113-12 KARTA RIVER K 178 



55*33. 5- N. 132*34. 4' W. Previous No. 146 



KETCHIKAN, CLARENCE STRAIT, KASAAN BAY, KARTA BAY, Head 



MAJOR SPECIES Pink, chum OTHER SPECIES Coho, red 



ESCAPEMENT TIMING Late. Sept. -Oct. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE 



SPAWNING FACILITIES Fair. A limited amount of spawning in upper intertidal zone. Spawning on all 



riffles upstream. 

 STREAM TEMPERATURES Warm range (Observed temperature: 60*-61*F. 1951.) 

 VALLEY DESCRIPTION The river and the other lakes and streams in this system lie in a valley of glacial 



origin. Two large tributary valleys enter at the upper end, the first containing McGilvery Creek and the 



second Andersen Creek. 

 DRAINAGE 64 square miles (polar planimeter). This river drains Little Salmon Lake, 1. 2 miles long and 0. 2 



mile wide, which is connected to Salmon Lake, 4. 5 miles long and 1. 5 miles wide. Numerous tributaries 



enter these lakes. 

 STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION The stream enters the head of Karta Bay. In the lower reaches 



the stream runs between steep bedrock banks. 

 ANCHORAGE Good anchorage in 10 to 12 fathoms is found at the head of the bay. Anchor off the beach near 



the start of the Forest Service trail, which is marked by a sign. 

 TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES A Forest Service trail follows the left bank up to Little Salmon Lake. 



The stream bed is slippery, especially in its lower reaches and difficult to travel. 

 AERIAL SURVEY NOTES Aerial visibility is very poor due to the dark water and bottom composition. 



INTERTIDAL ZONE 



LENGTH 0. 3 mile AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 35'-50'/16" 



GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Moderate 



BOTTOM Rocky with large areas of boulders. 



LOW TIDE LOCATION 



HIGH TIDE LOCATION At the head of a hundred yard straight stretch where riffles start and the stream turns 



sharply to the right and splits. 

 SCHOOLING AREAS The bay off the mouth of the weir is utilized heavily for schooling. In some years 



schools of fish are found over nearly the entire bay. Schooling also takes place in the pools of the lower 



intertidal zone. 

 SPAWNING AREAS Some spawning occurs near the upper limit. 

 GENERAL NOTES Lower part is very rocky with steep bedrock banks. 



UPSTREAM 



LENGTH ACCESSIBLE 1. 7 miles to lake A VER A GE W ID TH / DEPTH 150'/18" 



GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Moderate to swift 



BOTTOM Gravel and rock. 



MARKER DISTANCE 



MARKER IDENTIFICATION 



BARRIERS Three falls are present which are a partial block to salmon. 



TRIBUTARIES None reported. 



SCHOOLING AREAS There are several large pools throughout the streams length which afford good 



resting areas. 

 SPAWNING AREAS Spawning takes place over the entire stream length, but is concentrated in the 



riffle areas between the large pools. 

 GENERAL NOTES 



