Chilkat River
About
From the Chilkat Tlingit homeland, the Chilkat River runs 52 miles through the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to tidewater near Haines. At 1,400 CFS average with an optimal range of 500–4,000 CFS, this glacial system carries Class I–II water through three distinct fisheries managed by Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The upper 15 miles from Klukwan to the Tsirku confluence hold Dolly Varden and char. The middle 20 miles from the Tsirku to Chilkat Lake see sockeye runs in July. The lower 17 miles from the Haines Highway to the estuary draw silver salmon and the bald eagles that made this corridor famous — the preserve was established in 1982 to protect the late fall congregation. Chilkat River Adventures operates commercial trips on sections that flow through Tongass National Forest. USGS gauge 15056500 tracks the glacial melt and precipitation that drive flows in Haines Borough.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.