Historical Fish Count Archive
Explore the earliest fish count data from Alaska's first scientific monitoring stations. Discover 70+ years of historical salmon counts from the birth of fisheries science.
📍 Explore Historical Locations
Click on any location to explore detailed fish count data, charts, and historical context from Alaska's earliest monitoring stations.
Karluk River
Kodiak Island • 1882-1952
Litnik Weir
Afognak Island • 1921-ongoing
Ayakulik River
Kodiak Island • 1929-1969
Klawock Weir
Prince of Wales Island • 1930-ongoing
Upper Station
Olga Creek • 1929-1969
Situk River
Yakutat • 1929-ongoing
Historical Context: The First Fish Counting Weirs
This archive contains pre-1953 fish count data from the earliest days of Alaska's commercial fishing industry. The data represents a revolutionary period when Alaska transitioned from pure commercial fishing to scientific monitoring with the establishment of the first fish counting weirs.
🏗️ Weir Construction Timeline
- 1921 Karluk River Weir: First built at mouth of Karluk River, operated annually through 1941
- 1921 Litnik Weir: Constructed on Afognak River, Afognak Island
- 1929 Ayakulik River Weir: Built at outlet of Red Lake, operated until 1969
- 1929 Upper Station Weir: Located on Olga Creek, operated until 1969
- 1930 Klawock Weir: Constructed on Klawock Creek, Prince of Wales Island
🎯 Historical Significance
- First Accurate Counts: Replaced guesswork with scientific data collection
- Federal Operation: Annual monitoring by federal agents established
- Scientific Foundation: Laid groundwork for modern ADF&G monitoring
- Commercial Transition: Shift from pure fishing to sustainable management
Kodiak Area Weir Operations
Karluk River Weir (1921-1941)
- • Primary Research Site: Bureau of Fisheries' flagship research program
- • Annual Operation: Continuous monitoring through 1941
- • Purpose: Accurate counts + biological data collection
- • Location: Mouth of Karluk River, Kodiak Island
Litnik Weir (1921-ongoing)
- • Location: Afognak River, Afognak Island
- • Operation: Intermittent counts in following decades
- • Status: Still operational today
- • Focus: Sockeye and pink salmon monitoring
Ayakulik River Weir (1929-1969)
- • Location: Outlet of Red Lake, Kodiak Island
- • Operation: 40 years of continuous monitoring
- • Focus: Red Lake sockeye salmon system
- • Significance: Longest-running early weir operation
Upper Station Weir (1929-1969)
- • Location: Olga Creek, Kodiak Island
- • Operation: 40 years of continuous monitoring
- • Focus: Upper watershed salmon monitoring
- • Partnership: Operated alongside Ayakulik weir
Earliest Records
First documented fish counts in Alaska, marking the beginning of systematic monitoring
Weir Revolution
First fish counting weirs built, establishing scientific monitoring foundation
Modern Era
ADF&G officially established, beginning systematic statewide monitoring
📍 Location-Species Archive Overview
📅 Time Period
- Earliest Record: 1882 (141 years ago)
- Latest Pre-1953: 1949
- Total Years: 68 years of data
- Modern Era Start: 1953 (ADF&G official monitoring)
🐟 Current Archive Location
- Location: Karluk River (Location ID: 24)
- Species: Sockeye Salmon (Species ID: 420)
- Region: Kodiak Island
- Data Type: Historical fish counts
📍 Archive Locations Map
📊 Archive Status
This archive now features multiple pre-1950 monitoring locations organized by accordion sections. Karluk River Sockeye data (1882-1952) is fully integrated with interactive charts, while other locations are ready for data integration as historical records become available.
📚 Archive Pages Index
Complete index of all historical archive location pages. Each page contains detailed historical data, interactive charts, timelines, and comprehensive source documentation.
Karluk River
Kodiak Island, Alaska
Litnik Weir
Afognak River, Kodiak Island
Ayakulik River
Kodiak Island, Alaska
Upper Station
Kodiak Island, Alaska
Situk River
Yakutat, Alaska
Klawock River
Prince of Wales Island, Alaska
Archive Summary
Karluk River Sockeye Salmon
Kodiak Island • 1882-1952 • 71 years of data
Interactive chart showing historical fish counts spanning the transition from commercial fishing to scientific monitoring. Key milestone: 1921-1941 Karluk River Weir operations provided the first accurate escapement counts. Data is sorted chronologically from 1882 to 1952 for proper historical analysis. Use the timeline controls to explore different historical eras.
📊 Real Archival Data: This chart displays actual historical fish count data loaded from local archival files (1882-1952). The data comes from historical canning industry records and early weir operations stored in the GitHub repository.
Loading historical data...
📊 Chart Elements
Data Source: Karluk River Red Salmon: Catch, 1882-1952 — ADF&G Fish Counts | National Archives ID 312419233
📊 Complete Dataset: All 71 Years (1882-1952)
Raw fish count data for Karluk River Sockeye Salmon. All values represent annual totals in individual fish.
| Year | Fish Count |
|---|---|
📋 Table Information
Format: Single-column layout showing all data chronologically (Year | Fish Count)
Data: Annual total fish counts from historical records and weir operations
Source: GitHub repository: alaskafishcounts/adfg-dataset
Note: Data is displayed in chronological order from 1882 to 1952. Empty cells indicate years beyond the dataset range.
