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Sec'tioc.I Fisheries and nabitat Investigat:ions of the Susitna River
Summary • • ••OQ •••OC/C.CI ......... .I-7
Background .........C •••••••••••C1o •••••I-9
Descr1pcion of Area •..•• •..• •.. ..••~c •.0 ..0 ..• • ••I-I0
Findings and Discussion • • •..• •III • • •..• •lID •
• •II • • • • •....• ••• • ••• • •
Procedu.res
Conclusion ·.• • • • ••......•.0"0
...... . .
..
!-11
I-17
1-47
·. ..'....... .;...............
..• • • •..• • • •CIIRecommendations• •
Acknowledgements
Literature Cited .•
·. ........ .
·~. . . . ...... .... .... ...
1-48
I-50
I-51
Section II Meose Movements and Habitat Use Along the Upper Susitna
River
Summary • • •. .. ......11-3
Background ·.G ....• • • •..• •
!.I-4
..,.
Description of Area
Procedures
Findings
Discussion .... . .. ...
11-7
II-8
I1-11
.I:-26
Conclusion
Recommendations-.
.. .............
..... ... ....
.-.
..•../)0 • • •
II-31
11-34
Acknowledgements
Literature Cited
...'.... ..........
·................ . . ....
!I-3~
II-36
ARLIS
Alaska Resources
Library &InfonnatJOn ServIces
Am:hQrage,Alaska
C'·,·
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Fisheries and Habitat Investigations
of the Susitna River-A Preliminary Study of
Potential Impacts of the Devils
Canyon and Watana Hydroelectric Projects
by
James C.Riis
and
Nancy V.Friese
.Al.a.s.ka Department of .fish.and·Ga.me·······.-....------.
Divisions of Sport and Commercial Fish
March 1978
\1
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I
TABU OF CONTENTS
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Appendix Tables
Summary
Background
Description of Area
Procedures
Fisheries
Adults
Juvenile salmon migration
Juvenile studies
Hater Quantity
'(-later Quality
Findings and Discussion
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
13
13
13
14
16
17
17
"""I'-
LOco
LO
"""ooo
LO
LO
I'-
(Y)
(Y)
iisheries
Adults
Juvenile salmon migrac:ion
Juvenile studies
Aquatic insects and juvenile salmon
'.
gut contents
17
17
23
28
30
,Impoundment area fisheries investigations
Water Quantity
'Water Quality
Conc.lusion
Recommendations
AC.k...·lcv.1 ed ge!l1e!!1:S
Literatu~e Cited
37
40
43
47
48
50
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Appendix I ..
Appendix II
Appendi."'C III
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
..... .. . .
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53 /~73
.96
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LIST OF FIGu:R.ES
......
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Pasze-
'---
1
2
3
4
The Susitna River drainage,Devils Canyon Project,1977 ...
Upper Susitua River study area,Devils Canyon Project,1977 .
Locations of adult salmon tag recoveries occuring downstream
of the Susitna River fishwheel sites,Devils Canyon Project,
1917 (RS-sockeye salmon;PS-pink salmon;CS-chum salmon;
5S-coho salmon;KS-chinook'salmon)••.•••...••
Susitna River discharge at Gold Creek,Devils Canyon Project,
1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
is
22
41
·~..,,~.,
Table
1
2
3
4
5
LIST OF TAEI.ES
Paee-
Relative magnitude of pJ.nK.,chum,and sockeye salmon moving
past the fishwheel sites as determined by Peterson population
estimates,Devils Canyon Project,1974,1975,and 1977.~/.18
Peak chum,pink,and sockeye salmon ground escapement survey
counts within the upper SusitnaRiver,Devils canyon Project,
1977 . ....... . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...20
Peak chinook salmon counts within the Susitna River drainage,
1977·. • . . ..'.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..21
Rabideux Creek salmon fry trapping,Devils Canyon Project,
1977 . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Montana Creek salmon fry trapping,Devils Canyon Project,1977 '26
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It'6 'Willow Creek
Project,1977
chinopk salmon fry trapping,Devils Canyon
27
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7
8
9
10
11
~ean percent composition of gut contents per fish of chinook,
sockeye,and coho salmon juveniles in sloughs and clearwater
tributaries of the Susitna River,Devils Canyon Project,1977.32
Limc.o1ogical dataf't'C)m~elec1:ed1:ribu.taries.1:0the Susitna
River :DevUs--Canyon P-roject,1977:'..--:.~-•....•.••38
Susitna.River impoundment area lake surveys,Devils Canyon
Proje.ct,1977 . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Water flows of Montana,Rabideux,and 'Willow cr~eks f=om May
through Novembe~,Devils Canyon Project,1977.l1 • • • •••~4
_Thermog~a'Qh_.E~;in_?_~~~_;~::LR.!y~!'ci_C)~st,!,_eam o(Par~s Higll",ay
bridge,daily maximum and min~um water temperature,Devils
Canyon Project,1978 • • • • • • • • . • • • . • . • • ..•45
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LIST OF APP:E:NDIX I.ABLES
Pa~e-
1 .Percent age composition of chinook,sockeye,coho,and chum
salmon escapement samples,Devils Canyon Project,1974, 1975,
and 1977 0 0 0 0 0 e 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 e 0 -54
2 Age,length,and sex characterist~cs of chum,chinook,sockeye,
and coho salmon escapement samples,Devils Canyon Projec~,
1974,1975,and 1977 •0 0 e 0 0 o.eo.0 0 0 0 55
3 Analyses of age,length,weight,and condition factors of
juvenile sockeye salmon samples from Susitna River sloughs
and clearwater tributaries,Devils Canyon.Project,1977 56-57
5
6
Analyses of age,length,weight,and condition factors of
juven~e coho salmon samples fr~m Susitna River sloughs and
clearvater tributaries,Devils Canyon Project,1977 0 e 0 0 0
Analyses of age,length,weight,and condition factors of
juvenile chinook salmon samples from Susiena River sloughs
and ~earwater tributaries,Devils Canyon Project,1977
S tomac:h content analysis of juvenile chinook,coho,and
sockeye salmon collected in sloughs and clearwater tributaries
of the Susitua River during summer and fall,Devils Canyon::
Proj ec't:,1977 . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . • . . .~;f •
'\
58-59
60-64
65-72
1?pend:L"i:II
"""-i
\..i Susitna River discharf:e at Gold Creek (USGS provisional
da~a)1977 . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74
2 Water quality data and juvenile salmon surve.ys in sloughs and
clearwater tributaries of the Susitna River betwee.n the
Chulitna River and Portage.Creek,Devils Canyon Project,19i7.75-8~
3 Thermograph set in Rabideux Creek,upper sub-area;daily
maximum and minimum ~ater tecpe=ature,Devils Canyon Project,
1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .'.. . . . . . ..82
4 Therm~graph set in Montana Creek,upper sub-area;daily
max~and minimum water temperature,Devils Canyon Project,
1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .r....... .. . . . .
83
5 Water chemistry data,Rabide~~Creek,De~ls Canyon Project,
l~77 . . . . . . . . • • . • •
84
6
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I
Water chemistry data,Mon~ana Creek,Devils Canyon Project,
1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
United States Department of Interior,Geological Survey
85
86-95
J
SUMMA.P..Y
/.
I
Biological and Ya~er quality and quan~ity inves~iga~ions were
conduc~ed from May 1,1977 through March 7,1978 to obtain baseline data
on indigenous fish popula~ions and the eT~sting aquatic habitat of the
Susitua River drainage.~.!a\Vlud.ra..t:1ft.··.Ceii-~j.""·•.lM~.jiia:-'::z
'~s of eV:f.;;o~ta:l ).~.e~-.w"i:eQ;"~~'!hey yare designed to
'..-.,............-
generate sufficiea~biological information to enable the Alaska Depar~ment
of Fish and Game (ADF&G)to prepare a co~rehensive biological study
c:lan in the event-a,.~ina.l environmental i:m:pact study is initiated to
determine the feasibility of constructing the proposed Watana and Devils
Canyon hydroelectric dams on the Susitna River.
The relative abu1:dance,distribution.and mig=ational timing of
adult salmon (Oncorh'VUchus S'D.)were determ:Lned within the Susitna River....
escapement from June 29 through Augus~14 Yas estimated to be approximately
237,000 sockeye (0.nerka),50,000 coho (0.kisutch),and 105,000 chum
l "almon (0.keta)(Friese,in prep.).An escapement estimate in excess
\
of 100,000 fish Ya.sci~t:e.t"ll1ined for chinook salmon (0.tsha';.7Vt:schca)·
...............
"Enrougn aerial surveys'(Kubik,1977;Watsjold,1977).Population
estimates of pink salmon utilizing the drainage in the area of the
Susitua and Chulitna river confluence Yere determined as a par~of this
study.
Documentation of the ou~gration of salmon fry fram tributary rearing
areas into the mains~em Susitna River was accomplished by intensive
L,vestigation of tYO clearwater tributaries.The objec~ive of these
studies yas to de~e~e u~ili:ation of the mainst~river for rearing
during W'inte.::-1nOn~hs.A total of 25,176 chinook salmon fry yere marked
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in Mout:.a.na Cre!ik bet'TJeen July 19 and August 4.A gradual dO'TJUstream
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movemenc of fry ~as noced from the latter part of August to February.A
drast:ic reduccion in population density was found in February and was
actribuced to low flows which prevailed at the time.Chinook fry were
documented overwintering in the Susitna River.No distinct movement of
fry was observed in Rabideux Creek~
The relative abundance,discribution,age,length,and weight
characceristics,and feeding habits of juvenile salmonids were monitored
in sloughs and tributaries of the Susitna River from Portage Creek
downstream co che Chulitna River conf2uence from July 1 through Occober
5,1977.The predominant rearing species were chinook and coho salmon.
~ater quality and quantity determinations were made in conjunction with
all juvenile salmon surveys.
The Susitua River was floated from it:s incersection with the
Denali High'TJay to Devils Canyon during the first:t'TJO weeks of July t:o
.invencory fish species present:and survey the aquacic habitat in the
";areas to be inundated.Arctic grayling (Thym.a.llus arcticus)were
'.
/1'.\abundanc in all of the clearwacer tributaries within the proposed
impoundment area.The headwacers of these tributaries and upland lakes
were also surv~yed by separat.e crews.~~<=~!!~,:~...,.~~~I!~~;E~D
_._-._",-"'.....-i l"II "'.I~'-~__r_.........._.._~..._§,-"~"-·-"'·"'·"""(
res'8r'llGir,v.lilic:h is prli)jee:'t:ed..t:li)b:a:ve S:lilbS;t:2tial s'e!I&SGmu f:lud:.ua.ti~
.''__.;",,-,,~->.:.'.;":;~~'n..:,~,;:,wO"-'·'I-:.'·~:..:-....~·,\••':...:.I"'~"':''''':'''.o:.L~~..:o'~I~''''''~irr;;'''''''''·""""0'-1"~""';•
will ahar ·t:he"'fisheries.:hafrJit;~J
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Measurements of hydrological and limnological parameters associated
with the Susitna River and selaccad tribucaries and sloughs were obtained
bet'TJeen ~he Denali Highway and ~~ntana Creek.A cooperative agreemenc
between the United Staces Geological Survey (USGS)and the ADF&G was
initiated to determine discharge,sedimenc loads,and scandard wacer
-~
:~n:;~
qualit:y analysis of the mainstem Susitna River.This daea,along nth
the water quality and quantity data collected in conjunction wit~the
fisheries studies,will be ~~r~ely valuable for future comparisons.
Long term ecological changes to the drainage may be significa~t due
to dam coustruction.The level and flow patterns of the Susitna River
resources.
eliminate terrestrial and aquatic populations.These populations and
natural flow regimes,vater chemistry,mass transport of materials,and
quantity of wetted habitat areas are of primary concern.These changes
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The effects of impoundments and construction actiVities Which alter
to adequately assess the potential effects of these impacts on fisheries
may disrupt the tropb:i.c structure and habitat composition anGl reduee or
~.'
will be altered and will affect the fisheries resources.Extensive
I'resear~h is necessary both upseream and downstream of the proposed dams
current levels due to natural flow variations.Some species may be
•BACKGROUND
present only because this particular hydrologic regime exists.
I.~·.'_.
of the Susitna RiV'l!r 1;)~.s~~.limited.The
proposed hydroelect:ric development necessitates gaining a thorough
knowledge of its natural charact:eristics and populations prior to final
d~design approval and construction authorizat:ion to enable protection
of the aquaei.c and terrest:ialpopulations frotD.wmecessary losses.
The Susitna River basin has long been recognized as an area of high
recreational and aesthetic appeal.It is also 1mport:ant habitat to a
~de variety of fish species,boeh resident and anadromous.Five species
of Pacific salmon (chinook,coho,chum,pink,and sockeye)utilize the
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Susit:na River d::'a.inag~for spawning and.re.aring.J.i~.b'£!!'i4;~:~:'jp1.
'j-',".....---.~..~~~~.~~~..!ll~.,.5 ,.~.;_.4R~_~~......."'~_"""''CI-?,",-''''_''''c.'~~''''!'''''''~•~afu.J';Fj,~eI~.,:-,e~·be.:,,,··'e~;:a,aEt-p..~~s:al,mem;..·,~~~m.'...iu:"tb'=:'J:eokj"J e,;:,'~.--:..:....i.._".I,..:••~_•...........-;..c.;~:..~::,;.,.~·;~:;pn;"'e =r·;.·~IIll.~~,~Q~·:.=..~~~.-:.'.:··M'.·'f',"
'--'"'~"~..,,,..•·:~,.~'":'l~:":':'~~.•r:~~.:as c..e-.--,',._~..--,.l(I'~~
·o:c~u~:...~:~~~~s:>~~E~~~&<;';;;;,,:,..~a-!l,~9 ~~m::.~.~_(Salmo gairdneri),
'",., .-- .""""'''''?-~:l!~._V~~~'(Salvelinus malma),j,,~~~l (~lota),~~~:=~(Salvelinus
namavcush),~hieef:ISh,~l(co't'egouus sp.),and fi.t:fl.~~:£,:J;:.ott:us sp.).,a·%~
.........-............4_....,._~;A:it t~'i:wO...~.Jo:..i#»aiI
~:~:~?.~i!::~·eG~~~~·~!~~":~~!~::~;~~:GS$~
Baseline environment:al fisheries studies have beeu conduct:ed by
ADF&G int:ermittent:ly since 1974.The projects were financed with federal
funding averaging $29,000 per year for the first three years.An
allocat:~on of $100,000 was received for t:his ~tudy.The Nat:ional Marine
Fisher~es Service (NMFS)and U.S.Fish and Wildlife Ser\~ce (USFWS)
contract:ed ADF&G t:o conduct:a one-year assessment of salmon populat:ions
utilizing the Susit:ua River in t:he v~cinity of the proposed Devils
Canyon dam site during 1974.Theobject:ives of these st:udies were to
det:ermine the adult:salmon d~st:ribution,relat:ive abundance and ~grational
timing'and to determine juvenile rearing areas (Barrett,1974).Additional
funding was received in 1975,1976,and 1977 from usrws to cont:inue and
:. (expand these st:udies and to monit:or the physical and chemical paramet:ers
associated wit:h the mainst:em Susit:na (USFWS,1976 and Riis,1977).Additional
baseline st:udies will not:be init:iat:ed during 1978 due to lack of funding.
The proposed hydroelect:ric project:is discussed in Barrett:(1974),
Friese (1975),usrws (1976),and P.iis (1977)'.The purpose of this data
report:is to present the findings of the studies conduct:ed from May 1977
througn March 1978 and to make recommendat:ions for rut:ure investigat:ions
and a final environment:al impact st:atement.
DESCRIPTION OF ~~
The Susit~a River is approximately 275 miles long from it:s source
in the Alaska Mount:ain,Range to its point of discharge into Cook Inlet
s·arntF'fi ~~-¥"dT p R?'ZRiSrR -w "pm'"·.·'m·...··.;"'~o.
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(Figure 1).The major tributaries of the Susitna originate in glaci~rs
and carry a heavy load of glacial silt during ice'free.months.There
are also many smaller tributaries Yhich are perennially silt free.The
study area included the majority of the Susirna River betyeen the Denali
HighYay and Cook Inlet.The entire drainage from Devils Canyon downstream
'iJas monitored for chinook salmon escapement.Studies of other anadromous
species yere more restricted to the mainstem Susitna and adjacent areas
ber'iJeen Devils Canyon and Susitna Station.
Two clearYater tributaries,Rabideux and Montana creeks,yere
selected for intensive juvenile salmon studies.These streams are
located downstream of the proposed dam site near the Parks Highway
Bridge.A total of 26 clearwater sloughs and eight tributaries were
surveyed ber'iJeen the Chulitna River confluence and Devils Canyon area.
These areas are described in USFWS (1976).Surveys of the Talkeetna
-_..____..__.__--__.._------_.._---_.._----_--_.._-----.-"-'-'"
llver were c-onducr::ed,hiir::results are not included rithin this report.
Resident fish yere inventoried in the impoundment area upstream of
Devils Canyon.
Water quality and quantity sampling stations yere monitored in the
...._.."._.._....__..__..".~
--Su::'-1ttLa RiveraI:iCiEi"ibutai"ies:....IWenty ....siXof these sites-Yere clearwater
sloughs adjunct to the Susitna River.Three sites were in the mainstem
Susitna River and the ten remaining locations were clearYater creeks and
rivers flowing into the Susitna River.Site selection yas based on
proxiIl;ity to the Devils C.;Lnyon dam area and previous Susitna_R1ver
studies documen~g fish usage (Barrett,1974;USFWS,1976).
PROCEDURES
A field camp was established at Gold Creek for studies downstre~
of Devils Canyon due to its central location to the sample sites and the
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40 km
•Willow
..Kenol
TalachuJltna
River ~-_.l
-
Figure 1.The Susitna River drainage,Devils Canyon Project,19i7.
C,:
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logiseical advaneages offered by ene Alaska Rail=oad.Travel on the
Susitna River to the sites was accomplished by riverboats equipped with
jet outboard moeo't's.Access to sloughs and trihutaries do'W'Ustream from
Gold C't'eek was.accomplished with a Zodiac raft.A field camp was also
established along the Susitna River five miles upseream from Talkeeena
to inseall and operate fishwheels.Fishwheels were deployed commencing
July 5 and were operated through August 27.Methods of operation are
discussed by Friese (1975).A field station was locaeed in the vicinity
of Talkeetna to conduce Rabideux and Moneana creek seudies.Avon rubber
rafts supported with helicopeer and fixed wing airc't'aft were used ·for
ehe impoundment area studies.
FISRERIES
Adults
Adult salmon escapement was generally dete~e~by ~ag and recovery
population estimates utilizing fishwheels and ground escapement surveys.
Methods are discussed in Friese (1975).The Peeerson populaeion estimate
used to determine salmon abundance i's p't'esented in Table 1.Chinook
salmon counts were conducted with a Bell-4 7 heli~ClP~e.;,~ct J:~_~_~d.wing
airc't'aft..V'.ariable-meshg-:bl-lnet-s were-useci f-o,reteriii.J..iie species composition
in the impoundment area lakes.Electroshockers and angling were also
employed to collect adult fish for this study.Sloughs and tributaries
in the upper study area were surveyed on the ground according to methods
described in F't'iese (1975).
Juvenile salmon migration
Intensive fry trapping was undertaken in Rabideux Creek on June 16.
The creek was sectioned into three study areas:upper,middle,and
lower.Coho salmen yearlings were anesthetized with MS"""'222 criid fin
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clippe.d from June 16 through August:31.The following fin clip codes
were used:upper caudal lobe.for upper sub-area,one-half dorsal for
mid sub-area,and lo~er caudal lobe for lower sub-area.After marking,
the salmon were allowed to rec.over and were released ae the location of
capture.,Recovery of these marked coho salmon was continued until mid-
,~-.,...
November when extreme cold weathe~and icing conditions prevented'further
intensive work..
Montana Creek was also sectioned into three study sub-areas:
upper,middle,and lower.The upper area was approximately eight st:re~
miles above its mouth,the middle about three stream miles,and the
lower was from the Parks Highway downstre~to its junction with the
Susitna River.The upper and middle sections were seined from July 19
through August 4.All chinook salmon fry captured were marked with an
upper caudal fin clip for the upper area and a lower caudal fin clip for
the middle area.Minnow'traps baited with salmon roe were utilized from
the latter part of August until the end of February to monitor fry
movements and population densities throughout the system.
Juvenile studies
Twenty-eight clearwater sloughs and nine tributary streams have
previously been identified as observed or potential rearing sites :or
juvenile salmon in the upper Susitna River bet::'Ween Talkeetna and Devils
Canyon (Figure 2)(Barrett,1974;Friese,1975).Juvenile salmon were
collected from these locations during ~o different sampling periods
during this study.Each slough and tributary were also surveyed biweekly
for relative abundance of rearing fish and water quality data.,Methods
are discussed in Friese (1975).Fry samples for analysis of physical
characteristics and feeding habits were collected with dip net,minnow
traps,or seine and preserved in a 10 percent fo~in solution (Brow~,1971).
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Portoge Cr.
Cr.
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Talkeetna R.
Cr.
Indian R.
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no.8C
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Clear Cr.
Fourth of July Cr.
Talkeetna
no.4
nc.2
no.1
U~?er Susicna River stuciv area.Devils r.rtnvnn P~nip~~Fi~re 2.
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Summer s4mples were netted ~y minnow seine becween July 11 and
August 5.Juvenile salmon were collected by a combinat:ion of minnow
seine and minnow traps from September 20 co 24.Fork lengths and scale
smears were taken in the field for eac.h individual fish.Spec.imens,
together wich inc.idental catches of other resid~~t fish species,were
preserved in 10 percent formalin.Species identification,verified by
pyloric caecae counts,and weighc determinations were made in the Anchorage
laboracory.The gut was dissected from each fish and contents from both
hind-and foregut removed.All gut contents from one sampling location
were pooled by species for each sampling day to facilitate investigation •
Individual stomachs were not examined separately.Insects were identified
to order and larval and pupal forms of Diptera to family.Other organisms
present were identified to the m~st convenient:taxon,usually order.
The major keys used were Pennack (1953),Usinger (1968),Ward and Whipple
(1959),and Jacques (1947).Volume percentages were estimated ac~ording
to four gross categories:Crustacea,immature Insecta,adult Insecta,
and ocher organisms.These estimates reflect the interpretations of the
investigator,but it is fel:that they gave a close approximation of
ac.t:ual volumes.
WATER QUAl.TIITY
Discharge data were collected by ADF&G perso~el ac many of the
slough and tributary sites.Flows ~ere measured with Price AA Gurley
cur-:ent meters.Leupold s.t:age gauges were installed in the sloughs and
permanent bench marks were established on the river banks adjacent to
the gauges for fut:ure location reference (Riis,1977).
Mainstem Susitna River flow was continually monitored by USGS at:
t:heir Gold Creek site and three t~es during the summer at Portage Creek
and at the Parks Highway Bridge.
-
Wacer flovs in Rabideux Creek were measured by recording the height
f the water passing through culverts at the Park.s Highway,approximately
J
I
ue-half mile above its confluence vith che Susitna River.Recordings
.,
I
~ere converted into cubic feet per second.The River Forecast Center of
l.;he National Weather Service monitored water stage and computed flo'CJ in
I'1onta:c.a.and Willov Creeks.
,~~An::R QUALITY
Dissolved oxygen,tamperature,pH,and specific conductance were
p.t>asured biweekly and on a random basis in clearwater sloughs and
I '\..
cributaries ~th a Yellov Springs Instrument Model 57 oxygen and,temperature
l.:a.ecer,Cole Paroner Digi sense pEl meter,and Labline Lectro mho meter,
:~spectively.Alkalinity and hardness were determined with a Bach
chemical kit (model DR-EL/2 and model AL36B)using mechods outlined by
r che manufacturers.
Temperature daca was concinually rec9rded with Ryan thermo graphs ,
~del D-30,ac one site on che Susiena River and ac chree sites in both
'\
[
'J
I
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Adult salmen abundance above the Chulitna'River confluence was
I
1
J
Benthic invertebrates were collec'ted with ar'tificial substrates
r '\;)ideu:t and Monu.na creeks.Analysis of water samples from the mainstem
\.
Susitna were ana~yzed by the.USGS laboratory.
dece~ned by tag and subsequenc recovery programs during 1974,1975,
and 19i7 (Table 1).The relative magnitude of pink salmon :novi..-"g p~st:
I (McCoy,1974)and Surber samplers for future analysis.
r
'FISEE:R!:E:S
rAdulcs
,
Table 1.Relative magti~!lude of pink.,chum,and sockeye "Salmon
moving past the fishwheel sites as decermined by
Pecerson population eS7imates,Devils Canyon Project,
1974,1975,and 1977o~
Pink
Species
Chum Sockeye
M
R
C
N
Confidence
Incerval
M
It
C
N
Confidence
Interval
160 568 39
23 7.4 13
755 3,164 336
5,040 23,970 939
·3,836-8,359 20,081-30,746 709-1,764
943 674 370
46 8 22
291 139 103
6,129 10,549 1,760
4,977-11,895 7,122-35,293 1,355-2,865
19772:/
N
R
C
N
Confidence
Incerval
429
64
6,644
43,857
36,375-57,439
46
3
2,332
31
1
661
1/Calculated-by the following formulas:
N =M (C+l)
R+l
where:
N =Population size during time of marking
M =Number of fish marked
C =Total of fish observed for presence of mark during
sample census.
