Recreational Boating Access Projects
Southcentral Projects

New Vault Latrine at Lower Situk

Description

The lower Situk River landing is located near Yakutat, Alaska at the northern extent of Southeast Alaska. The Situk River accounts for almost 30% of the freshwater angling effort in Southeast Alaska. Two of the largest fisheries on this river are for sockeye and coho salmon. The Situk River steelhead fishery is the largest steelhead fishery in the state, accounting for nearly half of the steelhead caught annually in Alaska.

In 2007, ADF&G, Division of Sport Fish (DSF) provided Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration grant funding (via project F-13-L-32) to purchase the 0.75-acre parcel at the Lower Situk Landing to maintain public access to the river for recreational boating and sport fishing. The existing vault latrine at the site pre-dated that acquisition and has been in place for over 20 years, exceeding the engineered useful life of the facility.

Purpose

The objective of this project was to replace the existing latrine with a new pre-cast concrete vault latrine, which would improve the functionality and cleanliness of this important sport fishery access site.

Outcome

The project was completed in August 2025 and was opened to the public for the 2025 fall season. Construction went smoothly, with removal of the old vault latrine occurring in one day. Site preparation, grading, structure delivery and installation all occurred within the next two days, with only some minor finishing work completed subsequently. Construction was planned to avoid the busy period of activity at the site during the sockeye fishery on the Situk in June and early July. This facility is operated and maintained by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game through contracting with the US Forest Service.

New Boat Launch Ramp in Haines, Alaska

Description

Haines is a small Southeast Alaska community located on the mainland at the northern end of Lynn Canal. Haines is approximately 80 air-miles northwest of Juneau and has a population of approximately 2,500 residents. Haines is one of three communities in Southeast Alaska with direct road access to the remainder of Alaska and the lower 48.

Recreational boaters use four launch ramps in the Haines area to access the surrounding marine waters. Portage Cove Harbor is the main marine access site and is conveniently located near the center of Haines Borough. The existing ramp in Portage Cove was constructed in the 1970’s and had outlived its design life; this project funded its replacement.

Purpose

The objective of this project was to construct a new two-lane launch ramp with associated boarding float and parking area.

Outcome

The project was completed in August 2021. The new two-lane launch ramp, boarding float, and associated parking area provides for greater onsite parking, more efficient traffic flow and increased safety and convenience for recreational boaters. The new extended ramp allows for launching at all tide stages and helps to reduce traffic congestion during low tide periods. This facility is operated and maintained by the Borough of Haines, Alaska.

New Portage Bay Boat Launch (Kake, Alaska)

Description

Kake is a small town located on the northwest side of Kupreanof Island approximately halfway between Petersburg and Sitka. Only one developed boat launch ramp existed in Kake, which was over 40 years old and had deteriorated beyond repair. Like most Southeast Alaska towns, Kake is an island community surrounded by marine waters and recreational boaters rely heavily on launch facilities to access these waters. This project was to provide funding assistance to replace the existing dilapidated facility with a new one-lane launch facility.

Purpose

The objective was to replace the existing concrete launch ramp with a new, longer ramp and add a boarding float. This would allow for years of safe, improved marine access for the residents and visitors of Kake.

Outcome

The project was completed in the early spring of 2018. The completed project will provide recreational boaters and anglers with a safe, well-built facility with access to the surrounding marine waters of Kake, Alaska. This project was supported and completed with the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who initiated the project with the City of Kake and additional funding from a State-provided Block Grant procured by the City of Kake. This facility is operated and managed by the City of Kake.

Description

Taku Harbor is located approximately twenty miles by water (or air) southeast of downtown Juneau and is popular with both local and transient boaters. The two transient moorage floats, the Taku Harbor Float and the Stockade Point Float, provide safe refuge for many boats and it is not uncommon for all tie-up spots along the floats to be occupied during the busy summer months. Due to heavy recreational boater use, weather conditions, and age this location has required replacement and/or repair of structure parts to enhance the safety and longevity of this facility.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to continue to provide safe moorage and low maintenance at this popular and remote location. Repair needs were identified on the following structures: the transient moorage float (T-Float), the beach access (shore ramp) and the Stockade Point Float. To meet this objective the following repairs were required: de-watering and re-driving float mooring piles that were out of place, weld-repair of a split piling, repair/replacement of loose steel pile caps, replacement of plastic nosing pieces on the transition ramp, and repair of the broken hinge while replacing its deteriorated hardware.

Significant degradation of the shore access portion of the facility had also occurred in recent years and renovations were needed to increase accessibility and improve safety. Improvements included the demolition and removal of portions of the existing boarding float, piles, and tire mat; transient float improvements; and installation of a new, aluminum gangway and catwalk structure.

