HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA395SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
SUBTASK 7.11: FURBEARERS
PHASE I REPORT
APRIL, 1982
Teue1hial
E nvitonmental
Speci"lilt1, Inc.
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SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
FURBEARER STUDIES .
PHASE I REPORT
To:
TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL· SPECIALISTS, INC.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
Philip S. Gipson
GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWS:
Steven W. Buskirk
T. Winston Hobgood
ALASKA COOPERATIVE
WILDLIFE RESEPJtCH LTNIT
April 1982
ARLIS
Alaska Resources
Library&. InformatiOn Servtces
Anchorage, Ataska
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY Page
LIST OF TABLES --------------------------------------------------i
LIST OF FIGURES -------------------------------------------------ii
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT -----------------------~---------------~----1
1 -INTRODUCTION -----------------------------------------------3
1.1 Objectives for Phase I --------------------------------3
1.2 Tasks performed during Phase I ------------------------3
2 -METHODS ----------------------------------------------------4
2.1 Literature Review --------~----------------------------4
2.2 Personal Interviews and Special Site Surveys ----------4
2.3 Fox Den Surveys ---------------------------------------4
2.4 Live Trapping and Radio..,-telemetry Studies of Foxes ----6
2.5 Tracking Foxes in Snow--------------------------------6
2.6 Fox Food Habits Studies -------------------------------6
2.7 Reactions of Foxes to Human Disturbances--------------9
2.8 Live Trapping and Radio-telemetry Studies of Marten ---9
2.9 Activity Patterns of Marten ---------------------------10
2.10 Tracking Marten in Snow -------------------------------10
2.11 Marten Food Habits Studies ----------------------------10
2.12 Muskrat and Beaver Surveys Upstream from Gold Creek ---10
2.13 Aerial Transects --------------------------------------11
2.14 Furbearer Surveys Downstream from Devil Canyon -------11
3 -RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF BASELINE STUDY -------------------13
3.1 Literature Review -------------------------------------13
ARLIS
Alaska Resources
L'~rary & lnformat10n Servtces
/!.. nr horage, Alaska
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3.2 Fox Dens ----------------------------------------------13
3.3 Radio-telemetry Studies of Foxes ----------------------17
3.4 Fox Habitat Relationships -----------------------------30
3.5 Fox Population Estimates ------~-----------------------37
3.6 Fox Food Habits --------------------------~------------39
3.7 Reactions of Foxes to Human Disturbance ---------------41
3.8 Radio-telemetry Studies of Marten ---------------------44
3.9 Activity Patterns --------------------~----------------55
3.10 Muskrat and Beaver Surveys Upstream from Gold Creek---55
3.11 Muskrat and Beaver Furbearer Surveys Downstream
from Devil Canyon -------------------------------------62
3.12 Aerial Transects Surveys for Furbearer Sign -----------62
3.13 Otter and Mink Surveys --------------------------------65
3.14 Other Furbearers --------------------------------------68
4 -ANTICIPATED IMPACTS UPON FORBEARERS -------------------------69
5 -MITIGATION --------------------------------------------------73
REFERENCES ------------------------------------------------------73
AUTHORITIES CONTACTED -------------------------------------------75
APPENDIX I RADIO-LOCATION DATA -FOX ---------------------------77
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LIST OF TABLES
Page
1. Fox den classification scheme ----------------------------------------7
2 . Sample fox trail data sheet ------------------------------------------8
3. Background data for captured fox -------------------------------------16
4. Home ranges of red foxes in the Susitna study area -------------------31
5. Home ranges of red foxes studied in other states ---------------------32
6. Red fox and vegetation association determined by snow tracking -------33
7. Vegetation types in which trails of red foxes were noted during
1980 aerial transect surveys -----------------------------------------34
8. Red fox and vegetation associations determined by radio locations 35
9. Tracks of red foxes encountered during fall 1980 aerial transect
surveys -----------------~--------------------------------------------36
10. Trapper export of red fox, 1976-1981. Selected locations ------------38
11. Population densities of red foxes reported in mid-western states during
spring and densities noted during spring in the upper Susitna Basin --40
12. Fox reactions to human disturbances ----------------------------------42
13. Marten radiolocations, number of radiolocations by individual
animal and season ----------------------------------------------------45
14. Seasonal home range sizes (km 2 ) of radiocollared marten _________ _:. ____ 53
15. Characteristics of marten winter resting sites -----------------------54
16. Results of surveys for muskrat pushups, spring 1980 ------------------58
17. Occurrence of beaver signs along three sections of the lower Susitna
River ------------------------~-------------------------------------~-63
18. Preliminary tabulation of autumn 1980 aerial transect data. Species
by vegetation type ---------------------------------------------------64
19. Preliminary tabulation of autumn 1980 aerial transect data. Species
by transect number ---------------------------------------------------66
20. Results of otter and mink surveys, Susitna River, 10 November -
12 November 1980 -----------------------------------------------------67
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LIST OF FIGURES
1.