R =Total number of marked (recaptured)fish found during
sample census.
i I
I \
957.confidence interval around N Ric =Ric ±t
R (l-!)C C (N-C)
C N
1/Population estimates were not determi~ed for chum and sockeye
s3.1mon since :-···',ber of tag recove=ies were too low ·to place
.-..._.:::.:.'!_.~-..- •
,.
I-
C'".,.,/
/,.
the fishwheel sites above Talkeetna during 1977 was approximately 44,000
fish.Tag recoveries of other salmon species were too low to determine
abundance.Abundance of all salmon species within sloughs and tributaries,
with the exception .of chinook salmon,was determined by ground escapement
surveys.Peak survey counts by species from Portage Creek downstream to
.the Chulitna River confluence was 1,330 chum,3,429 pink,and 301 sockeye
salmon (Table 2)..These est~tes are considered minimum escapements,
since counts were only conducted within index areas (USFWS,1976).
~~grational timing of coho salmon was too late to determine peak abundance.
The chinook salmon escapement within the drainage.was about 100,000
fish (Table 3).The 1977 escapement appears.to have a high reproduction
potential (Kubik,1977 and Watsjold,1977).Historic escapement and harvest
data indicate a minimum escapement level of at least 60,000 chinook salmon
would be required yearly to restore stocks to historic levels.
Numerous tag recoveries downstl't'eamo-E che;t-agging project were
obtained from the sport fish harvest during 1977 (Figure 3).This
"drop-out"phenomenon was also observed during 1974 and 1975.The total
magnitude of tagged fish moving downstream was not determined since
.,
)
...~
).
i .rep0 r·tin g of tag recoveries was onavoluncarybasis.··Th±s should,
however,be thoroughly evaluated during future studies.If the Chulitna,,
i:
Susitna,and Talkeetna river confluence area serves as a milling area
for fish destined to spawning areas downstream,the proj·ect impact area
would be greatly e~~anded and numbers of fish affected increased
significantly.
Age,length,and sex composition characteristics were determined
from fishwheel catch samples for all species except pink salmon~Results
are presented in AppendiX I,Tables 1 and 2.Data is comparable with
1
1
':]
'y
"_.~,,_,'.~,-",~_~:..;':_":.'"~~,,-.,.,.,d'·'k'
Table 2.Peak chum,pink and sockeye salmon g=ound escapement
survey counes wi~hin the upper Susitna River,Devils
Canyon Project,1977.
CRUM SAL"10N
Densitv
Area Date Live Dead Tot:al
Slough 8A 9/22/77 .34 17 51
Slough 9 8/19/77 34 2 36-
Slough 10 9/9/77 0 2 .,
"-
Slough 11 9/22/77 79 37 116
Slough 16 8/28/77 0 4 4
Slough 20 8/16/77 27 1 28
Slough 21 9/20/77 187 117 304
Lane Creek 8/19/77 0 2 2
i Fourth of July Creek 8/11/77 11 0 11I(Indian River 8/18/77 514 262 ill.-
TOUL 886 444 1,330
PINK SALMON
Densitv
Area Date Live Dead Tot:al
Slough 16 8/28/77 0 13 13
Lane Creek 8/11/77 1,190 3 1,193
Fourth of July Creek 8/11/77 611 1 612
Indian River 8/18/77 1,031 580 1,611
TOTAL 2,832 597 3,429
SOCKEYE SAL."10N
Dansiev
Area Date Live Dead Total
Slough 8A 9/9/77 64 6 70
Slough 8B 9/9/77 2 0 2
Slough 9 '919/77 6 0 6
Slough 11 9/8/77 181 33 214
Slough 19 9/7 /77'7 1 8
Indian River 8/1817i .....l 0 1
TOTAL 261 40 301
Table 3.Peak chinook salmon counts within the Susitna River drainage,1977.
Total Count
Estimated Total Count
Streams ("West Side)
Deshka River
Alexander Creek
Talachu1itna River
Lake Creek
Martin Creek
Cache Creek
Bear Creek
,Red Creek
Peters Creek
Donkey Creek
Fish Creek (Quits)
Fish Creek (Kroto S.)
Urtnamed-Kichatna River
Clearwater Creek
Quartz ,Creek
Canyon Creek
Dickason Creek
'Unnamed-Hayes Ri vel"
Rabideux Creek
Total Count
Estimated.'i'ota1 Count
Count
39,642
13,385
1,856
7,391
1,060
100
298
1 ,511
3,042
159
131
132
120
47
8
135
4
2
99
;1 69,122
I •93,411
j ~i
-"".\
Streams (East'Side)
Willow Creek
Montana Creek
Moose,Creek
Pra i ri e Creek .
Chunilna Creek
Kashwitna River (North Fork)
Little Willow'Creek
Sheep Creek
Indian River
Portage Creek
Chulitna River (East Fork)
Chulitna River (Middle Fork)
Chulitna River (Mainstem)
Goose Creek
Honolulu Creek
Byers Creek
Troublesome Creek
Bunco Creek
Total Count
Estimated Total Count
83,321
109,439
1
J
Count
,),
1,065 'OJ
1,443
1'::-..,j \5,790
769 I
336 ,!598
630
393
374 '.~t."..
;~
168 .i
1,782
229 )p"......
36
59 i95
136
,14,199 f17,023
1
,.,
TaJ ke~tna R iV~f
(S5)
(PS,S5)
Cr.
N
(cs,KS,PS,SS)
(PS)
(SS)
Susitna
River
.;=:;:\
C (~:~:':(C5)
:;1l~She~p Cr.
Reb;d~u.x
(5S)
Trapper Slo~9h
(SS)
S kilometers
'Swan
La ke
(RS)
Chulitna River
Tokositna.
Rive r
I .
\
i
i.,J <••
C.'
Figure 3.Locacions of adult salmon tag recoveries occu~ing do~stream of
the S~sitna River fishwhee1 sites,Devils Canyon Project,1977
(RS-sockeye salmon;PS-pink salmon;CS-cnum salmon;SS-coho salmon;
\".
I ~
'-..'
,,-,
escapemen~~amples ob~ained from o~her areas ~~hin ~he drainage (Friese,
in prep.).Carcass da~a collected in the Deshka River and Alexander
Creek revealed a high percentage of five-and six-year-old chinook
salmon females (Kubik,1977).
Juvenile salmon migra'Cion
In~ensive st.udies of'juveI;1Ue chinook and coho salmon were conduc'Ced
in Rabideux and Mon~ana creeks to define the life hist.ories of these
species as related ~o ~he variable conditions of the drainage.The
authors believe ~hat ~he overwintering period during the first year of
life is probably the most critical time for survival of these ~o species.
Rabideux and Montana creeks were select.ed for ~his study due to:
accessibility,their opposite physical characteristics,and the difference
in the ratio of rearing species.Willow Creek and Indian River were
also sampled periodically for comparative purposes.
Rabideux Creek was selected to obt.ain representat.ive data on coho
I'
'I
'salmoD.f~f~etisit:ies andyeariing movements.A total of 1,041 yearling
cohos were marked.Of these,274 were marked in the upper sub-area,753
in the middle sub-area,and 14 in the lower sub-area.Ca~ches of rearing
coho and chinook salmon captures and recaptures are presented in Table 4.
1
/
r
,'<r
.-._--.'Acotal"'cr I59ma.rua'fisli were re,cal;>tl.lrS!d
and 32 in dispersed areas.An increase in catch per hour of coho salmon
fry occurred following August 1 because increased growth made them more
susceptible to cap~ure in the 1/4"mesh minnow t'J:'~Es.Fourteen marked
yearlitigs moved downstream,five upstream,and thirt.een migra~ed to
small lateral tributaries.No dis~inct pattern was ~~ibited,which
could be attribu~ed to the fac~that environmental conditions are more
stabie throughout the year in this tribu~ary during this par~icular yea=.
I',...'
1
'j
',_-'c·/"-"'-~rl
Table 4.Rabideallx Creek aalmon fry trapping,Devila Canyon Project,1977.
Ha rked Coho Coho Chinook
Coho Coho Coho Coho Chinook No.Trap.Yearling Fry Per Fry Per
Date Smolt Y~arU.llg ¥~!!!"!!!!g _!'!"1'__~__fn'__.~_1'!"llpa Hours·Per lIour JIQur !!our
UPPER SECTION
6/16-6/30 33
7/10-7/15 0
9/16-9/30 0
11/1-ll/15 0
216
56
36
214
5u.!/
12u.
lu.
7m.2u.
60
136
27
117
726
650
48
o
61
70
14
35
1608
1680
336
605
.14
.O/j
.11
.35
,0/.
.08
.08
,IS
.45
.39
.14
o
.'.::t
MIDDLE SECTION
-j
..),..
6/16-6/30
1/1-7/15
B/1-8/15
8/16-8/31
10/1-10/15
10/16-10/31
11/1-11/15
60
o
o
o
o
o
o
361
229
36
120
116
56
57
12m.
2601'1/
17m.lu-1.
64m.2u.
7m.
6m.
401.
109
243
602
3764
960
510
1952
1120
1284
249
1419
1253
133
399
200
135
104
207
59
5
23
4600
32/j0
2496
4966
1416
105
522
.08
.08
.02
.04
.09
.•61 -
.12
.02
.06
.24
.76
.66
4.86
3.74
.23
.40
.04
.30
.88
1.27
.16
6/16-6/30
7/1-7/15
8/1-8/15
9/1-9/15
9/16-9/30
10/1-10/15
10/16-10/31
11/1-U/15
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
2
2
6
31
44
125
96
142
o
o
1 L
1 1.
2u.1 1.
lu.
3111.
/jill.
LOWER SECTION
2 /j5
2 15
95 50
180 797
221 468
668 3832
198 821
621 .-::._J~49._-..---
29
29
50
20
/17
207
44
93
696
696
1200
/j60
1126
494/j
964
2076
tr "
tr.
tr.
.07
.04
.03
.10
.07
tr.
tr.
.06
.38
.20
•lit
.21
.30
.06
.02
.O/j
1.66
.ld
.78
.85 ''
.70
:.::.::::::1
LATERAL TRIBUTARIES
10/1-10/15 0
10/16-10/31 0
11/1-11/15 0
270
231
un
2u.4m,
401,
1110,
393
79'.
588
76
117
72
31
55
22
744 .
1212
506
.37
.19
.37
.53
.66
1.16
.10
.10
.U
1/II -Upper Section marked coho;m.-Hlddle Section marked coho;I.-Lower Section marked coho.I/8/31 marklng of coho yearlings was termInated.
."
I .'
C'","
-.
...Other species inhabiting the system were chinook salmon,round
whitefish (Proso~ium cvlindraceum),longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus),
arctic grayling,pink salmon,Dolly Varden,rainbow trout,threespine
stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus),burbot,slimy sculpin (Cottus
COgnatus),and the western brook l~prey (Lam~etra olaneri).
Montana Creek was selected to obtain data on juvenile chinook
salmon abundance and migration.A total of 25,176 fry were marked from
July 19 through August 14.The distribution of marking was 16,039 in
the upper area and 9,137 in the middle area.S~ecies composition of
other fish was similar to R.a.bideux Creek.Table 5 illustrates the
findings of trapping in biweekly periods until the first of December.
After this time,crapping was conducted one to three days per month.
The chinook salmon catch per hour indicated a gradual population
density decline until February when a drastic reduction was recorded
downstream to the Susitna River throughout the season.Tnis is also
evidenced by marked fry being recovered below their area of release
,J
(
I
'1
I }
If
l~while no evidence of upst=eamrecoveries was recorded.
bet'Ween August:23 and March 2.This data clearly shows a decline in
population density between December and February (Table 6).
The drastic reduction in population density found in February is
attributed to the extremely low water conditions encountered at that
time.The reduced flow was believed to have el~nated required rearing
habi~at and forced the juvenile salmonids into the mainstem Susitna
River.Traps were set in the Susitna River and one of its sloughs to
test this theory.Chinook salmon fry were recovered :rom the Susitna
'-,I,...
I
J
.r-~,'.r\---
.,
Table 5.Hontanu Creek salmon fry trapping,DevllBCanyon Project,1977.
Ch·inouk Chinook Chinook Total
Fry Fry Fry Coho Coho Number Trap Chinook Chinook
Date Unmarked Upper Mark Lower Hark Fry Yearling Traps "oura Iter Trap Per !lour
UPPER SECTION
0/16-8/31
9/1-9/15
9/16-9/30
10/1..:.10/15
10/16-10/31
H/I-HIlS
11/16-11/30
12/22
1/27
2/23-24
178
336
1t61
1t188
2987
l!t67
/.10
136
185
126
56
6
2
7
16
3
1
1
11
·6
2
2
4'
1
l-fIDDLE SECTION
5
14
5
8
2
13
5
.14
110
74
37
17
5
5
22
312
115
29/.
25/.0
1560
888
402
128
126
440
18.0
68./.
33.1
38.1
40.6
39.7
24.2
27.2
37.0
5.7
.75
2.97
1.57
1.65
1.93 :':1
1 •i56~'"
1.02
L06
1,,/.7
0.29
0/16-8/31
9/1-9/15
9/16-9/30
10/1-10/15
10/16-10/31
11/1-11/15
11/16-11!JO
12/22
1/27
2/23-24
8/16-0/31
9/1-9/15
9/16-9/30
10/1-10/15
10/16-10/31
11/1-11/15
11/16-11/30
12/21-23
1/2"l
2/2)-'l.!.
1206
llt It 5
1982
3218
1601
507
187
ItO
32
1627
2077
891
5002
2221
61.7
/.56
17/,
116
100
6
6
4
5
3
3
6
1
4
6
1
1
13
8
/.
10
5
1
9
2
3
1
1
19
24
22
3
1
LO\JER SECTION
56
7
100
75
3
1
3
1
10
13
3
3
3
1
39
162
21
3
/.
1
15
17
39
65
52
17
5
7
20
24
30
28
1/.1
54
/.0
10
12
5
18
360
3~8
936 .
1490
1208
390
120
130
406
576
142
1.23
3292
1236
936
228
288
108
372
81.7
85.8
51.0
49.7
30.9
30.1
37.4
5.7
1.6
68.4
69.3
32.0
35.5
111.3
16.2
45.6
11••6
23.2
6.0
3.40
4.45
2.13
2.17
1.33
1.31
1.56 ..
0.31 ":::~
0.08
2.85
14.64
2.12
1.52
1.80
0.69
2.00
0~'61
1.07
0.29
,.-_.".'.__i[
11"''''''.,t'"""\
Table 16.Willow Creek chinook salmon fry trappIng,DevUs
.Canyon Project~1977.
1917 C~tch/Trap Hour 1978IndexI
Area 8/23 10/26 12/1 1/18 3/2
III 2.8 2~6 1.3 1.5 1.29
1/2 3.8 3J2 3.3 1.3 0.28
..,..
03 4.2 4.'1 4.8 1.3 0:67
~-~-'---.----.-------.......-:...----~.--==-'-~--......-
i
)
C.:-
:=-:.''.;;.:::~:
..~:.:.'.:..
River ~t a rata of 0.45 per hour.In the slough they ~ere recovered at
a rate of 0.12 per hour.These catch rates document that.chinook salmon
juveniles utilize the mainscem river for rearing during the winter
period.
Juvenile studies
Juvenile salmouids were present in all sloughs and clearwater
tributaries identified ~thi.n this study,with the ~~ception of Lane
Creek.The absence of juveniles in the latter location does not preclude
their presence,since survey conditions of this creek ~ere generally
poor for juveniles.Pink salmon were the only species observed spa-..ning
within this creek and emergent fry would not be expected to be present
when surveys were conducted,since this species migrate toward sea after
their emergence from the gravel in late May and early June.
The major species utilizing these areas for rearing during summer
months were chinook and coho salmon,although sockeye salmon were also
collected.Misidentification of salmon fry samples collected in previous
~studies,particularly berween chinook and coho salmon,was noted during
\
1977.Samples from previous years were re~~amined and correct identification
was made.Data indicates chinook salmon were the most abundant rearing
species collected during 1974 through 1976.
Estimated fry abundance varied throughout the season.Lowest
numbers occurred during late September surveys.This data is concurrent
with studies conducted in Will~,and Montana creeks (see p.2S).
Attempts were not generally made t~establish migration from the upper
sloughs and tributaries to the mainstem river.A limited experiment
was,however,conducted in Indian River to determine if migr~tions
observed in Montana and Willow creeks also occurreci.A tetal of 579
~.
:;H~,::-I J
chinook s~on fry were trapped during a two hour period on August lS.
Large ~umbers of chinook salmon fry were also observed near the confluence
area during late August and September.00 August 31 the first chinook
salmon fry was trapped in the mainstem Susitna River immediately downstream
of Indian River.Logistical problems prevented follow-up studies until
March 7.Ten traps were fished on this date for 24 hours in areas where
high densiti.es of fry had been observed during the summer.Only four
chinook salmon were captured.Data is limited,but it does corroborate
findings in Montana Cree~.Montana Creek and Indian River have comparable
'C~';gradients,velocities,pool to riffle ratios,.and are representative of
most of the clearwater tributaries to the Susitna River.It would be
reasonable to speculate that life history information of salmon fry from
one of these tributaries ,would be representative of the other.
I~addition to the apparent intrasystem migration of juvenile
fall;it appears some young-of-the-year chinooks move out of the parent
stream in the spring.The majority of the salmon fry observed in
,(sloughs during 1977 were chinook salmon.Adult chinook salmon were not
.~
J
Ii
the fry dropped out of spawning areas sometime in the spring
into the Susitna River and then moved into the sloughs to rear for the
summer.
Definition of the int1:'asystem mig1:'atioIls for the various life
history phases of each species wi..ll be important considerations in
(
assessing the potential impacts of this project.It can be assumed that
individuals of a species will tend to select areas within a drainage
that have the most favorable combinations of hydraulic conditions which
,J
:p:.}:.;:::-
t~:;:;.;:..
suppor~life his~ory requiremen~s.They will also utilize less favorable
.
conditions,~ith the p~obability-of-use decreasing with diminishing
favorability of one or several hydraulic conditions (Bovee;1978).
Observations demonstra~e that individuals elected to leave an area
before conditions became lethal.The movement of rearing salmon fry ou~
of ~he sloughs in the fall has been documented and is an example of
areas yhere conditions could become lethal.
a~~his ~ime.As the season progresses,discharge and sedimen~loads of
the mains~em Susitna begin to dec::ease.'By fall and winter,the silt
load appears to be low enough to transform the mainstem Susitna River
,
"j into suitable fry rearing habitat to replace slough areas,yhich are
dewatered when mainstem discharge and stage decreases,and tributaries
~ha~often freeze in the winter.
Samples for age,length and weight analysis were obtained from each
(.slough during la~e July and early August and late September.Analysis
will no~be discussed,bu~is presen~ed in Appendix I Tables 3,4,and
5.
Aqua~ic insec~~and juvenile salmon gu~contents
Knowledge of the aqua~ic insect fauna.and i~s ecology is necessary
to assess '~he pc~en~ial impacts of the Devils Canyon and Wa~ana dams
upon the salmon population d~s~ream.Altera~ions of curren~ly exis~ing
popula~ions would probably have a corrollary effec~upon =earing fish.
Gu~con~ents of juvenile salmon from sloughs and tributaries
be~~een Portage C=eek and the Chuli~na and Susi~na.River coniluence were
---.,.----------_.._---_....__.__•....•..•.,.-"".
..~.
..~..~::::1;
examined to determine feeding habits of rearing fish during 1977.
Studies were considered minimal and further investigations will be
required.
Immature members of the Orders Diptera,P1ecoptera,Ephemeroptera,
Trichoptera,Coleoptera,Hemiptera,and adult forms of Hemiptera and
!"".I :.(:.Coleoptera were found in the summer and fall diets of -juvenile salmon
(Appendix lIable-6).Adult terrest~ial insects were estimated to be
1I
\
./
.1
the largest percentage of the gut contents by volume.Although most of
these adult-forms were ter~estrial,the majority of their life histories
were spent in the aquatic environment.
Percent composition of gut contents varied bet'Ween species of fish
examined (Table 7).'Feeding habits of chinook and coho salmon were,
however,similar during the summer s~ling period.Adult Insecta were
of primary importance for the latter ewo species during summer.Sockeye
salmon fry fed primarily on Diptera larvae during summer months.Cladocera
(Bosminidae)were also found to be important food organisms for sockeye
salmon L~three Sloughs (Appendix I Table 6).
.\
J
I
\
t.
\
Adult Insecta remained the major food items identified in the fall
.........-....··s~omash··son~ea1!samples·.Adul~Diptoera and Hymenoptera comprised approxim.ate-ty
80 percent of the food items in sockeye salmon during the fall as compared
to about 18 percent during summer.The importance of immature Insecta
and Crustacea apparently decreased appreciably.Change in percent
compos~tion of food items per fish was not significant fotchinook and
coho salmon fry.
Aquatic insects probably playa more important role in the juvenile
salmon diet during winter months than in the summer and fall.Many
g~oups of ir:.secl:s (Plecoptera,Ephemeroptera,Trichoptera,and Diptera)
(
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Table 7.Bean percent composition of gut contents per fish of chinook,sockeye,and
coho salmon juveniles in sloughs and clearwater tributaries of the Susitna
River,Devils Canyon Project,1977.
Hean Percent Per Fish
Immature Adult
Species Sample Size Crustacea Insecta Insecta Other
Su.nuner Fall Summer Fall Sununer Fall Sununer Fall Sunmler Fall
Chinook 219 158 4 trace 24 26 71 62 I 12
Sockeye 35 18 27'2 51.17 18 80 I I ..···t...
Coho 17 45 9 trace 17 9 68 69 6 22
••••
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are very act:ive during t.he wint.er even at wat.er temperat.ures of OOoC
(Bynes,1970).Conversely,during t.hese cold mont.hs t.errest.rial insect.s
are nonexist.en~and plankt.on is eieher great.ly reduced or nil.This
would suggese thae aquaeic insect.s would probably be a greater proport.ion
of t.he juvenile salmondiees than in the sUl1lIl1er.Addieional seudies are
required to analyze this.
Research and lit.eraeure in the area of environmental factors
affeceing aquaeic insect.s is sparse and often times conflicting.There
is,apparently,a high degree of variability as to subst.raee type
,;r-.
t,.:preference,temperature requiremenes,and general modes of e..'"Cist.ence
even within the Order level.Evaluaeing species diversiey would probably
be the most useful means of monitoring on-going environmental changes in
the invert.ebraee fauna of the river (McCoy,1974).'It would not,however,
provide a means to predict:whether or how a change will occur.Environmental
faceors which wouldp-robably result in the'greatest:alterations iILJ;.be
aquatic fauna include:wat.er temperaeure,flow,subserate types,water
clarity.and chemical water quality.
1"--
'-Research in the area of waeer temperat.ure effect.s on aquaeic fauna
.are conflic~ing,·but appare,ntlythe lenvironmeneal<:ltlJ'~_S"for the
hat.ching of eggs,t.he change from a larval to pupal seat.e,et.c.,are a
combination of threshhold temperaeures and changing day leng~h (Hynes,
1970).Disrupttons in the seasonal patt.ern of temperature are at.tributed
to have caused ex:ensive alterations in the aquatic insece fauna of the
Saskatchewan River (Lehmkuhl.1972).Hypol~al water discharge from a
dam in the river reduced both diversity and absolute numbers of insects
dOYnstream.River temperatures became higher in winter and lower in
summer,differing from the norm in such a way that Ephemeroptera eggs
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failed to develop into nymphs.
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Similar temperature~ffects ~ere thought
to have adversely affected ocher aquatic insect groups at this site,
even at a distance of 70 miles do~stre~.Alteration of natural flaY
could affect both the respiration of organisms and substrate types.
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Most arthropods in still ~ater self-ventilate their gills or respiratory
I seructures.Many immature aquatic inse~ts have lost this function and
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rely on rutming ~ater or current to artificially "fan"their gills.A
decrease in flow could therafore have an adverse effect upon respiration.
The nature of the flow is intimately related to substrate type.A fast
Ie.:',current area ';.Till generally be .clean swept and have a rocky or gravel
I\substrate.The se.diment load will drop in sloy moving ~aters and the
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bottom ';.Till become increasingly silty.Each different substrate type
supports a completely different benthic fauna.All these current related
factors can perhaps best be summarized by Rynes'observation that areas
subjected to Yide fluctuations in current "are often Yithout much fauna.'"
Neither those organisms adapted to a slow moving area nor those to one
of sYift water can thrive.
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J(~...Numerous investigators have established the importance of substrate
types upon the nature of the benthic fauna.Each species of aquatic
insect seems adapted to a certain substrate type or at least greatly
prefers one type to another.Obviously,changes in substrate type will
result in altered benthic fauna.This ';.Tas evidenced ~hen a small,beaver
dam across a stream in Ontario altered the upstream bottom habitat from
swift·floving and stoney to slo~moving and silty stones.Ihe total
number of aquatic insects were reduced,"especially of Ephemeropcera,
Pleccptera,and Trichoptera,"~hile the proporcion of Diptera Chironomid
larvae ';.Tas increased (Rynes,1970).There can be great variations in
substrate preference w~thin each order or even family.Some trends are,
however,disceruable.In general,rocky or stoney substrates with a
)
:"SW'ift flow of water will contain both a greater species diversity and a
higher biomass than silty substrates with slower mOVing water.
riffle areas are the most productive regions in running water.
