Passage Canal
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Passage Canal
| image = Passage Canal-Chugach.jpg
| caption = Passage Canal, with Lowell Peak to left
| alt =Passage Canal
| image_bathymetry =
|pushpin_map=Alaska
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
| coords = {{coord|60.813|-148.546|type:waterbody_region:US-AK|display=inline,title}}
| inflow = Whittier Creek, Learnard Creek, Cove Creek, Billings Creek, Seth River
| outflow =
| catchment =
| basin_countries = United States
| length = {{convert|11|mi|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://topozone.com/alaska|title=Alaska Topographic Maps by Topo Zone|website=TopoZone}}
| width = {{convert|2|mi|abbr=on}}
| depth = {{convert|1128|ft|abbr=on}}
| max-depth = {{convert|1290|ft|abbr=on}}
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| frozen = Never
| islands = None
| sections = Shotgun Cove, Emerald Bay, Squirrel Cove, Poe Bay, Logging Camp Bay
| cities = Whittier
}}
Passage Canal is a natural bay (not an artificial canal) of Prince William Sound on the east coast of the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, United States. Its only settlement is the small town of Whittier, located near the head of the bay.
It is called the gateway to Prince William Sound as many water taxis, kayak tours, anglers, and recreational boaters use the bay to access nearby state marine parks and federal cabins.
The town of Whittier was founded along the banks of Passage Canal to serve as a secret deep water port for the United States military during World War II.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/review/USA_AK_Port_of_Whittier_3494.php|title=Port of Whittier|website=World Port Source}}
Fatalities and incidents
On April 1, 2018, Anchorage resident Karl Stoltz went missing after departing Whittier's deep water port in a small skiff to harvest crabs over Easter. Earlier, he had been spotted experiencing issues with the engine of the watercraft, which had recently been bought on Craigslist.{{cite web|url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2018/04/02/an-anchorage-man-went-out-into-prince-william-sound-to-harvest-crab-for-easter-hes-still-missing/|title=An Anchorage man left Whittier to harvest crab for Easter. He's still missing.|date=3 April 2018|publisher=}} His hypothermic body was found floating two days later, attached to lines hooked to crab pots after an intensive Coast Guard search.{{cite web|url=https://www.adn.com/outdoors-adventure/2018/04/04/volunteers-find-body-of-crab-fisherman-missing-near-whittier/|title=Volunteers find body of crab fisherman missing near Whittier|date=4 April 2018|publisher=}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Bodies of water of Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
Category:Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area
{{KenaiPeninsulaAK-geo-stub}}