📝 Historical Notes
The Karluk River pre-1953 fish count data represents some of the earliest systematic monitoring of Alaska's salmon populations.
The Karluk River pre-1953 fish count data represents some of the earliest systematic monitoring of Alaska's salmon populations. These records provide valuable insights into historical fishing patterns, environmental conditions, and the evolution of fisheries management in Alaska, particularly in the Kodiak Island region.
Data Collection Methods: Early records were often collected using basic counting methods, including visual observations, simple weirs, and manual tallies. The accuracy and consistency of these early records may vary compared to modern monitoring systems, but they provide crucial baseline data.
Historical Context: This period covers significant historical events including the Alaska Gold Rush, World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. These events may have influenced fishing patterns, monitoring capabilities, and data collection priorities in the Karluk River area.
Location Significance: Karluk River was chosen for early monitoring due to its importance as a major salmon-producing system and its accessibility for early researchers and fisheries managers.
Weir Operations: The establishment of fish counting weirs in 1921 marked a revolutionary shift from commercial catch estimates to scientific escapement monitoring. This transition provided the foundation for modern fisheries management practices.
Kodiak Area Significance: The Kodiak Island region became the epicenter of early fisheries research with four major weirs operating between 1921-1969. The Karluk River Weir served as the Bureau of Fisheries' flagship research program, while the Ayakulik and Upper Station weirs provided 40 years of continuous monitoring data. The Litnik Weir on Afognak Island remains operational today, demonstrating the lasting legacy of these early monitoring efforts.
Modern Relevance: Understanding historical patterns helps inform current fisheries management decisions and provides baseline data for long-term trend analysis and climate change research in the Kodiak region.
⚠️ No Historical Data Available
The archive page was unable to load historical fish count data from the public GitHub repository.
🔍 What This Means:
- No Fallback Data: This page only displays real historical data from the public repository
- Repository Issue: The data files may not be available at the expected GitHub URLs
- Network Problem: There may be a connection issue to the GitHub repository
- Data Not Uploaded: The historical data may not have been pushed to the public repository yet
📚 Expected Data Source:
Repository: https://github.com/alaskafishcounts/adfg-dataset
Path: /24/420/ (Location 24: Karluk River, Species 420: Sockeye Salmon)
Files: 1882-karluk-river-sockeye.json through 1952-karluk-river-sockeye.json
Interactive chart showing historical fish counts from the second oldest weir in Alaska. Key milestone: 1921-present Litnik Weir operations provided continuous escapement monitoring. Data spans over 100 years from 1921 to present for comprehensive historical analysis.
📊 Loading Historical Data: Loading Litnik Weir data from 1921-1950...
✅ Historical Data Loaded: Litnik Weir data (1921-1950) successfully loaded with years of data. Peak year: ( fish).
Loading historical data...
Click to Load Data
Click the accordion header to load Litnik Weir historical data
📊 Historical Data Summary
Trend: ( change from 1921 to 1950)
Interactive chart showing historical fish counts from the Ayakulik River Weir at the outlet of Red Lake. Key milestone: 1929-1969 Ayakulik River Weir operations provided early Kodiak Island escapement monitoring. Data spans 41 years from 1929 to 1969 for comprehensive historical analysis.
⚠️ Data Integration Needed: Ayakulik River Weir data is available but needs to be integrated into the archive system. This location operated for 41 years and provides valuable historical context for Kodiak Island salmon management.
Chart Coming Soon
Ayakulik River Weir historical data will be integrated in a future update
Interactive chart showing historical fish counts from the Upper Station Weir on Olga Creek. Key milestone: 1929-1969 Upper Station Weir operations provided early Kodiak Island escapement monitoring. Data spans 41 years from 1929 to 1969 for comprehensive historical analysis.
⚠️ Data Integration Needed: Upper Station Weir data is available but needs to be integrated into the archive system. This location operated for 41 years and provides valuable historical context for Kodiak Island salmon management.
Chart Coming Soon
Upper Station Weir historical data will be integrated in a future update
Interactive chart showing historical Chinook salmon counts from Southeast Alaska's Situk River. Key milestone: 1915-1981 Situk River operations provided early Southeast Alaska escapement monitoring. Data spans 67 years from 1915 to 1981 for comprehensive historical analysis.
✅ Data Available: Situk River Chinook data is already integrated in the location dashboard. This location provides valuable historical context for Southeast Alaska salmon management and represents one of the longest-running monitoring programs in the region.
Chart Coming Soon
Situk River Chinook historical data will be integrated in a future update
📚 Historical Data Sources & Citations
The pre-1953 fish count data presented in this archive comes from multiple historical sources, including federal fisheries reports, cannery records, and early weir operations. These sources provide the foundation for understanding Alaska's fisheries history.
