ALASKA SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN 1900. 
199 
long. From 3 to feet can be carried up the river at low water for a distance of 
15 miles, and thence to the lake not more than feet, though at high water 4 feet 
can be carried this distance. Local knowledge is required in its navigation at all 
stages of the tide, to avoid the numerous shoals and bars. The channel crosses and 
recrosses the river, and while the best water can usually be found on the outer 
course of the bends, this is not always the case. 
Fifteen miles from the mouth there is a rise of tide, on the springs, of about 12 
feet, at which point it is either slack or ebb current for about nine - hours on each full 
tide, and at the lake entrance it rises about H feet, but, from the size of the lake, 
there can be no material change in its water level due to tidal influence. 
A current of about 3 knots sets out of the lake at all times and a continuous set 
of not less than 2 knots down the upper course. The flood current reaches a point 
about 18 miles from the mouth. 
The head of the river flows from a shallow basin, about a mile in diameter and 
1 to 2 fathoms deep, with a sandy and gravelly bottom, and at the head of this basin 
is a passage, several hundred yards in width, marked by low gravel tongues making 
out from either side, which opens upon the lake proper. 
The lake is about 24 miles long, the general direction being northwest by west, 
and has an average width of about 2 miles. 
Generally speaking, the shores are mountainous, the estimated heights ranging 
from 500 to 2,500 feet, those on the north, where a long flat-topped ridge parallels 
the shore for a distance of at least 10 miles, being the highest. The southern shore 
for the first 3 or 4 miles is low and rolling, with alternate open flats and woods run- 
ning back several miles to the mountains. From the middle of the southern shore a 
narrow peninsula, about 6 miles long and 500 feet high, with a rise of 700 to 800 feet 
at each end, parallels the general axis of the lake and forms a deep narrow bay about 
three-quarters of a mile wide. The country generally is well wooded, though the 
mountain tops are bare. 
There are many islands in the lake scattered throughout its length, mostly along 
the northern shore and extending to within 6 miles of the head. The large ones are 
well wooded, and, along the northern side, blend with the mainland, making them 
difficult to distinguish when seen from a point along the middle line of the lake. 
Along the center line the water appears deep; soundings were obtained in from 
9 to 35 fathoms, but between some of the islands gravel bars with less than 2 feet 
obstructed the passage. 
The water is clear; the bottom, when visible, is gravelly with small bowlders, 
but clean and free from grass. Gravel banks are found along the main and island 
shores, even bordering the rocky outcrops. 
The main feeder is on the northern shore about 6 miles from the head; it is 
about 50 yards wide at the mouth, and 3 or 4 feet deep, and flows from the north- 
ward. It is said this stream is the outlet to two more lakes. At the head of the 
lake entering from the westward is a small feeder which is about 20 yards wide at 
the mouth and 3 feet deep. The other feeders indicated on the sketch were not 
visited for want of time; they were simply reported to exist, and are said to be 
small. Apparently the feeders flow through valleys of gentle declivity, as no falls 
or strong rapids were noticed, nor were any cascades seen in the mountains. 
