Lynn Canal Province
Lynn Canal Province is a steep fjordland landscape shaped by glaciers, with rich estuaries, rare uplift meadows, and high wildlife diversity. Key watersheds, including Berners Bay, support salmon, birds, and mammals but face threats from mining, development, and habitat fragmentation, making conservation a major regional priority.
Subject Tags
- Rivers
Summary
The Lynn Canal Province is a dramatic fjordland landscape defined by steep mountains, deep inland waters, and extensive glaciation, with major rivers fed by the Juneau Icefield. It supports high wildlife diversity, including two endemic mammals, and features rare uplift meadows that provide critical habitat in an otherwise rugged region. Key estuaries such as Mendenhall, Berners Bay, and Saint James Bay offer vital feeding and rearing areas for salmon, migratory birds, and marine mammals. Berners Bay, one of Southeast Alaska’s most productive watersheds, faces growing development pressures from mining and road proposals that threaten sensitive habitats and wildlife movement. Logging, habitat conversion, and increased human access further compound risks. Despite some protected lands, conservation concerns remain high due to limited wetlands, fragmented low‑elevation forests, and the vulnerability of key aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems across the province.