102-21 PORTAGE CREEK Ki. 
N55°49.4 W131°04.7 (SWEDISH MEADOWS) Previous No. 77 
KETCHIKAN, BEHM CANAL, PORTAGE COVE, opposite Chickamin River 
MAJOR SPECIES Pink OTHER SPECIES Chum, coho, king, trout 
ESCAPEMENT TIMING Early. July-Aug. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE »>20,000 
SPAWNING FACILITIES Excellent throughout entire stream. Extensive spawning in upper intertidal zone around 
first major tributary from hanging walley on S. side. First tributary valley on S. above high tide has excellent 
facilities for pink salmon. Main river above to barrier falls used by chum and king salmon. 
STREAM TEMPERATURES Coldrange. Observed temperatures: 44-45°F., 1949; 43-55°F., 1950; 48-57°F., 
1951; 50-58°F., 1952; 46-54°F., 1953. 
VALLEY DESCRIPTION Glacial. The broad lower valley extends upstream to a number of tributary valleys with 
the two farthest having their headwaters 11 and 12 miles from the mouth. The valley walls are steep, glaciated 
rock. Numerous hanging valleys. The headwater ridges are steep and bare rock, dividing the Carroll River system 
from Portage Creek. 
DRAINAGE 47 square miles (Polar Planimeter). Snowfields in the headwater cirques persist into late summer. Some 
muskeg areas are scattered throughout the valley, though the water is clear. One small cirque lake drains into the 
first major tributary below high tide from the hanging valley on the S. 
STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION Portage cove is directly opposite the Chickamin River. A long sand 
beach extends along the N. shore at the entrance to the cove. A narrow passage into Swedish Meadows is just 
S. of a small creek at the head of the cove. The extensive meadows (grassflats) above the narrow passage easily 
identify the stream. 
ANCHORAGE A very small basin suitable for semi-sheltered anchorage for small vessels is just inside the S. point 
at the entrance to the cove. Caution is advised since glacial water allows no visibility and the entrance to the 
cove is bare at low tide from the basin to the N. shore. 
TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES A river skiff can be taken upstream to the first main tributary above high 
tide on normal or higher water levels. Entry should be by skiff at mid-tide or higher. 
AERIAL SURVEY NOTES Excellent aerial visibility. Upper valley adequate for light plane maneuvering, 
difficult for heavier aircraft. Pass to Carroll River and inlet over high divide at head of N. valley. Gusty during 
southerly winds. 
INTERTIDAL ZONE 
LENGTH 3 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 90-150'/12-18" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than .5° at 1-2! per second 
BOTTOM Sand throughout lower intertidal, good gravel in upper. 
LOW TIDE LOCATION  .4 miles below the intertidal constriction. 
HIGH TIDE LOCATION .2 miles above the first major tributary. The bottom of the riffle at the point where the 
stream approaches the N. side of the valley marks high tide. A beaver pond area just below the point on the S. 
bank further identifies the mark. 
SCHOOLING AREAS Schools are found just above the intertidal constriction, with scattered pools from mid-tide 
up, and the heaviest concentrations are usually found in the vicinity of the first tributary on the S. 
SPAWNING AREAS All riffles in the upper .5 miles are used by spawning salmon, with heaviest spawning con- 
centrations observed around the tributary point of entry. Spawning densities ranging from 1. 2 to 1.5 square 
yards per salmon were observed Aug. 20, 1950. 
GENERAL NOTES The intertidal grassflats are exceptionally scenic and are well-known for the flocks of 
migratory birds found there in the spring and fall. 
UPSTREAM 
LENGTH ACCESSIBLE 2 miles (main stream). AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 60-100'/12-18" 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES 1° at 2! per second 
BOTTOM Some silt, sand, excellent gravels, larger rock and boulders near falls. 
MARKER DISTANCE 1.7 miles 
MARKER IDENTIFICATION At the forks of the main valley. A lorge tributary enters from the §. The main 
stream continues to the barrier falls . 3 miles. 
BARRIERS Falls .3 miles above terminal on main stream well over 50' in height and impassable to salmon. 
TRIBUTARIES S. bank intertidal tributary accessible . 1 miles to cascades and falls from hanging valley. S. 
tributary at marker accessible for 1 mile, snowfield drainage. 
SCHOOLING AREAS Several large pools between high tide and marker. Schooling pools below marker have been 
observed with numerous salmon that probably spawn above the marker. 
SPAWNING AREAS Riffles at the lower end of all pools are used. Heaviest spawning riffle observed above high tide 
mark is .3 miles below the marker. The tributary at the terminal marker is an excellent pink spawning stream. The 
main stream above the marker is used by chum and king salmon. 
GENERAL NOTES This stream has some of the smallest pink salmon measured in Southeastern Alaska. They are 
outstanding in contrast with the large size of the majority of the population. 
