LG1521 GRACE CREEK K 75 
N55°39.4 W130°58.7 Previous No. 75 
KETCHIKAN, BEHM CANAL, W. shore 1.5 miles S. of Snip Point 
MAJOR SPECIES Pink OTHER SPECIES Chun, trout 
ESCAPEMENT TIMING Middle. Aug. -Sep. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE >10,000 
SPAWNING FACILITIES _ Excellent. Good intertidal facilities and excellent upstream riffle areas, though limited 
by the short stream length accessible to salmon. It has been a relatively consistent producer of salmon. 
STREAM TEMPERATURES Normal range. Observed temperatures: 48-53.5°F., 1949; 50-65°F., 1950; 
59°F., 1951; 58-67°F., 1952; 54-60°F., 1953. 
VALLEY DESCRIPTION The stream valley accessible to salmon is comparatively steep. The stream cut outlet 
valley from Lake Grace runs through a canyon for over 1 mile with rapids and falls along the cliffs. The lower 
stream valley is wooded and brushy. Lake Grace is of glacial origin and is 1,700 acres, 425' elevation, with 
bare rock ridges. 
DRAINAGE 53 square miles (Polar Planimeter). A ten year discharge average was 400 cubic feet (Water Power). 
Precipitation fed with early snowfields in the upper drainage. 
STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION A constriction in the mid-intertidal zone separates the delta from the 
upper intertidal grassflats. A Forest Service trail leads to Lake Grace along the N. bank. Trail marker at the mouth. 
ANCHORAGE Off the delta .5 miles from the constricted intertidal section in exposed anchorage. A dolphin was 
at the drop-off in the stream mouth. 
TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES River skiff can be taken to the high tide mark and walking is easy during 
normal water levels. 
AERIAL SURVEY NOTES Aerial observation of salmon is fairly difficult without knowledge of the stream from 
ground observation. Intertidal visibility is good. Approach upper stream along N. side of the valley and turn on 
to stream just above the sharp bend to the S. 
INTERTIDAL ZONE 
LENGTH .6 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 40-60'/12-18" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES 2-3° at 2-3' per second. 
BOTTOM Sand, clay in lower section, shale and gravel. 
LOW TIDE LOCATION Just inside S. point of the cove. 
HIGH TIDE LOCATION At the head of the grassflat on the N. bank. A blazed tree locates the mark. 
SCHOOLING AREAS Deep pools at the constriction in mid-intertidal, long pool at the bend below high tide. 
SPAWNING AREAS _ Good facilities from mid-tide to high tide separated only by the schooling pool in the bend 
below high tide. A small tributary stream entering from the N. W. intertidal area has limited spawning also. 
GENERAL NOTES The intertidal area has been observed with large numbers of dead, spawned-out salmon after 
the peak of spawning. The dead apparently collect in the lower pools during normal and low water levels. 
UPSTREAM 
LENGTH ACCESSIBLE .7 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 40-50'/12-24" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES 3° at 2-4' per second 
BOTTOM Sand, shale and gravel, some bedrock and scattered boulders. 
MARKER DISTANCE .5 miles. 
MARKER IDENTIFICATION Middle of straight rapids section just above sharp bend toward S. A small tributary 
enters from the N. W. at the pool in the bend. 
BARRIERS A small falls in the canyon is impassable to salmon. 
TRIBUTARIES Small tributary at sharp bend to S. is not important for spawning. A flood channel enters on the 
S. .2 miles above high tide and is used by spawning salmon. 
SCHOOLING AREAS The deep sections of the riffle areas are used by schooling salmon. A deep hole at the 
bend below the marker is used. 
SPAWNING AREAS Most spawning occurs in the first .3 miles of upstream. The long riffle area above high tide 
(a cable car station is at the mid-section) has been observed with the heaviest concentration. 
GENERAL NOTES Grace Creek is a very productive salmon stream for its size. During recent years of low 
relative abundance, its production has been better than other streams in Behm Canal. 
