Prince William Sound, Alaska

Vitus Bering's Russian expedition in 1741 opened Prince William Sound to the western world. The British, Spanish and Russians have all contributed to the exploration and naming of numerous bays and islands.

Fur, gold, timber and fish have all fueled economic booms in the Sound which has now become a major port for the shipment of Alaskan oil.

The 15,000 square miles of Prince William Sound are full of glacially-carved fjords over 1,000 feet deep (300-400 meters) and mountains that thrust out of the sea to their highest point on Mt. Marcus Baker at 13,250 feet.

Waters of the Sound are protected by a series of islands which provide a protective barrier to the ocean swells. A 3,500 mile-long coastline is the boundary to the world's most northern temperate rain forest.

Three million acres of forest are home to western hemlock, white spruce and Sitka spruce, some of which grow to over 100 feet tall.

Global warming or climatic cycle?

As the glaciers recede the remnants of a forest are being exposed. The forest was overrun by the advancing glacier around 1300 A.D..

Spring brings the largest gathering of shore birds in the world to the area. Also, thousands of Canada geese, snow geese, swans and cranes funnel through the Sound en route to northern breeding grounds. When the fish are running bald eagles share the elbow room with bear and fishermen.

Forest Service Website