HomeMy WebLinkAbout141006-PBVC_Supplement#2Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
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Pedro Bay Village Council
P.O. Box 47020, Pedro Bay, AK 99647
October 6, 2014
DI14-6-000
Secretary Kimberly D. Bose
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20426
Subject: Declaration of Intention for Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project
near Pedro Bay, Alaska. – Supplemental Information.
Dear Secretary:
Our consultant, Polarconsult Alaska, Inc., (Polarconsult) submitted a Declaration of
Intention (DI) for the proposed Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on July 22, 2014 (FERC docket DI14-6-000).
FERC issued a public notice for the DI on August 22, 2014, with a thirty day public
comment period. Polarconsult filed supplemental information with the FERC on
September 22, 2014 to clarify the extent of salmon resources at Knutson Creek and the
project’s lack of impact on those resources. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game
(ADF&G) also filed comments with the FERC focusing on the fisheries resources of
Knutson Creek on September 22. Polarconsult contacted FERC staff on our behalf on
September 26 requesting an opportunity to respond to ADF&G’s comments. FERC staff
granted this request on September 29, requiring a response by October 6.
We have prepared this supplemental information letter to address comments filed by the
ADF&G that are erroneous or misleading. We appreciate the opportunity to provide this
additional information to the FERC.
While we appreciate the comments and information provided by ADF&G, several of the
comments clearly indicate that the ADF&G writer is not familiar with the fisheries
resources of Knutson Creek, does not understand the nature of the proposed hydroelectric
project, nor has consulted ADF&G fisheries scientists and others with first-hand
knowledge of anadromous fish use of the stream. We hope this letter will help clarify the
record. Before going further, it is important to acknowledge that we are firmly
committed to working with ADF&G constructively to develop a project that preserves,
protects, and improves Pedro Bay's local environment and is in compliance with the
intent of ADF&G's jurisdiction under Alaska Statutes 16.05.841 (Fishway Act) and
16.05.871 (Anadromous Fish Act).
In this letter, we provide additional information to correct the following significant
erroneous and/or misleading statements and conclusions made in ADF&G’s comments of
September 22, 2014:
1. ADF&G asserts that the sockeye salmon habitat in and above the proposed bypass
reach of Knutson Creek is commercially significant. This is not the case.
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
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2. ADF&G asserts that Knutson Creek is a commercially significant sport fish resource
for rainbow trout. This is not the case.
We also provide, as attachments to this letter, brief descriptions of Pedro Bay Village and
why we are pursuing this project (Attachment 1), and a description of the proposed
project and our initial thoughts on strategies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate any
significant adverse impacts the project may have on Knutson Creek fish resources
(Attachment 2). We hope these attachments will help FERC and ADF&G better
understand our objectives and philosophy in pursuing this project.
Issue 1. Is Knutson Creek Sockeye Salmon Habitat Commercially Significant?
ADF&G’s comments correctly point out that some adult sockeye salmon presence and/or
spawning occurs in and above the project’s proposed bypass reach. ADF&G then
erroneously concludes that this habitat has commercial significance without providing
any basis for this claim.
In fact, the proposed bypass reach and upstream reach of Knutson Creek does not
represent a commercially significant sockeye salmon resource. This conclusion is based
on the following information:
1. Published information on Knutson Creek and the opinions of qualified fisheries
biologists familiar with Knutson Creek,
2. Quantitative analysis of the relative significance of Knutson Creek sockeye
habitat relative to the smallest applicable commercial sockeye fishery, in
accordance with prior FERC methodology in similar dockets, and
3. Review of the types of sockeye habitat potentially impacted by the proposed
project and the types of sockeye habitat that limit sockeye salmon production in
the Kvichak River system.
1. Published information and fisheries biologist assessments
Published information for Knutson Creek and consultation with several qualified fisheries
biologists with extensive experience on the Kvichak River system and Knutson Creek
indicates that the bypass and upstream reaches of Knutson Creek are not commercially
significant sockeye salmon resources, as follows:
“Distribution of [sockeye salmon] spawners [at Knutson Creek]: nearly all
spawning in lower 100 yards [of creek above outlet to Lake Iliamna]. Fish may
spawn far upstream in suitable gravel patches.”
Demory et al (1964) at pages 71 to 73. (Attachment 3)
“The area above RM 1.2 on Knutson Creek is not sockeye spawning habitat,
marginal at best for any production if utilized.”
Morstad (2014). (Attachment 4)
“As compared to lower Knutson Creek and the lake–shoals off its stream mouth,
the upper stream provides minimal sockeye salmon habitat and use.”
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
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Barrett (2012) at page 3. Attachment 1 to Sept. 22, 2014
Filing by Polarconsult in FERC Docket DI14-6-000.
The following qualified fisheries biologists familiar with the Knutson Creek system have
reached similar conclusions regarding the commercial significance of sockeye production
from the upper reaches of Knutson Creek:
‐ Bruce Barrett. Mr. Barrett conducted the 2012 fisheries survey of Knutson Creek
for this project. Barrett (2012). This survey included foot surveys of the creek,
minnow trapping, and assessment of habitat conditions through the proposed bypass
reach. Mr. Barrett has over 30 years experience studying and managing
anadromous fisheries in Alaska, including 23 years experience working for ADF&G
in southcentral and southwest Alaska in the Commercial Fisheries and Habitat
Divisions. Mr. Barrett was the project leader for ADF&G for study of the proposed
Devil’s Canyon and Watana Hydroelectric Projects on the Upper Susitna River from
1981 to 1985.
‐ Travis Elison. Mr. Elison is the current Area Resource Biologist for Knutson
Creek with the Division of Commercial Fisheries, Alaska Department of Fish and
Game. Mr. Elison was contacted regarding this project in September 2014 to
update earlier consultations with Mr. Morstad in 2012. Elison (2014).
‐ Steve (Slim) Morstad. Mr. Morstad was the Area Management Biologist for the
Naknek-Kvichak Rivers Systems (which includes Knutson Creek), Division of
Commercial Fisheries, Alaska Department of Fish and Game until his retirement in
May 2014. Mr. Morstad has over 30 years’ experience managing and studying the
region’s commercial fisheries, and has authored numerous papers on the region’s
commercial sockeye fisheries. Mr. Morstad was contacted in 2012 regarding this
project prior to conducting the fisheries surveys, and was contacted again in
October 2014 to reconfirm his professional assessment that the upper reaches of
Knutson Creek are not commercially significant sockeye salmon habitat. Morstad
(2012), Morstad (2014).
‐ Dr. Thomas Quinn. Dr. Quinn is a Professor of Aquatic & Fisheries Sciences with
the University of Washington, and has been closely associated with the University’s
Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) and Alaska Salmon Program (ASP). Dr. Quinn
has been a core member of the ASP since 1987. The ASP has a research field
station on Porcupine Island near the village of Pedro Bay, and has conducted
detailed surveys and studies of sockeye salmon in Lake Iliamna, including at
Knutson Creek and Pedro Bay, for 50 years. Dr. Quinn was contacted in 2012
regarding this project prior to conducting the 2012 fisheries surveys. Quinn (2012).
2. Quantitative analysis of importance of upper Knutson Creek sockeye production
The consensus conclusion of the fisheries biologists summarized above is also supported
by quantitative analysis of the importance of the sockeye habitat in the bypass and
upstream reaches of Knutson Creek, as follows.
