1u1-42 KETA RIVER K 24 
N55°20 W130° 29 Previous No. 21 
KETCHIKAN, BOCA DE QUADRA, MAIN ARM, head 
MAJOR SPECIES Pink and chum OTHER SPECIES King, coho, and trout 
ESCAPEMENT TIMING Early. July-Aug. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE 10-100, Jv0 
SPAWNING FACILITIES Excellent. Over 8 miles of stream are known to be used by salmon. 
STREAM TEMPERATURES Range: 44-48°F. ,8/4 to 9/23/49; 45-51°F. ,7/15 to 9/9/50; 46-50°F. , 7/21 to 
8/30/51; 45-51°F. , 7/21 to 8/21/52; 48-54°F. ,7/21 to 8/17/53. 
VALLEY DESCRIPTION Glacial. Even gradient throughout first 8 miles of valley. The valley walls are steep 
and numerous small stream beds cut the sides. Two fair sized tributaries enter from relatively steep valleys. 
DRAINAGE Snow fields and several small glaciers. The stream is clear except during floods. 
STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION Enters through a long, wide delta. The stream is at present flowing 
out the N. side of the delta. A small stream enters the lower intertidal zone from a steep valley on the S. side 
of the head. 
ANCHORAGE At any point along the drop-off. Sheltered anchorage is available in a small bight at the S. end 
of the drop-off just beyond the point where the small stream enters. 
TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES Foot surveying can be done easily during lower water stages. However, the 
stream is navigable for four miles during moderate or higher water levels and is preferred for surveys. 
AERIAL SURVEY NOTES Aerial surveys may be made either up or downstream. The valley is wide and has 
no obstructions. Fish are easily visible against the light colored stream gravels. Air surveys are conducted 
beyond the terminal marker to the first large tributary entering from the south. This upper area is usually 
occupied by spawning king salmon. A pass to the E. fork of the Wilson River lies on the N. side of the valley 
6 miles from high tide and 1 mile downstream from the tributary entering from the south. The pass is broad 
and unobstructed at an altitude of less than 3, 000 feet. 
INTERTIDAL ZONE 
LENGTH 1.3 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH _  100'/24" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than 1° at 2' per second 
BOTTOM _ Gravel ranging from 1-5" in diameter, some sand in the lower region. 
LOW TIDE LOCATION In line with the small point on the south side by the small creek. 
HIGH TIDE LOCATION At the base of the riffle where the stream enters the woods. There is a deep pool lying 
against the S. hillside. 
SCHOOLING AREAS 1. The first pool where the river contacts a logged area on the N. bank. 2. Shallows at 
lower end of pool below high tide. 3. In the deep pool at high tide. 
SPAWNING AREAS 1. Riffles below pool at contact with logged area on N. bank. 2. Riffles below pool at 
high tide. 
GENERAL NOTES The main channel cuts across the upper intertidal zone from the S. side of the valley to the 
N. side and then out to the bay on the N. side. A small channel cuts down the intertidal zone from the middle 
of the upper intertidal stream. Some limited spawning occurs there. 
UPSTREAM 
LENGTH ACCESSIBLE Over 8 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 80!/30" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than 1° at 2' per second 
BOTTOM Gravel. Some larger rocks, mostly granite. 
MARKER DISTANCE 2.7 miles. 
MARKER IDENTIFICATION Metal plate placed on tree on N. bank at base of an extensive gravel bar. River 
around this bar is navigable by river skiff only on moderate or greater level. 
BARRIERS _ River becomes more rapid with coarser bottom beyond 8 miles. However, no barriers have been observed. 
TRIBUTARIES Numerous small tributaries feed the main stream throughout the valley. However, only two in the 
first 8 miles are of any size and are usually low during the salmon runs. Neither has been observed with many 
salmon. 
SCHOOLING AREAS 1. The first pool above high tide. 2. Scattered pools in the first mile. 3. Long pool above 
large bend in the river course 1 mile upstream. 4. Scattered pools throughout upper river, including king 
salmon schooling holes 4 to 7 miles upstream. 
SPAWNING AREAS 1. Allriffles in the first 2.7 miles are used. 2. Areas above marker where the river divides 
are all used. 3. Upper river king salmon areas are usually in the main river in deeper riffles. 
GENERAL NOTES Past records indicate that this is a river with a large potential capacity for salmon, primarily 
pink and chum. This is one of the better king salmon rivers in this area. Coho runs are later than most surveys 
in the past and little information is available on the magnitudes using the river. 
