111-30 HATCHERY CREEK K 54-1 
N56°00.1 W131°50.1 Previous No. 50A 
KETCHIKAN, BEHM CANAL, YES BAY, LAKE McDONALD 
MAJOR SPECIES Red, pink OTHER SPECIES Coho, chum, trout 
ESCAPEMENT TIMING Middle. Aug. -Sep. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE _ >100,000 
SPAWNING FACILITIES Excellent. The stream delta and river section by the old hatchery are used extensively 
by all species. 
STREAM TEMPERATURES Normal range. Observed temperatures: 59°F., 8/12/48 when Yes River temperature 
was 65°F. 
VALLEY DESCRIPTION Glacial origin lake system. Timbered valley floor with high, steep valley walls. 
Bare rock ridges along E. side of valley. Over six lakes and numerous ponds are in the upper valley. 
DRAINAGE 14 square miles (Polar Planimeter). Snowfields drain into the upper lakes until late summer. The water 
is clear except during floods when run-off from muskeg areas colors the water. 
STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION Old hatchery buildings lie W. of the extensive sand and gravel delta. 
TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES Stream mouth is easily accessible by seaplane. The Forest Service has 
maintained a cedar skiff at the outlet of McDonald Lake which may be used with a small outboard brought in 
over the Forest Service trail (see K 54, Trails and Survey Routes). Hatchery Creek is easily walked during normal 
water levels. 
AERIAL SURVEY NOTES Excellent aerial visibility in lower stream. Clear water and light colored bottom aid 
in contrast for observing salmon. 
INTERTIDAL ZONE 
Hatchery Creek is tributary to Lake McDonald. 
UPSTREAM 
LENGTH ACCESSIBLE 1.1 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH  100-150'/18-36" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than 1° at 2! per second 
BOTTOM Sand, gravel 1" to 4", some larger gravel upstream. 
MARKER DISTANCE 1.1 miles. 
MARKER IDENTIFICATION Barrier falls. 
BARRIERS Falls 1.1 miles upstream block all salmon migration. 
TRIBUTARIES Tributary enters from W. 1 mile upstream and is accessible to salmon for . 1 miles. 
SCHOOLING AREAS 1. Mouth of the stream. 2. Pools from .4 miles to falls. 
SPAWNING AREAS 1. Delta. 2. First .4 miles of broad spawning riffles. 3. Riffles above to below falls. 
4. Extensive gravel area in old outdoor hatchery ponds which is a split from the main stream. 
GENERAL NOTES Hatchery Creek was first named during the operation of the Yes Bay hatchery. In recent years, 
it has been known as Walker Creek. 
ESCAPEMENT RECORD 
[Counts made by ground surveys are designated by G. Aerial surveys by A] 
SURVEYED PINK CHUM OTHER SPECIES REMARKS 
Date Miles By Live Dead Live Dead Live Adjective Rating 
1947 
Sep 24 Geo) ERE 250 8,000 red Good 
1948 
Aug 12 Geo ERT 2,500 
1953 
June 11 A .O FWS No fish present, no jumps noted 
Aug 3 A .8 FWS Blank. No jumps at mouth 
Aug 18 G .8 ADF 1,050 4 400 red 
Sep 2 Ai1.0 FWS 16,000 red, incl. at mouth. Fair for red. No old fish noted 
Sep 17 A 28 FRE 11,000 red, 2,500 dead red. 2,000 at mouth 
1954 
Sep 17 G .8 ADF 12,000 red 2,500 off mouth. Spawning past peak. 
Large number dead 
1956 
Sep 23 A .8 FRI 20, 000 20, 000 Some dead chum 
