Little Susitna River

Infobox_River

river_name = Little Susitna River


image_size =
caption = (big &) Little Susitna River in Southcentral Alaska
origin = coord|61|51|31|N|149|03|48|W|region:US-AK_type:river_source:GNIS Mint Glacier on Montana Peak in Talkeetna Mountains
mouth = coord|61|15|03|N|150|17|17|W|region:US-AK_type:river_source:GNIS|display=inline,title Cook Inlet of Pacific Ocean
basin_countries = United States of America
length = convert|110|mi|km
elevation = Unit ft|1700|0
mouth_elevation = Unit ft|0|0
discharge = convert|206|cuft|m3 per second at mouth
watershed = convert|61.9|sqmi|km2

History

Local name published in 1898 by USC&GS.

Description

Little Susitna River heads at Mint Glacier on Montana Peak, in Talkeetna Mountains at coord|61|51|30|N|149|03|30|W|region:US-AK_type:river_source:GNIS, flows SW to Cook Inlet, convert|13|mi|km W of Anchorage, Alaska Cook Inlet Low. cite web
title =15290000 LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER NEAR PALMER
publisher = USGS
url = http://ak.water.usgs.gov/Publications/water-data/WY96/15290000.htm]

Location

(1334) Little Susitna River, convert|9|mi|km West of Point MacKenzie,is said to be navigable for landing craft and skiffs at high water for about convert|8|mi|km. cite web
title = Coast Pilot (R) Volume 9, Chapter 4, Pages: 124,224 - Susitna River nautical chart narrative
publisher = NOAA
url = http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/Cp9/CP9-25ed-Ch04_9.pdf
format = PDF]

(1335) Caution:the depths offshore and in the approach to Little Susitna River are subject to drastic and continual change.

The Little Susitna River is a river in Alaska. It originates in Hatcher Pass, at Unit ft|1700|0, in the Talkeetna Mountains which form the northern boundary of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. It flows a few dozen miles to the Cook Inlet. It contains a variety of hydrology ranging from flat water near the inlet to class 5 water in Hatcher Pass. It is bridged by Fishook Road in Hatcher Pass, Edgerton Parks Road, Welch Road, George Parks Highway, and Schrock Road. It flooded in 1972 and again in August 2006, causing minor damage to homes and infrastructure. Popular activities along the river include camping, fishing, wildlife viewing and photography, and hunting.

Access

The river begins in Hatcher Pass, a state recreation area that was origonaly opened by hard rock mining. This area still has active gold mines and is also open for recreational mining. Much of the land between Hatcher Pass and the George Parks Highway bridge is privately owned, while most of the land below the George Parks Highway Bridge is owned by the state. The George Parks Highway crosses the river at RM 69.5 and parallels the river for about a mile. 42 river miles down stream there is the Little Susitna Public Use Facility, which offers camping and boating access approximately convert|26|mi|km south of Wasilla. This campground/boat launch lies within the Susitna Flats State Game Refuge on the pristine Little Susitna River.

Fishing

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game operates a weir to count Coho salmon and Silver salmon in river. The Little Susitna River weir is located about one-half mile upstream of the George Parks Highway bridge. Salmon fishing is closed upstream of the George Parks Highway, so the weir counts indicate the number of fish getting past the sport fishery. The Little Susitna River provides a multitude of sport angling opportunities. King salmon, Silver salmon, Chum salmon, Red salmon, and Pink salmon are available, as well as some Dolly Varden and Rainbow trout. Several other less targeted species such as Arctic grayling, burbot, round whitefish and northern pike also call the Little Susitna River home.

References

External links

*cite web
title = Sport Fishing
publisher = State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game
url = http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/accessprogram/Programpage.cfm?type=1&region=2&projectid=3
*cite web
title = State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game
url = http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/
*cite web
title = 2007 Regulations
publisher = State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Sport Fisheries
url = http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/2007/southcentral/07SCknikarm.pdf
format = PDF
*cite web
title = GNIS Geographic Names Information System Query
publisher = USGS
url = http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq

*List of Alaska rivers