101-24 BIG GOAT CREEK K 39 
N55°32.8 W130°40.5 Previous No. 37 
KETCHIKAN, BEHM CANAL, RUDYERD BAY, Head of S. arm 
MAJOR SPECIES Pink OTHER SPECIES Chum 
ESCAPEMENT TIMING Early. July-Aug. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE  10-20,000 
SPAWNING FACILITIES Excellent above rocky rapids.above high tide mark. Stream crosses extensive flats 
from . 3 miles upstream to 1.4 miles. There is about .4 miles of good spawning facilities above the flats before 
the stream becomes too steep. Intertidal facilities are limited to the region near high tide. 
STREAM TEMPERATURES Cold range (estimated). 
VALLEY DESCRIPTION Glacial. The lower valley is 3 miles long, bounded by mountain ridges to 4, 000! 
elevation. Big Goat Lake, a hanging valley lake between Wilson Lake and S. Arm of Rudyerd Bay, drains into 
Big Goat Creek over a near vertical falls dropping over 800 feet to the valley below. 
DRAINAGE Over 20 square miles (estimated). Drains Big and Little Goat Lakes and a number of small, high lakes. 
Snow fields on higher peaks. 
STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION .5 mile delta, grass flats, heavy timber surround intertidal delta. 
Long, bare rock falls on W. slope just beyond delta. Intertidal stream course follows W. side of intertidal zone. 
ANCHORAGE In 4 to 6 fathoms just off the delta of the rock falls stream entering the head of the bay from the 
W. slope. 
TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES Grass flats through upper intertidal zone easily walked. Fish and Wildlife 
Service weir site has trail area below rapids. No trails in upper stream area. Easily walked on normal or lower 
water levels. 
AERIAL SURVEY NOTES Excellent aerial visibility throughout upper flats. Clear water and light bottom. 
Only a short section above high tide around the rapids is obscured by trees. 
INTERTIDAL ZONE 
LENGTH .5 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 60-80'/12" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than 1° at 2-3' per second 
BOTTOM Sand, gravel and mud in lower intertidal. Gravel and rock in upper. 
LOW TIDE LOCATION At short point on W. shore .4 miles from head of grass flats. 
HIGH TIDE LOCATION Head of grass flats at point where stream emerges from timber line. 
SCHOOLING AREAS _ Upper . 2 miles of the intertidal zone. 
SPAWNING AREAS _ Upper - 2 miles of the intertidal zone. Good spawning riffles in this area, excellent in .1 
miles below high tide mark. 
GENERAL NOTES Enty by skiff on high tide most convenient. Stream large enough so that skiff can be taken 
down intertidal zone on falling tides. 
UPSTREAM 
LENGTH ACCESSIBLE 1.8 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 40!/12-16" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than 1° at 2-3' per second 
BOTTOM Gravel. Boulders and rock for short distance in lower stream. 
MARKER DISTANCE 1.5 miles (used for aerial survey). 
MARKER IDENTIFICATION Head of muskeg flats. Stream rises rapidly just beyond and is accessible for a 
short distance to salmon. 
BARRIERS Big Goat Lake Falls and rapids below. 
TRIBUTARIES 1. Small run-off tributary enters W. side 100 yards above high tide mark, falls 100 yards upstream. 
2. -3 miles upstream, S. side, 10-12' wide. 
SCHOOLING AREAS In pools above rapids near high tide and in lower muskeg flat stream area. 
SPAWNING AREAS 1. Riffles from high tide mark to rapids, .1 miles, excellent. 2. From rapids upstream to 
lower muskeg stream area. 3. .8 miles upstream in middle of muskeg stream area to upper limits of migration. 
GENERAL NOTES 
