Notice for a Proposed Reservation of Water
Sixmile River; LAS 28857
Pursuant to AS 46.15 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, notice is hereby given that an application, with the priority date of January 25, 2013 has been received from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, Alaska, 99518, to reserve water within a single reach of Sixmile River, near Hope, Alaska, for the purpose of maintaining specified instream flow rates to protect fish and wildlife habitat, migration, and propagation. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to establish this reservation of water for the Department of Fish and Game for Sixmile River from the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) of the outer bank (of the outside braid, where braided) of the left bank up to the OHWM of the outer bank (of the outside braid, where braided) of the right bank, including any sloughs, braids, or channels which carry water and are an integral part of Sixmile River, beginning at the mouth of Sixmile River and extending upstream 9.5 river miles to the confluence with East Fork Sixmile Creek and Canyon Creek. Said portions of Sixmile River are located within:
Township 9 North, Range 1 West, Sections 3, 10, 11, 15, 22, 27, 34
Township 8 North, Range 1 West, Sections 3, 10, 15
All within the Seward Meridian, Seward Recording District, Third Judicial District, State of Alaska
Applicant Requested Flow Rates*:
*Requested flow rates are those that are requested by the applicant. DNR is in ongoing discussions with the applicant regarding the flows requested and DNR proposed flows (as seen below). Any potential granted flow rates may be adjusted (but never more than the requested flows) based on adjudication findings. For additional information about this, please contact DNR.
| Time Period | ADF&G Flow Request (cfs) | ADNR Proposed Flows (cfs) |
| January | 170 | 170 |
| February | 146 | 146 |
| March | 130 | 130 |
| April 1-15 | 134 | 134 |
| April 16-23 | 188 | 188 |
| April 24-30 | 324 | 324 |
| May 1-7 | 530 | 530 |
| May 8-15 | 835 | 835 |
| May 16-23 | 1,240 | 1,240 |
| May 24-31 | 1,730 | 1,730 |
| June 1-7 | 2,170 | 2,170 |
| June 8-15 | 2,320 | 2,320 |
| June 16-30 | 2,360 | 2,360 |
| July 1-7 | 2,190 | 2,190 |
| July 8-15 | 1,870 | 1,870 |
| July 16-23 | 1,440 | 1,440 |
| July 24-31 | 1,250 | 1,250 |
| August 1-15 | 1,030 | 1,030 |
| August 16-31 | 830 | 830 |
| September | 730 | 730 |
| October 1-15 | 660 | 660 |
| October 16-31 | 520 | 520 |
| November | 310 | 310 |
| December | 220 | 220 |
A reservation of water is an appropriation of water that remains within the stream or lake for any one or a combination of four purposes authorized by statute, including the protection of fish and wildlife habitat, migration, and propagation; recreation and park purposes; navigation and transportation purposes; or sanitary and water quality purposes. Holders of water rights junior to established senior water rights may be unable to divert or withdraw significant amounts of water for consumptive use when stream flows fall below granted flows or water levels.
Further information about these specific conditions or about any other aspect of this proposed reservation of water may be obtained from DNR by contacting Meghan O’Brien at (907) 269-0899 or by email at meghan.obrien2@alaska.gov. Any facts tending to show that the rights of any person or the public interest would be adversely or positively affected by the proposed reservation must be submitted in writing by email, fax, or mail to the Department of Natural Resources, 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1020, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3514 no later than October 24, 2019, before 5:00 PM to be considered. Similarly, comments that might otherwise assist the division in its determination of the public interest pursuant to AS 46.15.080 (b) are also requested and must be received by the above deadline.
Persons who may be affected by this proposed reservation of water or who have interest in tracking the status of this proposed reservation of water may request notification of the final decision by writing to DNR at the above address.
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources complies with Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The State is prepared to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing aids when requested. Individuals with audio impairments who wish to respond to this notice by telephone may call the Departments Public Information Center in Anchorage between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, M-F at TDD # 269-8411.
The right is reserved to waive technical defects in this publication. Meghan O’Brien, Natural Resource Specialist.