Page
Susitna Basin study area map -----------------------------------------5
2. Aerial transect and otter-mink sample point map ----------------------12
3. Fox den location map -------------------------------------------------15
4. Radio locations of foxes captured at the Swimming Bear Lake den, 1981-19
5. Radio locations of foxes captured at the Deadman Creek den, 1981 23
6. Radio locations of foxes captured at the Deadman Lake den, 1981 ------24
7. Radio locations of adult male fox captured at the Clarence Lake
den, 1981 -------------~-----------------------------------------~----26
8. Radio locations of foxes captured at the East Fork Watana Creek
den, 1981 -----------------------------~------------------------------27
9. Dispersal of two young foxes and locations of their natal dens, 1981--29
10. Radio locations of marten, spring 1981 -------------------------------46
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11. Radio loca\. .... '11s of marten, summer 1981 --------------~----------------47
12. Radio locations of marten, autumn 1981 -------------------------------48
13. Polygon home range perimeters of radio-collared marten, spring 1981 --49
14. Polygon home range perimeters of radio-collared marten, autumn 1981 --50
15. Polygon home range perimeters of radio-collared marten, summer 1981 --51
16. Home range shifts of an adult male marten, spring 1981 ---------------52
17. Activity patterns of radio-collared male marten, autumn 1980 ---------56
18. Activity patterns of radio~collared male marten, spring 1981 ---------57
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SUMMARY
During 1980 and 1981, a variety of.methods were employed to assess
furbearer populations in the vicinity of the proposed impoundments
and also downstream. Foxes and marten were e~uipped with radio
collars and relocated at fre~uent intervals. The diets of foxes and
marten were studied by following trails in snow, collecting food remains
at dens and gross analysis of scats and stomach contents. Furbearer
populations were also assessed through the use of 14 aerial snow transects.
Beaver and muskrats were surveyed in the upper basin in 1980 by the use
of helicopters and from a river boat along the lower river.
The fox population in the study area was low during 1980 and 1981. Fox
numbers have been low in this area since the mid-1970's and it is felt
that their numbers remain consistently low. The population of red foxes
generally increases from Devil Canyon upstream to the mouth of the Tyone
River. Harvests of red fox pelts have generally been highest upstream
from Vee Canyon. Fox dens typically occur between 1,000 and 1,200 m
elevation in areas of rolling hills adjacent to mountains.
Pine marten are locally abundant in the vicinity of the proposed impound-
ments and have historically been important to trappers. Marten are
restricted to elevations below 1,000 m, probably due to the corresponding
restriction of forested vegetation communities. Preliminary estimates
indicate approximately 150 marten are present in the Watana impoundment
area and approximately 55 are present in the Devil Canyon impoundment area .
Populations of beavers and muskrats are present along slow-flowing
sections of most larger creeks, particularly where lakes drain into
streams. Of the 103 lakes and ponds surveyed in the upper basin during
1980, only 27 showed evidence of muskrat overwintering. The farther
downstream from Devil Canyon one moves, the greater is the beaver and
muskrat use of riparian habitats along the Susitna River. As the river
becomes more braided the greater is the abundance of beavers .
In the upper basin, mink tracks were observed along all major tributary
creeks below 1,200 m in elevation and near some streams and lakes.
Tracks of river otters were sighted along the Susitna River, on tributary
creeks to 1,200 m elevation, and around Stephan and other large lakes.
Coyotes occur in the study area, but their distribution is generally
restricted to areas downstream from Devil Canyon. No coyotes or their
tracks were observed by the furbearer team. Lynx occur in the study area
but their distribution is very limited. Lynx tracks were only found near
the mouth of Goose and Jay creeks and along portions of Goose Creek. The
distribution of lynx was probably limited by, and restricted to, pockets-
of snowshoe hares. Short-tailed weasels are locally abundant in the study.
area. Observations also suggest that least weasels occur sparsely
throughout the study area.
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The two impoundments will eliminate a large amount of terrestrial furbearer
habitat. The species that will be most severely impacted from this loss
is the marten due to their high dependence upon forested habitats along the
Susitna River and its tributaries. Flooding may also reduce the carrying
capacity of the region for foxes. Flooding may eliminate the few lynx
that are present along the Watana impoundment. Other project components
will also reduce the habitat available to furbearers. Some species _could
be negatively impacted by improper disposal of garbage and illegal feeding
by workers. Projected changes in the flow rates of the Susitna River down-
stream from the Devil Canyon impoundment could result in marked changes in
aquatic furbearer habitat. Reduced circannual water level fluctuations
could conceivably create a water flow regime more favorable to muskrats
and beavers.
In general, little can be done to directly mitigate the habitat losses
that will take place .. Due to the nature of the vegetation communities
that will be lost, there are no management options available to create
suitable compensatory habitat. Some mitigation options such as restoration
of temprary use areas and prevention of illegal feeding can be employed
to avoid or minimize the negative consequences of these aspects of the
project.
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PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
In the proposed plan for full basin development, two major reservoirs
will be formed. The larger reservoir extends 48 miles upstream of the
Watana site and has an average width of about one mile and a maximum
width of 5 miles. The Watana reservoir has a surface area of 38,000
acres and a maximum depth of about 680 feet at normal operating level.
The Devil Canyon reservoir is about 26 miles long and one-half mile
wide at its widest point. A surface area of 7,800 acres and a maximum
depth of about 550 feet represent conditions at normal operating level.
Staged development is planned. An initial installation of 680 MW
of capacity at Watana will be available to the system in 1993 and 340 MW
will be added in 1994. If the mid-range forecast in growth in energy
demand is realized, Devil Canyon will be completed by 2002 with an
.installed capacity of 600 MW.
The Watana dam will be an earthfill structure with a maximum height
of 885 feet, a crest length of 4,100 feet, and a total volume of about
62,000,000 cubic yards. During construction, the river will be diverted
through two concrete-lined diversion tunnels, each 38 feet in diameter,
in the north bank of the river. Upstream and downstream cofferdams will
protect the construction area. The power intake includes an approach
channel in rock on the north bank. A multi-level, reinforced concrete,
gated intake structure capable of operating over a full 140-foot drawdown
range will be constructed •
The Devil Canyon dam will be a double-curved arch structure with a
maximum height of about 645 feet and a crest elevation of 1463 feet.
The crest will be a uniform 20-foot width and the maximum base width
will be 90 feet. A rock-fill saddle dam on the south bank of the river
will be constructed to a maximum height of about 245 feet above foundation
level. The power intake on the north bank will include an approach
channel in rock leading to a reinforced concrete gate structure which
will accommodate a maximum drawdown of 55 feet. Flow construction will
be diverted through a single 30-foot diameter concrete-lined pressure
tunnel in the south bank. Cofferdams and the diversion tunnel provide
protection during construction against floods.
