The Wrangell sentinel., 1930-01-02
PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE
 STIKINE AREA
BY DR. FORREST A. KERR Dominion Geological Sufvey) Continued from last week.
Clirnate

Stikine River area extends from the heart of one photographic province well into another, and its climate, therefore, shows consider able diversity. In the Coast range as far up river as Little Canyon, precipitation is heavy throughout the year, and as a consequence ac- emulation of snow is very great. Summer is considerably advanced before much of the area above tim ber-line is denuded of it's blanket of snow and it would seem inadvis- able to attempt general prospect ing in this section before June, though work on discovered proper ties might well be started in April. During May, June, July and August weather conditions are the most favorable for working. September weather is very uncertain and there is usually considerable rain. After October 1, snow settles on the peaks and gradually works down the slopes Precipitation is said to be heaviest between the International boundary and Flood glacier and, of course, is greater in the mountains than in the valleys.
 Up river from this zone, precipi- tation decreases until the minimum is reached at Telegraph Creek. Whereas in the central part of the range the snow accumulation dur ing the winter may amount to 20 feet, at Jackson at the mouth of Dochdaon niver it is reported to be about 6 feet and at Telegraph Creek probably somewhat less. The noun tains north end west of Jackson are comparatively free of snow much earlier than those near the axis of the range. Prospecting could be commenced early in May and from that time until the mid dIe of October conditions are favor able for travel and work. There is little rain during the summer and snow does not begin to stand below timber-line until well on in to October. Despite the small gener- al precipitation there are, because of the fairly high mountains, few places where sufficient water for ordinary purposes cannot be found.
 Water Conditions
 During the winter Stikine river generally freezes from Telegraph Creek to near salt water, though on rare occasions the winters are so mild that open spots occur where the current is particularly swift. AS a rule the freezing has progressed far enough by the first of January to permit of travel on the river. The ice usually goes out between the middle of April and the middle of May. The water then is at a very low stage and the bars of the river, being only shallowly covered, make navigation difficult, and sometimes, particularly if very cold weather continues, the regular boats are delayed several days. With the rise of temperature towards sum mer, the river rises and during June is very high. generally reach ing the maximum in the latter half of the month. Tn July and August water is maintained at high stage and the largest boat at present on the river can navigate to Telegraph Creek with little difficulty. In Sep tember the supply of water gener- ally decreases fairly rapidly, so that shortly after the middle of the month it has reached very low stage, when navigation by the reg uiar boat Is difficult. For one to two months after this the river is navigable by small boats.