These
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.i The possible introduction of turbid glacial water by the proposed
dam into the clear winter water of the upper Susitna seems to indicate
substrate type would be altered to one ~f increasing silt.This would
r probably change the aquatic insect fauna and quite possibly reduce its,,
[~.,Lhmdance.
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Ch~cal water quality influences upon aquatic insects would be
minimal in comparison to the above factors.Lehmkuhl (1972)and Spence
and Hynes (1971)discovered no appreciable differences in chemical water
quality upstream and downstream from dam impo~ndments and thus concluded
The icportance of drift to the relationship berween aquatic insects
and the diet of juvenile salmon is another factor to consider.Many
.~>jenthic invertebrates,displaced by crowded conditions and as a means of
carried downstream by the water's flow.These are
"drift".Investigacors have repeatedly found that most of the food
items of salmonid fish in flo~g water situations consist of drift.
Rynes (1970)reports that brown trout feed mostly on drifting organisms.
Becker's (1973)food habits study of juvenile chinook salmon on the
Columbia River concluded prey items were either drift organisms or adult
insects floating on the water's surface.Loftus and Lenon (1977)also
believed drift to be an important food source to chinook and chum smelt
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on the Salcha River in interio't'Alaska.A comparison between the gut
contents of a limited number of longnose suckers (bottom feeders)
collected in our study with that of the juvenile salmon reveals that
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drift aquatic insects together tv.lth floating adult insects were apparently
the major food items.The numbers and kinds of organisms in the drift
appear to differ substantially when compared to fauna collected stric~ly
on the bottom.As might be expected,heavier organisms such as Trichoptera
larvae and their cases,snails,etc.,are relatively rare in drift,
while Ephemeroptera,Diptera Chironomid larvae,and Plecoptera form a-.higher percentage than they do on the substrate.Various environmental
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factors can alter the amount of drift.Investigators have reported
varying drift because of ice scouring,water temperature,and daylight
changes (Rynes,1970).The role of drift organisms in both the food
habits of rearing salmonid fishes and in the overall ecology of aquatic
insects is thus probably of some importance in the Susitna River and
should be investigated further.
If a hypolimnial discharge hydroelectric dam is constructed at
Devils Canyon,it appears almost certain the downstream benthic fauna
will be altered.This will most"probably occur because 0 ;·"-.1)changed
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water temperatures resulting from the hypolimnial discharge which may
disrupt the life cycles of certain species;2)substrate types altered
by increased ~-Ilter turbidity of downstream river water,which will in
turn a~ter the aquatic insects living on the substrate,and 3)discharge
flow variations because of varying power demands,which will create
areas of the river bottom to which neither swift current associated
species nor slow current forms are perfectly adapted for.Which species
or group of insects will be most affected,whether they w~l be major
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food items of rearing juvenile salmon or whethel:'the salmon wD.l switch
their food preference to the newly abundant forms,and whether the
bio~ss of benthic fauna will decrease,will probably be difficult,if
not impossible,to predict.We can only hope to broadly outline what
changes may occur.
lmpoundment area fisheries investigations
Alterations will definitely occur to the fish habitat in the areas
to be inundated.The fisheries investigations in the impoundment area
during the first two weeks of July revealed that Arctic grayling were
abund~t in all of the major clearwater tributaries ·(Table 8).Extreme
lake level fluc'tuations of the Watana reservoir w:illdestroy habitat and
affect the high quality fishery which presently exists.
No anadromous species were captured upstream of Devils Canyon
during the firs't two weeks of July.More e.'"'C'tensive sampling,however,
is necessary throughout the.summer to determine if Devils Canyon is a
velocity barrier to salmon during different natural flow regimes over
a three to five year period.
Lakes in the impoundment area which could be impacted by cons~ruction
--of r oad~or··transm.is sion--co't'-r-::Ldol;'s~and--increas ed--access·were-also surveyed .---
for species composition (Table 9).Fifteen of the eighteen lakes
sampled supported desirable game fish populations.
ConstTUction of the Devils Canyondam would·inundate 7,550 acres
and have a surface elevation of 1,450 feet aIid eX'tend for 28 m:l..les
upstream (U.S.Army Corps of Engineers,1977). Cons'truction of the
Watana dam would result in inundation of 43,000 acres with a surface
elevation of 2,200 feet extending for 54 miles upstream along the Susi:na
River.For downs'tream discharge to remain relatively constant,at lea~~
)
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Table 8.Limnological daca from selecced tributaries to the Susitna River,
Devils Canyon Projecc,1977.
Est.
Flow
Stream (c.fs)
Oshet:na 600
Est:imaced
Veloc:.icy
(ips)
3
Percent::
Pools
15
Bot:tom
Tvoe TemP.
Rubble 13
Boulder
pH
8
Conduc-
tivity
75
Fish
Observed*
)
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Goose
Jay
Kosina
Watana
Deadma.Il
Tsusena
Fog
100
75
100
300
900
600
200
2
2
2
1.5
3
2
1.5 .
40
40
30
20
10
10
30
R.ubble
Boulder
Gravel
Boulder
Gravel
Boulder
Gravel
R.ubble
Boulder
Gravel
Boulder
Sand
15
8
14
12
14
6
9
8.4
8
7.8
7.8
7.9
160
65
110
50
75
GR,SK,1017,
SC
GR
GR
GR
GR
GR
i >*GR -GraylingIII.-,SK -Suckers
'.;;'(SC -Sculpin
WF -Whitefish
*Species:GR -Grayling
RT -Rainbo~!rou~
DV -Dolly Varden
L'!'-Lake !rou~
'WE'White Fish
SC -Sculpin
SS -Coho Salmon
BE -Burbon
RS -Sockeye Salmon
LNS-Long ~osed Su.cke:-
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one of these reservo~rs will have to fluc~uate considerably.The Watana
reservoir is projec~ed to have ~he most ~~treme fluctuations.The
majority of the clearwater tributaries to be inundated are found ~ithin
this section of river and,of the two impoundments,greater impacts will
probably occur here since loss of portions of these tributaries is
inevitable if the two dams are built.If salmon utilize the area above
the Devils Canyon dam site,however,both the Devils Canyon and Watana
dams and impoundments COUll;!adversely impact migration.Reservoir
fluctuations could have a variety of effects on the tributaries.The
mouths of these tributaries and scretches of water upstream provide some
of the most productive fishery habitat in this area.Some tributaries
have steep gradients upstream of the mouth area which act as migration
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barriers and do not appear to support fish species.
In tributaries where the full pool would extend up to the base of
steep tributary gradients or waterfalls,critical lotic habitat ~ould be
lost.Periods of lowered pool.levels could have a suction effect and
result in the erosion and formation of channels with steep gradients
which may block intersystem fish migrations and eliminate suitable
fishery habitat.Preliminary data on fish species present demonstrates
that additional information is required to evaluate the full effects of
inundation and regulation in these areas.
WATER QUANTITY
Between May 17 and June 14,1977 the unregulated flow of the Susitna
River increased from 13,600 cubic feet per second (cfs)to a peak discharge
of 52,600 cfs (Figure 4;AppendL~II,Table 1).By July 20,t~e flow
decreased to 22,400 cfs and fluctuated around 20,000 cfs ~til August
25.On September 6 the flow dropped to 9,520 cfs and then increased to
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Sap::.::::.oerAugust
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JulyJune
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Hay
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Susitna River discharge at Gold Creek,Devils Canyon Project,19i7.
35,000
30,000
25,000
,49,000
50,000
10,000
9,000
8,000
15,000
45,000
Figure 4.
20,000
...............
u:n
---z--
-CD
C""~
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C.Q
looo
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16,900 cis one yeek later.~e floY decreased to 9,840 cis on September
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27 which again was followed by increased flow until the last reading of
12,500 cis was made.on September 30.
Fluctuations in floY during August and September were attributed to
heavy rain.Stage fluctuations within the major~ty of clea~ater
sloughs of the Susitna River,related directly to mainstem discharge
variations (Appendix II,Table 2).DOw-nstream floY is projected to be
maintained at a constant rate of approximately 7,000 to 8,000 cfs at
Gold Creek after completion of the dams.Slough surveys were terminat.ed
near the end of September when the floY was approximately 15,000 cfs.
It was not possible to observe the sloughs during this study when the
mainstem flow was 8,000 cfs due to freezing conditions.Observations
during the 1976 study,however,concluded that 75 percent of the rearing
sloughs studied were undesirable habitat when the flow in the mainstem
was 7,000 cis (Riis,1977).
I
Habitat requirements for passage,spawning,egg incubation,fry,
juvenile,and adult phases of the salmon species studied are quite
specific;The US~yS Cooperative !nstr~am Flow Service Group has developed
criteria which demonstrate the narrow tolerances of certain salmonid
species to hydraulic parameters of velocity,depth,substrate and
temperature (Bovee,1978).The seasonally wide fluctuations of water
velocity,depth,temperature,substra;e,and sediment of the mainstem
Susit~a,its sloughs and tributaries determine to some extent the
intrasystem migrations of fish seeking more desirable environments.
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Thus,any alterations to the ~~isting'aquatic ecosystem which restrict
or reduce the availability of required habitat,will also reduce fish
production.
~--
WATER QUALITY
Creek,a high of lS.O°C was recorded ou July 28 and ehe low,of O.O°C was
2 (Table 11).
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alkalinity are presented in AppendL~II,Tables S'and 6.
the season.Dete~nations of dissolved 04jrgen,?R,hardness,and total
W~ter chemistry of Rabide~~and Montana creeks was measured throughout
In Rabideux Creek,dissolved o:cygen ranged f=om a low of 6 ppm in
dissolved o:cygen and temperature meter and/or a pocket thermometer.Data
Temperatures at all other sampling sites were measured ~th a combined
the upper sub--area to a high of 11 ppm re.corded in all areas.Hydroge.n
by temperatures fluct~ting bet"',;een 13.5°C and 10°C when a steady declL"'le
A thermograph was also installed in the Susitna River at the Parks
time the ther::nograph wa:;;removed (Appendix'II,Table 3).In Mont.ana
Ryan the~ographs were insealled in the upper sub-areas of Rabideux
Low flows were en~ouneered in Rabide~~Creek from mid-June through
-
and the highest water tem~erature of 14°C was reached on July 12 followed. .
and Mont.ana creeks.Wat.er temperat.ures in Rabideux Creek ranged up to
Highway bridge.When inst.alled on June 27 the temperature was 10.5°C
five degrees celsius (OC)higher than MOntana Creek during corresponding
begalion AuguSt 2.5 and 'c:.ont:il'J.ued Co the lowest.
-,--~~----~.
the end of Auguse (Table 10).The lowese flow re~orded was 24.3 cfs on
July 11 and 12;the low of 1.7°C occurred on Oceober 22 and 23 at.which
recorded from November 3 through 6 at.which time recording was terminated
apparently due to the heavy rains encountered at thae time.
August 23.The highese flow was 440.7 cis on Sepeember 29 and was
(AppendL~II,Table 4).
I time periods.The high recorded in Rabideux Creek was 28.SoC on bot.h
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Date
5/1
5/21
6/5
6/20
7/1
7/21
8/6
8/22
9/1
9/29
10/15
11/9
uev~~s Canyon Project.1971.~1
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HONTANA CREEK "<.Y
Flow (cfs)
935
2,000
4,800
1,764
935
935
233
153
103
1,349
394
490
RA:BIDEUX CREEK
Date Floy (cfs)
4/13 325.4
5/25 128.7
6/7 11607
6/17 50.2
6/:30 33 ..2
7/13 36.7
7/26 31.4
8/23 24.3
8/31 29.2
9/21 242.9
9/29 440.7
tITLLOW CREEK
Date Flay (cis)
5/1 443
5/30 1,590
6/15 3,320
6/29 1,900
7/15 951
7/30 525
8/15 409
8/30 322
9/16 1,590
9/29 2,070
10/15 525
10/30 348
11/8 6i6
11 r!ontana and ~·lillo~.;creeks dat.a is provisional and ~;as obtai:led from
the Nacion~l W~~cher S~~iice.
.-,'
'table 11.Thermograph set in Susitna R:i.ve't'do~stream of Park.s High",Jay
Bridge,daily maximum and minimum ~ater temperature,Devils
Canyon Project,1978.
Temp.°c Temp.oC Temp.°c
,'~Date M';p.}f..a.x.Date Min.~x.Date ~1!n.~:'.:'.
6/27 10.5 10.5 7/30 12.5 12.5 9/12 7.5 8.0
6/28 10.5 10.5 7/31 11.0 12.5 9/13 7.5 7.5
6/29 10 10.5 8/1 10.0 10.5 9/14 7.5 7.5
6/30 10 10 8/2 10.0 10.0 9/15 6.0 7.5
i/1 10.5 10.5 8/3 10.0 11.0 9/16 6.0 5.5
"7/2 10.5 10.5 8/4 11.0 11.0 9/17 6.5 6.5
i,r'~~/3 10 10.5 8/5 11.0 11.0 9/18 6.5 6.5''-''1/4 9.5 10 8/6 10.5 11.0 9/19 6.0 6.5
7/5 9.5 10 8/7 11.0 11.0 9/20 5.5 6.5
7/6 10 U 8/8 10.0 10.5 9/21 5.5 5.5
7/7 12 12.5 8/9 10;'0 11;5 9/22 5.5 6.0
7/8 12 13 8/10 11.0 11.5 9/23 5.5 6.0
7/9 12 13 8/11 10.5 11.0 9/24 5.0 5.5
7/10 12.5 13.5 8/12 10.5 11.0 9/25 4.5 5.0
7/11 13 13.5 8/13 10.5 11.0 9/26 4.5 5.0
7/i2 13.5 14 8/14 10.5 11.0 9/27 5.0 5.0
7/1~lJ'13.5 8/15 10.5 11.0 9/28 5'.0 5.0
7/14 11 13 8716 11.0 11.0 9129'-4~5 5;.0
7/15 10.5 11 8/17 11.0 11.0 9/30 3.0 4.5
7/16 10.5 U.5 8/18 10.0 10.5 10/1 2.5 3.0
7/17 11.3 12 8/19 10.5 12.0 10/2 2.0 2.5
r 7/18 12 12 8/20 11.0 12.0 10/3 2.0 2.0
'"".:7/19 11.5 11.5 8/21 10.5 12.0 10/4 2.0 3.0
7/20 11.5 11.5 8/22 11.0 '11.5 10/5 2.5 3.0
7 21 11 11 8/23 11.0 12.0 10/6 2.0 2.5
22 'II 11.5 8724 10~5 11~5 '10/7
7/23 II 'lr~5-8t25 9-;5 10;.5 10-18 2.-5-,,~-.Q"
I 7/24 11 11.5 8/26 9.0 10/9 3.0 3 ..5
7/25 11.5 11.5 10/10 3.5 3.5
7/26 11.5 11.5 10/11 3.5 4.0
7/27 10.5 12.0 9/9 8.0 10/12 3.5
7/28 11.0 12.5.9/10 7 .5.8.0
7/29 12.0 13.0 .9/11 7.5 8.0
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iou (pH)concentrations were found to be relatively stable ranging from
a low of 6.5 to a high of 7.7.Both hardness and total alkalinity were
found to range between 17 mg/l to~68 mg/l.The higher readings occurred
during the warmer summer months.
I Montana Creek exhibited less fluctuation in che~ical water character-
istics than Rabideux Creek.The d~ssolved oxygen ranged from 9 to 12
ppm,pH from 6.8 to 7.7,and hardness and total alkalinity from 17 to 34
mg/l.
Water samples were collected jointly by ADF&G and USGS from three
sites on the Susitna and the USGS laboratory carried out the complete
standard chemical analysis.This data is presented in AppendL~II,
Table 7 and considerably expands the data base which will be used for
future comparisons.
Field determinations of dissolved oxygen,pH,hardness,total
alkalinity and specific conductance tvere collected in clea~vater sloughs
and tributaries and are tabulated in Appendix II,Table 2.The findings
were within acceptable limits for fish life and were in the range of
'expected results for natural waters in southcentral Alaska.
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CONCI.USION
Base~ine inventory studies,to date,emphasize the need to initiate
a comprehensive study to properly assess the potenti~environmenta~
impacts to the aquatic ecosystem of the Susitna.drainage by the proposed
W'atana and Devils Canyon hydroelectric project prior to fin~design
approv~and construction authorization.
!he Susitna River is a product of its tributaries.All aquatic
habitat and populations (within the power transmission corridor site,
construction road routes,and above and below the proposed dam sites)
,'
which wou~d be directly or indirectly affected during construction and
after completion of the project must be careful~y ev:aluated.It is.
imperative to thoroughly investigate the interrelationships be~Neen the
aquatic biology and the water quantity and quality of the ~isting free
flowing Susitna River system.Recreational,social,economic,and
aesthetic considerations sho~d also be included.
With this information the Alaska Depar~ent of Fish and Game ~ll
be able to provide the input for preventing unnecessary losses of'the
fisheries and related resources held in high esteem by the people of
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RECOMMENDAIIONS
Continued collec;tionof biological data and completion of resource
assessment in the area affected by tbe propos~hydroelectric project
is essential to understanding the potential impacts of the proposed
action.Append~~III is a summary of ADF&G's recommendations for
essential aquatic studies.
Direct studies of aquatic and terrestrial species can delineate a
population and indicate their distribution throughout the year and define
why species are there to a certain ~tent.Seasonal life history
studies must be accompanied by habitat stud~es if we are to determine
the full significance of habitat alteration to the population.
The studies identified for the pre-authorization environmental
assessment:are necessary to predic.t the impacts of hydroelectric develop-
ment on the ecosyst~.The objectives of the biological investigations
are'based upon the assumption that the Devils Canyon and Watana two dam
plan will be selected.It must be realized that as the plan evolves and
new info~tion becomes available,the program must be fl~~ble enough
to permit adjustment in study direction.If other basin development
schemes are proposed,study time and costs will have to be reevaluated.
Capital requir~ts for each year were based upon FY-78 dollars.Inflation
will therefore necessitate annual supplemental allocations which represent
revised cost estimates.The proposals are closely integrated and
demons~rate the need for continuity.The design,timing,manpower
requirements,and funding levels of the individual projects have been
coordi:::J.ated.
A team of resource specialists representing various scientific
disciplines will be required to carry out field investigations in habitat
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assessment.Adequate t~e will be required to organize study personnel
and procure equipment prior to the first field season.An untimely
delay could prevent the initiation of the field studies one year.
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ACKNmn.EDGEME~rrS
Several biologists with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
gave freely of their time and eA~ertise to assist us during this
study.We yould like to express our thanks to Paul Janke,LarrJ Engel,
Roger Wadman,Stan Kubik,Larry Heckart,Fred Williams,Mike Mills,
Dave i-1atsjold and Bob Chlupach.
~e temporary biologists who yorked on this project deserve credit
for long hours spent collecting and analyzing data:Christopher Estes,
.
Jeff Hock,Terry Bradley,Pete Probasco,Kevin Delaney,Ward Knous,
Steven Sykes,Doug Bue,Dave Clausen and Dave Colyell.Labratory
analysis and literature research on aquatic insect samples was conducted
by Dave Clausen.Special appreciation is extended to Christopher Estes
for his participation in the preparation of this document.
Funding for this study was prOVided by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife
Service.Individuals from the USFWS also assisted yith the C.inook fry
marking operation in Montana Creek.
The USGS cooperated in every way possible in collecting and analyzing
water samples.
Appreciation is also extended to those individuals not mentioned here
who assisted with this project.
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LITE:RA'.tUU CITED
Alaska Dis'trtc't U.S.Army Corps of Engineers.1977.·P1a.:c.of Study
for Susitua hydropower feasibility analysis.Prepared undercon'tract
agreement for the state of Alaska.Sep'tember.297 pp"
Barrett,B.M.1974.An assessment study of the a.:c.adromous fish population
in the upper Susitna River watershed be~Meen Devils Ca.:c.yon and the
Chulitna.River.Cook Inlet Data Report No.74-2.Alaska Depart::nen't
of Fish and Game.Division of Commercial Fisheries.56 pp.
Becker,C.D.1973.Food a.:c.d groW'th parameters of juvenile chinook
salmon,Oncorhynchus tshavy~scha,in central Columbia River.
Fishery Bulleein.Vol.71.No~2.387-400 pp.
Bovee,K..D.1978.Probability-af-use criteria for the family Salmonidae
FWS/OBS -78/07 Coopera'tive Ins'tream Flow Service Group.For't
Collins,Co1orado~
I
\
I
1
'l'\,
\,}:
-_,-_,a.:c.d 1'.Coclma.uer.1977.Developmen't and evalua'tion of weighted
criteria probability-of-use curves for instream flow assessment:
t'~sheries.:Fi-jS/OBS.-77/63 ..Cooperative Instream.,Flow Service Group.
For't Collins,Colorado.39 pp.
f .
Browc.,C.J.D.
Moneaua.
1971.Fishes of Montana Big S~r Books.
207 pp.
Bozeman,
I I
d
'I
Friese,N.V.1975.Preau'thorization assessment of anadromous fish
_~p_o.p\'Llations..of the .upper-.Susitna Ri.ver~wa~ershed-in·-the-V±c±n±tyof·
the proposed Devils Canyon hydroelectric project.Cook Inle't Data
Repor't No 75-2.Alaska Depar~n't of Fish and Game.Division of
Commercial Fisheries.121 pp.
Friese,N.V.(in prep).Susitna River salmon escapement s'tudies,1977.
Cook Inlet Data Repor1:Series.Alaska Depar't~ent of Fish and Game.
Division of Commercial Fisheries.
Hynes,H.B •N•1970.The e_c.o.1o.gy_o.f_l::nnn j n g-water.•-UDi.:Il·.··o·f~r.e'l't;)n·~e-.
Press,1'oron'to •.
I
/1
\\
I
Jaques,H.C.1947.How to know the insects.Second Edition.'rKm •
C.Brawn Co.Dubuque,Iowa.205 pp.
Loftus,W.F.and R.L.Lenon.1977.Food habi'ts of the salmon smo1ts,
Oncorhynchus tshaw71:scha and O.~,f=om the Salcha liver,Alaska.
Trans~Am.Fish.Soc.Vol.1Qq,~o.3.235 ....240pp.
Kubik,S.W.and R.Wadman.1977.Inventory and ca'taloging of spor't
fish waters of the lower Susitna River and cen'tral Cook Inlet
d~ainages.Annual Report:of'Progress,1976-1977.Projec't F.;;;9.;;;9,
Vol.18,No.'G-I-R.28 pp.
I
Lehmkuhl;D.~.1972.
of benthic fauna
Canada.Vol.29,
Change in thermal regime as a cause or reduction
dowc.s'tream of a reservoir.J.Fish.Res.Bd.
No.9.1329-1332 pp.
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'.-'
LITERATURE CITED (cont.)
McCoy,G.1974.
the Chena and
Flood Control
Survey,Water
Preconstruct~on assessment of biologica~quality of
Little Chena r~vers in the vicinity of Chena Lakes
Project near Fa~rbanks,Alaska.U.S.Geolog~cal
Re50urces Invest~gations 29-74.84 pp.
Pennak,R.W.1953.Freshwater invertebrates of the Un~ted States.
The Ronald Press Co.New York.
Riis,J.C.1977.Pre-author~zation assessment of the proposed Susicna
River hydroelectric projects:preliminary investigations of water
quality and aquatic species composition.Alaska.Depar~ent o~Fish
and Game.Division of Sport Fish.91 pp.
1971b.Differences in fish populations upstream and downstream
ofa maiDstem impoundment.J.Fish.Res.Bd.Canada.Vol.28,No.
1.45-46 pp.
\'I
lie
Spence,J.A.and H.B.N.Hynes.1971a.
and downs-r:re.am of an impoundment.
28,No.1.35-43 pp.
Differences in benthos upstream
J.Fish.Res.Ed.Canada.Vol.
i\
i,
lJ
U.s.Fish and Wildlife Service.1976.Southcen-r:ral railbelt area -
Susitna River basin.Fish and ~dlife studies related to the
Corps of Engineers Devils Canyon -Watana.Reservoir hydroelectric
project.Studies conducted by the Alaska.Dept.of Fish and Game
under contract agreement with the U.s.Fish and Widlife Service.
February.185 pp and appendices •.
Usinger,R.L.1968.Aqua-r:ic insects of California.Univ.of Calif.
Press.Berkeley.
Ward,H.B.and G.C.wnipple.1959.Freshwater Biology.Second
Edi-r:~on.John Wiley and Sons,Inc.N~~York.
Wacsjold,D.A.1977.Inventory,cataloging,and population sampling
of the ~por1:fish and sport fish waters in upper Cook Inlet.
Annual Report of Progress,1976-1977.Project F-9-9,Vol.18,No.
G-I-D.48 pp.
.,.=.....
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Iut:,oduction
'!he.p-roposed SusicaR::l.ver b.yaroele.c:;;='ic:.proj act:T,J'i..JJ.have var:'ous
im:pac:.ts ou both the ~rlige:aous orga.n1.s:m.s and c:b.e natural ccndit:!.ons ':o7it:..'!.i::l.
c:.b.e aqua~c:.e:i:rv'irotlme.nt.The .fish po-pulat:!.ons are the C1Cst obrtous aspec:.:s
of the aquatic:.CQ'1Tl'll'!Tm i ty '\Jhua i::rrpac:ts 'IJ::l.ll be evide!1t d.ue to their ec:.onom:l.c
and rec:.ra.a.tional i:Ipor:ance c:o the'people of Alaska.and the nation.