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Knutson Creek is a tributary to the Kvichak River and Bristol Bay. From 1994 to 2013,
the average ex-vessel value of the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon fishery was $110 million.1
The Kvichak River watershed is estimated to contribute 30 to 35 percent of the sockeye
salmon in the Bristol Bay fishery.2 Counts of sockeye spawners at Knutson Creek
average 1,652 fish, which represents 0.05 percent (annual range of 0.003 percent to 0.15
percent) of the average total Kvichak River sockeye salmon escapement of 5.38 million
fish, based on 25 years of data from 1956 to 2002.3 Nearly all of these Knutson Creek
sockeye spawn downstream of the project, and will not be impacted by the proposed run-
of-river project.4 The proportion of sockeye utilizing the lower reach of Knutson Creek
downstream of the project has been qualitatively characterized as “nearly all” (Demory et
al (1964)). Conversely, the proportion of sockeye utilizing the bypass and upper reaches
of Knutson Creek has been characterized as “marginal at best” (Morstad (2014)), and
“minimal” (Barrett (2012)). For purposes of this analysis, we assign a quantitative value
of 95% of the total Knutson Creek sockeye to the lower reach of Knutson Creek based on
these qualitative terms. This value indicates that an average of approximately 80 sockeye
spawners would occur in and above the proposed bypass reach, which is generally
consistent with the number of adult sockeye in the bypass reach (43) and above the
bypass reach (29) observed by Barrett and ADF&G, respectively, in August 2012.5
With these numbers, we estimate the relative importance of the sockeye salmon that may
spawn in and above the proposed bypass reach on Knutson Creek.
Total Average Kvichak River Sockeye Escapement: 5.38 million
Estimated Total Average Spawners in and above proposed
bypass reach on Knutson Creek: 80
Potential Project Impact on Kvichak River Sockeye Fishery: 0.0015 percent
Converted into dollar terms, the estimated average annual ex-vessel value of the sockeye
salmon that are associated with habitat in the bypass reach and upstream reach of
Knutson Creek is less than $600.
($110 million x 0.35 x 0.000015 = $577.50)
3. Importance of upper Knutson Creek habitat to Kvichak system sockeye production
As briefly addressed in Polarconsult’s September 22 comments, sockeye production in
the Kvichak System is limited by available rearing habitat.6 This means that there is
generally more spawning habitat, and more sockeye fry production, than the system’s
rearing habitat can support. Incremental loss of a minor amount of spawning habitat is
1 ADF&G (2014a). (Attachment 5)
2 ADF&G (2014b) at page 4, paragraph 5.
3 Based on data from ADF&G (2014a) at Table 1, and Morstad and Brazil (2012) at Table 1.
See Attachment 6.
4 Based on Demory et al (1964 at pages 71 to 73, and Morstad (2012) and (2014).
5 Barrett (2012) and ADF&G (2013) (Attachment 7).
6 As discussed in Clark et al (2007).
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Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
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therefore very unlikely to create any impact at all to the Kvichak River or Bristol Bay
sockeye fisheries.
Issue 2. Is Knutson Creek Rainbow Trout Habitat Commercially Significant?
ADF&G claims that Knutson Creek is a commercially significant sport fishery for
rainbow trout with access occurring by floatplane or boat.7 This claim is incorrect. The
Council is familiar with the ‘destination’ sport fishing operations in and around Pedro
Bay. We agree with ADF&G that the sport fishing opportunities of the region are world
class, but we are unaware of any sport fishing activity for rainbow trout up Knutson
Creek. The simple reason for this is that there are numerous sport fishing opportunities in
the region that provide better sport fish experiences than Knutson Creek. It is worth
noting that the 256 Dolly Varden trapped during the 2012 fisheries survey ranged in size
from 2.3 to 7.6 inches fork length – hardly world class catches.8 No rainbow trout were
documented during either the 2012 Barrett or ADF&G surveys.9
It is also important to clarify that Knutson Creek is not accessible by floatplane or boat.10
The mouth of Knutson Creek is accessible via Lake Iliamna by boat, and there are a few
points along the lower reach of Knutson Creek (RM 0.0 to approximately 1.1) that are
accessible from the village by all-terrain vehicle. Above RM 1.1, the only practical
means of access is on foot through dense brush over primitive game trails, or by
helicopter.11 Knutson Creek itself is not accessible by boat or floatplane.
Based on this information, the project will not affect interstate commerce, and does not
fall under FERC jurisdiction.
Criteria for Deciding FERC Jurisdiction
The preceding narratives have established an upper bound for possible impacts to
commercial sockeye fisheries resulting from this project, and demonstrated that there are
no other commercial fisheries or commerce clause activity that arises from habitat in the
proposed bypass and upstream reaches of Knutson Creek. Because of the opportunities
and state requirements for impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation, realization of
the projected sockeye impacts at or near these upper bounds is unlikely. Further, since
the Kvichak system has an excess of the sockeye spawning habitat potentially impacted
at Knutson Creek, this project is very unlikely to have any commercial fisheries impacts
at all.
This section reviews established FERC criteria for deciding jurisdiction over projects that
affect commercial salmon fisheries.
The FERC has previously established that otherwise non-jurisdictional projects must
have a “real and substantial” effect on interstate or foreign commerce in order for a
7 See page 5, paragraph 4 of ADF&G (2014b).
8 See page 2 of Barrett (2012).
9 Barrett (2012), ADF&G (2013).
10 See photographs of bypass reach in Barrett (2012).
11 See photographs of upper habitat reach in ADFG (2014).
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
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References
ADF&G, 2013. Fisheries survey report for the upper reaches of Knutson Creek, accessed
by helicopter on August 15, 2012. See photographs at:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/reports/FishSurveys/rptSite.cfm?site=CIA1216C08
ADF&G, 2014a. News Release, 2014 Bristol Bay Salmon Season Summary. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries. September 3,
2014. King Salmon, Alaska.
ADF&G, 2014b. Comments, Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project FERC Docket DI14-
6-000. Declaration of Intent Seeking a Project Non-Jurisdictional Determination. DI
Review by ADF&G. September 19, 2014.
Barrett, Bruce M., 2012. Technical Report No. 12-011. A Fisheries Survey of Upper
Knutson Creek Associated with Potential Hydroelectric Development for Pedro Bay,
Alaska. Alaska Biological Consulting, September 2012.
Clark et al, 2007. Clark, R., M. Willette, S. Fleischman, and D. Eggers. 2007. Biological
and fishery-related aspects of overescapement in Alaskan sockeye salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Special Publication No.
07-17, Anchorage.
Demory et al, 1964. Demory, R.L., R.F. Orrell, and D.R. Heinle, 1964. Spawning
Ground Catalog of the Kvichak River System, Bristol Bay, Alaska. Contribution No.
168 of the College of Fisheries, Fisheries Research Institute, University of
Washington. Special Scientific Report Fisheries No. 488, United States Fish and
Wildlife Service. Washington D.C. Pages 71-73.
Elison, 2014. Personal communication between Mr. Bruce Barrett and Mr. Travis Elison,
Area Resource Biologist for Knutson Creek, ADF&G. September 2012.
Morstad, 2012. Personal communication with Mr. Steve (Slim) Morstad, Area
Management Biologist for Naknek-Kvichak Rivers Systems, Division of Commercial
Fisheries, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. August 2012.
Morstad, 2014. Email communication with Mr. Steve (Slim) Morstad, Area Management
Biologist for Naknek-Kvichak Rivers Systems, Division of Commercial Fisheries,
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Retired May 2014 with 30 years experience).
October 2, 2014.
Morstad and Brazil, 2012. Special Publication No. 12-19, Kvichak River Sockeye Salmon
Stock Status and Action Plan, 2012, a Report to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Steve
(Slim) Morstad and Charles E. Brazil. Alaska Department of Fish and Game,
Divisions of Sport and Commercial Fisheries. November 2012.
Polarconsult, 2013. Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Feasibility Study Final Report.
Polarconsult Alaska, Inc. Anchorage. November 2013.
Quinn, 2012. Personal communication between Mr. Bruce Barrett and Dr. Tom Quinn,
Professor of Aquatic & Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington and Primary
Instructor, Fisheries Research Institute, Alaska Salmon Program Field Station at
Porcupine Island, Iliamna Lake. August 2012.
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
Attachment 1 of 7
Attachment 1.