Primary Sources
ADF&G FedAid PDFs
Official fishery manuscripts, data series, and regional reports
Annual Report of the Commissioner of Fisheries (1933)
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Fisheries
Research Context
Historical Significance
These records represent some of the earliest systematic fish counting operations in Alaska, providing crucial baseline data for modern salmon management practices.
Data Quality
The historical data represents high-quality escapement information collected using standardized counting methods and scientific protocols.
Management Impact
This historical data continues to inform current management decisions and conservation strategies for Alaska salmon populations.
Additional Resources
📖 Research Notes
Commercial to Scientific Transition: The early 1900s marked a significant shift from commercial fishing records to systematic scientific monitoring. This transition was driven by concerns about declining fish populations and the need for better fisheries management.
Data Quality Evolution: Early records (1882-1920) relied heavily on commercial catch estimates and basic observations. The establishment of weirs in 1921 introduced systematic counting methods that significantly improved data accuracy and consistency.
Historical Significance: These records represent some of the earliest systematic fisheries monitoring in Alaska and provide crucial baseline data for understanding long-term population trends and environmental changes in the region.
📊 Data Availability
Kodiak Area Weirs: The Karluk River Weir (1921-1941) was part of a comprehensive monitoring network that included four major weirs in the Kodiak Island region. This network provided the foundation for modern fisheries management practices and continues to influence current monitoring strategies.
🔍 Data Access
🔍 Data Access Information: The pre-1953 historical data files are publicly available in the GitHub repository and were converted from historical images and documents into JSON format. This data is not available on official ADF&G servers but represents valuable historical records from the Karluk River Weir operations and early fisheries monitoring.
Klawock River Weir Data (1930-1977)
ADFG Biological and Hydrological Studies Report providing comprehensive weir operations data from the Klawock River system.
View Report → adfg.alaska.govWeir Operations
Fish counting weirs established 1921-1941. This represents the transition from commercial to scientific monitoring practices.
Historical Significance: The establishment of systematic weir operations marked a revolutionary shift in fisheries monitoring, providing the foundation for modern escapement counting methods.
🏛️ Historical Context: United States Fish Commission
The pre-1953 data represents a unique window into Alaska's fisheries history during the era of the United States Fish Commission (1871-1940).
The pre-1953 data displayed above represents a unique window into Alaska's fisheries history, collected during the era of the United States Fish Commission (1871-1940) and its successor organizations.
Key Historical Periods:
- 1871-1903: U.S. Fish Commission era - First federal fisheries agency established to investigate declining fish populations
- 1903-1940: U.S. Bureau of Fisheries era - Expanded research and enforcement, including Alaska fisheries management
- 1940-1953: Transition period before modern ADF&G monitoring began
Alaska Fisheries Management: The Bureau of Fisheries took responsibility for enforcing fishery regulations in Alaska in the early 1900s, managing harvests and supporting local communities. This historical data represents some of the earliest systematic fish counting efforts in the region.
📈 Karluk River Sockeye Data Summary
Statistical overview and notable patterns from the historical fish count data (1882-1952).
📊 Statistical Overview
🔍 Notable Patterns
- • Seasonal Variations: Early vs. late run patterns
- • Environmental Factors: Climate and habitat changes
- • Fishing Methods: Evolution of monitoring techniques
- • Data Quality: Improvements in recording accuracy
🔮 Future Archive Locations
As we discover and process more pre-1953 historical data, additional location-species combinations will be added to this archive.
📍 Potential Locations
- • Kodiak Island: Additional river systems
- • Southeast Alaska: Early cannery records
- • Bristol Bay: Historical fishing data
- • Yukon River: Traditional knowledge records
🐟 Additional Species
- • Chinook Salmon: Early king salmon records
- • Coho Salmon: Silver salmon historical data
- • Pink Salmon: Humpy salmon counts
- • Chum Salmon: Dog salmon records
📚 Historical Data Sources & Citations
The pre-1953 fish count data presented in this archive comes from multiple historical sources, including federal fisheries reports, cannery records, and early weir operations. These sources provide the foundation for understanding Alaska's fisheries history.
🏛️ Primary Sources
-
Annual Report of the Commissioner of Fisheries (1933)
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Fisheries
View Source → archive.org -
Karluk River Red Salmon: Catch, 1882-1952
National Archives Identifier 312419233
View Source → archives.gov -
Kodiak Area: Case Pack, 1930-1954
Commercial cannery production records
🔬 Research Context
-
Auke Bay Laboratory Research
90+ years of Alaskan salmon data and related materials
Read Article → archives.gov -
Cannery Records
Commercial fishing industry production data
📖 Research Note: These historical sources represent the transition from commercial fishing to scientific fisheries management. The data quality and collection methods evolved significantly over time, with weir operations providing the first systematic escapement counts in Alaska.
📊 Data Availability Note: While the Karluk River weir (1921-1941) was the primary research site, comprehensive annual escapement tables for the pre-1950 period from other Kodiak area weirs (Litnik, Ayakulik, Upper Station) were not available in the same consolidated format. The Klawock weir data (1930-1977) provides the most complete historical record available for comparison and analysis.