Taku River
About
From the British Columbia border, the Taku River drops 54 miles through the Tongass National Forest to reach tidewater near Juneau, carrying an average of 16,000 CFS through Class II-III water. T'aakú Ḵwáan Tlingit people have called this transboundary watershed home since long before contact. The river runs optimal between 3,000 and 20,000 CFS, though at glacial headwaters it can push far beyond those marks during breakup and heavy rains. Jet boats reach Canyon Island roughly 15 miles upriver from the mouth, while the Taku Lodge stretch covers 20 miles of prime king and sockeye salmon water. Alaska Department of Fish and Game manages both commercial and sport fisheries along the run. The 2015 Tulsequah Chief Mine controversy highlighted the challenges of managing water quality across international boundaries — mine tailings from the abandoned British Columbia operation continue to impact the watershed decades after closure.
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.