Background on the Village of Pedro Bay and Purpose of Proposed Project
We provide this brief introduction to the Village of Pedro Bay, so the FERC and
Commission Staff may better understand the project purpose and setting. The village of
Pedro Bay is a small Dena’ina (Alaskan Native) community situated on the eastern
shores of Lake Iliamna with a permanent population of approximately 42. This region is
largely undeveloped and sparsely populated sub-arctic wilderness. The alpine
backcountry of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is 10 miles north of the village,
and remote portions of Katmai National Park and Preserve are about 30 miles to the
south. Our village is isolated from the other small villages in the area. The closest
communities are Kokhanak (pop. ~174), approximately 25 miles to the southwest, and
Iliamna (pop. ~97), approximately 25 miles west of Pedro Bay. The only means of
access to Pedro Bay is by airplane, or by boat during the summer season. We have no
roads that connect us to other communities in the region or in Alaska generally.
Many of our residents practice a subsistence lifestyle, harvesting plants, fish, and wildlife
from the lands and waters surrounding the village to sustain our families. As is the case
for many remote Alaska villages, we generate electricity by burning diesel fuel. Diesel
fuel is very costly in Pedro Bay, and results in an exceptionally high cost of electricity of
$0.91 per kilowatt-hour. Fuel and electricity costs are a major barrier to the economic
development of our community and general welfare of our residents. Community
members have been leaving the village in recent years in pursuit of a lower cost of living
and better economic opportunity. This out-migration directly threatens the viability and
survival of our community, culture, and heritage.
We are pursuing the Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project as a means to lower electricity
costs, improve local economic opportunities, decrease our dependence on increasingly
expensive fuel, improve the environmental integrity of our village lifestyle, and improve
the sustainability of our community. This project will directly reduce the quantities of
diesel fuel used by our village, thereby reducing the amount of fuel transported to the
community and the associated risk of polluting our air, land and waters by the transport,
storage, handling, and burning of diesel fuel.
Some of our residents practice subsistence harvest of sockeye salmon from Knutson
Creek, so we hold the protection and stewardship of this local food source to be of equal
importance to the hydro project. Also, the sport fishing and hunting lodges that operate
in and near Pedro Bay are an important part of our local economy, and protecting the
resources that underpin these businesses is a top priority for us. Existing information,
familiarity with the resources, professional biologists familiar with Knutson Creek
(including current and former ADF&G personnel), and common sense all tell us that our
proposed hydro project is an environmentally responsible project that will not harm
Knutson Creek’s fish resources.
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
Attachment 2 of 7
Attachment 2.
Proposed Project Configuration and Operation
The proposed hydro project will operate in run-of-river mode. Run-of-river projects do
not store water, but rather divert some of the instantaneous flow in the creek into the
project for power generation, and return that flow to the creek downstream of the project.
With this configuration, only flow in the bypass reach (proposed as river mile (RM) 1.1
to 2.59) is affected by the project.
Reducing flow in the bypass reach has the potential to impact fish passage through the
bypass reach, impeding access to upstream fish habitat. In the case of this project, such
impacts will be minimized by:
(1) the relatively small volume of water diverted for the hydro project as compared to
normal summer flow, and
(2) preliminary in-stream flow reservations intended to maintain flow in the bypass reach
during low flow periods.
Figure 2 of the July 21, 2014 Declaration of Intention (DI) shows hydrology data for
Knutson Creek at the proposed diversion site (RM 2.59). Flow during the summer
months (May through September) is normally well in excess of the proposed project
design flow of 20 cubic feet per second (cfs), insuring enough flow in the bypass reach to
accommodate fish movements during this period. Nearly all sockeye salmon migration
occurs in this season.
The annual low flow at Knutson Creek of approximately 6 cfs occurs in March or April
before the onset of spring melt in May. The project feasibility study and economics
assume a preliminary in-stream flow reservation of 6.6 cfs at the diversion structure in
order to maintain fish passage and habitat through the bypass reach during the winter
months (October through April).13 This preliminary in-stream flow reservation will be
supplemented by tributary inflows along the bypass reach, resulting in a higher minimum
flow of approximately 8 cfs at the lower end of the bypass reach.
This preliminary in-stream flow reservation was developed through early consultations
with ADF&G staff on September 22, 2010 and June 9, 2011, at which time hydrology
data and the development concept of the project were also discussed. The combination of
relatively low project flow and anticipation of an in-stream flow reservation provides for
efficient fish passage through the bypass reach, as required by AS 16.05.841.
The project’s diversion structure will also need to be designed to allow passage of fish as
required by AS 16.05.841 and AS 16.05.871. This and related fishery issues will be
addressed through a Fish Habitat Permit, which the project must receive from ADF&G
regardless of FERC’s jurisdictional determination under this docket.
If necessary, there are excellent opportunities to mitigate fish habitat impacts from this
project. These include designing the project tailrace as compensatory fish habitat, and
constructing additional fish ponds at the highly productive Pedro Ponds south of the
village airport. These are discussed in the 2012 fisheries survey report. Barrett (2012).
13 See Feasibility Study executive summary. Polarconsult (2013).
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Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
Attachment 3 of 7
Attachment 3.
Excerpted Pages from Demory et al (1964) Covering Knutson Creek
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Stewart L. Udall, Secretary
James K. Carr, Under Secretary
Frank P. Briggs, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, Clarence F. Pautzke, Commiesioner
BUREAU Oi COMMERCIAL FISHERIES, Donald L. McKernan, Director
SPAWNING GROUND CATALOG OF THE KVICHAK RIVER SYSTEM, BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA
Compiled by
Robert L. Demory Russell F. Orrell Donald R. Heinle
Fisheries Research Institute University of Washington Seattle, Washington
[Contribution No. 168, College of Fisheries, University of Washington]
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Special Scientific Report--Fisheries No. 488
Washington, D.C.
June 1964
CONTENTS
Page
Abstract .......................................
Alphabetical index ..................................... iii
Naps ...vi
Introduction ....1
Explanation of format ....2
Streams, cataloged ..................................... 5-292
Information about the red salmon runs and the spawning streams and beaches in the Kvichak River system, Bristol Bay, Alaska, is cataloged in this volume. The material is compiled from data obtained from spawning ground surveys made in the area since 1955 by the Fisheries Research Institute of the University of Washington. Earlier work was financed by the salmon canners of Bristol Bay. In recent years the work was supported by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries.
For each spawning stream or beach, the catalog gives, whenever available, the stream catalog number, name, location, and physical description, including dimensions, bottom quality, flow, barriers, etc. Then a description of red salmon rune to the area is listed, including magnitude of the run and timing and distribution of spawning. Estimates of numbers of red salmon to each stream or beach are listed chronologically under a separate entry entitled "Summary of Surveys."
