A Magnificent Bird

Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

The preserve was established to protect and perpetuate the world’s largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their critical habitat.

Renting a car we drove out the Haines Highway. 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.
How many times have you thought “Right place, wrong time!” The area was incredible but not an eagle in sight. The natural phenomena responsible for five miles of open water on the Chilkat River during freezing months is called an "alluvial fan reservoir". Remember that term alluvial from Science class?? Can you say it quickly three times???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 from 10 to 20 degrees (F) above surrounding water temperatures. This warmer water keeps it from freezing.