Log transfer and storage facilities in Southeast Alaska: a review.

Abstract

The volume of timber harvested in southeast Alaska between 1909 and 1983 was 14,689 million board feet; nearly all was transported on water to various destinations for processing. In 1971 there were 69 active log transfer and storage facilities and 38 raft collecting and storage facilities in southeast Alaska. In 1983 there were 90 log transfer sites, 49 log storage sites, 228 sites proposed for log transfer development, and 12 sites proposed for log storage development. We calculated that there were 176 acres of estuarine habitat covered by bark from 90 log transfer sites in 1982. Additional habitat was covered by bark at log storage sites. In 1981, approximately 1,388 acres would have been covered by log rafts at some time. The statistics for numbers of log transfer and storage sites no longer in use are too incomplete for use in estimating bark coverage.

The options for handling logs at a saltwater facility are land- to-water (rafting), land-to-vessel (barging or shipping), and land-to-water-to-ship (loading barge or ship from water). The A-frame has been the preferred device for log transfer because of operating economy and availability. Other transfer methods include chain conveyors, "beaver slide" ramps, and rockfill ramps.

Keywords

Log transfer, log storage, Alaska (southeast), southeast Alaska

Citation

Faris, Tamra L.; Vaughan, Kenneth D. 1985. Log transfer and storage facilities in Southeast Alaska: a review. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-174. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 31 p