11
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
Page
ALEC FLYUM CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 266 6 ........................ 139 ALEXI CREEK (Newhalen River) C 0.0:15.1L ...................... 191 BEAR CREEK (Iliamna River) I 156 8-1 4L ......................... 102 BELINDA CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 337.4 .......................... 163 CABIN CREEK (Mamma Lake) I 287.9 ........................... 145 CAMP CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 318.2 ............................. 157 CANYON CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 105.9 .......................... 58 CANYON SPRINGS (Canyon Creek) I 105.9 .......................... 62 CAR CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 51.0 ............................... 30 CHEKOK CREEK (Mamma Lake) I 99.2 ........................... 48 CHINKELYES CREEK (Manna River) I 156 8-4 4L .................... 109 CHOKOTONK RIVER (Lake Clark) C 98.5 ........................... 212 CHULITNA RIVER (Lake Clark) C 45.2 ........................... 198 COPPER RIVER (Iliamna Lake) I 217.1 ........................... 134 CURRANT CREEK (Take Clark) C 116.4 ........................... 214 DENNIS CREEK (Manna Lake) I 320.8 ........................... 160 DREAM CREEK (Gibraltar Lake) G 9.9 ........................... 175 E-2 ISLAND (Iliamna Lake) I 60.0:10.4 .......................... 254 FATRF CREEK (Iliamna River) I 156.8:2.6L ...................... 105 FINGER BEACH NO. 1 (Iliamna Lake) I 160.45 ..................... 231 FINGER BEACH NO. 2 (Iliamna Lake) I 159.5S ..................... 235 FINGER BEACH NO. 3 (Iliamma Lake) I 160.0S ..................... 237 FLAT ISLAND NO. 1 (Iliamna Lake) I 69.6:124.3 ................... 283 FLAT ISLAND NO. 2 (Iliamna Lake) I 64.3:112.5 ................... 259 FLAT ISLAND NO. 3 (Manna Lake) I 64.3:116.4 ................... 263 GIBRALTAR CREEK (Gibraltar Lake) G 0.0 ........................ 167 GIBRALTAR NO. 1 (Gibraltar Lake) G 14.0S ...................... 285 GRANITE CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 288.9 .......................... 148 HUDSON'S FONDS (iliamna Lake) I 67.4 ........................... 36 MANNA RIVER-LEFT FORK (Iliamna River) I 156.8:11.0 ............. 99 ILIAMNA RIVER-MAIN STEM (Iliamna Lake) I 156.8 .................. 91 ILIAMNA RIVER-RIGHT FORK (Iliamna River) I 156.8:11.0 ............. 96 JACK DURAND CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 164.8 ...................... 112 KAKHONAK RIVER (Iliamna Lake) I 278.7 .......................... 142 KASKANAK CREEK (Kvichak River) I 0 0-7 2R ........................ 9 KIJIK LAKE NO. 1 (Kijik Lake) K 5.5S .......................... 289 KIJIK LAKE TRIBUTARIES (Kijik Lake) K 2.5W.;5.5E .................. 206 KIJIK RIVER (lake Clark) C 68.6 ............................... 200 KNUTSON BAY (Mamma Lake) I 109.35 ........................... 224 KNUTSON CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 112.7 .......................... 71 KNUTSON ISLANDS NO. 1 (Mamma Lake) I 63.0:12.6 ................ 256 KNUTSON PONDS (Manna Lake) I 112.8 .......................... 75 KVICHAK RIVER (Iliamna Lake) I 0.0 ........................... 5
iii
LAKE CREEK (Iliamna Take) I 297.3 ............................. 151
LITTLE BEAR CREEK AND POND (Newhalen River) C 0.0:18.7L .......... 188
LITTLE GIBRALTAR CREEK (Gibraltar Creek) G 0.0:0.5L .............. 172
LITTLE KIJIK RIVER (Kijik River) C 6d.6:2.1R ................... 203
LITTLE ROADHOUSE CREEK (Iliamma Lake) I 64.8 ................... 33 LONESOME BAY (Iliamna Lake) I 138.6S .......................... 228
LOWER TALARIK CREEK-LEFT FORK (Iliamna Lake) I 32.2 .............. 18
LOWER TALARIK CREEK-MAIN STEM (Iliamna Lake) I 32.2 .............. 11
LOWER TALARIK CREEK-RIGHT FORK (Iliamna Lake) I 32.2 ............. 15
MIDDLE TALARIK CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 39.2 ..................... 21
MINK CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 106.6 ............................. 68
NANCY CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 211.5 ........................... 125
NEWHALEN RIVER (Lake Clark) C 0.0 ........................... 184
NICK G. CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 214.5 .......................... 131
NICK N. CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 303.4 .......................... 154
NE. EA GL E BAY CREEK ( Iliamna Lake) I 82.0 ..................... 42
NW. EAGLE BAY CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 80.9 ..................... 39 NORTUWEST WOODY NO. 1 (Iliamna Lake) I 64.3:131.2 ................ 277 NORTHWEST WOODY NO. 2 (Iliamna Lake) I 64.3:134.2 ................ 280
OLD WILLIAMS CREEK (Iliamna River) I 156.8:2.7L ................ 107
PECKS CREEK (Kvichak River) I 0.0:6.0L ........................ 7 PEDRO CREEK AND PONDS (Iliamna Lake) I 131.9 ................... 78
PETE ANDREW CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 49.4 ........................ 27 PILE RIVER (Iliamna Lake) I 148.2 ............................. 84
POPE CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 213.6 ............................. 128
PRINCE CREEK PONDS (Iliamna Lake) I 103.8 ...................... 55 RUSSIAN CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 132.9 .......................... 81
SOUTHEAST BEACHES (Iliamna Lake) I 165.0S ...................... 239 SOUTHEAST CREEK (Gibraltar Lake) G 10.0 ........................ 178
SOUTHWEST WOODY NO. 1 (Iliamna Lake) I 64.3:122.3 ................ 265
SOUTHWEST WOODY NO. 2 (Ilianna Lake) I 64.3:124 1 ................ 268
SOUTHWEST WOODY NO. 3 (Iliamna Lake) I 64.3:124.5 ................ 271
SOUTHWEST WOODY NO. 4 (Iliamna Lake) I 64.3:126.7 ................ 274 SQUIRREL VILLAGE CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 170.9 ................... 115
SUCKER BAY LAKE (Lake Clark) C 149.8 .......................... 221
SWAMP CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 149.0 ........................... 88 TANALIAN RIVER (Lake Clark) C 133.6 ........................... 216
TAZIMINA RIVER (Newhalen River) C 0 0-6 OL ...................... 194
TLIKAKILA RIVER (Lake Clark) C 89.1 ........................... 209 TOMKOK CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 102.8 ........................... 52
TOMMY BEACH (Iliamna Lake) I 183.6S ........................... 242
TOMMY RIVER (Iliamna Lake) I 183.9 ........................... 118
TOMMY SPRINGS (Iliamna Lake) I 183.9 .......................... 122
TRIANGLE NO. 1 (Iliamna Lake) I 57.6:14.4 ...................... 248
I v
TRIANGLE NO. 2 (Iliamna Lake) I 57.6:15.3 ................... 251 TRIANGLE NO. 3 (Iliamna Lake) I 57.6:10.3 ................... 245 TROUT CREEK (Gibraltar Lake) G 18.2 ........................ 181 22 CREEK (lake Clark) C 139.6 ............................ 219 UPPER TALARIK CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 46.2 ................... 24 WOLF CREEK PONDS (Canyon Creek) 1 105.9:1.0L ................ 65 YOUNGS CREEK (Iliamna Lake) I 92.6 ........................ 45
1 58 • 136° 154°
158° 1 56° 154°
60°
1
ALASKA
map area • -
59°
60°
590
Figure 1. Kvichak River system of Bristol Boy, Alaska.
154°15' I54°10 154°05' 154•00 153°55 I5435 154°30' 154°25 154°20'
KNUTSON BAY
1576:13.3
(Irian.le NO 2)
157.6:14.4 (TriangM No. )
164.3:124.3 Southwest \ Woolly Ne.
164.3:124.1
(SOUTHYROST
\WOODY 04O2
164.3126.7
HWEST
WOODY NO4
PEDRO BAY
F R I. FIELD STATION
PORDUPINE ISLAND 1169.53
(FINGTE Beach NO2
59°45 —
{Triangle NO 3/
157.6103
WOODY ISLAND 160.0.104
1E-2 ISLAND)
E-2 ISLAND
164.3:12
1160.08
(Fingal. Beach No.3)
1160.4$
(Finger Beach No.1)
1165.06
(SOODWASI IEWOCHED)
59°40
1163.61
(TOMMY BEACH)
/138.66
luitesome Bay)
MILES
Figure. 2. Known beach spawning areas of Marano Lake, Alaska.
