcmtly on navig'able
waterways.
57· The greatest portion of the sJdiment load is contributed by
the streams during ahout 7 months of the most nctive period of the
glaciers melt:in~. A rise in discharge increases the concentration of
sediment in the stream while a falling discharge rapidly decreases the
-20 -
amount.. The high normal discharge r':'Lte from glaciers during the warmest
months combined with steep slope and short length of most streams result
in much of the coarser material being carried all the way to tidewater.
Sane of the larger drainB.g;e areas ha,re flatter slop':ls and along such
dreams the coarser material is deposited in the stream channel and only
thn finer mA.terial reaches the sea ..
58. Ma.ny sma 11 dr'l inage areas of the mainland and of the island
have sr::all glaciers in the headwaters. These contribute varying amounts
of glacial debris to the parent stream, but in nerrly all such instances
the streams flow thro11gh l'J.kes that were gouged out by the ice sheet ..
The la.1r.es act as cetcbment basins, and the ·water flowing from the lakes
is relatively clear. Generally the lakes are of sufficient volume that
the deposition of the sedi::1ent has encroached but slightly upon the
capacity ..
-21 -
E:ECTION III -ECPEOiiiC DEVELOPNEHT
59. .,!Etr.oductio~. - A colorful histor-J has been forged in Alasl{a
by the irJhi te man 1 s effort to expand the E11ropean influence to the North
illllcrican Continent. Russia cla::i.med uhat is now the Terri tory and much
of the Hest coast by reason of early exploration and later atternpts at
colonization. Durtng the middle eighteenth century Russtan ships pursued
fur seal and otter herds in coastal Naters and engaged. in extensive fur
trmle vrj_th the Indians. Efforts at colonization ::1ere made to exploit
more effectively the fur trade of the region. In 1799, the Russian
lilnerican Company vras organized to a'tllinister Alaska and to promote dis-
covery, commerce, and agriculture and to propagate the Russian Orthodox
faith. Count Bar·anof, the company's firot executive, extended the sphere
of Russian iafluence from Bristol Bay to northern California and Sitl~a,
the capital, beca1ae a colorful and cosmopolitan port uhere ships from
many nations carne to tra.le. In 1818, houever, the Russian Na·vy assumed
control and reversed the policy of free trade. Russia then attempted to
monopolize all trade Hi thin the area by closing the coast north of 51°
latitude to all but Russian ships. Shortly thereafter Russia uas
weakened by ~rars and int'.JI'Ilal trouble and perrnitted her influence in
Alaska to decline during the follouinc half century. Then rather than
lose the Territory to another pouer, Alauka Has sold to the United States
in 1867.
60. Prior to purchase of Alaska by the United States in 1867,
Americans had entered the region to trade, prospect for gold, or to fish
and by the late 1860ts ivere fishing Alaskan coastal Haters for cod and
salmon. After the first carme1--y ~ras built at KlaHak, Prince of liales
Island in 1878, the industry grew steadily and by 1899 the annual salmon
pack reached a million cases. In the meantime prospectors l-rere coming
into the Southeast to search for minerals -principally gold. Their
success is evidenced by the large lode gold mines which vrere operating on
-22-
the Gastineau Channel before 1900. Thus the h:ro basic industries -fishing
and mining --v;ere 1vell establish8d by the turn of the century. Li111y
communities came into existence to serve as supply and processing centers
for fishermen, and others, notably Juneau and Doublas, developed as
mining camps.
61. Unlike most of the Territory, Southeastern il.laska has developed
steadily from local natural resources. Gror:rth has been unspectacular
percentagevrise, but the area has exrerj_eaced no periods of regression.
The fisheries resource has accounted for the major r:;rmv-th, 'i-lhile the
forests, 11hich have ahr::oys been a pote:1tial source of econo1nic grmfth,
have not been extensively exrloitecl. A major industry is just starting,
based on the forest resources, lflll.ch po:J::ibly will have a greater influence
upon economic grm;th of Southeilstern Alasl~a than any force heretofore.
62. Population -:·Jhen the first Territorial census 't'ias taken in
1880, the populJ.tion of Southeastern Alaska vras al'proximately 7, 700
person..s of -vrhich fe\·rer than 300 1-Jere uhi te. Durin£; the follovring decade
the u!1ite population increased to l, 700. By 1900, the opening of the
Alaska-Juneau and TreadHell mines and the stampede to the Klondike had
brought many more people to the Southeast. Ab!mt 3,200 persons lived
in the vicinity of Juneau and Douglas, and the ce11sus count in Slcagvmy,
most affected by the rush to the Yukon, totaled 3,100 although the
number is rep or ted to have reached a peale of 30,000. Houever, the majority
of these Here ·transients who cm,;e not to prospect in the Southeast, but
to cross the mountains i~1to Yuh: on 'Terri tory.
The population grm·Jtil of Sout!1east Alaska has been fairly steady
as compared to other sections of the Terri tory. Development has been
based upon industries using the fishery, mineral, and timber resources.
The grouth in population of the districts and of the principal communities,
for the period 1920 through 1950, is shmm in the follouing tabulation.
-23 -
.)
Districts:
Hyder
Juneau
Zetchikan
Petersburg
Sitka
SL:a.gw·ay
~:'lra.ng0ll
Southeastern
Alaska
Co:nmuni ties:
Jnne~u
Douglas
Ketchikan
Sitka
Petersburg
Sl~:agvmy
Haines
Vh·angell
1920
5,893
5,670
1,406
2,350
1,219
864
17 ,l.~-02
3.058
919
2,458
1,175
879
49L:
314
821
1929
313
6,174
6,1:68
2,004
2,092
1,251
1,002
4,043
593
3, 796
1,056
1,252
492
3114
948
1939 1950
97 31
8,563 8,572
8,129 9,061
2,187 2,291
3,395 4,6ll
1, 501 791
1,369 1, 575
25, 21-tl 26,932
5,729 5,818
522 690
'-~. 695 5,202
1,987 2,080
1,323 1,605
63h 761
357 336
1,162 1,227
64. The 1950 population was 26,932 of which about one-fourth were
native Indians. During tl1is last decade the average annual rate of grovvth
declined to less than l percent from the 3 percent of the previous decade.
At least partiall~l responsible for this decline was the severe blow dealt
the econor,1y by th0 closing of several lode gold mining operations, in-
eluding the Alaska-Juneau mine, since these :nines conprised the principal
year-ro:.md inciur:tqr.
65. Densi. ty of populatio~1 in Southeast .Alasl:a averages 80 persons
per 100 square miles as co1npared vrith 22 for the Territory as a whole.
The rer:;ior:, v.'hich is laq;ely 1maffected by the defense program, has only
tvvo G i.ties with populations exceeding S, 000. Junr;au, capital of the
Territor~', has ),818 persons 7dth 8l1 addj.tional 1,500 living v;ithin its
netropoli tan area, and Ketchikan has approxi1nately 5, 800 peo}"_)le living
in tbe c:i.ty and the irrunediate vici.nity. Population of three other towns
exceeds 1,000, They arc Sitka v:ith 2,080 and Petezsburg and Wrangell
with populations of 1,605 and 1,2~!7, respectively.
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66. As indicated by the higher population densit~r, the Southeast
is someuhat more thickly settled outside the r,lain centers of population
than other areas of the Territory. The coast of both the mainland and the
islands is dotted with many sm.all communi ties which depend principally
upon fishing for their existffi1ce. A nunber of villages including
hetlakatla, Hydaburg, Hoonah, and Klawak are inhabited p:;.·edominantly by
natives.
67. Employment. -A study of the present employment pattern, in
conjunction with anticipated in<.lustrial expansion, has been used as a
basis for estimated future employment and population. The tabulation
belo:·r presents population and e::;tina.tod distribution of peak employ-
ment in Southeast Alas:~a for 1950, ;d. th corresponding figures estimated
for 1975. 'I'he data shous that duri11~ the peak of the 1950 summer season
over l~ ,000 persons vrcre anploycd. in the region. tl.o'!rever during the
Hinter months, euployment falls off materially, particularly in the
fishing industries,
Population in
Peak Enployment
Fishing Industries:
Fishing
Fish processing
Sub-total
Nining Industries
Agriculture
Forest Industries:
Logging
lianufacturing
Sub-total
1\liscellaneous manufacturing in•:lustri es:
Service Industries:
Construction
Transportation
Govermnent
All others
Sub-to cal
•rota.l
•
1950 1975
27,572 Bo,ooo
3,200 3,Boo
4,750 5,7CO --r-5'C'Fi 9G":: 7 ,9,..,0 ,,..,.j
90 500
100 200
250 2,000
410 4,000
(500 6,oco
200 )00
600 1,500
900 2,000
2,250 3,000
2,500 7z50o t>,25o 14,ooo
15,250 30,700
68. The dominating influence of the fishing industry in the employ-
ment pattern is demonstrated by the emplo;yment figures. Almost 8,000 or
over one-half of all gainfully employed uorkers uere engaged directly in
either fishing of fish processing. Activity in this industry is largely
confined to the months of Nay through October, although provision of cold
storage facilities has tended to spread some functions over the winter
months.
69. Ifrnployment in the renaining basic industries is limited. Forest
industries, the most important of these, employed about 660 in 1950. Agri-
culture, which is largely confined to dairying and fur farming, supported
directly only about 100 persons.
70. Other manufacturing industries are of little consequence. About
200 -vJere engaged in miscellaneous manufacturing including printing, con-
crete mixing, machinery shops, boat building and repairing, and beverage
and bakery establishments.
71. Approximately 6,250 vrorkers uere engaged in service industries.
Of these, about 600 were enployed in construction, 900 in transportation,
2,250 in government, and 2,500 in all other service industries including
retail and wholesale trade, eating and drinking places, financial insti-
tutions, and many other personal and professional services. Both Federal
and Territorial offices are concentrated in Jm1eau, the Territorial
capital, 1¥hich accounts for the large proportion of government workers.
72. Nany resources necessary for industrial expansion are available
and continued grouth of the region may be expected. Fishing industries
can be expanded only sli.::;h tly, but the catch may be increased by taking
more bottom fish and shell fish, and, if more specialty i terns are packed,
employment in fisheries may increase to 9,500 by 1975.
73. Lode gold mining, v.hich Has once so :important to the economy of
the Southeast, is unlikely to be revived in the foreseeable future unless
operating costs fall appreciably or the price of gold is raised. Hmvever,
possibilities for mining base metals exist, and it is knotm that radio-active
-26 ...
metals are present in the region. Future Clilplo;yment in mining is very
uncertain, but if r,dninr_; of one or more of these metals proves to be
economically feasible, employrnent could readily rise to 500 by 1975.
71.1. Neither crop nor range land is available in the Southeast for
any substantial agricultural development; however, some expansion of
da~i_ry and poultry enterprises to provide fresh milk and erms and truck
gardening may be expected. Also, fur farming, which is well adapted to
the area because of favorable climatic conditions, may increase if war-
ranted by market conditions. Agricultural e.11ployment -vrlll probably double
by 1975.
75. The forests the region ilill undoubtedly provide the basis
for the next major industrial development. Just as fishing has played
the dominant role in influencing eu:ployment and population growth in the
past, so forest industries 1Iill pr·obat:·ly provide the impetus for expansion
in the future. P:.~esent plans call for channeling the largest portion of
the timber into the manufacture of pulp ivhich lvould recul t in a high level
of e1aployment, In addition, manufacture of plyttlood and many other items
vlill probably be tmdertaken in the near future. Hhen forest indus tries
are expanded to the limit permitted by the surtained ;yield program,
employment may reach about 6,000, Thifl is expected to ocm.1r prior to 1975.
76, 'rhe market provided by a larger resident population should
stimulate the expansion of miscellaneous manufacturing. Employment in
these industries may be expected to reach at least Soo by 197S. Since
service industries are likely to follou the changes in basic industries,
the developments listed above could result in the employment of approxi-
mately lu,ooo persons by 1975 in services.
77. A total employment of 30,700 persons in the region by 1975 is
possible, if foreseeable opportunities for industrial development are
utilized. Assuming a ratio of total population to employed worker of
2.6 to 1, a total population of Bo,ooo persons may be expected by 1975.
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78. Transportation •• The economy of Southeast Alaska is almost
entirely dependent on water and air trru1sportation. Because of the
very rugged, mountainous terrain and numcrot~s islands v<hich largely con-
stitute this portion of Ala.ska, the construction of land transportation
routes is impractical except for short local roads. The only land
connections to the outside, except for trails, are by hightvay from Haines
north to the Alaska Higln-ray and by narrow gauge railroad from Skagvmy
to l'Jhitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. Transportation routes are shown
on plate 18 and distances between communities and to outside points by
water and air are shown below in statute miles:
Ketchikan Juneau
Points Air· Water Air '\.'later
Wrangell 83 102 145 170
Sitka 187 315 92 183
Juneau 228 256
Skagl-Iay 315 352 87 115
Sev-rard 778 840 550 6o5
Anchorage 864 1,096 636 861
Fairbanks 922 694
Seattle 635 749 875 l,oo4
79. Hater Transportation.-havigation between the United States
and Southeastern Alaska is normally via the inland passage. This route
traverses an interconnected series of channels, straits and passages
existing between the mainland and islands to the west and extending the
full distance from Puget Sound to Skag~<my. The islands serve to protect
the entire route from severe s terms ~·zhich occur in the North Pacific Ocean,
thus permitting navigation, even uy relatively small boats, throughout the
year. Except for some freezing of fresh ~·rater in the vicinity of streams
and the discharge of icebergs by glaciers, the passage is ice free.
8~. Ocea..11 going vessels plyinG the scenic Inland Passage -carry the
bulk of the cargo ru1d many tourists visiting southeastern Alaska. One
American steamship line operates a coastal freight and passenger service
out of Seattle which makes scheduled calls at Ketchikan, 1-Jrangell,
Petersburg, Sitka, and Juneau and in addition makes calls at smaller ports
-28 -
when freight shipments warrant, ·Hail boats operating out of Juneau and
Ketchikan also transport freight and passengers to and from points along
their mail routes. Three Canadian steamship companies carry on an extensive
tourist business in the area and also handle freight composed of Canadian
cargo passing through Skagway to and from Canadian points. This traf.fic
is of major importance in Skagway's economy as it gives employment to much
o.f the local population. The Canadian shipments consist largely of
general cargo going north and of ore concentrates. and some general cargo
going south. The 1950 shipments of lead and zinc concentrates alone vmre
estimated to tot.11 al:out 70,000 tons.
81. The Territorial Goverrunent has recently purchased a 'ferry boat
capable of carrying vehicles and pas:.;engers to serve as a connecting link
bet1rreen Juneau and H:d.nes, 1rti. th its high111ay connection to the Alaska High-
way. and Skaguay, ~d its rail connection to iJhitehorse. Consideration is
also being g:L ven to the possibility of establishin~ railroad barge con-
nections between Southeastern Alaska and a transcontinental railroad
terminal at Prince Rupert. Development of this rail barge line would de-
pend upon the economics of handling the large pulp t01mage expected to be
produced in this area in the near future.
82. Statistics of domestic coastvrl.se commerce indicate that the bulk
of the cargo handled in Southeast Alaska is composed of fish and fish pro-
ducts, oil, rafted logs, and limestone, The import of 293,700 tons of oil
and oil products constituted a little over 60 percent of the total 1949
Southeast Alaska port receipts. Other important import items t·mre food,
beverages, machinery, building materials, and miscellaneous comc,odities.
Total 1949 Southeast Alaska coastHise receipts amounted to 458,610 tons.
Shipments in 191+9, from Southeast Alaska, 1vere composed largely of fish
and fish products, logs, lumber, and limestone Hhich together represented
almost 75 percent of the total shipments for that year. Shipments of fish
and fish products, rafted logs, and limestone during 1949 amcnmted to
-29 -
83,200; 182,100; and 120,100 tons respectively. Total 1949 shipments
amounted to 52'1 ,430 tons.
83. Table 7' shows the total Southeast Alaslca freight traffic for tho
period 1940-1949 inclusive ,and table ·a shaHs the number of trips and drafts
of vessels calling at the more important harbors in the area.
84. Tvm rivers in Southeast Alas~\:a, the Stikine and Takn, are navi-
gaLle to a limited extent. Both are fed by glacial streans and carry a
heavy silt load which is deposited as sand bars at the river's mouth. These
sand bars are continually advancing dmmstream and form shoal w·ater v1ith
shifting channels Hhich re(.p..1ire careful na·vigation.
85. A river transport service is operated out of 1 Jrangell up the
Stikine River as far as Telegraph Creel~. A shallow draft boat tows barges
and carries passengers, r,Jaldng wee.kly trips during the navigable season.
The traffic consists principally of packaged oil products, machinery, and
food upstrenm and of empty oil drums, furs, and some ore downstream.
86. Boats 1..Jith barges navigate Talcu River as far as Tulsequah,
British Columbia, about 5 miles atove the Alaska boundar;/, from uhich point
ore is shipped out. The period of navigation extends from late spring to
early fall, depending uuon the stage o.f the river.
87. Air transpor_!:~~l~· -The transportation of passengers and freight
by air to and Hi thin Southeastern i\1aska, has become a vital part of the
economy. '1.\w airlines operate regular scheduled routes from outside points
to Southeast Alaslca, one having stops at Ketchikan and Juneau and the other
at Juneau and Yakatat. Tuo local airlines, using amphibious and float
planes operate scheduled local feeder line routes to any point -vri thin the
area. These and other companies, as well as many individuals, furnish
non-schedule and plane charter services for all purposes. As all com-
munities in this region are located along the coast, they are readily
accessible to amphii)ious or pontoon equipped planes, and airfields,
which vrould be ex:Jensive to construct and maintain, are not needed. These
conditions have furthered the rapid grovrth of air transportation into an
-30 -
TABLE 7. Total tonnage at ports.
Harbor Tonnage by years.
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
Ketchikan 209,443 280,613 242,269 247,819 297,749 278,038 291,008 276,671 277,689 324,906
het1akat1a y y y y y 19,929 22,581 14,116 10,442 9,955
Craig y y y y y 6,800 6, 779 4,909 4,925 G _<:J6
/ J'-'..)
1Irange11 4o, 717 42,534 29,988 28,947 33,391 30,280 37,008 37,651 26,867 20,900
Petersburg 23,588 4" I "9 O,L~C-24,698 33,710 27,003 33,003 25,379 25,852 26,532 36,491
Port
Alexander 1,561 2,309 2,526 2,570 1, 1,289 1,361 570 474
Sitka 56_,981 113,529 167,238 92,534 118,950 85,005 65,620 113,411 133,280 61,536
Juneau 128,742 144,h47 131,023 201,158 290,429 290,494 204,720 209,877 103,297 138,511
Elfin Cove !1 y y y y 2,565 1,326 1,127 1,486 1,328
Skagw-ay 28,406 ,580 124,800 275,989 P.t"' r'f"''.-1 iJ0 ,, .:::;:> 44,321 36,767 30,960 58,677 77,083
Other Ports in
Southeastern
Alaska y y y y y y y 580,044 485,053 392,619
Total 489,438 658,941 722,542 882,727 857,363 791,724 692,549 1, 255,188 1,128, 722 1,073,575
y No record
TABLE 8. Trips of vessels _ ..... _-:~
at ports. Calendar Year 1949
Harbor Total trips by vessels of various drafts (feet).
Less than 12 12 to 16 16 to 20 20 to 22 22 and over Total
Ketchikan 13,037 261 237 43 36 13,614
Metla:{atla 1,544 2 6 4 l 1,557
Craig 2,214 13 5 0 0 2,232
Wra.."lgell 2,722 40 88 15 14 2,879
Petersburg 5,353 41 86 14 l 5,495
w Port Alexander 602 l 0 0 0 603
@
2,858 4G Sitka 21 12 0 2,939
Juneau 1,904 1.59 174 3l 19 2,287
Elfin Cove 1,oo6 0 0 0 0 1,006
Skag.my ll 33 72 2 5 123
Other Ports in
Southeastern
Alaska 809 272 92 9 32 1,214
Total for South-
eastern Alaska 32,060 870 781 l)O 108 33,949
industry of great be~.efit to the local economy by fur:.ishing important and
indispensable service to the many Hidely dispersed and isolated communi ties
and operations.
83. IJand transportation. -The Ha.ines High~v-ay is the only link from the
Southeast to a high~·ray leading to the States. This high-vray extends from
the coastal port of Haines to the Alaslca High~1ay at Haines Junction, about
96 1dles uest of 1Jhitehorse, Yukon Territor;;r. The hit;htvay, about 160 miles
long, hn.s 46 miles of black-top paving from Haines to the Canadian border.
Other roads Hithin the area are confined to snort stretches of roads that
have been constrL1.Cted in the vicinity of established communities by various
government agencies.
89. The Uhite Pass and Yukon Ha.Llroad furnishes the only rail connection
to any tmm in Southeastern Alnsl~a. This railroad is ::tbout 110 miles long
and connects f:kr:t.(:;uay to the Alaska llichHay at Hhitehorsc, the head of navi-
gation on the ~~on River, but does not tie to the Continental rail system.
The railroad, a narroH gauge ran line, ascends the Skagt-Jay River Valley
along mountain precipices ancl across canyons, rising to about 2,900 feet
at the inter:1rJtion . .,l boundary at 1fl'lite Pass.
90. Pipelines. -Jm existing pipeline exte11ds from the Port of Ska~vay
through ~lhi tehorse to Fnirbaulm. The pipeline linkinc; Ska~·1ay to Fairbanks
is e..mployed to transport tanker-borne oil products to Fairbanks and vicinity.
91. Conrmnications. -The Alaska communications netNork, e:ccept for
local munic:..:?al telephone syster,ls, is otmed and controlled by the Alaska
Communications System and is operated by the Sic;nal Corps, U. S. Anay. The
Ala:Jka Coramunications System has s0rved the military, other Federal agencies,
and the general public continuously since 1900 Hhen Congress initially
authorized its establishment. This s-ystem furnishes the only communication
bet1,:reen centers of the Terri tory and between the Terri tory and outside points
except by short r.1ave radio.
-31 -
92. Fisheries. -The present economy of Southeast Alaska is largely
based on its extensive fisheries indnstry Hhich furnishes the livelihood
for the large majorlty of the population either directly or indirectly.
The t-J'aters of Southeast Alaska are prolific producers of fish, especially
the protected waters uhich lie bet1v-een the hundreds of islands which make
up most of the coast line. The offshore waters are also important pro-
ducers and have in recent years shmm a stable and steady grOlvth in their
yield. The principal type of fish caught in the rec;ion are salmon, halibut,
herring, sablefish, and shellfish.
93. 'ihe salmon found in Southeast Alaska are of five species 11hich
in their order of :i.nportailce are the pinlc, churn., coho, red, and king. Pink
and chum salmon usually spawn in louer tributary or coastal streams, often
Hi thin a mile or so from the ocean, uhereas kings and cohos prefer the
larger stre<Lrrts and travel much farther. The reds use only streams vlith
lakes in their 1:ratersheds and spavm alonr; the shores of the lakes or in the
tributary streams above.
9h. The canning of salmon in Alaska uas inaugurated in 1878 and by
1889 there were a dozen salmon ca..rmeries in Southeastern Alaska. The
number of salmon c~mneries opernting in Southeast Alaska during 1950
totaled 39, of ~·Thich 3 ,,rere floating cnnneries. Their 1950 canned salmon
pack amounted to a little over 1,187,000 cases <.md had a value of about
>r-26,000,000 at the packing plants. This rer·resented about 36 percent of
the pack and 31 percent of the value of the entire 1950 Alaska canned
salmon output. Below are sho1vn Southeast Alaska c.mned salmon packs and
their values for the last decade:
-32 -
Year :
Cases y Total Total
: -Reds· Pinks : Chums · Cohos-;-kings Cases Value
1941 137,859 3, 640, '761 319,938 193,971 1,804 4,294,333 f;3l,53o,ooo
1942 116,511 l, 756,047 596,131 177,922 2,046 2,648, 707 22,503,200
1943 85,343 1,038,439 673,69'1. 93,534 1,860 1,892,868 15,980,700
1944 132,308 1,086,095 663,508 88,844 1,797 1,972,552 16,9s6,hoo
1945 129,796 1,041,649 266,837 108,705 2,556 1,549,543 13,731,400
~ 1946 58,429 999,914 322,620 92,9h7 2 ,Lfl6 1,476,326 18,570,900
1947 55,905 680,817 257,944 73,5h2 1+,003 1,072,211 20,525,500
1941~ 39,707 68L~,4h2 407,393 15?,224 5,685 1,296,451 30,564,500
1949 39,552 2,103,982 243,)~83 124,919 1,015 2,512,951 41,023,100
1950 f) 44,647 533,837 494,253 114,437 567 1,187,741 26,568,400
10-yr·.
Ave. 84,oo6 1,356,598 424,585 122,805 2,375 1,990,368 23,798,400
y Each case is equivalent to 48 one-pound cans.
y Statistics for 1950 are preliminary and subject to minor corrections.
95. Large quHntities of salmon are also mar}~eted as fresh and frozen,
mild cured, and smol<:ed fish, and natives dry them for their ovm use. The
larger Southeast Alaska fish buying centers are equipped Hi th cold storage
facilities enabling them to freeze and ship large quantities of salmon each
year. Southeast Alaska salmon freezing durinc; 1950 amounted to about
S,loo,ooo pounds and re;;rescmted about 96 percent of the total Alaska frozen
salmon pack. The 1950 Sout,heast Alasl:a mild cured salmon pack -v1as 4, 716
tierces or about 3,900,0CO pounds and accounted for about 98 percent of the
total 1950 Alaska mild cure salmon pack.
96. The history oZ the halibut fishery has been characterized by rapid
mechanization of the industry and by progreasive expansion of the fishing
grounds as areas near home ports became depleted. From a local fishery in
:;:uget Sound, halibut fishing spread north and changed from an inshore to a
deep-sea fishery t-Ji th the discovery of populous banks in deeper tvaters. The
present halibut fishing grounds incl ucle all oi' the Southeast Alaska coast
line.
97. Halibut is sold mostly as fresh or frozen fish. The fish are
cleaned and iced upon capture and after delivery to the port they are
either re-iced for ship9ing fresh or are frozen. Alaska produces large
quanti ties of halibut most of v.rhich are processed by cold storage plants
-33 -
located at Ketchikan, ,Juneau, Sitka, ~'elican, and Fetersburg. The
22,400,000 pounds of halibut frozen iu Sont~wast Alaska plants were about
88 percent of the total 1950 Alasl:a halibut freeze.
98. Before ·the halibut fishery uas regulated by the International
Fisheries Commission, composed of members from the United States and Canada,
the annual catch of halibut was falling da.'1gerously despite increasing
fishing effort. Under regulation, the catch has increased markedly from all
grounds, and the take per Wli t of fishing effort has more than doubled.
The halibut fishery is noH one of the most stable and dependable fish.eries
of the Pacif.i.c Coa~::t and Hi th conUnued regulation should continue to
improve.
99. Herring is utilized prlncipcU.ly in the production of oil and live-
stock feecl. The 1950 production of herring oil and r.1eal fell considerably
belovi the general avern.ge, and only h reduction plants operated during the
year in comparison to S in 1949 and 8 in 1948. During 1950 Southeast Alaska
produced 557,700 g::'<llons of herring oil, 36 1 000 gallons of other fish oil
and 2,69)~ tons of fish meal.
100. Sablefish or black cod is one ol' the richest and fattest of the
Pacific Ocean fishes, 1:J:Lth firr.1 flaky flesh and excellent flavor. This
fish is taken incidentally Hi th the halibut catch. In 1948 the Southeast
.Alaska pack of frozen sablefish T:Jas ;:!.bout 5 ,ooo,ooo poWlds but the 1950
production totaled only about 560,000 pounds.
101. The shellfi~:~h fishery of Southeast Alaska is not one of the
major fisheries of the area, but it has good grmrth possibilities. The
establishment in 1950 of a crab processing plant at Ketchikan capable of
both canning and cold packing crabs has done much to develop this fishery.
Over 50 percent of the 5,900 cases of crumed crab produced in Southeast
Alaska during 1950 -vmre packed in Ketchika.1. The canned pack would have
been much larger had it not been for the competition encountered by the
high prices vrhich -r,rere paid for fresh crab packs. EXploitation of shrimp
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is largely confined to tho ; etcrsba:rg area. The shrimp being
caught is a small ccies generally not o7er 2 inches long but of excellent
quality., Large shrimp have been found in val'ious parts
but no serious effort has been :made to exoloit them. Butter cla.ms and
cocl;:·i_r:;s are plentiful b\:.t according to the Pure Food and Drug Administra-
tion some of them cont::tin toxic matter in sufficient quantity to cause
concern. Fis~1 p:.:·oces5ors are tllerefcre reluctant tc p;->.ck clams, a:1d lart:e
quanti tif3S are left unhnrvested.
102. 'lho future of t!le Sou·l:,heast f,laska fj_sherle:::; may be vielmd op-
timistically, but i.rrrprovvl"-ent in " industr:r can be accor:<.plished only with
effort, persevcr·ance, a:ld intelligent J'.anage:ient. The present need for
the establishment of better r;anaf_:;u··:c :t rn·actices throur;h biological research,
improve:'lent of soJ.n<on routes tu Sl·a:ruin; grounds laddering or removing
obstacles, inc1·easc;cl us of unste :::;roducts, and greater utilizat:i.on of those
species of fish Hld.cll are only partinll;y exploited. Salmon and halibut are
currently ex:~loi ted to the full eztent permis::oible under present management
practice;], and expam;ion in p::.·cduction cac'1 b0 realized and sustained only by
improved scientific mnnacement ba:ced on rcsearcl1 findings. The Fish and
i}ildlife Service ard the fL_;l:e:c.l.es
Wasbineton are both stu
of the Alaska saJJnon ui th s1 eci. al
~.;titute of the University of
and research of the basic bi oloor
on Southeast Alaska pink salmon
runs vrhich should e'.rcntual:Ly lead to llnfJrovcd manager,lent techniques, The
Fisheries Research Institute is sup: orted. by funds provided by the Alaska
salmon industry through to the Uni'rersit:y of >.Jashington.
103. As wmtio:rwd heretofore, the laree quantities of butter clams
and cockles available in Southeast AJ.aska are not harvested on account of
their seasonal toxicity.. To overcome this handicap, a series of studies
and investigations of geographical and seasonaJ. stribution of toxin and
development of processinG methods to reduce toxin content are being con-
ducted by the Fishery I-·roducts Lnboratory, an institution located in
ICetchikan and operated jointly by the Fish and Hildlife Service and the
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Terri tory of J\laska. If succefJDfuJ. ;ncthods of overcoming to:r..ici ty are
developed, clam production may become an important feature in providing
more stable and less seasonal employment in Lhe fishery industry.
104. The Fisheries Products Laborator-f is also conducting long term
studies and experiments on utilization of cannery I·Tastes. In this con-
nection, this past sea:30n it has frozen and shipped to Seattle 100,000
pounds of cannery 1vaste to determine costs and feasibility of utilizing
salmon uastes for fish hatchery food, for 1vhich the demand is large and
grouing in the :'acific l.'!ortlnv-est .states.
105. In summation, ~;inc e the fisheries of Southeast Alaska are the
base of the economy of the rc~~ion, it is vitally imperative that this
resource be conserved and exp<mdcd. To accohlplish this goal, the coopera-
tion and support fiohermen, pad_err;, interested government agencies,
and the local citizens is necessary. The fishery conservation agencies
on their part are cognizant of the many problems confronting the ftshery
industrJ and are ta:~ine:; step:::: to solve these proble~ns and to husband this
valuable resource through applica.tion of scientific manage1<1ent practices.
The outlook for the future of the industrJ~ a1,pears promising under present
conditions and a slot1 but stable e;routh liiay be expected.
106. ~inerals and minin(;. -Lineralization in Southeastern Alasl(a
is vridespread because of a geologic history favorable to ore genesis.
Deposits of the many minera1s and traces of others have been found. Al-
though only a fet-r, other than gold, have been of conunercial significance.,
all may hold potential :importance for future development. Distribution
of the minerals tends to subdi v:Lde the Southeast into several rather dis-
tinct mining districts.
107. The Juneau mining distrtct kno·~m as the 11 Ju.neau Gold Belt 11 is
the mast extensive mineralized zone and has been the mast productive.
Principal mineral is gold as3ociated 1:1i th subsidiary quantities of lead,
zinc, and copper. The zone is aoout 10 uules lvide and extends along the
coast for 12u miles from 1 findham B;.w to 10 miles beyond Berners.Bay ••
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108. The Kctcr·ilcm1 district e:lCompasses a munber of islands includ-
ing Revillagigedo, Prince of 1 Jalec, and I~osciusko, and an adjacent main-
land ar·ea. In this distrlct local mineralized bo.nds are found. Principal
deposits have appeared along the southern and eastern portions of Prince
of Wales Island. Copper and iron are the dominant metals with sna1l
quantities of gold and silver accessory. The mainland area has only
moderate values of gold ore.
109. The Sitka minir•g district is composed of Baranof, Chichagof,
Yakobi, and contiguous i:::lands. A poorly defined mineral zone beglns
at Hed Bluff Bay on the east side of B::tr.:;nof Island and extends north-
v1est1·mrd to a point near the central uest cuast of Chichagof Island.
Another mineral bearing zono ezte:Kls from IIoonDh Sound to Lisianski Strait
and north-vmstlrard from Cat'e f'.Joncor to Lituya Bay. Gold is the pre-
dominant miilGr~,l.
110. The "Irru.gell district extends along the 1,1ainland from Bradfield
Canal north to Cape Fanshmv and includes J:~uprennof and nearby islands.
l"ineral deposits carryinr: gold anrl coppe1· occur along Duncan Canal and
the T1rongell Narrous. Gold bearinr:; ore is present in Thomas and Le Conte
Bays, and lead, zinc, and silver are prorainent on the mai.nland east of
Wrangell.
111. In the Hyder district, uhich encompasses sections of the main-
land in the ·vicinity of Portland Canal, lead, zinc, and tungs·&en pre-
dominate.
112. 'rhe Porcupine district is located in the northermost part of
the region near the inter11ationul border. Placer gold is present along
the beaches, and a large mac;netite deposit is situated near Haines. The
extreme northl"Jestern coastal area is known as the Yakataga district.
Only a portion of this district is vlithin the area included in this
report. The district produces some placer gold.
113. The greater part of the gold produced in Southeastern Alaska
has come from the lon grade ore deposits of the Gastineau Channel 1-1here
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large-scale operations began Nith the o1xning of the Treaduell Hines in
Douglas Island in 1882 and the Alaska-Juneau }Iine across the channel on
the mainland, in 1893. These 1:1inos -vrere in operation until 1922 and 19L4
respectively, during 1.v:hich period their co1nbined c;old production totalled
approximately $147,COO,OOOa The second most productive gold producing area
in the Southeast has been the Sitka district -vrith a production valued at
approximately ~ll6,ooo,ooo. Placers have been of much lesser significance,
with production from all of Southeast Alaska totalling approximately
~;2,820,000 dminz the period 11:\82 -19L(O.
ll4. Base metals. -Base liletal lodes containing copp0r, lead, zinc,
and iron have been found, and, in soi18 ca~1ec, brought to the producing
stage. However, these lodes cont.:J:ill only loH-gracle ore, and. have not
furnished the basi:3 for large-scale or continuous operation.
115. Of these metals, cop;Jer deposits have been located throughout
most of the region. Principal occurrences Here fou.11d on Prince of "\<Tales
Island in the ]';etchikan District and the majol'i ty of mines and prospects
were located either on the Kasaan PeninsulR. or contir:;uou::; to Iretta Inlet.
In general, the ores contain only a sn,all percent of copper and require an
exceptional combinatJ_on of favoraLile condttions to ~·mrrant active mining
operations.
116. Iron ore depositr; occur in ::;cveral E:outheastern distric t.s, but,
while some of the deposits have been eXf.il01'ed., they have not been developed.
On Prince of Hales Island a number of properties, Hhich uere operated as
copper mines, are novJ being reinvest:tgated to detenain<; their values in
iron ore. In this c.?.tegory are the tuo mines on Kasaan Peninsula, one
containing an estimated 1 to 11-: million tons of 52.4 percent iron ore
and the other having an e.stimated reserve of 2 to 3 million tons of 47.8
percent iron ore. A number of additional mines and claims containing unde-
termined amounts of iron ore are located in these tlm areas.
117. 1 :hat may be the largest iron ore deposit in Alaska is located
near the Indian villa~e of Klulman, 20 miles northuest of the tmm. of Haines.
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Since only preliminary and incomplete surveys have bce•1 made, it is inpossible
to estimate closely either the extent or richness of the ore. Approximately
95 percent of the ore is magnetic iron and the remainder is iron silicate.
The magnetite contains about 2.5 percEmt titanium oxide and negligible
nmo1IDts of phosphorus and sulphur,
118. Lead and zinc are knmm to be Hidely distributed throughout the
region, although exploration for those metals has been limited. The only
present reduction comes from a mine in the Hyder district Hhich yields
s-Iaall quanti ties of both lead and Zinc. Production of these bw metals in
the Southeast may be expected to remain small 1mlcss further prospecting
uncovers deposits of more extensive or much higher grade ore than has yet
been discovered,
119, A number of other minerals have been fonnd in Southeast Alaska,
among these tungsten, nickel, silver, palladium, antimony, molybdenum,
and uranite, A feH of these have been produced intermittently in small
quantities.
120, Nonmetallic minerals. -Lx:tensj_ve hir;h-quality limestone deposits
occur in severn1 Southeastern areas, A quarry on Doll Island furnishes
limestone for a cement plant on l'uget Sound, A lilaestone property on
Kosciusko Island t..ras recently leased to a corporation nhich plans to barge
limestone to Portland, Oregon to suy)ply a chemical plant.
121. Statuary quality marble is uidely distributed on the rr,ainland
and islands of this reg.i..on. The quality competes -vTi th domestic marble
quarried in continental United States. Several properties were worked for
brief periods at the turn of the century. Large quantities of granite are
available in the Southeast, but it is used only to supply local needs.
122. The present shorta:'e of sulphur has aroused interest in Alaskan
sources. Bodies of sulphide ore T;rere found on Prince of Wales Island.
Hmvever, these properties are not nou being uorkod, and exploration at the
time of operation ~ras not sufficient to eval ua.te the extent of the sulphide
ores. Barite, used as a filler for paint and rubber and as a valuable v-lhite
-39 -
pigment, has been found in srnnll quantiti:;;s on CastJ..e, Kuiu, and Prince of
tvales Islands. The only kno1v11 gypsum J.epo~:i t iil tl1e Southeast, located
on Chiahagof Island, vras 1vorked interm.ittentl;y between 1906 and 1923.
About one-half million tons of gypsum Here produced and shipped to a
plaster mill in Tacor:m, Hashington. Later clai:ns "\vere staked in the sar;J.e
vicinity and some development uork done, but the prorerty is nou idle.
Ashestos is present on .Admiralty Island, but ex0loration is insufficient to
detemine the quanti~y or quality. Commerci2.l garnets, suitable for use as
abrasives, occur on the east :Jide of the Stildne ·er about 7~ miles
above Wrangell. Production in the past has been small and intermittent,
and in recent years none has been r.1inod.
123. ~gricult.ure. -.£\.gr:i.culture c::tnnot be r.1ore than a minor factor
in the economic developnwnt of Southeast Alaska. 1Jhile the Dejxl.I'tl.Ient
of Agriculture ha~J not classified soils vrithin the area as to extent and
type, the actual amount of land 1Jhich raight be sui ted to farnin8 is limited
by the generally mountainous terrain to a fe;.r louer valley slopes, deltas
and narrow coastal stri:Js.
121..~-. Such areas are scattered throu;·;hout Sou;~heastern Alaska. The
most important include scvoral h1mdred acrl:S of alluvial bottom land
alone the Gastineau channel :iJ,lrclec~.! ately norti1 o.f Juneau, and a large
tract ncar the Qust::rvus a:irrort, Fhich aLout 1,000 acres have been
l_')atented. Lec,-:er areas are located on Gravina Isl::md op~)osite :,etchikan,
near Hyder, in the viciniUe:3 of Petersburg, Sitka, Yakatat, and on
the Chilkat Peninsula near Haines.
125. Apart from the scarcity of suitable farm lar1d, the cl:L"Ylate
is unfavorable to agri.culture. 1 ihile the tenperatures are not too lm-1,
the lack of sunshine corabiucd ~lith e:xcefo::d ve prcci.pi tation during the
growing season limits the type of crops Hhich ma;y be successfully c;rown
to a variety of tru.ck v cgetables, Sj11all fruits and berries. Grains uill
not :maLtre and such fruit trees as arplcs or cherries t,r:Lve lovl yields.
-4o-
Perhaps the chief crop is vrild hay for cattle feed but due to difficulty
of drying, it is usually put up as silage.
126. The most successful deYelopment to date has been the dairy
farms on land north of Juneau. Here a fine business has been built to supply
the ready market in Juneau. Such fresh vegetables or truck crops as are
produced are mostly grmm on home gardens or part time fanns,
127. Fnr farmine; has enjoyed considerable success in Southeast Alaska.
Froximity to an abundant supply of fish for food and a climate favorable
to grm-rth of prime furs have been factors stimulating this business. The
chief pelts raised have been mink, but martin and blue fox have also been
popular.
128. Farming in the future should expand slightly as further popula-
tion gro-vrth occurs but its development Hill be slow because of the many
unfavorable conditions. Hajor activity 1-Jill probably continue to be pro-
duct ion of dairy products, vegetables, Sl~Jall fruits and furs.
129. Forest specie::E_. -The Tongass National Forest contains about
2$,000 square miles or 73 percent o.f tho land area of Southeastern Alaska.
The forest cover extends from tidewater to about 2,000 feet altitude, but
at about 1,$00 feet elevat1on the conu,tercial timber gives l.Jay to subalpine
stands of duarfed, many-limbed treGs of little value, About 75 percent of
the timber having marketable value lies Hithin 2·\ m:Lles of tideuater. It
averages 26,000 board feet to the acre, although some sat·llog tracts reach
40,000 to .50,000 board feet. The forest is composed almost entirely of
t-restern hemlock, Sitka spruce, red cedar, and Alaska cedar. The stand of
commercial timber is e0t:i.matod at 78 ,Soo,ooo,ooo board feet Hhich is
broken do'!m by species as follo1·rs:
Specic~s
\Iestern Hel!ilock
Si th:a spruce
Red cedar
Alasi~a cedar
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H.b.m.
58,ooo,ooo
1$,000,000
2,350,000
~3$0,000
Percent
73
21
3
_l
77,700,000 100
I
130. The principal forest cover is Hestern hemlock uhich used
locally Hherever heavy timbers are needed for Hharf piling, driven fish
traps, buildings, bridges, and heav-y flooring and decking. The smaller
size of the trees and great distance from markets places it at a dis-
advantage in competing vTi th Puget Sound hemlock for the lumber market of
Pacific Coast States.
