Nome Alaska is synonymous with gold, river valleys, and hard country, but its legacy runs far beyond town into headwaters like Nome Creek, a tributary of Beaver Creek, a wild and scenic river. Here, old mining scars are being reshaped into healthy grayling habitat and a more resilient, fish-friendly float.
Story by Marian Giannulis
An unstable eroding streambank, created by a terrace of mine tailings, that is limiting access to the floodplain along Nome Creek. © BLM
A restored section of Nome Creek. The structure in the center of the stream is called a log j-hook. It provides grade control, dissipates energy, deflects stream flow to the center of the channel, and creates a pool downstream. © Trout Unlimited
Restoration work upstream is bolstering fish populations on a Wild and Scenic River.
Alaska is home to many spectacular rivers. Anglers and adventure seekers from around the globe visit to experience wilderness floats, breathtaking scenery, and phenomenal fishing opportunities. One such adventure is on interior Alaska’s Beaver Creek, a Wild and Scenic River. This clear-water river flows past the jagged limestone peaks of the White Mountains National Recreation Area, through the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, and eventually joins the mighty Yukon River. Beaver Creek offers excellent fishing for Arctic grayling. Wildlife and bird viewing opportunities are abundant as well. The 360-mile float has been called the longest road-to-road float in North America. Most floaters begin their journey down Beaver Creek by putting in at its Nome Creek tributary. A major river restoration project is happening just upstream of that spot. Work being done at Nome Creek is repairing degraded fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, and improving fishing opportunities throughout the system.
Mining’s Legacy on Nome Creek
Over a century ago, prospectors struck gold in Nome and Ophir Creeks and the Beaver Creek Mining District was created. In 1927, the first of several dredge-mining efforts began in Nome Creek. Dredge-mining operations continued off and on through the 1950s and small-scale mining continued through the 1980s. This historic dredge mining significantly altered the habitat in and around Nome Creek. The stream channel was redirected, and large amounts of rock and soil were displaced. This left fast-moving water lacking deep pools for fish to rest, severe bank erosion, and mine tailings along the stream with little topsoil and vegetation. The resulting straight channel made the stream more susceptible to dangerous flooding.
Investing in fish and recreation
Today, we have a deeper understanding of the importance of healthy streams and how historic mining practices can negatively impact fish and wildlife. That’s why the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working to restore a large section of Nome Creek. The BLM manages 70 million acres of land across Alaska. Much of this land is both important fish habitat and open to mineral exploration. To counteract the damage pre-1990 historic mining has caused, the BLM has teamed up with miners and scientists to test and improve stream reclamation techniques used by miners and apply that knowledge to restore habitats impacted by legacy mining. The Bureau began to focus on applied research of stream rehabilitation techniques in the upper Yukon Region in 2013. Nome Creek is the latest project in this effort.
“The Nome Creek restoration project is expanding our portfolio of work to improve and refine stream reclamation approaches, while also bringing many recreation benefits,” said Matt Varner, fisheries resources lead for the BLM’s Alaska Aquatic Resources Program.
Why Nome Creek Was Chosen for Restoration
The BLM maintains an impressive suite of recreational opportunities in the one-million-acre White Mountains National Recreation Area that surrounds Nome and Beaver Creeks. Three campgrounds, 13 public-use cabins, scenic floats, fishing opportunities, and 250 miles of groomed winter trails draw visitors year-round. The popularity of this area and the extent of habitat degradation in Nome Creek made it an easy choice for the BLM to expand their restoration efforts.
Benefits beyond fish
The project’s benefits expand far beyond fish and wildlife. Micah Dagerlund with Southfork Development is one of several local contractors who have worked on the project. He’s worked on Nome Creek for all three years and notes the progress that has been made. “I can see the results in the last three years, everything has held up,” said Micah. “Three years ago, the creek was trying to wash out the bridge. The BLM was seriously considering having to replace the bridge that provides access to the whole valley and now they don’t have to.”
A Nome Creek grayling. © Trout Unlimited
An angler hooked up to a trophy grayling in the Nome Creek restoration area. Larger grayling especially like the new pool habitat. © Trout Unlimited
Restoration investments help prevent washouts that can cause expensive emergency repairs of important infrastructure. They also boost local economies by putting contractors like Micah to work. Southfork Development is one of several contractors who are employed on the project, and other local vendors supply their materials and fuel.
Much like the positive impacts to fish, wildlife, and water quality that ripple throughout the watershed, the economic benefits of river restoration projects spread throughout the local communities. Projects like Nome Creek are good for fish, wildlife, and people.
Restoration on Nome Creek will continue in 2026. This project is made possible by a partnership between the BLM, the Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District, and Trout Unlimited.
Scenic views along the Beaver Creek float. © Matt Albert
Trout Unlimited’s mission is to protect, reconnect and restore North America’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds. Learn about our work in Alaska at prioritywaters.tu.org/alaska. Marian Giannulis is Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Communications & Engagement Director.
For more conservation reading, check out Fish Alaska’s Conservation Blog for more.