River Floating in Chugach State Park

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	River Floating in Chugach State Park

Eagle River Float Information

River Access	River Miles	Distance to Next Takeout	Difficulty	Comments
North Fork (Mile 7.4, Eagle River road)	20.6	11.4	Class I-II (easy-difficult)	PFD's or Life Vests REQUIRED. River very cold and silty, many sweepers. Canoes not recommended unless very experienced. Float time varies with water level and craft, average 4-5 hours to Briggs Bridge.
Green Belt Access (at Briggs Bridge)	9.2	3.3	Class II-III (difficult- hazardous)	River below has many boulders, very steep banks. Many canoes lost each year in this section, and canoers have died.
Upper Campground Takeout (above Campground Rapids at Eagle River Campground)	5.9	0.1	Class III-IV (very hazardous)	Campground Rapids is a steep drop. Scout before trying. Kayak races held here in June. Hazards include fish line and hooks.
Eagle River Day Use Area (next to Campground and below Campground Rapids)	5.8	5.8	Class III-IV (very hazardous)	River below this point is on Fort Richardson. Permission required. Area used for artillery practice. Call 384-0823 or 384-0828. First drop past RR bridge (river mile 3.3) is under-cut, dangerous. Has claimed 2 lives. Rescue in this area is extremely difficult.
Route Bravo	0.0	No takeout	---	River below leads to Knik Arm. No takeouts. Dangerous mudflats with quicksand and boretides.

Boating Safety
Two kayakers

Because glacial streams are clouded by sediment, it is difficult to see underwater obstacles. And because they are icy cold, any dunking can have serious consequences. Boaters must be very good at reading the water's surface, and at keeping a boat upright! The challenge added to a river by cold or silty water is enough to increase the "class" or difficulty rating by at least 1 point.

Safety Reminders:

Always wear a life jacket! It's smart, and it's the law.

Never mix alcohol with boating recreation. It impairs judgement, slows reactions, and increases the chance of hypothermia.

Carry a set of dry clothes. Store your gear in waterproof bags that are tied to the boat.

Carry an extra paddle and a first aid kit.

Don't overload your craft.

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Last updated on Monday, 31-Aug-2009 10:16:33 AKDT.
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