131. Sitka sprue~ is the most valuable specie of tree in the Tongass
National Forest and constitutes the bulk of the timber novr being cut in
the region. Some of it :is sold locally and the remainder exported to
continental United states and abroad. In general utility, no other local
species can compete Hi th it. It used for packing boxes, interior
finish, airplane construction, and a variety of other uses and is excellent
for the manufacture of pulp.
132. Red cedar, 1-1hich is confined to the southern half of Southeastern
Alaska, is used for siding, shingles, poles, high-grade lumber, and sul-
phate pulp.
133. Alaska cedar grows throughout Southeastern Alaska. Host
favorable elevation for this species is 1rlthin the range of 500 to 1,200
feet. It fine textured, easy to 'lirork, a bright yellovr color, extremely
durable, and it takes a beautiful fJatin finish. It has been found to be
valuable for such specialized uses as toys, pattern making, furniture,
cabinet tvork, boat building, telephone poles, battery separators, and -vmod
carving.
134. Inasmuch as timber is potentially one of the most valuable re-
sources in the Southeast, its utilization is very important to the economy
of the area. If logs uere to be shipped out of the region for processing,
the forests uould contribute ver;y little to the -vreal th or stability of
Alaskan cor,uunities. For this reason, the Department of Agriculture has
required that all timber taken from the National Forest receive at least
primary processing in the Territory.
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135. At pres~nt the Tongass i:~ational Forest constitutes a large but
little used resource. f"Ianufacturing is confined principally to sat-nnilling.
Tuenty-seven smm1ills are located in the rec;ion; hot-Jever, 1vi th the exception
of the three at Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka they t·rere very small. The total
cut has averaged a little over 63,000,000 board feet annually over the 5
year period 1946-1950. About 80 percent of the cut goes to the sawmills,
and the remainder is used in the round for fish traps and i"fharf piling.
i\1ost of the 1 umber is sold locally, but some, partie ularly spruce 1 umber, is
exported,
136. The average annual commercial timber cut from. Tongass National
Forest in thousands of board feet <md the average annual V:J.lue of stumpage
for 5 year periods are shmm in the follouing tabulation,
Year I!. i':.,H. Value
1916-1920 46,119 :~67 ,900
1921-1925 35,021 60,679
1926-1930 43,458 n,ooB
1931-1935 21,240 32,443
1936-1940 31,664 45,010
1941-1945 58,604 83,899
1946-1950 63,328 115,207
Source: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
137. H<my forest industries are on the verge of substantial expansion.
Definite plans e1re being made for additional satnnilling capacity and for a
plywood mill to be built at Juneau to manufacture plyt-10od from Sitka spruce.
Most of -~he increase in forest products is expected to be marketed in con-
nection wl. th the large construe tion prograra in the Terri tory and Sitka
spruce plytvood tvould be marketed in the States livhere it connands a premium
price Hhich t-muld offset shipping charges. A large potential market exists
for a variety of products from small uoodvlorking plants liJhich could turn
out hundreds of items to go into the building and furnishing of homes and
commercial facilicies. Inexpensive but substantial furniture can be made
from western hemlock and high quality furniture from Alaska cedar. Alaska
cedar makes [<;ood material for manufacture of planking, decking, ship knees,
-43 -
•
oars, paddles, skiffs ai~d many other parts and accessories. £.1ore spruce and
hemlock could be used to r,lake the thousands of fish barrels, boxes, and crates
that are needed every year, a.r1d small shops could be located near mills to
utilize mill ends to mah:e Hooden toys and articles symbolic of Alaska for
sale to tourists.
138. While the future 1rill undoubtedly bring expansion of existing
forest industries and add many ne1i1 HoodvJOrking enterprises, the major
development is expected to be manufacture of Hood pulp. Utilization of a
large part of the timber in the making of pulp '\vould bring the highest
returns in both income and employment to the region. Southeastern Alaska
possesses the largest tmtapped commercial timber area on the continent and
the Forest Service has estimated that the national forest is capable of
producing one billion board fcot of timber annually on a sustained yield
basis. This sup;:,ly of timber uould penni t manufacture of approximately
1,ooo,ooo tons of newsprint anauaUy in addition to large quantities of
lumber, ply'\·rood, and many other vmod products. In addition to the tremendous
timber resource, numerous hydro poHer sites are available for development to
supply the large poucr requirements of neusprint wills. Hater transportation
because of the proximity of the forests to tide Nater, can be used to move
logs from forest to mill and to ship the product from mill to market. The
same inland uaterways can cut lo,~ging costs by reducing the nurriber of miles
of logging roads and railroads to be built. Ec1uipment can be floated from
one camp to another, and, s.Lnce 75 percent of the timber is 1rithin 2~ miles
of tide'lvater, a part of it can be logged directly into tidet·Jater tvhile the
remainder, located in the longer valle;ys,1·rill require log flumes, truck
roads, or short railroads. The mild climate of the Southeast pe:rmits log-
ging operations in the t:mods for about 10 months of the year.
139. The first step in establishing the pulp industry in Southeastern
Alaska occurred 1-1hen contracts for 1,5oo,ooo,ooo cubic feet of pulp timber
vrere a'\varded in the summer of 1951 to a firm t-rhich plans to build a mill in
the vicinity of l~etchikan. ];)is solving -~ype pulp for manufacture of rayon
-44 ,..
:~md cellonhane Hill be edina h:)ving an initi daily capacity
of 300 tons. '.hen completed it "\Till have 525 tons dally capacit~r and employ
a tout 800 'lOrkers.
140. The Tongass Eational Forest timber resource is sufficient to
supply on a sustained yield basis about 3,000 tons of nm·rsprint pulp daily.
Value of this output plus that of all other forest indus s 'l'Jhen maximmn
developm.ent has been reached Hill, ·accord±nc: to the ilt of Agri-
cuJ..ture, be approximately ,ooo,oco annually as compared uith the cur-
rent ,5oo,ooo annual output. These should con tribute substanti
to buil'ling a stable economy in the Southeast. Supportt:·d forest units to
be cut on a sustained bas:Ls, tLe7 1rrill not only build permanent com-
munities, but tl1ey ~·r..Lll to staiJilize employment by removing much of
the cxtreu:: seasonal variat:;.on. iclso, by developinc; basic forest :i.ndustries
of the region, support be given to large numbe:rs of service and. small
manufacturing enterprises.
141. Service industries. -The rela ttve importance service
industries in Southeastern Alaska in 1950 is shmm by emplo;y:ment figures.
In that year auprw:illlately 6,250 persons out of a total of about 15,ouo,
or a·oout 40 perc,mt uore c, .ployed in services. Ti1is is les;;; than the normal
mt,j_o in prosperous areas of the States VJlFn"e ~Jcrvice industries tend to
employ more persous than bctsic industries. Of the total enployed in services
in 19:~o, 900 Here in the tr:.:.-lsportation industry, 600 uerc in construction,
2,250 !:Jere in government, and 2,500 Here in ru1 other. If the 2,2)0 per-
::oons in govcrru~ent service uere deducted from the total of service industries
and considered as enployed in basic industry, 'vhich is es:_~entially the con-
di tion at June.,u, this percentage Hould be considerably lower than 40 per-
cent.
142. As the Southeast Alaska area develops, it is reasonable to
expect that the above percentat;e r1Jill materially. This Hould indicate
that grouth of service industries and their employment opportunities Hill
be greater tfnn the average expected err.ployruent for all industries.
-45 ..
·'
143. ~J.iscellaneous manufacturing. -The major manufacturing in this
region is confined to the processing of fish and forest products vJhic h are
covered in o'L~her sections. Other than in these hm fields manufacturing is
restricted to a limited number of very small scale operations TrJhich include
printing, dairy, bakery, beverage, concrete mixing, boat building and repair-
ing, and machine shops. In 1950 employment in the entire group totaled only
about 200 which is far belou the level necessary to provide needed goods.
144. The existing market could absorb more locally manufactured goods
if they could be produced at a price Hhich I"J'ould enable them to compete
Hi th those noH imported. }bny bulky or perishable i terns, especially those
that are extremely costly to ship from the States, might come 1Jithin this
category. If the expected development of fore~>t industries occurs, it Hill
create a better market for a 1;·ide variety of goods Hhich could be manufactured
locally in small plants.
145. Recreation. -Each year several thousand persons visit South-
eastern Alaska, but the time spent in the area usually consists of a fe<-J
hours a t the principal tmms uhile the steamship on vJhich they are trave!"'
ling loads and unloads cargo. Such visits have not led to the development
of an extensive recreational industry. Recently improvements in airline
schedules have brought t;w area vJithin a feu hours flight time from all parts
of the States, and the attractions of the area are alluring more visitors
each season.
146. From a recreation standpoint, scenery is the foremost tourist
attraction. '1'!1e coastal area of Southeastern Alaska lies ui thin a portion
of an immense semicircle of mountains that extends from the southern extremity
of the Terri tory to the Aleutian C!1ain. Hundreds of square miles of tmJering
snm·r-capped peaks have created a rugged terrain broken further by long arms
of the sea extendinc; inland. The resulting fjords furnish the tourists
vie1vs as spectacular as any in the uorld. Adding both interest and mag-
nificence to the scenery in this area are the tremendous glaciers, several
of <·Thich extend to tidm·rater and are among the most spectacular glaciers on
-46-
the North American continent .. A few, such as the glacier of Le Conte Bay,
break off in enormous blocks to become icebergs. Alaskan glaciers are
particularly interesting in that they are remnants of the extensive ice
field l'!hich once covered much of the North .American continent.
147. Another important attraction for the recrea.t:ionist is the
wildlife resource of the region which affords good hunting ancl sport fish-
ing. The area contains a ve.riety of ga;•ne animals including big gnme,.
wild fowl, and frellh and saltwater fish ..
148. Southee.stern Alr,ska not only posseses an abundance of natural
resources upon v:hich to base a tourist industry, but is also rich in
historical associations of a colorful past. 1~arly tribal lifo of the
Indians is manifested in totem polos, grs.ve houses, kitchen middens,.
community houses, and native arts such as basketry, 'V'.rood carving, and
blankets. Some of the best examples of these may be found in the vicinity
of Sitka, ''Ire.ngell, and Ketchikan. In Sitka, former seat of Russia 1 s
colonial government, evidences of the occupation are everywhere. Many of
the structures t)uilt by the Russians are still in use among v;hich is the
Cathedral of St. Hichael, a Hussian Orthodox Church, completed in 1848.
lh9.. Hany factors tend to restrict investment of capital in addi-
tional facilities such as limited present demand for accommodations, a
very short seasonj. gree.t distance from the States, and high building costs
in the Territory --particularly in isolated recreational art:Jas. Notwith-
standing these deterrents, the recreational resources of Southeastern Alaska
warrant further development, Excellent sites, many combining heautiful
scenery with good hunting and fishing, are avs.ilable ·for establishing
lodges. A survey of these sites is being rrade as a part of a study of
recreational resources in Southeastern Alaska by the Park Service and the
Forest Service.
150. One of the most significant recreational developments in the
Southeast is th8 system of tre.ils and shelters built by the Forest Service •
.Miles of trails tap areas of interest to hunters, fishermen, mountain
-47-
1 . b nd · ,.,.h·'· ~e 'rs To .~.~~ur+her assl· s t those Hho 't"ish to c llll ers, Cftr,1eramen, a s:1.6 ,. "'"' ,e • _ v
enjoy the pri.:.nitive lvildcrness, docks, ui1arves, shelters, and several
cabins have been built. S1~iffs are anchored at some trout lakes for the
convenience of fishermen. To permit tourists to '\-Jatch t:1e bearE; in safe·c;y,
platfor~'ilS have been built near some of the salmon strea;•ns.
l The Federal Government has set aside a number of arens in South-
eastern Ala:::ka as national monuments, game reserves, and national forests.
These i~1cl ude the Tong ass National Forest, Glacier rTational Homunent,
Kasaan lJational i:ionument and Sitka National Honument. Th5 Forest service
has rnade an excellent begirming in developing the recreational features
o.f the national forest. Glacier r:at:Loual Eonument contains primitive
forests, streams, lakes, and 5laciers, but is completely undeveloped.
152. \vildH.fe. -In A:t.as:~a, vJildlife is classified in three main
categories -ga ,e, fur animals, anll birds. The most abundant big
ga>ne in Southeast Alaska is the Sitkan black-tailed deer, folloued by
bear, :nountain goat, and moose. The deer, uhich are estinated to number
about 4o,ooo, are found in some 12,000 square miles range extending
from Dixon Entrance to Cross Sound. brorrn ;:md gr~i.zzly bears, highly
prized by big game hunters, are most numerous on Baranof and Chichagof
Islands and the black bea:cs on ::uiu, Eupreanof, and Prince of TJales Islands
and along the mainland coast. The offshore islands tvere devoid of these
anilnals until some uere successfully trnnsplanted to Baranof and by
the U. S. FirJh and Uildlife Service. The mountain goat, by its ~my of
living in re.rnote and inaccessible areas, is assured protection from all but
the hardiest of human hunters. A feu moose inhabit this region but these
are confined to the mainlnnd coast2.l areas.
153. Fur ar1imals have played an im1)ortant part in the development of
southeast Alasl·~a s:i.nce its early settlement by the Russians. hany hundreds
of the native Indians and numerous professional Hhite trappers and old
time residents end on hunting and trD.pping and the selling of furs as a
mainstay for their existence.
-48 -
154· The principal fur bearing animals are mink, marten, beaver,
l8.nd otter, muskrat, and ·w-easel. 1<'Iolves, thoue:h not strictly classed as
fur animals, have pelts of sufficient value to warrant their mention •.
The averae;e annual fur toke for the 3 years, 1948 to 1950 inclusive,.
I was valued at more than $h50,.000,. 80 percent of which was mink.
155. Large numbers of migratory water fowl and upland r;ame birds
propagate in the area. Hany kinds of ducks breed here, but the most com-
mon are the pintail, mallard, and American wigeon~ An isolated colony of
the beautiful large Pacific eider duck nests in the ~lacier Bay Fational
Nonument area. The wbitecheeked goose is predoMinant on the many islands
of this region.-
156.. The most abundant uphmd game birds are grouse and ptarmigan.
Ptarmigan is a form of grouse which nature has endowed with the ability to
change its coloration betwec-m summer and ~inter periods. Alaska grouse,
including ptarmigan, are subject to epizootic disease and reri odically die
off in lar~e numbers. These birds increase to great abundance every 8 to
10 years and then almost vanish, after which the flocks slowly build up
again from scattered survivors.
157.. Public lanes e.nd reservations: -Southeastern Alaska contains
about 35,700 square miles of which over 99 percent is in Federal mmership.
Huch of this land has been set aside as reserved areas for special use.
See Plate 19. These reservations include the Tongass ~!ational Forest of
25,000 square miles, Glacier I:!onument having a gross area of 3,600 square
miles, Hydaburg Indie.n Reservation of 156 square miles, Annette Island
Indian servation of ;;quare miles, and many small monuments and reser•
vations. Land in private ownership is located principally within town-
sites and amounts to less than 0 .. 3 percent of the total area.
158. lTational forest land may be opened to homesteading and other
types of nrivRte use at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
159"' The United Sts:tes holds title in reserve for the future state
to all shore lands of navigable waters below high-water rna.rk. These lands
-49 -
are not hAld to be puhHc l<:Jnc, and no title or leases can be conferred
under the public Lmd laws. Although jurisdiction over these lands lies
with the Secretary of the Interior,. permits for construction must be
obtained from the Secretary of the Army in order to prevent possible
interference with navip:ation.
160.. 'Fater la1·rs. -Al8.ska h~:ts not yet oromuJ.gated a water code or
a system of water laws to govern the appropriation f\.nd use of V.'l:lter and to
achninister established water rishts. Appropriations are made by diversion
and use, but the lavrs of the Territory do not require the posting or
recording of notice of apl)ropriation of vw.ter, and formal notice :i.s not
essential to the validity of an appropr iEtti on ..
161. Po~~<pply .. -In common with other e.reas of the Territory,.
power load center::: of Southeastern llaska are separ<J.ted hy great distances
and difficult terrr.d.n making interconnection of load areas impractical ..
Each community may be considered as an independent economic island, as far
as power supnly is concerned, and tied to the vrhole area through geographi-
cal position only. The novmr supply for the com111unitic s of Juneau,.
Ketchikan, '~rrangell, Petersburg, and Sitka -at present the major c~nters
of industry -arc c~iscusG0d inrlepAndrmtly.. Other areas and independent
inst~;~.lJ.ati ons of industry arA emmerated briefly.
162. Juneau has the greatest generating cep13.city of any community
.......
in Southeast Alaska. The installed capaci +;y totals 23 ,800_ kilowatts of
which 15,200 kilowatts are in hydro pl8.nts and 8,.000 kilo,Natts in steam~
-~-·----
However, lack of vrater storage limits the hydro power output to 8,J-iOO
kilowatts, firm at about )~0 percent load factor; and lack of steam genera-
tion fe.cilitie s limits the r,team plant production to 6,.000 kilowatts.
163. Retail distribution to the city and surro,mding area is made
by the Alaska Blectric Light and ·Power Company,. a utility that, as of
August 1951, had 1,600 kilovratts of gene rating capacity, all hydro with-
out storn fte, to serve the area. The remaining capacity within the area
is ovmed by the Alaslca;.,Juneau Gold tUning ComDany, from which the utility
-50 -
I
buys additional enGrgy to s11pDly its customers. '"!hen the gold mine was
in operation, nearly s.ll the energy of the mining company was needed in
the mining ouerations. But since 1941-i v.rhen the mine closed, -this block
of energy has been availn.ble to the utility. };:ost of the generating
equipment is at least 35 years old, and plans for replacement are very
inoefinite.
·16LJ.• The Juneau Lumber Company, Inc. at ,Tunea u hn.s e. 1 ,000-kilowatt
generator which is used for povrer needs of the comna.ny. The generating
equipment is not synchronized with the utility for interconnection,. and
was not included in the a·Love totals ..
165. ·rith:in the Ketchikan a;·ea, electrical energy is supplied from
the municipal system. T1o hydro develorJ::ents supply the princip:=tl source
of energy. An inste.lJ.ation on 1\etchilw.n Creek, consisting of four units,
will be C8T'lble of furnishi:r.g o.bout h,OOO kilowatts of peakin[" capacity
when one un:i.t now being renaired is placed b11ck in servjcc sometime in
1952. Theso four units date back to 1912 vrith the newest one installed
in 1938• The second development of the city at Beaver FalJ s a'cout 11
miles e."lmy on George Inlet consists of two units of about 1,200 kilowatts
each. In a deli tion, the city of Ketchikan pb.ns the installation of a new
2,000-kilovratt genoratinc; u:r..it 8.t Beaver Fn.lls within the near future ..
Other imProvements are lllso n1nnYJ.ed to bring !_'le9.ldng capacity close to
the total insta11rction. Thus the total installed capacity of the hydro
plants of the city will be about 8,.400 kilowatts.
166. The city is expecting: to meet peak loads at present with
Diesel generating units. This installation plus an interconr:ection with
the New J:;ngland F'ish Co. 960 kilov:atts of hydro power will be used to
meet peak loads, Total interconnected ce.pacity after improvement to
existing phmts have been made ,Hill ·be 9,360 kilowatts and the peaking
capacity some·what Jose than this ..
167., 'f'he Ketchikan Spruce Hills, a timber processing plant within
the city,. hn.s kilo·watts of steam generating capacity. This plant
-51 -
is not interr,onnectecl to the city syste:'ll, cor.sequently its capacity is
not ava:i.lable to conr:ected loads of the .'3.re8.. Interconnection is not
planned at this time.
168. At SHka,. distribution is made by the municipal utility which
8.t present o7ms only 300 kilov:atts of Diesel generating capacity that is
used as a standby unit. Primary pov1er is bought from the Alaska J.lative
Service from a 3 ,.000-kilowatt steam plant on <Taponski Island in the
har1Jor. A base capacity of 1,250 kilmJatts is made available for the
city although greater momentary pe<:>,ks are met. In the winter, only 850
kilovmtts ~:ere availal;J.e to the city from this source because of the heat-
ing lor:.d on the pb.nt.
169. Three other po'.'!Or installations within the city serve specific
loads. The Sitks. Gold Stor8t;e Co .. h!J.S 390 kilm,atts of Diesel power for
use within its plant, 'but it also buys from the city to supply maximum
demand .. The Columbia Lumber Co. he.s a 500-kilowatt ste<Jm plant for
comnr.ny use. The Shelton Jackson school has a 60-kilowatt hydro plant
B.nd a 15-kilowatt Diesel to supply po·wer to the school. None of these
independent instBllat icms is synchronjzecl with tho Alaska Native Service
plant to assist in csrry·ins povrer loads of the 9rea .. Hovmver, the 300-
kilowatt uni+. o·" the c:it:.r e.nd the ?:90-kilowett C8.pac:!.ty of the Sitka Cold
Storage Co. are synchron~ ?.eel cnr~ cDn carry the lords of the city utility
system in emergencies.
l 70. municipal system of the town of 1:"(rangell serves the major
power loads of thf-d; area. The c:i. ty r.a s 915 kilovvatts of inste.lled
capacity jn five Diesel units voryj ng from 80 kilowatts to 300 kilowatts ..
A small savvrnill about 8 miles cast of 'Yrang;ell h'J. s a hydro development
on Hill Creek of 200 kilov'att ceiJacity that is not interconnected 'Nith
the municipal system. This po'rer is used in a small sawmill.
171. Petersbnrg is served by a municipal power system.. A hydro
plant with two L).00-kilo•:iatt units furnishes base power.. To supplement
the hydro nlant, two Diesel units have been installed -one a 250-kilovm.tt
-52 -
unit and the other a 1 ,000-kilov;att '.L.
Ul11 '"' • Thlls the total installed capacity
is 2,050 kilowatts. The peaking cspacity is ahout the same as the installed
capacity except during the winter when the hydro plant closes dmm been use
of lack of vmter suppJy. There are no i.nterconnections >'•ith industrial
fac:Uities for emergencies.
1.72. The total electric generating capacity of installations over
100 kiJmr;atts is shown in Table 9, which also includes many communities
not discussed previously ..
of the princi pu .. l load centers in Sout.Le<.J..stern Altska. is impractical.. The
Federal Power Commission, recogni:d.n~~ the isolated cr,aracter of the differ-
ent centArs, has n.ne.l_yzed each C01'!! unity as an independent market area
in their po·:rer !'flarl<et survoy !!1> do for the corns of Eng; neers for this re-
port. 'rho .following c:iscussion presents essentiully tile date, obtained
by the FeC'.eral lO'·rer Co:rnrdssion for t}:.e year l')l.J7, modified to take
account of ch'3.nces thE.t have occurred s:lnce trot date. Further, the
studies of future pov.rer requjrements estimated by the cow.mi.ssion for 1960
have b8en extended to cover esti~:ated 1975 loads ..
17l.t.. Po11':er r0q u; ret":en~s for Junen.u totaled over 12 million kilowatt
hours in 19hC. 'T'his incre~.sed to e:Up;htly over 11! million kilowatt-hours
in 1950. Over 2,700 lir~hting eustomers in 1950 aYeraged about 1,.800
kilowatt-hours eachr The number of customers j_n 1950 increased slightly
over the number in 1948, but usae;o remsined about the same per customer ..
Rates are a':10n3 the lov:ost in Alcl.svn, but are .::;till high in comparison
to the averare ·within the Poci.,ic IiorthYrest.
175• Available surply is arlequa te for the present, but high industrial
rates discourae;e r;uch usage.. Ad0quate reserves arc not a V'' il£,_ble for any
major industrial expansion. It is expected that a pulp mill will be es-
tahlished vJithjn the o.rea before 1 ')60, requiring about 69,.000 ,.000 kilowatt•
hours per year Et a ;_-jeak d3mand of ahout 10,,000 kilo,~:atts. Of this amount,
possibly 5,000 kilmvatts will be needed from sources other t'han the pJ.ant' s
T-l"ame
Angoon Cormmmi ty Assoc.
Alaska Native Service
Hood Bcw Sa1mon Co.
Craig, town of
Libby, Jl,~cFeil and Libby
Cannery
Haines Light and T'ower Co.
Cannery, Nick Bez
Hoonah, tovm of
Icy Strait Salmon Co.
Hydaburg, tovm of
Alaska rJtt ti ve Service
Location
Angoon
do
do
Craig
c1o
Excursion Inlet
fhines
Hawk Tnlflt
Hoonah
do
Hydaburg
do
Alaska Electric L.&: P. Co. Juneau
Alaska ,Juneau Gold Iviining Co.
Annex CreP.k do
}Tugr:et Creek do
Salmon Creek do
Sheep Creek do
Steam llant do
Treadvrell
Juneau Lumber Co. Inc.
Kake; Villa~e of
Kake t Village of
Ketchikan Public Utili ties
Ketchikan
Beaver Falls
Ketchikan Spruce Hills
Nakat Packing Corp.
New F:ngland l<~lsh Co ..
Klawak, Village of
Metlal\~Ha, . Yillage of
Metlakatla, Village of
Pelican Lbr. and Mfg. Co.
Pelican Cold Storage Co.
Pelican Cold Storage Co.
Pelican Cold Storage Co.
do
do
Yc;.ke
do
Yetchikan
do
do
do
do
do
KlawB.k
Hetlakatla
do
Pelica.n
do
do
do
Petersburg };unici.pe.l L.&P. Co. Petersburg
Petersburg }'runicipal L.&P .. Co. do
Port Chilkoot Co.
Chilkoot Fur Farms
Near Haines
do
-53 a -
Fame plate
rating, Type
kilo,>ratts
hO Diesel
12,5 Ga.s
80 riesel
175 do
125 do
!-tOO do
215 do
1115 do
150 do
150 do
200 do
17·5 Gas
1,600 Hydro
2 ,801 ' do
" ~I do r' J -· I . do .. '
;?~)'":(; do
PjOOO }/ Steam
1 ~oU: Hydro
1,000 Steam
110 Hydro
200 Diesel
()1+2 do
h,ooo Hydro
2 ,L~oo do
050 Steam
300 Diesel
960 Eydro
150 Diesel
l-t05 Hydro
455 Diesel
235 do
1)00 Eydro
150 Di0sel
50 Gas
800 Hydro
1,250 Diesel
150 do
20 do
I
'
Name
TABLE 9 (Cont 1 d)
Sitka Dublic Utili ties
Sitka Cold Storage Co.
Ll<1sl01. N!:tti ve Service
Columbia Lumber Co.
Sheldon Jackson School
Sheldon Jnckson School
Skagway Public Service Co.
Skagway Public Service Co.
Fakat Tacking Corp.
'l'c.ble 9 Continued
Location
Sitka
do
Fear Sitka
Sitka.
do
do
Skagway
do
,.'a:terfall
,-;r?,.nr;c; 11 1'!rang;"dl, tovm of
Alaska Mines and Metals Co. Jiee.r · ·ranr:ell
BeJ.ling;ham Canning Co. Yakntat
rating,
kilowl'l.tts
Type
--------
300 Diesel
'390 do
3,.000 Steam
500 do
60 Eydro
15 Diesel
300 Hydro
215 Diesel
300 do
915 do
200 Hydro
100 Diesel
-h5,72G
Does not include mechfm:ic,,J pm;er units or loGe.lities vnth less than
100 kilowatts totf'.l capn.ci ty.
Inopers.ti ve.
Inchldes a 2,000 kilowatt unit t:hrct cannot be onerated simnltaneous
with the 6,.000 kilowe.tt unit,.
-53 b -
I
oilm power~ Such a mtll is e:.-.:pected to increase the population to about
,000 persons by 1960, resulting in approximately 4,500 residential
customers who would usc about 5, 000 kilo'natt-hours if low cost power vrere
available. Total lo~:.ds as estimetecl by the Federal Power Cmmniss1on for
1960 are sho7m in the following tabulation!'
TJti1ity:
Residential
Corr.rnercial
Industrial
Company use, losses, and other
Total
Industrial, large:
Pulp mill
,Juneau lumber mills
Energy
1,000 kw.-hr
22,800
15,200
9,')00
6,000
53,500
69,000
6,.000 --rr;;;ooo
Peak demsnd,
Kw.
12,~00
11,-500
176. The neak electric no·uer requirements on a utility system are
estimated for 1060 as follows:
Utility load
Industria 1 load
Total
12,200 kilowatts
_'?,00~ do
17 ,_200 do
177. A ne··u source of low-cost hydroelectric pmvcr could he used to
supply this entire Joan. Most existing generatinG capacity is old and
not well maintained. Accorriingly,. the entire esti:r.1ated load, except a
portion of the 1on.o for the pulp mills, may be considered a market for
power from a new source of lov1 cost •
178. Extension of the estimated 1960 loads by assuming, a 5 percent
annual load growth would indicate requirements for an installed capacity
of about 35,000 kilowatts by 1975. This capacity should provide for
possible future loads and inr.:lude an adequate reserve unless some large
unforeseen industrial develonment takes nlace.
179. A possibHity exists thD t the type of process seler;ted for
the proposed pulp mill may require much greater amounts of power than
estimated above. If this should prove to be the case, the requirements
for the <Tuner.tu area may be incn:ased until as much as 40,000 kilowatts
of added installution may be necessary.
180,. At Ketchik~'n the pm•mr requi.renents of the utility system were
about 19,000,000 kilowatt-hours in 19Ml n.nd about ,500,000 kilowatt-
hours in 1950. Customers within the o.reo. served by the municipality had
a very high aven.tge use in 19L18, l.t.,600 kilowatt-hours per residential
custorne r with total residential consumption of 8 ,.600 ,000 kilowatt-hours.
Conunercial customers used about 7,.600,000 ki1owatt-hours in 19h8 or about
15,700 kilol'.ratt-hours per customer. Hates for all cl1'1sses of service are
the lo·we st within Alaska !'l.nd t'()mpare favorably ·with rates of nri vate power
companies in the Pacifjc Northwest.
181 .. In estimating power reguhements for 1960 the Federal Power
Comrni ssion assumed th~' t a pu1p mill vvi11 have been established ¥rith in the
area with a daily production cap.city of 500 tons and a peak pov!Or demand
of 10,.000 kiJ.owBtts. This development would result in a total population
in the Ketchikan area of 13,000 ''ersons, increasing the utility load to
12,000 kilowatts •. The follovring tabulation shows the 1960 power require-
ments as estir.:ated by the Federal Pow·er Commission
Energy, Peak demand,.
Utility:-
1,000 kw.-hr. kilowatts --~----------------------
Residential and ruraJ
C onrne r c:i. a 1
Industrial, small
MunicipHl, cormany use, e.nd losses
Industrial:
Pulp mill
Ketchikan Spruce Fi1l s
New 'Sn)!,l and Ji':t sh Co.
30 ,.ltOO
22,!)00
100
6,.000
. 59,0tio
60,.000
3,700
1,300
7I~ ,ooo
12,000
10,.000
1,800
11 ,BOO
182. Present av9.ilable gr:;nerating capacity in the area, exclusive
of the. t of the Kotchiknn Spruce Fl1ls and the New Enr:rhnd Fish Company,
is 8 J-tOO kilowatts. 1\ssuming t,hat these companies will continue to
furnish their own power and that the pulp mill will supply one-half of
its requirements by burning waste material in a steam plant, it is indi-
cated that r-m adcl:i.tions.l capacity of 8,600 kilowatts will be required
from an independent source by 1960 ..
-55 -
183. Probeble l0ads h"V·3 l·,··m rstima'ed for 1975 by assuming a 5 per-
cent annual load gro¥rth ueyond the 1960 es'.;imated loads, indicating demand
for an installed capacity of about 41+,000 kilo...-:atts by that dr.te. As the
1960 estimates assumec1 a 500-ton pul!'l mi.ll in operation by tr,a.t time, 1~.nd
the timber supply of the vicinity could support a 1 1 200-ton mill on a sus-
tained yield bP..si s, the pulp industry may expand· to ultimate capacity by
1975 ..
18)-+• l<,or the fiscal year ending June 30, 1950,. Sitka required about
2,600,.000 kilowatt-hours of electric energy, which was purchased from the
Alaska Native Service. 'T.'his c0mpares 7·dth 2,500,000 kilowatt-hours pur-
chased 9.nd generated in l9h5.-The system supplied 484 residential and
rural customers in 191+5, the onJ.y yenr for vrhicn date. are available~' and
76 commerci:; l nnd industrial cnsto:ners. No chan rr,e has occur red since to
m9.terially ch~l.n["G the munber of customers. Hesidential and rural sales
accounterl for ?7 rorcent of the energy sold in 19h5, and commercial and
industrial sDlos 72 percent. :Fates are among the highest in the Territory.
185.. Sitke. is proposed as the site for a pulp mill. Studies indi-
cate that the timber supply within the vicinity is sufficiont to supply
a hOO-ton mill on e. su:::b:tned yiold basis. In me,king estimates for 1960
power requirements, the FedGr"l Power Commission assumes that a 400-ton
mill will be in operation. The pow~?r requirements of the pulp mill will
amount to about 55,000,000 kilowatt-hours annually v:i.th a penk demand of
7, 700 kilO'l'.ratts. Depending upon the process used, considerable power may
be generated from waste materials, but the assumption is made that about
one-half of the power needed r::ill be obtained from outside sources. The
mill would increase tho pol)ula tion of SHka to about 7,500 people, and this
increased population with attend'lnt service industries ~ncreases the power
requirements to about 18,000,000 kilow<ttt-hours. ~he total estimated re-
quirements for 1<?60 are summadzed in the following tabulation ..
-56 -
•
Utility:
Residential and rural
Commercial and industrial
1\lunicipal, street lighting
and other
Company use and losses
Total
Industrial:
Pulp mill
Energy
~1,000 kt-1-hrs.
7,600
7,JOO
1,100
2,000
""'I1J,CJOO
55,000
Peak denand
kil01-1atts
4,100
7,700
186. At present the total po;rer requirements are obtained from the
3,000-kilouatt plant oi the Alaska Native Service. It is as::;u;·ned that the
entire 1960 poHer load except one-half the loa.d of the pulp mills -vrill be
supplied from neu hydroelectric sources at rel:J.tively lmv cost. The 1960
load which could be served by a potential hydro development is approxi-
mately as shmm in the follovving tabulntion.
Utility load 4,100 kilmvatts
Industrial load
(pulp plant) ..],900 do
Total 8,000 do
187. Probable loads for 1975 have been estimated by assuming a 5
percent annual load grmvth applied to all loads of 1960 except that for
the pulp mill. It is thus indicated that 8,500 kilmratts uould be re-
quired for the utility load, t·rhich with the 1960 industrial load results
in a total of 12,400 kilotratts of installed capacity. Hith the provision
of some reserve capacity, an installation of about 15,000 kilov~atts 1·10uld
be required by 1975.
188. The 915-kilovratt plant of the city of iJrangell eenerated about
1,400,000 kilmratt-hours in 1950 ;ri th a maximum hourly peak load of 370
kilowatts. In Februar;y-1951, 511 customers of all classes >rere furnished
energy. As all generation is by Diesel motors, production costs are high
and consequently rates are not such as to encourac;e high usage.
189. The timber within the 1-Jrangell-Petersburg area is estimated to
be sufficient to supply a 700-ton pulp mill on a sustained yield basis,
and in estimating 1960 power requirements the Federal Power Commission
-57 -
!
assumed that such a mi.ll l!;ould be in opere·~ion within or near 1:~rrangell,.
lmnual povter requirement of the pulp mil1 '.roCJ.ld be 97,000,000 kilo'f.ratt-
hours v:ith a peak load of 13 .t500 kilmr;atts, one-half of which would be
required from outside sources. Further, the establishment of the mill
v!Ould result in a total population estimated at 8,000 people. Assuming
thr>.t low-cost pm•v0r from hydro sources would be available by 1960,.
domestic usage would have increased an estil::ated 19,000,000 kilov;a.tt-
hours, Total er.timated 1960 requirements are summarized in the follow-
ing t8.bulation:
Utility:
Residentia 1
Cor.:unercial
Industrial
Street lighting, losses ~nd other
Total
Industrial:
Pulp mill
10,000
51000
1~200
2:,800
. 19,.000-
97,.000
Peak demand
kilowatts
5 ,.!)00
13,500
190 .. As present generation is from costly Diesel driven generators,
it is assumed that the entire 1960 load would be supplied from a low-cost
hydro development, nith one-half the pulp mill load on the utility system,
the total hydroel8ctric instsllation needed vrould be 12,300 kilowatts.
191. Assuming: an anmw.l groYrth after 1060 of 5 JX3rcent of the utility
·load, an installation of 11,000 kilowatts would be needed by 1975· Adding
some for reserves,. a total installation of about 20,.000 kilmvatts would be
required to supply the utility and industry by that date.
192.. Possibilities of industrial or mining development at other
localities within the area are too indefinite at this time to estimate
any large incree.se :tn povmr requirements.. Loads at such communi ties would
increase nominally and it is e.ssumed that sources would be developed to
supply the demand.
193· Smnmary. -The large military construction programs carried on
in Alaska since ''orld ""."ar II largely bypassed Southeast Alaska, and popula-
tion there increased only about 9 percent during the last decade. Expansion
-58 -
of government activities has been the greatest Single factor contributing
to grov:lth in the area,. although some impetus has been provi.ded by greater
utilization of natural resources. Tho population of the Southeast arer..
has been much more stable than most oth<?.r areas of the Territory ..
19h· Fishlng and fish processing have formed the major nart of the
economy of the area, and undoubted1y the fishing industry will continue
as a major industry. In 1950,. the industry employed almost half of the
workers vd thin the area at the pe::;,k of the season. The main activity is
concentrated vri thin a few months period, and off-fleason employment falls
,
considerably below that during the peak. Salmon and halibut fisheries
now catch the me"ximum numbers permissible in the interest of conservation,
but the industry has soree opportunity to expand. Many streams and lakes
now barren of SP. lmon runs could be onened up to spawning and could J)roduce
large new runs if channel obstructions were removed and, in some cases,
ladders were cor!struoted to aid fish past waterfalls. Some further ex-
pansion is possible through greater utilization of bottom fish, shell
fish and material now ¥~sted.
195• To date the vast forest resource of the area has contributed
only in a m:i.nor way to the economy of the Brea. In 1950, only about 660
persons were employed pr~ncip~.''.J.ly in SFLwmi1ls supplyjng the local market.
The future is expected to see e. material chanr;e. The construction of a
pulp mill in Ketchikan during 1952 will be the beginning of the industry
which ·within the next few y~ars is expected to supply a 1 1 000,000 tons of
pulp a year, Also, the forests are expected to furnish stgnificant quan-
tities of lumber and plywood. These forest industries are expected to
provide employment to 6,.000 persons by 1975• This vast resource probably
will supplant the fishing indnstry as the principal industry of the area ..
196. Gold mining which was once very important in the region has
contributed very little to the economy s inoe 194h, ,Hhen the Alaska-
Juneau mine wns closed, and this inrlustry is unlikely to be revived in
the foreseectble .future.. Exploration is betng carried on to determine
-59 -
r
the economic .feasibility of >netal s other tran gold, including
iron, lead, zinc, copper,. nickel, and even radio-active metals, but
the findings are not yet sufficiently conclusive to determine to what
extent exploitation of these deposits may be profi tn.ble.
197,, Employment opportunities in agriculture will nrobably rem.ain
small. Some expansion of dairying, truck gardening, and production of
small fruits may be expected to provide more fresh items for the local
market. Also, fur farming could be increased if justified by the fur
market. Agriculture, however, CC1.nnot be e:x-pocted to be more than
essentially a service industry.
193.. 'l'r'lnsportation, recreetion, and miscellaneous service facilities
are barely adequate for tho present po·Dul"tion. In general ratio be-
tween vvork0rs in basic industries and service workers exceeds I to 1, but
in this re on it is l:.lrh in basic industries to 1 in service industries,.
which indicates an opportunity for considerable e-xpansion.. If the antici-
pated grov.rth of fared industries occurs, it will be accor:munied by an
increase in resident population vhich will result in a greGtt:!r demand for
services of all kinds and provide the basis for expansion of employment in
this group of industries. Local ma:r..ufs.cturinr; establi~hments are supply-
ing only a very minor part of the rnar~cet for a wide range of manufactured
goods which indicates an opportunity for a numb8r of small plants to supply
these goods.
199• The anticipated growth in ;JOpulation vrill cause a demand for
power which will probr,bly be met by the development of low-cost hydro
power in the vicinity of each large community. The uro vis ions of a large
power reserve at the time of construction, in conjunction ;1rith low rates,
should prove a d0cisive factor :inducing industrial and cornrnercial expansion.
200 .. If the foreseeable opportunities for industrial expansion,. as
indicated in this report,. are exploited, sufficient employment opportuni-
ties would be provided to support a population of approximately 80,.000 by
1975·
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•I
SECTION IV -PROBLEMS
201. Navigation problem. -The Inside Passage furnishes sheltered
deep sea lanes from Puget Sound ports to most parts of Southeastern Alaska.
Some passages, however, can be navigated only at favorable stages of the
tide because of insufficient depths and strong currents. Alternative
routes can usually be chosen to avoid these difficulties but distances
and exposure to other hazards may be greater. The principal difficulty in
navigating the Inside Passage arisl'ls from the narrow rocky channels which
are often obscured by coastal fog. Further, the area is subject to severe
winds at times, more frequently in winter, which blow down from the glaciers
and snowcapped mountains to the distress of small.boat operators. Small
icebergs from the numerous glaciers are a.1 so fairly common in the northern
portion. Although considerable progress has been made in charting and
marking dangers, limited funds have prevented adequate investigation of
all passages or the marking of all dangers. Maintenance of existing navi-
gation aids poses a special Problem because of the general remoteness of
the fac:ilities.
202.. Passage between Frederir.k Sound and Sumner Strait was difficult
for large vessels prior to improvement of Vlrangcll Narrows. Before improve-
ment, vessels using this route had to await hig-.h stages of the tide. Since
improvements by the Corps of Engineers,. passage through rlrangell Narrows
is now possible at all stages of tide. However, strong currents are still
encountered except near slack tides, and some vessels continue to time
their pagsage for near slack:vrater periods •
203. Harbors at established communities are, in g~~eral, well pro-
tected and offer adequate facilities to handle present freight and passen-
ger traffic, insofar as ocean-going vessels are concerned. ·water depths
at some cannery wharves are inadequate for the deeper-draft vessels except
at favorable sta !1'es of tide.
204. The universal and increasing use of small boats in Southeast
Alaska creates a constant demand for sheltered harbors in Which to moor
-6] -
' t
all such craft. A conservative estimate of the number of boats operating
in the ~raters of Southeast Alaska during the summer months lrould be !~,ooo.,
including outside fishermen. S11all boat basins at the established corrmuni-
ties throughout Southeast Alaska, of sufficient size to provide protection
for the number of boats using such facilities, vrould, solve the greatest
:;pro'ulera of the small boat operator. Such improvements cannot be justified
economically at all places roquosted, but generally where traffic -vrarrants
these facilities would be provided.
