**BAER Accomplishment Report**

**Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge**

**August 18, 2005**

**[[Emergency Stabilization]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

[Treatment Specification]{.underline} In August 2005 we conducted aerial
and pedestrian survey of the 2004 Clawanmenka Fire on the Kanuti NWR.
This fire burned areas known to contain both prehistoric and historic
archaeological resources. The purpose of the survey was to locate and
document these resources and assess damage done by the 2004 fire. If
site damage occurred from the 2004 fire actions would be taken to
stabilize the sites from further degradation. This is in compliance with
BAER Plan specifications C-1.

[Activity Accomplishment]{.underline} Aerial survey of the 2004 burned
areas was accomplished during three days from August 23 through August
24, 2005. Seven localities were visited (figure 1). Of these, three had
actually been burned. One was within the burn perimeter but had not been
burned and two were outside the burn area. The focus of the
investigations was on historic remains, which were presumed to have
above ground features, such as building remains and surface artifacts
which could be damaged or destroyed by burning. One locality was a
paleontological site where fire could be expected to increase soil
erosion creating impacts to the site.

Intensive pedestrian surveys were conducted at the reported locations of
Soo City, Seaforth and Jimtown. Signs of recent use were found at Jim
City but no evidence of early 20^th^ century use was discovered. The
locations of Soo City and Seaforth were examined and no physical
evidence was found at either location. The Seaforth locality is along a
rapidly eroding stretch of the river and it is likely the site was
destroyed long ago by river erosion. The probable location for Soo City
had not actually burned and the vegetation cover may have concealed
artifacts or features. No obvious remains were seen.

The paleontological site at Hulgothen Bluffs had been impacted by fire
in the recent past although it was not clear if the Clawanmenka Fire had
been the culprit. It lies on the edge of the fire perimeter. The entire
face of the bluff was surveyed on foot.

The remains at Fish Creek Lake potentially included both historic and
prehistoric remains. Archaeological remains in Interior Alaska often
consist of small, ephemeral sites with very few surface manifestations.
Topography is often the only clue to past human use of an area. Other
clues include grass versus tundra vegetation, a more open forest cover
or a lack of large tussocks. Excavation of test pits may be inconclusive
because of the nature of the site use which resulted in few artifacts
being discarded. The entire shoreline of the lake was covered by aerial
survey and three areas selected for pedestrian surveys. About ½ of the
shoreline had actually been affected by the fire. One of the areas
selected for survey had not actually burned and was therefore
inaccessible to helicopter landings. It was not visited.

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="5.989583333333333in"
height="4.351388888888889in"}

**Map of the area covered in 2005. the pencil outline is roughly the
boundary of the Clawanmenka Fire**

Two other areas were covered on foot. Modern remains were found at one
site but no clear evidence for older use was found. The second site had
burned and mineral soil was visible in several places. These were
carefully examined and again yielded no clear sign of human use although
the locations and settings strongly suggested campsites.

Two other localities, the sites of Peavey and Union City near the
confluence of the South Fork with the Koyukuk River were also examined.
Union City is near the perimeter of the Clawanmenka Fire. We explored
the location on foot but were unable to find artifacts reported for the
site. The site of Peavey was examined from the air. Neither had been
recently burned.

[Actual Implementation Cost]{.underline} Charges to the project are for
salary, travel and per diem for the Regional Archaeologist and do not
include the salary for the Refuge biologist who accompanied the project.

Salary \$3,778.00

Plane Fares \$1,020.00 (Includes Lisa's fares to and from Bettles)

Hotel and Per Diem \$ 355.40

Helicopter time and fuel \$6,375.00

[Treatment Effectiveness]{.underline}.

Four of the seven localities examined had actually burned, Seaforth,
Hulgothen Bluffs and two of the Fish Creek Lake spots. Soo City, and one
area on Fish Creek Lake had been skirted by the fire. The other
localities visited were just outside the fire perimeter. No significant
cultural remains were located at any of the localities and therefore
there was no damage needing stabilization or rehabilitation.

[Recommendations:]{.underline} Further documentation of all of the
historic sites, Soo City, Seaforth, Jim City, Peavey and Union City is
warranted in order to evaluate their significance and determine what
measures, if any, are warranted to protect the sites from future fires.
No rehabilitation actions are required as a result of the Clawanmenka
fire.

