ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES 93 
STREAM IMPROVEMENT 
The improvement of salmon spawning streams in Alaska in 1938 was 
limited, for the most part, to that carried on by stream watchmen in 
connection with their regular patrol duties, although in the Cook Inlet 
area some stream-clearing work was accomplished under an allotment 
of Territorial funds available for this purpose as well as for bounty on 
predatory trout. The work consisted chiefly in clearing out log 
jams and other obstructions that hindered the passage of salmon to 
the spawning grounds. In the removal of obstructions, care is exer- 
cised to avoid accelerating the current so as to cause destruction of 
gravel bottoms used as spawning areas. 
In the Kaflia Bay stream, where salmon were having difficulty in 
ascending long stretches of swift shallow water, construction of addi- 
tional pools at intervals was undertaken by the Bureau to break the 
force of the current and facilitate the progress of the salmon upstream. 
Increasing numbers of beaver, especially in parts of the Kodiak and 
Cook Inlet areas, present an important conservation problem. Where 
necessary, beaver dams have been opened to allow the salmon to 
ascend to the spawning beds. It is evident, however, that such meas- 
ures are but temporary, and it is thought that a satisfactory solution 
to the problem can be found only after due investigation of the poten- 
tial value of the two natural resources. 
CONTROL OF PREDATORY TROUT 
The destruction of trout that feed upon salmon eggs and fry has been 
carried on for a number of years in the Bristol Bay region through 
funds derived from the Territory and the Bristol Bay packers, the 
expense being shared equally. Not only has this work resulted in a 
marked improvement in the runs of red salmon in the region, but it is of 
material benefit in providing a means of livelihood to residents by 
furnishing them profitable employment during the winter months. 
During the year 1938 approximately $17,000 was expended in the 
Bristol Bay region for bounty on Dolly Varden trout at the rate of 
2% cents per fish. 
In the Cook Inlet area, also, stream improvement and predator- 
control work have been accomplished through an allotment from the 
Territorial appropriation and contributions of salmon packers. For 
the years 1937 and 1938 the sum of $5,000 was available for this work. 
In the destruction of predatory trout, efforts were confined to the 
Kasilof River and English Bay and Kalgin Island streams in order to 
determine what the possibilities might be. A bounty of 2% cents each 
was paid, as in the Bristol Bay region. Less than 10,000 trout tails 
taken in the Cook Inlet district were vouchered in the summer of 
1937, and the number in 1938 to August 26 was 36,388. 
Trout traps for the catching of Dolly Varden trout were operated in 
connection with the four salmon-counting weirs on Kodiak Island. 
The number of trout taken in these traps was as follows: 51,385 in 
Karluk River, 54,317 in Red River, and 17,000 in Olga Bay streams. 
Scientific studies of Dolly Varden trout in the Kodiak area were 
continued. 
OIL DRILLING IN BRISTOL BAY AREA 
Observations were made by Bureau employees of experimental oil- 
drilling operations in 1938 at the headwaters of Salmon Creek, tribu- 