205. A natural small boat basin exists at KlaHak ~·rhich is adequate
for the needs of the community, although trouble is experienced uhen the
uind is insufficient to bre.:1k up ice which occasionally forr,iS in the
basin. Srr1all boat basins have beon built by the Government at Juneau
and at Ketchikan. Results of a study to provide add.i tional moorage space
at Ket.chikan are set forth later in this report. A study is under vmy of
the need for providing more space at Juneau and Douglas, and the results
of this study will be the subject of a separate report. Projects have been
adopted to provide small boat basins at Port JJ.exander, 1-Jrangell, and
Petersburg, but 1n each ce.se the projects have been only partially com-
pleted. No funds lwve been made availJtle by Congress for approved projects
which would provide hnrbor :inly)rovorilents for sr.1all boats at Elfin Cove,
Sitka Harbor, f1eyers Chuck, Craig Harbor, iletlakatla, and Skag~Jay. The
communities of Haines, Gusta.vus, Hoonah, Pelican, Tenakee, Kake and
Hydaburg have a need for improved harbors for small boats. At Angoon, a
need for a harbor improvern.ent for SJ;lall boats has also been indicated,
but recently residents have voted to move the village to another site so
the improv~~ent is no longer needed.
206. 11ith the increasing use of snall boats and Hi th the advent of
some industrial development, especially that in connection with use of the
timber resource, a demand has grm-m for improvement of certain channels
to provide safer passaGe during storm pericds and to decrease cost of
operations. Improvement of tlvo such channels for shallow draft navigation
-62 -
has been previously recorunended by the Corps of Engineers. Gasteneau
Channel, ~mich is authorized, would be improved to permit passage north
from JU11eau to Lynn Canal at certain tidal stages without the necessity
of going around the southern end of Douglas Island. El Capitan Passage
at Dry Pass has been improved to provide a channel 6 feet deep and 60
feet Hide at mean lower lvater. Further improvement to provide a channel
12 feet deep and 70 feet wide at mean lower lo~1 uater has been recommended
by the field officers; however, the Division Engineer 1 s recomr:,endation
1..ras contingent upon use in moving logs from the nest coast of Prince of
\~Tales Island to a pulp mill at Ketchikan.
201. Improvement of several other channels has also been requested.
Improvement of Rocky Pass in Keku Strait is desired to facilitate passage
between Sumner Strait and Frederick Sound. Also shorter routes of travel
in more sheltered water are desired by providing a channel between Oliver
Inlet and Seymour Canal to avoid Stevens Passage where Taku Hinds are
hazardous; by providing a channel betvJeen HaHk Inlet and Youngs Bay to
shorten the route between Juneau and Chatham Strait so that small boats
could avoid bad weather around Point Retreat; by providing a channel be-
breen Tenakee Inlet and Port Frederick to permit passage between Hoonah
and Tenakee in sheltered w·aters; and by providing a channel across Prince
of Hales Island between Hetta Inlet and Cholmondeley Sound to shorten the
distance from the west coast of Prince of Hales Island to Ketchikan and
avoid the need for crossing the rough -vraters of Dixon Entrance.
208. There are many havens where small craft can find shelter from
storms along the Inside Passage and the Territory of Alaska has installed
moorage facilities in a number of these, but many are too deep for anchor-
age or have unsatisfactory holding ground. The many indentations along
the west coast of the island chain offer the fishing fleet a wide choice
of harbors in which to seek refuge from storms. Few, however, are ideal
in that they offer safe entrance combined li.Lth sheltered space and moorage
facilities. Interviews with fishermen familiar With the area brought forth
-63 -
information that not much shelter may be found in the reach north of Cross
Sound and comparatively few boats operate in the area on that account~
Lituya Bay,. about 50 miles northwest of Cross Sound, offers excellent
shelter but can be entered only on a slack-tide with a ce..lm sea. Dixon
and Graves ITarbors just north of Cross Sound offer protection, but Dixon
Ifurbor is badly silted and Graves }ffirbor needs a light at the entrance.
To the south of the Sound,. Deer Harbor and Lisianski Inlet provide good
protection. The ent ranee to Deer &.rbor,. however, is narrow and shallow,
and these anchorageR, as with most harbors of refuge within the area,are
difficult to locate at night because of absence of lights.
209.-The rivers of SoutheRst Alaska are little used for navigation.
An authorized project for the Alaslra •;ortion of Stikine River provides for
snagging of the river as often as necessary to maintain adequate navigable
conditions.
210.. Flood p1·oblem .. -The heavy precipitation over Southeastern
t
Alaska,. falling on the stoep mountainous slopes of the area,. causes high
discharge of the stre9.ms. ~-'ide spread flooding does not occur,. however,
as the drainage areo.s are small, and most streams are incised in narrow
canyons with the only flood plain ~)ccurring at the mouth. Most of the
settlements and developed areas are located on deltas, small streams, and
although as a consequence the floorl menace is not wide spread, it does
create local problems.
211. At June8.u,. Gold Creek, a short precipitous mountain stream .which
meanders through the western section of the city, has caused considerable
damage at times. Under relief projects of' the 1930's, a definite channel
for 1,900 feet of the lower portion was established and the channel sides
lined with cemented rubble. Subsequent high discharges damaged the chan-
nel ~~lls, and the stream threatens to again meander over its flood plain.
To maintain the present channel, the city of Juneau in 1943 made some
temporary renairs at the points of most critical erosion. The Corps of
Engineers in 1947 and again in 191+9 repaired the channel, under emergency
-64-
projects, follovring periods of high flow .. A project as described under
existing and authorized projects has been proposed to further stabilize
the channel.. Com;>letion of the nroposcd vrork would solve the flood prob-
lem 0n Gold Creek.
2:i.2"' Salmon Creek near Juneau has eroded some agricultural lands
on the delta.. Damage has been so slight that protection could not be
economically justified at this time.
213. The town of Skagway was built on the lower delta of Skagway
River where the stream empties into Tatya Inlet. The gravel outwash cone,
from which the delta is formed,. is very unstable, and the heavy detrital
load of Skagway River causes considerable aggrading and shifting of the
stream. Protection for the town and hnrbor facilities would .. be provided
by the authorized project modification described under existing projects ..
A previous project, completed in 1940~ provided some protectiony but major
floods in 191+3 and 194l+ destroyed pe.rt of the protective works and resulted
in the request for a.ddi tional control works.
21!~ .. At Sitka., Indian River flows adjacent to the Sitka National
Monument.. Flood waters :i.n recent years have been attacking the right
bank and threaten destruction of developments within the Monument.. Pre-
liminary investir;ations indicate t:r-,e.t the cost of any protective measures
would far exceed foreseeable benefits.
215~ Hyder is located on the flood plain of Salmon River at the
head of Portland Canal. ~:rumerous channels and sloughs make the town sub-
ject to damage from overflow. The existing project described elsewhere
in this report provides adequate protection, and no further work is indi-
cated.
216.. Ketchikan Creek flows for a distance of some 8,.600 feet through
the City of Ketchikan before discharging into tidewater~ For the lower
half of this discharge, the creek is confined to a deep rock canyon and
no problem exists, but for the remaining 1.( ,000 feet the course of the
creek :i.s through a residential area tbB.t is subject to damage from overflow ..
-65 -
As a result of damage the.t has occurred in the past,. protective steps
have been taken by the city. 'c 1aste excavations from construction projects
ha-,re 11ee:-1 used to build up two sections of the left bank alone; this reach ..
The earth, rook and concrete slabs used for this purpose have proven to be
excellent revetment material. Continuation of use of this area for disposal
of waste excavation will ultimately provide adequate protection. On the
basis of past and foreseeable future damages within this area, measures
for protection in addition to the work being performed by the city are not
indicated ..
217~ Drainage. -The generally steep slopes and light soil cover
in Southeast Alas1-:a are conducive to free drainage, so practically all of
the land suitable for development is well drained. Some scattered areas
of potential farm land, because of tundra or heavy soil condi tiona, may
require drainage, but such treatment is not difficult and should properly
be undertaken by the individual property owners when the need arises.
218. Irrig~. -The irrigation of farm lands to increase crop
yields has little practical application in Southeast Alaska. In general,
rainfall is so heavy throughout the region that use of supplementary water
in aid of agriculture is unnecessary and no problem exists for the fore•
seeable future.
219. Power problem~ -In most communities in Southeastern Alaska,
the electric power loads are small, and generating capacity to meet these
loads has been increased by small increments as the load has grown. As a
consequence, many small inefficient plants have been combined into each
system and rates are very high~ A direct result of these high rates is to
limit use to essenHal purposes, with industrial use at a minimum.
Installed capacities are generally adequate for the present demand at
present cost of power, but the whole picture is not favorable to industrial
growth ..
220. A major problem confronting these communities is one of develop-
ing power at a cost low enough to stimulate industrial expansion and in
-66 -
sufficient quantity to provide reasonable surplus for all needs.
221. The difficult terrain, combined with the dispersed location
of load centers as well as the limited demand at each load center, are
all conditions unfavorable to transmission of power at low cost. There-
fore each community is faced with its problem of power generation.
222. 1cfith the abundance of potential hydro power throughout South-
eastern Alaska a project is feasible of development in the vicinity of
every community. But while fee.sible~ few of these projects will yield
low cost power due to factors of cost and loads.. The construction costs
in this area are relatively high due to isolation and difficulty of terrain.
Then the economic development of most of the sites would require an instal-
lation in excess of the present demand ..
223 .. Conditions vary at the different communities with Ketchikan
the most fe.vored.. Here, the municipal system has supplied the power
demand at low rates and has had sufficient capacity to stimulate usage •
Additions planned by the city will fully develop present local hydro
sources and furnish an adequate supply for growing immediate needs. But
the new pulp mill now under construction is expected to double the popula•
tion within the next fev; years and this will raise the problem of a new
supply to meet rapidly expanding demand •.
224 .. At Sitka an acute po·wcr problem now exists .. Even at the neces-
sarily very high rates, only the most essential n.eeds can be supplied. The
construction of a wood pulp plant in the vicinity is possible in the fore-
seeable future and this would further aggravate conditions and require
solution of the power problem if the community is to have a healthy growth ..
225. At Juneau and ''!rangell the present installed capacity is
sufficient for existing loads but development of possible pulp mills
would create an acute power problem requiring development of new power
sources for a solution.
226. Recreation problem~ -Numerous small boats throughout South•
eastern Alaska are used for recreational purposes. These craft include
-67-
both the small boats of the fishin,'l; fleet and vessels used for recreation
alone. Boats or sef~planes carry recreationists to innumerable locations
much the same as the family ce.r is used in the States. Although many
points offering recreational attractions do not hRve suitable nrotection
to moor either boats or seaplanes,. present use does not justify improve•
ments. At present, the greatest need is for protected basins at the home
port of the craft. Imnrovements now constructed, authorized for construc-
tion, or proposed in this report would help to alleviate this problem.
Otherwise1' improvements contemplated in this report would affect recrea-
tion only slightly.
227.. Fish nroblem, -The fishing industry of Southeast Alaska,. if
properly controlled and protectc<'l-'~" may be expected to yield a larg~ and
valuable food supply perpetually. The preservation and enhancement of the
fish runs, therefore, are important factors in the general economy and re-
quire full cons:i.ders..tion in connection with all plans for development of
;.Tater resources. None of the improvements pro nosed in this report i'JOUld
adversely affect fish. In the selection of possible future developments,
efforts have been made to utilize sites which would be the least harmful
to fish, but in any case where fish might be hG.rmfully affected, provisions
would be incorporated i.n the pl:-:.ns to safegtard the runs ..
228.. t:ildlife. -No problems affectinp: wildlife would be created by
the construction of any projects proposed in this report, Some improvements
considered possible of future development, such as dams with resulting reser-
voirs, might affect wildlife to a slight extent but this problem would be
given consideration vThen the project is recommended.
229. Sediment problem. -Development of the ~~ter resources in the
island area of Southeastern Alaska would not encounter serious problems from
sedimentation, but upon the mainland each stream would necessitate a special
study, Streams on the islands drain small areas and generally flow through
lakes where most of the material is deposited.. Further, glaciers are not
extensive on the islands and great quantities of material are not available
-68 -
for tra~~sport. Upon the J~1ainland, most streams rise in the extensive ice
sheet lying alon::; the coastal mountain range. As a consequence, nearly
all of these streams carr·{ large sediment loads, and great deposits have
been built in the stre.m11 chan.'1els and at the mouths.
230. These deposits have been troublesome in some places. Skag1.ray
lvas built on the outl·rash delta of SkagHay River. Large quanti ties of
material are carried by the stream during floods, and deposited in the
channel anJ at t~u~ head of Lynn Canal.
231. The outflm·J matera.J. from I'iendenhall and Lemon Glaciers have
practically filled the northern portion of Gastineau Channel. A project
to provide a channel through the channel has been authorized, and the
maintenance of such a channel vrhen constructed uill be made more expensive
because of the debris carried by the streams flocd.nz from these glaciers.
Likeuiso the charmel from Stikine Strait to Frederick Sound, Hhich other-
uise might be used by ocean going vessels, has been blocked by material
carried into Dry Strait by the Stildne River. As a consequence, vessels
going from Hrangell to Petersburg nust take the longer route through
Urangell Harrous, uhich has been made navigable by extensive improvements.
Improvement of Dry :3trai t for passare of vessels Hould not be practical
because of high annual maintenance costs to remove material brought do~m by
St:i:kine River.
232, Other streams flo.:ing from the nainland such as the Taku,
Speel, ~iliiting, and Unuk Rivers probably carry as heavy a sediment load
as those just discussed. Usage of the arms of the sea into vrh:ich the
streams discharge, hmvever, i1as been ·:ery limited, and specific problems
in connection with sedimentation are unknoHn.
233. A determination c.\f the quantity of the sediment carried by
any of the streams in Southeastern Alaska has not been made. Nhenever
improvements are contemplated upon the mainland streams a quantitative
determination of the sedir.lent load HiJ.l be necessary, and the improvement
designed to alleviate the effects of sedimentation. In any event,
-69 -
improvements would be ma.de more e'ic-pensive because of the sediment load
of the strearrts.
23h· ~-Jater supply. -Because of the large precipitation of the
area, surface water supplies generally are ample for present needs.
In the :r;,ear future, the pulp industry will require fairly large quanti-
ties of water, but sufficient supplies are available near the contem-
plated sites of development.. Storage is needed at SOl'le connnunities e-nd
r.1ay be required at the pulp mill sites to assure a supply during pro-
longed periods of cold weather or during periods of deficient rainfall.
235. Pollution and male.r ia cor.trol. -Poll uti on of streams is
not at present n problem in Southeastern Alaska bec~:,use of the low
population density and the absence of major industries. However, the
construction of pulp mills ':lay pose a problem of W":'.ste disposal to avoid
a nuisance and possible harmful effect upon fish. The casual disposal,
overside, of all waste from boats v;hile concentrated in sm1ll bos.t basins
poses a serious pollution problem. Solution to this problem lies in
proper design of the sm0ll boat basins to induce flushing by tidal cur-
rents~ The malaria carrying type of ~osquito has not been reported in
Southeastern Alaska.
236. Existinr,_ and_c~t; orlzed projects. -Fifteen projects in
Southeast Alaska have been adooted to facilitate navigation. Projects,.
including chan.YJ.el and harbor improvements, have been adopted and some
improvements made for the benefit of both ocean going vessels and small
boat traffic. Table 10 summarizes pertinent data on all of the author-
ized river and harbor nrojects in Southeast Alaska. The total Federal
cost to June 30,. 1951 was ~3,866,946 .. 36 for new work and $301,766 .. 92
for maintenance. In acldition, local interests have spent ~8,.000.. It
is estimated that an additional ~;h,lll ,.500 would be required to complete
all of these projects.
-70 -
Table 10. -Authorized river and harbor projects -S. E. Alaska
Name of project Date adopted Description of project
Gastineau Channel 11 March 2, lSi.;) Channel about 4.5 miles long, 75 feet
wide with bottom at M.L.L.W.
Juneau Harbor August 26, 193'1 ; Small-boat basin 11.5 acres in area,
12 feet deep, and two rock-mound
breakwaters aggregating 1,970 feet
in length,
Elfin Cove ~larch 2, 1945 Channel 10 feet deep, 6o feet wide
and about 100 feet long through the
outer entrance and a channel 8 feet
deep, 40 feet wide and about 400
feet long through the inner entrance.
Sitka Harbor August 30 1 1935 Channel on easterly side of Harbor
March 2, lstl5 Rock 100 feet wide and 22 feet deep,
removal of Indian Rock, small-boat
basin about 13 acres in area and 10
feet deep with an entrance channel
100 feet wide and 10 feet deep.
Petersburg Harbor August )) , 1935 ilredging approaches to the wharves 24
I
Narch 2, 1945 feet deep, a small-boat basin 8-2/3
acres in extent, 11 teet deep, a short
! channel 8 feet deep and 40 feet wide
I to the south o: the Forest Service
noat.
Wrangell Narrows !f March 3, 1925 i Channel ))0 feet wide and 24 feet
August 30, 1935' I deep; 27 feet deep at Petersburg bar,
March 2, 1945' a turning basin ;>oo yards long, 200
I
yards wide and 26 feet deep, easing
of curves at four shoals and removal.
of rock pinnacles.
Stikine River !/ August )), 1935' Snagging of river fran mouth to
Canadian boundary, a distance or
about )) miles •
Wrangell Harbor Sep. 22, 1922 A rock-mound breakwater 300 feet
A~t 30, 1935 ' lont 1 a mooring basin 600 feet by
March 2, 1945 I 400 feet, 10 feet deep and an inne%'
basin about 3 acres in extent coo-
'
nected with a channel 10 !eet deep
and 100 feet wide.
Fort Alexander July 3, 1930 Removal oJ: ledge rock to provide a
March 2, 1945
I channel 1.$ feet deep and bO feet
I wide at the main entrance, and a chan-
nel 6 feet deep and 40 feet wide at
l the Elltrance to the inner lagoon,
Dry Fass !/ August )), 1935 Channel 6o feet wide and 6 feet deep
through fine shoals in El Capitan
?ass.
Meyers Chuck March 2, 1945 llock-illound breakWater 4)) teet long
to protect the harbor.
Craig Harbor
I
March 2, 1945 Mooring basin ll feet deep, 22.$ feet
wide, 700 feet long with an entrance
channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet
deep.
K etohikan Harbor July 3, 1930 Stone breakwater with concrete cap
940 feet long and a sroall-boat basin
10 feet deep.
.i'letlakatla Harbor March 2, 1945' Rock-mound breaiolater 900 feet long
and a SJ,all-boat basin 2,18 acres in
extent 10 teet deep.
Skagway Harbor March 2, 1945 Dredging at face of wharf to depth of
30 feet for southerly 700 feet, and to
a depth of 20 teet for next 100 feet;
dredging a small-boat basin to a
depth of 8 feet and 1 acre in area,
Breakwater to be constructed and main-
tained by local interests.
TOTALS
11 Channel improvement, All others are harbor improv81lents.
70a
Percent To June
complete NElli work
0 -
100 $150,715.81
0 -
0 64,797.04
37 88,386.84
6o 3,171,409.51
Mainte--
nance
only
32 91,020.98
35 17,000.00
100 .$8,665.32
0 -
0 I -
100 224,94.$.84
0 -
0 -
$3,866,941.36
Cost
30, 19::>1 I!Bt. to
Mun tenanc e canplete
-$900,000
$27,122.9!1 -
-145,000
4,60;).96 86$,000
412.78 292,000
230,0$5.96 518,$00
4,757.10 -
3,349.87 467 ,ooo
593.83 88,000
536.79 -
-llO,OOO
-305,000
30,331.67 -
-380,000
I -41,000
$301,766.92 $4,111,.$00
237. In addition to the nbove listed river and harbor nrojects,.
there have been two projects authorized in the interest of flood control.
A flood control project at Skagway was completed in 1940 under authoriza-
tion of River and Harbor Act of June 20,. 1938 .. This WC'rk included a
6, 700-foot rock, bush, and earth training dike on the left bank of
Skag(JI.:ay River adjacent to the city and an 1,800-foot rubble-mound
breakwater across the tide flats in prolongation of the training dike
constructed at a cost of $62,172.99.. The existinr, project, authorized
by the Flood Control Act apDroved <Tu1y 2h, 1946, and described in House
Document 695, 79th Congress, second session, provides for a 300-foot ex-
tension of the existing breakv;ater, for the reconstruction and strengthen-
ing of the existi.ng trairdng dike, for the reinforcement and strengthen-
ing of a.n existing dike on tho 1 e.ft bank upstream from the Twenty-Third
Avenue Bri to high ground, and for the reinforcing of the dike on the
right brmk nrotecting the Skagvro.y Sanntorium. Total costs of this project,
' as of ,Jtme 30,. 1951, have been ~~21,384.93, all for new work. Construe-
tion of the o.pproved project has not been started.. The need for recon-
struction of the Sanatorium dike no longer exists as the facility has
been abandoned and buj ldings removed. In a report dated September 21 ,,
1949 the field officers reoorrn:ond no further improvement be authorized
on the right bank of Ska p.:y:ay Ri ve:r in the interest of flood control ..
2)8.-The eYisting nroject for the protection of Hyder from floods
on Salr.10n River was authorized by an act approved June 18.., 1934; Public
Law 388.~c 73rd Congress. This project consists of J-1-,334 feet of a rock-
faced earth dike 5 feet high on the loft limit of the river near its , mouth. The rroject was com~leted in 1935· Total Federal costs to
and $9,323.32 for maintenance. In addition, ~7 ,000 has been expended
from contributed funds for new work and $2,200 for maintenance,.
239. Othnr improvements. -The Territorial government,. loca1
interests, and private industry have constructed many improvements to
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facilitate the use of the v.rater resources of the area. Improvements,
such as cargo transfer facilities, development of domestic water supply,
and considerable use of the hydro power potential, have been made at
nearly every community or indus trial site within the s.rea • Costs of
such improvements have·. been large but are difficult or impossible to
obtain and have been omitted in this report.
21.+0., Generally cargo transfer faciHtie s in the area are adequate
to care for the present trade. The larger communities have quite ex-
tensive installations, wh:ile many of i;he very small comnmnities provide
only a small wharf that can be approached at favorable tidal stages.
The existing installations, however, provide all the facilities that
the present volume of commerce will justify.
2)j.l. At Skagway some emergency repairs and protective works were
provided on both river banks by military engineer troops following the
1943 and 191+4 floods. During 1951 additional emergency work was per-
formed with the use of both civil and military funds.
242. Recurring flood damage along Gold Creek t}~ough the City of
Juneau resulted in the city sponsod.ng a project to improve the channel.
An adequate channel vms provided and the sides lined with cemented rubble.
Undercutting of the side walls he.s necessitated emergency work by both
the Federal Govern.rnent and the city to retain the present channel. Part
of the sides are now protected by reinforced concrete and the bottom of
the channel stabilized with derrick stone or concrete. A project recom-
mended by the Corps of Engineers would line and stabilize the channel
throughout the city. This nroject is described in detail in House Docu-
ment 54, 82nd Congress, lst session. Approval of the proposal awaits
Congressional action.
243~ Public hearin~~~ -Numerous public hearings were held by the
District Engineer, Seattle District, in order to ascertain an expression
of opinion by local interests relative to the need for developments or
improvements in aid of navigation. These hearings are tabulated in the
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Seattle District report on "Partial Preliminary Examination and Interim
Survey of Harbors and Rivers of Alaska", doted December 30, 1949• One
additional hearing has been held within Southeastern Alaska for thls
report. This was held at Ketchikan, Janoory 26, 1951, and l'lliS attended
by 48 persons who outlined the need of additional protected area for
small boats.
2LJ+. In addition to the formal public hearings, many informal dis-
cussions have been held with responsible local officials and interested
Federal and Territorial agenc:i.e s •
2h5· Expressions relative to the desires of interested parties in
relation to the nature of improYcment, the anticipated benefits to accrue
therefrom, the eYtent of loc9,l cooperation that could be provided, and
miscellaneous factors affectinr~ construction v.ere solicited at both the
formal heari.ngs and inform<ll discuss ions. The data so gathered are pre-
sented i.n detail in the several plans for improvement treated individually
in this report.
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SECTION V -PL.r1.N OF TI'iPilOV:J:I:NT
INTUOJUCTION
246. I!any studies, investizations and surve~rs have been made in
order to evaluate crn;1plotely the poteritiali ties of the l-rater resources
of S;Jutheastern Alaskn. Fundamentally the study was cii.rected tot-Jard
determining vvhich improver11ents, for use of the full potential of the Hater
resource, would stimulate the economic development of the area. The results
of the studies are presented in this report as a plan of improver,;ent
which includes developments economically feasible at the present time and
and those Hhich might be justified in the foreseeable future. lJ..so included
is an inventory of potcnti.al projects for future development if the need
should arise.
247 • Because of the prir.1e import.::mce of small boats in the over-
all economy of Southeast Alaska and in response to many requests by
local interests, one of the first phases of the study uas directed to-
lvard investigating improvements of harbors and ~·ratenvays 1vhich t-muld bene-
fit small boats. Also 1 the expected grmvth of industry in connection 1d th
the timber resource might justify other na1rigation improvements that ,,,
would be of only minor bem.:f:Lt to the fi.sl1ing industry. Such improvements
ivhere a reasonable need can be foreseen have been investigated and are in-
eluded as possible future projects.
248. Southeast Alaska is practically isolated from the land trans-
portation netuork of the Continent, and prospects for direct connections
to such a netrrork are very rffilote. Accordingly, the area is expected
to continue to receive most supplies by steamship fran the States. Be-
cause of this, some study was directed tm·rard deterr:1ining if any improve-
ments of the Hatenvays utilized by ocean-going vessels vould be of bene-
fit. The results of such studies, ho:,rever, shm·Jed that uith the con-
struction of previously authorized and recommended projects, the shipping
lanes and harbors would be adequate for present and prospective commerce.
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249. Flooding or deposits o! nood debris are not uidespread
throughout this area, and the principal problem areas have authorized
projects to alleviate the flood condition. No additional projects for
flood control are j_ndicated ~.n thin the foreseeable future.
250. The forests of Southeastern Alaska have just recently lead to
the start of a new industry of tremendous potentiality. The pulp in-
dustry, for which the plant at Ketchikan is nou beling built, undoubtedly
will bring a larger and more stable industry than the fishing. The new
pulp industry requires considerable quantities o! power. Some processes
utilize l·mod lvastes to generate pm1er and others need poner from outside
sources. At11ple quantities of' relatively low-cost hydroelectric pouer may
be developed to supply possible future indu5trial areas and present needs
d: the area.
251. Most communities of the area have sufficient generating capacity
or have plans for increasing generating capacity for present loads. The
needs of the pulp industry -vrould increase the pouer demand drasticaJ.ly
but the construction dates of possible pulp mills and their locations,
''~"ith the exception of those at Ketchikan, are so indefinite that specific
power developments are not proposed at this time. Therefore, pmrer sites
are analyzed to detennine the potentiality of a possible development, and
such developments are included as an inventory of projects that could be
built when future demand tvarrants.
252. I1Iultiple use of the 't'Tater resource has been considered, but
none of the developments studied lend themselves to more than one use
under present conditions. Future economic growth might justify multiple
use, but such use cannot be foreseen at this time.
253. The estimated costs for all projects studied in this report
are based upon average prices prevailing in the Territory in mid-year 1951 •
.Annual costs Here based upon interest at 3 percent and an amortization
period of 50 years unless othentise specified.
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IHPROWEIVJENTC Fl)R NAVIGATION
254. General. -As navigation is vital to tne economy of South-
eastern Alaska, one of the first phases of the comprehensive investiga-
tion consisted of a study of uhat improvements for both ocean-going vessels
and the smaller boats of the fishing fleet v1ould be of greatest benefit
to the area. Congress has requested investigation of the feasibility of
improvement at numerous locations, and the result of these investigations
formed a skeleton of desired projects to be included in a plan of :ilnprove-
ment. Also local interests specified other projects that would be of bene-
fit to the economy, and investigations of these projects are included.
255. In the Partial Preliminary Ex.a.'nination and Interim Survey,
dated December 30, 1949, the District Engineer, Seattle District, recom-
mended a project for improvement of Olga Strait at Hhitestone Narrows
and modification of existing projects at Sitka and Dry Pass. A restudy
of these has not been made for this report. P~so Seattle District gathered
much basic data concerning the pattern and needs of small-boat navigation
in Alaska and valuable material on operating and maintenance costs of
small boats. Such data has been utilizE..u extensively in determining the
needs and benefits for improveJnents.
256. In the discussion of contemplated improvements, all elevations
are referred to as a plane above or beloH mean lower loH Hater w:Lthout
specific reference to this plane in the project descriptions. Reference
to sKall boats eenerally indicates boats less than 65 feet long.
257 • ICetchilcan Harbor. -The Ketchikan harbor is located in Tongass
Narrows on the southerly shore of Revillagigedo Island, It is about 650
nautical miles from Seattle and 220 nautical miles from J1meau. Hater
depths are adequate for ocean going vessels, but sheltered moorage space
for small craft is limited, The mean tidal range is 13 feet vlhile ex-
treme tides range from minus 5 feet to plus 18.6 feet. Tidal currents
usually set northl·iest along the face of the wharves, inducing large
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vessels to make port landings. Prevailing winds are southeasterly. The
strongest recorded tvind during a 10-year period has been one Hi th a sus-
tained velocity of hS miles per hour.
258. A public hearing I·Tas held at Ketchikan on June 2h, 1946, by
the Seattle District Enr;ineer and another on January 23, 1951, h;y the
Alaska District Engineer. Both hearings vmre •·rell attended by public
officials, business men, and boat m-mers. Spokesmen requested Federal
construction of a small boat harbor at Bar Point capable of accommodating
)00 boats uith drafts up to 12 feet. In support of their request, they
stated that Thomas Basin has under present d::ty standards a normal capacity
of only 300. It is frequently overcroHded as up to )00 are jammed therein
at one time, and attention uas cnlled to fire and other hazards created
by such overcrm·rding. At the 1951 hearing, in addition to or·al statements,
a brief uas presrmtecl Hherein strong opposition v1as expressed to a harbor
located at other than the Bar Point si.te. The same brief included an
estimate of benefits, from a protected harbor, amounting to some ~?300,000
per year.
2)9. At least 1,200 fJ.shing boats are estimated to base at Ketchikan
during the fishing season and tl1ese boats make 4,ooo to 5 ,ooo calls
during the season. A.l~;o several hundred trips are made each year by
boats to1ving logs or salmon scoHs.
260. Because of the limited capac;Lty of Thoma.s B"l.sin, many boats are
.forced to moor at floats scattered along the uaterfront vrhere they are
exposed to severe southeast storms. Often several boats are tied abreast,
vJhich sometimes overtaxes a float to the point where it breaks loose 11i th
resultant damage to both moorings and boats. Sliuilarly, lines of i~dividual
boats are sometimes severed, resulting in damage to the boats cast adrift
and to others ramued by them. Const::mt vieilance is required in attempt-
ing to safeguard against serious damage under these conditions.
-n-
261. The proposed plan of' improving Bar F oint; on the :(etchikan
waterfront, show:.1 on plate 20, includes excavation in the moorage basin
to provLde c,dequate depths and construction of breal::V'raters for protectJ.on
azaj.ns t damaging stor:-;-;s. The basin '.'rould contain some 780,000 square
feet and, on a basis of 1500 square feet per boat, vmuld accornmodate :j20
boats.
262, The entire basin would be excavated to a depth of 15 feet
except vrhere rock would be encountered along the shoreward side where
a minimu:n depth of 6 feet would be provided. About twelve percen·(: of the
basin area '.70'..tld range in depth fro:n 6 to 10 feet. Th.~rty percent l!Ould
range from 10 to feet, and the balance ·,-rould vary fro," 15 to 40 feet.
Removal of <\rpr·oxinatel~f 48,000 cubic; yards of loose material and 5,300
cubic yards of roc1': would be req:.tired. The city of Ketchikan would install
in the basin about 3,000 lineal feet of moorage floats and approaches
thereto.
26.3. The ccr.1plete plan of i";provement provides for breaL:waters on
three sides of the basin. One would extend channehrard southwesterly
fron a point near shore Lunod:Lately case of the existi:1c; marine ways for
a distance of 700 feet; the second ':wuld begin at a roint about 240 feet
northwesterly fron the end of the first and extend roughly parallel to
the chan;:~el for a distance of 1 1 100 feet, thence in a northerly direction
on tlw nort!wrest side of the basin for a distar:ce of ~50 feet. These
structu.res >:ould have a top elevatio~l of 23 fP-et above mean lower low
water. Quarry run rock would be t.:tsed for the base and core and heavy
rock for the outer slopes. The slopes vrould be l 1 top armor on 12 and
vridth of the rock at clevat:l.on 18 feet would be 7 feet. The rock would
be sumounted with a concrete gravity wall 5 feet high. This type of
construction is similar to that provided at Tho:'las basin and has proven
satisfactory. About 263,000 cubic yards of rock and 1,660 cubic yards of
concrete would be required. Four navigation aids wo1.>ld be reqdred; one
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light >-Tould be installed on the outer end of the first breakwater,
one on each end c;£' the second brealn..rater and one at the point l·Jhere the
second breal<.:Hater turns northerly. Consideration ;:ras :;iven to an
alternate design for the breakHaters that 1"ould utilize rock to the
full heic;ht, thus eliminating a concrete wall, but such a design 1.vould
re( .uire about 25 percent more :roclc and increa2e the over-all cost of
the project about 18 percent.
264. Local interests have repeatedly o:::cnressed Of>i>osi tion to develop-
ment of moorfli_;e facilit:i.e::; ::.t any site other thaa at B::~r Point. However,
preliminary examimltions 1rere made of alternate sites at 'iard Cove,
Hefuge Cove, Charcoal Point, and Saxr·1a.n Harbor {plate 20). Ward Cove
is a natural harbor and lWUld not ret:uire exfenditure of Federal funds.
Objections to the site are the distauce from Ketchikan, freezing of
fresh 1-rater from 1 Jard Creek, inadequate police and fire protection and
the congestion e:x:1~ccted to result from activities in connection 1.d th the
pulp mill industry. Refuge Cove is partially protected by natural
features and cou.ld be developed at reasonable cost but the site is far-
ther from I~etchikan than trard Cove ood neHher fire nor police protection
would be available. At Clwrcoal Poilit a moorage basin of adequate size
muld have to be constructed in tvro parts, occupying both sides of the
carmery. Excessive dredgi11g comb1ned 'ltrith brealmater construction,
objectional features of a divided basin, costly mainte11ance, channel
currents and limited area vJOuld. render a pla"1 of improvement uneconomical
and impractical. The shoreline at Saxman is only slightly indented and
deep water extends close inshore. Partial protection could be provided
by construction of tuo pe.r3llel brealov-aters extending channehrard from
shore. Because of excessive depths, the cost of these breakHaters
would be out of proportion to the benefits that might be expected. Further
objections are the distance from Ketchikan and the lack of police and fire
protection.
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265. Three quarry sites are available from which sui table roc!c could
be obtained .for construction of the breal'_v;aters. One is located on the
west e~1d of a s:1all island <,cross Tor1gass ~~arrows fror;1 the proposed
in''n·ove;:;ent, one near the highway about 2 miles northw·est of Bar PoL1t,
and one near tbe village of Saxman about 5 miles southeast of Bar Foint.
Sand and ~~ravel for construction of the concrete walls coulct be ob-
tained in the ir:unedia te vicinity. Cement and constrqction oquip:nent
would be ir.1ported fror1 the States.
2()6. The entire cost Jf the breakwaters and basin excavation would
be 'uorne by the Federal Government, <)!'ld the costs for lands including
quarry ri:-:,hts, easeJ:,ents, richts-of-vmy, and moorage facilities vvould be
borne the c of ~·:etchikan. The city, by resolution of tho city
council, has given assnrance that the necessary floats and equip'ent
and the required easements or rights-of-vmy vrill be furnished, but these
costs would bE:: oelf-liquidating through rental or similar chare!;es.
267. First cost and annual charges for the proposed complete plan
of improvement are shovm in the following tabulation.
First Cast:
Federal:
Breakvvc. ter s
Hocl~ 263,000 cu. yd. at ,,;8.00
Concrete wall, 1860 cu. yd. at 55.00
Dredging
Cor:rmon, 48,000 cu. yd. at ~1. 50
Rock, ~,300 cu. yd. at $17.00
Enzineering & contingencies
Subtotal Corps of Bn6ineers
Yavigation Aids
4 li s complete 'Hith pov-rer connection
Total Federal
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$2,104,000
102,400
72,000
79,500
590,000
~;2, 947' 900
10,500
~~2' 958,400
t
Han-Federal
Rights-of-iJay
Moorage facilitiGs
Approaches
Engineer:i.ng & Continge~1cies
Total Non-Federal
Total Project Cost
Annual Charges
Federal
Interest at 3% on ~:•2,9513 ,Loo
ilmortization 50 yr. life
Haintenance
Total Federal
Non-Federal
Im:.err::;>"(, at 3.5;:, on ~,J.62,CHJ0
J\morti.zation, 20 yr. life (11ood
structure)
Haintenance and Operation
Total Non-Federal
Return from rentals
:/ 10,000
100_,000
20,000
32,000
(;162,000
C,B8,700
26 J 300
~000
$)127 ,ooo
5,670
5,730
10,009._
21,400
21,400
Net Non-Federal annual charges 0
Total Jmnual Charges
268. Benefits derived from the improvement under consideration con-
sist of reduction in st)nn dam~e to boats and floats, savings in up-
keep and :maintenance of boats in Hinter lay-up, and savings in travel
expenses of cannery· tenders nmr laying up for the t-rinter in Puget Sound
ports. Data 't..ras submitted at the public hearing which shoHed that 915
boats vrere on the Ketchikan assessment rolls in 1950. Additional boats
registered in the school district but outside of Ketchikan s;..rell the
total number in the area to over 1,000. Belo-r.·r is a sum 1ation of estimated
benefits:
(a) Information and data furnished by the larger boat
repair yards, indicate some boats, because of an inadequate
~1all boat basin, incur major damage from storms, and this
damage necessitates repair at a boat yard. The average number
of boats so damaged annually has not been determined, but
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~ ,,
information furnished by the boat yards indicatesthat
conservati vel;>' this repair -vwrk v-Tould average ~?47 ,ooo
annually. An adequate small boat basin lJOuld eliminate
such damage; therefore, protection from r.1ajor storm
damage nould amount to an annual total of - - - - - - - - - -.. ~i47 ,ooo
(b) In addition to the above major boat damages,
much minor storm damage is incurred vrhich does not re-
quire immediate repair and often is not readily apparent.
This damage, caused by berthing in relatively exposed:
and hazardous locations, as uell as gross over-crouding
in Thomas Basin, consists of sprung planks, leaky seruns,
broken deck gear, paint dam.age and ether miscellaneous
items ~,rhich, although small individually, are collectively
important. Unlike the major storm damage, -vrhich affects
individual boats caught by a storm in an unfavorable
loce1tion, this minor dama~;e is incurred to some degree by
all of the boats in the area. Local fishermen and other
boat O't-mers est:i.ma te that this damage averages more than
~n5 per boat per ;>·ear and investigations indicate that
this is a conservative fir·ure. On the basis of 1000
boats, less the 134 canne{.y tenders ':·Jhich noH return to
southern -vraters for the uinter, and boats for itJhich no
facilities are provided, this damage 1:-rould total ~~65,ooo.
The improvement at Bar Foint Fould provide adequate
facilities for the boats not nou able to find shelter in
the area <..mel at the same time relieve the over-crm·rding
at other localities ~·1hich has contributed to these damages.
Therefore, the total henf'lfit due to elimination of these minor
storm damages 1·rould accrue to the Bar Point basj_n. In order
to eliminate any possible duplication of this i tern 1vi th
the major storm damage listed in (a) above, this figure is
conservatively reduced to :.:'50,000 - - - - - - - - - - - -$50,000
(c) The KetchilGm city manac;er reports that annual
damage to floats along the c:L ty Haterfront arising from over-
crmrded conditions, undue strain and resulting from storm
conditions amounts to about - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(d) The overcrmJded, unsatisfactory, and exposed
moorage locations outside of Thomas Basin necesr.·i tate extra
operation expenses such as cost of hiring Hatchmen; v.rhere
-uatchmen are not hired, personal time, Hhich othervrise Might
be utilized in gainful enployment, is spent in -vratching boats;
increased cost of heat and pm·rer because lmr cost and con-
venient electric energy is not available at the moorage;
transportation costs getting to and from the vessel vrhen
moored at inconvenient locations; lacl\ of fire and police
protection; and exces:.:;i ve insurance 1Mates charged under
hazardous mooring condi tlons. Data submitted at the public
hearing indicates t:1at a conservative estimate of these
extra operating costs is :.,100 per boat per ;year. Assuming
for the purpose of this report that ti1ese costs are only
~i50 per boat, and that just the 500 boats utilizing the
harbor are affected, the benefit to the Bar Point basin
t,Jould amount to - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(e) Of 134 cannery tender and larger boats uhich
t,Tinter in Fucet Sound or other :t'acific North~-rest areas but
vJhose owners have shoun interest in laying them up at I'~etchikan,
it is estimated that ovmers of about 60 of the boats -vwuld take
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:..>16,000
~)25 ,ooo
advantage of an improved basin. liTany boo.t armers no
doubt would cont5.nue to lay np thetr boats where the
boat crews now reside as the crews are often employed
in overhaulin.:.; and reconditioning; the boats dvring the
inactive period. About 8 days runnjng time is required
for a roc1d trip per season to travel between i(etchi;{an
and Puget So~md. At an avcraze operating cost of' about
:)100 pe.,., day of run:.:~inr~ t i.ne for labor and fuel, the
r.;ross S'J.Vi:.:tg per season would et'ilotmt to abo~lt $300 per
boat. 'l'o determine the net ~avings, it is necessary to
subtract tl1e extra costs of vrintering in l(etchikan.
Many of boat crew :nembers would have to be furnished
other means of tru.nsportatj.on to and from the Pacific
Northwest, probably 1;y co1rmon ca!'ricr, anc1 also the costs
of repai.rs at EetchH:an would be soL1ewllat hi er. Taking
(,300 for crew transportat:L::m expenses and 1.200 for higher
repair costs, t!~e net savin;; would be about :.>300 per
boat per yoar.
The net sav:LC1.gs total 60 x 300 - - --- - - - --- -·· - -$18,000
Total annual benefits 156,000
269. 'l'.his Gomplete ple.n of develop;:1ent of a Sli'tall boat basin at the
Bar I' oint s:.de would develop annual benefits evaluated at 0156,000,
which, compared to annual costs of (.;127,000, indi.cates a benefit to cos·t
ratio of 1.23 to 1.0.