Eo we.ver,seudies canno~be lim::l.ted to the fishery resource alonadue to
the c:o~la:t inte:r:e..lat::!.onships bet:"..eeu a.l.l biological components of.,and
"'::l.th:i.n,t:e aquatic:.coIC::U:1.ity and the.associated habitat.The ma.j oriC'y of
the impacts ou fish species 'Ji.ll lik.ely }:'esuJ.l:from.ci:tanges 1:1 th.e natural
re~-mas 'of the river ra~er ~an direct impacts on the fish ill the v~cinit7.
P-r:imarJ are.as of couc:.e::t:i:l are reciuc;d.ou of stream flow J inc:.reased c:urbidit:7
levels du:r::fJ:1g rinter lnCnths,ad the.=al.and chem:l.caJ.pollution.AltaratiotlS
of the habitat:ma:y adverse.ly affact the a:tist~g fish pO'PulatiotlS and
rend.er portions of the drai.:c.a.ga either nonproduc:t::l.ve or unava::l.lable.in
fut:uJ:'e years..
Baseline fisheries i::1ve:atorie.s '\Jere c:onduc::ed by the Alaska Depa..-::::len:
o.f Fish and G~in the.upper SUS~t::l.a.River during the 1974-1977 field
Seasons.!'he Susic.a.Basin is the maj or coho,pi.o.k,chum,and chi:.ook.
salmon prociuction area "Jil:!::l.:in the Cook Iulat:area.:Ur:hougn :01::2.1 ascape-
m.ent asti::l.atas have aot been derived for this system,it is p-robably c:he.
second or third largest sockeye sal20n prociuction area 'IJ'i:hin Cook Inlet.
GrayJ..ing,rainbow t:out,Dolly Varden,lake trout:,'\Jhite:.fi.sh,and bu:r:bot
a:r:e among the.impor-:ant :esicient fish.species p-resent.
'rhe i.:::I.te.:r::ela.tiotl:;;ll:i.p~t.r.i.~1:liIl.t.b.e 'b~~lQgic3.l_coIIm1unities -and-bec:;;een
che.i=nablr:at:s must be c:.laarly deii::l.ed co p-rote.c.t the aquatic ecosysta:t
fr~losses i:lcu:::=ed by hydroe~ectric development.The ei':ec:s ontb.e
anaciraceus·and :r:esid~t fish populatiotlS are of pri=ary concern c:o :~a
A14Ska De~ar:zent of Fish acd Game fisheries divisions.Aauatic s~uciie.s...
'\Jill,theraiore,c:oncant:=ata on c:.~e.seasonal li.:e his.~orias a:c.ci c=i:.ical
habitat requiramauts of 'fish s~ec:ies present.
S~a.so_ua.l fluct:t:atiollS i:1.Qaphysioc:b.e!!li-c-a-l---c-omposi:;:;;cn of -:b.e--aquat:':-c
_h_<.j:L4.~.Cl.t::_~g a.p'p~:u:_ent:ly_the _::mj-ol:'_fac:ors-inf-J.u-ellGn-g-ci~t:=ibutioll-ct--f::'sh
~i~the upper drai~age.Any alterations resulting f:=om hyd=oelec::ric
proj ect activities ~hi.ch rest:ic:or reduce qua.l.ic:y or quantity of raqui=ed
habitat 'r,ill also reciuca fi.sh populations and associated ~~e:r:s of t:~e
aquatic cO::TJU::lity.
Each aquatic cammuniry is dependent upon va:r:ious river ~echanics to
provide ~e ne.cessarJ habitat for ~ts ~tence..Dapr:h,~idc:h,a~d ieloci:;
of the's t:=e.am f10'Co1 deta~...:i.c.a c:.~e quali.:y and quantity of habi:.ar:a'Vailab 1e ..
to aquatic or6anis~.Eigh ~ac:e:r:discharga associated ~ith spr~~g ac.d
su:me.r run-oi=rasul:s ~~or:anr:phys~cal habitat alr:~rations..Gnregula:ed
fl~~g ~atars dilute and c:ranspor:nat~ral and ~n-generat:ed pollutants.
A flushing or scou~~g action occurs during periods of high'floys and
r~oves de.posi:ed sedi=e~ts ~d £inas,resulc~ng in an annual cleansi~g cf
the ri~;er ooc:cm.This is a:c.i::por-:a.nt .fac:o'l:'in =i'ler3 1~k.e.the Sl.:si::::a
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-~hich e:anspor~large:;;~ouncs of glacial sile.DepdW~tion'of se~~~
....it:houl:the a.m:1u.a.l scou.r:i.:::1g coul.d change.ehe overal..l p-roduct:ivity of elle
river t.event:".J.a.ll.y suf'::ocat:::..ng some.of t:b.e aquatic orgap..:i..s'Qs.
Ind.ividua.l s1:.udy·proposals a::e desig:::Led to ~,.rovide the necessa:r'7
backgr~d infor.=aeiou co ~ble proper evaluation of ~~pac:.:s.S~general
obj ectiv~have baem out:l.i':l.Iad:
1)Det:e~e.the relative abundance and distribut:ion of anadro~ous
ilih pcpul.ar:iotl.S nth.in t::.he d:rai.:1age.
2)De.t:°r;nine t::.he dis c=.i.buticu and abundance of select:ed resident:
fuh pO'Pu.lae;o~•
.:n Dece.:::::ni:l::l.e.the.seasonal habitat:requj,r~o.ts of an.a.dromous and
resident:fish species d~g eac:.h.st.age of their li..fe histories.
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4)Dete~e the.economic,recreat:ional,social,and aesthetic
-values of the e::d.st::.ng resident and anadromous fish stocks and
hahi:a.t.
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52 Dete~e the i=pact:the Devils Canyon projec:~ill have on ~e
.o:.qu.a.tic ecosyste.Il':S and any requ.i=ed ::titigal:.ion prior to con-
s t:r...1ction approval.
6)Determ~ne a long tar.:plan of scudy,if che project:is aut:horized,
to monit:or ehe :!J::pac:.~duri:l.g and aft:er proj ee't:completion.
Fisheries and physioc..~emc:..a.l sampl:i.!l.g techniques and equipment:for
large rivers s:i.mi1..ar to che Susi::l.a are in che early s't:ages 0-£developceIlt:•
.Research and d e'VelopJ!l.ent'.m.us t acc.c'IIll?any the s't::ldy co modify e~uipmeIli:ace.
tec..~ques to the hab~ta't:cond~t~ons of t:~e specific eIlvi=on~~ni::0 be
evaluat:ed.
The large drainage areas encomPassed by the ?~oject'.are divided acci
categorized by locar.ion and ac't:i~r.L~l.The three :ajor scudy areas are:
1)!he Susit:la River bas:'n bet:"'.Jeen Den.a.ll Ei.gh·,Jay a.I:.d Cool<.Inlet.-
2)rne propo~ed e=ansm:.ssion li:e cor=~cior a.I:.d c~nst'.r~ct'.iou road
. d ra..:i.n.ag e ar e.as •
.3)The Cook.In~et:es tua:::'::'e a::ea•
•~~proposed studies are inter=elat.ed and have beeIl coordinated co
produce speci!ic resul~.The elimination of any se~enc of a ?rojec't:
~ill require =evision of s't:udy plans.Invescigat:ions have qeen a::~i:=~=~:y
d~vicied inco anadromous and resideIlt species st:~dies.To insure pre~se
and adequate aquatic da't:a are collected each study is li=i:ed :0 a speci=ic
geographic area.A sui£icient cu=ber at personnel =usc c~erefore oe
di.st'._":'buted throughou't:che s t".ldy areas,:0 i=.sure a cross-sec cion at hab:':a:
conditions ara ~~~ned and ~ova=encs of fish populations are ~oni:ored.
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Title:!zpac:of the Proposed De'Vi.l.s Canyon~a.ta.:c.a :Iyd.rop~er P:,ojec;:s On
hadrcmous Fisb.Populations ~ithi.:l eb.e Susit:l.a Ri~ler Drai..:1age~
Object::!:ves:Det ..'C'j.,e tZle abundance and dist,,:,:.o'Uc:!:on of anadromous fish
p apulaCons •
Det~e ehe seasonal f~eshwacer habitac req~=~ents of adult and
juve:ni.le sa.lmon,includ.iJ:Lg spa'WUi:tg,incubation,reari.:l.g,and ugrac.on.
Back~ound:!he sa.l:::l:cn scoc:.l(s of the SusiCla Et1-.;er draiJ:::..age are :::taj or
contribucors to tb.e Cook Inlec araa fishery..Dete~ing toca~escapement
ince t:u.s sys"ta:l1 is greatly compllcated by the glac:!.al cond..itions of r::J.e
major st~e.ams ad tb.e e.nor::lity of the area.~agement of r:ne c.orcer::.
Cook !alec salmen sto~~has been di£fieult due to the mi~ed scock cemme:'c:ial
.fishery in Cook Inlet and the lack of adequa.:.e tools to provide acc:urat.e
in season esca-pe:c:e.nr.esci%aat.es for the drai::::Lage.
!he major hydroelectric proj ect ~acts on t=ua anadromous fish species are
e:.tpec.ted to be due to c::hauges in b.a.bicat..literation of the.c.o~a 1 f::"OTM
regimes and the physic'al and.chem:ical ',;acer ·c:.haracterisc:'c:s will probably
be the most.critical impacts.It is di!fi~~t at this t~e to deter--ine
tb.e disca.nce downs cream from the proposed'dacs ..thac changes '.Jill oc~ur.
Stud..ies conducced by Townsend (1975)in the Peace River.de~nst=ar:e that
effec.:s T.Jere observed 730 m:iJ.es downstream f':t'om the 3ellIlett:..Dam.
'!he Al.aska Depa1:t::!le::lt:of Fish and Game.has conducted fisher:.es i:l-.;esciga-
tions in ~~e area of proposed dam construction d~sc=eam si:ce 1974.
;:'mphasis has beetl ou the invencory of adult:and juvenile sabon s~ock.s a..-:.d
ClaoJ:taEa.ssess:ei:ii=·Ciir-=e!:tt::··-research i:.::l:Vest:::.gac:.ons naveC:One:.e.nE±'at·ac on
dece.r.=:i.:I.i:1g total escapeI!1enc of sabon s-pecias i:u:o c:he Susi:::a drai:age
and i:l.t:a.s:,SCe.r:l mgrat:'ons of.f=Y.Successful c:agand recover:p:'ojec.c:s
T.Jere operaced inche lo~er river during 1975 and 1977 and ~e feasibilic:y
of sonar operat:'on ~as tested ~r:he mai~tem Susic:~a River appro~:ac:ely
2.5 ......;]es upst:.=eam £=0:::1 Cook I.:1lec dur"..ng 1976.
Qp,J,.y:;~.;q1,t~h ;'otl:l:p1.t;t:l!~t:oc:k.assessment:.-,;ill it:.be sible::o dece.r-....i:le
...·,;hE-~2Q~';:i.Q1:l o.fc:hE!.SLl~i;p.a River anadromous fish :-UD.S -...ill be _ec:ecl.
by the projec.~and decer=ine the level ::ri.tigat:.ive measures
ultimately be required.It is essential to knO'W w-nat port:ion the ai:ec:ed
scocks contribute to 'the tocal Susit~a River sal~n escspement i:l oreer co
dete:r:dL~e pocencial losses of fish populations and numbers.Economic
values and reiacive i~or~ance can be dec:e~ned after escablishing chis_
Pink,cb.um,and chinook sabon are the do:minant ..sp~cig.S1.1.;':!'.li;i=g t;"e upper
reaches of c:ne drainage al~~ough sockeye and coho sa~on are.also obse~;ed.
Adulr:s
Population est,,;"""ac:es 'of salmon s?ec.ies ucilizi::.g c::he Susic:l.a ?":"7er above
::he C1.u.li::::.a Ri";er conflue1;'lce -,;e::-e esc:"':::ated c.u:ri::g the 1.974,1975,and
1977 field seasons basad en :::agg";::lg and subsequenc:=eco~;er7'of fish.~e.se.
s~udies ~dicac:e a por::'on of ::ne sal:on cagg~d are ~o~des~~~eci ::0 s?a~n
above che cagg:i:l.g si:e,cue rac~er below it.~~e ~=?or~a::.ce ar.ci e~=~:
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of this m:!.lli.:l.g beha:vior in t:.b.e upper :d:ver areas =equi,=es def:in:!.t:ion.
The al.terac.ious in floY m~':Jat:e.1:'qualll:Y i!t.che i!1a.iIlStam.r~.:ver after
p~ojee~c~lecion could signi!ic3nely ai!ecc t:bis beh~r.Lor and consequeucly
s'Pa"-1Ui.::Lg success.BehaviQ7::I1lZld.i..f:l:.cations and disor:l:.e:t:I.t:.aeiou of fish.due
to tagging and handli:g ~y have been a con~buc1ng faccorc
O'bserTat::!.ons o£spa:t.."T::l.ing areas be·C"'.Jee:c.t:he Caulit::la and Susit:::la river
confluence u'9sce.am:ttl Port:.a.ge.C::eek.duriJ::I.g fall surveys indicace oat:a
reduce:l:.ou in fl~y to prsposed pose-const=uc:iou levels ~ould prevent:
acc.ess to ll:l.aJly i..:por'tan:.s'Pa~=I.:l,g a:=ea.s.
'!he degree of i::n'pact:of rad!J.ced flcms W"ill be dependeni:Ot!.the toc.a..l area.
a if ee::ed.'!he dis t:.a.nce.a.ffee~ad d01;o7CS t.:e.am 'Mould dep end p u-:::'ally 00.cb.e
cout~-hut:ion of the uaeural Susit:.a River flaw regimes to t~at of eaeh
m.a.j or t:::ibut:ary and th~dra.::!.na.ge as a..f,.;hole.
Studies conducted duriJ::I.g the late.1950's i:dicace that Cook ~l~t:sal:ou
Stoc:..ia are.unable to asc:and t:l.e Susitna.River beyond Devi.J.s Canyon,the
latt:er blti.:::1g a n.a.t"..1ral water valoc:..itj'bar:'ier to mig=atic'D.(U.S.Depar=e:c.c
of t~e Inee::'ior,195i).Repor~f~am loc:a~residencs of s~n observacions
above DeviJ.s C.a.nyou iudic~ee t.!:la.t t:l.1s should be iJ:rve.scigated.fur-:her.
Juveniles
Previous st:Udies have ddined i:rpo't''tant:c:~ea.r,.;at:er streams.and spring ted
sloughs ~t~i:o.ehe SusiCla R.:!.:ver arainage 1',Jhich su'P'90~'t:juve:lile anaci.=otc.i.:rus
fish species.Investigat:iotlS have,howeVer,ccnce:lcrat:ed.pri:i:1arily on
summer r~-ng areas.Surveys indicaee chase populac~ons a=e not:stacie,
but:-;arj in abund.a.nc:e and dis t=:ibueion.Studies c:::lnduc::ed duri.:lg t:~e
wi.:lter of 19i4-1975 reovea.led !:.~ac jUV'enile anadrctlous species also utilize
t~la ;n.a i .,s t:e:::!1 S us i c:::.a R.iv er•
r Data.ccllec:ed since 19i4·~rovide only baseline i:::lior:at:ion.G~neraliza-
...tiOIlS.=.ay be :nade,but su.f.ficient io..for.:::l.a.t:ion is not available to de :e=::ri.=.e
speci!ic ~ac:t:s o.f dam const:=uc:t:ion and operacion on i:::lc:~bat:ing and
r eariI:.g anadrOII!Ous species.
Adults
?~oceciu=es:E=phasis should be on deter:ining tctal salzon escapement
intO t:he drai:::l4ge,s~ock se~arat:ion,and habitat:e~aluaticn.7ypes of
sampling gear ~hich can be ut:i1ized in the upper area of the river and
catchabi.lit7 of adult sa..1=lon mg-rat:i!lg upscrea:::greatly a:ffec:che success
of a eag and rec:overy program.Recent:develc'Pments and i=prov~en:s in
Sonar s~on counters are a viable option.A souar c:::lunt:ing syscem sui:able
for operation i.:l the upper Susi::a River ~ould have to be designed ar.d
tesced.!nstaJ.l.a.t:icn of ~ei=s or counti::g co'Wers :0 de:e=.::!.=.e escape-on::s
~ould be faasible ou most:clea~~at:er t~i~ut:a=ies.
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side:-scarini:lg sonar sa..!..:ccn
couar:e.rs in c~e lower Susic.a River durtng 1978 as parr:of enei:-ongoing
st:u.dies.A saJ;non tag a.nd recovery prog-r:a.m co provide au alceQar:e
escapement.est:i::l.a.t.e could be fu:c.ded through Devil.s Canyon se'Uciies co·
provide add:itioua.l dar:a.a.nd supplement.sona::escape:nent:i:l.fo1:":l:lai:~on.The
duration of t:..:.u.s proj e.c:'is dependent.on cor::e.lacion of populacion esc~
ma·t:es and sonar councs.Daca obt:ained f=0111 .the.se st:'Udies ~ould be
corraJ.aced W'i.th popula.t:ion e.s~-=aces in the uppe.r Susica River.Through
these.st:'lJ.Ci;ias the 1.l:mport:ance of the Susica,ltiver salmou st:ocks t:o t:.~e
Cook ~et area as a ~ole could be dete~ed.
!valuar:iou cif mill.i::1g beha-nor 0.£adult;sal::.cu in the·wppe.r SusiQa River
will require new s~ling tec:.imiques.O"btaini'l:lg escape:neut sa:::rple.s and
ma.:rk.i:l.g them.co de.tecine migrational ~a=acr:erist:ics 'ioo'"'ithoul:c.-ausing some
modi.fic:aticu of ncn::::al b eb.zvi.or is di.ffi cul t.In t e::"l:la~sonic c=ansoni t t:e.rs
may be utili::e.d to e.valuar:e thi.s.The e.fiacti'leness of this type.of cag
in b.e.a'Vi.ly silt laden ~cu:e:r3 ':Jould have to be cested.Recently q,e"l'eloped
st.ock separation te~ques based on sal20n scale.·~arac:e.ristics way
EVentually enable.researc:.~ers co assign un.1<:c.0':01t1 stocks co speci.fic areas.
!his cech:c.ique.is st:ill in the.developmental research stage,but:pre],:.,ij"'la::-J
daca.i::.dicace that SCi.JIIP las ob ta.ined from Cook.Inlat can be.assigned co
cne of the three.major sa~n producing syst~-s ~t:h +14 pe.:-cenc confi-
dence.A large daca base of scale ~aracteriseics·f:om cribu:a.~systems
•...ould.ha:ve co be eseablished beiore analysis could be :::Lade..
Surve.ys and escape..ment sa'l:::l;lling should be conducead in t:~e.proposed.
~out1ci:lenc are.-as bet:"..ree.'1·the De~.l:!.Highway and.De:vi.ls Ca:1yon du::'::g
periods of peak adult salmon abundance,Ini:ial obse-~aeions would be
cctl.duc-eed~byae.rial si.ll:"'1eyS to·doc'UIilenc che .presence or absence.of adulc:
salmotl..S~le1s ~ould be done in conjunction with resident fish i:vesci-
gaeions.Data obtai~ed.~ould be.utilized co decer:i~e.tiecessa~:i:igaeictl.
::::e.asux es .
Water qualitY,quantiC7,and biological sc:'Udies :0 p~edic::he e£=ac:s on .
spa*~~g and mig~at1on habi:at .are desc::ioed in chehabicsc:study section.
J uveIliles
Year-ro~d stu~es are required co decer=i~e co~lece juvenile sal:cn.
diseributicn and habitat utilization d.-ata.
Surreys of ~::~a:;::":lg .areas_de.fined in pre"'rious studies should be con-
ti:::.ued.!'he distribution,species composition,and grc-·.n:h cha::ac:.eris tics
of juvenile sal60nids should be ~onico~ed.Acidicionals~pl~g e~ui?~ent
should·be e:::ployed co assure reprasenta:i'le SCl.l:ll:ples are bei::.g coll.ec:.ed.
rnese i:::.clude seine.s,~nno'W :::aps,small ~lke :::aps,and dip nets.Fore-
gut s~le analysis should be continued.and rela:ed co inver:.ebrat:sc:udies.
wi:::.ter s~ling should be initiated on selected slo~ghs and clea~~ater
c::~butaries ~at support signi£ican:populacions of =ear~::tg.fish du::ing
the smme::and a.re.also accessib Ie duri:lg the '.;inte==.on:::s.·.::"7sio-
~~~cal pa=a:ecers of the aqu.-acic habitat ~~ll ~e ~onito=ed ciuri::tg eac::
sU::-ley.
l
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\
'
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I
~:';,~~~:
-.:-.;'....
I
CI
!he timing of migJ:a;c:!.on of j uve~le fish £=011'1 sioughs and t:':'ibutaries t:o
~e.mainstEm ~iver ~d t:he ~eut of mainste~util~%ation should be doc~
J:e.need..Fac:ors ':odh.:!.cll t:=igger t:~e out:lligrat:icn -..Till be de.te.r:ti.:ted l:h.rougb.
habi:a.c .:u:n:u.ttrr-ng.!hese ~ll i.n~ude ..:~t:er t:e.~erature,ice cwer,
re.lat.i;ve ':Ja:e.:t:levels,dissolved o~ge.n,pa,and c:onduc:ivil:7.Fish
s~les qi~be colle.cted p~~ly by t:=a~s.Coded ~re :ags and/or
pigment:dye.ma.:ridJ::tg cay be ei.fective.·mec:t1odS oi decen ;no;::lg int:::a.syscem
migraeicus after'initial documenta~on of chis phenomenon.
The quand.:y and quality of ya.ter ~t:hin t:he.::a.inst:em.SusiQa.ll"ller '..n..u
be.monitored year round..Data ~ll be obtaine.d f~om U.S.G.S.gauging
st:a.~ons and at:addi~onal sites by field crews ~uitoring f=1 d1st:i~ut:ion.
(See Habitat:Section).
Schedule:Following is a pre1 i:dnary s~~edule of anadromous fish project:
activities.The in.it:f.at::!.on of some seg:n.en.r:s of che studies -.nil be depende!lt
on ce.sd..c.g of s.etm?ling eq'Uiptce.nt and deli"llery t:i::e required.fo1:'mere co::p le::t
equipment,i.e.,sonar counters.
The 'fisc:.a.l years (rY)out.lin.ed encompass the period of July 1 :b.rougL1
Ju:c.e .30.
EY ·79
IT 80
Deter.=ine cotal sa120n escap~ent est~waee.for t:~e
Susitna.R:i.ver dra:f.:ta.ge.
Determine co~al esca~e.me.nt in sele.c::ed s~reacs in :he upper
cira.1nage.
Mon:ieor abundanc~,dise:ibueicn,~~arac:e;ristics,ar.d
habitat requir~nts of adul:and j 1.IVe.n:f.le sa.l.::lco..:.as.
Monieor physic:al,cb.e~cal and hyd=ological ?ar~e~;rs of
!:he :nains·te.m Susic:la River,sloughs,and clea.:-.;aeer
cr1buearies.
Evaluace c~e feasibili:y oi operation of various ~7?as of
s~ling gear for use in c:t1e upper ri,er areas.
Begin building data base =or st:oc:k separacion studies.
Con~~ue fry and habitat studies.
Evalua.te =ti.lling beha'lTicr oi adult::sal:=on.
Concinue water quancit7 and quali:y moni:oring.
Continue i:poune:e.nt 5urleys,~sal=cn are obse:-Jeci
during IT i9.
Continue stock separation s~~dias
analysis.
a::.d ':Jegi:::.,.:=,.~":iQ";""-------
-.-
.:.
!'.
IT 81.
FY 82
:E:Y 83
n:79
n 80
n 82
:n:8.3
Cout:inue aJ.J.IT 80 si:ud.ies and re";ri-se programs as necessary.
Cou:inue o~going field prcjec:s (FY'81)and begin final
analysis of projec:s.
Cone~ue field ~onitori~g and prepare final repor:.
$909,800
$592 J 700
$592,700
$592,.700
$S92,700
I
I
1'.'
}
r~1
I II
I'
Litera~e Cited:
'townsend,'G.a.1975.I::pac't:of tlie BetlIlec-:Da:c on the Peace-AchacaSca
Delta.J"Fish.Res.Board.Can.Vol.32 (1).pp.171-176.
u.S.Depc.of che Interior.1957.(Unpubl.ished).P't'og=ess Rapor':1956
field investiga:t.ion Devils C.a.:c.yon Da:m.Sice,'Susit':l.a River Basi:l::l..
l.5 pp.
II
~.~
'I'.i :le.:!:;lac.:oi c:.:e.,,;,L•.-si.:::L.a.aycirce.le.c-c:.c,?:::oj ec:':Ui:i !te.siden:!i.sh Sp ec~.e.s
Detar:r!:a~,se.a.sou.a.l.c.a.bit:a:t::aqu;i:e=.a:u:so.ec.assarj'to S"USt:a:::...::t ceo
s-ped..es p"resen~..
Ic·····,I .,
i
t
,J
3ac.k%!"OUIld:'nle.:U.a.ska De:par--anx:of 1:!..sb.and.G.aJne.b.a.s cctu::i:u,c:-:e.d ~:e.d
fishe:ie..:s i:rve.stigad.ans i:t t:::l.e Sus:it:::La !!1."7er and i:3 t::::'itru'1:3:r'ias.,bee
u-psce.:a;c.and dQ';W'tl.St::.'e.am.o£Qe.,.p'rQ1posed d.a:m s~:.es and i:t lak:e s ::l.ear t.:ta
:!.::::pat.md::::.e:c.t:cc:e.a..'!he ge:=.e:ra.l d:i.s:::,;:C-ution of =e.sia.ent:s-pecie.s "..ras i:l.O!Lil:o't'ed.