**Jim City**

This site is reported at the mouth of Jim Creek. The north and south
banks of the Jim Creek confluence were surveyed by archaeologists
investigating Native allotments and no remains were reported for these
areas. We surveyed the west bank and found evidence of relatively modern
use-cut trees, charcoal, rope, miscellaneous metal and plastic debris
and wooden stakes outlining a tent area. This site was just outside the
fire perimeter.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="6.0in" height="3.977777777777778in"}

**Jim City locality, west bank of the Koyukuk across from the confluence
of the Jim River, modern debris in foreground**

**Soo City**

At the GPS coordinates the east bank of the South Fork is mainly low and
flat. We located a low bluff covered with birch and spruce trees and
traversed it on foot. The immediate area is open and grassy with a light
growth of trees. Similar topographic areas to the north are more heavily
wooded and the trees are larger. No historic artifacts or structure
remains were found however. This location is within the burn perimeter
but was not burned.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="5.499305555555556in"
height="3.6465277777777776in"}

**One of the areas investigated as the site of Soo City**

**Seaforth**

At the GPS coordinates the eastern bank is characterized by steep,
eroding bluffs. The entire area had burned and ground visibility was
good. We walked the entire length of the exposed bluffs looking both at
the ground surface, and at the erosion face for any sign of historic
use. None was seen. It is likely that any site located along this
stretch of the river has long ago eroded away.

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="6.004166666666666in"
height="4.492361111111111in"}

**Bank erosion on the site of Seaforth**

**Hulgothen Bluffs**

This is a paleontological site consisting of a tall, steep eroding bluff
along Fish Creek. The 2004 Clawanmenka Fire burned to the south side of
Fish Creek. On older fire had burned over the entire bluff. The site is
reported to have yielded plant remains of Pleistocene age. Local
knowledge also claims mammoth remains have been recovered from the
bluffs. These fires do not appear to have had much, if any, effect on
the site by either exposing additional areas to erosion or by increasing
erosion.

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="5.749305555555556in"
height="3.821527777777778in"}

**Hulgothen Bluffs paleontological site. Fire burned across the top of
the bluffs**

**Fish Creek Lake 1**

Fish Creek Lake is entirely surrounded by the Clawanmenka Fire. This
locality is on the east bank of the lake, on a low rise at the mouth of
a stream entering the lake. The area lacks trees and large tundra
tussocks making it a flat open area. A Native Allotment occupies the
northern shore. A modern bottle and shotgun shell box testify to modern
use of the location. There was no sign of prehistoric use or of a more
substantial modern occupation. The site was unburned by the fire.

**Fish Creek Lake 2**

We were unable to examine this location on the ground. It had not burned
and the vegetation precluded landing the helicopter. The locality on the
south edge of the lake consists of a higher ridge along the small creek
flowing from a small lake into Fish Creek Lake. Aerial reconnaissance
showed no sign of prehistoric or modern use but the location itself is
highly desirable.

**Fish Creek Lake 3**

This locality on the west bank of the lake, on a prominent point had
burned and areas of open ground were visible. We spent considerable time
here walking over the area and examining the exposed ground for any sign
of human use. Although the location is an excellent campsite with easy
access to the lakes resources there were, again, no obvious signs of
human use.

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="5.260416666666667in"
height="6.624305555555556in"}

**Localities searched at Fish Creek Lake.**

**Union City**

The GPS coordinates for Union City demark a wooded bluff along the South
Fork of the Koyukuk. We walked over the site are and noted a wooded
meadow on the bluff surrounded by lower willow infested thickets.
Although durable metal artifacts have been well documented at this site
the vegetation cover prevented us from relocating any of these. This
area has not burned recently and is just north of the west end of the
Clawanmenka Fire.

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="4.500694444444444in"
height="3.3916666666666666in"}

**Pump Remains at Union City, photo taken in 2004**

**Peavey**

Aerial survey revealed a wooded area underlain by open grassy meadow. A
modern cabin is located at the mouth of Peavey Creek. No signs of an
older settlement are visible through the vegetation. No pedestrian
reconnaissance was conducted. This area has not burned and is outside
the perimeter of the Clawanmenka Fire.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="5.247916666666667in"
height="3.951388888888889in"}

**Pit at the site of Peavey, photograph taken in 2004.**