About 2 1/2 years of average streamflow is required to fill the
Watana reservoir. Filling will commence after dam construction proceeds
to a point where impoundment concurrent with continued construction can
be accommodated. Post-project flows will be lower in summer and higher
in winter than current conditions. As one proceeds downstream of the
project, differences between pre-and post-project flow conditions
become less pronounced, as the entire upper basin contributes less than
20% of the total discharge into Cook Inlet.
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The selected access plan consists of a road from a railhead at Gold
Creek to Devil Canyon on the south side of the river. At Devil Canyon
the road crosses the Susitna and proceeds east to the Watana site on the
north side of the river. The plan also includes access by road connecting
Gold Creek to the Parks Highway. Limited access between Gold Creek. and
the Watana site by way of a pioneer road will commence in mid-1983.
Road access from the Parks Highway will be deferred until after award
of a federal license for the project, and the pioneer road will be
rendered impassable if the project does not proceed.
The selected transmission line route associated with the Susitna
project roughly parallels, but is not adjacent to, the access route
between Gold Creek and the Watana dam site. At Gold Creek,.it connects
into the Railbelt Intertie. Between Willow and Anchorage, the route
extends in a southerly direction to.a point west of Anchorage, where
undersea cables will cross Knik Arm. Between Willow and Healy, the
route would utilize the transmission corridor previously selected by the
Power Authority for the Railbelt Intertie.
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1 -INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes the progress made during Phase I investigations
of furbearers.
Phase I studies were designed to determine probable impacts of the
proposed Susitna Hydroelectric project upon the following species of
furbearers: ·red fox, Vulpes fulva; coyote, Canis latrans; lynx, Lynx
canadensis; mink, Mustela vison; pine marten, Martes americana; river
otter, Lutra canadensis; short-tailed weasel, Mustela erminea; least
weasel, Mustela nivalis; muskrat, Ondatra zibethica and beaver, Castor
canadensis.
1.1 Objectives for Phase I
The specific objectives of Phase I studies were as follows:
(a) Determine general abundance of each species in the study area.
(b) Assess habitat preferences of each species.
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(d)
1.2
of habitats for each species.
Project the probable impacts of the proposed development on each
species.
(i) Assess likely changes in habitats from the proposed action •
(ii) Project changes in abundance of furbearers.in response to
habitat changes.
(iii) Predict other, non-habitat related impacts upon furbearers.
Tasks performed during Phase I'
(a) Reviewed literature.
(b) Familiarized the study team with the study area.
(c) Designed a sampling scheme for the impoundment zones, areas adjacent
to the impoundments, and downstream areas •
(d) Conducted baseline surveys of furbearer populations and furbearer
and habitat relations.
(i) Generated information on activity patterns and home ranges of
furbearers.
(ii) Provided information on furbearer distribution and general
movement patterns.
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(iii) Determined seasonal use of habitats by furbearers.
(e) Consulted with residents, trappers, scientists, government officials
and others who were knowledgeable of the Susitna area or similar
areas, or knowledgeable in disciplines pertinent to our research.
(f) Developed close working relations with other teams conducting
studies related to probable impacts of the hydroelectric project
upon resources.
(g) Provided information as needed to aid in developing recommendations
for mitigation and development proposals including alternative
access routes, borrow sites and transmission line corridors.
(h) Participated in public meetings and provided information to the
media as appropriate and as approved to inform the public about
progress of the study.
2 -METHODS
The study area for this project was defined as the proposed impoundment
zones, land and water areas within 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of the
impoundment zones and the downstream flood plain to Delta Islands (Figure
1). Aerial surveys of furbearers were conducted downstream to Cook
Inlet.
2.1 Literature Review
Literature searches were conducted throughout Phase I studies. Computer
bibliographic searches as well as manual searches of literature, indices
and private reprint libraries were employed.
2.2 Personal Interviews and Special Site Surveys
Interviews were conducted with trappers, fur buyers, agency officials
and residents of the upper Susitna basin to gather information on present
and past furbearer population levels and harvests. Trappers in the area
provided information on the trapping history of the area and supplied
carcasses for studies of food habits and age structure. Emphasis was
placed on verifying reports of furbearer den sites and reports of furbearers
known to be uncommon in the area such as lynx and coyotes. Special
surveys were conducted of areas where local concentrations of furbearers.
were suspected O+ where project construction activities such as borrow
site excavation or access corridors could cause severe localized impacts.
2.3 Fox Den Surveys
Aerial surveys were conducted, primarily early in the study, to locate
fox dens. Dens located were classified according to size and apparent
or actual use. Orientation of the den, number of entrances ~nd proximity
to water were noted. Locations were recorded on USGS 1:63,360 scale
maps.
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KILOMETERS
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Figure 1. Susitna Hydroelectric Project with the furbearer study area
indicated by hatching •
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In addition, locations of fox dens reported by other TES and ACRES
researchers were verified and plotted on maps.
Active and inactive dens, other than study dens, were surveyed periodically
throughout the summer months for changes in activity patterns. Use
patterns of dens in 1980 and 1981 were recorded. Dens were classified
according to the type of use by foxes (Table 1).
2.4 Live Trapping and Radio-telemetry Studies of Foxes
Red foxes were trapped with #1 or #0 single long spring traps or #1 jump
traps. A variety of sets were utilized, primary of which was an unbaited,
unscented "blind" set. Captured foxes were anesthesized with 1/3 to 3/4
ml of hetamine hydrochloride, depending on size. Standard measurements
were taken and each fox was fitted with a radio-transmitting collar of
either Telonics or AVM manufacture and released. Five small pups were
fitted with AVM expandable collars which allow for growth of the animals.