CU':l.d..oasic SEascn:a.l ll.:e.hi.s:a.:j"z.d o'aeit:a:c oOse:7at::!.c:lS woe'.t'e cotLduc:t:ed
d~~g par-"'::a.as o.f the..s'P'd.::1g,:5U:l:l:I:U!:r,fa:u,and W'i:!.t:er se.a.scus.SO'l:!2
resident:s-pes:::.es 1:1a.k.e.::ajor :zd.g=u:~ou.s com.!...ak..e.a:c.d.t::'but.a.J::7 syste::=s :..:n:o
Qe m:;.....,s't:z:Susit:::la far.P't.1:l:::1lQSes.of <::rV'er.riutar...ng.!he.±=pona:c.ce of tb.::.s
i::l.t=a.syste:m.m:igr3.'Z:::!.cm a:nd tb.e ':"Ola of the ma"':Iste:m.Susit:La B.i7e=·is c.ot:
1mde'rSt:ooci at:t:::l..is t:::!.::.ua.Surveys c:rmdt:.ct:ed.beoe$U 1974 a.Ild.lEn doc~1"':e::.t:
~t:a h.igh qu.a.l.it:y spoJ:-:'t=";·shery :!..s prcvided.by ce.Susi:::..a.ll7e::,ic,S
t -'to.~0 t.,.,.,.,_1 ___olJut:.a::_e.s,ana.c.e.az",}'~.
P,,:,ocsdu=a:Se.a.sou.aJ.l.i.:e.b.i.stcry,d:i.st:=.huucu,papuJ..a:t:iou abtmdartc,e,<me,
h..a.bi::at:.req-ui:e=.e.:c.r::!.;:ve57::igar.ions·of selac-:ed.re.si.ci.e~:t:fish s'Pec:::.as ~.r...J.l.
(,e ccuc:.:::ued a:nJi ~andad.I"aesa st:".:Ld.i.e..s ".;ill be.c:l.csely coo't'c.:':.at..ad.~::Zl
r:::'e m3J:i==us fJ'.sfl st:Ud.:!.es..S9lec:.:ial at:t:2.Ut::ion ~-ll be g::i.71!:1 to c.ose
a;'re.a.s i::por::ant:co resident:.f::.s&."Jh.iQ 'JI!.iil.y :l.ot:coi':lI'::ida -nth a:c.a.d.=omc:us
fish.b.a.b.:i:at.'!he.st:"..uiy a::l:'e.a.for raside.n'l:f'isl1 i.n;la~t::igat:iotlS rzay be.
c.:nside.:aclj z:aat:a:J e:=andi::.,g along t:te.Susi::.a '¥7er f::':r.:1 tl'1e.::l:!.c:uC oi
t:te '!1one R:.'Ve.:"Co Cook.!=.lat:,i:l..c:.lud..i:r.g __lbu:a..~:¥bisect:ed by t=a:r:.S':il:1is.s:i=1l
~d =oaci CQ~_~dQ=s.
Of pa.:r':~C'.::..l.a.r i.::::por:.ancs.i:1,.c:.::..:.s s-:t:.dy ~-l1.be t=.e c.eca:::",:,':"'at:'ou ai -..-i.::lte=
d.ist:::·~bu:iQtl.,-:ti.g:at~on.a.l a::::..d h.abi:a:raqu.i.::'e::.e.:~:c:s -:n:i-i ....areas sui::lj ac:::::l
..r ~?1:'oj ect:i:::pac-:.SOl.d.:!.as W""-l1.be..:::ad.e oi che r:==.J:::u::.a=:'as -.;hera =esi~e:lt
\•.....::.sn predc::t:.:::.a.taly S'PZto7.C.a:c.ci.re.si.de du..-:i:lg c:...~e S,i :::0:=out:~,a::.ci t::'::'e
::;;i d S t:e!:l.Sus i:::::1a ?.i."Ver ·,;here :1a'C.y ot chese sa:ce.fish ':lay ':J'i::.-:ar.,:,....,has is
r.r.!."also be g:i'Ve::l to s't:=~~ac't:ed 07 i:c.u:.da'd.cu.a~ut:i.llzac:icn of
:'asid e::l.t s-p ec:.as -.w.!"also be cie.eac.::!.n ed.
'!1:1...i.s s t:'Uciy •..n.u be cottduct:ed in 1:"''';0 pa:Z::"t,s J "..'"'i::b.resul::,s oi ':he f:i=st:c-...o
years 01 af=ort:bei:g c~iled a:c.d analyzed for use ~relat:sd st:~as a~d
as a basis tor det':.ar.=i~~"'g areas ~here ef=o't't:s should be c:ouceu:=a:ad
du:::-'...:l..g ::b.e re:::::ai:li.:lg years 0.£t!:le s:-.:.ciy.
Due to d±:=icu.l:j i::l.ca;l't:'ur::.::.g tish :=cm i:l::.e St.:Sit=.a ll-ve:::~O'Ugh ~l:::.e
O,J:.:J.t:a::'c.e cover,b..:igb.ve.lcc:!..cies and e-.:.::::id ~at:er c:t:.ci.i.:::.o-c.s ~~'::'e $":=:,
c::nsidarabla equ:1:pIl:S.:l.t a.::.ci s.a:t:;3,.;....g te.cllni'lua aci..a:pc:at:'.c;:ns ·..."'i.ll oe ::.ec.essa=7.
So Cl:l a.:ld bac:Qack e.lec-:=oz:..shi:l.g,s:"de sC,.m:::::.::!.=.g sonar,soua::-,ang.l':':3,
~adio :ag,s,anc~or cags,coded ~i=e cags,~jke.::.ecs,sai~e.s,g~~e~,
'::'::ad ==z:ps,f:.sh o.;heel..s,-.;e';':s,and ;;=ou:ld SU::"7e.ys ';.,""ill be.:i'':'C!lg :'::'e
::ac:';'-·'lues c:o be ~loyea..
-.-.
!b.cse e..le.I:.e1:11:S of t:l.t:.::~h.ysi.cc:.:.e.m:ica.l a:a.ri t:::c'Ch::!.c ~of t:te e::::..st:::':g
c.a't'"..J:I:'a.l ha.bi.tat:~.wi:L:!.d:1 ~.rl"be ana.ly:ed a:z:a d.:..sc:u.ssad.u::tder :boe '='abitat:
S t"'.lli:ies Se c::'on..
Schedule:
\
,I
'e."-..~.,'
n 79
IT SO
n S~
n 82.
'F"!80
Orgm:L:e Sus:'t::%.a s.:.7ar Basi::1 s"C".Idy tSZl:I.and c:oor:.:..:o..a.:e ·..ork.
sci::.edule '!o7i.t::L ocar st;'.:tdy te..a::ms •...hera c.ec.s.ssa."J.
Esr:abli.sh base ~s an,!'bep ':i.sher:..e.s i::tv~t:ory,se.a.sona.l
l.:f;feo h:Ls r:c1:7 t a:c.ri ass0 c::!..4.t:!!d.b.a.b:':at:iz::ve.s t::'ga,t:iot:.:3 ..
Ccat::i:::ue.fiald.a.c::i7'id.es a.nd relocate various pe:-SCt'l:!:le~as
<iiC.Utad by·ciaa -;i:dd:1 a:z:e generated.Araa.so:f i:::vestigat::'cn
i:c.c:.lnde i.:::po'U:ccdT"'p'Clt:t t::;;nsm;ssiou and read cor=idc:s,and
da;;ust::aa:m.o.f DerlJ.s Canyon tc Cock.Inlet:.
Cand.nue.field ac.t::.Ti::"e.s a.:c.d.::'210car:a vanous pe:-soune.l as
dic.u::ad.'by daa wh:id:1 a:z:a genera,t:ad..
Cout::i::c.ue f:.e.l.d.ac:tivi:ies a.nd re..locar:e various persounel as
dic:1::,u:ad by dar:a,~.;b.id:1 a:z:a genera.ted.
Cont~"me fi.e.ld a.c:::'vities a:c.d ::,aloca:ce var:'O'US persO'tl.:lel as
d.:ic:.ar:.e.d by dar:a ~",.i:l.ic a:z:a ge::J.era:r:ed,and i::tt:eg:a.te a:c.:i
SlITl'TT'l'l;t-:-'-:e all d.a.t:a c:::Jllec.:ed i::tt:o '::"::al rep ort:.
$4J.6,600
'j.~.
I )
"~.I~
I
~::!"_.31-----.-$.416,
n 82 $416,600
7':"8.3 $416;600....
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I
T:!.tle:-I~:vest:::!.g3.t:iom!{;:f ce Cook Inlet:Est:u.a.riIle..r;:;:::a aIld ?ot:e%:I.t:.iaJ...'
E.fi'ec'CS ox Hyc.:r:oe.le.c:=::!.c.Deve.:!.otrw.e.).J.C...
Obiecci7es:Ide:1ci...ry t~e ':isne.:ies -resou:rces of t:.b.e 1c-..er Susit:::ta Ri";er
a:d the.Cook !::r.lec estmi:r.'Y0
Dece:t:::line ella e::!:is't:i::l.g w-ater quality and.biological proeiuc:i'Vi.cy of
tlle 10'=il'er Susitna.River and Qe Cook L:il.e.t:est:'TJ.a..ry.
De.cer::rine the.ccncrlbu:ion and ~or':a:c.ce of t:he.Sus:icna P.:i:ver eo t:.b.e.'
Co ok Inlet:.es t:u..a.rj'•
B.a.c.~z:'ou::::d:Cook I:J..let:is appro""';-2 1:ely 110 J:lti.les long and 60 miles ride.
at.its 1!l.out±!."~:h a tocaJ.VOl17.e of ,1.1 ::::3:lOU feee 3 °It c.2JJ.be d.i:vided
1.:lt.o t:"...--o nat::'Ural regi.ous,a.no:r-.J:t.e.r::.and 5 ouchern port::iotl.,by a.uaeural
topog::=3.pb.ic.feat:u:l:'e,t:.h.e East and \1est Parela:c.ds.'!he Sus'it:i:l3.River a.:.d
the maj or st::::e.a:a::s and r::vers ~t:ar:1..ng Kl:J.i.."A.c.rep-reseIl"t,abou:70-80
percent 0'£the ectal freshwater e.tl.t:e.J:""....:lg the.Inlet:(:Rose:tbe.rg,1967).
E.s t:'WU:':ies ge:l;l.ez'ally have.e.:::c.eptiC':la.1.usefu.lness i:l suppor,:of fishe:ies as
rear:i.J::l.g a;eas.It is ge.neraJ.ly a high food production area for pr';'i'ar:
CCIlS'l1::""rs suo as c..la:m.s and other f:ilter feedi.::tg organis-::s a:r::!.d elle.secondary
a:::d te..'....t::iary le'le.1 c.otl.su::.e:r::s,i:lc.ludi.:g f";.,,-=ish and shei 1 ~ish speci::s~
¥..igrat:or,"fishes suc.b.as sal:I::cn z:mst:pass through.the es't:1:.ar.iIle a.=ea :0
r e..a.clJ.their sp ~g g:o'Wlds.
The estu.arj"is,i.::l.t:.a:ti.y >:Ja.7S,oe ::::.os:c:::::::pllcat:eei and -va.:r:..able of tlle
aquatic ecosys:e.:::s.Cu:r::e..:.:ar.d sa,.;..,J l:7 snape t:.;'e life of the est"..13ory
~..,,:b.ere l:~e e:o.v:i.=on-"":tt:is nei:'::'er ==asn nor sal:•....a1:er.Es:ua.=.:!.ne cu==en.'t:S
result ==c~t:.;'e i:t:eracc:ion o£one-di=ect:ion fl07 ~hich.varias ~Jit:~seasonal
rm::-of':,osc.illat.i:1g t:ides and t:he ~..-:'l:ds.r~e uIri.Ci1:.e asse:.b1ages of
o't'6Cn~S!:S U1:iJ..i.:i:lg the es:uazoi:o.e habitat:have e""10141ed.eo su=vi"",e cllesa
rigorous conditic~.
OCQa"'cg=apc.ic d..ata f::::=t:.::le Cook.I:::.lat:est::.a::'i.::e area is 1-:.,-.-(ted.ree
e::t'ten.t::0 ·.:hie::'ju-le.,.,-I 1 e a:ld.ac.ult:saj"",on species u::i.l':'::e :"~is est:uar'ille
area is un..te:1c-w-n.I.f nacm:;al'flcy =eg-i ....es and ·...3o;:er quality are alt:ered.by
the hyciroelec.::ic.project,adverse a£:ec:s ~ould possibly be observed
?,;'ithi::J.t1:le'I.:c.let:.Baseli::.e s:udies to det:er::d:c.e e::'sti::.g physicc::'e::tic.a.l
habitat:ccndi::io~ar.d biological productivi:y should be ccnduc:ed.
Parameters ~h~~need to be evaluated illclude::~erat:ure,sal~~~:7)pE,
:c.ut:=i~ts,sed~ent.a.ciou processes,Yater st:age and velo~~~,and biological
ac::ivi:ies.
Investigations oi estuarine areas are ~o:e di£=icult than £or river S7StQ~s
and ?,;'ill requ.i=e el~borat:e equip~t ~d use of large vessels.
P~ocedures:Saseli:e aquacic biologj,alld habicac 5:~di.es ~:c a ~~oroug~
i~ves:iga~ion of ~scing c~ca available oc :~e C~ok !~lec area ~~ll be
conduc:ad pr:.or to i::.i ::'a.t:iou of any com;l"rehe!:.si4Te field.i::"les tigaciotls.
This environ=encal data ~ill provide a:adequate data ~ase ==17 de:2=--i~i~g
:~e direc::ioD.and l::vel of future field s:~dies ~ecessa=7 to ?rojec=~~e
e==ec~s of the hyd=oelec~=ic projec.=on ~~e escua=~e ecosys~~.
-
ll.ev1e.w md e:valua:ca ~-r::i::1g eJ;:y l.=6tc:ental da ta of ::e
Cao k..!:a.la'l:'a.::rea..
.,.."".,'....~~...•_""~:;;::,~::t::=,,;-z.;-:;.;;;'-,",,-"";"''':..lIl~~'';:';''.;...•""",_·at~-:;':'~~"":":··~=··n"",_...·"",,,-....~tS'9_..m-.q··~r=='J==otRz=n=a.....y·x fiS'j;"mi;':Bi·;r ...··..t ....~I ..·•..........;;s;·;;n:...,,~...··l·~~--=:"::'':'-_._...:.._~~~:.:.:..~'F'
,
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Sci:l.ed.ula :
,.
!rr SO .
Deve.lOiil .ca:t:llpJ:ane.n.s:i.:ve..st:w:iy p l.a:c..
Ac'C!::vi ti.as ...-:ill.ciep end om n 7~.f~ri:!.:l~:s.Cago 1:.g
1llC'1'iti.r:cr....ng me.p-reviaus st:".:.d:ies -::::.:rr p~d.e S"t:tf'::::-:'c.ie:.t:
cia.t:.a.If t1.Q.l:.,.acidi::ionaJ.f~a.ld,i::r'7es't:iga.:::'ous ~"
hzve to be j~i·t1a:ed.
,J
~:
rr 79 $75",COO
IT 80-83 Opem:.~m depet!.d au rr 79 re.st1lts.Ove:a..ll
a.llOC3d.oU1J!!a.y havE!ecoe a:c:ie:c.d.ed.•..
',.
.{
'-...
Rose:::1beJ:g.D.R..J s.c.Bu=al.l,!C.V.Ma.r:a.:a.jau,.and D.w.c.Qok.,196i.
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f=c:rm t:he Callier Ca..Ccu and.Q:.~c3.1 l'Lmt:.!:l.s 'd,=::1:2.oi M3-:--:Le
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Susir-aB.:!."'1er :aas~a::c.aci....-c:m.au.s and reside:l:f:ishe.r:..es.
De.f.ine the C:::::Ill'!il1.e:::.1:J.:e=a.l.a.:::'ot1:3i:Lips bet:"'..lee.::L t:b.e va:r:icus C:~OUe:l:.s of
t.:i.a h..a.bi:t~u::..
Det:p""';ne.;i::Li.cl1 1:l.a.bit.ar c:.c:II:tlPOt1.e:tr:s a:re c::'i.tit:a.l to Ce.sust:an.a.nc:s.of
the.·e:::d..sc..:c.g f:i.she:r"'..as J and·wily.
:aac:..~2:t"o-u::d:}4"a~"":r:an.a:ac:a o:f an adr:::::c.cus a.r.d rE!:5lide:a.1:fish papulat::'ons -ri.::"i.::.
the Susil::::l.a R.1'Ve.:l:Basi.:1 ":ti.ll reqt:t~~e a titcrough unde.:rsta.:::.ding of cheir l.:!..:e
susr:ai 'Oofng b..abi:at.'I.=:pa.c.1:.S.by the i::tyd:oe1ec~c:proj ec::~.oih.i.c:b..aleer or
reduc:e the.quan:.ity or qua.l.i::y of the.c:titic:.al.spavui:c.g,U:.c:".J.i::latiou,re"'..:.:J.g,
a:c.d.m:i..g:ra:iotl.b.a.bi tat:ci thes e sped..es 'io1ill.rad:w:a or e "'::r~.,a t eo ueof ...
popul.a.t:!.m::..s...~j or Q..a:m.ges may t:.ake.pla.c:.e i::L tile bic:ic:c:oTm::nn oi =7 ',nth ouly
a.subt:.le.c:tange in tile haJ:d.t.ax:.
Base.U.=.e physi.cc:.!::1p""'"c.a.l and bi.:.clog:f.c:.al.3.qu,at:!.c:h.abi:a:da:a ;era C:::lllec::.ed
be'C"'.;ee.::L 1974 ad.1977 by the .ll.aska De~ar-:-ent:0:E !ish.and G.s:c::.e.31:se..le.c:ed
sites vi~the·Susir-a ~var drai:.age.Ihe.United Sta:as Geolog:'c:al
Sur1ey and ot:he.r .agEll1c:::!.as h..a.-ve a.lso ::::cui:cred pb.ysicdle:!:ci.c:a.l pa:ra:wace.~of
the.d:a.:i::..age..
ti:ar3~~~ou eh.e phYs~c~aci~and biologic:al c:~ositicu of aqu..a:ic
ELab.itat i:l.lct::ic:'and lent::.c:enrl=o:cme.::rcs a::1d.its rUaJ:iO"C.Sh.ips eo aqtlac"C:
'1c:"':m:::::ttr~::'.es is a.l.sc e:tVa-l,ab~e..
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0:e.!:le.a.ssoc:i.a.:l:ed pb.ysioce:!:li.c.al fiel.d b.a.bi:,a.:dat:.a.u si::".1.•...at:a=veloc:i:j,
':Widt:.!:l,de-pCl,g:=adi=.nt:,t.e::::pe:at:".:I:'e.,ccuduc::i.vit'j,pE:and d:'ssol~7ed 0::t73e::.
~u=e-cn:s ';ill be colle.c:ed ..i:~so~b.ist:i.cated elec:=~c and':ec~a~"c~,.
i:ts:::".:::::en.ta::!.cu.waiar s~le.s '\Jill also be.c:ollee:eed to=l.aborat0:t:'7 analyses
ox basic:=at:al.s.,dissolved solids,total su,s~e:ded solids,a'1~'~=7,
b.ard::.e..ss,pB..,c:onduc::::!.7'i::j,and l:c'tal re.c.cvera,ble solic.s.Ad.ditional.i.::.-
vestiga.:io'CS by =ishe.:r::i~s pe:souueJ..-ill i:Lclt.:.de.•...ate.r sw::fa.ce and sedi.-
:n.enta'Cion p:cfil~.'the.U.S.G.S ......-i,ll be.c:o:::.1:=ac:ad to ,i::.stall st:=e.::l:ll
gaug-:...:g st:.ati.ons a.t sala.ct:a:i si.te.s.
aio.lcg:i.c:.al b.abi:a::..:rvest:ig-a.:iO'tlS 'or.!".:!.:::u:.1.ude.pr-=ary p-roc.uc:::iv-i:7,be.::::::'r:s
spedes cc::posi:icu md di'7e:'si:y,forage fish,patholcgical,and bioassay
st:UcL;,as.Be:l:c,::,os,forage :f:i.sh and fish patholcg:j i:::ves:iga.tio'tlS '.Till :e
i:J.tagrate.d .....~Q fi.she~as li!e b.i.st0't7 st:':ldies.The :'e:::!.2.J..,-i-g :::'=e~·..-:..l1 ~e
co:::.duc::ad as ~d~~dha1 st~dias.
!c de.f:'::'e t:~e.c:.c.I:t:91.e.::t i.:l:,a.r=e.l.a.:ic1:.Sh.:!.;s of t:~e dj"'Oar:oi c b.abi:a:c.cnc'':':ic-::.s
of t:~e Susi::ua ?.i'7e.:"Basi:1 i:•.r.....:!.l be ::lecessa=7 :0 c:::Jll=.c:dat:a C";e=a:c.
a::EI:.cied ?e~od 0=t:~-e.3ecause 0:E c'::'e ?reci..se :e.asur~e~t:s =equ,i=ed,
equ.::..~pnt =or :::.is i'O."7PS ::'gaticn ';;"ill be cos e1.7.
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o£f:iJ:a :-eseuc.a..
CQut-rrrne .f:ie.ld.a:Cd o£.:::Lca st:Ud.ies"analyze d.a.ta,a.::r.d.
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S.t:a.s.=i.s.ae::i"~!'=vesc.gac.ous
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g:4Vel.a..n.d f~sites,a:r:ui ~bu:Uc:i.i.:lg si:a pa.d.s are.u:::.de.r e.onsiciera-
tiou...!he e.QJ:_J.dc::s ~p'rc'V'ide in:=an ac:c.as::s to p-re:v:iausly i.:::.ac:essible
areas."'Ib.i.s acc~s rill c:.::uc:a.::rat:e S'P0r:~e:f::o%:"l:S i::1 c.er:a.i:1 a::a.a.s
wb.:f.cl::.may rasult:1::.a.dvlarse.impac:s to a.quatic:,.;f eo Uo.c.::n:l1::o11e.d remC"Va.L
o:f g:ave.l md.i:.ll for c:.orun:::ue:'l:::.au ac:r::i'V'i::!.as ",Jill al.so adve.:sely a.:E=a~::::
the.aquatic b.a.bi:a:.~o hydroe.le.c:t::'icral.at:ad.f::!.sheJ:j'i::::tvest:.iga.;:ions of
these a:aa.s have.bee:c.ouduc::ad_Ot::.a::scu:r:.e.s.of f::!.shaties dat:a i.:l t.:J.esa
<ira .;.,..a gas a::''5!.;.,..5 11 f';::f.,c.::!.al::l;:..
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fis~g~~ets,e.=a~s,Gn~Q'r'amd~c tags,e.l.e.c::=o~horasis i:s~~~~a:~on,
we.i=s,ben.r.h.ic s.a:::ple:s,SQ'Ph.i.stic:.ar.ed wat:ar q't:.3..l.:!.t:'7 i:le..a.su.=e=.en~de:'7icas,
war:er quantity me.asu:::~:equ:i;;jm.en:,and s'U':l:'7ey equi'P'lil:.lant:are a::J:lt:.g t:~e
equi~eat whi~~-ll be ut-tJ~~ed.
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equi~mamt:,and c.oo=~~~ar.e schedules ~~:h o~:e:s;:~y :e~s
whe:e nec:;s::sa.......,..
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iden~~;ic:.ar.icn,s'Pe~es iden:i!icat:ion,and seasonal
prese:ce and habitat ~esr.igatio~.
Caut:'::'ue fiald ac-::i'7"i::i.e.s a.:::.ci =aloc.ar.a 7anous persc=a.l as
dic:ated by data and ove:al~s~ud7 :i=d~gs.
Con:~u.e.fie.ld ac't.i~:ies and =a.locate va:iaus ?ersc~e~as
dic:a~!!d by data ~d overall st:~ci7 fi=di:gs.
Condcc't.conc.anr.=a:ed st~d~es .•~ecessa=:a~d
s"l'r::ma=i.=e all da:a c':;,l.lec.:e.d.
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AliA,..AND nESEnVOIRAT
DEVIL CAtlYOU VA/.tSITE.
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UPPER i i -...SU~IT~A mv i
R,aVER MILES I ER PROFILE20-,2110 .
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is $2,100,000,000 (~;Corps of Engineers 1977).
.-.
ih~:eseimated annual
cos~for opera~iou for 100 years following completion is $104,000,000.
Power on the line from the Wataua site is scheduled for 1986 and from
the Devils·Canyon dam by 1990.Coust1:'Uc~iou and m.a:intenance of this
system would constitu~e the largest hydro-power project in North America
(Gravel 1977).
Construction of both proposed dam sites ~u1d inundate 51,000 acres
of the river valley,132 k:m upstream to a point bet"'.Jeen the Tyone and
Oshetna Rivers (Fish and Wildl.Sere 1975).Water levels of the Devils
Canyon reservoir are ~ected to remain almost coustant but may fluctuate
up to 55 m (ob.cit.).!he Watana reservoir is projected to have substantial
seasonal fluc~uations up to 78 m.Downst::ream flow is e.'"q'ected to be
maintained at a constant rate between 8,000 and 10,000 cubic feet per
second,eliminating the flooding action that presently occurs each
spring when dow~s~rea.m flows may be as high as 90,000 cfs (Army Corps of
Engineers 1975).