149.4
(Pete Andrew Creek)
151.0
(Car Creek)
132.2
( Lower Talarik
Creek)
I 39.2
(Middle Talarik
Creek) 146.2
Upper Talarik Creek
CHEKOK IS
1320.8
( Dennis Creek)
1337.4
(Belinda Creek)
10.0,7.2R (Kasientok Creek)
10.0 (KvIdtak River)
10.0:6.0L (Peeks Creek)
5 0 5 1 0
■
MILES
1318.2
( Camp
Creek)
59°45.
59°30'
59 °151
156° 00' 155°30' 155°00'
Figure. 3. Stream spawning areas of western half of Mamma Lake, Alaska.
59°15'
155°00'
C0.013.0L
Taximino River
1102.8
Tomkok Creek)
00.0 15.11. (Alexi Creek)
C0.0 :111.7L (Little Bear Creek and Pond)
180.9 (NW. Eagle Bay Creek)
max ta
1112.7
(Knutson Creek)
1148.2
(Pile River)
1131.9 (Pedro Creek and Ponds)
1132.9 (Russian Creek
156.8
1164,8 (Jack Ourona Creek)
I 180.0: 11.0 It
River)
I 186,81 It.OL
1156.8:4.4L
(Chinkelyes Creek)
1156.8:2.7L (Old Williams Creek)
192.6
(Young's CO
182.0 (ME. Eaglet Bay Cree )
T, 0
I..)
WOODY IS, TRIANGLE IS.
11(33.5 V (Prince Crest Ponds )
I 12.8
nutaon
1 49.0
(Seam Creek)
I99.2
(Chekek
II56.82 False Creek)
156.8: I4L
(Bear Creek)
164.8 (Little Roodhouse Creek)
CO.0 (Noah°hen River)
1105.9
(Canyon Creek)
1105.9:1.0L (Wolf Creek Ponds)
1106.8
mink Creek)
100.0
60.0: 0.5L
(Little Gibraltar
Creak)
170.9
(Squirrel Village Creek) 1183.9 (Tommy Springs)
1183.9
(Tommy Rived
1214.5
(Nicke. Creek)
1217.1 (Copper River)
18.2 Trout Creek)
G14.05 Gibraltar N0.1)
G10.0
(Southeast Creek)
1266.6 (Alec Flyum Cr.)
G9.9
(Dream Creek)
1270.7
(Kakhonak River)
1287.9 (Cabin Creek)
1288.9 (Granite Creek)
1211.5 Nancy Cr.
213.6 (Pope Cr.) ii
0
MILES
0.0
(Gibraltar Creek) 1303.4
(Nick N. Creek )
1297.3 Leke reek
59°30' r-
154°00' 154°30'
Figure 4. Stream spawning areas of eastern half of Marron° Lake, Alaska.
60°0'
59°45'
-60°15'
C45.2 (Challtna River)
C139.6 (22 Creek)
cia3.8 (Tanolian River)
1604,4
CI16.4 (Currant Creek)
.60°30'
10
MILES
K5.55
(Kijik Lake
Mo. I)
C98.5
(ChOkotonk
Rivas')
C68.62.1R (Little Kijik River)
K2.5 W,5 (Kijik Lake Tributaries)
4•04,4
C149.8 Sucker Boy Lake)
C0.0 (Newholen River)
1 55 °00 154°30' 154°00' 60°00' 153°30'
C 89.1 (Tlikakilo River)
I
5 0 •
Figure. 5. Spawning areas of Lake Clark. Alaska.
SPAWNING GROUND CATALOG OF THE WICHAK RIVER SYSTEM, BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA
INTRODUCTION
The Kvichak River system is the major contributor to the important red salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska. From 1932 through 1962, the Kvichak-Naknek fishery contributed about 60 percent of the total Bristol Bay catch. During the period 1955-62, the Kvichak River system alone had an estimated average total run (catch plus escapement) of more than Ei mil-lion red salmon.
Since 1955 the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) has surveyed spawning grounds to determine distri-bution of fish. During 1961 and 1962 the surveys were enlarged to include measurements and estimates of spawn-ing area utilized and potential spawn-ing area. These additional observa-tions were made in order to estimate carrying capacity of Kvichak spawning grounds.
To date 71 stream and pond areas and 23 beach areas have been surveyed and cataloged. This catalog includes all stream and pond areas utilized by the fish, with one or two possible and minor exceptions. Ex-tensive surveys of beach areas did not begin until 1960, and several of these areas may be omitted from the catalog.
Since 1955, FRI has studied spawning grounds under a Salt onstall-Kennedy contract administered by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (BCF). Between 1950 and 1955, FRI,- financed by salmon canners of Bristol Bay, made occasional spawning ground surveys. Prior to 1950, infrequent surveys of parts of the Kvichak River system were
made by the BCF. These are record-ed in "Reports of the Commissioner of Fisheries to the Secretary of Commerce, Alaska Fishery and Fur Seal Industries." This present catalog contains spawning ground information collected during these three periods, thus providing in-terested management and research agencies with the data under one cover.
Early in 1960, a tenta-tive spawning area catalog was compiled by D. R. Heinle and H. D. Smith. The format of this catalog was later changed to accommodate additional and more detailed in-formation, resulting in the present form compiled by R. L. Demory and R. F. Orrell. Field observations were made by C. D. Becker, Demory, J. R. Gilbert, Heinle, O. E. Kerns, Jr., O. A. Mathisen, Orrell, L. A. Phinney, Smith,and P. E. Wright. In addition, many temporary workers aided in data collection.
Special acknowledgment is made to Oren B. Hudson, pilot and owner of Iliamna Airways, who provided excellent help and flying service for aerial surveys.
MAPS
Five maps are presented in this catalog. The first (fig. 1) is a map showing the Kvichak District of Bristol Bay, Alaska. Figures 2-5 are maps of Iliamna Lake and Lake Clark. Each map shows the number and name of those streams included in the catalog.
2
EXPLANATION OF CATALOG FORMAT
Stream and Beach Designation
Stream number.--The stream designation in the upper left-hand
corner of each page consists of a let-
ter followed by a number. The letter
designates the lake into which the
stream flows or from which it originates
(connecting streams between lakes). The
number represents the distance in miles
and tenths of a mile of the stream
mouth (or beach, as the case may be)
from the outlet of the lake measured
along the shoreline in a clockwise dir-
ection. The measurement is to the
center of the stream mouth (or beach).
A tributary of the trunk
stream is designated by a number sep-arated from the stream number by a
colon. The number represents the dis-
tance in miles and tenths of a mile of
the tributary from the origin of the trunk stream. The "R" or "L" after the
tributary number indicates whether the
stream enters from the right or left of
the trunk stream (facing downstream).
Lakeshore beaches have the
same designation as streams. An is-land beach is designated in a different
fashion. The number following the lake
designation represents the mileage in a
straight line from the outlet of the
lake to the northeramost(true north)
point of land. This is followed by a colon, "I" (for island), and a number
representing the extent of the spawn-
ing beach, which is in miles and tenths
of a mile in a clockwise direction
around the island from the northernmost point.
Lake letter designations used in this catalog are as follows:
I = Iliamna Lake; G = Gibraltar
Lake; C = Lake Clark; and K = Kijik
Lake.
Stream name.--The name is
at the center top of each page.
The lake or river system of which
the spawning area is part follows
the stream name in parentheses.
Names fromU.S.G.S. maps are used when
available, otherwise local names
are used.
Location.--The north lat-'itude (N.) and west longitude (W.)
are given for each stream, pond,
or beach in degrees (12), minutes (;), and seconds ("). For lakes,
the latitude and longitude of the
outlet are given.
Previous names or numbers.--
A previous name or number is given
when available.
U.S.G.S. map.--The maps
most frequently used are Mama,
Alaska, and Lake Clark, Alaska,
scale 1:250,000. Maps of 1:63,360
scale are indicated when available.
Physical Description
Total length of stream.--
Expressed in miles and tenths of a
mile measured with a planimeter
from the map.
Length accessible to salmon.--The length of stream as-
cended by salmon either to the
headwaters or to a permanent block-
age.