Radio-collared foxes were located from the ground using hand-held yagi
antennas and from the air with a four-element yagi mounted on a Bell 206
Jet Ranger helicopter. Date, time, elevation, and vegetation type were
record_ed for each location. A Telonics TR-2 receiver with scanner was
used in both instances. Radio-collared foxes were sighted in most
cases.
Fox locations were plotted on 1:63,360 scale USGS maps. Minimum home
range sizes were determined by connecting outer-most location points
with straight lines. Area was then obtained with a compensating polar
planimeter.
2.5 Tracking Foxes in Snow
Snow tracking was initiated in order to determine fox habitat relationships
as well as the importance of snow cover characteri·stics in influencing
fox movements and hunting activities.
Fox trails in the snow were followed in the winters of 1980-81 and 1981-
82. When fresh snow was present, trails were followed on foot or from
snowmachine or helicopter. When followed on foot or snow shoes, each
fox trail was sampled every 150 paces for snow depth, snow hardness,
vegetation, elevation, physiography, activity of the animal and proximity
to water bodies. Other noteworthy activities of the animal were recorded,
for example, kill sites or scent posts (Table 2 is a sample trail data
sheet) •
2.6 Fox Food Habits Studies
Food habits of red foxes were investigated by examining field sign at
feeding sites, such as dens, by collecting scats at dens and along fox
trails, by examination of food remains in stomachs of carcasses collected
from trappers, and by correlating habitat preferences of small mammals
with habitat utilized by foraging foxes. Scats collected were identified
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Importance
Ranking
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TABLE 1. RED FOX DEN CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.
Den
TY.E,e
Primary
Secondary
Primary
Alternative
Tertiary
Shelter
Descri.E,tion
Active or believed to have been active in
1979, 1980 or 1981.· Natal den. Multiple
burrow system. Believed to have traditional
use. Large dirt mounds at burrow entrances
and wear patterns. Five or more entrances.
Not active in 1980 or 1981. Multiple burrow
system. Large dirt mounds at entrances •
. Wear patterns but obscured to various degrees
by recent vegetative recolonization. Probable
natal den when in use. May be used as a
resting site. Five or more entrances.
Found near primary or secondary sites. Signs
of recent or present use. Two to five entrances
usually. Probably occupied and used primarily
by pups. First pup movements away from natal den
are usually to these sites. Presence of
digging activity.
Usually two to five entrances. Old food remains
and/or scats present. Probably not used in
recent years. May be used as a resting site.
One burrow. Probably used for shelter only.
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Table 2. Sample Fox Trail Data Sheet.
Name of Observer: w. Hobgood Date: 10/11/80
Weather: Partly cloudy To: 20°F
Collared Fox? Yes No X Band Channel ------
Sample Snow
Point Depth Vegetation Physiography
1 2.511 Lake shore/bog Lake shore
rock morph
2 65p. 2.511 II II II II II
3 150 2.5 II II II II II
4 w/in 2.511 II II II II II
12p.
5 150 2.511 II II II II II
6 150 ' 2.5 11 Mat cush exposed II II
boulders/rocks
7 w/in 2.5 11 II II II II II
38p.
8 150 2.5 11 Mat cush exposed II II
field of boulders
9 150 Deep snow II II II II II
10 150 Deep snow Tussocks, some II II
rocks
12 150 Deep snow Mat cush'and II II
shrubs
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Altitude: 3200 MSL Sample Interval: 150 paces
Location: Swimming Bear Lake Date of last snow: 10/ll/80
Within 50 Yds
Prey Specie:s? Lake or Stream? Activi.ty Comments
No Edge of Lake Wandering by edge
of lake
No II II II ---Scent post
No Lake within Walking In areas of deep .
100 yds snow he avoided
it by bounding
from tussock to
tussock
No Lake within, Investigating
100 yds ground sq den
No Within 50 yds Walking
No Within 50 yds Coming down hill Backtracking
along edges snow drift
No Within 50 yds Coming down hill Urine post
along edges
Yes Within 75 yds Coming down knob Investigated
squirrel hole at
144p.
Yes Within 100 yds Hopping along in
deep snow
Yes 125 yds away Investigating Tracks of
grass clump ptarmigan
within 20 yds
Yes 125 yds away Running J:?etermined this
fox observation
Oct. 10 from
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by day, month, year and location to allow for categorizing
detect possible monthly, seasonal, or location anomalies.
part, only fresh scats were collected.
2.7 Reactions of Foxes to Human Disturbances
in order to
For the most
The study team noted reactions of red foxes at dens to overflying aircraft
and to the presence of people on the ground.
2.8 Live Trapping and Radio-telemetry Studies of Marten
Marten were trapped on an opportunistic basis using live box traps
(models 203, 205 a~d 206) supplied by the Tomahawk Live Trap Company,
Tomahawk, Wisconsin 54487. Traps were placed at irregular intervals at
sites accessible on foot, by snow machine or helicopter. A variety of
baits and lures were used, most commonly canned sardines and oil of
anise or wintergreen. The floors of traps were covered with polyethylene
padding to prevent fraying and loss of trapped animals' claws. In wet
or windy weather traps were covered with various material to reduce heat
loss of trapped animals. Traps were checked once per day (in morning)
at air temperatures above 0°C. Between temperatures of -l0°C and 0°C
traps were checked twice daily (in morning and late evening) and traps
were sprung when temperatures fell below -l5°C. Captured animals were
maneuvered into a wire holding cone and immobilized with a mixture of
ketamine hydrochloride, xylazine and atropine sulfate. The animals were
then measured, examined, weighed and affixed with radio collars (A\n1
Instrument Company, Advanced Telemetry Systems).