!he Susitna River Basin has long been recognized as an ~t~remely
rugged wilderness area of high es~hetic appeal and as an impor~an~
habitat to a wide variety of wildlife species (ADF&G,unpubl.data).
Mos~impor~ant to sport and subsistance users are moose CAlces aZces)
and caribou (Rangife~tarar~).Hydroelectric development has been
under consideration in this area for a number of years and some ve~J
general ungulate population assessment work was begun in 1974 (USF&W
1975).Since then no studies were conducted in the projec~area until
1976 when limited funds were made available to begin acquiring baseline
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informacion on moose and caribou populacions within and adjacent to the
projecc area.!he purpose of this reporc is to present the findings of
this one-year study and to discuss their implications in relation to the
construction of the proposed hydroelectric project.
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
Moose movements and habitat use were studied in that portion of the
Susitna River Basin lying berween latitudes 60°30'-63°15'north and
longitudes 146°30'-149°west (Figure 1).!he landscape is primarily
mountainous and ranges in elevacion f-rom 300 to 1900 m.Semi-arid
.conditions dominate this area of ·the basin.·1'emperatures are'generally
'cool in the su:mmer and overcast days are common.Snowfall is usually
moderate and ground accumulation does not often ~~ceed one meter.
Prevailing winds are out of the east and north.High winds are common
along the river during any season.
Along the banks of the Susitna and its tributa-ries f-rom the Maclaren
River to Devil Creek.the dominant:vegetacive cover is black spruce
Occasional scands of black cottonwood (?opuZus ~!~ahocarpc)are found on
the islands in the river.Understory vegetation ~the lower elevations
I
includes highbushcranberry (Vibu..~eduZe),devil's club C?chinbpci".a=
vitis-idaea)and several representatives of the rose and grass families.
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Hardwoods such as aspen (?opuZus tremuloides)and birch (BetuLa
are often round interspersed ~ong the spruce,predominantly on south-
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facing slopese White spruce (Piaea gtau.e:a.)replaces the smaller,stunted
black spruce on better drained soils.The understory above 300 m contains
blueberry,lowbush cranberry,Labrador tea (Leaum spp.),fireweed (EpiZobium
Sppe),crowberry (E.mpe~~ni~~),aud several mosses and licheuse
Alder (Alnus Sppe)dominates the reaches just above timberline,
particularly along the headwaters of streams.Willow (Sali:spp.)
e~sts throughout the study area but occurs most frequently at timberline
and on riparian sites.Alpine tundra extends above the alder~willow
~,-:-o~,',_•'._..1Itl ••••••~.~........".4 ~1'F'i.U!)..~=+:,,!~'~t..''''!1
zone about 1200 m.~~!k _e~w.~,!4 ..,~r.~~:!.t::~·_~~~:.E~....:;!1'~~~:..J
·si~;;;-;hie""-~~t'i'i;fO;tii·~~i:-;e.sE''ardreu'"ia.AI '~
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PROCEDUItES
During October 1976 and March 1977,moose were captured along the
Susicna River from its confluence with the Maclaren River downstre~to
Devil Creek.!hey were.darted from a Bell Jet Ranger 'helicopter using
'~,'standard techniques described by Franzmann et ale (1974)with doses of
•
Anectine (Succinylcholine chloride),ranging from 23 to 29 mg.All
captured moose were marked with plastic flagging affixed with metal ear
tags and with either a radio collar,visual collar,or both.Radio
collars were manufactured by AVM Instrument Company (Champaign,!llinois).
These collars weighed 1.1 kg and were constructed of ~chine belting
13 mm thick and 65 mm Mide with an adjustable inner circumference of 101
to 106 em.The belcing sur~ounded the radio com~onentS which ~ere
encased in dent~l acrylic,making the unit waterproof.Each radio was
equipped ~th a SB-Z t~ansmiC~er po~ered,by cold resistant lithium batteries.
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All radios operated on frequencies be~~een 150.700 and 151.875 MHz.
Each visual collar (as descriped by Franzmann et ale 1974)had three
sets of numerals,one on top and one on each side,to facilitate identification
from the air.Visual collars were placed over many of the radios to
enable observers to more easily pick out the radioed individual from a
group of moose.
When conditions permitted,a loyer front incisor was removed from
each moose for age analysis using techniques developed by Sargent and
Pimlott (1959).Blood and hair samples also were collected to aid in
assessing physiological condition using methods described by Franzmann et'ale
(1975).Several physical measurements were taken when time permitted
and generai physical condition was assessed according to criteria developed
by Franzmann and Arneson (1973).COYS captured in March were rectally
palpated using techniques described by Greer and Hawkins (1967)to
decermi.ne pregnanc~.
............'T,~;..._
Radio tracking flights.were made ~~~~~~~a Piper PA-18 Supercub
....---equipped with ·two··thr-ee-elem.en~·'tag4.·a:c..t-ennasconnected·to a-four'band,
12 channel portable receiver manufactured by AVM Instrument Company.
Tracking methods were similar to those described by Mech (1974).Radio
locations,vegetation type and miscellaneous notes were recorded for
\
(
I
.j
production and survival of calves.
each observation
to appro~-mately
(Fig.2).During
_,...~.*!..:.A ••\~
every ~.l..Y.....'?:..~s
parturition,flights were increased
to more adequately assess initial
,j
II
-...-
Figu,re 2.Su...-vey for.m.u.sed·;~jlG·record da:t:a during radio tr.i~ting flight:s along e.1.e
SLlSitna.River.Devils Canyon Project:,1978..
SUS IncA sroDY
"',MOOSE RADIO 08Sa~VATION FO~1
.Jbserver:Wea"t..~er:
i .-,.-Te~.:,")~.:...l:e 01::::
-Time On:
R.a.dio ;:C"na:n.nel Seen C2J,ves Location Veget:ation Notes,
I :583 .I 4-7-4.0 I I \\\
i .
~:4(\I 4-8-2.0 I I I I I
.I
!I
i,~;I 4-10-3.2/f I I \
536
,S89
I
'4-12-3.0 I I I I I
S80 4-6-2.0 I I I I I
I
I,
033 4-3-2.8 I I I \,
' I
~I_:I
573 I 2-9-3.5 I I I
576
\
3-6-0.0 I I:;-1-4-2.5 I I \~.:!......
383 I 4-12-2.4\I I I I
j40 I 4-11-.5 I I ....·..1 I I
i73
\
4-4-3;9 I I I I I
~79 I 4-5-1.9
1 I I \I
j31 I 3-8-2.5 I I I \I
,.,):J I 3-12-1.41 I I I \
'13 I 1-2-3.3 I I I I IJ
,130 I 3-i-l.S I I I I I
75 I 2·11-4.2 \
\I I I
c:
,..,
FINDINGS
Numbers of MOQseCautured
Th1r~-nine moose were captured and collared during October 1976
and March 1977 along the Susit.na.River in the vicinity of that por1:ion
of-the river which would be inundated by the Cous1:ruction of the proposed
dams at Devils Canyon and Yatana Creek.Although the 13 moose collared
in October were not originally part of this study,the data from these
animals is included in this repor't.Collaring location and other per1:inent
tagging s'tatistics are summarized in Table 1.Eighteen moose were
fit1:ed with radio transmitters and 21 wore numbered visual collars only.
Twenty-seven inc.isor teeth were collec.ted during the collaring operation,
and cementum layer analysis indicated the average age for females was
6.7 years.w""ith a range from 2 ~o 13 years..Yearlings weregetter:,q:ly
avoided during the collaring operation.Of 21 females palpated,18 were
pregnant (85.7 percent).
Blood and physical.measurement data were'comb~ed with those from:·
other moose studies and were presented else~here (Ballard and Taylor,in
prep.).Briefly,'the pooled blood parameters tested were very comparable
to values obtained from other studies of populations considered to be in
good condition.Some par~eters tes'ted (hemoglobin and pac.k cell
......................................................................
volume)from the Devil Mountain area were lOwer than those from the
other tagging sites,but it is not known if those differences were
statistically significant since no tests have as yet been perfo~ed.
---._----_........
I
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l
.'Table 1.Dace,locati.on and general i:o.format:i.ou of female moose radio.and v1.sual collared.
along the Susi:na River.Devils Canyon .Projecc,March 1978.
Collar
Number
8583
.8584
8586
8589
8580
8038
.8573
8576
8022
8588
8040
r~8~:J;9
8031
8035
8018
8030
8575
2 Blue
:.Blue
5 Blue
5 Blue
7 B;Lue
:1 Blue
50 Blue
51 Blue
32 Blue
:(3lue
54 Blue
i6 Blue
i8 Blue
jO Blue
i1 Blue
,3 Blue
,4 Blue
'5 '..lb.ite
9 wni.te
iO \mite
'1 wnic:e
Colla.ri.ng
Date
3/18/77
3/18/77
3/18/77
3/18/77
3/18/77
10/27/76
3/19/77
3/19/77
10/28/76
3/19/77
10/28/76
3/20/77
3/20/77
10/22/76
10/27/76
10/27/76
10/22/76
3/21/77
10/22/76
10/22/76
10/22/76
10/22/76
10/22/76
10/28/76
3/22/77
3/22/77
3/22/77
3/22/77
31'22/77
3/22n7
3/22/77
3/20/77
3/20/77
3/20/77
3/20/77
3/19/77
3/19/77
3/18/77
3/18/77
Location
E.of Devil Mtu.
E.of Devil Mtu.
Devil Mtn.
E.of Devil Mt:n.
Devil Mt:n.
Wata:c.a
Sus i tna-Wata:a.a.
Susitna-Watana
Upper Watana.
Upper Jay Creek
Upper Watana.
Susil:na-Tyone
Susil:na-Tyone
S.Bend-Susitna
S.Macl..:l.ren Flats
Butte Creek
w.of Ba~ard L.
Lower Maclaren
N.Oshetna.R.
Susitna.-Tyone
Susitna-Tyone
Susitna.-'I'yone
Susitna-Tyone
Jay Creek
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Machr en R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Susitna N.of Tyone
Susitna N.of'Tyone
Susitna Bend
Susitna.Bend
Jay Creek
Jay Creek
E.Devil Mtn.
E.Devil Mtn.
~ec't::!.ne
Dosa~e
27 mg •.
25 lllg.
23 mg.
27 mg.
23 mg.
27 mg.
2S mg.
29 mg.
29 mg.
29 mg.
27 mg.
2S mg'.
27 mg.
29 mg.
2S mg.
29 mg.
27 mg.
27 mg.
25 mg.
2'9 mg.
27 mg.
2S mg.
27 mg.
27 mg.
2.5 mg.
27 mg.
27 mg.
28 mg.
2S lllg.
27 mg.
27 mg.
23 mg •.
28 mg.
2S mg.
27 mg.
Cementum.
A5e ('Vears)
10
9
8
10
8
2
3
2
6
11
9
'4
6
5
6
3
8
3
7
7
12
13
5
11
4
Condic:ion*
6
6
4
7
6
7
7
7
5
6
7
j
6
6
7
7
6
6
7
5
7
7
7
7
7
7
No
'Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
:es.
'Yes
*Condition was dete~ed.by general anoearance and relative ~ount of fat over ru=n a~c
ribs.Scale of 1-10,10=a~cell~~t.See Fran~nn at al.(1974)for c=itar~a.
*On1y cows collared.in March and palpated are included in :~is colum:.
;.~
I.';
(".,
!
,.
i
~:
~~:~~:
A total of 210 observat10ns were recorded for 18 rad10 collared
moose between late October 1915 and m:i.d Novembe;o 1911.One rad10 collared
moose was found dead two weeks after collari:c.g.~~.,.~:~",;'~~as
undeterm.i.ned;"Ne suspect,hO"Never,t+-~t·.·~'::-~~;~t:~.Another
.~---
moose was lost from the sample when we "Nere unable to relocate it after
one month of trac1d.ng.Its loss was attr1buted to a ~~tfi~;:;;;:~;:;g
Movements
Rad1o-collared .moose occupied areas ra;Lgi:c.g from 21 k:m,2 to 520 k:m2
(Table 2).Signif1cantly smaller areas "Nere occupied in the rugged
terrain between Jay Creek and Devils Canyon than east of Jay CreekT.Jhera
the terrain becomes more open and level.The correlation between the
number of sighti:c.gs and size of range for each moose was r a 0.50.
Observed locations and detailed movements of each radio-collared moose
are presented in Appendi.%I.A brief description of radioed moose
movements follows.
\
Devi Z NOU1"Ltain Area .
'l'hree moose (us 8583,8584 and 8586)"Nere radio-collared on Devils·
Mountain on 18 March 1911,approximately 3 km north of the Sus1tna River
(Fig.3).All three remained in theviciility of-their tagging location
until'spring when "8583 moved 8 k:::l east.Both "8584 and 118586 remained
on their winter range through April.At the end of May,during the peak
of calving,U8584 and #8586 were located 10-11 km to the southeast on
the other side of the Susi~a River ·~thin 2 km of each other.Three
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Table 2.Range size,number of loea~ions and minimum number of river e=cssings of
radio collared moose along the Susiena River.Devils Canyon Projece,
l'f..a.reh 1978 ~
.J
Collar Number of Rauga Ra.I:1ge Total Min:i.mum numb er
Number Locat:ions Letl.2t:h k:m..Width k:m..Area km 2 of river crossings
8583 12 ll.6 4.8 30.9 0
8584 12 17.7 4.5 37.3 :3
8586 10 17.7 5.3 30.9 1
8589 2.
8580 3
8038 19 14.2 9.3 51.5 0
8573 14 14.8 7.9 47.6 2
8576 12 6.9 6.4 20.6 0
8022 18 24.8 17.2 180.2 1
8588 II 13.5 8.2 39.9 1*r-..;O 19 17.1 6.4 49.9 0~78 17 1!f..3 5.5 32.2 1
8579 10 30.6 11.9 173.2 2
8031 26 16.1 12.1 74.7 0
8035 23 62..3 14.0 373.4 0
8018 18 65.0 18.7 520.1 2.
8030 24 55.5 21:2 415.8 2
8575 20 103.0 10.5 291.4 0--
270 Toc:al Ave.rauge size 148.1 k;m2 1.5 1'ot:al
*Cow observed on island.
Correlat:ion be~~een number of sight:ings and size of range for each QCose •.50 •
k-l.gure.;).l..ocat:J.cn ana uenera.L t(ange .::lJ.ze I:cr t(aaJ.o.I..C.l..Larea I"'lCO::it:."\J.UJ1~Lollt:
Susitna River near Devil Mountain.Devils Canyon Project,March 1978 •
.-
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,-"""."".....
r-----------....:.:..:::.--------~--~..-.,--~~-----
d8580=1 I
$':8584 =-am 1111
~8S83 -WZ2Zt
~8S86 -1:::...:1
I·\.
.dIl!IIIIlo
days lacer 1J8584 wai':::!.feen rlr:h t'Wo new calves and {j~~j86 was seen 'IoTith
one.Number 8583 was noe pregnant when palpated in March.She remained
on the north side of the river within a 3 km ra4ius of her April location.
Number 8586 lost her calf rlthin t'tJo weeks and remained through the fall
within 6 km of her .c,alving location.Moose 1/8584 lost one calf wir:hin
the first t'Wo weeks and the other prior to the first week in July.She
was found on the north side of the river on 28 June and on the south
side on 5 July where she remained through the fall.All three moose
remained at elevations below 950 in during the time they 'Nere monitored.
Some seasonal fluctuation in elevat.ion occurred just prior to calving as
#8584 and #8586 moved down from the south facing slope of the riverbank
and crossed the river to calve.Seasonal home ranges for all three
moose appeared to be small,probably not in ~~cess of 20 km 2 .
Watana CZ'ssk Area
Three radios were placed on CO'NS along upper Watana Creek in October.
I
Two of these females,#8040 (Fig.4)and #8022 (Fig.5),were collared
together.Both moved to lower elevations as 'Ninter progressed and
remained there 1mtil June.Number 8040 was seen 'Nith t"..."'ins on 8 June
but on 16 June the calves were missing and were never seen again •.The
cow returned to upper Wa~Creek and remained rlthin a 2 km radius
throughout the fall.Number 8022 traveled considerably farther than
#8040 as she crossed the Susitna sometime in February and returned ~
~rch.On 1 June she was seen in the same vici~ity as #8940 on lower
j Watana Creek.On 16 June they were again round in close proximi:::,.Her
movema~ts indicated no distinct migration becween 'Ninter and summer
!I-16
____________-_,•.:;;.~••_...,;':..l .....~.~....:..::.:...........__:..::....#•••••;-......'1"1.••~••••
Figure 4.Loca~ion and General Range of Radio Collared Moose"Numbers ..
8038,8040 a~/,.8573 Along Wa"tana Creek.Oe:(:~s Canyon Proj ec"t)
March 1978.-:;V ..;::;;"
.:
"c,·
-7
,
8573 =&\S\\§l
8038 =;:II~II~I~"~I~I08040=I;:
•
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ranges.Number 8022 was never seen rith a calf.Dur:i.ng the calving
season she was found in four different lqcations.
Number 8038 was collared 5 km south of Big Lake.During all 19
observat~ons this moose was betyeen 600 m and 950 m elevation (Fig.4).
Although she was observed with a new calf ou 26 May,when checked again
on 31 May the calf was missing.From June through fall she appeared to
move constantly,and ranges used throughout this period overlapped that
1
~,
\.,;;}
of winter observations.
On 19 March three fenales (Us 8573,8576 and 8588)were collared on
the north side of the Susitna between Watana and Jay Creeks.Number
8576 moved less extensively than any of the other radio collared females
(Fig.S)•She was observed U times,all on the north side of the river
1
I wi.t bin an of approximately 28 2'When last:observed 30 November1'[area k:m •on
she "..as within 2 km of her tagging location.Female #8588 also wintered
!Ir-along the north bank of the Susitna.She moved to an island in the
\...
river in early June and was observed again on the north bank on 8 June
where she remained through November (Fig.5).Number 8573 wintered
along the north shore of the Susitna and crossed to the aouth bank
during calving seasou (Fig.4).She was never observed with a calf,
u
although it was determined that she was pregnant when collared.However,
she was not visually observed between 26 May and 3 June.She remained
on the south side of the river until July when she returned to her
II \collaring location.She stayed there until 30 November when,after a
i_I
moderate sno~all,she moved to lower elevations near the mouth of
W'atana Creek..
Figure s.Location and General Range of Radio Collared Moose Numbers'~
8022,8S7e.~d 8588 Along Watal,a Creek.~vils Canyon Project,.;
March 1978::""·.;':';"
[.
·i
8022 =
8576 =1111"il!II
8588 =C+.'.!:':,;.':·;/
--------'!!!t.
FOG ..LA~.
,
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",
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Susitna Bend Area
Movements were.more e."C'te.nsive for those moose collared east of Jay
Creeke Number 8031 was collared in October 1976 on the north side of
the Susitna near the mouth of the Tyone River.T"tJo others,tFs 85J8 and
8579,were collared in the same Vicinity in March 1977.Number 8031 was
observed almost exc.lusively between 600 m and 950 m in spruce habitats
along the north and west banks of the Susicna (Fig.6).She was never
observed on the south bank of the river.She had a calf when tagged
which survived the rinter,but she was never observed with a calf the
following spring.No seasonal range 'preference is discernible from her
movement pattern.
Number 8579 was once found 30 km from where she was colla~ed (Fig.6).
She wintered along the Susitna and crossed to the mputh of Goose Creek
in May.She returned to the l:1or'th side and moved to higher elevations
near the headwaters of Coal Creek during calving where she remained
t·-through November.She was not located during June and ..as 0.0 t observed\...
with a calf in July,-although it had been determined in March that she
was pregnant.She remained in the high country through November.
Cow #8578 wintered in the same vicinity as 8579 and then crossed
the Susitna to the mouth of the Oshetna River (Fig.6).She never
IJ '
returned to the north side and spent the remaining summer months and
fall ,in an are~of approx~tely 7 km 2 ,west of the mouth of Goose
Creek.Number 8578 was not pregnant when collared in March.,
)
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.(
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Figure 6.Locat.ion and General Range of Ra.di.o·COllared.Hoose Numoe:r~j'-'------
,80 Sl..8578 and 8579 Downs't:t'eam.f:r:omt:he Ma.cLa.ren River.Devils
Canyon P:t'ojE':~;::;"March 1978.::::;:::....
c'
~:i!:-=:-i~~;J;
Number 8030 was collared very close to #s 8031,8578 and 8579,but
her movement pat:'terns were totally dissimi.ler (Fig.7).She moved south
across the Susitna River \and wintered along the drainage of the Tyone
River.'By 10 May she had moved 2 km to an island in Susitna Lake and
'IoTaS observed there.with a calf on 30 May.She remained ':Jith her calf
through August in the vicinity of Tyone Village and returned on 5 October
1
]
Ir ....
~~
(
I II I
I I
I II,.1
to within 1 km of her collaring location.
Two females,#s 8035 and 8575,were collared along the Maclaren
River.Number 8035,collared on 27 October 1976,moved 59 km during
November and early December to the mouth of the Oshetua River where she
remained through March (Fig.8).On 22 April she was observed returning
to the viciniey of her tagging location.She was observed on several
.occasions in this area without a calf throughout the summer and fall.
By 22 November she had returned to the mouth of the Oshetna River,50 km
li"
\..from her previous loca'tion.During April 1977,118575 migrated 103 km,
the longest movement recorded during this study,from the lower Maclaren
River to Sucker Lake south of the Glenn Highway near Tazlina Lake (Fig.7).
,
She was pregnant:when collared in March but was never observed with a
calf.This moo'se remained near Sucker Lake through May and moved 11 k:m
IJ
I
I
north to Tolsona Ridge during June where she spent:most:of July and
August.She recurned once to Sucker Lake and made one trip to Lost
Cabin Lake,but both t~es moved back to Tolsona Ridge.On 30 September
she was observed moving back towards her tagging location on the Maclaren.
By 5 October she had returned 82 km and was within 9 km of her·collaring
location.
r{"·
.--
Devils Canyon Project,March 1978.S:':"..;:..
a--.-.'-i ..
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Female USOl8 was co~ared in Oceober along Bue~e Creeke She ~as
accompanied by a calf and remained in the Bueee Creek vicinicy through
January (Fig.9).On 7 February she and her calf were observed across
the Silsitna.,43 km.away 011 the north side'of Kelley Lake.She 'to7i.ntered
there with her calf and began moving up the Maclaren in April.On
30 May she was seen with a new cal.!..mich was observed until 10 June.
By 11 July she bad returned 30 km in the direction of her tagging location
and remained in the same vicinity she bad inhabited the previous fall
through November.
Radio-collared moose movement data were supplemented somewhat by
incidental observations of visually collared moose.Eleven additional
river crossings were documented and possible migratory directions were
identified (Fig.10).The second longest movement during this study
occurred when the moose ~earing visual collar U80 was found near Lone
Butte,84 km southeast of her tagging location at Dev~s Mountain.Of
I...the moose collared ~est of Jay Creek,she alone showed any migratory
'\
movement of significant distance.Collar number 60 ~as tagged in March 1977
just north of the mouth of Tyone Creek and was found i8 km to the northwest
between the Nenana River and West Fork Glacier in August.One moose,
lJ
\J
UIO,collared along Butte Creek in October 1976 moved down Watana Creek
to the Susitna ~here she ~as found in August:Another,#67,~as collared
near .Susitna Lodge in March 1977 and was located in November at the
headwaters of Jay Creek.
Habitat Use
Habitat types being utilized by collared moose ~ere noted during
·.J:o"igure 9.Loca cion and General Range of Radio Collared Moose Number 8018
I
8018
Along the Maclaren and Susitna Rivers.Devils Canyon Project Harch 1978.
:''}''..iI!::~=-!",-=.iZ;;
'·I·-------~...._~.------.....,.....~'
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radio-tracking flighcs;and observaeions were cacegorized in nine groups
(Table 3).Because spruce is the dominant vege~ac1on over much of the
study area and is widely variable in density,three categories were used
to desc.ribe it.One hundred and seventy-eyo habitat observations of
radio-collared moose were noted 'during tracking flights.Seventy percent
of all observations were in spruce dominated habitacs.Moose were most
often (29.7 percent of observations)found in medium spruce areas where
trees x::anged from six to 15 m high in stands of moderate density.
I '
I '{'
L J,...
\I
Calving took place primarily in open spruce areas,most often at
lower elevations where stands of trees four to 14 m high were interspersed
with openings.Eight calves,including oue se't of m.ns,were born.in
spruce habitats while one coy gave bir'th to a set of twins in alder
dominated habitat.Alder and willoY areas at a::c.d above timberline were
utilized during the rutting season until late in the fall when snow
depths approached one meter.
Beeween Devil Creek a::c.d Waeana Creek,radio-collared moose r~ined
throughout the year almost a~clusively at the lower spruce dominated
elevations.Moose collared along upper Watana Creek were observed more
often in willo'W'-alder cOIImI.unities a'"i:cept during late winter when they
were generally found in spruce habitats at lower elevations.
