Stikine River - Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (2024)

The Stikine River, Shtax’héen in Tlingit, or Bitter River, is known for its tremendous size and complex braided waters. It is the fastest free-flowing navigable river in North America. The Stikine | Shtax’héen drainage system is recognized as an important wilderness area with local, regional, and global ecological significance. It is a critical producer for local communities and Tribes, including nearby Wrangell and Petersburg, that rely on the river for cultural practices and food sovereignty.

Yet, several developing mining and energy projects in British Columbia threaten the health of the Stikine | Shtax’héen, putting the future of the salmon who spawn there, and all who rely on them, at risk. It is for this reason that in 2019, American Rivers named the Stikine | Shtax’héen one of the top ten most endangered rivers in the United States.