Nuyakuk River HydroElectric Proposal

The Nuyakuk River is one of the largest sockeye-producing tributaries in the Nushagak drainage. In 2026, more than 3.2 million sockeye were counted at the Nuyakuk counting tower, highlighting the river’s growing importance to the Bristol Bay salmon portfolio.

Nushagak Electric & Telephone Cooperative has proposed a hydroelectric project at the Nuyakuk Falls, northwest of Koliganek, within Wood-Tikchik State Park. Nushagak Electric is proposing a run-of-river concept project anticipated to run year-round and generate up to 12 megawatts of power, depending on the season and associated river flow.

Nuyakuk Falls - Video Credit: Fly-Out Media

Quick Links:

Where does the project stand?

The Nuyakuk project is being considered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) through its Licensing Process. Nushagak Electric has completed the major pre-application studies required under the process and has now filed a Draft License Application (DLA) with FERC. (FERC, Integrated Licensing Process; Nuyakuk Updated Study Report, December 2024)

The DLA is an important opportunity for the public to review the applicant's proposed project, studies, and conclusions and to identify concerns before FERC moves forward with its environmental review and consideration of a final license application.

The current 90-day public comment period on the Draft License Application is open through November 16, 2026.

Comments submitted during this period become part of the official FERC administrative record and can help inform the Commission's review of the project. (Nushagak Electric & Telephone Cooperative, Nuyakuk Hydro Project; FERC Project No. P-14873)

How to Comment

Submit an eComment

  1. Visit Go to FERC eComment and fill out the required fields including; your name, mailing address, email, and optionally your phone number.

  2. FERC will email you a confirmation/link [note it may end up in your spam folder] Click the link and Search Docket #P-14873 when prompted.

  3. Select the P-14873-001 Docket and you will be given a text box to type or paste your comments (up to 10,000 characters)

  4. Submit your comment to add to the official and searchable FERC administrative record

*To submit longer comments, attachments, or filings on behalf of an organization you will use FERC’s eFiling system, which requires an eRegister account. Learn more here.

Comment By Mail
Print and mail written comments to:

Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20426

Be sure to include Nuyakuk River Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. P-14873 at the top of your comment. Be sure to postmark your written comment a week before the November 16 deadline to ensure inclusion in the Docket.

CFBB supports sound Science and community and Industry participation

The Nuyakuk project has the potential to affect salmon at multiple stages of their life cycle. CFBB is focused on ensuring that decisions affecting Bristol Bay’s fish, fishing communities and economy are based on sound science and is advocating for meaningful opportunity to participate in the permitting process. CFBB believes there is a responsibility to fully understand the important energy benefits to Nushagak communities, as well as potential impacts to salmon and the people and businesses that depend on them before decisions are made.

CFBB is reviewing the project's technical studies with fisheries and technical experts and is advocating for a transparent process, meaningful public participation, and the best available science.

Additional Resources:

UTBB Virtual Update Meeting — October 29 | 12:00–1:30 PM AKDT   

Join via Zoom to learn about the Draft License Application, ask questions, and participate in the discussion. Speakers include Dr. Daniel Schindler of the Fisheries Research Institute, fisheries biologist and retired FERC leader Steve Edmondson, and archaeologists Monty Rogers and Peter Schnurr of Cultural Alaska.

“Nuyakuk Hydro, A Path to Sustainability”

Nushagak Electric Presentation, Nuyakuk Hydro, Bristol Bay’s energy future Presentation, 2026 Sustainability Summit

“How Fish Friendly (and people friendly) is the proposed Nuyakuk Hydro-electric Project?”

Dr. Daniel Schindler, University of Washington FRI Presentation, 2026 Sustainability Summit