114-10 THORNE RIVER K 184 



55°41.9' N. 132""34.3' W. Previous No. 149 



KETCHIKAN, CLARENCE STRAIT, THORNE BAY, N. head 



MAJOR SPECIES Pink, chum OTHER SPECIES Coho, red 



ESCAPEMENT TIMING Late. Sept. -Oct. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE 



SPAWNING FACILITIES Good to excellent. 



STREAM TEMPERATURES Warm range (Observed temperatures: 50° F. , 9/12/49). 



VALLEY DESCRIPTION A large glacial valley with numerous tributary valleys. The tributary valleys 



are both glacial and stream cut. Large muskeg areas scattered throughout. 

 DRAINAGE 210 square miles (polar planimeter). Many lakes and streams are' found within this system and 



are the streams major water source. Snowfields are found in the valley also. 

 STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION The stream enters the head of the N. W. arm of Thome Bay. A 



long tidal flat about 1. 5 miles in length is exposed at low tide. 

 ANCHORAGE Enter Thorne Bay on the N. side of the large island obstructing its mouth, keep a midchannel 



course. Anchorage is available about 2 miles from the head of the bay. In the past floats have been 



available for moorage. 

 TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES At high tide a skiff may be taken about 3 miles upstream. Travel 



from here is best along the stream bank. The stream is too large for adequate ground survey. 

 AERIAL SURVEY NOTES The water in this stream is discolored and aerial visibility is poor, especially 



in the lower parts. 



INTERTIDAL ZONE 



LENGTH 4 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 100'-lS0V20"-36" 



GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES 



BOTTOM Gravel and large rocks. 



LOW TIDE LOCATION 



HIGH TIDE LOCATION Just below the small canyon 4. 2 miles upstream. 



SCHOOLING AREAS Numerous pools and sloughs are scattered throughout. 



SPAWNING AREAS Spawning occurs throughout most of this zone, but the largest numbers of spawners 



utilize the upper half. Conditions for observations are limited in the lower half. 

 GENERAL NOTES Visibility is inhibited by discolored water. 



UPSTREAM 



LENGTH ACCESSIBLE AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 7O'-10O'/12"-24" 



GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Slow to moderate 



BOTTOM Sand, gravel, and some slate and bedrock. 



MARKER DISTANCE 



MARKER IDENTIFICATION 



BARRIERS None reported. 



TRIBUTARIES Many tributaries run in from the numerous lakes in this system. Most are utilizeol for 



spawning. 

 SCHOOLING AREAS There are many pools scattered throughout the length of this stream which are 



available for schooling. 

 SPAWNING AREAS Spawning occurs in all riffle areas. 

 GENERAL NOTES Thorne River is one of the best spawning streams in S. E Alaska. It is a large stream 



with very good spawning facilities, and is reported to be unobstructed for over 10 miles. 