Average width and range.--
The average width and range in feet
as determined from the survey.
Average depth and range,--
The average depth and range in inches
as determined from the survey. Aver-
age depth was determined where a flow
measurement was taken. Range applies
to depths for the entire stream.
Total accessible spawning
area.--The total accessible area in acres and square yards.
Potential spawning area.--
The spawning area in acres and square
yards. Potential spawning area was determined by deducting from total
accessible area the percentage of non-
spawnable pools, riffles, and areas made nonspawnable by water velocities
exceeding 5 feet per second (fps).
Potential spawning area for
beaches has not been determined. Area
utilized is given for beaches as de-
termined in 1961.
Bottom quality.--The mean
percentage of different bottom types
as determined from the survey.
Bottom type (gravel size) was arbi-
trarily chosen as <1/8", l/8"-3",
3"-l2", >12", and unknown.
Watershed.--A brief descrip-
tion of the watershed and stream.
Such things as drainage area (to the
nearest square mile as determined from
contour maps with a compensating polar
planimeter), type of valley (glacial, stream-cut, etc.), vegetation, flood-
ing, source, and obstructions are in-
cluded.
Gradient.--Given in feet per
mile as determined from contour maps.
Field gradient measurements have not
been made.
Water velocity.--Given
in fps and determined when a flow meas-
urement was given.
Flow.and range.--Discharge
in cubic feet per second (cfs),
usually determined near the mouth of
creeks. Date and place of measure-
ment and relative stage of stream
level are indicated when known.
Air temperature.--Given
in degrees centigrade along with
date of measurement.
Water temperature.--Given
in degrees centigrade along with
date of measurement.
Pools and riffles.--Dis-
tribution, abundance, and size of
pools and riffles, though desirable, were not available. These data
should be gathered at a future date.
Red Salmon Runs
Percent of total escape-
ment.--The peak spawning ground
count in a stream expressed as a
percentage of the total escapement.
Four categories are used: <1%, l-Wo, 5-9%, 10% or more. The date
of peak count is also included.
Escapement range.--Min-
imum-maximum escapement to a par-tImaar spawning area.
Time of occupancy.--The
period of time the spawning area
is occupied by red salmon.
Peak of spawning.--The
period of time when the most red
salmon are spawning.
Distribution of spawners.--
The distribution of spawning salmon determined from all available in-
formation.
General Information
Shelter.--Information regard-
ing the shelter (boat anchorage, camp
facilities, etc.) available at the dif-
ferent spawning areas.
Survey routes and methods.--
Information regarding visibility from
air and ground, accessibility on foot
and from boat.
Personal-use fishery.--Infor-
mation on the local personal-use fish-
ery.
Fish species.--Fish species
observed other than red salmon.
Wildlife species.--Rammals and
birds observed as recorded by stream and
survey crews.
Remarks.--Information of mis-
cellaneous nature.
Summary of Surveys
Date surveyed.--Surveys are
listed chronologically.
Method and distance.--Dis-
tance of survey when available is given
in miles and tenths of a mile. In some
cases, such as some spring ponds, dis-
tance is designated by "all." Pre-
ceding the distance are the letters A,
G, or S. These symbols signify aerial,
ground, or scuba survey.
Live.--The number of live red
salmon observed during a particular
survey.
Dtad.--The number of dead red
salmon observed during a particular
survey.
Total.--The number of red
salmon when a distinction between live and dead was not made.
Remarks.--Pertinent in-formation regarding the survey.
Included are number of fish off
mouth and samples collected.
71
I 112.7 KNUTSON CREEK (Iliamna Lake)
LOCATION: 59°48'06" N. 154°09'18" W.
PREVIOUS NAMES OR NUMBERS* E5
U.S.G.S. MAP: Iliamna, 1:250,000
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
TOTAL LENGTH: 12.5 miles
LENGTH ACCESSIBLE TO SALMON: 12.5 miles
AVERAGE WIDTH: 40' RANGE: 25'-50'
AVERAGE DEPTH: 18" RANGE: 12"-30"
TOTAL ACCESSIBLE SPAWNING AREA: 293,304 square yards (60.6 acres)
POTENTIAL SPAWNING AREA: 30%, 88,088 square yards (18.2 acres)
BOTTOM QUALITY: Streambed composed almost entirely of large boulders except near mouth where some gravel and rubble occur. Bottom unstable.
WATERSHED: 48 square miles. A glacial valley heavily forested with spruce, birch,and cottonwood. Subject to severe flooding. Source: surface runoff.
GRADIENT: 168 '/mile
WATER VELOCITY: 2.0 fps
FLOW: 90 cfs (July 23, 1962). Measured RANGE: at 1 mile, normal summer flow.
AIR TEMPERATURE:
WATER TEMPERATURE:
POOLS AND RIFFLES:
72
1112.7 KNUTSON CREEK (Iliamna Lake)
RED SALMON RUNS
PERCENT OF TOTAL KVICHAK ESCAPEMENT: <1% (1956)
ESCAPEMENT RANGE: 0-3,100
TIME OF OCCUPANCY: Aug. 1-Oct. 1
PEAK OF SPAWNING: Aug. 5-Sept. 15
DISTRIBUTION OF SPAWNERS: Nearly all spawning in lower 100 yards. Fish may spawn far upstream in suitable gravel patches.
GENERAL INFORMATION
SHELTER: Excellent shelter in slough which enters southeast corner of Knutson Bay.
SURVEY ROUTES AND METHODS: Aerial visibility excellent. Easily surveyed on foot except when flooding.
PERSONAL-USE FISHERY: Fish taken in same years, no regular fishery.
FISH SPECIES: Dolly Varden, rainbow.
WILDLIFE SPECIES:
73
I 112.7 KNUTSON CREEK (Iliamna Lake)
SUMMARY OF SURVEYS
Method & Date Distance Live Dead Total Remarks
1921
1925
G
G
1,000
150
Spawning in springs tribu-tary to creek
Possibilities limited to small spring near mouth
1926 G 2,000
1927 8/20 G Better than last year
1929 8/16 G Few
1930 Aug. G Few
1931 8/26 G 3,100 0
1948 9/8 A Fish in lower mile
1949 9/2 A 0 0
1950 9/6 G Measured cf 47, 9 96; scales cf 40
1951 9/20 G Measured cf 102, 9 100; scales a' 40
1952 9/16 G Measured cf 101, 9 106
1953 9/3 0 213 30
1954 9/6 A 300 off mouth
1956 9/6 A 1.0 3,000 Few
74
I 112 7 KNUTSON CREEK (Iliamna Lake)
SUMMARY OF SURVEYS
Date Method & Distance Live Dead
1957 9/18 A 0.1
1958 8/9 A 0.1 135
8/28 A 0.1 600
1959 9/2 G 0.3
9/28 G 0.1
1962 8/11 A 4.0 300
9/3 A 3.0 500
Total
Few
Few
Remarks
1,500 off mouth
Nearly all spawning
Mostly spawning
Shows evidence of severe high water
Considerable change from flood
2,000 off mouth
1,000 off mouth
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
Attachment 4 of 7
Attachment 4.
Correspondence with Steve (Slim) Morstad, October 2014
On Thursday, October 2, 2014 4:45 AM, Slim Morstad
<slimmorstad@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes Bruce I confirm that the area above RM 1.2 on Knutson creek is not
sockeye spawning habitat, marginal at best for any production if
utilized.Bruce I'm in st. Maarrten is with poor email
connections. Hope this helps.
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
Attachment 5 of 7
Attachment 5.
ADF&G News Release, 2014 Bristol Bay Salmon Season Summary (Sept. 3, 2014)
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
DIVISION OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES
NEWS RELEASE
Cora Campbell, Commissioner
Jeff Regnart, Director
Contact: P.O. Box 37
Division of Commercial Fisheries King Salmon, AK 99613
Area Management Staff P.O. Box 230
Phone: (907) 246-3341 or 842-5227 Dillingham, AK 99576
Fax: (907) 246-3309 or 842-5937 Date Issued: September 3, 2014
2014 BRISTOL BAY SALMON SEASON SUMMARY
The following is an overview of the 2014 Bristol Bay commercial salmon season. All data are
preliminary.