270. The proposed plan of' improvement wonld furnish co:ilplete protection
to S"te .. 11 boats, but there is a strong possibility that equal protection ;1.ay
be obtained if that portion of the breal:water on the northwest side of the
proposed bacin were liw.inated. The sHe is protected by proj ectin:; s!··wre
line from direct nor (/J.'.7esterly v;ind s, so harmful effects of such wi:ids wonld
result chiefly from refracted waves. Local i11terests state definite l~r t'1at
these winds vwuld not cause darna3;e i.n the basin. In view of the possibility
that protection 0'1 t:1e nor t;hwest side of: tho new basin will not be required,
it is be1ieved that t.Lat portion c:f the brcal<::r.rater should be omitted fro:r:t
initial construction and adde1 only if and at such tj.me as its ;:::eed has been
demonstrated.
271. The eliminatio~1 of this part of the breakiV"ater vrould result in
reductiorl of 98,000 cubic yards of rock and 370 cubic yarJs of concrete
and would lower the cosb of the first plan of construction to $1,949,000.
Annual charges would be reduced from $127,000 to $85,900.
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272. Pet~~sburg. -Petersburg Hnrbor is situated on the easterly
shore of l!rangelJ .. ,.arrous, ·:tt the nortlmesterly end of llitkof Island.
It is 1 mile south of the Frederick Sound mtrance to 'Irangell NarrOt<rs
and 107 miles southeasterly from Juneau. The extreme range o.f tide in the
harbor is 24 feet; the mean range is 13.8 feet; and the dirunal range is
t 16.4 feet. Petersburg is one o.f the larger ports of Southeast Alaska and
had a population of 1,605 in 1950. It is the trading and supply center for
portions of the area bordering ·;rang ell Narrm1s, Frederick Sound, and
Sumner and. Chatl1am Straits.
t • 273. Petersburg o1-res its importmce to its pro:dmity to excellent
fishing grounds. A lm·ge fishing fleet operates out of the basin and
numerous salmon ca1mer:i.es are scattered thr·ought the district. Industries
Hi thin the tmm include several salmon canneries, shellfish canneries,
and cold storage plants, a sawmill, and several machine shops and marine
Hays for repair of small boats,
2'14. The existing project for improventent of Petersburg Harbor 1-ms
adopted by the River and Harbor Act of August 30, 1935, and a plan for
a modification thereof was adopted Ilarch 2, 19h5. 'rhe original project
completed in 1937 provides arproaches to the existing 1\l"harves with a
de~)th of 24 feet; a small-boat basin, 11 feet deep, betHeen the Trading
Union Hharf and Citizens' 1•Jhnrf substar:tially fol1o\ring the mean louer low
Hater line; and a short channel, 40 feet vlide and 8 feet deep, to the south
side of the Forest Service .float. The modification provides for enlarge-
ment of the small-boat basin by dredging to a de;·)th of 11 feet at mean
louer lmv uater an area of about 135,000 square foot adjacent to the
shoreward side, provided local interests asslliuc the cost of establishing
suitable moorinc; facilities. The existing project together vli th the
approved modification provides for a basin vli th a total area of about
385 ,ooo square feet. The latest (1951) ai!provod estimate of cost for the
r:1odification is ;',292,000.
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275. Local interests, besides contributing ~;IJ,OOO tatvard the cost of
constructing the existing project, have ~Jrov:Lded a mooring-float system 11ith
an approach wharf in the improved snall-boat basin. The structure..sare pro-
vided 1..D.th lichts and fire-fighting equipment and are est.irnated to have cost
about ~~15, 000.
n6, 1\Iajor terminal facilities at Petersburg include a number of
wharves all of open pile construction. Three of these have 24 feet of water
at their faces and, although privately owned, are open to public use upon
]pa;yment of t-rharfage charges. In the dredged basin, sHall boats are served
by the public float systEm which can satisfactcrily accommodate about 75
boats. Sever.:1l small private floats are also located in the ba::;j_n.
2Tl. Local j_ntere~;ts have requested that, in addi tlon to the vmrk
included in the authorized raoll:if:'Lcation of tlle existing project, the
outer half of the existing basin be increased in depth from ll feet to 15
feet. The purpo::.;e of this modification would be to prov:Lde moorage space
for deeper draft vessels during extreme loH tidc:s and its accomplishment
uould provide one-third of the ::nocified basin, or an area of about 3.0
acres_, with the greater del)th.
278. The principul difficulty attending s;aall boat navigation in
Petersburg Harbor is insuf.L'ident anchoro.ge area and inadequate 1-mter depths.
Many boats seeking mooring spo.ce find it unavailctble. The authorized
modified project ':rould provide sufficient space for additional moorage
facilities; bnt the 11-foot de~;-~h uould be inadequate for the larger
fishinc; boats as they uould have to move out of the basin or rest on the
bottom during extrer.1e lo'.r tides. Tn rec,~nt yea1·s tl:cn·e has been a tendency
tmrard use of largel" and deeper cJraft fishinc; vessels. ii,;my of the halibut
boats ui th draft of 12 fe,c't or more stop at Petersburg because of the cold
storage facilities l·Jluch are available,
279. The proposed plan of improvement 1-muld provide for dredging,
to a depth of l~~ fGct, etbout 130,000 square feet of the outer portion of
the basin as ~:houn on plate No. 21. 1'his St)ace tmuld accommodate 70 to 80
-85 -
I
of the deeper draft halibut boats. PreGently about 35 of ·these are based
at Petersburg, but the number is increasing. The improvement would accom-
modate the present locDl fleet and provide sufficient space for a reasonable
increase as vrell as provide for the transient fleet. The proposal Hould
involve removal of some 20 1 000 cubic yards of sandy material. The cost
estimate computed belov1 is based on the assumption that Hark involved in
this proposal would be included in the same contract vri th the l·J"Ork involved
in the authorized project,
Cost estimate
Dredging 20,000 cu. ycls. at ~;,1.50
En::;inoer:i.ng and cont:i.ngend.es
Total
$30,000
10,000
$40,000
280. Annual charges are sho1·m belou. The authorized project includes
an item of :Wl,500 for annual maintenance. The proposed improvement uould
not increase annual maintenance costs.
Interest
..AJnortization
To Gal
Annual charges
G 1,200
360
~· 1,560
281. Studies in,{icate that the larger fishing vessels need greater
vrater depths than are provided in the current authorized plan of basin
improvement. The 19)1 Terri to rial tax roll lists 303 Petersburg boats of
1-1hich 191 are under and 112 are over 5 tons. About 35 of those over 5 tons
require greater basin depths than are provided for in the authorized modi-
fication, Local interests claim that benefits derived from an increase of
depth from 11 to 15 feet •·muld a.li1ount to about ~.il5 1 000 per year. These
benefits would accrue, during minus tide periods, from prevention of da"'rlage
from grounding, extra labor involved, and loss of fishing time.
282. DurinG the 3-year period 1950-52 an average of 192 minus tides
occurred per year, ranging from minus 0.1 foot to minus 4,5 feet. Boats
drawing B feet or more Hould ground at tides of minus 3 feet 1-ri th the 11-foot
authorized 'iepth. The average number of tides of minus 3 feet or greater
is 21 per year. Not all of the large boats -vrould be in port during every
extreme lOi·J tide occurrence; houever, each boat may be assumed to be in the
basin during several of the lm.r tide~> in any given year. Grounding causes
much damage to hulls, calking, skags, rudders, cooling systems and other
parts even though it is not always readily apparent. An average annual
damage of ~~100 per boat subject to grounding is considered to be a very
conservative estimate. 'l'he incremental benefit, therefore, that uould
result from prevention of grounding of the 35 boats at Petersburg requiring
depths greater than the authorized 11 feE:t, is estimated to be about G3,)00
per year. The proposed dredging to a 15-foot depth of one-third of the area
of the modified small-boat bnsin vrould have incremental benefits that exceed
the increnental a1mual charges by (?1,9h0, resulting in a benefit-to-cost
ratio of 2. 24 to 1. A greater number of the larger boats uould make
Petersburg their home port if deeper uater and mooring facilities Here
available and I'!Ould result in an increase in business activity vrhich has
not been evaluated.
283. Pelican Il1rbor. -The to1rm of Pelican is located on Lisianski
Inlet near the northern end of Chichagof I:::la.11d. From its beginning in 1942
when a cold storage plant uas opened, the tolm has grotm into one of the
major fishing centers in Southeast Alaska. It is strategically located close
to one of the principal halibut fisiling areas, is the last port of call for
deep sea i'ishermen before leaving inside ·vraters for the Gulf of Alaska, and
is the nearest place t·Jhere they can discharge their catch and restock for
return to the fishing grotmds.
284. The harbor is formed by a bight in the shore line and protected
from northwest storms by a rock point lihich projects from the shore. It
is only partially protected from the prevailing southeast ·Hinds by t 1.ro
roclq islets and a tide flat 1·1hich extends southeasterly for about l/2 mile
betueen the islets and the shore. Elevations of the flats range up to 8 feet.
Extreme tides to be expected range from 13.2 feet to minus 4.0 feet.
-87 -
' l
285. The cannery uharf with 100-foot frontage and the cold storage
uharf ni th lhO feet both hmre adequate dey; the at the face for large ves-
sels, although turning room is limited. The oil dock has 14 feet of
Hater at the face uhich is adequate for small boats. The harbor also
contains a float for seaplane lan:lings and about 400 lineal feet of
r:1oorage floats for small boats.
286. A public hearing uas held by the Seattle District Engineer on
<June 21+, 1948, uherein the Corps of Encineers -vras requested to dredge
a small boat basin 12 feet deep southeasterly from the moorage floats and
to bnild a broak:ratcr rmming from shore southl·Jesterly across the flats
to the beacon liE;l1t in the harbor, a:;ont 1,600 feet off shore. Such an
improvement Nould provide additional moorage space for small boats and
protect the entire harbor f1•om southeast uinds.
2137. Local interests stated that considerable damages have occurred
and that even greater damar:es have been prevented only by the fact that
boat oltmers vJatch their boats continuously during storms. Del::1.y is often
caused by not beincs able to unload fish catches during southeast blm1s.
A list was pTescnted of some 550 boats uhich called at Pelican during
the course of a year. 'I'mm of'ficials claim that many of these boat mmers
1-rould make their ho11le at Felic.!ln if adequate moorage facilities vlere
available. They e~;timate that a. need exists for a basin \·Jhich Hould
accommodate 75 to 100 boats at this time and that the need is increasing
annually. It vms stated that hunting l-Jould attract recreation boats
to Pelican if a protected harbor uere available. o.;:Ters of local contri-
bution were lirnited to statements that moorage facilities 1wuld be pro-
vided by loce.l interests. Information obt2ined subsequent to the hearing
indi cat~ that 35 boat ouners noH make their home in PeHcan and at least
that many more vrould locate there if adequate boat moorage t.vere available.
During the fishing season, on Heel:ends and holidays, the harbor is congested
with as ma.'1y n:3 160 bo::tts. If space 1:.rere available, undoubtedly even
more boats would visit the harbor on these occasions and other periods vrhen
fishing is closed,
M 88 -
288, The proposed plan of :i.mprovenent, shmm on plate No. 22, ;,;ould
constst of an extension Boutherly of the e::::isting basin by dredging an
irregular shaped area to a de:)th of 12 feet and by constructing a breakHater
which would begin at a point south of' the sawmill, about 200 feet from the
boardualk, and extend to-vrard the beacon light for a distaDce of about 1,000
feet.
289. The break~·rater uould have a 10-foot top width Hi th side slopes
l on 2. It Hould be built of gravel taken from the tide flatland and lfould
be revetted oa the Hindtfard side and around the outer end vJith 2 feet of
armor rock. Suit::tble armor rock is avaihl.Jle nearby. Follo:ring is a tabu-
lation of estimated costs and an1mal charges for the desired improvements.
First cost
Federal
.'3realn.rater
Gravel fill, 34,000 cy. at i~l.OO ~e34,000
Revetruent, J,SC'O cy. at ':;20.00 10,000
Dredr,ing, 58,000 cy. at ~>1.50
Hobilizing & demobilizing equipment
Engineering and contingencies
Total cost, Corps of Engineers
Navj_gation aids by Coast Guard
Total Federal cost
Eon-Federal
i'.ioorage floats
Total project cost
Annual charges
Federal
Interest at 3% on (;271,500
Amortization 50-year life
Maintenance
Total an.'mal charges -Federal
Non-Federal
Interest at 3-1>5; on $20,000
Amortization, 20-year life (-vmod structure)
Haintenance
Total Non-Federal
Total annual charges
-89 -
;~~lOh,OOO
87,000
25,000
54,000
~?270,000
1,500
$271,500
20,000
291,500
8,140
2,420
_].,000
$11,560
700
700
200
:;~1,600
813,160
• •
290. The proposed brealu·rater 1..rould pr"otect an area in the existing
harbor containing 2ome 250,000 square feet, which, on a basis of alloHing
1,.5'00 square feet per boat, vJOuld provide lor 167 boats. Ample room
ivouL:l be available for expansion by dredging if rec..uired in the future.
291. Consideration Has given to use of a pile breakwater; although
its initial cost 1roulJ be somewhat less, the annual charges would be
slightly greater because of the con:siderably higher annual maintenance
costs.
292. Among the benefits wdch r,muld accrue are prevention of
storm dar;.ages to fishing boats, docks, floats, and so forth, savings in
disr~1antling fish handling facilities at cannery docks in the fall and
erecting them again in the spring, savings in travel costs of boats which
would wi. nter in Pelican in lien of traveling to Pacific NorthHest ports
for winter lay-up, and prevention of delay in unloading fish during adverse
weather. Indirect benefits such as creation of increased business and
trade resulting from greater fisheries activities have not been evaluated
nor included in the summation of benefits. The estimated annual benefits
are shovm in the follmdng tabulD.tion:
(a) Local cond.itions dictate that boats must remain
in the T;Jater rluring uinter lay-up. There is no knmm
record of any boat having: been suuk by storm action, but
minor storm damage is sustained. Such druTiage to guards,
planking, boat gertr, superstructure, anchor lines,
paint, and so forth, is estil:,ated by local au.t!-.orities,
from past ex_rerience, to be al:out ~70 per boat per
;year. On this basis the annual storm damage to the
35 boats permanently based at Pelican, lvhich uould
be eliminated by the proposed imp.i.'ovement, is esti-
mated to be about - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - --82,450
(b) Costs kept by the cold stora_;:e pJaJ.lt, salmon
cannery, and float owners in:licate that the annual darnage
to docks, floats, piling and braces by logs and ice
brought in by storms has amounted to about - - - - - ---
This damage "tvould be eliminated by the proposed improvement.
-90-
~1,000
•
(c) El:Unination of the annual cost of re..,,oving
anJ. reinstalling, -:;ach fall and. s_9ring, an 8.5-foot fish
•
elevator, conveyors, hopfJer, and a 90-foot tee float - - - - -wl,OOO
(d) About 7.50 fis:·;ing boats operate in Icy
Straits, Cross Sound, Jacobi Island, and Chichagof coast
areas. About 400 of these boats go south for winter
lay-up, but if the basin is improved, local interests
estimate that at least 10 p3rcent of.the 400 would winter
in 1 elican at a net saving of operating costs of about
~120 per 'Jjoat - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -~4, 800
(e) Delay in unloadins fish during adverse weather
vJas estimated by local interer;ts to occur about three
times a year and to cause lo;>s of fishing time for as
much as t1-m :.veel~s in a ;year. It was also estimated
that at least 100 boats ·!Jere so delayed. For the pur-
pose of a reasonaiJle e:::tinate, it is assumed that the
average annual loss of fishing time amounts to 24
hours pr::r boat duriilg the fishing season. The greatly
increased number of ve::;sels working out of :t-·elican
since the public hearings in:licates that 100 boots
being affected is a conservative figure. Using an
average price of fish at 10 cents per pound and boat
opc.;rating cost at $3.75 por hour and catch at 60
pounds per hour, the net increa.sed vaLue of fish catch
made possibly by the proposed project is estimated to
be - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -.';;5 ,400
Total ~>lh, 650
293. The estiraated annual benefits of $14,6.50 exceed the estimated
annual costs of ~:,13 ,l(:,o by ~pl,490. The benefit-to-coot ratio is 1.1 to 1
and the proposed improvement is economically feasible.
294. Gustavus. -Gustavus Harbor is located near the mouth of
Salmon River on the north shore of Icy Strait opposite the tlestern tip
of Pleasant Island. An old barge landing about a mile above the mouth of
Salmon River is the only ten~inal facility servicing the community and can
be used only at high tide. An average of 6 to 8 tons per month of freight
and mail are handled O'ler the landing. SLallmv depths force moored boats to
-91 -
•
rest on the sand bottom beb,yeen tides. The conli'lunity consists of nine.
families, excluaive of Civil J .. eronautics J_dministration personnel who
operate the airfleld. Nine boats averagtng 35 feet in length are per-
manently based at Gustavus. Livelihood for the people of the community is
obtained from fishing, fandng, and occasional employment in connection
-.vHh the airfield. Several thousand acres of potential agricultural land
lie tiithin the vicinity, and about 13 separate parcels of land have been
patented. The fact that all of the area is included in the 1-Ti thdrmval
for the Glacier Day National Honument precludes any appreciable industrial
development in the foreseeable future.
295. A public hearing 1-vas hold at Gustavus on June 24, 1948. Local
interests requested d:cedgins of a harbor 20 feet deep to accommodate 20 to
25 boats\ a i.vharf for use of coastal cargo ships, and a break-vrater for
protection of these facilities.
296. Construction of uharfage is the responsibility of local inter-
ests. If a vrharf Here built, a breakwater uould be necessary to protect
it from the severe storms which blow in from Cross Sound. The cost for
such a brealnv-ater is estimated to exceed ,ooo,ooo. A boat basin could
be created by excavation at the te of the old barge landing; however,
the silt J.aden river toe ether ui th drifting sand 1vould tend to fill the
basin and require excessive maintenance. Benefits which would be derived
from the prosvecti ve co1runerce vrould be negligible as compared to estimated
annual charges and no impr·ovement is vmrranted •
297. Haines. -Haines Harbor, also knmm as Portage Cove, is a
crescent shaped bay, about one-half mile in radius, located on Chilkoot
Inlet on the eastern shore of Chilkat Peninsula. The harbor is ice free
and open to navigation throughout the year. It is partially protected
from southerly Hinds but is exposed to storms from a northerJ.y direction.
However, waves developed from these northerly 1.vinds seldom exceed 3 feet
in height.
298. T:1e tovrn of Haines with a population of about 400 is the
terminus of the Haines highwc..y and is the trading center for a large but
thinly po~ulated area in Chill'ac and Chilkoot Valleys. Existir:g terminal
facilities are limited to one pier and its appurtenances. Ships experience
no difficulty from wave or swell action but often find difficulty in navi-
c;atinc; broadside to the wind while attempting to land or move away from the
pier. Snall boats find winter mooraze impossible at the pier and, during
the su':ll',ler :n.o~1ths, are freqtJ.ently required to move away from the pier on
account of the choppy water. Damages that have occurred in the past are con-
fined to damac;e to the pier and the occasiorcl. damag;e or loss of small boats
that have been forced ashore.
299. A public hearint~ was held at Haines on June 28, 19~.6 where local
interests requested the construction of a rocl.;: break:w"ater north of the wharf
to provide protection for the harbor area. In addition, they asked that a
protected moorage for 50 small boats be provided.
300. A preliminary estimate for a slnall boat basin indicates that the
first cost would be over $500,000 and annual charges would total about
025,000. Benefits 1vhich might be derived under present conditions would
not total more than ~~16, 000 annually.
301. Hoonah. -Hoonah Harbor is on the east side of Port Frederick
and on the nain shore of Chichagof Island. It is only partially protected
by a small local island from southwesterly stor.J.s and is exposed to stonns
from the r.orthwest. There are t-,·m o.i.l wharves, one with a depth of 18 feet
off its outer face, and the other nearer the bar, with depths from 18 feet
to 9 feet • Tl1e native village with a population of about 700 has a post
office, three stores, a machine shoiJ, and a small gridiron. A cannery
located about a mile northwest of Hoonah is connected with the village by
a gravel road.
302. No public hearbg has been held at Hoonah, out local interests
have requested that a breakvmter be constructed to follow a bar between
the island and the mainland and that a small boat harbor be dredged north
-93 -
of the breakwater. 1c~axbnun benefits accruing to the basin were clai~.1ed by
them to be about ~~33,000.
303. The breal::water as proposAd by local interests would cost over
0500,000 and ai.mual cha1·gsc would amount to over ;:;25,000. No dredging
would bo required as depths are ample north of the breakwater for moore.r;e
of all sizes of boats. T~1e harbor would be nrotected from sout:nweGt
storms and from ice which occasionally drifts into the harbor fro'n the
tide flats south of the village. Hol'rever, no protection vrould be provided
against northwest storms.
)Ol+• Wind records are not available at Hoonah but local residents
have indico..ted that storr·:s fror1 the northvrest are as damacinr:; as storms
f'cnm the soutimcst. The p1·opo1:1 ed brealmator could then be credited with
only one-half of the total annual benefits clai~ed, or about 016,500.
This, comp~red to total nnnual c:u:trgoc:, results Ln a bonefi t-to-cos t ratio
of less than .65 to 1.
305. Pull protection would require cor,struction of a breakvmter on
the north side of the basin. Such a structure would be located where water
is e.s nu0h as 55 feet deep, would cost over ~~1,000,000, and could not be
econonically justified.
Eydaburg Earb'Jr is on the west coast of fri.nce of
Wales Island, opposite the nost nortl1erly tip of Sukkvvan Island and about
llO r:1iles by water from Ketchikan. The l'arbor is ice free ·with all
dancers well rnarked and cood anchora;:_;e avaUable in most of the harbor. A
cooperative wharf, located at the southeastern end of the village, has a
face of lLrO feot and a. depth al on2:~s Lde of' 22 feet. The mean ranse of tide
is 10.9 feet. Very limited protection for s;nall boats is available at the
v:l:lhJ.go, but a bight in the shore 1i11e north of the village provides an area
for moorage of small boats. Ho;rrever, the area has no protection from westerly
storms and anchoraL;e is difficnlt. The native vill8.[:;e, with a population
of 350, has a com...rnunity fish trap and cannery. Fisheries provide the sole
industry.
-94 -
307 Ab t 4n ~· ' · bo~ts &!~ cnnnery tenders are owned locally, • OU c .L l SDJ.ng
and abuut as many more base at H;ydaburg during the fishing season.
308. At a public hearing held on June 19, 1948, local interests
proposed that a brealmater be built southeast of the canner? Hharf to
protect the uharf from damage by drift and at the same time provide
a sheltered basin for small boats. 'l'bey estimated annual damages at
~?1,500 to the -v.rharf and cannery float and .':?17 ,000 to small boats.
309. The break1:mter as proposed by local intereds would begin
at a point along the shore about )CO feet east of the Hharf approach
and extend southl·Jesterly ap~>roximately parallel to the approach to
deep >fater for a distonce of 600 fec·t ru.1d Hould terminate about 100 feet
beyond the face of the Hharf w·here the depth is 21 feet at mean louer low
1<Tater. The breakr<Tater uould be built of rock from a nearby quarry site.
Preliminary estimates indicate an initial cost in excess of ~)300_,000 and
annual charges of over ~n5,ooo. This breakuater uould provide only partial
protection, and a breclnrater on the northHest side of the 1<1hnrf to provide
full protection -vmuld be in such deep uater as to mal::e costs prohibitive.
310. This proposed plan vrould furnish protection to the Hharf and
to a small basin from sout!1east storms, but it Hould furnish only about
5o percent protection frow southerly 1rincls and no protection from the l·lest
or north. Since the prevailinr~ uind is from the southeast, it is estimated
that the breal<:Hater ~~ uld furnish 80 percent protection to the wharf and
basin. Hot·Jevcr, the basin l·muld provide space for only 25 small boats,
and no more protection uould be furnished than is nmJ afforded in the cove
immediately north of tmvn. The benefits HouJ.d then be only those resulting
in protection from da.'nage to the wharf and cannery float amounting to 80
percent of ~,;1_,500 or a total of ~~1,200 •
311. 'hth annual charges e·stl'm.ated at more f _ than ~a5, 000 the resulting
benefit to cost ratio tJOnld be less than o.o8.
-95 -
I
•
•
•
312. The cove located north of the village could be developed to pro-
vide protected moorage space for about 50 bonts. Here a breakwater built
similar to the first proposal would extend from shore in a northvmsterly
direction for 500 feet. Preliminary estimates indicate a cost in excess of
~;;5oo,ooo and annual costs of over 025,ooo.
313. This plan would provide protection from southerly and \Jesterly
storms for all the loc~l boats but would not prevent damages to the wharf
and cannery float. The benefits in this case would consist of prevention of
damages to small boats a11ounting to $17 ,ooo. The resulting benefit-to-cost
ratio would thus be less than 0.7.
314. Kake. -The native village of Kake lfith a population of hoo is
located on a small indentation in the north1:1est coast line of Kupreanof·
Island within the northern entr1nc e of Keku Strait. Kake has a rather poor
harbor but it is ice free aml open to navigation throughout the year.
Fishing is the sole industry, and a cannery located about one mile to the
south furnishes some employment for inhabitants of the village.
315. A public hearing was held at Kake on October 1, 1946, at which
local interests stressed the need for sheltered anchorage for small craft.
They urged construction of a brcakuater to pr·oYide a sheltered basin capable
of accommodating 60 boats. At the time of the hearing, it was stated that
protection was needed from southerly to '1\resterly storms. Hm·Jever, in 1950
a storra from a northerly direction did more damage to boats in the harbor
than any single storm of record.
316. Hecords shmr that 53 boats a re based at Eake and local interests
claim that the annual preventable storm damage suffered by these boats
amounts to about $12,000.
317. The harbor lends itself to improvement but only at considerable
expense. A basin could be provided by construction of two brealmaters.
A southeast breakuater uould incorporate the remains of a jetty built by
the Civilian Conservation Corps ru1d extend from shore a distance of 850 feet
-96-
to a point south of the existing 1-;harf. Anot.."ler brealmater on the t-rest
ivould follou the reefs to the i·Test of the existing wharf' in a southeasterly
direction for 900 feet to terminate about 200 feet northeast of the end
of the southeast breakwater. The sheltered area t-muld contain 250,000
square feet td th depths from o. 0 to 15 feet. Dredging Hould be necessary
for complete utiliz.ation of the area. The total estimated cost, incluJing
construction of the brerucwaters, dredging of the basin, and construction by
local interests of moorage faciliti.es, would amount to over ~P750.,000 and
estimated annual charges would amount to over C37 ,ooo. The total annual
benefits derived from this improvement, estimated at $21,000, result in a
benefit-to-cost ratio o:f less than o.6.
318. A naturally sheltered area suitable for moorage of small
boats exists at Portar;e Cove located about 2.5 miles southeast of Kake.
A road has been built from Kake to the Eeku Cannery a distanc.e of about
1 mile and extension of this uould provide a suitable access road to the
site at a fraction of the cost of the proposed improvement at Kake.
319. Port Alexander·. -Port Ale::ander., an inlet from Chatham Strait
about 6 miles north of Cape Om.rnaney, consists of an outer basin and an
inner lagoon separated by a reef extending from the Hesterly shore. An
existing project, adopted in 1930 and uodified in 1945, provides for removal
of ledge rock to provide a channel 1:; feet deep and 1.50 feet vri.de at the
main entrance, and for dredging a channel 6 feet deep and 40 feet Hide at
the entrance of the inner lagoon. The project i·las completed in 1931,
except for dredging the entrance to the inner lagoon. Improvement vrhich
has not yet been accomplished pTovides for dredging 3,500 cubic yards of
com..mon material and 1,030 cubic yards of ledge rock. The latest approved
estimate of cost is C58,ooo. The purpose of the i:mprovenlent is to provide
access to the inner lagoon for the smaller boats in order to relieve con-
gestion in the outer ba.sin.
-97 -
320. Officials of Port Alexander, at an informal hearing on
September 7, 1949, stated that during the previous t~m years the rock
ledge separating the outer basin from Ch1tham Strait had eroded to the
ext ont that 1-raves brenk over the ledge making anchorage in the harbor
unsafe. They requested that the ledge be surmounted by a breakHater to
afford shelter vri thin the outer basin and that the cha.n.'1el to the lagoon
be deepened to 15 feet so that during storm periods boats can pass through
to the inner lagoon and secure protection at all stages of tide.
321. The desired break:r,;atcr Fould be about 900 feet long ranging
up to 11 feet in height, but averaging about, 8 feet. It could be con-
structed most economically of concrete, as aggregate is obtainable locally.
322. Construction of this breakuater and deepening of the channel
to the inner lagoon are estli~ated to cost more than $300,000.
323. The dwindling fish run in the Cape Orn:maney area has seriously
affected the economic conditions at Port Alexander. The last year that
a satisfactory catch of fish \vas taken Has in 1946 and since then the
catch has gradually diminished. When the town was incorporated in 1938
there -rJas a normal population of about 100 uhich increased tHo or three
fold during the fishing season. This population has nou duindled to about
20 persons ar:d all of the business houses in to-vm are closed except the
Standard Oil dock and the post office.
324. In vie1>T of the present decreased use of this harbor, it is obvious
that benefits from the proposed improvement Hould be far less than the annual
charges. If the fish runs should regain their former importance aDd a
larger number of boats again use the harbor, conditions might change suf-
ficiently to justify the improvement.
325. Te~. -Tenakee Harbor on Chichagof Island is on the north
shore of Tenakee Inlet about 9 miles above its junction ui th Chatham Strait.
The village of Teuakee has a population of about 200.
326. A pubUc hearing was held at Tenakee on June 23, 1948, at vJhich
local interests sugp;ested construction of a breakwater to enclose a basin
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for moorage of sr,1all boats. It -vm.s claimed that because of the great depths,
rugged coast line, and severe stom.s in Chatha'il Strait a harbor of refuge
at Tenakee vwuld be of great value for both military and civilian needs.
About 16 boats are locally oHned and about 50 more base at Tenakee during
the fishing season.
327. Local interests suggested that a basin be created by construction
of a breakwater extending from the mainland to a sr:1all island which lies a
short distance offsho1'e about ~mile southeast of the town, and continuing
in a northHesterly direction tovrard the oil dock for 1,200 feet. The re-
sults of a survey indicate that a basin could be created at a site about
miduay between the toun and the island at a loHer cost. At this site a
basin containing about Bo,ooo square feet l·J'Ould be created by construction
of 750 feet of 11 1 11 shrmed breal::t·rater and by dredging bet1feen the break-
Hater and shore. The brealmater would be built of material excavated from
the basin aad protected with a heflVY coat of armor rock.
328. The estimated cost is in excess of ~4oo,ooo and annual charges
1vould amount to over ~;2o,ooo. A preliminary estimate of the benefits t-Thich
vJould accrue amounts to ~~10,000 annuaJly, indicating a benefit-to-cost ratio
of less than 0.5.
)29. Keku Strait at Hccky P<::~· -Keku Strait connects Frederick Sound
with Sumner Strait and separates Kuiu Island from Kupreanof Island. Jm
18-:mile stretch of t!1e central part consists of a narrow, intricate passage
knmm as Rocky Pass uhich connects bays at the south and north ends of Keku
Strait, The south bay is about 115 statute miles from Ketchikan and 55 miles
from Petersburg via regularly traveled rou·~es. 1.Iater in both bays is deep,
but the least depth in the lane of travel through Rocky Pass is about 1 foot.
Numerous rocks constrict the channel, and passage is made hazardous except at
high slack tide by strong currents. u.c:.c. & G.S. Chart No, 8272 shm·lS
the details of Rocky Pass and the proposed improvement is shown on plate 23.
330. I~eku Strait offers the most logical route for transportation be-
ttveen the Tz.rest coast of Prince of 1 Iales Island and Juneau, Kake, and Sitka.
.. 99 -
It also provides the shortest sheltered route for boats traveling betueen
Ketchikan and Sitka, Kake, or Cross Sound. Kake is the only settle.-nent
in the vicinity and is located near the north end of the Strait.
331. Requests have been made by boat owners that Rocky Pass be im-
proved by dredging the channel, removal of rock obstructions, and installa-
tion of additional navigation aids. No fonnal hearing \vas held but many
individuals uere intervieued. Purpose of the desired improvement ~rould
be to reduce the hazards and to provide for passage at lo~1er stages of tide
than is now possible.
332. The chief probl6n areas in Rocky Pass are in the vicinity of
The Sununi t and at Devils Elbou. Bec:mse of strong currents, the narrow
channel, and sharp turns, passage through these two reaches is advisable
only at, or near, slack high vlater. At Devils ElboH the channel makes
a sharp right-angle turn and current velocities here are the greatest in
the pass reaching a maximum of 5 to 7 knots. 'l'he period of slack uater
is brief, and at The Summit strong currents set in within an hour after
high water. Submerged rocl\:S and reefs, although charted, add to the diffi-
cul ties of navigation since control of a vessel is difficult in strong cur-
rents. This is particularly true if to~rs are attached. Operators of
vessels 'tvho wish to stay in sheltered 1vater and who dare not use Rocky Pass
because of their unfa..'lliliarity ~vi th :L ts hazards are forced to travel via
Hrangell NarroHs. The added distances by this route are shm-m in the fol-
lovTing tabulation.
Route of travel Added distances
Betv1een Chatham Strait and Clarence Strait 30 miles
Bet-vreen Chatham Strait and •.;rest coast Prince of Wales
Island 70 miles
Between Stevens Passap:e and west coast Prince of
Hales Island 35 miles
Between 1\ake and lvest coast Prince of \·laJ.es
Island 80 miles
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•
333. statistic8l rec;rds of comrcerce or vessel traffic through Rocky
Pass have not been kept. It is used by tur.; boats, .fishing boats, cannery
tenders, and recreation craft uith drafts up to 12 feet, It is known that
many more boats uould u::: e the lJaterr~ray if the hazards v1ere eliminated.
334. Under the proposed plan of improvement, all hazardous rock
pi11nacles, reefr., and outcrops 1.vould be removed from vJithin a dGsir.;nated
channel to a project derth of 5 feet. This would involve removing knmm
obstructions at 17 separate locations. The N:Ldth of the channel vrould vary
depending upon the difficulty of navigating. In the vicinity of The Summit,
all obstacles uould be removed within a lane at least 150 feet 1.1jde,
Through the Devns Elbou a route at least 200 feet vJide tvould be cleared.
In the vicinity of beacon 11 23 11 , tt~o isolated rock pinnacles uould be re-
moved.
335. An estimate of the first cost and annual charges are shown in
the tabulation belovJ:
First cost:
Federal:
Excavation, rock 7,000 cu. ;yd, at $15.00
Equipment, mobilize and demobilize
Engineering and contin;::;encies
Subtotal, Corps of Enginenrs
Navigation aids
~Jine buoys installed
Total Fed8r2l co::t
Non-Federal
Total project cost
AnDual charges:
Interest at 3 percent
Amortization 50-Yl1
• life
Maintenance
Total annual charges
$105,000
5o,ooo
59,000
~~214,000
10,000
$224,000
~224,000
6, 720
1,980
__ 2,300
~?11,000
336. A someuhat hazardous pas~Jage can be made throueh Keku Strait
under present conditions during a period of only about one hour before
and after each high tide. As several boats have been \'jrecked in passage,
the Strait bears a bad reputation among boat owners and is little used
except by those familiar Hi th the route, It is estimated that the proposed
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improvement tvould permit safe passage during about 40 percent of the time
or at approximately two-thirds or higher tide.
337. There are from 3 to 4 thousand small boats Hhich navigate South-
east Alaska waters and are potential users of this waterway. The home ports
of over half of these boats are south of Keku Strait, whereas the major
portion of the Alaska fishing areas lie to the north. Boats based south of
Keku Strait vrould have a shorter route to all Alaskan fishing areas
located to the north excluding those in Stephens Passage and in the east
half of Frederick Sound. The travel distances <Jould be shorter by amounts
varying from 30 to Bo miles depending on the route of travel. The average
distance saved 'tvould probably be only about 40 miles per trip as a large
part of the boat trav-el is and H011ld be between Clarence and Chatham Straits,
'tvhich could. save only 30 r>Jiles. As fishing boats and cannery tenders do
considerable traveling from one fishing area to another, it is reasonable
to asoume that at least l,Soo round-trip boat voyages ~Jould be r.1ade per
year through the improved tJatervray, illhich would other'tvise be made over a
more circuitous route. With a so.ving of 3 hours traveling time each ivay
and a net operating boat cost exclusive of labor, of (?2.00 per hour,
the total annual benefit uould axnmmt to 018 ,ooo. On this basis the im-
provement is economically feasible> the benefit-to-cost ratio being 1.63
to 1.
338. The west coast of Prince of Wales Island contains the best
timber stands in Southeast Alaska. It is possible that IDavis-built log
rafts originating from this district and destined for sawmills located
at Sitka or Juneau might make use of the improved channel. Davis log
rafts are cigar shaped, dr~r about 14 feet of vrater, have a 'tvidth of
about 65 feet, and a length of 160 feet. Hater depth in the improved chan-
nel would be adequate for this type of log raft at the higher tide stages.
The savings derived from tO'!'ling Davis log rafts through the proposed im-
proved route would be very substantial and would add many thousands of
dollars to the annual benefits. The benefi.ts l-Thich might accrue from this
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l
•
source, hot·rever, were not included in the estimated project benefits derived
inasmuch as usage of the Haten1ay might reveal that additional improvements
uould be required to provide safe passage for Davis log rafts.
339. Benefits are considered to be general in scope; thercfore,the
improvement should be provided at Federal expense with no rey_uirement for
contributions by local interests. The proposed improvement has been
endorsed by the Regional Forester. Maintenance of the navigation aids
would be perfonned through coordination Hi th the u. s. Coast Guard.
340. Channel between Seymour Canal and Oliver Inlet. -Glass
Peninsula is connected to Adnirctl ty Island by a narrovJ strip of land 1..rhich
separates Oliver Inlet on the north from Seymour Canal on the south. The
area is about 15 miles south of Juneau and is shown on U •• C. & G. s. Chart
No. 8202. The distance across the portage at mean sea level is about 6,900
feet and 12,000 feet at mean louer lolv water. Extreme ranges of tide vary
from minus 4 feet to 20 feet. Mean sea level is 8.7 feet.
341. Oliver Inlet north of the portage extends southerly from
Stephens Passage for about 3 miles. The entrance to the Inlet is about
300 feet 'l·Jide and is partially blocked by a rock reef which bares at 2
feet. Tidal currents, 6 to 8 knots, prevent boats from entering except at
slack high lvatcr. Aside from this reef, depths are adequate for navigation
to the head of the Inlet.
342. Seymour Canal is essentially an arm of Stephens Passage about
2 miles vJide and extends parallel to the passage for about 40 miles. The
waters are deep and the Canal may be navigated to its head, although the
upper end is someuhat intricate. The tide flat at the extreme head extends
out for more than a mile.
343. Local interests have requested construction of a channel through
the portage, connecting Se3mour Canal and Oliver Inlet, to permit passage of
small boats and log to1,1s as an alternate to the route through Stephens
Passage. They suggested provision of a channel with a bottom 50 feet vride
at mean lo1-1er low l·Iater.
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3L:4. '.i'o determine qv.a rti t5 es anC. c1assification of material
the porta;e, ic1Stn.JJ11.8llt survey~; and seis~::ic orations were made of
the proposed route. A sbudy of tidal currents throuch the mouth of
Oliver Inlet i::li'tic:'lted thc.t a channel below mean lower low water would be
ic:-practical as ~d velocities would prevent any operational cain.
345. The plan proposed would provide for the excavation of a channel
65 feet v1ide at an ele·vation of 5 feet above mean lm•er low water. The
total length of the 1 would be about 10,600 feet, and cuts on the
center line would range up to 30 feet with an average depth of about 12
feet. Side slopes v.rould be 1 vertical on horizontal. Total excavation
would be about lJi-7, 000 cubic yards of ·.·chich about 15,000 cubic yards
would be solid rock. Three navigation aids would be required.
3h6. The esti.~aatod cost a~:d annual charges are shovm in the follovdng
tab'.tlatiol1:
First cost:
Federal:
Excavation
Cornr.ton, 432,000 cu. yd. ett ~~1.25
Rocl:, 15,000 cu. yd. at 012.50
Clearing 55 acres at ~)300
Engineerin:; and contin:.;encies
Total Corps of Engineers
Navigation aids, 3 at (;1,000
Total cost
Jon-Federal
Total prbjeot cost
Annual charges:
Federal:
Tnte:r:est
Jl..ri;or~ization 50-yr. life
1\[ai:Ttenance
Total Federal
Jo~I-Federal
'i oto.l annual charg;es
$540,000
187,500
16,500
21-J.O,OOO
,s092 000 't(.., ,
3,000
~~995. 000
\895,000
~t, '850 9
8,850
10,000 ,, 48,700 ~?
~ ~B,700
347. The proposed improvement would permit passage through the portage
on hii?;h slac:~ t:ides which coincide l'l'ith the od of time vrhen passage
is possible throuc;h the munth of Oliver Inlet. It is estimated that the
ruute could be traveled during 2,200 hours of each year or about 25 percent
of the th:e. Depth of water L1 the channel at mean high tide would be about
-10~. -
10 feet and l-TOUld range up to lS feet on ex.treNe high tides, Depth at the
mouth of Oliver Inlet t-Jould be about 13 feet at mean high tide and as much
as 18 feet on extreme high tide~
348, The plan proposed by local interests as compared to the proposed
plan, would increase the use of the route to an estimated 2,400 hours
per year or about 27 percent of the time. The estimated cost for such a
plan Hould amount to at least $l,SOO,OOO. A plan which <rou..1d permit use
of the route at mean cea level tvould require enlargeme~1t of the mouth at
Oliver Inlet to a point where velocities uould not exceed 2 knots. It
tvould permit use of the route for about So percent of the time but vrould
cost in excess of ~:iJ,OOo,ooo.
349. During tho fall aw'l. u:Lntcr nonths, gales SHeep Taku Inlet
and cause much delay and dcJnage to bo::tts and log raft totJS moving through
Stephens Passa[~e. These uind storms are lmmm locally as Taku winds and
come vrith no advance Naming and during periods when the t·Jeathcr in the
rest of tlle area is fair and rela tlvely calm. They strike at the upper
end of Stephens Passage and sweep southerly along the east coast of Glass
?eninsula Lut do not reach Oliver Inlet. and Seymour Canal, nor do they
disturb the more ope:m ~rator bet~wen the mouth of Oliver Inlet and Juneau.
These tvinds last from a fm·r hours to over a t·leek,
350. The uind seriously affects the movement of log rafts and of small
vessels torhich are constantly traveling back and forth through Stephens
Passage. The principal benefits uhich l'Jould accrue from construction of
a channel betvJeen Se;ymour Canal and OJ.iver In1et lvould be the prevention
of damage to log rafts and loss of travel time to small boats and tugs.