Radio locations of marten and mink were obtained by helicopter or from
the ground as often as aircraft support and available manpower would
permit. Due to the relatively short life of these small transmitters an
intensive effort was made in the weeks following collaring to determine
home range size and shape, habitat preferences, resting site locations
and activity patterns. Radio-tracking was conducted using an AVM LA-12
and a Telonics TR-2 receiver, the latter equipped with a TS-1 scanner-
programmer. Three-and four-element AVM yagi antennas were utilized for
both aerial and ground locations. Radio locations were recorded on
1:24,000 or 1:63,360 maps. A location error of 200 m was considered
acceptable for marten radio locations. For each marten radio location
made, data on date, time, vegetation types, elevation and visual contacts
were recorded.
Home range sizes were calculated using the minimum area polygon method
and comparing paper range map weights with a paper weight standard.
Seasonal ranges were determined for each animal for which a sufficient
number of locations had been obtained.
A preliminary estimate of marten numbers in winter in. areas that would
be inundated by the Watana and Devil Canyon impoundments was made. The
estimate was based on home range sizes we determined for adult males
(0.147 per km2 ), an assumed 100:100 sex ratio, and the assumption that
65% of the marten present are less than one year old (Archibald 1980).
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The location of marten resting sites was accomplished by three different
means: 1) radio-tracking collared animals to their resting sites;
2) searching red squirrel middens for marten scat accumulations; and
3) by tracking marten to resting sites in very fresh snow. For each
resting site found, data recorded were date, time, location, resting
site type (midden, nest, etc.), vegetation type, elevation, slope,
aspect, number of marten scats found, and air temperature.
2.9 Activity Patterns of Marten
The activities of free-ranging marten were monitored using radio transmitter
signals. Transmitters which were moving varied their signal strength
erratically while stationary collars produced a signal of constant
strength at the receiving antenna. For the purposes of activity pattern
description, telemetry signals were received by a stationary yagi or
whip antenna. Observers either listened to the signals and interpreted
activity, or signals were recorded automatically on a chart recorder.
Signals were sampled for 60 seconds out of fifteen minutes and were
interpreted as either active, inactive or unknown (no signal). During
activity monitor sessions, air temperature was recorded hourly. Activity
data were grouped into one-hour segments and tabulated using the Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (Nie et al. 1975) crosstabs
program.
2.10 Tracking Marten in Snow
Snow tracking of pine marten was undertaken to discern microhabitat
preferences and to correlate specific activities with habitat types.
Fresh marten trails were selected at random and followed. Sample points
were placed at 90-meter intervals. At each sample point the data
recorded were: snow depth, track depth, slope, aspect, vegetation type,
track density in 3.2 m-diameter circle, activity, microvegetation type
(3.2 m-diameter circle) •
2.11 Marten Food Habits Studies
Food habits data for marten and other mustelids were gathered from scats
and gastrointestinal tracts, the latter gathered from trapper-taken
animals. A total of 608 mustelid scats and digestive tracts were collected
and dried •
2.12 Muskrat and Beaver Surveys Upstream from Gold Creek
In spring 1980, just prior to break-up, a survey of lakes and ponds in
the study area was conducted to determine the presence and relative
numbers of muskrats and beavers during the previous winter. Aerial
searches for muskrat push-ups and beaver sign were conducted on three
dates in spring 1980. An initial survey was made on 10 March. Forty-
five lakes and ponds were surveyed on this date, requiring 6.0 hours of
flying time in a Bell 206 helicopter. The snow cover on many lakes was
-10-
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still too deep to permit positive identification of muskrat push-ups. A
second attempt was made on 24 April, however, deep snow was still present
on some lakes. A third attempt was made on 9 May. On this date the
weather was clear and the melt of snow and ice had progressed to a point
that permitted optimum sightings of push-ups. Ninety-seven lakes were
surveyed in 6.9 hours. Lakes surveyed were below 850 meters (2800 feet)
in elevation and they were either within the proposed impoundment zones
or 4.8 km (3 miles) thereof. Lakes within 4.8 km (3 miles) of the
Susitna River were surveyed as far downstream as Gold Creek.
Aerial surveys of muskrat and beaver sign were flown throughout the
upper basin during July 1981.
2.13 Aerial Transects
A system of snow transects was developed to provide a broad overview of
furbearer distribution and habitat preference. The transects are 9.6 km
(_6 miles) long and perpendicular to the river (Figure 2). The transects
extend 4.8 km (3 miles) south and 4.8 km (3 miles) north of the Susitna
River. Fourteen transects at intervals of 9.6 km (6 miles) from Portage
Creek to the Tyone River were surveyed (Figure 2).
To survey the transects, a helicopter carrying two observers and a
person to record observations is flown along the transect at 24-32 kmph
(15-20 mph) at treetop level or the lowest possible altitude, generally
10-20 m (30-60 feet). Tracks of furbearers are observed and counted as
crossed along the flight path. The following are recorded each time the
trail of a furbearer is crossed: the species of the furbearer, the
vegetation type and the 100 foot elevation contour in which the trail
was found. To determine accuracy of track identification, ground truth
checks were conducted on three transects. Team members walked along
transects shortly after the transects were run by helicopter. Data
recorded were the same as those recorded from aircraft.
2:14 Furbearer Surveys Downstream from-Devil Canyon
Furbearer sign and habitat use preferences were inventoried along the
Susitna River from riverboat, during August 1980 from 3 km (1.9 miles)
above the confluence with the Indian River to 4 km (2.5 miles) below the
confluence with the Kashwitna River (Figu~e 1). This survey included
portions of three major river sections below Devil Canyon, including:
(a) Section I. -Devil Canyon to confluence with Talkeetna and Chulitna
Rivers. Characterized by rapid flow, usually single channel, narrow
floodplain with occasional islands covered by stands of mature
forests.