DISCUSSION
Movement patterns of moose are highly variable.Studies.throughout
North America (Edwards and Ritcey 1956,Houston 1968,Goddard 19iO,
""'~,.('\)""
iTobie3.Humber of observations of ra4id col1~red moose ~n vegetation types along the Susitna River between
•!iOctober1976andDecember1977.:Devils Canyon Project.March 1978.
i
Collar '1'0 tal Open Medi~m Dense sprucel Alpine Riparian
Number Sightinga 'Spruce*Spruce Spruce Uai~wood**Tundra Alder Willow 'allow Open
'8583 10 4 2 1 3
8584 9 5 2 1 1
6586 7 3 4
0509 .1 1
8580 2 1 1
0038 13 5 4 1 I 1 1 ...".,...•.
8573 10 6 I 1 I
8576 12 3 8 1
8022 8 1 2 3 1 1
8580 9 2 3 1 1 2
00110 10 1 6 1 2
8570 12 6 1 2 1 1
8579 9 1 1 /'2 2 1 1
8031 11 1 7 V 2 1
8035 12 3 3 I 1 1 I 3
8018 11 3 2 1 2 2 1
8030 11 2 3 6
8575 15 3 3 7 I I
172 U 51 26 7 1 16 11 10 1
I)ercent
::>f .'fotal 100.0 25.0 29.7'15.1 Q.l 4.1 9.3 6.4 5.8 .6 I·,.•
*Spruce categories include both white ~Plfuce (Piaea glaua,a)and black spruce (Piaea mal'iana)~
ullan.lwooda in thia category include aspen (Populus tremulipides)and birch (Betula papyri/era).
~--'~
LeResche 1972)suppo~~the hypothesis that movement patterns ~moose
may range from being sedentary to seasonal migrations of great disea.nces.
Peterson (1955)believed that many moose spend their whole lives in an,
area of 32-800 km-.!his appears to be true for many of the moose in
the Susitna study area~Nine of the 16 moose radio-collared and tracked
for 13 months along the Susitna River occupied areas smaller than 52 km 2 •
All but one of these were collared west of Jay Creek where the river
valley 'is fairly tJ.a.rrow and ±s surrounded by mountains.
II
I t.~,LeResche (1974)found that home range seldom ~~ceeds 5-10 km 2
during a given season.Because radio-collared moose were only monitored
for 8 to 13 months during this study,daea were inadequate to allow
computaeion of seasonal home range sizes..It was noticed,however,thae
several of the radio-collared moose were found repeatedly in areas less
those collared in the eastern portion of the study area where they
wandered across areas up to 50 km 2 during the spring and summer.
iif,.
'--
than 10 km 2 in extent.
.
Others appeared to be more nomadic,particularly
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Areas of low elevation are often inhabited by both migratory and
n01JIlligratory moose during winter and spring (LeResche 1972).'This was
apparent in the··Devil Mountain area where 1180 was collared..Bet:ween
March and Sept~ber 1977 she moved a straight line distance of 84 km to
the southeast while a cow collared at the same time in the same location
IJ remained 'W'ithin 11 km of her collaring site throughout the year.This
was ,also true of the 'W'intering area oe~ween the Tyone River and Goose
(J Creek to which man,.moose migrated considerable distances.NlJI!loer 8031
remained in this area throughout the 13 months of this study.
The relative significance of each of these is unknow"n.at this tillle,
1I-29
this small sample are representative of the moose population currently
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thus far are illust:t'ated in Fig.10 and others are illust=ated in AppendL~~.
the carrying capacity of a major portion of the Devil Creek drainages.
available.Destruction of this ,.;inter range ,.;culd substantially reduce
the dam would inundate a major portion of the winter habitat presently
Some of the possible migratory routes represented by data accumulated
nature of moose along this stretch of the Susitna River.If data from
,
subnormal snow depths are inadequate to accurately assess the migratory
in this area may be representative of a sedentary population,but it is
Ed~rds and Ritcey (1956)noted that increasing snow depths above
areas,gradually moviJ:ig to lower elevations.EXcept forliao,those ,.;est
of Jay Creek showed no tendency to migrate at all.Radio collared moos~
drop in elevation was possible,or made long treks to their wintering
Shortly after accumulated snow reached its ma-~depths,most collared
moose east of Jay Creek either migrated short distances where a considerable
along the eastern portion of the study area than west of Jay Creek.
that the fall migration in Interior Alaska is closely related to snow
1976-77 were below normal until late March.They appeared to be greater
timberline triggered moose migrations out of the high country to their
in Alaska by Rausch (1956)and LeResche (1974),both of whom concluded
conditions.Snow depths along'the Susitn.a River during the winter of
wintering areas in the lowlands.Their observations have been supported
inhabiting this st::etch of the Susi.t:l:1a Ri."'E!:t',C;OI1sJ:ruction.of .the Devils
_____________________1-
Canyoudam-wulcChave a h3.ghlY det:i:1mentaf effect on the population as
11
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although it is apparent that a substantial number of moose migrate to
and utilize the area near the mouth of the Tyone and the Osherna Rivers
for winter range.Coady'(1974)noted that the depth,density and hardness
of snow are appreciably lower in coniferous .and deciduous tree communities
making them more favorable to moose under stt ess from severe 'tJi:lter snow
conditions.The lower,spruce-covered reaches of the Watana Creek
Valley are probably critical for the majoriey of moose inhabiting ehis
area during a seyere winter.A major portion of this area would be
inundated by construction of the Watana dam.Additional observations of
moose during normal or severe winter conditions are necessary to determine
the i.mp.ortance of this area as winter range.If this area is used as
winter range during more severe winters which would no~lli occur in
tr.is area,construction of the Wataua Dam would substantially reduce the
carrying capacity of this portion of the study area.
Present info~tion indicates moose depend heavily upon the river
\bottoms and adjacent areas for winter habitat both above and below the
Watana and Devils Canyon damsites.Lack of adequate w~ntering'araas in
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the lower Susitna Valley has been a major limiting factor to moose
population growth there in the past (Chatelain 1951).Most existing
winter range is along the major rivers wher~periodic flooding has
caused rechanneling of the main stream,allowing riparian willow to
colonize the dry stream beds.Regulating the 'flow of water from the dam
at Devils Canyon could have a highly detrimental effect on gro~h of
riparian vegetation downstream to the mouth of the Susitna.It is
possible that maintaining a steady flow of 8,000 to 10,000 cu.ft./sec.
:rom the Devils Canyon dam would effectively preva~t the flooding activity
tha.t presently occur.eeriodically-.This could cr~S;a short-term
abundance of winter range along the riverbanks that might last 30 or
more years.The net.long-term effect could ~ell be a negative one,
however,as it is suspected that the present natural flooding activity
of the Susitna River produces favorable conditions for browse production.
Without these annual floods,these riparian areas could become mature
stands of hardwoods after 25 or 30 y-ears and provide little or no winter
forage.Research on riparian vegetation habitat types and associated
moose usage downstream of dam construction is essential to determine
potential impacts on moose populations.
CONCLUSIONS
The ~phasis of this telemetry study focused almost ~clusively-on
the north side of the Susitna River upstream from the Devils Canyon dam
site.Information on migratory routes and annual movement patterns ~as
limited by the small sample of radio-collared moose (18),many of ~hich
~ere observed for less than nine months.Moose ~hich were collared in
October 1976 were monitored through the winter of 19i6-77 which was
considered to be mild.Information pertinent to identifying critical
severe snow depths as moose tend to congregate in greater densities on
the most vital ranges ~s snow depths increase.Acquisition of moose
movement information do~~stream and on the south side of the Susitna
River is essential in order to evaluate the full effects of the proposed
hydroelectric project.Downstream effects on moose ~ould be ~~ected to
be significant since vegetation composition would be altered substantially
as a result of regulated ~ater flow.
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Annual moose harves~s ~thin the Umnediate drainages along the
ups~ream por~ion of the Sus~ina River have averaged 146 moose since 1974
(ADF&G,unpublished data).Appro~tely 475-500 spor~smen par~icipate
in moose hunts in this area.each fall (obo cit.).Ho'tV significantly dam.
I!,,ccns~ruc~ion mig~t reduce or increase this level of activity is difficult
to projec~with the limited data availablee Construction of an access
road to the Watana site would substantially increase hunter pressure in
the area,creating a corresponding increase in total man days spent
hunting.The quality of the hunting experience would probably decl:f.ne,
years.If impacts of the project reduced local moose populations by 50
percent,this would amount to a corresponding loss of harvest of 7,300
moose during the life of the dam.
Construction of the Devils Canyon dam would flood a 45 km portion
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of the Susitna River having a surface area of 7,500 acres (USF&WS,
1975)•~~lp~~g~:-~~~,,~~~i:~:;a~jil2igri11x::J
_....,...'--=:.-.'r.'~yya 4..'fri.••'!t :.~~~
steep'ad.,p~ovile ma#it~!2..l~;b~~,~i';~;~~~~e lo'tV density of moose
......_._~u~,......~..~...-.I.U '."~_•••"-
tracks in this area throughout the winter of 1977-78 indicates that
little utilization occurs during winters of moderate suo'W'fall.Since
water levels in the Devils Canyon reservoir are e."'G'ected to remain
f
fairly constant,lo'tV mortality rates associated with ice shelving and
steep 'mud banks would be e."'G'ected.
Construction of the Watana dam would result in inundation of 43,000
acres along Watana Creek and the Susitna River.Approxiamtely 35,000
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acres sustain mOdera;~~:;to heavy utilization by moos~~;during an average
winter (USF&WS.1975).Much of it supports moderate moose densities
during the'spring and summer seasons as well.The preliminary movement
data gathered thus far fram radio collared moose indicate that moose
from several surrounding areas of the Susitna Basin migrate across or
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utilize this portion of the river during some period 0;the year~The
Alaska Depar~ent of Fish and Game recorded observations of 2,037 moose
during their fall 1977 S~~and age camposition counts of these areas
(ADF&G,unpublished data).LeResche and Rausch (1974)concluded that an
,observer generally see~between 43 to 68 percent of the moose in an area
during an aerial census.Using 50 percent to ~~trapolate roughly,the
~esident population utilizing this ,portion of the basin probably falls
between 4,000 and 5,000 moose.Random stratified counts weighted with
an accurate sightabilityiude.'"t are needed to accurately assess numbers
of moose.
Effects of the construction of the Watana dam on these moose populations
could be su'b s tanti.a.l.The resident:nonmigr~tory segment of the populat:ion'
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could be eliminated •.The immediate loss of a major portion of the
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'WiIiterrange along Watana Cr,eek and of the Susitna River :'C):f':1.ClCl4~1;;,g
would have the effect of reducing the carrying capacity of the habitat
at higher elevations used only during the warm seasons and mild winters.
'The Watana Reservoir would be 87 km long and may during some,seasons
prove,to be an effective barrier to migrations.The resulting disruption
of movements to traditional breeding grounds may adversely affect productivity.
Increased mortality of neonates during post calving movements.might
occur.Since water levels are ~ected to fluctuate as much as 78 m,
ice shelving could become a significant cause of mortality as ·.o1ell.
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Calving is a comm.on '6~;~urrence in these portions of\the study area.The
loss of calving habitat notwithstanding~fluctuating water levels would
convert:the presently timbered slopes from the Watana dam site eo the
Oshetna River to enormous mud banks..Calf mortaJ..ity from sl1pping
downhill or getting stuck in the mud could become a common occurren;e.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Collection of baseline biological data and completion of resource
assessment in the area affect~d by the proposed hydroelectric project in
'-far greater depth than this study is an essential prerequisite-to understanding
the possible impacts of the proposed action (Appendix II).Identification
of moose populations,.movement patterns,and habitat use downstream and
on the south side of the Susitna River is essential to predict both
negative and beneficial impacts of the proposed prject.Habitat studies
should be conducted ~oncurrently to determine seasonal use and degree of
dependency of populations on habitat to be impacted by the project.
Alternate areas suitable for habitat rehabilitation to mitigate range
,.losses should be investigated as well as suitable methods for habitat
enhancement.•
ACKNOm.E:DGEME:N'!S
Several biolog:ists with che Alaska Depart::l:l.ent of Fish and Game gave
freely of cheir cime and ~~ertise to assist.uS during che in:it~al phase
of this study.Drs.A.Fran:mann and T.Bailey from the ~oose Research
Center participated in the collaring operation,and area biologists
II-3L.
S.Eide and 'I'.sprak~iJ'i:proVided their assistance dU;~~~g several phases '
of the study.,Technician 'I'om Balland helped during all phases of field
work.A.Cunning constructed figures for this manuscript.We wish to
express our gratitude to the airta..."'d.operators (Ken Holland,Rick Halford t
Ken Bunch,AI Lee and Vern Loftstead)for their many safe hours of
flying and their wilJiDgness to modify their aircraft to accommodate our
telemetry equipment.We wish to give.spe.cial thanks to all thos.e whose
comments and criticisms helped in the preparat~on of this manuscript.
II
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Alaska Dist.rict,Army Corps of Engineers.1975.Hydroelectric power'
and related purposes for the upper Susitna River Basin.Interim
Feasibility Rapt.,125 p.
Alaska.District,Army Corps of Engineers.1977.Plan of study for
Susitna hydropower,feasibility analysis.Prepared for the State
of Alaska.297 p.
Ballard,W.B.and K..P.Taylor (In prep).Upper Susitna River moose'
populat~on study.Alaska Dept.Fish and Game P~R Proj.Rept.W-li-
10,Job IE-l.ZO.
Chatelain,E.F.1951.Winter 'range problems of moose in the Susitna
Valley.Proe.Alaskan Sci.Conf.,2:343-347.
Coady,J.W.1974.Influence of snow on the behavior of moose.Naturaliste
Can.,101:417-436.
Edwards,R.Y.and R.W.Ritce~.1956.The migrations of a moose herd.
J.Mammal.'37(4):486-494.
FranzmaDn,A.W./,A.Flynn and P.D.Arneson.1975.Levels of some
mineral elements in Alaskan moose hair.J.Wildl.Mgmt.
39(2):374-378.
.~::;':~
~<li:r
Frauzmann,A.W.,P.D.Arneson,R.E.LeResche and J.L.Davis.1974.
Developing aud testing new teclmiques for moose management.Alaska
Dept.Fish and Game P-R Proj.Final Rept.,~-17-2,W-17-3,W-17-4,
W-17-S and W-17-6.S4 p.(multilith).
r-'Franzmann,A.Y.,and P.D.Arneson..1973.Moose Research Cent:er
studies.Alaska Dept.Fish and Game P-R Proj.Rept.,W-17-S.60 p
(multillth)•
~C"I..':.'
(..
I
Goddard,J.1970.Movements of moose in a heavily hunted area of
Ontario.J~Wildl.Mgmt.34(2):439-44S.
Gravel,M.1977.Tapping Susit:na's power.Sen.Mike Gravel Reports to
Alaskaus.July Newsletter.4 p.
Greer,K.R.and W.W.Hawk:.ins.1967.Determining pregnancy in elk by
rectal palpation.J.Wildl.Mgmt.,31:145-149.
Teton Nat.Rist.Assoc.Tech.Bull.No.1.110 p.
LeResche,R.E.1972.Migrations and population mL~g .of moose on the
Kenai Peninsula Alaska.8th N.A.m..Moose Conf.Works.,Thunder
Bay Ontario.Ont.Minist.Nat.Res.,Toronto.p.185-207.
LeResche,R.E.,1974.Moose migrations in N'or1:h America r.1it:h emphasis
on Alaska.Naturaliste Can.-101:393-415.
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LeResche,R.E.and R.A.Rausch.1974.Accuracy and p~ecision of
aerial moose censusing •.J.Wildl.Mgmt:.38(2):175-182.
Mech,L.D.1974.Current:Techniques in the study of elusive wilderness
carnivores.Proc.XI Internat.Congress of Game Bio.,pp.315-322.
Peterson,R.L.1955.North American moose.Univ •.1'oronto Press,
280 p.
I,,
[.~"Rausch,R.A.1958.Moose management studies.Fed.Aid.Wildl.Restor.
Joh Completion Rept.Vol 12,Proj.W-3-R-12.Alaska Game Comma
JUIleau,138 p.
Sargent,D.E.and D.R.Pimlott.1959.Age determination in moose
from sectioned incisor teeth.J.Wildl.Mgmt.23(3):315-321.
u.s.Fish and Wildlife Service.1975.Southcentral railbelt area upper
Susitna River Basin hydroelectric project ewo dam plan.U.S.Dept.
Interior,Anchorage,A.~.25 p.
-
APPENDL"t:II
Wildlif e Studies
Int.roduct.ion
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The proposed Susitna Hydropower Project.will have impacts on several
wildlife species which eit.her reside in the project area,use t.he area
for migra.t.ion or ot.her·seasonal purposes or use habitat.downstream which
will be altered by the st.abilizat.ion of wat.er flow.The following
individual proposals comprise an integrat.ed program to provide informat.ion
needed to predict the impacts of the Project on wildlife and to provide
a basis for making decisions which might minimize those impacts.'
This progr~will not.answer all questions.It is designed to provide
an accept.able basis of knowledge in a limited time period using present.ly
available t.echniques.Emphasis has been placed on species which are
likely to be most adversely affect.ed by the project and are of great.est.
int.erest to man.
The design,ti.m1ng,manpower requirements and funding levels of the
individual projects have been coordinated for efficiency.No single
project.can be conduct.ed by itself without.considerable change in design
and increase in cost..For ~~ample the moose study is the core of the
entire package.The wolf,wolverine,bear and caribou st.udies are
dependent on the moose study for manpower equipment.and logistic support.
The moose,habitat.mapping and vegetat.ion studies are also dependent on
each other as each will influence the design of the others and their
result:Il1U st ~e compatibJ.e for final data.§.I1a.J.Y§~§..lf .oneproject...does
liOt:produce.results a.t the t,roper''t'im~other proj ect.s will be delayed,
reducL~g the quality of information and increasing the overall cost.of
the program.
Title:Habitat mapping and vegetation studies required fOtanalysis of
the effects of the Susi~a Hydropower Project .on wildlif~.
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Qbj ectives:To.prepare a veget.ative typE!.~P.CJJ,a.:r;§!§.§,_~j:b.inand_adj.acent.
t'oproposed iiiipounc:imentS,a.1ong eransmission corridors ~ci a.J.Qng
.the-cio-wns'tf'e.am floodpla.:ii::i.
To identify key moose browse species and det.ermine the condition
and trends of selected moose habit.at.s.
To determine the effects of altered water flow on key plant species
and map areas where substantial veget.ation changes will occur.
Background:Most impact.s of the Susiena Hydropower Project on w~ldlife
will occur through loss or alteration of habitat.Where habitat.is
totally lost to a population through inundation or blocking of migrations
it is necessary to know the importance of that.par~icular habitat to the
population and the availability of alte~ative habitats.wnere habitat
will be merely altered,it is also necessary to ~ow what ele~ents
within that habitat are important to the population and what changes
will occur in those element.s.Direct studies ofTJildlife species can
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delineate a population and tell us where various components of the
population are at different times ~nd to a certain ~~tent why they are
there.However,wildlife studies must be accompanied by habitat studies
if we are to determine the full significance of habitat alteration to
the population.
This project is not an actual proposal.Several of the studies outlined
here could be ~~anded to meet the needs of other disciplines.Therefore,
this is a statement of information needed to evaluate the effects of the
Susitna Project on ~ldlife.Actual study proposals should/be developed
to provide this information on the schedule outlined.
Procedures:A habitat type map of the proposed impoundment areas,all
drainages flo~g into the impoundments,access and transmission corridors
and the downstream floodplain should be prepared during the first two
years of the s.tudy.This map should be of sufficient detail to permit
delineation of specific habitats favored by moose and must be accompanied
by sufficient ground truth data to identify t~e distribution and abundance
of moose browse species.In order to accomplish this it is essenital
that the principal investigators of moose studies work directly Yith the
habitat mappers.
Studies of the effects of water table and influence of water level
fluctuations on vegetation,particularly moose browse species,along the
floodplain of the Susitna River should be initiated immediately.A map
of areas where changes in flow caused by the d~will alter the vegetation,
either through changes in soil moisture or by allowing plant succession
to occur,should be prepared.Emphasis.should be placed on areas of
high moose use such as the lower Susitna River.
Detailed studies of vegetation in important moose wintering areas should
be conducted to identify plant species used by moose and quantify their
presence,use and trends.Study areas would be identified from data
collected under the moose studies.
Schedule:
IT 78
IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
IT 82
Habitat mapping,effects of'water level Studies
Habitat mapping,effects of water level studies
M.a.p areas of e.."q)ected plant composition changes.
vegetation studies on moose winter range
Meose ~ter range studies
Moose winter range studies
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Title:Impact of the Susitna Hydropower Project on MOose Populations
Objectives:To identify moose subpopulations using habitat subject to
direct and indirect impact of the Susitna Hydropower Project.
To determine the seasonal distribution,movement patterns,size and
trends of those subpopulations.
To determine the timing and degree of dependency of those subpopulations
on habitat to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project.
Background:Several subpopulations of moose occupy habitats that may be
inundated or substantially altered by the proposed Susitna Hydropower
Project.Limited studies conducted in 1977 identified one subpopulation
which occupied the upper ends of tributaries north of the proposed
impoUndment areas during spring,summer and fall,then migrated to the
Susitna River bottomlands during winter.Similar populations almost
certainly occupy drainages to the south of the impoundments.There is
also strong evidence that riparian habitat along the mainstem,which may
be significantly altered by the stabilization of water flow,also
serves as winter range for several subpopulations of moose.These
habitats may be critical to these populations in severe winters.Other
subpopulations maybe nonmigratory and use areas to be affected all
year.Some migratory populations may not rely on the river bottoms for
seasonal range but may migrate through them on their way beeween seasonal
ranges.
The degree of impact will vary depending on the subpopulations size,
§t:cg'l.1~_~c!._g.t;.g:;~§ofdep.endenceon altered habitat and the nature of the
habitat alteration.Many factors must be considered including:the sex
and age composition of members of the subpopulationu?in,g the habitat '
(often pregnant cows or cows with calves are more dependent on lowland
areas than bulls),the overall range of the subpopulation (some members
of a nearby subpopulation migrate up to 60 miles indicating that reductions
in moose densities could occur over a vast area),the availability of
alterna~ive ranges p~rticularly during severe winters (habitat alterations
-i.7hicllmca.yge reJ.a.t:ively insignificant in normal or mild winters may
...d.evCi,seating wh~t1 heavy sriowfa1.J.~ke.salternativeranges,unavailab-1ej.,
etc.
An adequate assessment of the potential'impacts of the Susitna Project
on moose requires a thorough understanding of moose populations using
the area.!his information'must then be related to a knowledge of the
habitat and the elements -Nithin that habitat that are necessary for
moose.This study is designed to provide the necessary information on
moose.It is essential that certain habitat studies be conducted concurrently.·
A hab1tat map of-sufficient detail to delineate types selected by moose,
covering the ~poundment area,surrounding drainages,transmission
corridors and the floodplain of the Susitna River to its mouth,should
be prep'ared at an early stage of the studies.Detailed browse studies
should be conducted at sites selected on the basis of use by moose to
identify important browse species,measure the degree of use and identify
other elements of the habitats that are important to moose.The role of
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the ~ater cable and spring flooding in maintaining moose habitat below
Devils Canyon should be determined and maps delineating ar~as where the
alteration of the flow will result in vegetation changes should be
prepared.
Th.1s moo,se study and the habitat studies outlined above should be closely
coordinated as each will influence the final design of the other and all
are necessary to relate habitat changes to moose.
Procedures:During 1977~12 moose were radio collared and 14 others
~ere collared with visually identifiable collars.These moose were
tracked from March to December 1977.Under this study~tracking of
those moose will be continued,to further delineate the ranges of that
subpopulation.
Additional moose will be radio collared in drainages along the south
side of the proposed impoundment area and in ripari.a:c.habitats along the
mainstem below Devils Canyon.I
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!c~-Each radio collared moose will be relocated regularly.
the ~~act location,habitat type,activity of the moose
with other animals will be recorded ..
For each relocation
and association..
A random stratified census and seasonal sex and age composition counts
will be conducted on sub populations most likely to be -affected by the
Susitna Hydropower Project.Concentrations of moose will be mapped
throughout the area whenever the opportunity arises.
These data will be used to identify subpopulations using areas to be
impacted,to determine the seasonal ranges and migration routes of each
subpopulation and to estimate the size and composition of those subpopulations
most likely to be impacted.Locations of moose will be overlayed on
habitat maps to determine the degree of use of certain habitat types as
well as specific habitats.This information will be analyzed by subpopulation,
season,sex and age class and reproductive status.Areas likely to be
altered by the project that are critical to a sub population will be
identified and recommended for more detailed vegetation studies.
Schedule:
IT 78
IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
IT 82
IT 83
Radio collar moose,tracking flights,composition counts
Tracking flights,composition counts,random stratified
count.Review habitat map and map of downstream areas to'
be impacted and identify data gaps.Identify areas for
detailed vegetation studies.
Replace radios and radio collar n~w moose co fill identified
data gaps,cracking flights,composition counts.
Tracking flights,composition counts,random stratified
counts.
Tracking flights,composition count,start final analysis
of daca.
Tracking flights,complete analysis of im~act of Susitna
Hydropower Projec~on moose,write final repor~.
Cost::-
IT 78
IT 79
FY 80
IT 81
IT 82
IT 83
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$.220,000
$210,000
$lS0,000
$2.10,000
$175,000
$85,000
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Title:Mitigation measures for lost moose habitat.
