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Alaska waterways
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From: David Dapkus
Subject: Unalakleet River float trip, June 1973.
We floated the Unalakleet River in Western Alaska during the week of June 4-8,
1973. River trip participants were:
David Dapkus - BOR, Team Leader
John Nye - BLM, Anchorage State Office
Dave Scot -t BLM, Nome
Tom Young - Alaska State Highway Dept., Nome
Vernon Kutzeg - Bering Straits Reg. Corp., Nome
John Nye and I left Merrill Field, June 4, via BLM Aero Commander for the
village of Unalakleet, which lies at the mouth of the Unalakleet at Norton
Sound. We over flew the river extensively on our way into the village. Upon
arrival we contacted the native (Eskimo) guide John Ivanoff who was to take us
up the river and made final arrangements. Later that afternoon we met with the
remainder of our team who had chartered a plane from Nome.
On the morning of June 5, our team started up river via two 18-foot riverboats.
The first 10 river miles were tundra lined but quickly gave way to a mixture of
willows and spruce. The river was high, tea colored, and fast due to the last
bit of winter snow melt. Great amounts and varieties of waterfowl were
encountered. We camped on a small gravel bar about 5 miles below the confluence
of Old Woman River the first night.
The second day was a repeat of the first. Jet units were attached to the motors
in place of props because of the shallow water. Evidence of large numbers of
moose in the area was noted by the over browsing of riverbank willows. We went
upstream to near Tenmile River before turning back to camp near Old Woman
Mountain that night; we had gone approximately 75 of the total 90 miles of the
Unalakleet River. We went about 3 miles up Old Woman River that afternoon to
camp and climb the mountain. The Kaltag trail was found.
Weather had been nice until the morning of June 7 found two inches of fresh snow
on our tents and still falling. The snow quit about 10 a.m. and the day stayed
cloudy and cool. Much more waterfowl was observed on the return to the village
that day. We arrived at the village about 10 p.m.
Vernon Kutzeg arranged for me and John Nye to meet the villagers at the school
at 11 a.m. June 8. The meeting was informal and friendly. I explained our study
and asked their feelings about it and their desires for the river. The villagers
were of one firm voice, against the Wild River.
Complete River Log
Unalakleet River [246 kb]
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