(b) Section II. -Confluence with Talkeetna and Chulitna Rivers to
confluence with Montana Creek. Characterized by meandering chann~ls,
broad floodplain with forested shores and islands.
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Figure 2. Location of aerial transects for furbearers (A(~ and checkpoints for signs of otter and
mink (OM).
-12-
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(c) Section III. -Confluence with Montana Creek to Cook Inlet.
Characterized by broad meandering and braided channels, numerous
sloughs and oxbow lakes, broad floodplain with heavily forested
shores, islands and tributary deltas.
The above sections of the Susitna River were also surveyed from fixed-
wing aircraft during July 1981.
3 -RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF BASELINE STUDY
3.1 Literature Review
Over 350 references relating to furbearers and hydroelectric development
have been collected and reviewed. Only a small portion of this literature
treats impact assessment in northern regions. A symposium in Ottawa,
Ontario on,7 and 8 January 1974, reviewed major hydroelectric projects
in Canada and the impact assessments made for these projects. Proceedings
of this symposium were published in the Journal of Fishery Research
Board of Canada, Volume 32, number 1. Baxter and Glaude (1980) also
reviewed environmental effects of dams and impoundments in Canada.
Probably the most extensive study of impacts of a proposed hydroelectric
project in Alaska was directed at the Rampart Canyon Dam on the Yukon
River (Spurr 1966, Leopold 1966). Recently the Arctic Environmental
Information and Data Center (1980) reported their assessment of probable
environmental effects of constructing and operating the Terror Lake
hydroelectric facility on Kodiak Island. A team working with Konkel
(1980) modified a widely used terrestrial habitat evaluation system for
Alaska and developed a handbook to be used in assessing the importance
of habitats for some Alaskan wildlife species.
Published accounts treating the life requisites of furbearers in Alaska
and probable effects of environmental alterations upon furbearers are
reviewed in the discussion sections of this report treating particular
furbearers.
3. 2 Fox Dens ,
Nineteen fox dens were located and six of these were active during
summer 1981 (Figure 3). Sixteen dens were located north of the Susitna
River. Several dens were concentrated in the Upper Watana Creek and
upper Deadman Creek drainages. There are probably more dens south of
the Susitna River than we located, however, extensive searches were
conducted and no other dens were found. The Stephan Lake -Prairie
Creek area appears to be particularly well suited for red fox dens.
Aspect, physiography and vegetation are more favorable for denning and
hunting on the north side of the river. Fox dens were classified according
to size (number of entrances) and apparent or actual use. This classification
system and description is prese~ted as Table 1. Fox dens located during
this study and their classification are presented in Figure 3.
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Den sites discovered in the Susitna area are characterized by south-
facing slopes, sandy soil, offering a good view of the surrounding area
and by being near water, in most cases adjacent to a lake. Dens of red
foxes typically occur between 1000 m and 1200 m elevation in areas of
rolling hills adjacent to mountains. A lake covering four ha or more or
a creek is usually located nearby. Stanley (1963) discussed the presence
of water as a governipg factor in den selection. All active dens located
were in or near areas of medium to high ground squirrel density. Vegetation
surrounding den sites includes alpine tundra (Dryas-lichen), shrub
tundra (medium and low shrub with tussocks, spagnum dwarf birch, low
willow and ericaceous shrub-sedge) and mat and cushion tundra (Dryas-
sedge, willow and ericaceous shrubs).
Murie (.1944) reported that:
"Red fox dens in McKinley Park were in the open and in the woods,
on sunny knolls far up the slopes, and on the flats. Most of them
were dug in sandy loam ••• "
His findings are similar to ours except that ground and air searches
have thus far failed to produce fox dens in the woods. Allison (1971)
working in Mt. McKinley National Park recorded dens in habitats similar
to the dens we observed. Allison made no mention of woody plants near
dens over 1.2 min height, except alder. Steve Buskirk (pers. comm.), a
Park Ranger for several years in McKinley National Park, stated that
some fox dens did occur in the woods in the Park.
Dens of red foxes usually have a complex of burrow entrances which are
predominantly oriented to_ the south but some entrances· face west. The
number of entrances present per den ranged from three to 27. Murie
(1944) found typical red fox dens in Alaska to have six to 19 entrances.
Dens are found on prominences up to 5 m higher than the surrounding area
which offer a good view of the surrounding area. The soil type is
usually silt and relatively rock-free. One alternative den is generally
located within 200 meters of the main den.
Fox pups remained at den sites into October on our study site. Present
information indicates that foxes in the study area utilized den sites
much later than in-other areas of Alaska. The latest data reported for
foxes at dens in Alaska are August 11 (Magoun, pers. comm.). Allison
(1971) reported that fox families vacated dens by mid-August in Mt.
McKinley National Park. Storm (1972) reported fox families utilized den
sites until late July in the midwest. Storm (1972) found that foxes in
Iowa and Illinois remained together as a family unit into October.
Sheldon (1950) observed that some fox families stayed together until
September and that the latest data of an occupied den were recorded on
July 10, 1947. Sheldon's study area was in central New York. Our
findings in the Susitna area suggest that a period of roughly one month
may pass between abandonment of the den site and dispersal of young. A
period of about three months passed between abandonment of the den site
and dispersal in Storms' (1972) study area in Iowa and Illinois.
-14-
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• Secondary Site
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• Tertiary Site
6 Shetlter Site
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RANGE
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-15-
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TABLE 3. BACKGROUND FOR CAPTURED FOXES.
