101-24 RUDYERD RIVER K 41 
N55°39.4 W130°38.7 Previous No. 36 
KETCHIKAN, BEHM CANAL, RUDYERD BAY, Head of N. arm 
MAJOR SPECIES Pink OTHER SPECIES Chum, coho, king 
ESCAPEMENT TIMING Middle. Aug. -Sep. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE  10-30,000 
SPAWNING FACILITIES Excellent, though limited to occasional riffles in lower stream and several large riffles 
upstream. 
STREAM TEMPERATURES Normal range. Has varied in some years to upper cold range. Observed ranges: 
46-49°F., 1949; 48-53°F., 1950; 48-53°F., 1951; 47-51°F., 1952; 51-53°F., 1953. 
VALLEY DESCRIPTION Glacial. U-shaped valley, high rock cliffs, steepest along S. side of valley. Glacial 
till valley floor, spruce, alder and brush. Hanging valleys throughout system. Main valley divided above ancient 
ice-falls, marked by narrow gorge and impassable falls. E. upper valley leads to divide. N. valley leads to lake 
with several cirque valleys above . 
DRAINAGE Greater than 120 square miles (estimated). Snowfields, several small glaciers, two large lakes and a 
few high, small lakes. Drains high mountain area over 5,000' elevation. 
STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION Large silt delta to N. of high cliff at head. Grass flats in upper inter- 
tidal. Main stream flows along S. side of delta. Largest stream in Rudyerd Bay. 
ANCHORAGE Along drop-off. During warm days, anchorage near center of drop-off affords some breeze. 
TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES Not surveyed on foot for any distance. River skiff and protected outboard 
motor are necessary to reach terminal. River is navigable during all levels, though low water makes some 
portage (pulling) over shallow riffles necessary. 
AERIAL SURVEY NOTES Aerial visibility excellent. Wide valley and easily followed stream course make 
aerial survey very effective. N. valley above terminal is pass to head of Walker Cove, passing over large barren 
lake and down valley at S. head of Walker Cove. 
INTERTIDAL ZONE 
LENGTH 1.2 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 80-100'/ 24-36" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than 1° at 2! per second 
BOTTOM Silt, sand and gravel. 
HIGH TIDE LOCATION Pool at bend toward N. above upper grass flats. Large boulder in middle of pool was 
marked with red paint. Tributary enters S. side of river just above on riffle. 
SCHOOLING AREAS 1. Pool, .2 miles long, bounded by upper grass flat on S. side and timber on N. side. 
2. Long, deep pool at high tide mark. 
SPAWNING AREAS Limited to a short riffle below the first schooling area, in shallows in upper part of first 
schooling area and in good riffle between there and pool at high tide mark. 
GENERAL NOTES A herd of seal are usually found on the sand bars of the lower intertidal zone, appears to be 
a rookery area. A small snow patch at the foot of the cliff S. of the intertidal zone usually persists into Aug. and 
is available for ice. 
UPSTREAM 
LENGTH ACCESSIBLE 3 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH /70-80'/24-36" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than 1° at 1-3' per second 
BOTTOM Sand, gravel, scattered boulders, small rocks in upper stream. 
MARKER DISTANCE 3 miles. 
MARKER IDENTIFICATION Below falls area, both sides have blazed trees and aluminum markers. 
BARRIERS Series of rapids below series of falls in the gorge block all species of fish. 
TRIBUTARIES 1. Small tributary, .2 miles accessible, enters river S. side just above high tide mark. 2. At 1.2 
mile mark, N. side, small. 3. Largest tributary accessible to salmon at 2 mile mark, S. side. 
SCHOOLING AREAS First .5 miles above high tide mark is primary stream area. Upstream schooling in deep 
pools between 1. 2 and 2 mile marks. 
SPAWNING AREAS Main spawning areas from 1.4 mile mark to 2.5 mile mark on all riffles. 
GENERAL NOTES Timing of pink salmon runs usually middle, though early peaks have been observed. A late 
chum run occurs occasionally. Red salmon in small numbers are seen at times, though no lakes are accessible. 
