Supporting Professionals Winter 2020 Who Study, Protect, and Manage Volume 33, Issue 4 North America’s Rivers Journal Ivishak Wild and Scenic River Values Investigation by Jennifer Reed Author Jen Reed paddling the Ivishak’s clear blue waters. Photo: Heather Bartlett Located within northeast Alaska, the designated reach of In 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Region the Ivishak WSR totals 80 miles. The Ivishak Wild and Scenic (FWS-AK) focused effort on identifying wild and scenic river River (WSR) is classified as Wild (the classification that applies values for the Ivishak WSR and six other rivers the agency to rivers with the least amount of development along their administers or co-administers in Alaska. (See article by Cassie banks), and possesses scenery, recreation, fish, and hydrology Thomas in this RMS Journal issue.) The Ivishak WSR and two outstandingly remarkable values (ORV) – each dependent on flow other FWS-administered rivers (Sheenjek, and Wind WSRs) flow and/or water quality – along its entire length. From its source from within Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge, at the Continental Divide of the Brooks Range Mountains, the Refuge). North to south the Arctic Refuge extends 200 miles Ivishak River flows north and west beyond its designated portion – from the Arctic coast, across the tundra plain, over the glacier- until the river’s waters eventually reach the Arctic Ocean, just capped peaks of the Brooks Range Mountains, and into the east of Prudhoe Bay. (continued on page 10) Executive Director’s Eddy RMS President’s Corner See you on the river! Main Office Risa Shimoda, Executive Director PO Box 5750, Takoma Park, MD 20913-5750 This year started just like the last (301) 585-4677 / cell (301) 502-6548
[email protected] year with a float on the Verde River.