Fox identifica-Date Location Sex Age Total Weight
tion number CaEtured CaEtured length
4567 8/10/80 Swimming F Juvenile 88.0 3.1
Bear Lake
4615 8/10/80 Swimming M Juvenile 89.0 3.3
Bear Lake
4667 8/10/80 Swimming M Juvenile 42.0 3.5
Bear Lake
4XXX 9/2/80 High Lake -Adult -6.4
' 4590 9/4/80 High Lake M Juvenile 105.0 4.3
4641 11/10/80 Watana F Juvenile? 101.0 5.0
~. 4021 4/1/81 Watana F Adult. 99.1 4.4
4130 4/4/81 Watana M Adult 110.5 5.6
4040 5/2/81 Clarence L. M Adult 114.3 6.0
4280 6/12/81 Swimming M Adult 120.6 6.4
ll,,.._ T .... 1 .. ..-.
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-.., 4181 6/13/81 Swimming F Adult 98.7 4.6
Bear Lake
4060 6/15/81 E. Fork F Adult 81.9 4.4 ,
Watana
-~ 4545 7/15/81 E. Fork M Juvenile 8.4 2.7
Watana
4221 7/17/81 Deadman L. M Adult 113.7 5.9
4493 7/17/81 Deadman L. F Juvenile 88.9 2.9
4442 7/17/81 Deadman L. M Juvenile 89.5 3.1
4515 7/17/81 Deadman L. M Juvenile 86.4 3.3
-, 4641 8/5/81 Swimming M Juvenile 87.9 2.9
Bear Lake
4471 8/5/81 Swimming F Juvenile 81.6 2.9
Bear Lake
4132 8/6/81 Swimming M Juvenile 85.0 2.9
Bear Lake
4100 8/6/81 Deadman Cr. F Juvenile 89.5 3.0
_;.
4080 8/6/81 Deadman Cr. M Juvenile 91.4 2.9
. _.
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Allison (1971) noted that :
" ••• red foxes use homesites only during the small part of each year
when the young are being raised".
This is not the case in our study areas where fox tracks were often seen
during the winter at or near den sites. In most cases, at least one
entrance was kept clear of snow and showed evidence of being entered by
a fox throughout the winter.
3.3 Radio-telemetry Studies of Foxes
1980
Five foxes were fitted with radio collars (Table 3): three juveniles
from the Swimming Bear Lake site, one juvenile from the High Lake site,
and one adult-sized fox from Watana Creek.
Two juveniles dispersed from the Swimming Bear Lake site during the
period 20, 21, 22 September 1980. One juvenile established a territory
in the vicinity of its den. Another established a territory in an
adjacent drainage 2.4 km (1.5 mi.) north of its den. A cross-color
phase juvenile dispersed out of the area. He was last seen at 1:40 p.m.,
22 September 1980, about 2.4 km (1.5 mi.) southeast of the den site.
In 1980, the Swimming Bear Lake area was occupied by a red female adult
and three juveniles, two of which were the red color phase and one a
cross-color phase. When the den was initially discovered in late July,
an adult cross fox was observed on two occasions at the den site. This
fox was believed to be the adult male.
An active den site 2. 4 km (1. 5 mi.) north of High Lake was discovered in
early September 1980 (Figure 3). On 2 September 1980, at least three
separate foxes were se.en at the den: one red, one light red, and one
cross. At 9:30p.m., 2 September 1980, a red adult was captured (fox
No. 4XXX). It weighed 6.4 kg (14 lbs.) and escaped while being measured.
This appeared to be an adult female. Juveniles and adults were difficult
to distinguish due to the large size of the juveniles. It also seems
likely that there were at least two foxes at this site which had almost
identical coloration. Based on observations at that time, it appeared
that one red female and three juveniles (one red, one light red, and one
cross) were occupying the den.
On 4 September 1980 a cross juvenile weighing 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs.) was
captured about 1. 6 km (.1 mi.) east of the den. This animal had lost its
milk canines and the carnassials were erupting. No new tracks or activity
at the den were observed on 3 September or 4 September 1980 and when no
fox signs were observed after subsequent visits to the site, it was
assumed that the den had been vacated. Sheldon (1950) suggested that
dens are abandoned about the time the pups lose their lacteal dentition •
-17-
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1981
Seventeen foxes, seven adults and 10 juveniles were captured in the
study area and radio-collared in 1981. Four of the adults were males
and three were females. Of the pups captured and collared, seven were
males and three were females. Standard measurements, capture dates and
locations and background data are presented in Table 3.
Collared foxes were located as often as possible from the day of capture
to late November when aircraft support became unavailable. Activity
patterns of adults and juveniles at den sites were monitored in late
July, August, September, and October 1981.
Radio locations of 16 foxes collared in 1981 are shown in Figures 4-9.
Denning activities and birth of foxes occurred in May. Use areas of
juveniles, with the den site as its center, increased from mid-June,
when they appeared above the surface of the den, until late October when
dispersal took place. All juveniles collared are thought to have
dispersed completely out of the area. Searches up to 80 km (50 mi.)
away from den sites in late November failed to locate any subadults that
had dispersed.
Two subadults, #4545 male and #4080 male; were tracked 37 km (23 mi.)
and 64 km (40 mi.) respectively as they were dispersing (Figure 9).
Subadults, for the purpose of this study, are defined as foxes less than
one year old whi.ch have abandoned the natal den. Contact with these two
animals was lost shortly after 24 October 1981 and it is assumed that
they dispersed even farther. Most of the subadults were located up to
10 km from their natal dens when dispersing. In one case, a subadult
(#4492) dispersed about 10 km (6.4 mi) and then returned to the den area
before dispersing completely out of the area a few days later (Figure 6).
On 14 January 1982, a trapper reported catching a radio-collared fox
12.8 km (8 mi.) west of Chelatna Lake which lies between the headwaters
of the Kahiltna and the Yentna Rivers, about 32 km west of Petersville
and the Kahiltna glacier region. This fox was #4641, a subadult male
from the Swimming Bear Lake den.· He was captured about 173 km (108 mi.)
southwest of his natal den.
