ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1922, 



43 



years and in correlating the spawning advance witli the season. Tlie consecu- 

 tive series begins with tlie Village Creek at the Indian village. It proceeds 

 thence westward along the north shore and continues completely around the 

 lake. 



Creek 1. Village Creek. — August 4, 1908. At the extreme foot of the lake, 

 emptying at the native village. Examined for about 1 mile of meander 

 without seeing a single salmon. About one-half mile from the village the 

 creek has a considerable hill on tlie right bank, while the other side is low. 

 About 100 yards above the hill the stream becomes wider (7 feet) and shal- 

 lower. It has a good coarse gravel bottom, with larger stones and rocks arfd 

 much moss. Many deadfalls and overhanging branches obstruct passage along 

 the creek bed. Farther up are two low hills one on each side, where the creek 

 could be dammed, though the valley between is 75 feet or more wide. This flat 



LAKtALtKNAGIKANoWOODRlYER 



ALASKA 



M.C.MAR5H I90S-I901 



ScAii orMiui 





Fig. 6. — Lake Aleknagik and Wood River, Alaska. 



is boggy and has a high, thick growth of grass. In and about this bog 

 four-fifths of the volume of water originates. Several distinct channels rising in 

 this soft mossy ground make into the main creek, which was followed up until 

 it became scarcely a foot wide and was almost hidden by overhanging grass 

 and vegetation. Here it ran between rather high banks. From the spring 

 flats above mentioned the village was reached in a half hour of steady traveling. 

 The water of this creek is clear and cold, the bottom is favorable, its size 

 is sufficient, and the gradient is easy, yet salmon do not enter it. There is a 

 bar opposite its mouth and the water is shallow, but fish would have little 

 trouble getting over it. The influence of the current of the creek is little 

 felt where the salmon are passing up the lake, and they may not readily find 

 it. Nevertheless, it is diflScult to understand why it is entirely avoided. At 

 this date, August 4, the salmon had been for some time entering the small 

 streams. Its condition in winter is a question. A man who had wintered on 

 the lake said it does not freeze and that the natives get water from it in the 



