2015 in Community Watershed Accomplishments!

HNY
It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached then end of 2015! What a whirlwind it has been, and at the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition we have so much to reflect on and be grateful for!
A huge heartfelt thank you to all of our partners, funders, and supporters who have helped SAWC and our member groups achieve our goals to advance community based watershed management in Southeast Alaska in 2015!
Here is a little recap of all that we accomplished with your help and support. We can’t wait to see what opportunities 2016 brings; Happy New Year!

The Southeast Alaska Mitigation Fund:

SAWC hosted a series of informational community meetings in communities throughout Southeast Alaska. If you missed any of our meetings you can find the information presented here!

 

SAWC Projects:

SAWC completed a reconnaissance level watershed assessment on Pat Creek, near the community of Wrangell. Find the completed assessment report here!

SAWC also worked in partnership with the USFWS to facilitate the survey and design of fish passage improvement projects on watersehds in Gustavus, Thorne Bay, and Juneau.

 

ACWA Beach Monitoring Program:

SAWC wrapped up the first season of monitoring for harmful fecal bacteria in waters at Wrangell public beaches. Find the first year report here!

In 2015 we began a second year of water quality monitoring at Wrangell beaches, and expanded the program to the community of Petersburg, where we partnered with the Petersburg Indian Association to begin monitoring at Sandy Park beach.

 

Takshanuk Watershed Council

TWC hosted a mining forum for the Haines community to present information on large scale mining in Alaska.

TWC purchased the Jones Point property in Haines, where they have relocated their offices and are currently developing plans for contaminated site remediation and habitat restoration.

TWC continued their hooligan research project with Oregon State University, monitoring populations of this important traditional subsistence fish on the Chilkoot River.

 

Taiya Inlet Watershed Council

TIWC continued development of their Salmon in the Classroom program, which teaches kids about salmon life cycles and habitat needs through hands-on education.

TIWC also completed construction of a rain garden designed to filter contaminants and pollutants from stormwater runoff into Pullen Creek. TIWC published a hand Guide to Building Rain Gardens available to other SE communities looking to improve local water quality through green infrastructure!

Crews began construction on the first phase of the Pullen Creek StreamWalk in Skagway. This interpretive trail will reduce impacts to habitat on the urban stream, while providing an opportunity for environmental education for locals and visitors to the community.

 

Juneau Watershed Partnership

JWP began design and construction of a snow barrier fence and rain garden on a site along Jordan Creek. This green infrastructure project will prevent the deposit of contaminated snow and will treat stormwater runoff entering Jordan Creek, to improve water quality and fish habitat.

JWP also completed the identification and compilation of watershed restoration, enhancement, and mitigation opportunities for improving fish, habitat and water quality in Juneau’s watersheds. View the complete interactive map of opportunities here!

 

Prince of Wales Watershed Association:

POWWA made their Prince of Wales Island Unified Watershed Assessment available publicly for download and use through a new mobile phone app. Find more information and download the assessment  here.