On the southwest coast of Kodiak Island, the world renowned Karluk River flows 21 miles from Karluk Lake through a wildflower-laced emerald green landscape framed by majestic snow-capped peaks. Emptying into Shelikof Strait, this pristine river returns more salmon per linear mile than any other on earth and is home to all five species of Pacific salmon. A third of the value of Kodiak's prodigious commercial salmon fishery comes from the Karluk runs.

The Karluk River is also the site of the highest density of Kodiak brown bears ever recorded, and offers outstanding habitat for the recovery of some species injured by the tragic Exxon Valdez oil spill.

While much of the land on Kodiak Island and the Karluk drainage is permanently protected, the lower eight miles of the Karluk are not, and are at high risk of development. ALC and its partners are working to conserve critical habitat along a three-mile stretch of the lower portion of this extraordinary river.

Project Activities

• Work in partnership with the Karluk Tribal Council, public agencies, conservation groups, and local stakeholders to negotiate protection of the Karluk River.
• Conduct all due diligence and secure funding.
• Complete conservation easement.

Benefits

• Conserves habitat for five species of native wild salmon, including Humpback, Sockeye, Coho, Chinook, and Chum
• Protects habitat for Dolly Varden, Arctic char, and the largest steelhead population on Kodiak Island
• Ensures salmon food source for large populations of Kodiak brown bears and marine mammals such as harbor seals
• Preserves resources in an area with more than 30 archeological sites, some of which are over 7,000 years old and include prehistoric fish weirs used by indigenous people
• Supports the Kodiak Archipelago Bear Conservation and Management Plan, and is endorsed by numerous government entities and conservation and sportsmen's groups