Benefits which lvould be derived from vrater traffic serving industries now
in operation would be substantial but even greater benefits vJould result
from increased Hater traffic generated by possible industrial expansion uhich
may take place in the near future ui th or ui thout the channel improvement.
' ·~ .
-lOS -
i;
;1
351. Benefits tmder cc:.rrent conditions are described belou:
(a) The most severe Taku ~rinds occur durint; the Hinter
seQson; hm-rever, they may strike at My season of the year.
These uinds hamper boat travel to and from the fishing grounds
and often delay delivery of fi~jh to the processing pla:~1ts. There
are nearly 450 small r;1otor driven vessels which base in Juneau
or its vicinity, most of "lvhich are fishing boats. It is esti-
mated that en an average 150 fishing boats are delayed 10
hours each per year on account of Taku Hinds,resulting in loss
of fishing time. The average production of fishing boats has
been determined during past seasons to be about 70 pounds of
fish per operating hour. The net return from the sale of fish
by the fisherman after deducting labor and other operating
eX})enses is about 9 cents per pound. Using this valuation,
the annual preventable losf; o.f fish production aJ:l'lounts to
150 x 10 x 70 x $0.09, or about - - - - - - - - - - - - -$9,500
(b) During the last S years tHo saw-log rafts valued at
about $12,500 each \·Jere lost due to Taku 1'lind storms. The
average annual loss from tllis som·ce is a~;out - - - - - - - -5, 000
(c) Nuch valuable tmrin::; time is lost by tugs waiting for
Taku winds to subside Hhile touing rafts to the Juneau s<:mmill.
Much of this lost time could be prevented if a protected alter-
nate channel 1rere provJ.ded. The time saved, allmving for possi-
ble delays incidenta..l.. to 11ai ting for high tides to go through
an improved alternate channel, is estimated to average about 3
days per tou for 6 log raft toviS pe1· ;year. At a cost of ~275
per day for a tugboat and cre";·J the total annual cost is - - -5,000
Annual benefits under current industrial conditions ~;19,500
352. Additional benefits t·Jhich may be expected under an expanded
forest industry are described belm·r:
(a) Uith the installation of a ply<Vood plant and a pulp
mill at Juneau the loca.l coilS'l1mDtion of timber Hould be increased
by at least 114 million board feet per year of Hhich about one-
sixth or about 20 million board feet ~·muld come from lands
directly tributary to Seymour Canal. The Hater haul distance
to Juneau by tvay of the Seymour Ca.llal-Uli ver Inlet channel
l·wuld be about 30 miles shorter than via Stephens Passage.
At a hauling cost of 1~ cents per thousand board feet per mile,
the annual saving from the shorter distance would runount to - - -09,000
(b) The savings in being able to use flat rafts in place
of the more costly Davis rafts uhich are required in Stephens
Passage during periods subject to the most violent Taku vrlnds
(about half' the time) Honld result in an annual saving of about
one dollar per thousand board feet on ahout ten million board
feet of Seymour Canal ti;aber which \·wuld amount to about - - - --\;10,000
(c) From current log rafting experience, it is estimated
that at least one flat raft per year of timber from areas
other than Seymour Canal 1·rould be lost in Stephens Passage due
to the sudden and unpl'edictable uinds 1Jh:ich draw· dmm from Taku
Inlet. This loss uould be prevented if the Oliver Inlet alternate
-106 -
passageway vrere available. The loss of one flat raft
per year vwuLl ru:-tount to about - - - - - - - - - -
(;12,500
Annual henofits from expanded industry - - -i))l, 500
(}l·and tctal am1Ual benefits (F'uture) - - - -051,000
An:11.lal char cos fOl' tl:e rroi:oscd ent are estimated at ~,48, 700 ·Hhich
exceods tho benefits t·l bo ex.Jected tnder existing industrial C0'1d5.tions
b;:,r · ,200. Eowover, tLe benef5.ts ex;?ected 1Tith expanded industrle>..l con-
dj_tio~,s to ~;]1, 000, would result in a benefi t-to-C(:st ratio of
1.04 to 1. ,Jmtification of the project thus would depend upon develorcwnt
of tile pulp and plywood industries.
353. The alternate plaus to permit nst~r;e of the passage for a
greater propo~·ti.on of the tine ':roulcl be possible under tho proposed
plan, wo~ld not increase the be.Jcfits in proportion to the increased tine
of usage.
354. Tho U. S. F.)rest Service thrott:)l tbe Re~ional Forest or and
his staff ho.ve be em concul ted and are in agreement with the proposed pla-~1
of i!:lprove·~:ent. CoordLwtion ,,;ith the U. S. Coast Guard 'aill be necessary
in connectlor:. vrith mninte:1ance of the navigation cdds.
355· Channel across l'rince of Wales Island. -Hetta Inlet on the
'i'lost coo.st of Fr:i.uce of Wales Island is directly across fro12 c:.1olmondeley
Sound on the east side. The dist£>.ncc bEJtween the upper end of the two
inlets is about 3 rnlles. The ground botw.:;en rises gradually on each s:i.de
to a maxi'l:wn. heig1lt of 160 feet at about the midl'}oint. A tram road, con-
structed betv,rcen the 't11u waterv:::~.:,rs b~r local i.nterests about 35 years ago,
was intended to be used for tran~3fer of ·~1ail and freight across the island
bc't vtas abo.ndm1ed soon aftor its co;.1struction.
356. At a ul:i.c hoarim; held in Ictchil::an on June 25, 19!+6, local
interests rcq'0lCsted construction of a cha·1nel between Hetta Inlet and
Cholnondeley Sot,nd to perni t passage of al1 t;;'l?es of traffic except deep-sea
vessels. Suc:1 a project would reqc~ire a channel 70 feet vrido with
a depth of 12 feet. It would i:'1volve excavat:ion of several 1;1illion
cubic yards of' materis.l, a great po~·tion of' vinich would be rock.
357. The improve::1e:r:t ·':muld Frovide a s11cl tered, shorter r'Jute between
Ketchikan and C0'~11Uni ties in the west coast area and eliminate the haze.rds
of the exposed and longer routes around either end of the island.
-107-
Ketchikan vlOuld be the chief beneficiary. Although some increased lumber
production and development of mineral reGOUl'Ces may be foreseen, no ge!leral
grovlth in the tv-est coast area is anM.cipated. Should these resources be
developed in the future, it is lil:ely that the larger portion of the
resulting commerce t-lould be exchanged directly with the States by deep draft
vessels. Prospective comJ..erce through a channel across Prince of Hales
Island would not be sufficient in the foreseeable future to justify the
require--d expenditure.
358. t'1atertm;y to connect 'I'enakee Inlet and Port Frederick. -The
head of Port Frederick is separated from Tenakee Inlet by a lm·r isthmus
less than 100 yards wide at high w·ater. Skids have been placed in the
divide to facilitate the portage of small boats. Local interests request
that a canal be dredged to such depth as will permit passage of small power
boats in order that they may readily pass bettveen the sheltered tvaters of
Port Freder~.ck and Tenakee Inlet without having to make the passage through
the exposed wat,ers of Icy Strait and Chatham Strait.
359. The minimum improvement vlhich twuld satisfy the desires of
local interests 1-1ould involve construction of a channel about 4,600 feet
1 ong with bottom eleva.tion 6 feet above mean lm·rer latv water. Bottom lvidth
tv-ould be 50 feet and excavation of some 79,000 cubic yards of material
vmuld be required.
360. The improvement lvould permit passage at high tide and eliminate
the effort required to make the portage but Hould not avoid the delays
awaiting favorable tides ol~ resulting from ice.
361. .Although the improvement '~<muld be desirable, its principal
benefit v10uld be to the communities of Tenakee and Hoonah, Hh.ich are not
financially able to contribute toHard the cost of construction. No in-
crease in commerce, decrease in freight rates or operating cost, or stimula-
tion of settlement or industry in the region can be anticipated.
362. The Chief of Engineers on Narch 27, 19hO, submitted to the
Secretary of Har for transmission to Congress a report of survey scope which
-108 -
contained the recom."1endation that no i.mprovement was warranted at that
time. Conditions have not chnnged SP.fficie1tly since 19L+0 to affect that
recomE:endation.
3 /'7
\.)_/ . Youne; Bay -Hawk Inlet.-Young Bay on the east coast of Admiralty
Island is directly across from Hawk Inlet on the west coast. The isthn.us
between is about a mile wide. A peninsula extends to the north for about
18 miles to Point Retreat at the extreme tip of Admiralty Island. The
ground on each side of the isthmus rises fairly steeply to a saddle which
is about 2,000 feet across with a na:x:imum elevation of about 95 feet.
364. Local interests have requested that a channel be excavated
through the saddle from Youn;; Bay to Hawk Inlet. 'l'he purpose of the chan ..
nel would be to provide passage of small boats in order to eliminate the
longer and more hazardous route around ?oint Re·breat. In support of their
request local interests have estimated total annual benefits of about
365. Provision of the m:i.nimtun channel to permit passage of small
·boats vrould involve excavating over 2,000,000 cnbic yards of material, a
large portion of' vvh:i.ch would be rock, a~1d the cost would auount to several
million dollars. The improve:nent would shorten the distance between Icy Strait
and Juneau by about 15 miles a!1d would elimirlate the hazards around Point
lletreat. The benefits vronld be geY!eral in nature but would be small as
compared to annual charges of several hundred ·thousand dollars.
366. Angoon, a small 1:ative villac;e on the west coast of Admiralty
Island, i.s located o:-1 the spit v:hich forms the south shore of the entrance to
Kootznahoo Inlet. A preliminary exa111ination for navig;ation improvements at
Angoon was authorized in 1946. A public hearing was held in 19LJ.8 where
representatives of the tmvn announced the,t improvements we1·e no longer desired
because of pl&.ns to move the villaze to IIood Bay where the cannery has been
purchased by the villagers. In view of these contemplated plans, no further
investigations were madG for this report.
-109 -
)
i ,.
h 'i
'
Jmpro~:emcltS. :for Po~icr
367. General. -The Southeastern Alas~<:a area with its rugged terrain
and abundaut rainfall affords munerous opportunities for econor:lical develop-
ment of.' hydroelect1·ic povrer projects. In a report entitled 11 ffater Povre1·s.
Southeast Alaska 11 , dated l947, ";;he Federal Power Corr.nLssion and the Forest
Service of the U. S. Department of A:J;riculture have Ested and described
200 possible hydro-power projects rB.~1'~bg in size fron a few kilov.atts to
about 50,000 Jrilowatts. Applications for license to ~i.::"vestig;ate or develop
91 of these projects have been nade by pdvate r.nd municipal interests since
1905. About 48 of these planned projects were never constructed and 14
were developed and subsequently abandoned. The c'::l.pacity of the existing
projects range fron 5 horse!)OWGl' ol' ···cec!-,::,nical power to several thousand
horsepower for electric ~wv;er ;::;eneraGiol. The nurnerical project designation
used in the above report vras adopted for this report. The locations of the
larger projects are shown on plate 25 a!1d strear:t profiles are shovm on
plates 5 to 9, inclusive.
368. As the establisb"ient of pulp ,-,1 ills ar:d related industries in
Southeastern Alas];:a clear r.ctcllikan •. F'ccersbur:~-;rr::mg;ell, Sltka, and Juneau
will increase the demand fo~ electric energy, several sites within feasible
trans.rnission line dis\;o.:rlCe of t1wse tovhlS :u1.ve been studied. The tabulation
in paragraph 370 lists the power li ty and cost of '~eueration at selected
sites o.nd also the additional power potcmtLa.l available within the areas in
plants of about 2, 000 kilowatts of pri~rw poner capability and larger.
Several smaller projects co'·;s~.dered to have local importance are also included.
The power data an'.l costs are based o;·1 prelimi~1ary studies and are subject to
modification as addi tio·'lal .ic:.t;.t become available. A field reconnaissa:1ce
was made on 34 of the more inporto.nt sites supplenented by data obtained from
the above referenced report, otlle:· surveys, and published data. Considerable
fi0ld V!ork a~1d stud~r vrould be required Oil e::.tch site before a final plan can
be selected, but the infor::ation is indico.ti. ve of the power potent:i.al and
feasibility of these sitos.
-110 -
369. The Taiya project involving diversion of Canadian vtator to the
Taiya River in Southeast•Jrn Alaska ncar Skag;vmy is under joint study by
tho United States und Canada and he.s not been investigated or listed u:1der
the scope of this report. Information indicates tha·t; the 1'aiya. project can
be developed throu::;h a head of abou·t 2,200 feet to produce about 1,000,000
kilowatts of low cost electric povrer.
370. Power data, costs, e.nd potential projects in Southoastern Alaslca,
exclusive of tho 'l'aiya project, are shm·m in the following tabulation.
Costs have bee!'l. estimated at the averase pr:i.ces prevailing in January 1951.
Annual clwq;es .for each develop,::ent iHclude inJ.::erest on the investnent at·-·
3 percent and ar:10rti zo.tion over a SO year period.
:Estimated cost: Tranm;:.lSSlon
Project Y.ilowatts :of ~eneration distance .... ~Jlsfl 1
___ : ______ _._ --·--..,...----~--------· .• LL . 1 .. cv1 -flr
Ho.
Pdn,e
r~owor
Installed:
Capacity :Firm energy ---------------·
Y E T C il I V A N A R E A
ll'.i.
11L1··
117.
T' ~~
36.
37·
'r
Lake Grace
1-Iirror, Blla, ar<d
i:b.n zan ita Lakes
Swan La):::e
'fv:ent~r-six addi-
tional projects
.Y
Subtotal
E R ,~
~~ B u T{ c
Gascacte Creok
Sc3ne1·y Crc0k
·~-:r
Twelve additional
Pl'ojects }.}
Subtotal
,,
.i\.
S I T K A A R E A
Green Lake
Blue Lake
'l' a 1:a t z Ln.ke
Eighteen addit.ional
projects ]:}
Subtotal
A
11,000
11 . .~-, 500
7,630
7'; 200 ...--:::-'--
1.?8 '_330-
l'~ G E L
16,900
9,00C
_hl, 500
2,400
7 ,1+00
7,600
L
22,200
2'),600
15,000
A R E
31~ .• 000
18,000
4,800
15,000
15,000
A
-111 -
7.0
9.7
9.0
Net evaluated
6.2
8.(3
Not evs.luatod
12.6
10.2
6.2
evnluated
:Files: Locality
46 I\etchikan
L12 do
32 do
10 Pulp mill
15 site on
Tho:nas Bay
15
7
Lro
Sitka
do
do
:Estimated cost: Transnission
Project Kilowatts -----.......!o:...·-------P-ri:ne -...,r~n~s~tr:-:8_,.1...,.1~e~a·
:of ceneration : d-i.st.mce
ni11s/l':lrv. -hr.:
No. Name Power CapaGity fir;:~ energy ::.I:i.les Locality
JUNEAU AREA
L0. Speel River 36,000 72,000 10.3 52 Juneau
45. Long River 21,000
h6. Crater Lake 11,000
LB. Dorothy Lal.c-::e 15,000
Fifteen additional
projects l/ 64,500
Subtotal 1/.+7 J 500
Total 83 projectr, 395. 000
42,000 5·e 22,000 6.
28,000 6.0
Not evaluated
ij Proj ec·cs i te::·:i zod in subseq:1ent tables for each area.
·-----·-----------
51
~}1
19
371. Ketchikan area. T:1e timbered area considered tributary to
do
do
do
[etchikan incluues e.11 lands in Southeastern Alaska south of Sumner Strait,
Clare:1ce Strait, and Bradfield Canal drainac;e. Revillar_;igedo Island 0~1 which
the city of J(etchikan is situated has a~1 area of 1,160 SQUare niles. This
island is se1_Jarated fran tho mainland by Behm Canal which has a minimum width
to tho n0rth of abm~t -it· mile and to the cast about 2 miles. George and
Carroll Inlets penetrate the island for distances of 14 and 27 miles, respec-
tively. The topog1·aphy of the island is mount;ainous and is cut by numerous
strea:"ls. Mount Reid, elevat5 on 4, 560 feet, is the hi ghost po:;_nt on the
island and n"merous peaks exceed 3,000 feet in elevation. Several large lakes
l:>.ave been fonneJ. at elevations fa·10rable to power devcloF::.ent.
372. Grac3 Lalce, project No. Jl3, at elevr,tion !!22 feot, is located
near the eastern shore of Rov.i.1la3igedo Island and was fanned by glacial
erosion. The lo.ke discharges into G1•ace Creek which flovm in an easterly
direction for 2. 7 miles to Behm Canal. 1\ favora'bJ.e darnsitc is located in a
narrow precipi~ous canyon section of Grace Creek about 0.5 mile belo•tr the
cutlet of the lake. Drainage area trib·J.tary to the site is 28.3 square
miles from vrhich tho average annual run-off is estimated to be 290,000
&.ere-feet. A dam to normal pool elevation 480 would provide 108,000 acre-
feet of :H:able f:torage to a drawdJwn pool elevation of 422 with adequate
-112 -
storage allowed for silt md ice. This storage ,Houl d regulate the streaM
to an averare flow of 384 cubic feet per second.
373• A concrete ~ravity darn would have a crest len~~h of 200 feet at
elevation 480. The water surface at the site has a strearn width of 40 feet
at the 360-foot elevation. Rock is exposed on both abutments and probably
lies at a shallow depth in the stream bed. The left abutment is nearly
vertical and the rirht abutment has an average slope of 1 on 1. The bed-
rock at the site is biotite gneiss "Which ms a strike of }i. 23° E. dipping
westerly about 87°. The gneiss has a slaty cleavaGe and slabs easily.
374.. Povrer head would be develoned by diverting the flow into a
tunnel through the left abutment. This tunnel would have a length of
3,600 feet and diameter of 10 feet. A penstock 860 feet in length would
lead to the powerhouse site at river mile 0 .. 9. Tai lwater at the power-
house would be 25 feet. Static head at normal po~l is 455 feet. It is
estimated that n .. ooo kilov:-atts of prime power or 96,.200,.000 kilo>'~att
hours could be produced annually.. :-'ith an inste.llation of three genera-
tors at 7,400 kilowatts each,. the estirr.ated construction cost would be
~~ll,477 ,.000, and the annual cost would be $669,.000, resulting in a produc-
tion cost of 7 mills per kilov~tt-hour.
375• There are no inprovet:1ents in the reservoir area, which is
timbered and covered with heavy U..'1derbrush. ~'Iigratory fish cannot reach
the lake because of falls in the lower reach of Grace Creek. About 0.2
of a mile of the lo·wer reach lies above the powerhouse site, and salmon
would be affected by stream diversion. Access to the area vrould require
dock facilities and about 3 miles of road. The transmission line distance
to Ketchikan would be 46 miles and involves an overhead oros sing of Carroll
Inlet about 0.7 mile lon~.
376. Project No. 114 includes three large lakes in separate drainage
basins located in the southeast part of Revillagigedo Island. Manzanita
Lake with a natural surface area of 1,610 acres discharges into Manzanita
Creek at elevation 232. From the lake outlet J~nzanita Creek flows 2.9
-113
miles in a northeasterly direction to Behm Canal. Ella Lake lies to 1;he
south of ~~fe.nzanita Lake and is separated from it by a low ridge less than
2 miles wide. Ella Lake end Lower Ella Lake have a surface area of 1,930
acres. Ella Lake at elevation 248 discharges into Lower Ella Lake which
has a 'mter surface ele va.tion of 2J.a. From the outlet of Lower Ella Lake,
Ella Creek flows 2 •5 miles in an easterly direction to Behm Canal. Mirror
Lake with a surface area of 1,350 acres discharges into Fish Creek at ele-
vation 377• Fish Creek flows southerly a d:tstance of' 7.8 miles through
several lakes to the heed of Thorne Arm. Mirror Lake is separated from
the westerly leg of Ella Lake by a low divide about 1/2 mile wide. All
of these J.akes have been formed by glacial erosion, and the shores are
moderately steep but covered with a thin soil mantle that supnorts a heavy
stand of timber.
377• The plan of development for these three lakes would consist of
a low dam at the outlet of !v!irror Lake and a channel to divert Mirror Lake
water to Ella Lake; a low dam at the outlet of Low·er Ella Lake and a tunnel
to Ham:anita Lake; and a lo, .. r dam at Hanzani ta Lake outlet. Power would be
developed in two steps below Manzanita Lake. Additional flow could ulti ..
mately be added to this s;{stem from Hossa Lake on Gokachin River which
would add a drainage area of 10.9 square miles s.nd a uniform flow of 1:;o
cubic feet per second, For the purpose of this report, hm•rever, the de1velop-
ment of Gokachin River is described as pro.ject No. 115 ..
"578. Mirror J.ake dam site is located in the narrow canyon at the out-
let of the lake. Drainage area at the site is 22.8 square miles which pro-
duces an average annual run-off of 215~000 acre-feet. Bedrock of mascovite
mica schist is exposed at stream level for about 10 feet of height. The dam
would be a low concrete gravity overflow sill with a crest elewtion of 390
feet, tailwa.ter elevation of 375 feet, and an over-all length of 200 feet.
The canal through the saddle to Ella Lake would have a bottom elevation
of 380 feet and width of 20 feet.. About 1,600 feet of canal would be re-
quired exclusive of a small lake on the saddle which would be used as part
-114-
of the canal. The capacity of th is canal would be about 1 1 000 cubic feet
per second at a lake elevation of 390 feet. From this canal, water would
follow a natural drainage course to Ella Lake. No storage or regulatory
facilities are proposed at Mirror Lake. Access to the lake ':muld require
8 miles of road from the Lower Ella Lake dam site .. A su:mmer resort with
accommodations for a bout 12 persons has been located above the flow line
of this development. The head between Mirror and Ella Lake would produce
about 1,000 kiloY.ratts of prime power ,but development is not proposed in
this plan.
379• The Lov;er Ella Lalre eam site is located 0.2 of a mile below the
lake outlet. Drainage area above this site is 15.9 square miles from. which
the average annual run-off is 118,000 acre.-feet. Bedrock is exposed on
the stream bed and left bank and is probably not deeply covered on the
right abutment. The width of the stream at the site is about 30 feet at
elevation 215 feet. A concrete gravity dam including an uncontrolled s~ill
way section to elevation 300 feet would have an over-all length of 700 feet.
A usable storage of 106~000 acre-feet exclusive of silt and ice storage
would be available between elevation 252 and elevation 300. A lO ... foot
diameter lined tunnel 6,100 feet long with invert elevation at 235 feet would
connect Ella Lake and Manzanita Lake. There are no developments on the
shores of Ella Lake but the area is covered with a heavy stand of timber.
Access to the site would be provided by 3·5 miles of road from sea level.
No control works would be installed at the dam or in the tunnel.
380. Mantanita dam site is located at the outlet of Manzanita Lake
at a stream elevation of 230 feet. The water surface width at the site
is 55 feet and a concrete gravity dam to elevation 300 feet would have a
crest length of 220 feet. Bedrock outcropping in the stream bed and on
the left bank is an Ortho-gneiss with several veins of ouartz. The right
bank is covered with massive granite boulders to an undetermined depth be-
low a granjte cliff paralleling the stream at a distance of about 175 feet.
An area of 25.6 square miles in the Manzanite. Creek drainage basin is
-115-
tributary to the site and has an average annual run~off of 250,000 acre-
feet.
381. By diverting ~'~irr.or Lake and Ella Lake to Manzanita Lake, an
area of 64.3 square miles would be tributary to the t;ianzanita site. The
average annual run-off from this area is estimated to be 613,000 acre··
feet or an average flow of 844 cubic feet per second. Usable storage
available in Manzanita Lake between a minimum pool elevation of 245 and
normal pool elevation 300 is 100~000 acre-feet after allo>dng for ice and
silt. The combined storage of }fanzanita Lake and Ella Lake would tote.l
206,.000 acre-feet which would yield a regulated flow of 800 cubic feet:
per second.
382. The statio head from normal pool elevation 300 at Manzanita
to zertb elevation at river mile 0.2 is 300 feet and would be developed
in two stages. A 13-foot diameter concreto lined tunnel 2,200 feet long
would convey the water from Manzanita Lake Dam to a surge tank from which
a short penstock would connect to the upper po~~rhouse at river mile 1.9.
Tailwater elevation at the upper powerhouse would be 135 feet. A concrete
gravity diversion dam at river mile 0.5 would divert the flow to the lower
powerhouse at river mile 0.2 through a conduit 1,100 feet long. Tail~~ter
at the lower site would be at elevatton 0.0 at approximate high "Water ele-
vation. The diversion dam would have a length of about 300 feet and h(~ight
of 30 feet to crest elevation of 130 feet. Bedrock is exposed at the
diversion site.
383" Installation at each powerhouse would consist of tvro 7,400-
kilowatt units, and the total installation would be 29~600 kiloYmtts.
The prime output of both plants would total 11+,500 kilowatts or about
127,.000,000 kilo>vatt-hours annually. The construction cost of the Mirror
Lake, Ella. Lake, Hanzanita Lake projects is estirrated to be $24,ooo,ooo
and the annual cost $1~230~000. The production cost a.t the plant would
be 9.7 mills per kilowatt"hour. Transmission line distance to Ketchikan
is 42 miles. No developments exist within the project limits and the lands
-116-
are in Federal ovmership. Add:l tional field observation would be required
to determine the effect that this project would have on migratory fish
which are known to spawn in the lower reaches of these streams. The c~s-
cades at low elevations prevent the passage of fish to the lakes, but
diversion of the flow from It:irror and Ella Lakes may adversely affect the
lo;·r elevation spawning areas.
384. Swan Lake, project No. 117~ is located near the center of
Revillagigedo Island. The lake discharges into Falls Creek which flows
1.4 miles in a weRterly direction to enter Carroll Inlet about 2 miles
from its head. Swan Lake has a surface area of 1 1.050 acres and lies at
an elevation of 220 feet. Steep rock v~lls border most of the lake and
are covered with a dense stand of timber and brush,
385• Two dam sites, one at the lake outlet and the other at mile 0.5,
are feasible. The downstreom site in a narrow canyon section at stream
elevation 165~ though higher, is shorter and requires less conduit. Bed-
rock at the site is exposed at stream level and on the abutments and con-
sists of garnetiferous mica schist with numerous quartz veinlets. The
l01fl'er dam site has a dra.inage area of 36.1 square miles from which the
average annual run-off is 337,.000 acre-feet. A concrete gravity dam to
normal pool elevation 310 v:oulo nrovide lOh,OOO acre-feet of storage above
a minimum pool elevation of 223 with allo'V!J"B.nce for ice and silt accumula-
tion. This stora£~;e would yield a regulated flow of 420 cubic feet per
second.
386~ A Q-foot diameter low pressure conduit would follow the right
bank for a distance of 2 1 000 feet to a surge tank from ~hich a penstock
would drop to the powerhouse located at the mouth of Falls Creek at sea
level. About 7,600 kilowatts of prime power would be made available, and
three units of 5,000 kilowatts each would be installed. The construction
cost of this project is estimated to be ~10r800,.000 and would result in
an annual cost of $599,.000. The plant would have an output of 66,.500,000
kilowatt-hours of energy annually produced at a cost of 9.0 mills per kilo-
watt-hour. The transmission line distance to Ketchikan is 32 miles.
-117-
387. Access to this site v~ould require unloading facilities at sea
level and about 3 miles of road to the dam site. No developments or
mineral claims are known in the project area, and lands are in Federal
o1'mership. lHgratory fish utilize several hundred feet of the lower
reach of the stream for spaiming and rea.ring but are not known to enter
S·wan Lake. Additional field observation would be required to evaluate
the effect of this project on fish propagation.
388.,. Tlle taoul".tion, ~::Qge 118 a, lists 29 potentia 1 projects that are
located in the Ketchikan !".rea. The available prime povrer would total
about 108,.000 kilowatts, including sites on Portland Canal near Hyder
and on Annette and Prince of Vhtles Islands, which are remotely located
with respect to KetchH:an ..
389.. Petersburg -1rfranp;ell area. -One of the locations proposed
for a pulp mill site is located on the mainland near Thomas Bay about 10
miles north of Petersburg.. lll ternate locations at Petersburg or Wrangell
are under consideration. The timbered area considered as tributary to
Petersburg and mJrangell includes the m1dnland area from the Endicott Arm
drainage on the north to and including the Bradfield Canal drainage on the
south and the follov1ng major islands: I\upreanof, Kuiu, Mitkof, i:Trangell,.
Zaremba, and Etolin.
390. Two streams, Scenery Creek and Cascade Creek, afford excellent
possibilities for power development within a feasible transmission distance-
of the three pulp mill sites •
391. Scenery Creek drains an 1trea of about 28 square miles of the
~ ........
mainland. One of its major features is Scenery Lake which lies at eleva-
tion 957 feet and has a surface area of about 544 acres. This lake has
been formed by glacial action and occupies a deep basin with steep side
slopes. Depths to 200 feet have been measured. V''ater at the outlet of
the lake is relatively free from glacial silt, Scenery Creek flows in a
series of cascades for 3 .. 6 miles from the la~ outlet to sea level at
Scenery Cove near the head of Thomas Bay •
... 118-
Potential Projects in Ketchikan Area
Project Location Ca.pabili ty
Kilowatts prime Air distance
No. Name Conununity t miles -----------------------·----------------------------------~---------
MAINLAND
1. Salmon River 4oo -2~100 ]}, Hyder 7
4. Thumb Creek . 700 ... 31500 I! do 5
6. Soule Glacier River 1:,200 -6~000 !(, do 10
7. Davis River 3; 700 .. 9,200 y. do 13
12. Humpback Lake 3~800 Ketchikan 43
17. Wilson Lake 7;ooo do 40
18. Winstanley Lake 2~800 do 30
19. Checats Upper Lake 2;000 do 32
20. Punchbowl L8.ke 6·,ooo do 37
22. Granite Lake 4;500 do 37
24. Reflection Lake 3i500 do 46
25· Shelokum Lake 2,900 do 44
P R I N C E 0 F 1 ~f A L B S I S LA }r D
76. Klakas Lake 3il00 Hydaburg 22
78. Re;ynolds Creek 2;100 Sulzer 3
82. Neck Island Lake 1~600 Turekan 15
88. Clover Creek 3~400 Kasaan 20
94. Kegan Creek 2;4oo Niblack 3
95· Kugel Lake 2_,200 do 5
ANNE T T E ISLAND
100. Hassler Lake 1;200 Metlakatla 8
101. Purple Lake 1,500 do 3
R E V I L L A G I G H:: D 0 I 8 LAND
104. Mahoney Creek 3;6oo Ketchikan 8
no .. Naha River (Patching 2,600 do 17
Lake)
111. Orchard Lake 5~600 do 34
112. Claude Lake 31300 do 42
113. Lake Grace 11,000 do 33
114. Mirror, Ella and
Manzanita. Lakes 14,500 2/ do 31
115. Gokachin River 2;100 -do 19
116. Fish Creek(Big Lake) 2;ooo do 18
117. Swan Lake _};.630 do 21
108,.330
.!/ Run-of-river plant with inadequate storage, capability sho"''m as
annual prime pmver and probable 6-month prime power.
y Total output from two plants.
-118 a -
392. A dam, project Eo, 37,. located at the outlet of Scenery Lake
would have a drainage area of 18 square miles from which the annual run•
off is ll.t.l,OOO acre-feet. Bedrock of granodiorite outcrops as bluffs on
either side of the stre~m ~md is exno sed in numerous outcroppings through-
out the valley flcor. 1\ ccm:;rete gravity sill with an overflow river
spill~~y section to elevation 970 would have a maximum height of 25 feet
and a length of 300 feet. With drawdown to elevation 870, a usable storage
of 44,500 acre-feet would be available after allowing for ice and silt
acctunulation. Thi.s storage would yield a regulated flow of 154 cubic
feet per second •
393. The plan of development would consist of an inte.ke structure
located on the right bank connecting to a 7-foot diameter lined tunnel
leading to a surge tank and p0nstock at the head of Scenery Cove. The
powerhouse would be located at sea level and ·would inclose three units . -
of 6,000 kilowatts each. The static head at normal pool would be 960 feet.
About 9,.000 kilowatts of prime power could be made available at this site
and annual generation would amount to 78,.800,.000 kilowatt-hours ..
394. Construction cost of this project is estimated at $13,.000t000
and the annual cost would total $687,000 resulting in a production cost
of 8,8 mills per kilowatt-hour at the phnt • -·----
395• No developments exist within the project boundaries of Scenery
Creek and the lands are in Federal ownership. The area is accessible only
by plane to the lake or by boat to Scenery Cove. The lower reaches of the
stream are considered to be good salmon spawning and rearing areas, but the
lake is not accessible to salmon. Additional field data would be required
before the effect of this project on salmonoid fish could be evaluated.
Transmission line distance to Petersburg and Wrangell (via long vmter
crossings) are 27 and 61 miles, respectively,. and involve water crossings
of 4 miles and 1.5 miles. Very difficult terrain for transmission line
location exists between Scenery Creek and Cascade Creek, a distance of
about 5 miles, This stretch is largely talus slopes subject to rock and
-119 ...
snow slides along the shore or hir-h elevation mountainous relief along the
ridges. · t\.n alternate nowerhouse site at the mouth of Cascade Creek has
been conr;idered to eliminate this transmission problem,. but U1e cost of
the additional tunnel and the hydraulic losses indicate that the Scenery
Cove location is more economical.
396 •. The Cascade Creek drainage lies adjacent to and south of Scenery
Creek. Run-off from the 21.4 square miles of drainage £<rea enters Thoma.s
Bay at its most easterly point. Swan Lake occupies the glacial basin of
this valley.. The lake discharges into Cascade Creek at mile 3,1 at eleva--
tion 1 ,.h87 and has a surface area of {20 acres.. The canyon ·walls forming
the sides of this lake h1:1.ve a very steep slope and continue to depths of more
than 200 feet.. Much of the area e,round the lake has no soil cover and does
not support vet;etation. Falls L::tko lies below Swan Lake at elevation 1,150
feet and has an area of 20 acres.
397.-A dam at the outlot of Svm.n LEtke, project no .. 36,. would have a ---tributary drainage area of 17.3 square miles from Y.rhich the run-off is esti-
mated to average 0,.000 acre-feet annually .. Tho d8.m site is 11 U 11 shaped
and bedrock of granodiorite is exposed throughout the section except near
the base of the cliffs svhere talus slo;Jes mask the rock. A concrete gravity
sill with a crest elev,:ttion of l,ll./J7 feet would have a height of 20 feet
and length of 120 feet. After allo·wing for ice and silt accumulation, a
usable storage of 56 1.000 acre-feet 'Nould be ave.ilable between normal
pool elevation 1,.487 and a minimum pool elevation of 1,380 feet. This
storag:e would yie1 d a rf'lgulatod flow o.f 183 cubic feet per second. An
intake structure on the rir:·ht bank Yrould divert the flow to an 8-foot
diameter tunnel 12,1-J.OO feet long 1eaclinr:; to a surge tank. From the surge
tank the V'mter would be conveyed in a 5-foot cli~meter penstock,. 4,000 feet
long, to a. powerhouse at sea level, located near the mouth of Cascade Creek.
Four units of 8 ,,500 kilovratts each woul <:1 prov:l.de a tob.l installation of
3h,OOO kilowatts. This pro,ject vrould have a prime power output of 16,900
kilowatts and ·would produce IL-1-8 ,_000 1.000 kilovratt-hours of enerc;y annually ..
-120 -
'
It is estimated that the construction cost would be $16,.600,000 and that
the n.nnual cost would be S912 1 000,. resulting in a production cost at the
plnnt of 6.2 mills per kilowatt-hour.
398.. ITo developments ex1 st v•ri. tr.in the project boundaries of Cascade
Creek and the lands are in Tongas s Na tj onal Forest • The stream is not
known to support a migratory fish run ~nd could be developed for power
with no adverse effect on fisheries. Access to the project would require
dock facilities, roads, and possibly cableways because of the rugged terrain.
The transmissit)n line distance to the Thomas Flay pulp mill site would be
less than 10 miles. The transmission disbnce to Petersburg is 22 miles
including a l-~.-mil e underwater cross in g. Similarly, '.~:rangell could be served
with a 56-mile line involving a 1 .. 5-mile underwo.ter crossing.
399. Fourteen potential rro,jects located in the Petersburc;-T'ranr;ell
area are 1 istod in the follovring tabulation and have a total prime power
capability of about 67,000 kilowatts. Most of this power potential lies
on the mainland.
400, Pro,iect No. 35 1 Ruth Le.ke, listed above, has also been considered
for pulp mill water suDply. If the vmter is fo,md to be satisfactory and
is utilizerl, the loss in Downr nroductlon e.t this site would be about 15 per-
cent.
LfOl. Sitka area. -SiH:n, the major por.,uln.tion center on Baranof Island,
has been considered as a possible location for D pulp mill to process the
timber from Chichagof Island, Baranof Island and numerous smaller adjacent
islands. The two major islands are separated by Peril Strait which has a
width of 1/2 to h miles.. Nunorous inlets ranging in length to ~5 miles
almost dissect the islands at several J ocations. The two islands have a
total area of 3,614 squnre.· miles and form a land mass 158 miles long with
a greatest width of 52 miles. r'ost of the a.rea of both islands is rough,
mountainous terrain with slopes rising abruptly from sea level to 3,000
feet on Chichacof Island andes higl1 as 7,.000 feet on Baranof Island.
Numerous lfl.kes occupy the glaciated basins throug:hout the islands and a few
small glaciers are still in existence on Baranof Island.
-121 -
t
~
l
II
Potential Projects ] n Petersburg-Y!ramr, ell Area
-----·---..
•· . Location -----_ Pro-'J"-' e_c_t __ _ Capability,
kilowatts prime Air distance ,
No .. Community
MAINLAND
26~
27.
28.
29 •.
30~
32.
33.
35·
36.
37.
E T
ll8 ..
121.
123·
0 L
Anan Lake
Tyee Lake
,.!hite River
IIarding River
Tom Creek
Aaron Creek
Hill Creek
Ruth Lake
Cascade Creek
Scenery Creek
I N I s LA
McHenry Lake
Kunk Lake
Menefee Lake
2,1too
12~600
2;8oo
9~800
1~600
2;200
1 ~.300
2,.700
16~900
9,.000
ND
1 ;.)00
1~!tOO
2.,000
1."frangell
do
.... 7 ,.500 y do
do
do
-4,500 y do
do
Petersburg
do
do
Wrangell
do
do
'7 R A N GEL L I s 1 A N D
124 ..
y
Thoms Lake 1,200 do
67,.hOO
Run-of-river plnnt with inadequate storAge, capa.bili ty
shown as annual prime power and probable 6-month prime
power.
-12! a -
miles
29
38
37
33
32
9
7
l}.j.
15
20
36
13
28
18
402. Sever::cl power sit8s lie wHhin feasible transmission line dis-
tance of Sitka. 'l'hl·ee of these projects, Blue Lake, Green Lake, and Takatz
Lake have been considered becr:mse of proximity to Sitka and comparative ac-
cessibility to a transmission line location.
LJ03.. Blue Lake, project No. 11+4, is located on Medvetcha River which
flows sonthl'.'esterly to enter Silver Bay about 4 miJ.es east of Sitka. Blue
Lake has a surface area of 496 acres at the 203 -foot elevation and dis-
charges to Medvetcha River at mile 1.8. The sides of the reservoir are
steep but covered with e dense stand of timber A.nd brush.. The flow from
Blue Lake is cle<J.r r:tnd carries very little glacial silt.
404,. The Blue La::Ce dam site is located about 200 feet downstream
of the lake outlet in a narro'''• canyon section of the stream .. Drainage
It .. area at the site is 37•5 square J:tiles from which the average annual run-
off is 347,.000 acre-feet.. Bedrock is a graywacke and is exposed on the
nearly vertical cliffs of each abutment. The stre'im bed except for a few
outcroppinp;s, is covered with flat, angular gra;yrvmcke boulders and r.as a
width of about 90 feet at elevation 200 .. A concrete gravity dam with an
uncontrolled spillvva;r river sect:lon, to crest eJ.evation 350 feet, would
have a crest length of 190 feet. A usable stora~e of 113,000 acre-feet,
with capacity allovred for ice and silt, would be available between normal
pool elevation 350 and minimum pool elevation 233.. This storage would
yield a regulated flow of 390 cubic feet per second.
405. The power intake structure would be incorporated in the dam
near the left abutment and vrould connect to a 9 .. 5-foot diameter concrete-
lined tunnel, 6,.000 feet in len~th, leading to a surge tank and penstock
near the head of Herrinr; Cove., An 8-foot diameter penstock,. 750 feet long,
would convey the flow to a povcerhouse a.t sea level on Herring Cove. The
static head at normal pool would be 350 feet. Two units having a total
capacity of 15,000 kilowatts would be installed, About 7,400 kilowatts
of prime power or 64,800,.000 kilowatt-hours annually could be produced
at this site .. The construction cost of this Project is estimated to be
-122 -
$12,000,000 and the annmtl cost would total $660~000,. resulting in a pro-
duction cost of 10.2 nills ner kiloW<.J.tt-hour at the plant.
l.J_o6 .. The above estimate includes the cost of outlet works, having
a capacity of 50 cubic feet per second at minimum pool, which would permit
the release of VIater for pulp mill use. Though the exact location of the
pulp n:ill hrts not been fixed nor the source and amount of water esta"blished,
it is probable that a site at the mouth of Medvetcha Ri ve:r would be se-
lected. Accordingly,. the power output of the Blue Lake project would be
reduced to 6,430 kilowatts of prime power or 56,000,.000 kilo'A'Btt-hours
annually at a production cost of ll.R mills per kiloY.ratt-hour ..
407 .. A two-step nlf'n of development of Blue Lake was also considered ..
Tho initial step would be simHar to the plan for full development except
that the dam would not be constx·ucted and facilities other than the tunnel
would be desig;ned for the lesser capacities. A usable storage of 25,000
acre-feet would be available between elevation 203 and 137.. This storage
would yield a regulated flow of 1112 cubic feet per second, which would pro-
duce 1,600 kilowatts of prime capacity or 14,.000,000 kilowatt-hour annually.
The installed capacity would be 3,200 ki1mvatts. At an estimated cost of
$4,900,000 and an annna 1 cost of
18.0 mills per kilowatt-hour.
,000, tho production cost would be
408.. The lands in the project area are nart of the Tongass National
Forest. Hmrever, the city of Sitka has a license to develop power on
the stream but,. since a flood in 19lt7 that destroyed part of the facilities,
has not exercised its right.. These rights to the stream flow have not been
evaluated or included in the ahove estir::ate of cost. Access to the site
would require several miles of road leading from the mouth of Medvetcha Ri-
ver, the present terminus of the higlnvay., Salmon utUize the lov.•er one-
half mile of Medvetcha Hiver for spa1.•ming but cannot enter Blue Lake be-
cause of falls in the lm>~er rea.ch of the stream.. The transmission 1 ine
distance to Sitka is about 7•3 miles,. part of -v·;hich would follow the present
pov;er line right-of-vn'l.y from the abandoned Medvetcha plant.
