Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
(Southeast Alaska)
(Printer
version Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve)
The Preserve
The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve was created by the State of Alaska in
June of 1982. The preserve was established to protect and perpetuate the world’s
largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their critical habitat. It also
sustains and protects the natural salmon runs and allows for traditional uses
provided such uses do not adversely affect preserve resources. The Preserve
consists of 48,000 acres of river bottom land of the Chilkat, Kleheni, and
Tsirku Rivers. The boundaries were designated to include only areas important to
eagle habitation. Virtually every portion of the preserve is used by eagles at
some time during the year.
The river "flats" of the Chilkat River along the Haines Highway between miles 18
and 24 are the main viewing area for eagle watchers and considered critical
habitat in the preserve. Bald eagles are attracted to the area by the
availability of spawned-out salmon and open waters in late fall and winter.
The natural phenomena responsible for five miles of open water on the Chilkat
River during freezing months is called an "alluvial fan reservoir". The Tsirku
fan, which is a fan-shaped accumulation of gravel, rock, sand, and glacial
debris, at the confluence of the Tsirku, Kleheni, and Chilkat Rivers acts as a
large water reservoir.
During the warmer spring, summer and early fall seasons, water from snow and
melted glacial ice flows into the alluvial fan. The fan receives water faster
than it can flow out, creating a huge reservoir of water. When winter arrives,
cold weather sets in and surrounding waters freeze. However, water in this large
reservoir remains form 10 to 20 degrees (F) above surrounding water
temperatures. This warmer water "percolates" into the Chilkat River and keeps it
from freezing.
Five species of salmon spawn in these and other nearby streams and tributaries.
The salmon runs begin in the summer and continue on through late fall or early
winter. The salmon die shortly after spawning and it is their carcasses which
provide large quantities of food for the eagles. This combination of open water
and large amounts of food bring large concentrations of eagles into the Chilkat
Valley beginning by early October and lasting through February.
Haliaeetus leucocephalus - The Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is found only on the North American continent. Adult eagles
generally weigh between nine and twelve pounds and have a wing span of seven
feet. Females are slightly larger than males. Immature eagles are mottled brown
and white. The distinct white head and tail of the mature bird is developed
between four and six years of age.
Eagles feed mainly on fish, but water fowl, small mammals and carrion supplement
their diet, especially when fish are in short supply. Eagles can fly up to 30
mph and can dive at speeds up to 100 mph. Their keen eyesight allows them to
spot fish at distances of up to one mile.
Bald eagles mate for life. Courting behavior begins in early April and often
involves spectacular aerial displays of eagles diving and locking talons. Eagles
lay from one to three eggs, commonly two. The eggs usually hatch between late
May and early June after a 34-35 day incubation period. The young usually leave
the nest by early September.
The Chilkat Valley is year-round home for between 200 and 400 eagles. Over 80
eagle nests have been observed in the Eagle Preserve. By the time of the Fall
Congregations, the resident eagles are through raising their young, although
immature eagles may stay near their parents for a year or more. Over 3,000 bald
eagles have been counted within the preserve during the Fall Congregation
(October through February).
Source: Alaska State Parks.
For more information on Alaska State Parks, visit the Alaska State Parks web site.
Alaska
National Parks
Denali National Park,
Kenai Fjords National Park,
Lake Clark National Park,
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Alaska State
Parks by Region
Anchorage,
Interior Alaska,
Kenai Peninsula,
Kodiak,
Mat-Su
Valley,
Prince William Sound,
Southeast Alaska,
Southwest Alaska
Alaska State Parks by Name
Anchor River State Recreation Area and Stariski SRS,
Birch Lake
State Recreation Site,
Caines Head State Recreation Area and Resurrection Bay State Marine Parks,
Captain
Cook State Recreation Area,
Chena
River State Recreation Area,
Chena
River State Recreation Site,
Chilkat Bald
Eagle Preserve,
Chugach State Park,
Clam Gulch
State Recreation Area,
Deep Creek
State Recreation Area,
Delta
Junction Area State Parks,
Denali State Park,
Haines Area State
Parks,
Harding
Lake State Recreation Area,
Independence Mine State Historical Park,
Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park,
Kasilof Area State
Parks,
Kenai
River Special Management Area,
Kodiak Area State
Parks,
Nancy Lake State Recreation Area,
Ninilchik
State Recreation Area,
Point Bridget
State Park,
Salcha
River State Recreation Site,
Sitka Area State Parks,
State Marine Parks in Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay,
Summit Lake
State Recreation Site, Tok
Area Parks,
Totem Bight
State Historical Park,
Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site,
Wickersham State Historic Site,
Wood-Tikchik
State Park
