42 



REPORT OF ALASKA INVESTIGATIONS. 



OBSTRUCTIONS IN STREAMS. 



While the overfishing in Alaska waters, which has had much to do with the waning supply in some 

 sections, necessitates an imperative curtailment in the methods and extent of fishing operations, there 

 are other ways of benefiting the future supply, the responsibility for which rests entirely with the Govern- 

 ment. In many good streams in Alaska there are obstructions which, to a great extent, prevent the 

 salmon from ascending to their spawning grounds. These obstructions are either of the nature of natural 

 falls or of barriers formed by jams of wind-fallen trees. Some of the falls are so high that it is impossible 

 for the salmon to ascend in any season. There are others of lesser height which at certain stages of the 

 water mav be ascended by the salmon, but with more or less difficulty. I personally investigated a number 

 of streams in which obstacles to the ascent of salmon exist, and while not everything along this line can 



*2far/0rt a 



~y Trap 



Trap too close to mouth of stream and falls that should be blown out. 



be done at once there are six streams where I recommend that early action be taken to correct the existing 

 conditions. These streams are as follows: 



Ketchikan Creek. — This creek, which has always been famous as a humpback stream, has three 

 obstructions to-day. There are two falls of 18 feet and 25 feet each in height, and a long, high, log jam 

 which is increasing in size each year, and very few salmon can get over or under it. The partial removal 

 of this log jam would cost very little. The removal of the two falls is impracticable, but fish ladders 

 could be erected at a cost of about $1,500. 



Gray Creek. — This creek, the outlet of which is Anan Lagoon, is a splendid humpback stream, yet 

 many of the fish I saw dead this year had fought the rapids and falls so long that they fell back to be 