-123 -
409.. Green Lrke, "rojC'ct Fo. 11;2, is loc~~ted on Vodopad River which
follows a westerly course to enter the head of Silver Bay a bout 10 miles
southeast of Sitka. Green Leke has an area of 140 acres at a natural
lake level of 227 feet.. The d".m site is located in the narrow canyon
section at the outlet of the lake, river mile o.l+• Near water surface
the site has a width of 40 feet. Bedrock of graY'Nacke is exposed in
the cliffs forming both abutments and in the strenm bed. A concrete
gravity dam with an uncontrolled river section spill 1"1ay to elevation of
)20 feet would have a crest lenr~th of 230 foet. This site has a drainage
area of 31.0 square miles from wh"i.ch the run-off is estimated to average
212,000 acre-feet annually .. Alloc.·ring for ice and silt, a usable storage
of 20,500 acre-feet would be available between normal pool elevation 320
and a drawdoi'm elev£;t:i.on of 220 foet. This storar;e would yield a regu-
lated flow of 132 cubic feet por second. The intake structure would be
contained in the dam near the rir;ht abutment and ·would connect to a 6-1/2
foot di.ameter concrete lined tnnnel, I ,.000 feAt lone;. From a surge tank
near the tunnel portal, a 5-foot diameter penstock 450 feet long would
connect to the powerhouse at sea level near tho mouth of Vodopad RiYer ..
Static head at normal pool would be 320 feet. Two units of 2,400-kilovm.tt
output each v.rould be installed in the powerhouse. About 2,400 kilowRtts
of prime power or a total of 21,.000,.000 kilovmtt-hours annually would be
produced. The estimated construction cost of this project would total
$4,800~.000 and the annual cost, $264,000. The cost of producing power at
this site would be a1Jout 12.6 mills per kilowatt-hour ..
410.. The lands within the project boundary are Federally mmed except
for possible mineral claims, the extent of which have not been determined ..
Local mining interests have done some prospecting in the area since 1900,
but no developments were noted in the vicinity of Green Lake. Access to
the project would require extension of the road from Sitka which now termi-
nates at Uedvetcha River,. or construction of barge unloading facilities
near the powerhouse site.-Migratory fish are blocked by a cascade at see.
-124 -
level and are not renorted to use th' s stream fer spavmin:;. Transmissic;n
line distance to Sitka 'Nould be 15 miles alnng a sea level route.
hll. The Takatz Lake, rroject No. 149, is loca':;ed on Takatz Cre<9k
which enters TaJratz Bay on the eastern side of Baranof Islartd, 19 .,niles
easterly of Sitka. Takatz Creek at the gaging station near the mouth
drains .2 square miles of mountainous terrain from which the averar:e
annual dischB.rge is lhO,OOO acre-feet. Takatz Lake, formed by glacial
erosion,. has a surface area of 422 acres at the 927-foot elevation. The
sides of the reservoir are steep and generally devoid of timber.
412. A dam o:i..te exists about 400 feet dovmstrearr: from the outlet at
river rdle 1.9. A grcnitic bedrock is exposed on t.oth walls and the river
bed is covered with ovt>rTn1rden pro1~ably to e. shallml'f depth~ No dam struc-
ture is r)roposed for this ph~n, but dra'Hdovm to elevation 810 would provide
32,600 acre-fe,"lt of usable storage with provision for ice and silt storage.
This storar;e would regulate the l16,.500 acre-feet of run-off from 11 miles
of drr ... inage a. rea above the hke outlet to yiel cl a regula ted flow of 128
cubic feet Per second.
hl3. The intake stru.cture 'Nould be loca t8d near the out1 et of the
lake and would divert the flow to e. 6-foot diameter concrete-1 ined tunnel,
3,940 feet long. From the sur g;e tank o.-1: the tunnel exit a 4·}-foot diameter
steel penstock '\'Tould dron the flow to the powerhouse at sea level. At
normal pool elevation, the static head on the r::.ozzlos would be 917 feet.
Three units with an output of 5,000 kilowatts each would be installed. The
prime power avaihble at this site is 7 t600 ki1ovretts or 66,.500,.000 kilo-
"l'ratt-hours annually.. The construr:tlon cost of this project is estimated
to be $6.,.540,000 and the annual cost 8408,.000.. The resulting cost of pro-
ducintr, electrical energ:y at the olant would be 6 .. 2 mills per kilovratt-hour.
hll-t• ~To developments exist V'rithin the project coundaries and the
lands are in Federe.l ov!Ylership •.. Access would rel)uire dock facilities at
sea level and access ros.ds. Sal:non spa1m in the lower reach of the stream
but do not enter the lake beca.use of falls. Additional observations and
-125 -
study would be required to doter:11inG the effect of this project on [;almonoid
fish, The transmission line distonce from this project to Sitka by vmy of
Baranof is 40 miles and wouJ.d cross the island through a short pass at an
elevation of less than h,ooo feet.
415. The tabulation, page 126a, lists pertinent data on the larger
potenti.al projects in the Sitka area which have an aggregate prime poHer
capability of about 72,000 kilov:atts. A number of these projcct[3 are lo-
cated along the ruc;ged shore lines of Baranof Island to the south of Sitka
'Hhere location of transmis::>ion lines would be very difi'icul t.
416. Juneau area. -~he city of Juneau is the largest population
center in Sou.theastern AJ.a;3::a. Centrally located lvi th re3pect to a large
block of timber, it is beinc considered for a pulp mill location. This
block of timber inchtcles t:vc:l.t of ~ongass National Forest on the main-
land from and inclnding the Endicott Arm drainage on the .south to Skagway
on the north, all of Admiralty Island, and tho smaller adjacent islands,
Host of the area is mountainous r.idng abruptly from sea level to an eleva-
tion of several thousand feet near the coa<ot and attaining elevations to
8,000 feet along the divide to British Columbia. Tl1e last rermants of the
great ice c::1p still ,:::xLt in t;d3 area. Several excellent potential povrer
developments lie 1<Ji. thin fe:wtble transn:Lsr::>ion line distance of the Juneau
area. Speel River and hw of its high elevation lakes, Long and Crater,
and an outstanding site on Dorothy CrE:ek, Hhich affords the highest head
developrr,ent considered in Southeastern Ala::;ka, lie on the mainland south-
east of Juneau at an .airline distance of less than JO mile~.
417. Speel Ilivcr i1eadt; in Sp•~-:;1 Glacier, 1vhich extends into British
Columbia and flo"l'is 20 miles to the head of Port Snettisha,"11, This stream
has a drainage area of 274 square miles including the area of several large
glaciers. Hoderate amounts of sediment and bed load a:ce transported by
Speel River uhich has formed a delta near sea level and built up the valley
floor to a tmiform grade except in the canyon reach from river
-126 -
7 to 8.7.
Potential Projects in Sitka Area
t
Project Capability t Location ·-·--kilowatts prime : Air distance, l . .
No. Name t t Community t miles
B A P A NOF I 8 L A ND
131. Baturin Lake 1~900 Port Alexander 11
135· I1aksoutof Lake 13j000 do 22
137· Lake Plotnikof 3~200 Sitka 36
138. Lake Avoss 2;100 do 34
139 .. Benzeman Lake lj800 do 24
140. Lake Diana 4;ooo do 17
142. Green Lake 2;4oo do 8
144. Blue Leke 7~400 do 4
147., Hidden Falls Leke 2~100 do 21
1L~8. Kasnyku Lake 2~100 do 20
149 .. Takatz Lake 7~600 do 18
151. Baranof Lake 2~400 At Baranof
1::£~ Carbon Lake 3~800 Baranof 5
154· Milk Lake 1~200 do 8
159· Brentwood Lakes 3~200 Port Alexander 26
165. Deer Lake 3~100 do 19
167. Rostislaf Leke 2~200 do 16
170. Lake Borodino 1,100 do 9
C H I C H A G 0 F ISLAND
176 .. Rust Lake 2~900 Pelican 25
178. Goulding Lakes 2;800 do 12
180. Lake Elfendahl 1,800 do 11
72,100
-126 a -
418. The Speel Eiver site, project J'To • LJ· 11 is located at the upper
end of the canyon at river mile 8, 7 •. A drainage area of about 214 square
miles j.ncludi ng Long Lake drainage would be tributary to this site, '!'he
average annual run-off is 1,900,000 acre-feet, A dam to a normal eleva-
tion of 3138 feet would impound e10,000 acre-feet. A storage capacity of
655,000 acre-feet would be available to a dre.wdown pool elevation of 237•
Allowing for ice and silt storage, about 607,000 acre-feet would be availe.ble
for stream flow regulation and would yield a regulated flovr of 1, 770 cubic
feet per second.. However, Long Lfl.ke is feasible of development to sea
level and its flow would bypass the Speel .River site,reducing the regulated
flow at Speel River to 1 1.680 cubic feet per second.
419.. Bedrock, exposed throushout the section,. is a granite gneiss
composing the ridge throurh which thCJ stream has eroded a narrow canyon.
The granite gneiss is folded and contorted e.nd numerous quartz veinlets
have intruded the gneiss. The site has a width of 50 feet at water surface
elevation 157• A concrete gravity dam to a normal pool elevation of 388
would have a length of 1,200 feet .. A secondary dam would be required in a
low saddle 5 miles southwest of the rivr:lr site. This dam would be an earth-
fill structure and have a maximu.'Jl heir;ht of 170 feet and length of 1,800
feet,
420, An intake structure, vdth a sill elevation of 200 feet located
near the left abutment of the saddle, would divert the flow to an 18-foot
diameter lined tunnel having a leng:th of 2,950 feet. From the surge tank
and tunnel portal, three 10-fdot diameter penstocks would lead h20 feet
to the powerhouse site at the 10-foot elevation near river mile 1 of Speel
River. The total static head at norms.l pool would be 378 feet. The prime
power output of th:ts plant v.rould be 36,.000 kilovvatts or 311.+1 000 1 000 kilo-
v..ratt hours, if Long Lnke is excluded, Three units of 2L~1 000 kilowatts each,.
or a total of 72,000 kilowatts, would be installed. The construction cost
is estimated to be $68,.700,000 and the annual cost,. $3,227,.000, which would
result in a production cost of lO.j mills per kilowatt-hour at the plant.
-127 -
421. The reservoir area is covered with a dense stand of timber and
underbrush. The uro.iect lands are Federally o·wned, and no mineral or
minin~ claims pertaining to this area are known to exist. Access to the
area would require dock facilities and access roads from the head of Port
Snettisham. Salmonoid fish are reported in Speel River, but the extent of
use or value of this stream to S'llmon !_)ropagation cannot be determined vrith-
out additional field observation.. The transmission line distance to ,Juneau
along a shore line location and an undervm.ter eros sing of Taku inlet would
be about 52 miles.
422. Long Lake, nrojcct No. 45, is located on Long River, a major
tributary of Speel River. The la!.ce occupies a deep glacial basin of this
stream and has an area. of 1,350 acres at the Glh-foot elevation .. From the
outlet the stream drops 400 feet in the first O.? mile and flows 4.6 miles
to join Speel River at mile 9 .. 5 .. A drainage area. of 30.8 square miles in-
cluding several small glaciers lies tributary to the outlet of Long Lake
and produces an average run-off of 311,000 acre-feet annually.
423. The dam site is located at the outlet of the hke, and bedrock
of massive granite polished by gla.c:l.al action outcrops throughout the sec-
tion.. The stream j s div:i.ded into two channels at the outlet. Two dams
with a total length of 250 fP-et '':ould he required to raise the pool to ele-
vation 830 .. A usable storage of 1L5,000 acre-feet, with allovrance for ice
and silt, would be available to a drawdown elevation of 710 feet. This
storage would yield a regulated flow of 408 cubic feet per second. Flow
would be diverted by an intake structure in the right abutment v"Jhich would
connect to a concrete-lined tunnel, 10 feet in diameter and 8,370 feet long.
From a surge tank near the tunnel portal, a 7 .. 5-foot diameter steel penstock,
1 ,1-J.lO feet long, would convey the flow to a powerhouse at elevation 10 near
the mouth of Speel River.. At normal pool the static head would be 820 feet.
About 21,000 kilowatts of prime power coulrl be obtained at this site and
183,.000 ... 000 kilm'!att-hours generated annually. F'our units with a total
capacity of 42,000 kilowatts would be installed. The construction cost of
-128 -
the Long Lake project is eE+-imated to be $17,.000,000 and the annual cost
$973,.000., The production cost would be 5·3 mills per kilowatt-hour at the
plant.
42!_+• The v;nlJs of tho reser>roir are precipitous and generally devoid
of soil covering and therefore support only low brush and dv:n.rf trees .. The
project lands are in Federal mvnership and no water use permits or mining
claims are in existence. Access to the project ·would require dock facilities
at sea level and roads. A cableway might provide more economical access than
a road to part of the project.
425• Sal:nonoid fish are reported in the stream below the lake but
probably cannot ascend to the lake. The transmission line distance to
Juneau is about 51 miles along a sea level route.
1.+26 .. Crater Lake, pro,ject No. L~6,, is located on Crater Creek,a tribu-
tary of Speel River entering from the north at river mile 0.5.. Crater L'lke
occupies a deep g1&cial b£tsin on Crater Creek and has a surface area of 500
acres at the 1,.022-foot elevation .. Crater Creek drops to sea level in a
distance of 1.8 miles through a number of cascades. The drainage area at
the outlet of the lake includes sevfn·al small glaciers a.nd has I'm area of
11.9 square miles from VJhich the average annual run-off is estimated to be
142,.000 acre-feet.
427-, A good dam site exists at the outlet of Crater !.,ake. Beflrock of
quartz diorite is exposed on both abutments and in the stream bed.. A con-
crete gravity dam arched in plan to utilize the best topography would have
a hei~ht of 20 feet and length of 200 feet. The crest elevation of an un-
controlled river section snillway would be 1,.040 feet .. A storage of 60,.000
acre-feet, allowing for ice and silt_. would be provided to a drawdown eleva-
tion of 900 feet and v:ould yield a regulated flow of 170 cubic feet per
second. An intake structure in the left abutment ·would divert the flow to
a 7-foot diameter concrete-lined tunnel, 6,,300 feet long,. leading to a surge
tank and penstnck. A steel penstock 5·33 feet in diameter and 1,815 feet
long would connect to the powerhouse at sea level. The Crater Lake powerhouse
-129 -
would be adjacent to and could be made int0~Y,rA.l vr:i th the Long Lake pmYer-
house at somo saving in cost. The static head on the turbine nozzles
under normal pool would be 1~030 feet. Generation at this site would pro-
duce ll,OOO kilowatts of prime power and ahout 96,.200,000 kilowatt-hours
of energy a year,. Two units would be installed to provide a capacity of
22,000 kilo"mtts. The construction cost of the Crater Lake uroject would
be $10,400,.000 and the annual cost is estimated to be $619,000,. resulting
in a production cost of (S,LJ. mil1s per ki1mvatt-hour at the plant •
h2B.. The reservoir sides are precipitous, generally devoid of soils
and sustain only a scattered dwarfed fTovrth of vegetation .. Dock facilities
at sea level, roads, and cableways would be required to provide access.
The importance of this stream to snlnonoid fish is probably not great,. bnt
additional field observation nnd study l'rould he required to determine its
value. The transmjssion line distance to Juneau would be 51 miles ..
h29. Dorothy L0.ke, project No. l18,. presents the highest head develop-
ment for po·wer in Southeastern Alaska. The lrtke,. formed by glacia 1 gouging,
has a surface area of acres at the 2 ,421-foot elev:o.tion. The sides of
the reservoir are precirlitous and br..rren. The watershed to t}l.e outlet of
the lake has a dr::dno.p:e area of 11.1 square miles and includes a few small
glaciers, one of whieh extends to the lake shore. The run-off from this
area is estimated to be 75,000 acre-feet annually. The outflow from Dorothy
Lake discharges to Dorothy Creek and flows 4.0 miler, to sea J.evf)lo Two small
lakes, one v:ith <:.n area of about 80 acres at the 1,.700-foot elevo.tion and
the other q50 acres at the 986-foot elevstion,. form part of the course of
Dorothy Creek and afford onportunity for stage development. Though prelimi-
nary estimates indicate that sta[';e developnent would be more expensive than
a single head rlan even with the added inflow, deb.iled studies should be
made of both plans prior to init:i.A.tion of construction. For the !JUrpose of
this report only the single head plan is presented ..
l.t30. l'he outlet of the lake provides an excellent site for a low dam.
Fresh medium grained biotite granite is exposed throughout the section which
-130 -
has the characteristtc "U 11 resulting from glacial action. It is pro-
e
providing a u.sable storage of 72,000 acre-feet, 1vith allo-rance for ice and
c:Ll.t. The ::.~c:s'.11Eug avera:::;e yield HoulJ. be 98 cubic feet per Deconcl. At such
t.i11.e that the tlc;>Jnand on a povJer s;ys tem :i.ndtcates the need for more carryover
sto:cace, a dwn could be added and also greater drav-rdo-vm u·t.ilized. The sill
of the intal:e otructu.re i·muld be plr1ccd at elevation 2,300 to prov-ide added
draHdo-Hn capacl ty. The :i..nt<1.ke structure located on the right abutnent
,,rould divert the floH to a 7-foot diameter tunnel, 10,200 fe0t in length,
follouin:; the right bank. From the tunnel portal and surge tank, a 48-inch
diameter penstock reduced to )~2 ir:c~lni~ ::tt the higher head, "t·:i th over-all
length of 4,400 feet, Nould coJ,ve,~ tl1e flo:r to a pmierhouse at sea level
near the mouth o.f Do:cothy Crcok. T:1e total static head from normal pool
elevation 2 ,!:lG to nozzles lTOuld be 2 ,ho8 feet. Outvut from this plant is
esti1nated to be lS,OOO ~=ilm:att.s of prhie pouer or l3l,COO,OOO kilwatt-
hours am~uaJJ.y. ':;.'~·ro units having a total capac.:.ty of ?8,000 kilo1tra·Lts
uould be installerl. The construction cost is estimated to be ~~13,5UO,OOO
and the annual cost Houlu he Wi8)i, providing pouer at the plzmt at a
production cost of 6 r:1:Llls kilovJat t.-hour.
431. Dorotlw Crc:;ck :lrooably ha:-: ver-·r 1iL tle or no va1ue as a salmon-
producing stream b<~t should ·;J8 observed prior to initiation of construction.
Access for construction i·rould recyire traasfer i'2.cllit;,jes from barge to
shore, access ronds, and cableHa/c• Tlw transmission line distance to
Juneau via an B ,600-foot underuater cross:Lng of Ta'.n1 Inlet -:·rould be about
19.0
432. Nineteen potential pr>ojccts located in the Juneau area are listed
on page l3la, A total of 11..!.7 ,Soo l:.:iloHatts of prime pouer could "be prodr:.ced
at these sites, and, except for hro sites near Skag1·ray and Haines, this
povler is Hi thin feasible tra:1smission distance to Juneau.
LJJ. Nmnerous other streruns and lakes in Southeastern Alaska have
potential po:rer pos·.i'.Jilities probably equal to those listed, but lack of
' -131 -
UNITED
A
~KE
__________ PotentiP.l Pro,iects :in cTu_n_f'_a_u_A_rA_~a _________ _
_______ Projec_t ______ : Capability, :: Location
: kilowatts prime : :Air distance,
: _______ :_2_?!::.P..~ni ty: miles No .. T-!a.me ---
HAINLAND
h2. Svteetheart Falls Creek
h3.. Tease Lake
llt,500 ]) Juneau 37
6~100 do 29
4lJ.• Speel River 36~.000 do 28
4s.. Long Lake
46.. Crater Lake
21;000 do 27
11 ~000 do 27
i.J.8, Dorothy Lake 15~.000 do 14
49. Turner Lake 1', 700 do 16
51. Ye~ring Lake
52. Boundary Creek
5L+• Carlson Creek
2;!_+00 do 27
1;100 -3, 700 y' do 33
Lr;500 do 9
60. Lemon Creek 1~400 do 5
64. Davies Creek ?~300 do 31
66. Antler take
69.. Skagway River
70. Endicott River
J.r,SOO do 39
100 -2,500 ?:) Skag;·nly 5
3,500 Haines 30
AD N I R A L T Y I s LAND
193. Hasse1borg Lake 10,000 Angoon 21
195· Thayer Lake 7~100 do 9
196 .. Lake Florence 1~000 do 22
197 .. Lake Kathleen 4,300 do 29
Total output from two plants.
Run-of-river p1rnt vrith :i.nadecmate storae:e, capability shovm
as anr.ua1 pri:r:e po~rer ;:;nd nrobable 6-month nrime power ..
-131 a -
basic data precludes presentation at this time. Furthermore, these projects
would undoubtedly be more costly of development because of distance from
load centers and less favorable flow and head conditions. Similarly,
projects depending upon tidal currents have not been investigated although
several locations are known to have very high velocities at constrictions
to inlets.
434. Transmission lines. Construction and maintenance of transmission
lines, over the relatively short distances bet'tveen pwer sites and load
centers, ivould encmmter serious problems be cause of precipi taus terrain
and numerous islands. The possible future load centers cou.ld be tied to
a transmission system by utilizing submarine cable at Hater crossings,
but interconnection of any of the four major load areas is not justified
at this time. Energy frol'i1 projects located near the future load centers
discussed above can be delivered over relatively short transmission lines.
The tabulation on page 132a indicates the probable cost of delivered
energy from various projects to the four major load centers, namely -
Ketchikan, Hrangell-Pctersbm'g, Sitka, and Juneau.
435. The costs of transr,1ission t3h01m on page 132a are based on recon-
naissance st11dies and are subject to modification as additional data becomes
available, but include the transmission line, receiving and st-ii tching station
facilities, and provision for acces"• The ill111ual costs included interest
and amortization in acldi tion to the cost of replacement, operation, and main-
tenance. The estimated cost of energy delivered includes annual cost for pro-
duction and transmis:::ion plus an allouance for energy loss in transmission.
436. The transmission li:1e route from Ketchikan to the sites Hould
extend to t-Tards Cove then northeasterly to the head of George Inlet and
east to an overhead crossing of Carrol Iruet. From this point the line
to SH"an Lake project 110uld follo1-r northerly along Carrol Inlet to the
powerhouse site. The iianzani ta Lake and Grace Lake lines tvould leave the
Carroll Inlet crossing and run southeasterly to Ella Lake, thence to the
pow·erhouse via the Hanzanita Lake shore line.
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Projects T . , . ; Cost of . ·---and ran snn s sJ.on line tranfln:ission Bnerp;y delivered
load centers ·con irt r11·c:--··Am:vc.tT -----'Fot-
length Type .Y tion kv-r-hrs. cont in
miles in mills per
millions kw. -hr. -----
KETCHIKAN ------
Lake Grace 46 66 kv, $6,.100,.000 $388,000 89.0 11.9
~~· .:,Jrror,. El1a
and Ilanzani ta 42 66 kv. 6",350~000 402,.000 ne .. o n .. s
Swan Lake 32. 66 kv .. 3,800..,000 249,000 63·3 13.4 ..
1'JRAVGELL ----
Cascl''tde Creek r::;6
J 66 l~v .. 8;.500~000 535,.000 13(, •. 0 10 .. 6
Scenery Creek 61 66 kv. 7 ,1+00 ,.ooo h68,.000 74.0 15.6
PETERSBURG
Cascade Creek 22 66 kv. 5 ,. 700' 000 363,000 139·0 9 .. 2
Scenery Creek 66 kv. h,?OO,OOO 296,000 7~.8 13.2
SITKA
Green Lake 33 kv.2/ ·sso~ooo 40~.000 19 .. 9 15·3
Blue Lccke 7·3 33 kv .y I ~3oo;ooo 99~000 61.6 12.3
Takatz Lake }.j.O f,6 kv. lJ., 700,000 306,.000 63 .o 11.3
JlJI'fEA U ----
Speel Eivor 52 132. kv. 12~1;.00~000 837;.ooo 296.0 13· 7
Long Lake 51 132 kv. 9~500,000 637,.000 174 .. 0 9·3
Crater Lake 51 1-+/ J,BOO,OOO 139,000 89.0 4/
Dorothy Lake 19 66 kv. } ~, 300,.000 29h,ooo 124,0 8.'7
Steel tower, 2-c:i:reuit c:xe n s not;ed •
~ood pole, sjngle circuit.
Wood pole, 2-circuit.
1/
':5./
3/ y Crater Lake energy to be trr.•nsmitted on Long Lake line. If Long
Lake and Crater Lake projects nre both built, the total energy could
be deliverGd at a cost of 9.0 mills.
' X <
; I
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437.. A saving on trnnsmission line cost would be realized ul tinately
if t\r.Jo or more of those projects were served by a. common line. Hovmver,
for the purpose of this report. individual lines are considered.
h38.. In the Petersburg-Hrnngell area, lines to serve Petersburg
would require an overhead crossing of Wrangell Narrows and would continue
northvrard on Kupreanof Island to a possible crossing of Frederick Sound,_
which would involve about 4 miles of submarine cable.. From this Crossin?;,
the line would conti.nue er:csterly to Thomas Bay and thence al on11; the shore
to the Cascade Creek pov·erhouse site.. The extension of this line to the
Scenery Creek site would be extremely difficult but appears most feasible
along a ridge route at an elevatio'l of about 3 ,.000 feet.. A line from
1'frangell to these sites woc1ld :i.nvolve a submarine cable crosdng, of about
1-1/2 miles,. from ''iranrr,ell Island to the mainland .. Then the line would run
northerly,. crossing Stikine :River and LeConte Bay near their mouths .. From
LeConte Bay a possible route would extend north and inland to a valley
which parallels Frederick Sound and extends almost to Thomas Bay, This
route involves mountainous terr:tin and access is extremely difficult.
439.. In the Sitka area the trensn:is sion lines to Blue Lake and Green
Lake would generally follo'."i u sea level route along; the bay and would uti-
lize in part the existi.ng right-of-way to the abandoned Medvetcha plant.
The transmission line to the Takatz plant would probably follow the Jl{edvetcha
River in an easterly direction to a divide about 3,500 feet in elevation
leading to the Baranof Valley. From the settlement of Baranof, the line
wouJ.d continue northerly along the shore of Chatham Strait to the Takatz
powerhouse site.
440.. The larger blocks of power available to Juneau lie on the main-
land to the south of 1'aku Inlet. Transmission lines to deliver power from
these sites to Juneau would probably extend southward along the Gastineau
Channel to Taku Inlet thence to a narrow neck of the Inlet which would re-
quire about 1.6 miles of submarine cable.. This crossing location would
probably be common to the several circuits ¥dth a short line extending
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northward 2.3 miles to the Dorothy Lake po'l'rerhouse and a bout 34 miles of
line located southerly :"c]ong the shores at ~itephens Passage and Por:b
Snettisham continuing up the Speel River to the Long Lake and Crater Lake
po•·;erhouse sites. The trs.nsmis sion line for the Speol Hiver project or
other sites in the vicinity would follow this same alignment. An alternate
location across tho peninsula formed by Port Snettish<J.m and Stephens Passage
·would reduce the transmission line length about 10 miles. The poV'rer line
as estimated for Long LaY::e on the above tabule. tion has sufficient capacity
to deliver Crater Lake power also .. :~ince each of these plants would pro-
duce relatively low cost power,. a cost of delivered energy }l.a s been sho1Nn
for the combimd:ion.. A second line ':"Ould be required to bring in power from
Speel River or other plqnts to the south at such time that loads develop.
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SECTION VI -DISC:F.SSIJ.c:, CO:,'CL!J8TO , A:"ITD RECOIJ:E~mATION
W.tl• Discussion. -UrllE:e the Cook Inlet area nr the Tanana River
Basin, Southeast Alasl:a has been comparatively unaffected by the vast
military construction pro(l;ram wit:;h its boom cLu·act~ristics. It has,
insto::~.d, experiencecl a Glo:;, steady f;l'm'rth based upon its fish, minoral
a:1d :roc1·eo.ticr;::.al reso'.!rces and to so:ne extent upon development of the
territory as a whole, reflected in increased activity of the capital at
JU'.1eau. Being based upon utilization of natural resources, the economic
grov_rth of the region Las been sou1:.d, if unspectaculJ.r. At the present time
the fishing industry has developed to a point approachL·:f~ maximur1 potential
and mining has bee one of rolati vely l:i. ttle irrmortanco due to inabil:L ty to
COI:lpete v:ith outside JTOdt;ct:Lo:1.
41..;2. Ar;riculture, never nore than of i::lCidental importance becn:~Jse
of lil::itaticns h111erent i.n the c.rea, v:ill re;:-ta.in a mir10r factor in the
local economy. Since li t.tlc srovrth nay be ex:;ected from these industries,
the rr:aj or devclo~;I'l(;_nt in the irninediate future m3.y be expected to derive
from increased use of the ;:;reat rec:·eational resources of this section of
Alaska a:td fron~ the rapidly exranding new industries based upon use of
the vast forest resources.
LJ.J-3. Use of the forests of the ro ems on A. sustained yield basis
will undoubtedly motiv~"tte a sound c;co:"lc;lic expansion Greater than any
yet experienced. The start of c·;nstructior: of' the large pulp mill at
Ketchikan and contracts negotiated by the Forest Servico for cutting of
timber are indicative of the imminence of this expansion.
444.. So:.1thcmst Alaska is s werely hmidicapped by :i. ts geographic
features. Consls<J:.ng of a larGo c;roup of :;_sl::mds and o. narrnw strip of
coast along the '·1ninla'H', it .Ls oLwst \'Titirely ,,ountai::::ous and is di v:i.ded
by nur;,erous fiords and an elaborate systor'l of -,,m.ter-r;ays into separate,
relatively isolated parts, accessible to the outside ~md to each other only
by boat or plane. But tho vratenmys ':rhjch cause this isolation are nearly
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all navigable to small boats, and 1:1any are navigable to ocean-going vessels,
thus parti comrcusatint; by proviclbc; a rendy avenue of transport. This
condition has resulted in a complete dependence of the area upon navigation,
a deuendence which is now bei:1,~ partially relieved by the i~1crcar,ir.g use
of ail•planes.
4J-+5· With !1avigatio:1 so important to Southeast Alasl:a, and .f':i.sh]_ng
the prL1cipal industry, the use of boats is practically universal in the
region. Even the transport of logs for the :1ew pulp rued lumber i!1dustries
will be by log raft and tow boat. Recognition of the importance of boats
and shippin~ to the area is indicated by the many improven:ents in the
interest of navir;ution ·r;hich havo buen authorized by Congress. Further
surveys at nu'Tlerous locations have been requested by Congress and studies
of needs and econoHic ,j1JSt:!f:Lcaticu for the desired improve:nents have been
made at these locv .. tio11s and at others vrhere local interests have indicated
need.
W~6. The Inside Passa:;e, providin~ over 1,000 miles of protected
water from the Gulf of J~laska to Puget Smmd, furnishes an adequate route
for ocean-going vessels for present and prospective cor.1merce of the area.
Accordingly new wor1~ to inprJVe shippin[; 1 anes of the larger vessels is not
proposed in this report. liovrover, y;orl.:: is needed in J:Teva and Olgo Strait
at VIG.'1i testone Narrmvs for whi_ch the district engineer of Seattle District has
proposed a project in his report on "Interim Survey of Harbors and Rivers
of Alaska", dated December 30, 1949.
447. Other improvements recom~ended in this report are a modification
of the existing project at Sitka Harbor bo provide for dredging the Forest
Service basin ani its approach to a depth of 10 feet, and modification of
the existing project for Dry Pass to provide a channel 12 feet deep and 70
feet wide. Construction of these projects is desirable to meet the existing
needs at these localities.
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l..J48. Lack of space at the existing sx:all boat basin at Ketchikan has
prevented all locally base~l bents fro."'! sc~o~ori1g complete protection from
storms. The nuraber of locally m'llned boats is !T'.Ore than double the capacity
of existing moorages and local interests have reqt"Cested the development
of an additional basin at the Bar Point site. Moorae;e space for 500 boats
would be provided within a dredced basin that would be protected by two
rock breakwaters at an estimated first cost to the Federal Government of
$2,958,400 and cost to local interests of :)162,000, Total annual benefits
would amom1t to $156,000 which, compared to a.mual charr;es of ~127, 000 results
in a benefit cost ratio of 1.23 to 1.0.
WJ9• The proposed plan provides for breaLwater prot0ction m:. three
sides of the basin. Eowever, locJ.l i11terests have stated repeatedly that
the shore line coc1i'iguration to t:ce ~wrthwest of the site gives full pro-
tection ac;ainst storms from that directi.on. Accordingly, that portion of
the breakwater on the no1·t~wmst side, 450 feet in length, v:ould not be in-
cluded in the initial pl1ase of construction, bnt v:ould be built only upon
proof of its need.
450. Alternative sites at three locatio~1s ·were also studied, but
increased costs to boat opere.·tors, bec:tuse of added travel and in securing
fire ~nd police protection as vrell as ut1.l:i.ty service, showed the selected
site to be preferable.
1+51. In the Jtmeau-Dout;las area, the number of boats has increased
far beyond the capacity of the local boat basin. The needs of this area
are being studied by the distr:Lct enGineer of the Seattle District and
will be covered in a separate report.
452. At Petersburg, the construction of an authorized small boat basin
would provide sufficient capacity for the nu111ber of small boats using the
harbor. Under the authorized pb.n, however, a depth of only 11 feet would
be provided and local L::terests now claim that many boats need a greater
depth. Studies indicate that if about one-third of the authorized project
were dredged to a depth of 15 feet, the la.r ger boats of the fishing fleet
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1r10uld be ade~uately accommodated. SufficicDt incremental benefits have
been evaluated to justify dredging 130,000 square feet to a depth of 1.5
feet at an estin,ated first cost to the Federal Go'.rernrnent of $4o,ooo.
Evaluated increr:~ental benefits total ~3,.500 1vhile annual charges would
total ~1,.56o, resulting in a benefit-to-cost ratio of 2.24 to 1.0. The
above estir:ate is based upon perfonnance of this work at the time the
authorized project is constructed.
4.53. Local interests at ~elican have specified the need of an improved
small boat basin of sufficient size to accommodate local boats and those
of the transient fleet 1..rhich use the harbor during the fishing season.
A plan, essentially as suggested by the p(~ople of Pelican, has been
developed to provide a protected area for about 167 boats, and ample
space would be available to expand the basin by dredging additional
area if needed in the future. The estimated Federal first costs would
be ~271,500 and those of local inter~sts, ~20,000. The evaluated annual
benefits of ~14,6.50 for tho proposed work exceed the annual charges of
~13,160 by ~1,490 and the improvement is justified economically.
454. Harbor improvements have also been requested at Angoon,
Gustavus, Ha:iJ1es, Hoonah, Hydaburg, Kake, Kla-vrak, Port Alexander, and
Tenakee, either by local interests or through Congressional action. The
residents at Angoon at one time desired improvements for small boats, but,
~\rithin recent years, the community has formed plans to relocate at another
site about 15 miles distant. Until the new settlement is established, the
adequacy of the facilities for the fleet of small boats cannot be deter ..
mined. Gustavus has neither a nntural or artificial harbor. Creation of
a sui tal)le small boat basin lvould be costly, and the benefits to the feH
boats based at the conununity vrould not justify the required expenditure.
Furthermore, the entire surrounding area is part of the reserve set aside
as Glacial Bay National !'ionument, so that further development may be
objectionable as a matter of national policy.
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455. Haines does have a developed small boo.t bas'11, and local inter-
ests desire improwrwnts thnt 'Hould provide protection for the boats
based .::.t the tovrn. Sufficient be;:er::.ts codd not be evaluated to justify
a sui table small boa";:; basin, 1'\,rther. the possibility of establlshJ.ng
te:cmLml faciE ties abou:t 4 miles north of Haines are being L1vestigatcd
L1. connection with the m:Lli tary program for Alaska, and, if provision of
such facUities are found to be jLtstified, the needs of the community may
be provided in conjuDction with the military progr~rr.,
456, Hcsidents of Hoonah su:;gested cons·~ruction of a breal::w-ater to
extend from ths r1a.Lnland to a small island in the harbor and dredging
of a boa:b basin t·J tl1e north of the broal:w0:tor. Such an improve;:1ent would
provide protection from storms from the southorl:r direction but would be
open to the northwest. Storrn.s from ·c}'e :~ortlwvf'lst are as freq1.!011t as from
the southwest, but cons'Grc.:ction of a breahmtel' along the north side would nec-
essitate filling in water 55 feet deep. COlilplete protection cannot be justified
by foreseeable be·J.Gfhs, 8.nd benefits from partial protection as reqaested
by local interests would also be i:""sufficie;1t to justify construction.
457, Local i;terests at Hydaburg have reqvested a brea:-:vmter to
the southeas~ of tlle cannery vvhnrf to protect the wharf from drift and to
provide a protected area for S':lall boats • This ple.n would protect the
wharf from the pre7ailin0 southeasterly storrrs, but southerly e.nd westerly
storms would still caase da;,1age, Another breahrmter on the nod;hwes·berly
side of' the vrhccd' v:ould extend into sv.ch deep vratcr that costs would be
excessive, For·;seoable benefits wovld not j·,\sl;ify a feasible improvement,
A small cove just north of ·cown could be developed by construction of a
breakvrater for less cost tha'.l at tLe s:i.te p:roposed, Even there, breahraters
to furnis}\ adeq''.ato protect:i.on would cosli considerably lilOre than could be
justified by fo1·eseeable be~1efits,
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458. Residents of' the native villaGe of' Kake have requested improve-
ments to provide protection for s:!:all boats. The most feasible plan at the
desired location would require co~1struction of two breakwaters and dredging
of the basin. Costs would be excessive compared to foreseeable benefits.
A cove 2.5 miles southeast of tovm provides adequate protection, and could
be used, requiring only the C0!1Struction of a road to permit access. Con-
struction of this road would be under the jurisdiction of the Alaska Road
Commission.
459· At Port Alexander, construction of an entr~~ce to an outer basin
provided some improvement under an authorized project. Storms since have
eroded part of a roc~,= ledc;e making anchorar:;c for small boats unsafe in the
harbor. Officials have requested co1struction of a breakwater on the remains
of the ledge, and completion of the remainder of the authorized work. Re-
cently, however, loc:J.l fish runs have din:inished and the town has been
nearly deserted. Provision of the requested breah.'"lt/ater v:ould not be justi-
fied under present cm1di tions and corapletion of the authorized work may be
deferred until the need is more evident.
460 •• Klawak has a natural S!:1all boat basin that is adequate for the
needs of the commur::.ity. leo sometimes forns in the basin, but this is a
condition that cannot be prevented feasibly.
461. Officials at Tenakee requested the dredging of a small boat
basin and its protection by break."1Haters. Studies shmv that the desired
work would not be justified by foreseeable benefits.
462. Improvement of or construction of certain channels would be of
considerable benefit to the s!11.all boats of the fishing fleet and, in some
cases, to towing of log rafts. Local interests have specifically requested
the improvenent of Kel:::u Strait at Rocky Pass and the construction of channels
to connect Oliver Inlet and Se;ymour Canal, Cholmondeley Sound and Hetta Inlet,
Tenakee Inlet and Port Frederick, and Young Bay and Hawk Inlet.
463. Keku Strait offers the shortest sheltered route for boats travel-
ing from Ketchikan or Prince of '"!ales Island to northern fishing grounds
but at Rocky Pass there are tv.ro reaches that make naviv,ation hazardous.
Fast tidal currents and numerous rock reefs close Keku Strait for most
practical purposes except at about 1 hour before and after high slack tide.
So many dangers are present,. even at such times, ho·wever, that only boat
operators familiar with the channel attempt to pass through the Strait at
high slack tide. Imnrovement s that would remove some of the most dangerous
rocks and nrovide more adequate markings of other dangers would encourage
boat operators to use the route according to local interests. The plan
proposed in this report would provide a channel 5 feet deep which could be
used about 40 percent of the time. Studies indicate that tidal currents
would still be a limiting condition thD.t would hinder usage for a greater
percentage of the time. The Proposed improvement is estimated to cost
$224~000, all at Federal expense. A conservative evaluation of foreseeable
benefits of $18,000 annually in comparison to annual charges of $11~000
shows that the proposed work would be justified economically.
464. About 10.000 feet of low-lying land separate Oliver Inlet from
Seymour Canal and construction of a channel to connect these two bodies
of "NB.ter would not be difficult.. Such a channel for small boats would
permit passage of fishing boats and log tows through the more sheltered
waters of Seymour Canal rather than tm·ough Stephens Passage where strong
winds are often hazardous. Studies indicate, however,. that the amount of
work necessary to reduce tidal currents at the mouth of Oliver Inlet would
be excessive and that these tidal currents would be the controlling factor ..
A channel could be constructed to Permit passage for about 25 percent of the
time when tidal currents at the mouth of the Inlet would not control. Fore~
seeable benefits in connection with the timber industry, at such a time as
the expected plywood plant and pulp mill are established in Juneau~ would
probably justify construction of the channel, but prospective traffio with
-141
present industry would not. Therefore, justification would be contingent
upon future developments in connection with the tL1ber industry in the
Juneau area.
465. Cholmondeley Sound is separated from Hetta Inlet by a neck of
land about a mile across. A channel across this neck would save small boats
a constderable distance vlhen traveline; from Ketchikan to the west coast of
Prince of Wales Island. Such a project would cost several million dollars,
and is not justified by foreseeable benefits.
466. A narro~·r strip of land sc9arates Te;1akee Inlet from Port Frederick.
Local interests hs-.vc s.dvocatcd the construction of a channel to connect
these two bodies of water £EHl provide a more sheltered route for small
boats tra'rel ing between Eoo~·tah and Te·,,a1::ee. Studies show, however, that
the volume of foreseeable trc..ffic v;o:..lld not justif~r the expenditure of the
required fu~ids.
467. SLmilari1y, Young Bay and Eavlk Inlet could be connected by a
short channel and save bO£\ts, going from Ju.'1eau to the west, considerable
distance and exposure to hazards around the north tip of Acl.rr:.irality Island.
While such an improvement would be desirable, a considerable portion of
the excavation would be rock, and c0sts Y:-ould be rrohibitive in view of
the benefits to be derived.
468. Prime pm·mr totalin;:, 395,000 kilown.tts at 83 pote:::1tial projects
has been investigated by the Corps of Engineers for this report. In ad-
dition, other agencies, principally the U. S. F'orest Service and the Federal
Power Corn,."llission have investigated 117 other power sites which could increase
the prime power of the aren. co:1sidorably.
469. Also, many other pote"1tial hydroelectric projects exist, which,
although small, could supply power for specific purposes that do not require
large blocks of power continuously. T~ese sites are so 3enerously scattered
throuc;hout the area that; power on this basis would be available to abost any
specific location. The total of this hydroelectric po·w·er potential within the
area is more than sufficient, if developed, to supply any foreseeable demands.
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470. Evaluation of the major power projects near the four major load
centers shOi"lS that povrel" col·ld be ger,erated and del:L vered to these load centers
at costs varying from about 9.0 mills to about 15.0 mills per kilowatt hour.
