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.
See also
★
List of Alaska rivers
External Links
★
Photos from the Nushagak River
★
Pebble Mine Photos and Information