Fieldnotes Blog

17Jun 2019 by Rob Cadmus
Before and After Restoration at Pat Creek

Before and After Restoration at Pat Creek

Uncategorized
Restoration of salmon habitat at Pat Creek near Wrangell is underway.  SAWC and our partners are adding large woody debris to about 1 km of stream. Fish like trees (when they fall in they create pools and other preferred habitats). The lack of mature trees along (and also in) the creek has resulted in less than optimal fish habitat including overwidened areas lacking pools and cover. Here is a before and after shot from the same spot on Pat Creek that shows the addition of large wood. Before                                                                           After  
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11Jun 2019 by Rob Cadmus
Work Starts for the Pat Creek Fish Habitat Enhancement Project

Work Starts for the Pat Creek Fish Habitat Enhancement Project

Uncategorized
Work started today on SAWC's Pat Creek Fish Habitat Enhancement Project!  Photo:  Mike Brunfelt, with Interfluve, Inc., works with Brett Woodbury, BW Enterprises to improve fish habitat to Wrangell's Pat Creek.   Location: Wrangell Island, Southeast Alaska Fish: Salmon (Coho, Pink, Chum, Sockeye), Dolly Varden char, Cutthroat Trout History: The valley bottom was logged in the 1960’s-70’s. This logging occurred before stream buffers were required, and trees on the stream’s banks were harvested. Restoration Need: Fish like trees (when they fall in they create pools and other preferred habitats). The lack of mature trees along (and also in) the creek has resulted in less than optimal fish habitat including overwidened areas lacking pools and cover. The Project: During the summer of 2019, “large wood” (tree trunks/roots) will be added to…
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29Apr 2019 by Rebecca Bellmore
Pullen Creek gets a facelift

Pullen Creek gets a facelift

Healthy Watersheds
Pullen Creek is a spring-fed salmon stream that flows through the heart of Skagway, Alaska. In 2006 a roughened channel was constructed downstream of Congress Way to help migrating salmon get through a perched culvert (think of a perched culvert as a small waterfall and a roughened channel as an access ramp). Over the years, high flows removed small rocks in the channel exposing landscaping cloth and eliminating salmon spawning habitat and places for insects to live. This week SAWC replaced the missing rocks with a mix a sand, gravel, and cobbles to restore the streambed in time for a big run of pink salmon later this summer. Check out a video on Facebook.
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03Apr 2019 by Rebecca Bellmore
WANTED: Watershed Monitoring Intern

WANTED: Watershed Monitoring Intern

Community Watershed Stewardship, Healthy Watersheds, Watershed Science
Position Description: We are seeking an enthusiastic, detail-oriented intern to develop a stream stage–discharge relationship and assist with water and sediment quality monitoring in Jordan Creek, Juneau, AK. The intern will work with Dr. Eran Hood (UAS), the SAWC Science Director and SAWC Restoration Biologist to measure discharge at the site of an existing stream gage across a range of flows throughout the year. Under the supervision of Dr. Hood, the intern will use the data to develop a rating curve for Jordan Creek. The intern will also assist SAWC staff with water and sediment quality monitoring, which will occur once during the spring and summer, and up to three times during fall storm runoff. Water and sediment monitoring events will require full work days (one day in April, one…
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03Apr 2019 by Rebecca Bellmore
Stormwater Monitoring, Restoration, and Watershed Planning for Jordan Creek

Stormwater Monitoring, Restoration, and Watershed Planning for Jordan Creek

Community Watershed Stewardship, Healthy Watersheds, Watershed Science
SAWC is excited to begin a comprehensive project to address stormwater runoff in Jordan Creek (Juneau). Lower Jordan Creek is highly urbanized. Rainwater and snowmelt flow quickly over pavement, picking up pollutants and sediments and carrying them directly to the stream, where they can damage fish and invertebrate habitat and health. With funding from the AK Department of Environmental Conservation (Alaska Clean Water Actions Program), we will monitor the water for heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and other urban pollutants for the next two years. Additionally, we will restore riparian vegetation, which can filter out pollutants and provide nutrients and habitat for fish, along one reach of the stream. Finally, we will develop a comprehensive watershed management plan by working with land owners and managers to identify solutions and funding sources that…
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25Mar 2019 by Rebecca Bellmore
NEW! Implementation Plan for the SEAK Freshwater Temperature Monitoring Network

NEW! Implementation Plan for the SEAK Freshwater Temperature Monitoring Network

Community Watershed Stewardship, Watershed Science
We are excited to release the Southeast Alaska Freshwater Temperature Monitoring Network Implementation Plan! The Implementation Plan explains why the network is important, reviews existing monitoring sites, lays out a sampling plan for the future, and outlines short- and long-term goals for the network.  The strategic sampling plan addresses the need for long-term data, monitoring of culturally important sites, and filling in gaps in the types of systems that are monitored so that we can have a more robust understanding of stream temperature patterns and trends, and their drivers. Organizations that are monitoring stream temperature can learn more about the network on our website and sign onto the network via a Memorandum of Understanding, which can be found in the Implementation Plan. A big thanks to the Network Steering Committee and…
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25Feb 2019 by Rob Cadmus
Wrangell Area Watersheds Assessment

Wrangell Area Watersheds Assessment

Community Watershed Stewardship, Resources, Restoration & Mitigation, Watershed Science
As the community of Wrangell continues to grow and develop, the City and Borough of Wrangell and its residents have sought to identify and prioritize local aquatic resources to better plan for future land development and strategize potential restoration-based mitigation opportunities. In an effort to support the informed management of Wrangell’s watersheds and aquatic resources, the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition (SAWC) has undertaken the Wrangell Area Watersheds Assessment. The purpose of the Wrangell Area Watersheds Assessment was to compile a dataset and report outlining key aquatic resources within the City and Borough of Wrangell, including an assessment of the current habitat condition of key aquatic resources, identification of sites that could benefit from restoration treatment, and outlining watershed management challenges and opportunities. The community of Wrangell and its surrounding area…
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22Feb 2019 by Rebecca Bellmore
Litter Free Spring Clean-up April 20

Litter Free Spring Clean-up April 20

Community Watershed Stewardship, Events, Trainings & Opportunities
Litter Free, Inc. wants you! We need your help to keep our mission going of keeping Juneau, Alaska "Litter Free!" The annual community-wide spring clean-up of public lands, roadways, sidewalks, beaches, wetlands, and trails will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019.  Trash bag distribution sites are stationed around the community and anyone can join us in picking up trash. Local contractors volunteer their time and trucks to take the collected waste to the landfill. Last year we hauled over 30,000 pounds of trash to the landfill.  We partner with many local businesses and community groups in this effort - be part of our team! Throughout the spring, summer and fall, Litter Free coordinates a "Youth Litter Patrol."  Thanks to our major program sponsors, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR),…
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