Brooks Falls facts for kids
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Brooks Falls is a famous waterfall in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. It's on the Brooks River, between Brooks Lake and Naknek Lake. This spot is well-known for an amazing natural event.
Every year, thousands of sockeye salmon swim upstream. They leap over the 6-foot (1.8 m) falls to reach their spawning grounds in Brooks Lake. This incredible journey attracts many large brown bears, also known as grizzly bears.
These bears gather at the falls to feast on the salmon. It's one of the best places in the world to see bears in their natural habitat. Many famous photos of bears have been taken here.
The best time to see bears is usually in July. Up to 25 bears have been seen at the falls at once during this month. In early September, you can still see bears, though fewer, as they enjoy the later salmon runs. About 18 bears have been spotted together then.
Discovering Brooks Falls: A Look Back in Time
Before the 1950s, fewer bears visited Brooks Falls. At that time, hunting was allowed, and fishing for sport was the main activity. Only about 6 or 7 bears might be seen at once.
Since hunting was banned and bear viewing became controlled, the number of bears has grown a lot. Now, you can often see ten or more bears at the falls at the same time. On one amazing day, 43 bears were counted!
People have lived near Brooks Falls for a very long time. Archaeologists have found signs of human life dating back about 9,000 years. These are some of the oldest human remains found in North America. Since this area is close to where the Bering Land Bridge once connected Asia and North America, it's possible that some of the first people to arrive from Russia settled here.
Even today, Native Americans continue to live and gather food near the falls. They follow their traditional ways of life at a place called the Old Savonoski Site. While the area has a rich human history, most visitors today come to witness the incredible sight of bears and salmon.
Images for kids
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Brooks River and Falls with viewing platforms. Naknek Lake is to the left and Lake Brooks to the right.
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A fish ladder at Brooks Falls in 1951, built to help salmon.
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Counting salmon on the Brooks River Weir in 1958.