This is relatively low cost power, considering costs of other conrnodities
within the Terri tory, and such pOi"ter, if made available, could be an important
factor in stimulating local economic growth. The projects, or combination of
projects, most econonical to develop would provide blocks of deper:.dable power
of sufficient size to fill all immediate and foreseeable loads and provide
a reserve which could attract and supply a considerable industrial expansion.
471. Should the pt,lp industry develop as now appears probable, its
power requiremencs, as v:ell as those arising frorr. population gains due to
the industry, will exceed the present installed capacities at each of the
four locations tentatively considered and new sources of povter will be
needed.
472. In the event that industrial derr.and for power does grow as
expected, the most feasible way to meet the new requirements will be by
developrr.ent of one or more of the available hydro-electric sites. Under a
normal rate of grovrth of povfer load, it V!Ould be logical that the local
power companies or mu."r'licipal utili·i.:;ies, which now serve the major communities
and are responsible for power supply, build the needed projects. The indi-
vidual pr.ojects are sraall enouE;h in s:i. ze and cost to permit development in
this manner, under conditions of norrr.al growth. However, if the power demand
increases so rapidly that the cost of its supply exceeds the financial
ability of the local interests, construction '''i th federal funds would be
justified.
473. Co.!2.9_lusi9-1~ -Studies and inventigations made in the course of
preparation of this report show· that Southeast Alo.ska has a sound economy
based upon the major resources of fishing, mining aDd recreation, and that
foreseeable development of forest utilization industries on a sustained yield
basis vdll broaden and provide the impetus for a considerable expansion of this
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economy. Improvements for grcator use of the water resources of the rCegion
would aid in the growth of there ind1.'stries and crould benefit the local
economy and the entire Territory.
474. As a result of these studies the Division Engineer concludes that:
a. There is an urgent neod for funds to complete the authori?.ed
river and hqrbor projects at 'Jrangell, Petersburg, Si tl:a, Gastineau Channel,
heJers Chuclc, Elfin Cove, Craig, Hetlakatla and Skagvray, but, in view of
the curtailed activities at Fort Alexander, further construction at this
location should be deferred.
b. Im 1Jrovements 't'rhich 't'rould provide urgently needed small boat
basins are justiLLcd 0t Ee tcbibm and Pelican.
c. Lodificat:i.on of the authorized project at Petersburg to
provide 1.5 feet c.f dGpth over the outor one-third of the b~sin is highly
desirable and is economically justified.
cl. Imp:..'ovcment of Hoclcy Pass in K1ku Strait by removal of
hazards Hould result in further u,_ c of the route <-md is justified by the
bencfi ts d.erived from establishment o.L shorter routes of travel.
e. Construction of a channel betueen Oliver Inlet and Se;ymour
Cannl ~-Jould be desirable but tho cost of construction 1vould not be justified
until such time as pulp and plywood plants are established in the vicinity
and an attendant growth of the Hater traffic develops.
f. Channels acrocs Prince of Uales Island, across Admiralty
Island, and through the portar,e bet-vreen 'Tenakee Inlet and Port Frederick 't'rould
all provi<le c;borter and i11ore sllel tered routes of travel, but the costs for
their construction 11ould f.1r exceed presently foreseeable benefits.
g. 1\lauak Haruor is prov:i.ded Hi th aciequate natural protection
and no need was found at this time for improvement by the Federal Goverrnnent.
h. htprover::ents uhich rJould pro·1ide a small boat basin at Angoon
Hould not be justified in vie't'J of the proposal by the viJlager~> to move their
town to a site near the Hood Bay carmery.
-14h-
i. Improvements to the h~rbors, in the interest of small boats,
although desirable, cannot be justified at the present time at Haines,
Gustavus, Hoonah, Tenakee, Kake, nor Hydaburg.
j. Further modification of the existing project at Port Alexander
would not be justified under existing conditions.
k. Improvements in the interest of coast1nse shipping, provided
by authorized projects at Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway and Wrangell Narrous,
are adeqllate for presently foreseeable needs.
1. Flood control is not a serious problem in Southeast Alaska.
The problem on Ketchikan Creek is being aJ.equately treated by local interests
and prevention of erosion damage along Indian River near Sitka cannot be
economically justified at this time. The problems on Salmon River at Hyder,
Gold Creek at Juneau and Skagtvay River at Skag11ay are satisfactorily pro-
vided for by existing, authorized or previously recommended projects.
m. The development of additional sources of lm-1-cost poHer at
the principal cities of Southeast Alaska will be essential, in the future,
to the continuing growth of the economy. Under present conditions, these
sources l-Tould be developed by the existing municpal utili ties or local
poi-Ter companies. Houever, the expansion may be so rapid as to require
expenditures beyond the financial means of the local utilities in which
case Federal funds might properly be utilized.
475. Recommendation. -The Division Ene;ineer believes that the
additional low cost p01>1er necessai"J for the orderly grovrth and expansion
of the economy of the region may be provided by local and municipal
interests as required. If, hovrever, capital requirerr.ents for providing
such pouer should exceed the capability of local interests, it is recom-
mended that consideration be gj_ven to the use of Federal funds therefor,
in order to insure the continued grouth of the region's economy in the best
interests of the Nation.
-145 -
4 76. The Division Engineer also recormnends as follous:
a. Hodii'ication of the existing project for Petersburg Harbor to
provide for dredging the outer one-third of the small boat basin to a depth
of 1) feet as shown on Plate 21., at an estimated first cost to the Corps
of Engineers of G4o,ooo and no additional maintenance cost over and above
that of the existing project.
b. Construction of a small boat basin at Pelican dredged to a
depth of 12 feet and protected by a breakwater 900 feet long as shown on
Plate 22, at a total first cost to the Co:.'ps of Engineers of $270,000 and
~~1,000 annually for maintenance.
c. Provision of a sr;lall boat basin at Bar Point in Ketchikan
Harbor, as shovm on Plate 20 consisting of a dredged harbor protected by
tHo rock breakwaters 700 feet and 15.50 feet long at a total first cost to
the Corps of Engineers of ~~2,947,900 and ~Pl2,000 annually for maintenance.
For initial construction, it is recommended that 4.50 feet of break1-mter
extending alo::1g the north1·Jest side of the basin be deferred, to be added
only at such time as its need is clearly demonstrated. First cost of this
initial construction to the Corps of Engineers is ~n,949,000 and $12,000
annually for maintenance.
d. Improvement of the navigation lane through Rocky Pass in Keku
Strait by removal of rock hazards in 17 separate locations as shown on
Plate 23 at a total first cost to the Corps of Engineers of $214,000 and
$2,300 annually for maintenance, not including cost for aids to navigation.
4 77. All of the fore:soing are recommended provided that local interests
provide l·Tithout cost to the United States necessary lands, easements, and
rights .. of-t·my including quarry rights and spoil uisposal areas, both for
ne1-r work and subsequent maintenance; agree to provide and maintain, "1-Jithout
-146 •
cost to the United States, necessary mooring facilities and utilities
including a public landing Hi th su:ltable supply facilities open to all on
equal aud rea~.JOnable terms; and 2gree to hold and save the United St.1.tes
free from clajJrw for damage due to construction and maintenance of the
pro,iccts.
c~~~ ')t ~ , I ··-
(a< :~ . \ . 4-c ·~·Ylfl.+--'
E. C. ITSCHNFR
Colonel, Corps of Engineers
Division En,:;ineer
-147 -
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
MAP
NO STATION LOCATION DRAINAGE ELEV~I9~0~1------------------~~9~10~19~1~1----------------~~~92~0~19~2~1--------C~A~L~E~N~D~~~3~~TI~93~1~-Y~E~A~R~S~------~~9~4~ocl~94~1 ----------------~~9~5~0~19~5~1------------------~~9~6~0
Angoon ___ Admlr~!!Y_~-~---~h~-~~----35
110
24
35
20
35
10
· .. --~~=-------~~.::_~----·-~t~=_--:-:_ ___ ----==-~~ =--===-=-~lilii······ ·•· iiiiiiii"niiiiiiii .. iiii,iiiiiiii __ -t_-··--------·-+-~-Annette W. B. Airport
-------------
Annex Creek
4 Auke Bay .Q.
Boronof
Beaver Falls --1---------
7 Bell Island --1----
8 Biorko Island r--9 Colder
1 0 Comp No.4
l I Camp No.6
I 2 Canyon Island
13 Cape DeCISHln
14 Cape Spencer
15 Chichagof
16 Cra1g
I 7 Dav1s R1ver
I B Eldred Rock
I 9 Fa1rway Island
20 F1ve Finger L1ght
21 Fortmonn Hatchery
22 Fort Tongoss _Q.
23 Gra~~na Rad1o Rantt~e
24 Guard Island
25 Gull Cove
26 Gustavus C A A
27 Haines CAA
28 HolliS
29 Hoonah
30 ~y_~ob_u!~_.f._
31 H~der
32 Juolin
33 Jumbo Mine ..Q.
3-:;-J-;-noau l!
~5 __ Ju_~_~au Airport
36 Kake
37 Kasaan .2
--·-
3B Ketch1kan
39 Killisnoo .!
40 K1mshan Cove
41 Klowak .2
----~~_e_t~-!slond Tamgas Harbor
Mainland Taku Inlet
Mom land
Boranof Island
Revdlog1gedo Island
Bell Island
81orka Island
Pnnce of Wales Island
Mainland
Ma1nland
Momland
KUIU Island
Mainland
Chichagof Island
Auke Boy
Worm Springs Boy
Tongoss Narrows
Behm Conal
Sitko Sound
Sumner Stro1t
Taku Inlet
Taku Inlet
Toku River
Sumner Strait
Pacific Ocean
Sister Lake
Prmce of Wales Island San Alberta Boy
Mamland Portland Canal
Eldred Rock
F01rway Island
F1ve Finger Islands
Rev1llag1gedo Island
Tongoss Island
Gravma Island
Guard Island
Chichagof Island
Mainland
Mainland
Lynn Conal
Peril Stro1t
Frederick Sound
Behm Conal
Nakat Boy
Clarence Strait
Clarence Strait
Idaho Inlet
Icy Strait
Chilkoot Inlet
Prince of Wales Island Clarence Strait
_ C~-i~h~~~f_ l_!_l~~d _ _ ___ Port Frederick
209
20
750
2777
85
39
81
II
13
22
55
40
30
132
20
20
18
22
257
15
49
..
----~--.-------~----------~----•·--~ • -:!·~~~~~lllllllllll_llllllllllllllllllltllll'""'!"llllllllllllllllllllllllllll-·1111-.,.........1111·~_.-.-_-_--~ :=~~-~ .. ·-
·----· -------1-----·
.............
............ ______ ...... __ ~----·--·--·---------_ ........... ... -• : -·-~..,j ........ -_._
----
1-----------·-----·
-----.. -------I--. . . ----------
--~~·---·--·_cc -------Prince of Wales Island Sukkwon Strait 2 5 ---···---~ ·~ !_c_~~-~--------·-~--·---=~=--~ ---· . ···-·· ---·-------
Mamlond Salmon River 2 0 ---· Mainland Lynn Canol
Prince of Wales Island Hetto Inlet
Mainland Gastmeau Channel
Mainland Auke Boy
Kupreanof Island Frederick Sound
--------------------
Prince of Wales Island Kos~~--~~_Y_ ...
Revillogigedo Island Tongoss Narrows
Admiralty Island Chatham Strait
Chichagof Island Ogden Passage
---
Prince of Wales Island Klowak Inlet
------------·--~ --~---
165
1500 --~ ----------------~-
7
15
2
.................... ,. .. ~~~~~--------r--........ ~~~~~~~~~·~·--------~~-=-:·=-~--~-~-=-=-~~~~~~--=--·~·-=·=·"_._.__ __ _.___.___.__~=l
---
8 ---~~~~-~~~== " ·--~: ~-· -.·.--.·--.-•. -~-· ... ..:.· . -• •!a • ---"~
13 ·~
20 - -......
U.S. ARMY
Reference Notes:
.Q. No temperature records.
.Q Precipitation record June I, 1B6B to Sept. 30, lB70.
No temperature records for this station.
Record 1915 to 1919 inclusive for Sulzer located about 8 miles
northeast of Hydaburg.
Q Also discontinuous record at Juneau from June I, 1881 to Dec. 31,1900
.! Also discontinuous record at Kil!isnoo from June I,IBBI to
Dec. 31,1900.
Also record of Metlakatla, Nov. l, 1891 to July 31, 1894
No temperature records for this station.
----:-------·--
42 Klukwon Mainland _c_l··· -·----------------------·--Kleh1ni River
Clarence Strait _ _20~1---------I -·---------~-
.2 Called Mile 28, Haines Highway prior to July 1951.
-~-----+--h Also discontinuous record at Sitko Moe netic from May I, IB42 to •
43 Lmcoln Rock Lincoln Rock 25
-----~---------------+----Dec. 31,1900.
... Also discontinuous reco~~o.1 of Skagway from Nov. I, IB9B to
44 Little Port Wolter Boronof Island Chatham Strait
----------
14 _ ·~-·-Aug. 31, 1900.
45 Mendenhall Mainland Mendenhall River l See note f. above.
--
46 M.fl~k~hl;;; I ---Ann;;;;-l;land Port Chester
--·-
4 7 Moose Valley 1 Mainland Klehini River
~-
400
1800
3500
~ Also discontinuous record at Wrangell from June 11 1B6B to
-----,-----·~--~-------1 Aug. 31,1882.
48 Mt Roberts (A) Mainland Gastineau Channel ·--------------r-------
~~ ~ ~~~-e"rts= _ _.I.-.B),_ _________ +M.,.a-c'c:nl:oanc:-d. ________ ~ti~e~u ~~~~~~~
~~ P_!~~e~erance __ ~~~~-Mainland Gold Creek
--~~-~et_ersb_~~g __ c_~-~ ------~~~-~-l~nd_ Wro_n_gell Norro~s __
?~~~~!_Retreat Admiralty Island
53 Porcupine Creek -~~inland
54 Port Alexander Boronof Island
55 Rod1ovllle Shale Islands
56 Salman Creek Beach Mainland
57 Salt Chuck .Q. Prince of Wales Island
Saginaw Channel
-----------------
Porcupine Creek
Christi no Sound
Pacific Ocean
Gastineau Channel
Kasaan Boy
1400
100
20
n --
1600
IS
15
20
135
• • I I I • ·-"----------------~-·
• I I I • -----~· . -~ -----------~~-j ---·-·--------· .. ~ .... · .. ·-~ .•. _·_... .............. i..it••--iiil~~~~~~f -··--·-·-~-----·----~ -----.__ ... ____ ·-t---~---------t----
---~ ·----------_. .. -.... -__ .,. __ _
.... I
-------~-----~=~~~ • • • T ---~"--
• ~---Kuiu Island ~~ S~~s~~~--Hotbor Elena Boy 20 ___ i--~-~---___ _ ---------~-j -----------
59 Show Island Shaw Island Icy _S~------t----__!1 ------~-------_ -------~ -----·-----~-~-~~----;tt---------·-~-~~----·-·~-------------------------+--·-_______ -~-~ ~·--~---~
--~~ ~~-e~~r-~slond .Q. __ ~~e~ter Island __ ~~~~-_Conal 10 -__ ------l--~-----~--__ ~-~----~ ~!:!~__E_-~~~-----------~~~~~~~!~~--~-s~_n_~--~~i~p Bay 25 ___________ -• . _____ _____ _ ___________ ----------_ ·-:._ ..__. . . _ ---+-------+----------__ --~----
~~ Sitko Japonski___E_~ A ~-~-~~~i __ !~~~----~i!~a Sound__ 15 ~~~~~~~~~~~~F~~~~ ....... ~:::~::::~~===~~~~~~~~~~~~::~~::~~t~~~·t~~~,~--._==~-~==+---~ --~-~;oo;~lich~-------n~~~d_lslond ___ i~;: l:~.utnd_ ~; l-· ............ ~~---... -1---.. -= -·-. . ~ :-~-__ 't_ ~-nl ,~
-~-~ .~meoton ~ ________ Ma1nlond Behm Conal ___ f---16 -~-----------------~-------------------------------------t---------_ + .. -----+-----+-----~~-·----~----~----1
Notes:
Map No. refers to station location number on map of Climatic
Characteristics Plate 3 •
Periods of record ind1cated by bars ore based on precipttation
record but apply generally to periods of temperature records.
~~-~~~~! __ .Q._ ___ ___ Mainland Port Snettisham 15 _ _________ _________ _ ___ • •!'llll! ............ ~iiiliiil~=== -----~ ___________ ------+-~~ ____ -+·--------------~--c---1
67 Slrowbo~ry Poml Chichaoof Island Icy Strait -·-1----E; ·-1--·""'1111!11111-_ _ ·--~--------·------+-------j----_ ---~-.----------------------1
68 Sulzer l Prince of Wales Island Hetta Inlet 30 -1 ~ HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
i--;;9-~~~.i_-~:__ _<;h<C~agof_l!lo.""___ . .r;:~k;;--ln-le_-t :---19 ---·---r-· --------------_ __:__:__~_:_-_-__ · ___ · __:__: __ 1--~!_oi{_:=_..----~-=--=--=-----:-.::::=== SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
70 Thone Mainland _ -----~~~e~u __ ~honnel 20 --·---~-~--------;-~ -~~~~ ~ ~ --~---------;----------· ---~---.---~--~~----
~r~ :~;----~~:~1:;:-nd-----·-~:::n c:~~once --fi-~---------~ --------------------1----~-~-: --~ __ _:-;: " -~------c--:---
73 wra~~---wra~;;-111;1~~-zimovi;-st~a~-----37-----• •• ~~--=.-.-~.··.,--,.--····-+""'•·•···---• ;-~·~=~~;~~~;i~~====~;=~~::rt~~~~ -~l--·--~~~ Yakutat --~~i~ond Yakutat Bay 36 . ~ ••·---·~---·: -~-------c .. --~ _: __ : ----·--4----
1--------------·-----------------~--· ---·--------·-~----·-
~~·· ·---·--·----------------·-------------~--i
CLIMATOLOGICAL STATIONS
PERIOD OF RECORD
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON FEB.I5, 1952
SOJ8111TTE~C.iff~-.!oe-.-~---
~~~~~~~.N~.6~
CMIEF0 !t.i;IN[(IIINGOIVISI0N
ORAWN IY, __ ~,"'·~ .......
TRACED liY _:>',_~-~-: ~-::'-TR.t.fiSI>IITTEO WITII IIEI'ORT
CHEC!CED BY _Q_<i-_'=>-~-~.'<'·-~-__ DATEO __ fjO_I!__!~.Jj_~_L AH-1-1/2
PLATE 2
OF
~:~~?(~~g5t~~
"')IL:J<:J'")-,<1110ZO
YAKUTAT W.B. AIRPORT
MAP NO. 74
CLIMATOLOGICAL STATIONS
~!.TATION ELEV YEARS OF RECOAD
' TEN P. PREC I P.
35 II
110 10
24 33
35
20 14
35 3
10 19
209 I
20 22
750 I
2777 I
85 10
39 9
81 14
II I
13 13
22 4
55 7
40 I
30 8
132 22
20
I
20 9
18 10.
22 14
257 26
15 I
49 I
25 9
20 8
165 I
1500
72 55
15 10
8 8
28
15 15
25 26
13 3
20
200 13
25 8
14 14
65 7
400 5
1800 7
3500 3
1400 4
100 20
20 5
1600 8
18 2
15 15
20 5
135
20 10
8 3
10
25 2
15 5
67 68
18 18
16 2
15
6 3
30 4
19 7
20 5
36 18
13 12
37 35
36 28
Oath line indicates no record.
11 Insufficient continuous record for overage.
Jl Recorda for summer months only.
-' Average for 3 yean record.
II
10
34
I
14
3
19
I
22
I
I
10
8
14
I
13
4
6
I
7
22
3
I
7
10
14
24
I
I
8
8
I
3
57
10
10
18
40
29
3
2
13
10
14
7
5
6
6
7
20
5
8
2
15
5
I
9
3
5
2
5
89
38
2
14
3
4
7
5
19
12
34
30
42.0
.ll.
46.3
41.9
41.4
40.5
45.6
43.5
43.8
40.3
Jl
156.37
Jl
60.38
76.25
117.40
Jl
.ll.
103.78
57.14
58.77
60.84
234.68
93.20
112.16
45.17
141.55
158.50
84.15
133.97
~ .,. ("">
"""<\
-("">-+
on•
24
~
..
~ H+ffi<tf~=ffift-IWI-fiff11 10 ~
0
•
2
2
•
0
•
2
•
0
~~~~~~~g~c~~ -,~~..:~<2.,-,<~ozo
SITKA MAGNETIC
MAP NO. 83
IT/ DAYS --'
/'
/
~
~
~~a:f?(~~gE~~~ -,.._~<2-,-,o(t')gZO
I 00
90
•
7
.
2
I
0
LITTLE PORT WALTER
MAP N0.44
~
SKAGWAY
MAP NO. 84
~'1------~~----~---1
u
~ 16'1----~----------t.:l-"rl
~
..
~ ·~f.H~~HM~~~~~~oa
CRAIG
MAP NO. 18
~
SCALE IN MILES
24
"' ';!20
u z
-~· ~
~~~~~~~g~b~~
, II. ::1 <( l!..,, <( 1/) 0 .z 0
-~
JUNEAU
MAP NO. 34
00
"'
50* ~ 40~
MAP NO. I
Not11:
I. Bar diagrams show overage precipitation by months
baud on unadjusted arithmetic means.
2. Curv11 on bo" charts give overage monthly tlmperotures
baMd on U.S. Weather Bureau Climatol09icOI Summaries.
3. Open portion of horizontal bart at top of bar charts
Indicates average growing seaton. Vertical daahtd linta
show lottat recorded frost in aprin9 and torlitat frost
in fall.
~~------~~~~---1
u
?: 161--------,.L---------tl<::::-l.
~
~ 12f-'"-------------=::tffiH7llr'
~ ~e~pr.~~-----1~~~ "'
u.,•"+bH~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~
~
..
~ IH-ft-l>lt>fflrfitl1~#.mfll 10 g
~
TREE POINT
MAP NO. 71
MAP NO. 38
LEGEND
CLIMATOLOGICAL STATIONS
0 PRECIPITAiiON ONLY
-o-PRECIPITATION AND TEUPERATURE
MAP NO. 31
@ COUPL!TE METEOROLOGICAL STATION
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS
SCALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON FEB. 1.5, 18.52
::::e,.~ ----~r~--
lljt_._ AH -1-1/3
PLATE 3
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
I
u
z
0
z
<
t
! I .
'""'"" '"'""-+-f!!3~~~=Jc~F-=f==--=f=-i==-=j
' '
"'
ANNUAL PRF..:IPITATION OF SELECTED STATIONS
>
~
<
8
•
34
0 30 z
~
~
~ 28
w
~
0
~
~ 26
§
z
~ 24 ,
22
i I I
I\ .r~~f:~. I I
I
NOTE
LOCATION MAP
SCALE IN MILES
I I I I
PLOTTED POINTS INDICATE CLiMATOLOGICAL STATIONS
FOR WHICH AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL IN INCHES IS
SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS FOLLOWED BY THE AVERAGE
-
-
fd,~ET '\ • RAO!OVILL£
4NNUAL PRECIPITATION IN INCHES.
I THE DENSITY OR WATER EQUIVALENT OF NEWLY FALLEN
21 142 24) 115 SNOW IS ASSUMED TO 8£ ONE-TENTH THE RECORDED -
'\ I DEPTH IN INCHES. THESE VALUES ARE REDUCED TO
I I i PERCENT OF ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AND PLOTTED
KE~CHI;AN ~APE SPENCER , ! AGAINST MEAN JANUAR'r' TEMPERATURE FOR THE -
(44) 11r : I STATION.
-·
(32 151: ITKA~""l. I , ~ALa, I (39} 89 i
KA;JA:' -~ JAKE I tb (188) 156 ! ! i I
rso) 84 ~st· , ! I i I I 0 jffJE~~BURG I ---
FORTMANN HATCHErY NUSTAV~r-· I
1 (90) 1471
0
(58) 5r I I
CALDER
! 1'--k j ~ 1:1 ANGOON I I i I (86)1111 (77) 49
! I i i JUNEAU+-~ I i I ! I I 109 84 +--L------
! , I 1'--I ~ h~iD~: .-+-1--,_ .)__ __ -··-+-f--
I I ' I l-l . -c-
t--I . ::~~F ~MINE
' "448)195
f----I
'
i
HAINES
i
1'--i (130) 59
I
I -(--
I
! I I
I
I I !---
! i i SKAGWAY
. ---
I I
' 20
0
I i
10 I
I i i
14
(43)21 f--~--r---
I
16 18 0 22 24
WATER EQUIVALENT OF ANNUAL SNOWFALL IN PERCENT OF ANNUAL PRECIPITATION
RELATION OF ANNUAL SNOWFALL TO AVERAGE JANUARY TEMPERATURE
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AND
SNOWFALL-TEMPERATURE RELATION
SCALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION. PORTLAND, OREGON FEB.I5, 1952
RF;CO .... tNOl:O
---------~m~--
.. ll.t .... N 6l' .. 9:9-.. l!.; .• -.9.~,1'1-
AH-1-1/4 TftACED 11'1' -~~-~---·· ···-TftAN$111TTEO "IIITH ~!POftT
CH[C~ED IIY .. f>,!;....C>,_ . _ DATED •• !~~-~~.~~~~--
PLATE 4
0
>
0
0
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
soor-' ----1
~--~
4oor-1-----1
200~~~
1800 __
1400L_
10
' " 1_0 1~ ~----J
10 3 0
1]
OL."_
10
~
" ~
2000
1800
400
1600
1400 ___
1200i __
1000
800
600!
~
" ~
4ool_ ----~
20
DISTANCE
~
" ~
800~---
600~
i--
1
400f.
~----
zoo;__
i 1---
ol __ @ __ l
10 5
M I L E S A B 0 V E
2200~--
2000
1800
1600.___
~
' 1200 1200, 1200~
I
f-
1000
! 1800
1600 lfiOO'
1400 ' 1400 1
<::>
"' ---,
~ ~
I
~I
~~ ~I
I
I
f
10 5 ~I
Q\1
~
~
0 ~
M 0 U T H
2200
2000,
16QQ,_
"' ::t
1400--a
::0
"i
1200:__
~
" ~
1400
I ~ ......,
I ~ 12ooL
10 ()I
~I
~
"' t
I
()
::0
"' "' "' I
~
~I
0\1
~
~
0 ~
US. ARMY
2200--------
2000,----2000.--
1800 ~---1800, __ _
1600[_ ______ ~
I "> ~
1600~-
Q _______ @
15 10
40~~5--~-~--~
:-~~
' ~ zoor-~-~----
f-
o,_
20 15
' L
10
LEGEND
POSSIBLE
~DAM SITE
CONDUIT
FUTURE PROJECT
""' TUNNEL IN-:-AKE BELOW 1-\, LAKE SURFACE
• e NUt.48ER REFERS TO PROJECT SHOWN ON BASIN MAP
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
STREAM PROFILES
.<
IN 5 SHEETS SCALES AS SHOWN SHEET NO I
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND,OREYON FEB. 15, 19~2
SliBWITTEO
-·cHifF:·'ti•""Rf:"o:tr~
OIU.WJ'I BY---~-"-~---·
TIIAC£0U ><.t; ~-•• T~.I.NSWITT£0 WITH UPQ"f
CHfCMEO BY . P ':\__S O.I.T£0. fE_B_I~~-1.9.~~ AH-1-1/5
PLATE 5
,
r
l>
--1
1"1
01
G4ST!N£A{.J
GLACIER HWY
G"'STINEAU CHANNEL
"
N g
"' . ~ 0 0 0 v;:?.~~--~---1o -.~~.o
lfo;\1 -. · I : ~~ oS cOw££ en
£: L E II AT I 0 "' IN F £ E T
£__ g g g g * ~ ~ ~ ~ g "'" -~ ~~~ ~ r~--.. ----,-------.? ........... -.~"fL······;···~C!-. ·-----------0
®• , I i i ' I I 1 o~-1 : : -1L j !ANTLER LAKE
..._ S~NTLER R.___ .....J:_:i/7J.nCJ._3)('p'1 _!!!}!:!:!_'vj
0
" 0
~
;pi
c z rz _).,... ,,.
~-z ~~
~;;;
~
~p
~
" 0
"' "~ "'" or '-"' "' o o-n
~ "'"'S c r "' ;:: ""' "'" 1'1 z
a
0~-
®
"' 0
0
ot _______ _
£: FK SKAG#~(_R
SKAGWAY
_ _lltYA----:NLEi
~ .. ~
I ' ~
l>
:X:
I -I
:::::
0 z . " <
az
:n~
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O l.LKAT INLET
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NO-RrH FA {~'"'" ~ "N CANAL
VATION
A B 0\1 E A P? R 0 X i M A T E M. S.
::;
0 0 u.;--------.----------······ :
0:
...
0 g
LAkE
LIEU>' LAKi!
I IBARTLAKE .AH.lOt/00 J --=----~~->13 31:1,:)_-----------_,___
LAKE
u ""nAJnOO J fj_L~CIER LJ_ I I
TAKU IN£__£L r ~Ji~~~~~~·IO~~L 8DY.
·--~ _'NKUN R
QI!I,CIE:R
~
NAKINA R
N
0
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~
~
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CORPS OF ENGINEERS
~
~
~~
"' ~ < "' :'l i h
~
~
" ~
lll
:1!1
~
~ ~
~
0
"
120()!----------+-l "
::0
~--H"' ~ 1000---+---1
~
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D!STA NC E I N
2?00
:::
~
:::
:'l
M ; L E S A 8 0 V E: M 0 U T H
1800
1~00
...., 'l-:..
I"
I"
"' 1200
I IOOOf--__
r----
eool ___
15
\ j
TUNNEL INTAKE BELOW .....,
LAKE SURrA<.:t._
I
zzoor ~
!~
2000
1800
!600
1400
1200
\000
" :..
"' "'
3
~Qi
U.S. ARMY
1200. + >
tl>
:..
'i
c::
~ ,~
t;;
I~
~·" Q NUMBER REFEAS 10 F>ROJft:T SHOWN ~ ~ V ON BASH~ MAP ~~
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
STREAM PROFILES
IN 5 SHH:TS SCAtES AS SHOWN SHUT N0.3
FEB. !5, 1952 NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORrLANO,OREGON
$1,i$1111TTtO
,-ij~;~;;.::-~tti,.,~-";.;,~~--
AH 1-1/7
PLATE 7
N Fl( UUUt..Utl't_U~~
~
"' or2-'g
I®
PORCUPINE g~r
MITCHELL P~'---'f'...;_.iS~t:r~NT
0 ~
j.
~---~ ____;;;
:Jlf'lt'1 ~{3.1-v~4f:J ~~-·
I
LAXE
THAYER LAKE
CHATHAM STf!_A{£
~z t6\ , ll~ \3) . ~ !~" ·<i~ ? t ·""' ,,.., :;; ~'! ~ ~ :t ;;; I ~~ 5 5; ; 8 j: "0 ~ .---() {J) ttl ~ z ?:: ~
: ~ ~ g~ ~ § ~ ; t: (/) ::0 -iV> :"' ~
6 ,, rr1 ::c J> r _z~ )> ~z ;g ~111 ;:. 1:)::;.,. t/)0 ° -~-(-;0
0(1> ~ -; fTl ~ c fTl
"' ~>-rrt~ ~ .. ~z ~: ~ ~~ ~ ~ 11 0
_66 0 )!.li ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ r-~ ~~ ~ 8 r >Z z ~ ~
)> ~ Iri ~~ r:; ;;
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fTI -' ()) Q) 2i .
E L E V A 0 N .N F E E T ABOVE. APPROXIMATE .
0
-0
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M. S L
~
~
I • ; I
SANDY ~1!"-L d:= -----' H .,. A J ).J
)(:;;:;JY:J
LAKE P.LOTNIKOF
N
0 0 ~~,--r-rl
:\IV' y<i~
SILVER J?-it' ~<J . () !~EN LAK£
LAKE
~
0
0 ~
I
i _t.]71!Wj ::JJOI7 i S77rt..:J ! N;tU71"r 0 UPPER HtbDE:N FALLS L
WARM SP:::t~1t~-...l
!JI_"------+-·I)Y LAX£
0 g ~ g ~ 0 ~ --
V!;---_--,.-,~.-T .. ·--~:---~-r--T--g ~-~-~-g g g g g ~ ffi'\
1
· · • • [T . -r ---1--.. T-· "--__ o 0 g ~-•[ I. T--,.-
CH~THAM ST~I_[ --MILK LAK£ )/ :;J :;J /:f J )/ 1/1'/
~----
PATT£RSON_$:'!!"_L; 1 _,_:._,J.J~j_. 0~
MIST fPJ::£_6 .L.3 , ..... :......_]
CHATHAM STR~I_I_,.__ ~ :;:;£;""::7: 11
_o
o~
®
~
0
N FEET ABOVt: APPROXIMATE M
~
BIG PORT WAI,.].{P _J === ~Th .~
~
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~:~
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n JJ
0 (J)
Ul(ll oc
~ -1 CJJ
"' ::0 --lU> o .. 1"1 :r)> zn . > )> l"lz
-,r i:;o o!;i :t
"l> ...;,
1"1-
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tLEVATlQN ,... F E E T A 8 0 V E. A P P R 0 X I M A T E M" S. L !ji!_!iiN£ STRAIT O!I. . .J~01JVAI R. "' 01 1 .!l:f'L~RNATl0NAL 8Dt KArEr£ R. i'i ~!f__UT R.
ELE'<'A1",0N F E":" ABOVE APPR M A T E M
w
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0~ §
~ 0 0 " g ~ ;-~'-'---.....J'-~'c;:~~1tt:N
.
"' 0
0
TVA TON
LAK£
~ ~ I
!==
tn
~
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
STREAM
LOCATED ON
U.S. ARMY
Reference Notes;
ll. Miscellaneous measurement only. Doily record not
available.
~ Stream gaga established by U.S.G.S. in 195! onder
cooperotivt proQ.ram with Corps of Eru~intttll.
Note:
Map No. refers to stream ga;e loc:atson number on mop
of Plate No. II "stream Gaging Station• and Stream
Run-Off Charach!lrishcs.''
Oroinaijl& areas refer to basin area at gogino &totion.
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
STREAM GAGING STATIONS
PERIOD Of RECORD
NORTH PAClFlC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON F"EB 13, 1952
S\llllfiFii:D.aA.c.~.
Ct~!U,"li>t"-itPOI!rt<l!~
l!tGOUI-II!HD'
-f:~(~--
01\'AitWa'i';_,~.<:lt:-_~ ·····--·-
.,.,.'ICrl!tnte~
'cc,ri.U;._CciiPS o.--inG•IIiE!I,s
Ohil4iOIO!Hf!MU:!II:
TI!4ttOIT: .• ':< .. ':.~.:~~---·-· TU!i!!ll!fftEO iotln< tlt£!1(!1111'
CHII!:CUDH. OA!.~:-~_y._~, t>IIY(Q. ff.~ . .').,(!'\'1!~ AH -1-1/10
PLATE 10
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
···+
STATIONS
Scener Creek
S ruce Creek
Sweetheart Falls Creek
Tease Lake Outlet
28.
2.5
27.
11.4
214.
30.8
33.2
11.9
16.0
52.
6 .1 4
6.4 29 600
22.3 244 000
3.6
4.3
9.47
27 700
36 000
80 000
40 Ketchikan Creek 158 000
41 Ketchikan Lake S lllwo 45 300
42 Poww Plant ToilroCI 56 500
43 Beaver Falls CrHk 79 300
45 Swan Loki Outl1f Falls Creek 36.5 338 600
46 Filh Cr11k at Thorne Arm 32 . I 303 000
47 Ella Crook 19.7 182 000
48 Manzanita Cr11k 33.9 329 000
49 Groce Cr11k 30.2 308 000
50 Orchard Crllk 59. 414 600
STA IONS LOCATED ON IN OF WA ES I LAN
51 M rtlt Crt•k 3.9 56 000
52 Karla Riv•r 49.5 333 000
53 Re noldl Cruk 5.5
54 Klowak Crllk 18.
STATION LOCATED ON WRANGELL ISLAN
55 Thoms Creek 7 . 9
STATION LOCATED ON IIITKOF ISLAND
56 Cr atol Cr11k 1.45
STATIONS LOCATED ON BARANO ISLAND
57 Oett Lake Outlet 8.
58 Mokloutof River 34.
59 Grun Lake Outlet 31.
Medvtteho Rivtr 39.
Indian River 12 .
CHICHAGOF ISLAND
5.7
6.6
94
37
218
62
78
109
108
467
418
251
454
425
H2
77
459
205
144
157
!54
141
159
70
56
113
187
256
259
174
177
173
182
191
132
0
Reference Not11:
g Orainave areas obtained from 1hl following aourc:11:
lntlt'national Boundary Surve,., Seale 1:62,500;
U.S.G.S. Alaska mapa, Sea Ill I :62 1500, 1:250,000;
U.S.G.S. Quadrangles, Scalel:62,&00i and aerial turVI')'I.
Jl Valutt of run-off baud on available records of thrH
water rears or more.
a lntufficient record.
il Miacelloneoua meaturtmenta only. Stream flow rtcords
not ovoilobtl.
20
SCALE IN MILES ,.
TYPICAL RUN-OFF PATTERNS-SITKA AREA
22
20
-' •• <
~
:zx /e z .. <z wo'"' <>2
:a:l2 ....
::~10 ....
o~ a
1-Z
z~ • """ u a:
II!
-~
E ~ II
I F I c
,Jo~
REGIONAL MAP
SCALE IN MILES ... 0 ...
JVNE JULY AUGUST SE:PTEMBtA
TYPICAL RUN-OFF PATTERNS.,. JUNEAU AND PETERSBURG AREAS
TYPICAL RUN-OFF PATTERNS-KETCHIKAN AREA
LEGEND
A ACTIV[ STREAM GAGING STATION-NON-RECORDING
.& AC'TIV[ STREAM GAGING STATION-RECORDING
0 INACTIVE STREAIIII GAGING STATION-NON-RECOR:OINCO
• INACTI\1[ STREAM GAGING STATION-RECORDING
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
..
0
"' 1-
i5
25 u
0 ~
STREAM GAGING STATIONS AND
STREAM RUN-OFF CHARACTERISTICS
SCALE:S ~, SHOWH
NORTH PAC.IFIC. DIVISION, PORTL.AND,OR£GON FEB. IS, 1852
S~tiO•
·····~r~N~ ·-·--
~~~--~
....., ......... 111¥1101
011..,. ...... Q , .. Itl..": .......... .
TIUC(0•• .... ~":~9. ...... TIIAIISIIITT1.0'WITMIIU'011f
tHlCU:O ... •.Po4.'-.··· .. ····0ATID __ P't;., ll,ltlt AH -1-1/11
PLATE II
vi
CORPS OF ENGrnEERS
!i,OOO
An~">uol rvn-af'r • 304,000 oe.rt.rl77vi"'l.
_Min._. dojl!t_1 _(e~./1 :-_?_?_~-!: ~-.
4 ,000 _ _., Mo)l. ir..sf. elisor.. Ocf. IS"' 4010 c.f:s. +-
3,000
.c,ooo
4,000
3,000
2,000
Mox.. doily, Oct. !6 = .3,160 c.£:s.
-+
Mok. doily, Se;pt. 5"' f,SSO c. f.'s. r
Annual ruli-of'f'= Z'73,000 ac.f'ft;/5~ In
_Mi0_ d~i/1;1~ Mr;:,r. If?=~ 7 c~F.s
A-lox. doily, Aug./9 '* 2,380 c.f": .S .
• M~x-:·ros~ oi_sch: N~v-1_= 4,~oo_c.f::tS.l.
Mox. do/!)', Nov./= 4,240 c.f:s.
~.Aron.uol t-vn-of'f-::356p00 oc f't,~ 208 in.
_Mil-,_. dof!!:h_MO( 13. z sq c. (.s.
M1x.Q'oilg,Dec. 7'"' 2,9!0 ¢.f: s.
-_/ l -
Annual run-of'f'= 289,000 oc.rt.; !59 in. IAn~vol run-off'= .?6~000 oc.f"t./ (53,}..
Mt11. doily, Mor./9"' 40 c.F.s. :Miry. r:tsril!::h M?r-~ =S?c.fs.
Molf-;,.,~f. qiscf.., Qcf. ?0 =,2,4t30 c;-.f.'.s,
Mox. dolly~ Oct. Z?__=-:,o?_::_c.f.'s.
Mof;~~~--~:Sc~., ~uq.~= ~~JI~C-~S-_o
'IAnrwo _run-of'f'~ZS9,000pc.rt.; 141 in1 ,M''?-d9!ly,_Mo_r.2~"'~2c\f:'~ .• : -~-
__,. ------r-----r---:--
'Anr.vo/ run-or:'f':so 293,000oc.f'f.; /71 i!'l.
,Min.-d9ily,_ M~r . .?~ "~4 c/': s;
--------+----
f'..(ox. doily~ Sept. 24, 2,9(0 c, ;-;~
r
0 Mox. ins,f. clfsch.,Nov.!3"'Zi6!0 c.f:s.
Mox. doily, Nov. i31 JUrHo!:/0,; .?,250c.f:s.
1 4,000
3,000
Mok /nsf. 'iisch., N'ov.l'!= 3ft30c1.s
-o~~---• 1 --+--•-1---•
Mo>4.dojfw,Nol.:) 21-*3,!~0 q.f's.
2,000
4,000
Mkx rnsi di~d; 0~,3 ~ .im; c.Cs
t ; , ~ j , r • ; ~MOx.JoilsJ,Of1.3 = 2,"910 c.f:.s
.. I t-! • 1-1 J.
3,000
.2,000
1,000
~~,ooor-~--------~----~--~~----.------------r~~~~~-.~,,~~-;c1-· -.--,A--n~-u-o'r_r_u,--o-r7r7•~3~4-,-0-0_0_o_c_.r~t-;~!9~9-,n-. .---A-n_n_u_o_t_ru-n---o~r~r.-2~9-"-0~00--o-c.~r~~-./~N~,~-. .--,A-n-ru-o~l-r-u-n--o-r7r7•-3~4-~~o~oco-o-9~F~t,~,2~0~2~,n-.--,-,--c-,--~~~~--~~~-,---A~n-n-u-o-!-ru-~---oe7F•-~'4~,aTo7o~oc--.~7t~.;-14'J~i~~-.-.-------r-,--~~~~--~~~_,3poo
1Mi'?.o'qiJy,IJo0.2~ 7/c.f:s. _M:"n_.dC:ily,-!on;24,:4Pt;4·5~61f.F~ -+--~1._d'!.0f1!'0or.2~ .. ;r8'1.C~ + _Mif1__.do_ily,~M 1 :'!f?~c.f1's.
