Aialik Bay, (Russian:) also known as Dora Passage between Harbor Island and the
Harris Peninsula, is a
fjord
In physical geography, a fjord (also spelled fiord in New Zealand English; ) is a long, narrow sea inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier. Fjords exist on the coasts of Antarctica, the Arctic, and surrounding landmasses of the n ...
on the
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula ( Dena'ina: ''Yaghenen'') is a large peninsula jutting from the coast of Southcentral Alaska. The name Kenai (, ) is derived from the word "Kenaitze" or "Kenaitze Indian Tribe", the name of the Native Athabascan Alaskan tribe ...
of Alaska, United States. It has no permanent settlements, but there are two public use cabins located on the bay, one at its head and another at
Holgate Arm. The Kenai Fjords lodge also hosts visitors. Aialik Bay is 33 miles south of
Seward. The bay received its name from Russians recording the indigenous name as "Ayalyk Bay". It is likely that the bay once terminated at
Aialik Sill, by Pedersen Lagoon prior to the year 1700. At this sill, the bay's bottom rises to less than 60 feet below sea level, and is as shallow as 18 feet deep in some places.
Aialik Glacier, which has created the bay via the process of
overdeepening
Overdeepening is a characteristic of Depression (geology), basins and valleys eroded by glaciers. An overdeepened valley profile is often eroded to depths which are hundreds of metres below the lowest continuous surface line (the thalweg) along a ...
, has since retreated by 4.5 miles.
It is a major destination within the
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is a national park of the United States that comprises the Harding Icefield, its outflowing glaciers, and coastal fjords and islands. The park covers an area of on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska, west ...
, as many water taxis, kayak tours, anglers, and recreational boaters use the bay to access its many coves.
Geography
At its head, Aialik Bay hosts the tidewater
Aialik Glacier, along with
Skee Glacier. Other glaciers flowing directly or indirectly into the bay include Pedersen Glacier, Addison Glacier, and Lechner Glacier. It has a maximum depth of , between McMullen Cove and Three Hole Bay.
It contains many sub-basins, most notably
Holgate Arm, with the advancing
Holgate Glacier. To the west, Aialik Bay is bordered by the Harris Peninsula and the adjacent
Harris Bay and
Northwestern Fjord. To the east, the bay is bounded by the
Aialik Peninsula and
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, Alaska, Seward, located at the head of the bay. The bay received ...
.
Campsites
Though the bay is part of Kenai Fjords National Park, it can only be accessed by boat.
Abra Cove is a popular camping spot featuring freshwater, tall cliffs, waterfalls, and views of glaciers. Verdant Cove, Tooth Cove, McMullen Cove, Pedersen Lagoon, and Bear Cove also have landing beaches and are sailing/camping destinations during Alaska's summers.
References
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Bays of Alaska
Bodies of water of Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area