The 2014 inshore Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run of 40.6 million fish ranks 7th out of the last 20
years (1994–2013) and was 17% above the 34.7 million average run for the same period. This
year’s sockeye run was 53% above the preseason inshore forecast of 26.6 million fish. Togiak
was the only district to come in lower than preseason forecast with Naknek/Kvichak, Egegik,
Ugashik, and Nushagak districts all larger than predicted. The 28.8 million sockeye salmon
commercial harvest was 61% above the 17.9 million preseason forecast. All escapement goals
were met with a total sockeye salmon escapement of 11.8 million fish. Approximately 13,000
Chinook salmon were harvested in Bristol Bay in 2014. The preliminary harvest for other species
was; chum salmon 557,000 fish, coho salmon 266,000 fish, and pink salmon 1.3million fish.
EXVESSEL VALUE
The Bristol Bay 2014 harvest of all salmon species was 30.9 million fish with a preliminary
exvessel value of $197 million which is 79% above the 20-year average of $110 million and the
highest over that same period. The exvessel value record is $202 million in 1990. The weights,
harvests, and prices listed in Table 1 were used to estimate exvessel value. Prices are an average
of post-season processor final operations reports. This estimate does not include future price
adjustments.
2014 Bristol Bay Salmon Season Summary September 3, 2014
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Commercial Fisheries 2
Table 1.–Average price, weight, harvest, and value of salmon harvest in Bristol Bay, 2014
Species Price/lb Weight (lb) Number of Fish Total Weight Value
Sockeye $1.20 5.6 28,809,695 160,576,037 $192,691,244
Chinook $0.80 14.9 12,761 189,664 $151,731
Chum $0.30 6.2 556,759 3,459,244 $1,037,773
Pink $0.28 3.5 1,302,446 4,532,526 $1,269,107
Coho $0.90 6.0 266,385 1,590,537 $1,431,483
Totals 30,948,046 170,348,008 $196,581,338
ALLOCATION
The 2014 season was the 17th year of managing drift and set gillnet sockeye salmon harvest
allocation in four of the five districts in Bristol Bay. Togiak District is excluded from the
allocation plan. Table 2 lists current regulatory allocations and harvests by gear group for the
2014 season. Strategies used to achieve allocation between gear groups included varying the
amount of fishing time and providing separate gear group openings.
Table 2.–Allocation of Bristol Bay drift and set gillnet harvest, 2014.a
District
Drift Gillnet District Set Gillnet Section Set Gillnet
Percent of Harvest Percent of Harvest Percent of Harvest
Allocated /Caught Allocated /Caught Allocated /Caught
Naknek/Kvichak 84% / 83% 16% / 17% Naknek: 8% / 9%
Kvichak: 8% / 8%
Egegik 86% / 89% 14% / 11% Not applicable
Ugashik 90% / 83% 10% / 17% Not applicable
Nushagaka 74% / 73 % 26% / 27% Nushagak: 20% / 20%
Igushik: 6% / 7%
a- Harvest opportunity within Wood River Special Harvest Area is determined by inseason allocation within the
full district.
SPECIES PERFORMANCE
Sockeye Salmon
The 2014 inshore sockeye salmon run of 40.6 million fish was 53% above the preseason inshore
forecast of 26.6 million. Actual runs versus forecasts by district with percent difference from
forecast are listed in Table 3. Table 4 compares the 2014 harvest to recent 20-year averages for
all districts. Sockeye salmon escapements were met or exceeded in all systems (Table 5). The
Naknek, Wood, and Igushik rivers were above the established escapement goal ranges while all
other systems were within ranges.
2014 Bristol Bay Salmon Season Summary September 3, 2014
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Commercial Fisheries 3
Table 3.–Difference of Bristol Bay sockeye salmon actual run versus forecast, 2014.
District Inshore Forecast Inshore Run % Difference from Forecast
Naknek/Kvichak 10,510,000 19,661,944 87% Above
Egegik 4,650,000 8,327,389 79% Above
Ugashik 1,810,000 2,112,525 17% Above
Nushagak 8,880,000 9,961,404 12% Above
Togiak 720,000 577,656 20% Below
Totals 26,580,000 40,640,918 53% Above
Table 4.–2014 preliminary commercial sockeye salmon harvests and 20-year averages by
district.
District 1994–2013 Average Sockeye
Harvest 2014 Sockeye Harvest
Naknek/Kvichak 7,876,000 13,728,976
Egegik 7,933,000 6,944,923
Nushagak 5,709,000 6,237,707
Ugashik 2,696,000 1,472,367
Togiak 543,000 425,722
Totals 24,765,000 28,809,695
Table 5.–Bristol Bay sockeye salmon goals and escapement, 2014.
River System Goal Range Escapement
Kvichak River 2,000,000–10,000,000 4,458,540
Naknek River 800,000–1,400,000 1,474,428
Egegik River 800,000–1,400,000 1,382,466
Ugashik River 500,000–1,200,000 640,158
Nushagak River 370,000–840,000 618,493
Wood River 700,000–1,500,000 2,764,614
Igushik River 150,000–300,000 340,590
Togiak River 120,000–270,000 151,934
Total 11,831,223
The 2014 Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run was above forecast in all systems except Togiak. Total
sockeye harvest and total inshore run were 61% and 53% above forecast respectively. Because of
large escapements the Wood River Special Harvest Area (WRSHA) was opened at 12:00 noon
on June 28 and was fished continuously until the end of the season. Both set and drift gillnets
were permitted to fish the WRSHA, but harvest information is confidential because of a limited
number of buyers.
2014 Bristol Bay Salmon Season Summary September 3, 2014
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Commercial Fisheries 4
Chinook Salmon
Chinook salmon harvests in Bristol Bay were below average in every district. Four directed
Chinook salmon fishing periods occurred in the Nushagak District between June 11 and June 19
with a harvest of 3,700 fish. Chinook salmon are also caught during directed sockeye periods in
all commercial districts and approximately 13,000 fish were harvested, 79% below the 20 year
average of 61,000 (Table 6). Chinook salmon escapement into the Nushagak River was 70,482
and within the escapement goal range of 55,000 to 120,000.
Table 6.–Chinook salmon preliminary harvest data and 20-year averages by district.
District
1994–2013 Average
Chinook salmon Harvest 2014 Chinook salmon Harvest
Naknek/Kvichak 2,022 381
Egegik 704 34
Ugashik 1,081 51
Nushagak 48,916 10,819
Togiak 7,872 1,476
Totals 60,594 12,761
Chum Salmon
The 2014 preliminary Bristol Bay chum salmon harvest of 557,000 fish was 41% below the 20-
year average of 945,000 fish (Table 7). All districts were below their 20 year average harvest.
Nushagak District was the largest producer of chum salmon, where just over 348,000 fish were
harvested.
Pink Salmon The harvest of 1.3 million pink salmon was the 2nd largest harvest in the last 20
years and 443% above the 20-year average of 294,000 fish for even numbered years since 1994
(Table 7). The majority of those fish were from the Nushagak District with a harvest of 1.2
million pink salmon.
Coho Salmon
The total coho salmon harvest was 266,000 fish, of which 241,000 were harvested in the
Nushagak District (Table 7). This is the largest coho salmon harvest in the last 20 years and
341% above the 20-year average of 78,000 fish.
5
Table 7.–Preliminary 2014 Bristol Bay salmon harvest and escapement by district and species.
