The Middle and Upper Kuskokwim Watershed Coalition

Life on the Kuskokwim revolves around the river, a vital 700-mile waterway
for the villages along its shores. Protecting this interconnected watershed
requires collaboration. The Middle and Upper Kuskokwim region, located
about 200 miles west of Anchorage, is off the road system and accessible
only by plane, boat, and snowmachine.

In 2023, we received a Bureau of Reclamation grant to establish the Middle
and Upper Kuskokwim Watershed Coalition, representing 12 rural
communities with a combined population of approximately 1,082.
The coalition focuses on the following hydrologic units:

  • North Fork Kuskokwim River

  • Takotna River

  • South Fork Kuskokwim River

  • Middle Fork Kuskokwim River

  • Stony River

  • Holitna River

  • Aniak

A note on terminology: The Watershed Coalition functions similarly to watershed councils in other parts of the country. However, in our region, "Council" is used to refer to the governing bodies of sovereign tribes, so we chose a different term to avoid confusion.