Yukon Delta National Wildlife
Refuge Post Office Box 346
Bethel, Alaska 99559
Designated Reach: December 2, 1980. From its source, including all headwaters, and the East Fork, within the boundary of the Yukon Delta National Widlife Refuge.
Classification/Mileage: Wild -- 262.0 miles; Total -- 262.0 miles.
The Andreafsky River, including the East Fork, was designated a national wild river by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) in 1980. The river received the designation due to its natural and free-flowing condition, water quality, wildlife, geology, and primitive setting. This designation covers approximately 265 river miles, of which approximately 198 miles are within designated wilderness, 54 miles cross private lands, and 13 miles cross non-wilderness refuge lands. Along these latter stretches, a wild river corridor has been established.
The Andreafsky National Wild River lies within the Andreafsky Wilderness in the northern portion of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The Andreafsky and its East Fork flow southwest and drain into the Yukon River. The village of St. Mary's lies on the west bank 1-1/4 miles below where the main stem and East Fork join.
Included within the wilderness are the southern extension of the Nulato Hills, where the bristle-thighed curlew -- a unique species of large upland nesting shorebird -- has its primary nesting grounds. The highlands around both forks of the Andreafsky are one of two known nesting areas for the bird. Both forks are scenic; the East Fork however, has more trees and is closer to the mountains. Vegetation consists primarily of black and white spruce, balsam poplar, and extensive bogs. Willow shrubs, mosses and lichens, and flowers grow on the tundra of the surrounding hills. Wildlife along the rivers includes bears, foxes, beavers, eagles (both bald and golden), falcons, hawks, owls, and geese. Fishing is excellent for salmon, grayling and dolly varden. Both rivers have large populations of brown bears. During late June and July, the bears can be seen feeding on fish along riverbanks, and in August, they move to upland areas to feed on berries. Visitors should inform themselves about bear behavior, how to conduct oneself in bear country, and take appropriate precautions.
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