Situk River
About
Wild steelhead hold in the upper reaches where the Situk flows out of Situk Lake through 21 miles of Tongass National Forest to the Gulf of Alaska. Averaging 600 CFS with an optimal range of 200–1500, this Yakutat City and Borough river runs mostly Class I water with occasional Class II drops through the middle section near Situk Bridge. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game designates it a Wild Steelhead Stream, and the lower estuary draws silver salmon on their fall runs. The Yakutat Tlingit have fished these waters since time immemorial, and the river corridor gained Tongass National Forest protection in 1980. Yakutat Lodge operates guided trips on the system, with road access available at the middle section bridge. USGS gauge 15129500 tracks flows that can swing dramatically with weather — at the high end of the range, the Class II sections push harder and require more technical boat handling.
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.