Alaganik Slough
Alaganik Slough
Description:
Alaganik Slough offers the visitor a rare opportunity to explore the wetlands of the Copper River Delta. A five-mile road leads visitors through a network of ponds and sloughs. This site features a 900-foot, wheelchair accessible boardwalk, restrooms, viewing shelters and picnic areas. The area provides a perfect laboratory to learn about the complex coastal wetlands of the Copper River Delta.
Viewing Information:
Any season is magical at Alaganik Slough, but wildlife is most abundant during spring and fall. The accessible boardwalk leads visitors to stunning views of both the expansive wetlands of the Copper River Delta and the surrounding mountains. Observant wildlife watchers may view a wide variety of wetland animals including trumpeter swans, moose, brown bear and shorebirds.
Bring binoculars or a spotting scope for best views -- and don't forget your camera!
Safety First:
The Copper River Delta is a wetland because it is wet! Be prepared for wet and chilly weather at any time of the year. There are no staffed facilities along the Copper River Highway. Visitors need to be prepared for any emergencies.
Also, anywhere on the Delta is bear country. Visitors should use good common "bear sense" when travelling away from the road system.
Directions:
Alaganik Slough is located at Mile 17 of the Copper River Highway.
Ownership & Management:
USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Cordova Ranger District (907) 424-7661
Closest Town:
Cordova, Alaska
Best Viewing Season:
Spring and fall
Birds
The bird life on the Copper River Delta is spectacular. Listed as one of the nation's best birdwatching sites, the delta is alive with a myriad of waterfowl and shorebirds. Over 235 species of birds have been recorded on the delta. Spring migration (mid-April to mid-May) is the best time to view a diversity of bird life on the delta. However, birdwatchers will see numerous breeding waterfowl throughout the summer.
The delta provides a unique opportunity to see several different Alaska birds that are found in large numbers or are found nowhere else.
Dusky Canada Goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis)
The "dusky" is a medium-sized, dark subspecies of the common Canada goose. Duskys breed only on the Copper River Delta and spend their winters in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. In the last 20 years, dusky populations have dropped from an all-time high of approximately 30,000 birds to approximately 10,000 today. Biologists have been studying dusky populations to develop management tools that can halt their further population decline.
Trumpeter Swan (Olor buccinator)
Over 7% of the world's population of trumpeter swans nest on the Copper River Delta. Throughout the summer, families of swans can be easily viewed from the Copper River Highway. At up to 40 pounds and with a 6-8 foot wingspan, trumpeters are one of the largest birds in the world. Once listed as a threatened species, trumpeter swans are recovering well. Approximately 7,000 - 8,000 trumpeter swans (80% of the world's population) nest in Alaska.
Trumpeter swans can be viewed throughout the year on the Copper River Delta. During fall and winter, a population of 100-150 hardy swans overwinter on Eyak Lake, just east of Cordova.
Fish
Alaganik Slough is a highway for salmon. During the right time of the year, large runs of Pacific salmon can be viewed (and caught!) in Alaganik Slough. Look for the following fish at these times:
- Eulachon (hooligan) - spring (run timing varies considerably from year to year)
- Sockeye (red) salmon - mid-June - mid-July
- Coho (silver) salmon - late August - November