The Nushagak River / ˈ n uː ʃ ɪ ɡ æ k / ( Central Yupik : Iilgayaq ) is a river in southwest Alaska , United States. It begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest 450 km (280 mi) to Nushagak Bay, an inlet of Bristol Bay , east of Dillingham, Alaska .
6-546: The Nuyakuk River is a 36-mile (58 km) tributary of the Nushagak River in southwestern Alaska , United States. From its source at Tikchik Lake, an extension of Nuyakuk Lake in Wood-Tikchik State Park , it flows eastward into the larger river upstream of Koliganek . The Nuyakuk's mouth is 65 miles (105 km) northeast of Dillingham . Many kinds of watercraft can be used for boating on
12-592: The Kokwok River are smaller tributaries. The villages of Portage Creek , Ekwok , Koliganek and New Stuyahok are on the river. The town of Dillingham (Pop. 2,466) is on Nushagak Bay . The Nushagak River is downstream of the proposed Pebble Mine , whose tailings storage lake would sit at the headwaters of the Koktuli River , one of the Nushagak's tributaries. Villages on the Nushagak are among
18-540: The Nuyakuk. The Alaska River Guide describes the stream as "an excellent river for families or novices, with experience in portaging...especially those who enjoy fishing." The segments of the Nuyakuk that require portages occur along the upper 7 miles (11 km) of the stream below Tikchik Lake. Two sections of Class II (medium) water on the International Scale of River Difficulty are along this part of
24-424: The major opponents of the proposal . Five species of Pacific salmon ( Chinook , coho , sockeye , chum , and pink ) spawn in the river or its tributaries. Commercial, subsistence and sport fishing are important in the area. Most notable is the annual run of king (Chinook) salmon which occurs from mid-June to mid-July. Rainbow trout, northern pike, grayling, burbot, whitefish and Arctic char are also present in
30-571: The river by floatplane or boat; accommodations include a private lodge along the upper river. There are good campsites except along the lower river near the mouth. Nushagak River The Mulchatna River is a major tributary. Other navigable tributaries include the Nuyakuk River and the King Salmon River . Jet-boats are commonly used to access these tributaries and the upper Nushagak. The Wood River , Iowithla River and
36-410: The river. Below this, the river plunges over a 0.5-mile (0.8 km) series of ledges in a sequence rated Class IV (very difficult) to V (extremely difficult). Beyond these rapids and ledges, the river is Class I (easy) all the way to the mouth. Game fish inhabiting the Nuyakuk include rainbow trout , char , Arctic grayling , silver salmon , king salmon , and lake trout . Anglers generally reach
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