District Sockeye Chinook Chum Pink Coho Total
Naknek/Kvichak Catch 13,728,976 381 72,931 7,219 616 13,810,123
Escapement-KvichakTwr. 4,458,540 NA NA NA NA 4,458,540
Naknek Twr. 1,474,428 NA NA NA NA 1,474,428
Naknek Kvichak Subtotal 19,661,944 381 72,931 7,219 616 19,743,091
Egegik Catch 6,944,923 34 24,884 0 8,773 6,978,614
Escapement-Egegik Twr. 1,382,466 NA NA NA NA 1,382,466
Egegik Subtotal 8,327,389 34 24,884 0 8,773 8,361,080
Ugashik Catch 1,472,367 51 14,766 2 219 1,487,405
Escapement-Ugashik Twr. 640,158 NA NA NA NA 640,158
Ugashik Subtotal 2,112,525 51 14,766 2 219 2,127,563
Nushagak Catch 6,237,707 10,819 348,743 1,187,061 241,014 8,025,344
Escapement- Wood Twr. 2,764,614 NA NA NA NA 2,764,614
Igushik 340,590 NA NA NA NA 340,590
Nushagak 618,493 70,482 525,797 2,281,831 478,198 3,978,979
Nushagak Subtotal 9,961,404 81,301 874,540 3,468,892 719,212 15,105,349
Togiak Catch 425,722 1,476 95,435 108,164 15,763 646,560
Escapement - Togiak Twr. 151,934 NA NA NA NA 151,934
Togiak R. & Trib. NA NA NA NA NA 0
Kulukak NA NA NA NA NA 0
Togiak Subtotal 577,656 1,476 95,435 108,164 15,763 798,494
Bristol Bay Catch 28,809,695 12,761 556,759 1,302,446 266,385 30,948,046
Bristol Bay Escapement 11,831,223 74,660 525,797 2,281,831 478,198 15,191,709
Bristol Bay Total Run 40,640,918 81,767 1,082,556 3,584,277 744,583 46,134,101
Note: Escapement data for coho are incomplete (in most cases the data are escapement index counts). Total run data do not
include sport or subsistence harvests.
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
Attachment 6 of 7
Attachment 6.
Summary of Knutson Creek and Kvichak River Sockeye Data
Historic Knutson Creek Sockeye Salmon Spawner Counts, Kvichak River Sockeye
Salmon Escapements, and Relative Percentages
Year Knutson Creek
Sockeye Spawners
Kvichak River Sockeye Salmon
Actual Escapement (Prepeak and
Peak or Off‐Cycle)
Knutson Creek Spawners
as Percentage of Kvichak
River Escapement
1956 3,000 9,443,318 0.03%
1957 1,500 2,842,810 0.05%
1958 600 534,785 0.11%
1962 3,800 2,580,884 0.15%
1963 130 338,760 0.04%
1964 125 957,120 0.01%
1965 800 24,325,926 0.00%
1966 550 3,755,185 0.01%
1967 1,340 3,216,208 0.04%
1968 577 2,557,440 0.02%
1969 675 8,394,204 0.01%
1970 300 13,935,306 0.00%
1971 660 2,387,392 0.03%
1989 5,800 8,317,500 0.07%
1990 1,000 6,970,020 0.01%
1991 800 4,222,788 0.02%
1992 1,500 4,725,864 0.03%
1993 2,750 4,025,166 0.07%
1994 3,800 8,355,936 0.05%
1995 3,650 10,038,720 0.04%
1996 650 1,450,578 0.04%
1998 6,100 2,296,074 0.27%
1999 600 6,196,914 0.01%
2000 300 1,827,780 0.02%
2002 300 703,884 0.04%
Average
for
Above
Years
1,652 5.38 million 0.05%
Knutson Creek Sockeye Spawner data is from Table 1 of ADFG (2014), which was compiled from
Demory et al (1964), Regnart (1993), (1995), and Morstad (2003). Kvichak River escapement
data is the actual escapement data reported in Table 1 of Morstad and Brazil (2012). Only years
with data for both resources are included.
Pedro Bay Village Council FERC DI14-6-000
Supplemental Information on Knutson Creek Hydroelectric Project October 6, 2014
Attachment 7 of 7
Attachment 7.
ADF&G Fisheries Survey of Upper Knutson Creek (Aug. 15, 2012)
Survey Date: Aug 15, 2012
Fish Inventory Site CIA1216C08
Coordinates (dec. deg.): 59.86843°, -154.05719°
Legal Description: S003S028W35
Region: Southwest
Datum:
Quad Name / ITM: Iliamna D-3
AWC Stream #: 324-10-10150-2301
Stream Name: Knutson Creek
Elevation:
Site Comments: HP31. Tributary of Pile River drainage.
Survey CIA12-16C08
Project Supervisor: Joe Buckwalter, Alaska Department of Fish and Game — Anchorage, AK
Observers: Raye Ann Neustel, Ben Balivet
Station Characteristics
Water Temperature: 7.95° C DO: 9.59 ppm Conductivity: 26.0 μS/cm Stream Stage: Medium
Water Color: Clear Turbidity: 0.17 NTU / pH: 5.87 Stream Gradient: 3.5%
Qualitative Velocity: 48 hr. Precipitation/Runoff: None/Trace
Substrates: Cobble, Boulder, Gravel
Channel Dimensions:
(OHW) (Wetted)
Stream Width:15.9 m
Thalweg Depth:0.45 m
Rosgen Channel Classification: (B3) Moderately entrenched, moderate gradient, riffle
dominated channel, with infrequently spaced pools. Very stable plan and profile. Stable
banks.
Visit Comments: Transects site gradient slightly higher than average for stream. Waypoints 16C08SCK, 16C08SCK2 and
16C08SCK3 are all visual observations of adult sockeye salmon, spawning activity.
Vegetation Classification
Left Bank Right Bank
Distance
From
OHW(m)
0-5 Closed Tall Alder-Willow Shrub Unvegetated
5-10 Closed Tall Alder-Willow Shrub Unvegetated
10-20 Closed Tall Alder-Willow Shrub Fireweed
20-30 Closed Tall Alder-Willow Shrub Closed Tall Alder-Willow Shrub
Fish Sampling Effort
Gear Type: Backpack Electrofisher (A)
EF Time(s): 211 Efficiency: Good
Channel Type: Main Channel (>50% of water flow)
Comments: Very swift and steep.
Gear Type: Visual Observation, Ground (B)
Channel Type: Main Channel (>50% of water flow)
Gear Type: Backpack Electrofisher (C)
EF Time(s): 104 Efficiency: Good
Channel Type: Main Channel (>50% of water flow)
Gear Type: Dip Net (D)
Channel Type: Main Channel (>50% of water flow)
Fish Observations
Species: adult spawning sockeye salmon Life History: Anadromous Spawning: Yes
Total Fish Observed: 29 Fish Measured: 1 Passage Barrier:
Fork Lengths (mm) Min: 591 Max: 591 Mean: 591
Collected/Observed by Gear Type: Visual Observation, Ground (28) Dip Net (1)
Freshwater Fish Inventory site CIA1216C08 http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/reports/FishSurveys/rptSite.cfm?site=CIA...
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Comments: photos 1318-1329
Species: juvenile/adult Dolly Varden Life History: Resident
Total Fish Observed: 20 Fish Measured: 20 Passage Barrier:
Fork Lengths (mm) Min: 21 Max: 115 Mean: 62
Collected/Observed by Gear Type: Backpack Electrofisher (12) Backpack Electrofisher (8)
Species: juvenile/adult slimy sculpin Life History: Resident
Total Fish Observed: 17 Fish Measured: 6 Passage Barrier:
Fork Lengths (mm) Min: 33 Max: 58 Mean: 46
Collected/Observed by Gear Type: Backpack Electrofisher (3) Visual Observation, Ground (11) Backpack Electrofisher (3)
Photos
Questions or comments about this report can be directed to dfg.dsf.webmaster@alaska.gov
Freshwater Fish Inventory site CIA1216C08 http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/reports/FishSurveys/rptSite.cfm?site=CIA...
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