22 U.S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



WEIKS FOE, COUNTING SALMON ESCAPEMENT 



Tlie operation of weirs for counting the number of salmon 

 that ascend particular streams to spawn provides a means of regu- 

 lating the commercial catch to insure an adequate escapement of 

 brood fish and furnishes information of value in connection with 

 scientific studies, especially with reference to their practical applica- 

 tion in the forecasting of the probable size of the run at the end 

 of the succeeding cycle. Twenty-seven weirs were established in 

 typical salmon streams of Alaska in 1932, of which 5 were in south- 

 eastern, IT in central, and 5 in western Alaska. 



Reports of operations of the various weirs and of the counts of 

 salmon in 1932 are as follows : 



ANAN CREEK 



During the construction of the rack in Anan Creek and at several 

 times throughout the season heavy rains caused the stream to rise far 

 above the normal level, interfering with the work at the weir, al- 

 though no serious damage was done to the structure. The run of 

 pink salmon this year was considerably later than usual, and the 

 fish were small. The main run was from August 6 through August 

 14, during which period 53,201 pinks were counted. The total count 

 for the season was 132,351 pink salmon, 2,015 cohos, 93 kings, 80 

 chums, 15 reds, and 36 steelheads. It was estimated that an addi- 

 tional 3,000 pink salmon spawned during the latter part of the sea- 

 son in the area between the first and second falls. Kenneth C. Lewis 

 was the weir foreman, under the direction of Assistant Agent S. A. 

 Baker. 



KLAWAK CREEK 



A weir in Klawak Creek at the same location as in previous years 

 was completed on May 30. lied salmon began to pass through the 

 gates on the following day. Although the run of this species was 

 light during the month of June, it was fairly steady through July 

 and August, and the total escapement was much larger than it has 

 been for several years. The first pink salmon were counted on 

 July 28, and cohos and chums appeared a few days later. The 

 run of pinks was not heavy, but chums were unusually abundant. 

 Counting was continued through October 6, when the total escape- 

 ment numbered 57,294 reds, 181,734 pinks, 264,793 chums, and 7,052 

 cohos. Ernest Petry was in cliarge of counting operations, under 

 the supervision of Warden C. L. Olson. 



STAKEY CREEK 



Construction of the Staney Creek weir was begun on July 1 and 

 completed on July 4. Heavy rains throughout the summer made the 

 operation of the weir difficult, and after September 1 the water was 

 so high and discolored that counting could not be continued. The 

 total count for the season was 102,463 pink salmon, 2,898 cohos, 

 and 29,663 chums. It was estimated that 50,000 pinks, 8,000 cohos, 

 and 20,000 chums were schooled below the weir at the time counting 

 ceased. Anton Rex was the weir operator at this place, under the 

 supervision of Warden C. L. Olson. 