Obj ectives ~To identify and evaluate me.asures for enhancing moose
habitat:.
To locate areas where moose habitat enhancement would effectively
mitigate loss or deterioration of moose habitat resulting f~om the
Susitna Hydropower Project.
Backgrounc:Important and perhaps critical moose habitat will be totally
lost or reduced in quality by the Susitna Hydropower Project.The
proposed moose and habitat studies should quantify this loss and its
resulting impact on moose populations.
Moose tend to favor sub climax ranges.In recent:years several agencies
have recognized a potential for enhancing habitat for moose by setting
back plant succession through artificial means.The Alaska Department
of Fish and Game,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service ~d U.S.Forest Service
have all ~~erfmented with such techniques as mechanical crushing,
prescribed burning and fertilizing.At present these techniques have
not been fully evaluated.
Such techniques are probably effective only in certain types of habitats.
In some cases it might be possible to fully mitigate the impact on a
particular subpopulation of moose.For ~~ample,if an effective technique
can be found to maintain rillow habitats on river bars without periodic
flooding,impacts on subpopulat.ions dependent.on downstream habitat
might.be kept to a minimum.
In other cases where critical habitat will be compietely destroyed it
might be possible to make alternative habitat.available to the affected
subooculation of moose.However,there will likely be some subpopulations
for which mitigation measures will not be possible.In these cases the
loss to human users could be offset by enhancing the range of populations
of moose away from the Project area.
In order to assess these possibilities it·is necessary to evaluate the
various techniques and to delineate habitat where these techniques would
have a positive effect on moose.
This project is designed to provide information to assess the feasibility
of mitigation and to initiate long term studies which would direct
actual mitigation efforts.Evaluation of these long term studies ~-ll
take many years.The need to complete the long term studies rill depend
on the results of the feasibility study.
Procedures:A complete review of potential moose habitat manipulation
techniques will be made.Areas which have been ~~erimentally manipulated
in the past rill be visited and the quantity and quality of potential
moose browse produced will be assessed.Information gaps will be identified
and if necessary fur~her ~~perimental manipulation will be recommended.
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Daca from the habitac mapping,vegecation and moose studies will be used
to identify areas ~here habitac manipulation might offset adverse impacts
on each of the subpopulations of moose that are identifiede
Schedule:
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IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
IT 82
IT 83
'Cost:-
IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
IT 82
FY 83
Prel1.m.i:c.ary review of techniques and identification of
areas of past:e."q)erimentation.,
EvalUation of success of previous manipulation efforts.
Identification of data gapse Recomm.endacions on future
e."tperimentation e
Coneinue evaluation of manipulated areas.Initiace
manipulation e.~erimencs to fill data gaps.
Evaluate techniques.Idencify potential areas for mitigation.
Evaluate techniques.Identify potential areas for mitigation.
$5,000
$20,000
$275,000 (actual cost will depend on results of IT 79
and 80 studies)
$20,000
$20,000
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Title:Impact of the Susi~a Hydropower Projec~on caribou populations.
Objectives:To identify subpopulations of caribou in the Nelchina
Basin.
To determin~the seasonal ranges,and migration routes of these
subpopulations with ~phasis on traditional migration routes
across proposed impoundment areas and potential alternative routes.
To determine the availability of suitable alternative seasonal
ranges to caribou subpopulations that might be isolated fram traditional
ranges by the proposed impoundments.
Background:The'Nelchina basin has been the most i.m:portant sport hunei.ng
area for caribou in Alaska.Although caribou numbers were reduced from
a recorded high of 72,000 to a low of 10,000 the population is presently
increasing and is now estimated to exceed 14,000 cariobu.Proposed
management plans state that the population will be allowed to increase
until ~t numbers 20,000 caribou~
Caribou traditionally have used a variety of ranges on both sides of the
Susiena River and varying numbers have crossed the Susiena at least
twice a year.Major crossing locations have been recorded in areas
which would be affected by the proposed hydropower project.Because
caribou frequently migrate long distances and may periodically overgraze
one range and shift to another,it is necessary to examine the status of
caribou and identify alternative ranges over a large area.
"'I
Range studies conducted by the Alaska.Depart::nene of Fish and Game have:!
shown that the most desirable winter ranges remaining in the Nelchina I i[
basin are locai:ed in the Clea:rwater Mountains,Chunilna Rills,Susitna.
Uplands and Monahan'Flats.Most of these'ranges are north of the Susitna
River while historical and recent calving and summer ranges ~~ist south
of the river.The preferred lichens south of the river have generally
declined and have not sho~substantial recovery even with lowered
caribou populations •.Meanwhile,the Nelchina population has used this
area to a greater e~tent than the other portions of its range.A portion
of the winter range exists east of the Richardson Highway in ,the Wrangell
Mountains but mov~ent intO this range may be affected by the recent
construction of the oll pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.All of
these factors make it likely that the ability to cross the Susitna will
remain critical to the well being of the Nelchina car;bou herd.
To determine the ~~tent that the impoundments will affect chis movement
is difficult.Other migration routes may be used in addition to those
already shown in the literature or sufficient range may be available to
the east to support the proposed population level.It is also possible
that a separate but smaller population ~ists north of the Susiena which
may increase to fill the available range in that area even if che ~~isting
Nelchina population were confined to the area south of the proposed
impoundments.
-.:....
Procedures:Caribou on both sides of the Susitna River will be radiocollared
during the breeding,season.Monitoring flights will be made at a relatively
low intensity (approximately monthly)throughout most of the year to
determine if more than one population exists in the area and to determine
seasonal ranges of each population identified.More intensive monitoring
flights will be made during the periods of precalving and postcalv1ng·
movements and winter shif~to determine present migration routes and the
timing of migration.It rill be necessary to repeat this procedure for
several years to determine variation among years.
Traditional migration routes will be determined by mappingtralls and
will be compared .with present routes.
Potential alternative ranges will be identified and evaluated using the
modified Hul~Surlander method of range analysis..These ranges will be
compared with Nelchina ranges that have been studied for a number of
years.
c
Schedule:
IT 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
IT 83
~:
IT 79
IT·80-
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
Radio collar caribou,monitor movements.Conduct range
analysis.
Replaceinop~rative'radios,m.onitor movemenes.
Replace inoperative radios,monitor movements.
Replace inoperative radios,monitor movements.
Monitor movements.Repeat range analysis to determine
trends.
$120,000
$95,000
$95,000
$95,000
$102,000
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Title:Effects of the Susitna Hydropower Project on wolves.
Objectives:To determine the number of wolf packs and the number of
wolves in each pack that inhabit areas to be directly affected by
the Susitna Hydropower Project.
To determine the proportions of each pack's territory that lies
within areas of impact.
To determine the location of dens,rendezvous sites,hunting areas
and the other essential activity areas of each pack in relation to
proposed impoundments and construction activities.
To determine the dependence of each pack on prey populations that
may be adversely affected by the Project.
Background:Wolves are of considerable national concern as evidenced by
recent newspaper and magazine articles.They are known to inhabit the
entire project area and information on population size and movements is
needed to determine project impacts •.
Studies in other areas of southcentral Alaska have demonstrated that
some wolves have home ranges as large as 2,000 square miles while many
packs have territories ranging from 200 to 600 square miles.It is
known that the immediate proj ect area may contain five'or more wolf.
packs.It appears that some of these packs ,use the Susitna River as a
territory boundary,and inundation and associated development could have
a dramatic influence on them.These packs depend heavily on moose
populations that use the impoundment areas.In addition other studies
have shown that any human disturbance relatively close to a wolf den may
cause abandonment of the traditional site and perhaps reproductive
failure.
Procedures:Two to four wolves will be radio collared in each pack
whose territory is believed to include potential impoundment areas and
construction sites.The numbers of wolves in each pack will be dete~ned,
each pack's territory will be delineated and the degree and nature of
use of potential impact areas will be determined through repeated relocations
and observation of activities.Specifically,all den sites,rendezvous
sites and favored hunting areas will be mapped.These data will be used
to determine the degree of dependence of wolves on various areas that
will be impacted by the Project.
Dependency on various prey species THill be determined by scat analysis
and observation of hunting behavior and kills.This iIlfor:::tation will be
used ~n conj~ction with data from the acco~anying studies of prey
species,particularly the moose study,to estimate indirect impacts on
wolves caused by a reduction in prey availability.
Field activities and manpower for this study will be integrated with the
moose study.Wolves frequently will be tagged and relocated at the same
time as moose.Full funding of the moose study is requir~d for the
successful implementation of this study.
Schedule:
-~t;H~~
i .
IT 78
IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
IT 82
IT 83
IT 78
IT 79
FY 80
IT 81
FY 82
FY 83
Radiocollar wolves,monitoring flights.
Replace lost radios,monitoring flights.
Replace lost radios,monitoring flights.
Rad1ocollar new wolves to fill data gaps.
Monitoring flights.
Monitoring flights.
Monitoring flights.
$55,000
$36,000
$29,000
$40,000
$25,000
$13,000
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Title:Effe~~s of the Susitna Hydropower P~oject on black and brow~/grizzly
bearse
Ob;ectives:To estimate the numbers of black and brown/grizzly bears
using the area to be impacted by the Susitna'Hydropower Projecte
To determine the dependency of these bears on areas to be impacted,
with emphasis on identification of denning areas and seasonal
feeding arease
Background:Very little is known of either brown or black bear populations
in the Susitna.Basin e:ccept that bro~bear densities appear to have
been very high for several years.We do not know how many bears inhabit
the area or how dependent they are on the impoundment areas.Studies
should be conducted to estimate bear numbers in and surrounding project
area,determine whether the same bears are resident or whether a larger
number have a seasonal dependency on the area,and determine the location
and e:ctent of denning activities.
A major problem w~th any large construction project is the a~traction of
bears to camps and construction sites.This usually results in threats
to human safety,delays in construction and destruction of bears.If
areas of bear concentration can be identified and avoided during construction,
these problems can be substantial~y reduced.
Procedures:Bears will ~e radiocollared in the project area.Movements
in and around the area will be monitored.Den sites and concentration
areas will be mapped.
Bear numbers will be ~stimated through marked/unmarked ratios observed
during spring and fall composition counts and by recording all bears
seen during tracking flights.
Field activities for this study will be closely integrated with those
,~-for the moose and wolf studies.Full funding of the moose study is
required for the successful implementation of this study.
Schedule:
IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
IT 82
Cost:
'IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
IT 82
Radiocollar bears,monitoring flights composition counts.
Monitoring flights,composition counts.
Monitoring flights,composition counts.
Monitoring flights.
$95,000
$57,000
$50,000
$35,000
_:~-...-~..-......_-_...---...
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Title:Effects of t~e Susitna Hydropower Project on wolverine.
Objectives:To determine the population status of wolverines using
areas to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project.
To determine movement patterns and identify habitats of seasonal·
importance to wolverines.
Background:Less is k:c.O'Wtl about the wolverine than any other big game-
species in Alaska.Threatened w:lth e."'ttinction throughout most of its
range in the Scandinavian countries,parts of Russia,the continental
United States and Eastern Canada,it is still considered relatively
abundant in.Alaska.Studies in Idaho and Sweden indicate that wolverines
have e."'tceptionally large home ranges.Records of males moving 15 miles
in a 24 hour period are not uncommOn.
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A systematic aerial sur;ey of '\Jolverines arid their tracks '.rill be made
in conjunction '.rich '\Jolf studies to determine the distribution and
numbers of wolverines using the area.
These data will be used to estimate the number of "'Io101verines using the
im'C oundmen t areas,de·termiIle ...t::h~c:i~g':t:'g~9.;.q.gpend encyof certaiu'\Jo lverines
....··~~i£:~~~s-~·.~~·~~~~~~-f~~E-.~f!zs;E~~~;~~_~_~~~..Q{~Rortanc_g.to~-:olverines.---
Procedures:A limited number of wolverines will be radiocollared and
tracked in conjunction with other telemetry studies in the area.Home
ranges,.m0'VE!me;;_;_2.~ttern_~,~d S_gJ;l.,!tQ.nal.~habitatusew:lll~cbe·deter.mined
'-by -syst:ematic relocation of radiocollared animals.
The Talkeetna mountains on either side of the Susitna liver bet:ween Gold
Creek and the Maclaren ·River presently support a healthy population of
wolverines.Although th~ir density·is ·no~known at this time,it is
probably as high or higher therethan.in any other portion of their
range in Southcentral Alaska.Because the we~farg gf this species.in
Alaska is of both national and international concern,some intensive
efforts to determine the status,distribution,and movement patterns of
'\Jolverine in the project area are '\Jarranted.
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Radiocollar,monitoring flights,census.
Radiocollar,monitoring flights,census~
Monitoring flights.
IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
Schedule:
Cost:-
IT 79
IT 80
IT 81
$30,000
$25,000
$10,000
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~itle:Distribution and status of Dall sheep adjacent to the Susitna
Hydropower Project area.
Objectives:.To determine the numbers of Da11 sheep inhabiting mountains
.adjacent co proposed dam sites.
To delineate che seasonal ranges of the sheep population.
Background:A relatively isolated sheep population inhabits mountains
adjacent co the proposed dam siteso While there will probably be little
direct impact on chis population by the proposed project,there is a
possibility of adverse impacts from ht.:zman disturbance as a result of dam
cpnstruction activities and increased access.
Procedures:Aerial surveys will be conducted to determine the size of
the sheep population and to delineate seasonal ranges.
1 1
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Schedule:
FY 79
IT 80
IT 81
IT 79
IT 80
n 81
Aerial surveys.
Aerial surveys.
Aerial surveys.
$3,000
$3.,000
$1,000
Tiele:Distribution and abundance of furbearers and small.game in the
proposed Susitna Hydropower Project impoundm~t areas.
Objectives:To ,det.erm.1ne the distribution and relative abundance of
furbearers and small game in the proposed impoundment areas and
determine the degree of use of those species by humans.
To determine the dependence of furbearers and waterfowl on do':o1t1stream
habitats which will be altered by changes in water flow.
Background:Litt.le is knO':o1t1 about the distribution and abundance of
eit.her furbearers or'small game.In order to assess the pot.ential
impact of t.he project on.small game it.will be necessary to conduct.a
baSic biological reconnaissance.It.is known from dat.a collect.ed
incidentally to ot.her project.s that.t.he Susitna River Basin provides'
habitat.for large numbers of fox,wolverine,and river otter.All three
of these species-are highly sought.by trappers.
Stabilization of water flow ·could substant.ially alter aquat.ic furbearers
and wat.erfowl habitat dO':o1t1stream.
Procedures:Limited aerial surveys will be conducted to determine the
presence,distribution and relative abundance of fox,ot.t.ers,beavers,
ptarmigan,waterfowl and rap tors.On the ground observations will be
made in conjunction with.the I1ong~e project.
Trappers and residents of the area will be interv~ewed.
Surveys of aquatic furbearers and waterfowl will be co'Illiucted in dO':o1t1stream
_~···.t.I __'_"··....---'..--..--...
areasofpro1:la1:l1e hibiti'E-a,lte.riiioii thi't:will be ide;:1trified by studies
on the effeces of water flow on habitat.I'
Schedule:
FY 79
PI 80
rr-az.
FY-83
~:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 82
IT 83
Surveys in impoundment areas,interviews.
Surveys in impoundmen;areas,interviews.
Surveys dO':o1t1stream.
Surveys dowst::eam:
$35,000
$35,000
$25,000
$25,000
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!itle~Distribution and abundance of nongame species of ~ldlife in the
area to he impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project.
Objectives:To determine the occurrance,distribution and relative
abundance of small mammals and passerine birds in the proposed
impoundment areas.
Background:
abundance of
birds in t:he
couduct:ed:
Lit~le is known about the occurrence,distribution or
small mammals and both resident and migratory passerine
Project impact area.A limited reconnaisance should be
Procedures:A literature search will be conducted.Surveys from the
\ground will be made and limited trapping will be done.Por'tiot'ls of this
study will be coordinated with small game and furbearer s'tudies.
Schedule:
FY 79
IT 80
Cost:
IT 79
IT 80
Literature search,initiate surveys.
Complete surveys.
$7,000
$8,000
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evalua.~c:o£dat::a.Qb't:a~,..ed.,f::'am C:te.p-roposed.fi.sh.e-..-f-es :ala.t:/ad biological,
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C~a:::.s v-f...ll uct:'ee U=£..:2d.t:Q f:.t3b.er'....es;seccud..a-...,.e.f:ec:.s a:c.d.hC"f;'h:r-;;..,s
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oe re.q"~~=e.d ..e:s-peeiaJ'Ty ccse c:...-c~d.ric se~';-e!:u:3o:~au,'l:e:::;::le,:,a.r::..:a;
<i.;f.sscl7ed.gasses,d.isc:"a:::.a,..ad.Qear :al.a.t:.ad pc.ys:!.cC::e:::i.ca.l Qa:ac:.:a:~.s-.:i::.s.
U:e.rat:'t:.::'e se.a::::cl:t.a=and v:a....~O"l:l.S prcj ee::<ia.t:3o "..r'-ll be c:ont::!.::'t:a 1 i"l a.n.a.l7:e.d.:0
"'''':S''"~a aJJ.SC"Cl'::":..e.s 0:per-...:::!.:::l.e::r.:<ia.-.::a.a..-a i::.c.lwied..
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'7":1'8J......
---":"?82-..
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C"'s-·-=-.::.-
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n 81
':"'7'82...
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$5,000
$20,000
$60,000
$60,000
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fj"sfl.s::::'"'/-as %i.t::!.gatiou requ:t::~t:.s a:c.d 1::::;71::ment::a:r:::'ou COS'C3 pr:'cr to
C:::a.s~-=..ou ~p-rO'Va.l..
B:ae..l.:2::'0'lmd.:C=:L:::i,c:.a.l,h.a.b::f.t.a.:for ~C1U:3 J -4 ':e b.ist:o-ry st:ages of aqwu:::ic.
species c::N.ld oe e1 ';"';nat:.ed or :e.d:w:.e.d.in qua..l.i::,.and ~t::it'7 by c.e·Sus:!.::::.a.
o.yd:O'powet"~Qjec't..·For c'ti"""!'la.,:e.~tiotl...n.u.=l!.sW.:::i:t dec:e.ased..fl~s
dow:c.s ::e..a.o:f t:::.s,d.a:m:s <iu'r'-:g Q.a SUjT::ner ::::l.O'.C.Cs ·.wi:I:ic~c:::ro.ld e,.t:rr ':at:a
c::::ic.c.a.'l =~...ng-a.:ra.a.s for sal:::lc1:d,d :..,.'nle.p'r:'poseci aqua'd.c.and re..La.t:~
f1..al:I:itat:.st:':,d of es should qtta:mr-4''!;j t:1e loss~and rasuJ.r'"iig ~ac'l:au t:~e
fi.sher:!.es.'.tl7l..is act:j.iTi.tj':!.s designed to prO'V'id.e.i:a.for:::at:::!.ou to assess t::t.e
f e.as:Lbi.lity of m:i.tigat::L:m.and t10 :1J:uiiat:ta.lQUg t:~se::tdi.e.s ...o.:ic.h ~
d~-ect ae:uaJ.:tr:igat:iQ%1 ef-=ort:.s""Evaluation of t:.b.ese st:ud.:!.a:s .'i.ll go beyond
pE1.a.se I.i.E Qe p'rojec't is d.eemed.fe.a.sule.
P:='Oc:ed1::ra:Analyze all P'rOj ec::ci.a.:.a.c:ollec::ad.-.:b.:i.cb.ral.a.t:e to Ola f:::..she::'es
and.a.crua::::'c h.a.bj.:..a.:t:of t::a Su,siz::::.a :t;'VC'Basi.:::1 a.:c.d ocer i::pac::ed d.:~gas.
CQuduc:r s';)ee:ia.l.s'tuci:f..es -.:b.U!!:a.ec:.essa::1:7 a.:c.d analy:e.Conduc::ll:e.:at:u:e.
:esaa:rc.:r.to obt..a.i::l.aqua;t:!.c i.:r.pac:.:data rs.l.a:t~g to e:::s::::.st:i.:l.g and :"::OPOS ed
c.yci:'ce.J.ac:t='c.P'r~j ec::s 0
Cond~~P'r~'~H~~ary sita
a:n.aJ.ysis.Detailed site
yea::::s o£e;':!.s s t:'t::d.y •
s-u:rvays T"iru.cll i:l.c:.l':.:de 'l:'ac:ott:::l..2.issa:.cs and :0';'0 g=a?hie.
~urveys a:c.d a.n.a.l7S:'.s w"'i.ll begi::L i::l tile,l.a.s~t""...o
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?'!79
IT 80
:?!Sl
TI 82
Rec:an-aissanc:a and eopog::'aphic:a:alys~
CQUduc.:l:!.'I:erar:u:r a =as e.a.rc:h a.:c.d r evie.......
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CO'tlt::!.:::l.ue p1:'S'~..:ti"ttar:r s:'ca su...-;eys.
Aaaly:e.data.a:::.d ide:o,r-!;;"pote.!ltial a:eas
COt1t::i:J.ue li:e:atu=a se..a.::-c:=t and.re'ria~.
Rep01:'~an findings.
Detailed sits sur7e7s.
Analyzs surveys.
C.:mt:::!.=.ue.Ut,erat:"..:J:'s sea.::C and.::ev"i.:".J.
:or ....,~..-/-~t:':~....,---::!I-_.........
::raJ COt1:-I-"e ciata.ile.d si:e su...,-;eys at:.d ll:er:a.:-.:.:a se.a.rc:~a.:::.ci
~eview.
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Along'the
Moose Movements and Habitat Use
Upper Susiena River--A P~el1minary
Potential Impacts of the Devils
Canyon Hydroelectric P~oject
by
Kenton 1'.Taylor
and
W'an'enB'~Bal1ard'
Alask.aDepa'r-trmen·~of-F4,shand-Game
Division of Game
Robert A.Rausch,Director
March 1978
Study of
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CONTENTS
Summar7'
Background.
Description of Area
Procedures.
Findings •
Numbers of Moose Captured.
MO'ITemencs.
Devil Mountain Area
Watana Creek.
Susitna-Bend Area
Maclaren River Area
Habitat Use.
Discussion.
Conclusions
Recom:mendations
Ackno~ledgements.
Literature Cited.
Appendi.."'t I.
Appendi:~II
Page
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26
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39
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SUMMA.R.Y
During Oc~ober 1976 and March 1977,18 radio and 21 visual collars
.were placed on moose along the Susitna Riv~r from the mou~h of the
Maclaren River downs~raam ~o Devil Creek.Radio tracking flights over
13 months yi~lded 270 observa~ions of radio-collared moose.Visual
collars were located 43 times.Movements were slight for radio-collared
...2moosebetweenJayCreekandDevilMountain,generally W'ithin 48 k:m •
One visual collar from Devil Creek was seen near Lone Bu~~e,84 k:m eas~
of her ~agging loca~ion.Movements·of moose collared eas~of Jay Creek.
were substantially longer,and migra~ions up to 103 km.were observed.
Radio-collared moose were found most often (70 percent)in spruce dominated
habita~s during all seasons.Seven of the.eight cows that had calves
gave bir~h in spruce vegetation.The bend of the Susitna River from
Goose Creek to the mouth QfIy-<:me River 'Was iden~ified as.i.mpor~ant~
.~ter habitat for moose from many areas of the Susitna River drainage.
L9wer elevations along the Susitna River were round to be impor~ant as
bo~h wintering and ~alving areas for residen~populations,par~icularly
_ci1)._t1i~~c:lt1th:s_:!.4~,e.a.,§.t:.Qf Sl;ePhaIl Lake.Collared moose crossed the
-~fus:fl:na a.1II.iJi~of 26 times during this st''U,dy,15 of ...hich were across
that por~ion which would be inundated by dam construction.
Movement data gathered over a period of only 13 months are insufficient
to accurately delineate separate ~oose populations.Evidence to date
suggests that moose from many portions of the Susitna River drainage
utilize habitats adjacent to or portions of the area which will be
flooded by dam construction.Intensive vegetative studies and research
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on lD.ovements both upstream and downstream are needed"'to adequately
assess the impacts of the proposed construction (Append~t II).
BACXGROUND
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II
Feasibility studies on providing hydroelectric power from the
Susitua.River to the railbelt area of southcentral Alaska have been
conducted since 1948.Potential dam sites were identified by the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation,the Alaska Power Administration and the Henry J.Kaiser
Company.Propose~hydroelectric projects have included from 2 to 12
dams within the Susicna River basin,'along with associated maintenance
facilities and transmission lines to Anchorage and Fairbanks (Dept.of
Arm:y 1975).
The Devils Canyon-Watana dam system has been selected by the Army
(j .Corps of Engineers as the most viable of several alternatives (Fig.1).
,This system would theoretically provide 6.1 billion kilowatt-hours of
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electrical power annually from a dependable capacity of 1,568 megawatts
(}~y Corps of Engineers 1975).The Devils Canyon dam would be a concrete
structure 193 m high,and the Watana dam would be a rock fill impoundment
rising 247 m ~bove the river bottom.A 103 km road from Chulitna to the
Watana site including a 198 m bridge across the Sus tina would be constructed
for transporting materials and personnel to the dam sites.Five hundred
eighty-sL~km of transmission line corridors,57-64 m w~de,would be cut
across the mountains between Anchorage and Fairbanks.Warehouses,
II1,.1 vehicle storage.buildings and per::nanent living quarters f,ol'ould be erected
at the dam sites.The total projected cost of completing this project