Resurrection Bay

Resurrection Bay, also known as Blying Sound, and Harding Gateway in its outer reaches, is a fjord on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, United States. Its main settlement is Seward, located at the head of the bay. It received its name from Alexandr Baranov, who was forced to retreat into the bay during a bad storm in the Gulf of Alaska. When the storm settled it was Easter Sunday, so the bay and nearby Resurrection River were named in honor of it. Harding Gateway refers to the passage between Rugged and Cheval Islands.

Resurrection Bay
Sailboats on Resurrection Bay
Resurrection Bay
LocationKenai Peninsula, Alaska
Coordinates59.970°N 149.381°W / 59.970; -149.381
Primary inflowsResurrection River, Fourth of July River, Likes Creek
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length18 mi (29 km)[1]
Max. width5 mi (8.0 km)
Average depth500 ft (150 m)
Max. depth972 ft (296 m)
FrozenNever
IslandsFox Island, Rugged Island, Hat Island, Hive Island, Barwell Island, Cheval Island
Sections/sub-basinsDerby Cove, Thumb Cove, Humpy Cove, Halibut Cove, Sunny Cove, Bulldog Cove, Mary's Bay, Porcupine Cove, Agnes Cove, Pony Cove
SettlementsSeward, Lowell Point
View of Resurrection Bay from Miller's Landing

Resurrection Bay is the location of Caines Head, at the summit of which Fort McGilvray is situated, 650 feet (198 meters) above sea level. This fortification was constructed by the United States Armed Forces to defend against a possible invasion by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The bay remains ice-free even in winter, making it easily navigable.[2]

It is the central theme to the song "Resurrection Bay" by John Craigie on his album Montana Tale.

It is called the "gateway to the Kenai Fjords" as many water taxis, kayak tours, anglers, and recreational boaters use the bay to access nearby Kenai Fjords National Park.

Geography

Resurrection Bay has a maximum depth of 972 feet, near the coast at Caines Head.[3] It contains many deep coves, most notably Thumb, Humpy, Bulldog, Pony and Derby Coves. To the west, Resurrection Bay is bordered by the Aialik Peninsula and the adjacent Aialik Bay. To the east, the bay is bounded by the Resurrection Peninsula and Day Harbor.

Parks

Several parks are located in and around the bay. Kenai Fjords National Park is primarily accessed by boat from Seward. Caines Head State Recreation Area is here. Many visit it by boat, but there is a trail from Lowell Point State Recreation Site, a 19 acres (7.7 ha) park with beach access and trailhead parking. Parts of the trail between the two parks are only accessible at low tide, so visitors must plan accordingly.[4] Sandspit Point State Marine Park is a 1,135 acres (459 ha) undeveloped park, popular with kayakers, with beach camping and tidepooling.[5] Sunny Cove State Marine Park is a 960 acres (390 ha) park on Fox Island. It is also undeveloped and has no source of fresh water. The park consists of a beach area used for camping and landing of small boats, and steep, rocky cliffs.[6] Thumb Cove State Marine Park is one of the few developed parks in the area, featuring offshore mooring buoys for small boats, beach camping, and two public use-cabins. Visitors can view Porcupine Glacier, Spoon Glacier, and Prospect Glacier from the park.[7]

References
  1. "Plan report". www.cityofseward.us. 2017.
  2. Combs, John P. "Route Map: Seward". www.alaskarails.org. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  3. "Resurrection Bay Topo Map, Kenai Peninsula County AK (Blying Sound D-7 Area)". Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  4. "Lowell Point State Recreation Site". dnr.alaska.gov.
  5. "Sandspit Point State Marine Park". dnr.alaska.gov.
  6. "Sunny Cove State Marine Park". dnr.alaska.gov.
  7. "Thumb Cove State Marine Park". dnr.alaska.gov.
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