Outcome

Moorage float repairs were completed in 2018, increasing the useful life and safety of moorage facilities in Taku Harbor. All mooring piles that were out of place at both the Stockade Point Float and Taku Harbor T-Float were re-driven to their original elevation. The split pile was successfully welded, and all ice-jacked piles were drained of any water and drain holes were cut below the water line to prevent future ice accumulation. All piles were fitted with new fiberglass end caps to replace the old steel caps for safety reasons and cost considerations. The transition plates are functioning correctly with the installation of the new UHMW nose pieces.

Shore access objectives were completed in April 2026. Work progressed smoothly with no significant deviation from design plans. The raised aluminum gangway and catwalk structure should extend the life and safety of the shore access components of the facility while substantially reducing wear and tear caused by tidal action.

With these repaired facilities in place, local boaters will continue to have a safe place to tie up their boats if caught by adverse weather, and the site will continue to provide an alternative to anchoring when overnighting in the area. This facility also provides shoreline access to the beach, hiking trails, and a State public use rental cabin. The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) provide general operation and maintenance of the floats.

Description

Craig Alaska is located on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island and is the largest community on the island. The waters off the west coast of Prince of Wales offer an endless variety of sport fishing and boating adventures. In 1999, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and the Federal Aid in Sport fish Restoration provided the City of Craig funding to construct a new marine launch ramp and boarding float facility at False Island. Since that time, the facility had become very popular and the boarding float had fallen under disrepair from the harsh marine environment. Due to the high use by sport anglers, the city added an old used float section to the end of the existing boarding float and added a fish cleaning table to ease the congestion. However, this old float was in poor shape and had deteriorated beyond repair.

Purpose

The objective of this project was to replace the existing boarding float and attached fish cleaning float at the False Island boat launch ramp.

Outcome

The project was completed in June 2014. This project encompassed project design as well as construction which proceeded smoothly and ended up under budget. Remaining funds allowed the city to add lighting to both the boarding and fish cleaning floats.

The extra cleaning table and wider floats have helped slow boater congestion and made for a much more pleasant experience for all users. Anglers and recreational boaters now have a very sturdy float facility they can count on for years to come. This facility is maintained by the City of Craig.

Description

The City of Klawock is located on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island and is the second largest community on the island. The busy waterfront of Klawock includes a small boat harbor and boat launch facility. Before this project, there were no sanitary facilities located along the waterfront. Anglers were forced to travel to the nearest public facility or use the natural surroundings, which created unsanitary conditions and concerns with the adjacent landowners.

Purpose

The objective of this project was to construct an accessible restroom and shower facility at Klawock Harbor located within the new harbormaster building.

Outcome

The project was completed in the fall of 2013. This project was delayed by funding issues for the harbormaster portion of the project which required additional time for the city to meet funding requirements. Construction itself proceeded smoothly and was opened immediately upon completion. The project provides separate men’s and women’s public restroom/shower areas that service the local harbor.

Recreational boaters and anglers now have a public facility that is conveniently located near the waterfront. Any sanitary concerns from the adjacent landowners should be eliminated and anyone using the waterfront will no longer have to travel and search for a public facility. This facility is maintained by the City of Klawock.

Description

Ketchikan is the second largest city in Southeast Alaska. Ketchikan is located in southern southeast Alaska on the western side of Revillagigedo Island and is only accessible by air or sea. The project site is located in Knudson Cove and provides marine access to Clover Pass, Behm Canal and Clarence Strait.

The Knudson Cove Launch Ramp is a two-lane launch ramp that was originally built by the Alaska Department of Transportation/Public Facilities. Improvements were made in 1999 under Federal Aid project F-13-D-55. However, these improvements only included the north ramp lane and the moorage float. Since then, the south lane continued to deteriorate and the moorage float was nearing its life expectancy.

Purpose

The objective of this project was to replace the west launch ramp and boarding float to improve recreational boater and sport angler access to the marine waters in the Ketchikan area.

Outcome

The project was completed in the late spring of 2011. Preliminary design revealed that the two concrete lanes were built at different grades and dredging would be required to allow launching at extreme low tides. It was decided to completely replace both ramp lanes and the boarding float. A staircase from the upper parking area was also added into the design. These changes required additional funding.

The public now has a safe facility that is useable at any tide. Traffic congestion problems have decreased due to users no longer favoring one lane over the other as both new lanes are now at the same grade. The new staircase also allows safe passage from the upper parking area. At the time of completion, parking remained problematic with regular over-flows but was determined to be unresolvable at this time due to no room for expansion. This facility is maintained by the City of Ketchikan.