4,000
z
3,000
w
(.!)2,000
a::
<( 1,000
I
u
({)
0
-Mdx. ck,,-;y; Feb. 25
_"" ~f'5G_,cf~-
Abx.insf.disch., Jon. 8•2,93Gr:Fs.
-,J---. . . ' . . Mo~.do!ly,.Jon.&"' 2, 770 c. f.'s.
I ' I ---------~ I ' ~ ----~ --I
, ,I ----! ~j_ M:~~'ts;.1;:.f:~ ;eb: 2 • -1---~-
, I l,
Mox. r::loily,F<ab. 2 <= 2,b~Oc,f:s. Mox. ills f. o'/soA-,Aug,/0 • 2,545c:.f:s.'
~ ~--~-------~ Mo~.d;-,-;y; Auj1. ;ci = i,481f c. f.'s. :rQ
--t-
M · 4 ;8 r. -... Mea1' dl~ch.-;.47bc.~s-M. ~xJJG. l.n~.;~;~~:~~~-t.z§·.~~~#s.·~sf,_;l .. S:.?~ I
'--,'I'P<F"";,j\-11fflH1-~· -' . e-~~~-;-'f'"1tt->-'-'1-M'N-"'1~~·_, •
1
•
t--'-~--:-1 4,000
+ -I ~ ' --:-3,000
2,000
. --;---·---;-: . -------+-~r--
"$"'~$-<>~t¥, l-4 • i9§QcfJ~ 1
! i : : . I ' : j -• · 1 r ·t
, ----......Mox. doily, D~c.4"' 2,Joo r::.f: .$.
1,000
~.ooo,_----~------~-c~--~--~.-.---~--~--~~~~~-c~~c--.~--------~~--------~--~-.----------------------c----c-o--~-r-c----~~7e~~~-=~--.--------------.-,------~--,-,---~--c----c~~r7~-,~~~-.-,-,--~--~~~~~~~~---,3,000
Ar:nuo/ ru11-of'f'~ 301;700 oc.f'f.;!80i.n. Annvo/ run-of'f' =307,000 oc.¥'f.;!79i,.,. Ar.r.uoJ ''"<.JI''>·of'f', 277,400 oc.f'f.; 162 l.ro. Annuol run-of'f'= 2801500 oc."..f't,-f64,ft-.. :An"uol run-ofY'z 310, 00 Oc.~t.,· 1$1 /nl ~n_nuol,ruf"l!-Of'f"., 3!3, 00 6-c.-flf.; !lf3 ln.
4,000 -
_M'f'?· d'!_llfil. Jo0-31_ .. a-:; c.~s-_Min_. o'o._/ly,_Der;;.JOI Jor·' ==. 74_c.r.~. .Min_. do(ly_, _se~f. 11,: 4_7 c.('s.. _Min... '!_o_f(y_,_"y4V$-2!_= 6.q> C-1-S--IMif~. di'!;t..~!'_~£-~ ~ 23 jc.f'r-7-~-~--
------~------Mox ,;"" ditco;;.;;-;; .j,g~ d's co
0
Lo; in~f dhc~, 0~;;.; "3~69dc,;s~ 4,000
3,000
Mox doil!:(, Jon.B = 2,'540 c.:-.s.
2,000--
' --+---~--------
--~,--,
f---+---·
Nl J\.1 14.
-j
-------1----------+----------
:r--;
: :
'
--+-r--+----~--.
i
MAR APR MolY ..JVN. J L A G P AN.
FISH CREEK AT THORNE ARM
DRAINAGE AREA 32.1 SQ.MI.
'
--t-~-------t-
----+~-
~--t
i --+-----+[--"~ -~~---. r=
--i t-=~~· L-~ r ---r=
V C AN A AP N ..J A
' ' -Mox.b-o)y, cjcr. (4-~J.2i0~:.r.sj.
Mox. o/'oil!Y, Sf!pf-,22 =3,6QO c.f"s. ~ ~ .. , ·-1 : I ------~---3,000
.L l ---T -2,000
1,000
NOTES: HYDROCRAPHS FOR YEARS SUBSEQUENT TO 1920 WATER YEAR ARE
PLOTTED fROM UNPUBLISHED AND PROVISIONAL RECORDS WHICH
ARE SUBJECT TO REVISION.
BROKEN LINES INDICATE PLOTTED DISCHARGES SHOWN IN RECORD
AS EST I MATED.
HYDROCRAPHS ARE OMITTED fOR YEARS IN WHICH RECORDS ARE
DISCONTINUOUS.
l MAXIMUM DISCHARGE Of RECORD •
.! MINIMUM DISCHARCE Of RECORD.
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
DAILY DISCHARGE HYDROGRAPHS
IN 5 SHEE"TS !CALES AS SHOWN SHEET NO. I
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON fEB. 15, 1952
SVIIIIITTEO ---c~F;~,~~.--......... APPIIQ~[C
----c~~-___ -¥'..:>:.~
CHIEF, [NGI~EEIII~G OI~ISION
DRAWN SY.-~,'li·_I,,-_,_),~-·-
TAAe!OIY--._·,._-_"!"!·Y.·_.,. ____ JII.I.JtiiiiTT!DIIITHII!POIIT
CHECKED SY.I:>~'iLit,_ -------O.lT[O _fU,J~.LlU_.
OIVIsloNENIIN!u
AH -1-1/12
PLATE 12
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
!!1,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
Annvo{ rvn-of'f'• 3 ,OOOoe.f't.jl77v'n.
_M,n_.do_ii~1 .F'-'4'·11 ... 2~'?-.f~·--_
Mox. ir.sf. ~isch., Oct. 15"' 4,01'0 c.r.s. _
Mo.l(. doily, Oct. /6"" 31 160 c.T.s.
---~--+------
Anrwol rr.H'I-of'F= ?73,000 oc.f'fl.;/5$ ;,.,
.M'"! d~ily~ M?r. !p= ~7c~t:s.
!Jox. doily, Aug./9 •2,380 c.T.s. /
! M~x-~·ns~ di~ch. N~v. 1 = 4,~oo_c.f:s . .!.
Mox. dol!r.;, Nov./= 4, 240 c.f:s.
Annuol ~l..m-of'i'=356POO oc.rt.; zo8 in.
_Min_. dofl:h.Mo:; 13_"' sq c.fs.
An_nuol :-vn-orf'=-289,000oc f'f.; !G9il'l
Mm. dolly, Mo_r. 19 = ttfO c. F.'s:
Mox.doil
(4nhuol run-off'= 25J.OOO oc.f'f.; (53th.
,Miry. dC}ii!JJ. M?r.S_ = S!c.f.s ..
Mot" m~f--~:s~-~-· ~u 9._6' = _4,JJ~ c.:-s->
!Annuo( _run-of'f'=259,000pc.ftt.; IS! in1 ~Mt~, dCJ,IIy,_Ma.r. 2~ "'~2 Cjf:'s.1 t -r 'Annuol run-o'f'f'~ 293,00¢oc.f'f.; 171 in.
,!':fin,. ciqii&,_Mo_r.2~ =~4c;f:s~ '
Mox. doll&, Sep-1'. 24, 2,9f0 c, f":-;;_
Anr)uo/! ru11-o
!'-"if1..doji/f:l>r4U
. . . ' ' 1 : 4,000
Mox. /nsf. C'{iscr.., "!ov. ,t; = 3J430cfs
---~ -~~~o:-;:~No; 2~:·;,~~-o-;.-;;-~-:-T •
3,000
2,000
1,000
!>,ooo,---,A-,-n_n_v_o--,l-r_u_n-~o-cf':-:f':-=r:,3--::W::-,o=-o:-:O:-o-c-.7.=-t-;2::-l--::0--:,;,-.-r--A-n-n-uo-1;-r-u-n-~o-f'::f':-.-:2-::8::-8,-::0::-00-::-o-c."f'c-t.;--,/--::68::--:-ln-.--.--:--c----r--;;-:;--:;-c==-==-:-c--r--A-.o-nu-o-l-r-un---o-: u-n---o7rr-=-=-c2:-:9--:4,-::0c:O-:-O-o-c.-=rt.,-.;--,!=72::-cr,p-.-.--,--,A-nr.~u-o--,l'r-u'n~-o-::t'f'-::.-2:-S:-4:-,,0:-:0:-:0:-o-c'.l'"'t.-;/=a--,inr.----r-~A;-n'1-u-o!Tr-u-n-~o~f'=-==9o::-:::oo=-o=-o-c---,;t"f..,-·""'Jo=-9::--:-in-,---,-n-n~u-o-,r-uT~-o'l'"r7.l7::-4-:,0c:O-::O-l>-c--:.f':c-f.,-· =a--:;~--,s,ooo
;_M''?· doJif:h_ Au.9. I(= ~6 c;f's: .f-'!!_0._~~o__ilt:/J.FeJ:. 21:2~ ~ -?__2 _ c.f_~-.;. _Mi0_. ?o_il];/;_ Oc_t. I ~ 44_ c.f:_s. _ _J_M_!!l.._cf_q~l};fi_SeP.f· 91f0 _=:__?O~c-:f""!~!,_-_; iMi~. dt;J _ _J_!;;;,.f_eJ:!_.l~J_S =:'JO f.t:':f. ; , ,M(1· o'4/1~.! --!.'!_'"'_~2~-30_ = 2~ ~-f·~. __ . {1~'!: '?q}!J:h~l..l[i· 9, fept 25. = 9!c .• .s.
4,000 ---+--------;-·-I 4,000
3,000
2,000
ui
0
Mo-!-ln~t. c;;iisc.h1 Oct. ?0:::; 2,4:)0 q.f.'".s,
Mox. doily~ Ocf. 20 = ~,070 c.r.s.
-T -~--r--~ -
od-t. ;3 ~ 2 sso c . .ks.
' ' -~----T----T--I·-
M¢1x. '~st. _d,S~r..,-A'-:t ~~-=~tssq c.f:'s. o
Mox. c:fo/ly, Aug;z~ ~2,310 {.:F.'s:. ~
' j ·4 1
--·-t
0
Mox. lns,f. d(sch.,Nov. ;$"' Zj6Jo" c. f."s.
Mox. doiiy, No.v. i3, ;.rUne" 10 ..;2250c.f.'s.
' ' ' I
Max. ins;o++o~tJ ~F7~cfos
~M~x.Joil;,o'ft.3 1=2,k!o:~.f:.·s T-
3,000
2,000
1,000
~5,ooo,---,-,----;-~~~~=--;~-cT-:--,--~-,--,---,-~~~~~~-:-7.~--;-r-:--:----,--r-=~~=-~~=--r-~-~--~~~=--:--.:-:-~7T--,,-T:-~-.---~~~~~~~~~~-r.~-:-~,-~~~~~~~~~,---~,-7-:-~~~~~~~~~:---r--c,-,-,-r-----,~~~~,-~~~-,3,00o :Annuo~ rul1-of?f""= 335,'?00¢-c.f'f.; I 6 m. An.ivol ru!D-of'f'~29J.dOOoc.f' ~114 iri. 'A'"?I"luol ru -0.-F'f'"'. 3411 000 oc.f'f.; !99 m. An_nuol run-of'f',.297;000 oc.(f.; 174m. :An~uo) run-of'f'),. 34~,oob od,.f't.,-:20?'/n. J ,r._. ~~111uoJ ru~t~-off'"' 278,~0 oc. f.; 3 ir>~.
4,000
z
3,000
w
<.-'2,000
a::
<( 1,000
I
u
<f)
0
M~x. doilw, Feb. zS
."'~?SO_c.f:~.
_M,~~ o'ojly, pe~-~6-= ~o c._f""s.l ;M''!·o'~ilw,+Jc:r-2; 7~ c.-F.s M111. do_ily, -!on:2_4!~J?':_4~5~ ~!...ff~---"---_1_~'l.o'~/~!:f•."'!C!!: ~;-~-1.~-TC). : t-__ !M'n.·c!<?!J:i1 ~ug.4~·f". ~~~-4--~ .
rf
-+
Abx.insf. d!":>Ch., Jon. 8,..?,936 <::f's.
·oj 'Mox.do;Jy,.ion.Fz7ro·c.r:$~.
-·t-
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
!>,ooo ,--A::-n-. c_u_o_/:-r:-u-n-~o-:-f';:f';:•:-3;:0:;;t-:;70;:0;-o-c-. f';;-t:-. ;-:;IB:::O:<m:-.-r--:A-:;n-,-nu-o:-,:-, r:-u-:n-~o::cf';;:f';;c,:-:3;::0::;7,-:;00;:0;:o:-c-. f'::;f.:-.;c/7:;;9;-,,.,cr.~,--A;-n:-n-u-o-;-! -:;ru-,:-.-:o-:;f':;;f' ---?;:7::7,;-4;::0-::0:-o-c:-.f';;cf:-.; -::,6:-:z:-,r,=-.-r---,A-n~n-u-ol-:-r-u-n-~o-f'::cf'::-•-;:2;:807,7so=-o=-=-·"""'";-·l-:;16:-:4;-;,;.,-.----r-TA:Cn-ru-::-oT! -:-ru-,.,c-~-:o,;:f';::f'-:;=-:;29::cS,:c2::0::0c:oc:-::-:;.f';;-f.,--:· 1::;7z:;-,cr:j,-. ---,-A-:;n:-n~u-o-:'1 r-u-,~~-ofY=.--:3:r:!O:::,-:;OO:::O;:-:-oc-.:;;f'-;-t.;--,!$:;-!;-,-:;.,,r-, ---,-~A;-:n:l,-:u-:oTr r-=u'n:-~-=df'=r'· -:;34-:;--;-; 0;;:0:;;4>;-o:::c:r, f';;:r;-:; 2;;:0;-3;T,::-r,-. ,---,A-:;-n:::n:-u-:;o-;11 'r_u_r;:r~-,-of';;:f';:•:-3:;;!3:;-,-:;9o:::O:;--:-~c-:;."J,c:-f.;-:;lr,3 ,-:::.,---,
5
,ooo
Mu;. o'c:IJ&l . ..Jo':'.3J_" 8~ c.(.s. ~M/0_. o'of!y,_Der;:.301 Jor-'-: 74_c.r.~. .Min_.do(ly, _seA:~'!"= 4?c-~:s;_ Mil">. d~/I!:IJ Av_£ 8::53 c. f.'s. __ "1''!· o'01/I~, ;41..1~. 2_1_:< 6!! _c.-!]s. ~ ' ~Mffl_.o'o;f!y,,.F_e_!!_-_t}__~~-1-'?·!-'..'!>..-__._, ~ ;Mu~. ~S!l~~Fef.! '! 23 .cf:...tS~ -~-
4,000 -
3,000
2,000
1,000
_] -~--, ~-~~--~+ -~ I 1 , • I
Mox. >,s;, dl~~n.:·;e~t. ;z -i9~ c.Cs.-7"0 Mo1 in~t. dic~.;oJ; 74 = 3:6~J-c.r.~~
o 'Mo"x. i;,st. ~~s~n.,Oct.~/4 ;-z,i~O ,;.f"·s:
~Mo)c~ctoil$/1 Oct~ 14 ~2,4.30~~:is.
• • t • -.• -. -. t . ' .
M~x.il"lsf.risch.,Sepf.ll,.2,9po T.r..s. ro
•• t .• -• -----•. '
Mox ablh.J. S9pf.!Z= _2,Zf0 wr.s,
. . , -~ ~ ~ . I , "
: -+ I ,
1------~-~-~~--'-----~. ---,~
j : I
-·
FISH CREEK AT THORNE ARM
DRAINAGE AREA 32.1 SQ.MI.
• I
-----c ~ -~~-~-·~
+---~--~ ----~-
--~
~ ~·-·--~-~~
--------<------+-----+-----~--
+---+--, ----:----·-. T
L ,
Mox . .lroi/W, Sepf.; 22 ,.3,6()0 c.f:s 3,000 ~ , . , . ·r-----------
i ~-t
2,000
1,000
NOTES: HYOROGRAPHS FOR YEARS SUBSEQUENT TO 1920 WATER 'I'EAR ARE
PLOTTED FROM UNPUBLISHED AND PROVISIONAL RECORDS WHICH
ARE SUBJECT TO REVISION.
BROKEN LINES INDICATE PLOTTED DISCHARGES SHOWN IN RECORD
AS ESTIMATED.
H'I'DROGRAPHS ARE OMITTED FOR '!'EARS IN WHICH RECORDS ARE
DISCONTINUOUS.
l MAXIMU~ DISCHARI;E OF RECORD .
.! MINI~UM DISCHARGE Of RECORD.
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
DAILY DISCHARGE HYDROGRAPHS
IN 5 SHEETS SCALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON
SHEET NO. I
,FEB. 15, 1952
.......... -£"~~.
CHIEF.£Niii1NEE"INGOIVISION
OAAWN IIY.-o:;.,','~I,_-_.,J,~-·--···
TI!A(;t:D IIY"--•-'!_-_....,.,r_._.,.._._ YI!ANSIIITT!O WITH R!POIIT
CHt:C~t:O IY~Oc'i-"'· --··-·· OlT£0 . .fJII.J5.1.1.U __ AH-1-1/12
PLATE 12
cri
LL:
0
z
w
C)
a:
<
I
u
rJJ
0
!
i
~c:;:~~t~~c:?:~~·1~-~~4~x·:~~
An.nud/ run-orf'=f7!,d00 oc.f''f.; JSP in.
!!!._0_~£_c;n'f..!:b ~pr. (R_ :" _23 c;.f:s_. . .
~""!l'o"'x'". ,_,n,_s~f-"-d'-"is="c'-';,"-,,s,e,.e~"-'BC'•'-'2>j,p'"'o"'o'<'c"".f:"4fo··-t----------_ _
Mox.clo!ly, Sept. 9•J,B40c.(s.
------,----,
--+---.--• ! ;
M~on jdis¢h. 2'49oc.f.'*·
----~-+--
i -
tAnrH .. JO! run-of'f',. 144,000 oc.f'f.; 116 lt'l.
;Mif"!. d~il!:l!_""!or 23_-~ _"' z_~-~-~s.
CASCADE CREEK AT THOMAS BAY
DRAINAGE AREA 21.4 SQ. MI.
+---.----
r----
--,----
Mmt. in$f. d!sch.(rt!<:orded)Aug. 3(=2,000~.f.s . .,
Mox.doil!:b Sept. 23~J.6SO c.f:'s. ~
Max. /nsf. dts~h.,$ept.4 "'2,680 c.f:s.
Mo){, doiiy, .$rl.pl:. 4 • 2,180 c.F.s._,..-
Anr.uo/ run-ol'f'= 211,000 oc.rt.i 18.5 ln.
·MaX. insi. d/sch, S~p~. ?2 "'/,37d c. f.'S.
Mo~. dQIIfh Sept. 2Z = J,Z40 E·f.'§.
U.S. ARMY
Annuo I"UfJ·Of'T= 179,000 oc,f'f.;/57in
2,500
2,000
1,000
2,000
1,500
1,000
CT N V DEC JAN • ES.~,tAR APR !.lAY JUN JUL AUG 5EP. OCT N v C J N FE t.IIAR APR 'MAY JUN JCL A G. EP OCT Nov DEC. JAN FEB ~,tAR APR ~,tAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB ""AR APR I,IAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN ·~EB.~,tAR APR UAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB '-!AR APR ~At JUN JUl .. AUG-5[P
! ! !
----+------;------~--~ __ __;_~---,---·~-,c ! ! ! •
• -" -----+-------------1-1---+--_ '_,__-~-_-_-_-_-_-~.,.---~--~=--:~I---~-;---:-
---~~-~------------+-+----r------+1~--;--r~
! !
i ·i·-+-----,-.------·---
-+----'------'--,'---~----+--------+---
! . ----r--C -~--
_______ _;__;_ __ f--,1--c---+----,--+---~ -
------,---__;. __ "------~ -----+-~----1--.
!-------------"
--+----:--·-··
f-~---;--~--· -_l__
V D(C JAN FEB ~,tAR APR I,IAY JUN' JUL AUG 5EP OC NOV D[C JAN B ~AR' APR MAY JUN JUL AUG 5EP OC T•NOV NOV. DEC JAN FE ~A APR ~AY JUN JUL AUG 5EP OCT NOV' DEC JAN FEB ""AR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG' SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN. FEB. MAR APR MAV JUN. JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN !l MAR APR ~,tAY JUN JUL AUG 5(P
CT NOll. EC JAN •'-IAR. APR MAY JUN J L AUG E CT. N V EC AN
SEE SHEET NO.I FOR NOTES.
l MAXIMUM DISCHARGE OF RECORD .
.£MINIMUM DISCHARGE OF RECORD.
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
DAILY DISCHARGE HYDROGRAPHS
IN 5 SHEETS SCALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND. OREGON
SHEET NO. 2
FEB. 15, 1952
RECQWIIIENDED
-~~~o·ti·
DRAWNIIY __ c;,y_l,_:_J_f'?
TR-'C[D BY.~.-''!1
CHECKED BY .Q <:;.t..
HIANSIIIH[D WITH REPORT
OATEO __ ~f."_ll_. l~.lUt AH-1-1/13
PLATE 13
4,000
3,00
.5.,ooo,__A7:_m_v_o-;!-rv-n--o-f::;:f':-.-::3-:::e-:-!,-:0::-DO::-oc-.f:-;;~:-.,-::2::;Zc;hc-<,-. -r-
4,000
II L
EP ocr H v
Cl LONG RIVER BELOW SECOND LAKE. AT PORT SNETTISHAM
DRAINAGE AREA 33. 2 SQ. MI.
2:,000
1,500
SWEETHEART FALLS CREEK, NEAR SNETTISHAM
DRAINAGE AREA 2 7 SQ. MI.
---~---~-----,
Stf SHEET NO_! fOR J)I.0Tf...5
...!._MAXiMUM 0!5CHARCE: Of RECORD
.!MINIMUM DISCHARG£ Of RECORD
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
DAILY DISCHARGE HYDROGRAPHS
IN ~ Sr-IEETS SCAi....ES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON
S.HEE1 3
FEB. 15, !952
AH-1-1/14
PLATE 14
z
w ...,
a:
<(
I
(.)
If)
0
1,500 r··'' ~"""~"''
1,000
500
I\
'"'00 l"""'"l;;;;::;;;;~-;;;:;;:r;;;;;;;;Oi)(ra;:7'f.718o;;:C'~T--M~m:!T<;;;';;~s;;;;::9;::DOBc.;fs::n:;:;;;;;;;iSI.di;;-;i;~M.27:;:?.8Ji0C:f:'.;"-~·-·I-An-;;:;;;T;;:;;::;;r;:;:J.i:z;;iOij-;;;::7/T;.;;;);~IA,;;;;-,;;y-;::;;,;;:;;JY;:J6Ti:'Oo;;;.rt.-;z_;a];;:-I-7o-:lrr-e-c-o-rd-;-Oc;-:-;f.-;l--:-:---:::~---,-2,500
2,000
1,000
DOROTHY CREEK AT TAKU INLET
DRAINAGE AREA 16.0 SQ. MI.
ooo
600
200
1f;kfdX;f~~Jgg1:£t~:J3:~cr,s,A.
·-,,--A.,-n_n_u_a'"l-ru-n---or:""r7"-:7r.:7,-:IJ00~"o:-=-."'!';-;-l.,-· 9""ar,-,_---,l,ooo
'Mif'!· df!!ly,. Fe~. l4'-1~ -~e~,t7s~
~£:£ SHEE:T NQ! fOR NOTES,
.!. MAXIMUM DISCHARGE OF RECORD
..! MINIMUM DISCHARGE Of RECORD
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
000
DAILY DISCHARGE HYDROGRAPHS
IN 5 SHE.ETS SCALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTL.AND, OREGON
SHEET NO 4
FEB.I5. 1g52
~~~-~-~~~~~'"~:'-€v';re:?·~j~~·-
AH-1-1/15
PLATE 15
SEE SHEET NO_ I FOR NOTES
J_ MAXIMUM DISCHAF.lGE OF RFCORD
iL Mn'llMUM DISCHARGE RF:CORD
2 ALSO CALLED SAWMILL CREEK
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
DAILY DISCHARGE HYDROGRAPHS
l'N 5 !:IHEETS SCALFS AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON
5rlECT NO, 5
FEB 15, 1952
AH-1-1/15
PLATE 16
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
100
90
~ ao 0
~
~ ~
J < ~ z 70 z <
-' < ~ z z <
"' " ~ 60 ~ <
w
" < ~ < .
0
~
0
~
~
1-~ v
~
a
~
,.,
d
"
0
d ;:
0
"' z
8 z
~
"' ;;;
~
~
" "'
REQUIRED SiORAG£ IN PERCENT OF AVERAGE ANNUAL RUN-OFF
STREAMS TYPICAL OF SITKA AREA
-·~--~--~~ --··4----~----+---+---· ·-
0 ~----~~o~----.~.~--~.~o-----.~.~--~.~o~--~.~o----~70~--~.~o~--~.o~--~~±oo~--~~~~o----~~20
R£QUlRE.O STOR .... CE IN PERCENT OF AVER.-.GE ANNUAL RUN-OFF
STREAMS TYPICAL OF PETERSBURG AREA
100
90
60
70
40
30
20
!-----~-----d~--~~----~----~.h.----~.o~--~,~o~--~~----~----~~--~o---~~----ciJO
REQUIRED STORAGE lN PERCENi OF AVERAGE ANNUAL RUN-OFF
STREAMS TYPICAL OF JUNEAU AREA
AEQUJRED STORACE IN PERCENT Of AVERAGE ANNUAL RUN-OFF
STREAMS TYPICAL OF KETCHIKAN AREA
LOCATION MAP
SCALE IN MILES
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
STORAGE-YIELD CURVES
SCALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIViSION, PORTLAND, OREGON FEB.15, 1952
AH-1-1/17
PLATE 17
137•
-
-OF
ALASKA
0
·~
l
~· .. . ~ (
I
+
REGIONAL MAP
SCALE IN MILES
lOO 0 zoo
LEGEND
SCHEDULED AIR ROUTES
-----------SHIP ROUTES
HIGHWAYS
RAILROAD
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
TRANSPORTATION ROUTES
SCALE IN MILES
10 iO ~
NORTH PACI,..IC DIVISION, PQRTLANO,ORECON FEB. 1.5, 18.52:
'~~~u9'io.~
~lt.OOI ..... IJ.o
~.:Zn~~~IIO'I-
AH-1-1/16
,._ ., ...... Wto .. -~
Tll.la.Orf ... ·'t't. .... , .. , •• f iiAIIUtltTIO .. TOIH~
Ctetu.Dn .... ""-•I'!U, .... fQ rr:••·'"'-
PLATE 16
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
GULF
... +
-
-OF
ALASKA
0
0 ·-+ 13~·
~
""'9'
-z..
A
···+
1341.
REGIONAL MAP
SCALE IN MILES
0 zoo
LEGEND
-TOWNSITE
~ INDIAN RESERVATION
-·-RESERVATION BOUNDARY
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
PUBLIC LANDS AND RESERVATIONS
-0
SCALE IN MILES
10 10 .to
FEB. 15, 1952
AH-1-1/19
PLATE 19
U.S • .VAVAL RADIO
RESERVATION I
//· CJ1"Y UM/7"$ 01' j/ KEiCHJl<AN
I
TYPICAL BREAKWATER SECTION
I
' I
FOR INITIAL
/'
0
~
G' ...,
.s
.s
' '
t_ PROPOSED
BREAKWATER
~
G
I
G
('
I
I
I
'
""!!'
-?
-?
SCALE: IN f[[T
'"
·G~~S--~~ •• ~~~~~.--~~~-L--~IO~-L--8~~--~.~~--~~--~--~~0~-L--~~.--~--~~--~----~---L--~~--~
D!S'TANCE SIAI:ONS
BREAKWATER PROFILES
0
SCALf FEET
G
0
1 s (
-1 tV
a
r!J
---
JET PROBINGS
ELEVATIONS
NO. SURFACE MATERIAL ENCOUNTERED
12
"
3.8 BFI;OKE:N ROCK AND LOOSE GRAVEL
-1.1 LOOSE Go!=IAV[L TO ROCK AT
-!0.2
-10.3
1.2
-13.8
1.0
-I 1.9 ._,
1.0
-!0.4
. ,_,
GRAVELLY SAND TO ROCK ,&;T -H.fl:
SAND TO BROKEN ROCK 'rO ROCK AT -13.9
SAND TO GRAVE1-LY SAND
SANO TO Gl'!iAVt::LLY SAND
GRAVELLY SANO TO R0Cf( A1 -1.3
GRAV(i,LY SAND TO HARDPAN AT -3,0
LOO$t SAND
SAND AND GRAVEL TO COMPACT
AT -10.3
SAMPLE PROBINGS)
SAMPLE PROBINGS)
LOOSE SANO TO ROCK AT -10.2
JET PROBINGS SHOWN THUS yt p-4
\
'
-"
1
..
0
~
' .
0 z
0
~
"
1-
.a TO 1-5
16 TO 31
.,
/
(
(
-I
I
t
~~ G fJ L F
0'
A L A S K A
Q
"' ~
a
0
LOCATION MAP
SCALE UILES
PftOJECT
.. /
0
VICINITY MAP
SCALE IN MILES
' ==
*eASED ON BEAUFORT SCALE
AS SHOWN ON WEATHER
BUREAU FORt.t NO, 1014
Note:
Elevalions are ln f"eel and are
ref'erred fo M. L.L. W.
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
KETCHIKAN HARBOR
BAR POINT BASIN
SCALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON FES.Ib, !9~2
S~IOITTfC
'c~E·F~!of.:{,~~"o~;~~>
IIJ!:C(li!UI[IIQUI
'1'~.~,........._
t;Mitf,fiiK>wtUIH'I4 !)lyl$,>611
~-8>' R.JM
WIND DIAGRAM !otACU!!I"''-~"' ... . TUitliWli'~'Ttll*fn'IMI'\'!«1'
GllfCII'fll.l'.<t.,.J ....... --P:~~-t:aTW f£,1. I.,!Uf AH-1-1/20
PLATE 20
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT
EXCAVATE TO EL -IS
CI7"1ZENS' WHARF
EXISTING 8FT
,,.,,
~
,b'
l'
' .....
• '"
~ ~·
~ 0 , ....
,,'?
t
\"
~ ...
0
~·
JdP-5
;...___
~~
.........
~
~·
~'
t ,.
~
t
'"
jdP-6 ~ o·
" ~· ~ 0
*:-~· ..
~·
~ ..
<i 'V
~ ~·
~ ,.
~
I
LIMIT OF COMPLETED BASIN
(EXISTING)
• ~·
;OP-1 <::J
~'}I
NOTE'
-.l--1-----LIMIT OF
MODIFIED PROJECT FOR
EXCAVATION TO EL. -II
(AUTHORIZED)
PETERSBURG
SOUNDINGS ARE IN FEET ANO REFER TO THE
PLANE OF MEAN LOWER LOW WATeR. SOf./NDINSS
TAI<EN 8£J..OW THE OATUM PL.ANe ARE PReFIX' EO
WITH A MINUS SIGN.
US ARMY
BOUNDARY
G U L F
0 F
ALASKA
PROJECT SITE
ELEVATIONS
NO. BOTTOM
I -I 6.3
2 -13.4
3 -12.5
4 -12.3
5 -14.8
-12.2
-9.0
14. -29.0
15* -28.0
I 7 * -23.5
16* -23.5
LOCATION. MAP
SCALE IN MILES
'0 0 100 =-===
JET PROBINGS
MATERIAL ENCOUNTERED
SOFT TO -0.8, HARD TO -6.4, SOFT BEYOND
SOFT TO -13.4, HARD BEYOND
SOFT TO -7.5, FIRM TO -12.5, HARD BEYOND
SOFT TO -6.4, FIRM TO -12.3, HARD BEYOND
SOFT TO -1.7, FIRM TO -7.0, HARD TO -9.1, SOFT BEYOND
SOFT TO -11.6, HARD TO -12.2
SOFT TO + 1.5, HARD BEYOND, NO ROCK ENCOUNTERED
MUD AND SILT
MUD AND SILT
CLAY AND BOULDERS
CLAY AND BOULDERS
'*MADE IN 1931, OTHERS MADE IN I 5139
JET PROBINGS SHOWN THUS ¢ P-5
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
PETERSBURG HARBOR
SCALE IN ~ILES
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, OREGON FEB 15,1952
AH-1-1/21
PLATE 21
NO.
2
3 • •
7 • • lO
,, ..
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ELEVATIONS
SVRF. 60TTOW
-4.9 -le.;
-!!I. I -17.1
-5.2 -14.7
-e.o -g_o ... -Q.5 ..• -7.3
-+2.8 ...
-o.e -e.e
-o.e -li,O
-3.3 -10.6
+4.& ...
.f.3.1 -4,9
-7.5 -27,0
" OAY BeACON
PROBINGS
MATERIAL ENCOUNiEAEO
HEAVY GRAVEL AT -16.9
!'GRAVEL AT TOP, SAND TO -17.0, GRAVEL AT -17.i
LARGE GRAVEL TO so• 'tOM
STOPPED SY BED-ROCK
BOTTOM 2' H[A\IY GI"I:AV[L ANO BOULDERS
BOTTOM I,!J' COARSE GRAVEL, !.TOPPED Sv
H!:AYY GRAVEL AND BOULDERS
4' Of" SAWDUST, 4' GRAVCL ANO BOVLDERS
PROBINGS SHOWN THUS ~ p -6
/
c
0
/'
BREAKWATER PROFILE
/ s <
SCAL£ IN HE:'r
100 (l ZOO lOO
~ zz=;;;;;;z
Gro1..1nd Llne
Nofe:
£/evafion.s are in f'eef and are rererrecl
!o M.L.L.W.
LOCATION MAP
SCA.L£ IN MILES
U.S. ARMY
TYPICAL BREAKWATER SECTION
'8
SCALE IN FEET
_ 10 JO
"'
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
PELICAN HARBOR
5CALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DtVlSiON, PORTLAND, OREGON FEB. l!'i, 1952
AH-1-1/22
PLATE 22
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
BN.IS
DETAIL "A"
SCALE: IN FEET
I
I
I
I
I
: THE
\SUMMIT
I
I
I
I
I
ISLAND
56" 401}-·-+-----
c.
38"1----~-----
v>
(" .,.
-z.
0
44"
PLAN
SCALE IN FEET
GROUND LINE
NO DRIVING AVAILAB"LE
DRIVING AVAILABLE
DAY BEACONS
NOT TO SCALE
42°
42°
FOUNDATION
NOTE:
I, TYPE OF 0AY8EACON FOUNDATION
WILL VARY TO SUIT BOTTOM CONDITIONS.
2. OAYMAFIKS TO BE TRIANGLE OR SQUARE
AS INDICATtD.
3. NAVIGA"TION AIDS DESIGNED BY
U.S. COAST GUARD.
VICINITY MAP
SCALE IN MILES
DETAIL "e"
SCALE IN FEET
··.;._.· /
/
/
OEVfLS ELBOW
,~-.....
I ' I \
I I
I I
I
I
I
I
I
"I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
'
c; U L F
OF
ALASKA
PROJECT SITE
LOCATION MAP
SCALE IN MILES
LEGEND
U.S. ARMY
~ PROPOSED EXCAVATION TO !I FEET BELOW M.L.L.W.
MEAN LOWER LOW WATER
* ROCK PINNACLES ABOVE M.L.L.W.
+ SUN KEN ROCKS
CENTER LINE OF NAVIGATION ROUTE
/l. ! NAVIGATION AIDS
_& PROPOSED DAYBEACON
NOTE:
ELEVATIONS ARE IN FEET AND ARE REFERRED TO M.L.l.W.
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
KEKU STRAIT
ROCKY PASS
SCALES AS SHOWN
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION PORTLAt-.10 OREGON FEB. IS, 1952
SUBIIIITT(tl
·-------c~~~F~~o~up--
Rrcoiiii[Noro
-----c~r.1~~~-
oR"w"' IIT_fl._,_..l·~~--_.
fltACEOIY."'!·.!·!"!· ______ Hloliii$111TT[OWI'f11UPORT AH -1-1/23
PLATE 23
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
H ) \
~-~r. ~"--PROPOSED CHANNEL
Nofe: . d frorn seismic exploro·fions. !?ocit 1/ne defermtne
PLAN
SCALE lp,j fEET
'"
70
DIS"!'P..NCE. IN
PROFILE
PROJECT SITE
G U L F
0 F
ALASKA
-+--
I Grovnd ine
•• 90 !OS
SCALE IN FEET
8ra3s Cap
Ef./6.9
-;,
Nofe: • 1 d ore £/evalions ore in[~ on
reFerred to M. L · ·
S§"OO
3.:.'00
w z
~
~I ~'
-~-r _-·-~TL~-
110 115
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
INLE T -SEYMOUR CANAL OLIVER
SCALES AS SHOWNREGON FEB. 15, 1952 NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION, PORTLAND, 0
SU6011HEO JJ~ ~;D, .. ;0-8-;;-REPORT "OUP
AH-1-1/24
PLATE 24
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
139 °
WATER POWER PROJECTS
PROJ.
NO . LOCATION NAME
SITES ON MAINLAND
I Salmon River
4 Thumb Creek
6 Soule Glacier Rive r
7 Dav i s River
I 2 Humpback Lake Humpback Creek
I 7 Wilson Lake Wilson River
I 8 Winstanley Lake Winstanley Creek
I 9 Checots Upper Lake
2 0 Punchbowl Lake
Checots Creek
Punchbow l Creek se •_j__
2 2 Granite Lake Granite Creek
24 Reflection Lake Short Creek 137.
2 5 Shelokum Lake Shelokum Creek
26 Anon Lake Anon Creek
2 7 Tyee Lake Tyee Creek
2 8 White River Bradfield Canol
2 9 H ord in River Bradfield Conal
30 Tom Creek Bradfield Co no I
32 Aaron Creek Near Wrangell
33 Mill Creek Near Wron ell
35 Ruth Lake Delta Creek
36 Cascade Creek Thomas Boy
3 7 Scenery Creek Thomas Boy
42 Sweetheart Falls Cr. Port Snett i s hom
<+3 Tease Lake Tease Creek
44 S eel River Port Snetti shom
45 Long Lake Speel River
46 Crater Lake Speel River
48 Dorothy Lake Dorothy Creek
Turner Creek
Yehrin Creek
Toku River
Toku Inlet
5 4 Carlson Creek Toku In let
I
J.
57 Sheep Creek Gastineau Channel
NAME
WATER POWER PROJECTS
LOCAT ION 58 Gold Creek
59 Salmon Creek
6 0 Lemon Creek
Gastineau Channel
Gastineau Channel
Gast i neau Channel
PR OJ.
NO.
SITE ON WRANGELL ISLAND
6 I Nu get Creek Mendenhal l River 12 4 Thoms Lake Thoms Creek
6 4 Davies Creek Berners Bo SITE ON MITKOF ISLAND
6 6 Antler Lake 125 Crystal Lake Crysta l Creek
'5 S Dewey Creek SITES ON BARANOF ISLAND
6 9 Sko wo River 131 Boturi n La ke Boturin Creek
135 Moksoutof Lake Moksoutof Ri ver
137 Lake Plotnikof Plotnikof Creek
76 Kl okos Lake Kl okos Inlet 138 Lake Avoss Avoss Cascade
7 8 Reynolds Creek Hetto Inlet 139 Benzemon Lake Benzemon Ri ver
140 Lake Diona Near Lake Ekaterina
142 Green Lake Vodo ad Ri ver
144 Blue Lake Medvetcho River
9 5 Ku el Lake Ku el Cree k 145 Ind ian River At Si tko
SITES ON ANNETTE ISLAND 147 Hi dden Fo il s Lake Chatham Stra i t
9 6 Waterfall Creek Near Metlokohtlo 148 Kosnyku Lake Chatham Strait
I 00 Hossler Lake Hossler Creek 149 Tokotz Lake Tokotz Creek
I 0 I Pur le Lake Near Metlakohtlo 151 Boronof Lake Boronof River
SITES ON REVILLAGIGEDO ISLAND 152 Carbon Lake Cool Creek
I 0 4 Mahoney Creek George Inlet 154 Milk Lake Milk Creek
i 05 Be over Fa i Is Creek Geor e Inlet 159 Brentwood Lake Brentwood Creek
i 0 6 Lake Whitman Case Creek 165 Deer Lake Chatham Strait
I 0 7 Ketchikan Creek At Ketchikan 167 Rost islaf Lake Rostislof Creek
II 0 Naho River Behm Canol 170 Lake B orodino Bi Port Walter Falls Cr.
I I I Orc hard Lake Orchard Creek SITES ON CH I CHAGOF ISLAND
I I 2 Claude Lake Claude Creek
I I 3 Lake Grace Grace Creek
I I 4 Monzanil ilo6Mirrorlokes Manzanita llo8 fish Creeks
I 15 Gokochin River Thorne Arm SITES ON ADMIRALTY ISLAND
II 6 Fi sh Creek Thorne Arm 193 Hosse l borg Lake Hasselbor River
117 Swan Lake Fa I is Creek 195 Thayer Lake Thayer Creek
SITES ON ETOLIN ISLAND 196 Lake F l orence Florence Creek
I I 8 Me Henry Lake Me Henry Creek 197 Lake Kathleen Kath l een Creek
12 I Kunk Lake Kunk Creek
12 3 Menefee Lake Menefee Cascade 199 Treadwel l Di t c h
6 1°---
(
0
0
136 °
0
135"
CORONATIO N I~
/
13 4 °
0
·~
130 °
DIX O N
I
I
+
129°
I
170"
C T
A fl
1eo•
I c 0 C E A N
\
F I C
1eo•
REGIONAL MAP
SCA L E IN M I LES
200
POWER S ITE
HARB OR (FEDERAL)
F L OOD CONTRO L
DIVERS ION
CHANN EL
G U L F
o r
5 I< A
A L A
£ ,._ N
0 c
400
LEGEND
EX I STING OR
AUTHO R I ZED
PROJECT •
• •
PROPOSED
PROJECT
•
POSS IBLE
FU T URE
PROJEC T
0
0
HARBORS AND RIVERS IN ALASKA
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
10 0 -s:z""'-
BASIN MAP
S CALE I N M I LES
10 2 0 30 4 0 ~0
NORTH PACIFIC DI VI S ION, P O RTLA N D , O REGON
sue w·TTED
FEB. 15 , 1952
. -CH-;t:F:.r)oi"RfPOAT--G~P
RECOW t.tEH0£0'
r.s.a~
CHIEF ENGINEERING DIVISION
••PAavtou.~
C01..0Nfl.., CORPS OF ENG:NEERS
DIV ISION [NGIJtijf£R
AH -1-1/25
ORA\IiN BV ' "A.S. • .I ._Y •. ~ •• _
TRACED &Y • I .Y TRANSMITTED WITH REPO!ItT
CKECf<ED BY ~.4 .S,~J' .J trot,·~-_ O,t.TED fE.B.I 5~l,,Z.. __
PLATE 25