HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA560Su'titn~• Hvcho~)IPrh'i< Pr ojE'( f
~uppl~·nu·nt.1i f{ppori
. . • ..
-I ~
MEMORANDUM
TO
SUBJECT
File
Low Water Boat Navigation.
Susitna River at Mile 128
FROM
DATE PROJECY NO.
R.F. Butera 11-15-82 253303
Between Miles 128.5 and 127.0 the Susitna River shifts its channel from
the 'Y:st to the east side of its fioodplain. The area over which this
trans1bon occurs is v~ry wide and braided. i:n the opinion of many people
V.:ho spe~t a. lo.t of time on the river, often boating this section of the
rrver dady, at !S the trickiest navigation problem between Talkeetna and Devil Canyon.
In late August 1982, at a Susitna River at Gold Creek discharge of
approximately .13,000 cfs, this area \Vas depth sounded by a field crew
from R&M Consultants. There are three possible routes, as shown on the
attached map sheet, that can be successfully navigated at this stage . .
RoutE! #1. Channel ~s narrow, winding and often choked with trees,
Possible to navigate but not recommended.
Route #2. Although not obvious, a narrow~ deep
runs close to the banks of the existing islands.
this channel at the stage when measured was
recommend low wate·r route.
channel exists here that
Minimum depth through
3.5 feet. This is the
Route #3 The most obvious route along the
wide and braided and at low water shallow
boating. Possible to navigate but not the
discharge at Gold Creek is less than 15,000 cfs.
outs ide of the bend. ~t is
enough to cause hazardous
recommended route if the
On October 14, 1982 at a Susitna River at (:-··,.Jd creek discharge of
6,000 cfs. the river was jet boated from Talkeetna to Gold Creek. At tLis
low stage there was no problem boating at Mile '128 through Route #2.
Routes Numbers 1 and 3 were not navigable at this stage.
Other than this section -the only navig:1tion problem enco~ntered at this low
stage between Talkeetna and Gold Creek was the area J.ust downstream .of
the confluence of the Susitna and Chulitna rivers. Th1s area was qu1te
shallow yet still navigable jet boat.
In sum up. The area between Miles 12t ~nd.128.5 on ~he Susitna River is
not a problem to navigate even at very low. d1scharges 1f the boat oper~tor
is familiar with the area. But for the uninformed often the most obv1ous
route b not the best.
BB/kys
001650