Developing the…

Middle and Upper Kuskokwim Watershed Council

The Middle and Upper Kuskokwim Watershed Council

Life on the Kuskokwim is driven by the river. It is difficult to overstate the importance of the 700-mile-long waterway to the villages along its shores. In 2023, the Native Village of Georgetown, a mid-river village along the Kuskokwim, received a Bureau of Reclamation Grant to develop a Middle and Upper Kuskokwim Watershed Council.

Location

The Kuskokwim River Watershed flows from the interior to western Alaska. The Middle and Upper Kuskokwim section falls approximately 200 miles west of Anchorage. The Kuskokwim region is disconnected from the road system and is only accessible by plane, and interconnected via snowmachine, and boat. The Middle and Upper Watershed Council will include an area comprised of 12 rural communities and a population of approximately 1,082 people. The Watershed Council will include the following Hydrologic Units:

  • North Fork Kuskokwim River (HUC #19030401)

  • Takotna River (HUC #19030403)

  • South fork Kuskokwim River (HUC #19030407)

  • Middle Fork Kuskokwim River (HUC #19030406)

  • Stony River (HUC #19030405)

  • Holitna River (HUC #19030404)

  • Aniak (HUC #19030501)

Milestones and Objectives

The Native Village of Georgetown has set the following milestones to successfully develop a Middle and Upper Kuskokwim Watershed Council:
• Recruit stakeholders and ensure that the Watershed Council is representative of the watershed.

• Stakeholders will meet regularly to develop a mission, vision, goals, and bylaws.

• Develop partnerships to ensure the long-term viability of the Council.

• Conduct outreach activities to keep people informed.

Kick-Off Meeting

The Native Village of Georgetown is organizing an in-person kick-off meeting in Anchorage on December 5th-6th, 2023.

If you are interested in attending, please contact us. Due to space constraints participation is limited and we will prioritize attendance by Tribes, non-profits, Kuskokwim landowners, and other entities from the region.