Nushagak River

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Nushagak River
Nushagak River

The Nushagak River is a river in southwest Alaska, at about 60°50' North 154° West. It begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest 450 km (280 miles) to Nushagak Bay, an inlet of Bristol Bay, east of Dillingham, Alaska.

Location of Ekwok, Alaska

The Mulchatna River is a major tributary. Other navigable tributaries include the Nuyakuk River and the King Salmon River. Jet-boats are commonly used to access these tributaries and the upper Nushagak. The Iowithla River and the Kokwok River are smaller tributaries.

The villages of Portage Creek, Ekwok, Koliganek and New Stuyahok are on the river. The town of Dillingham (Pop. 2,466) is on Nushagak Bay.

The Nushagak River is downstream of the proposed Pebble Mine, whose tailings storage lake would sit at the headwaters of the Koktuli River, one of the Nushagak's tributaries. Villages on the Nushagak are among the major opponents of the proposal

All five species of Pacific salmon (Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum and Pink) spawn in the river or its tributaries. Commercial, subsistence and sport fishing are important in the area. Most notable is the annual run of King (Chinook) Salmon which occurs from mid June to mid July. Rainbow trout, northern pike, grayling, burbot, whitefish and arctic char are also present in the Nushagak.

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Coordinates: 60°50′N 154°00′W / 60.833, -154

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