Subadults #4545 and #4080 dispersed across the Susitna River at a time
when freeze-up was in progress and the river was running approximately
50% slush ice. Although #4641 did not necessarily have to cross the
Susitna in order to reach the area where he was killed, he had to cross
the Parks Highway, the Chulitna River and many smaller rivers and creeks;
Storm (1972) felt that large rivers were a barrier to dispersing foxes.
The Susitna River does not appear to be a barrier to dispersing foxes.
However, an impoundment might very well be a barrier and might funnel
dispersing foxes along its shores to the east (Tyone region) and to the
west (Talkeetna area) •
-18-
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suo1~eoo1 pa~aqmnu q~1~ 2urpuodsa~~oo sa~ep uo1~eoo~ ·1961 'uap
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1981
Seventeen foxes, seven adults and 10 juveniles were captured in the
study area and radio-collared in 1981. Four of the adults were males
and three were females. Of the pups captured and collared, seven were
males and three were females. Standard measurements, capture dates and
locations and background data are presented in Table 3.
Collared foxes were located as often as possible from the day of capture
to late November when aircraft support became unavailable. Activity
patterns of adults and juveniles at den sites were monitored in late
July, August, September, and October 1981.
Radio locations of 16 foxes collared in 1981 are shown in Figures 4-9.
Denning activities and birth of foxes occurred in May. Use areas of
juveniles, with the den site as its center, increased from mid-June,
when they appeared above the surface of the den, until late October when
dispersal took place. All juveniles collared are thought to have
dispersed completely out of the area. Searches up to 80 km (50 mi.)
away from den sites in late November failed to locate any subadults that
had dispersed.
Two subadults, #4545 male and #4080 male; were tracked 37 km (23 mi.)
and 64 km (40 mi.) respectively as they were dispersing (Figure 9).
Subadults, for the purpose of this study, are defined as foxes less than
one year old whi.ch have abandoned the natal den. Contact with these two
animals was lost shortly after 24 October 1981 and it is assumed that
they dispersed even farther. Most of the subadults were located up to
10 km from their natal dens when dispersing. In one case, a subadult
(#4492) dispersed about 10 km (6.4 mi) and then returned to the den area
before dispersing completely out of the area a few days later (Figure 6).
On 14 January 1982, a trapper reported catching a radio-collared fox
12.8 km (8 mi.) west of Chelatna Lake which lies between the headwaters
of the Kahiltna and the Yentna Rivers, about 32 km west of Petersville
and the Kahiltna glacier region. This fox was #4641, a subadult male
from the Swimming Bear Lake den.· He was captured about 173 km (108 mi.)
southwest of his natal den.
Subadults #4545 and #4080 dispersed across the Susitna River at a time
when freeze-up was in progress and the river was running approximately
50% slush ice. Although #4641 did not necessarily have to cross the
Susitna in order to reach the area where he was killed, he had to cross
the Parks Highway, the Chulitna River and many smaller rivers and creeks;
Storm (1972) felt that large rivers were a barrier to dispersing foxes.
The Susitna River does not appear to be a barrier to dispersing foxes.
However, an impoundment might very well be a barrier and might funnel
dispersing foxes along its shores to the east (Tyone region) and to the
west (Talkeetna area) •
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Figure 5. Radio locations of foxes captured at the Deadman Creek den, 1981.
Location dates corresponding with numbered locations appear in
Appendix I. Locations are numbered chronologically.
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Location dates corresponding with numbered locations appear in
Appendix I. Locations are numbered chronologically •
-24-
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Figure 7. Radio locations of adult male fox captured at the Clarence
Lake den, l981. Location dates corresponding with numbered
locations appear in Appendix I. Locations are numbered
chronologically.
-26-
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-29-
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The trapper who captured fox #4641, stated that he had seen no foxes in
that area in 20 years until this year (1981-82 season) when two had been
caught. He attributed the presence of foxes to hard snow conditions and
an unusual number of ptarmigan in the area.
Home ranges for six foxes captured in 1981 and home range found in other
studies and other states are presented in Tables 4 and 5. Summer home
ranges varied from 18.3 to 32.7 km 2 in the Susitna study area and there
appeared to be little difference in the overall summer home ranges of
males and females. Data in Tables 4 and 5 show ranges found for Susitna
foxes are generally three or four times larger than ranges determined
for foxes in other areas. The availability of high numbers of small
mammals and nesting birds in the midwest may account for higher densities
of red foxes in that region compared with the upper Susitna Basin.
3. 4 Fox Habitat Relat.ionships
Fox trails in snow were followed in early and late winter 1980 and 1981.
Trail sampling was hampered by lack of snow, crusted snow, and blowing
snow. Trails were sampled only after fresh snow had fallen in the study
area. Approximately 40 km of fox trails were sampled. Vegetation type
at each sample point was recorded. Results of the vegetation and fox
trail associations are presented in Table 6. These data suggest foxes
may prefer mat-cushion tundra, low shrub, alpine tundra, medium shrub,
and woodland black spruce.
The vegetation types in which fox tracks were encountered during aerial
transect surveys in autumn 1980 are presented on 1able 7. . Table 7
shows fifty percent of all fox tracks were found in medium shrub vegetation.
In addition, 28.6% of fox tracks were located in woodland black spruce
and a scattering of tracks were observed in a variety of other vegetation
types. It should be noted that the aerial transects only extended 4.8
km (3 mi.} either side of the river and therefore did not always extend
into tundra areas that were generally preferred over the river valley by
foxes.
Table 8 summarizes the radio locations of foxes according to the type of
vegetation in which they occurred. Radio-collared foxes were most often
found on rock, medium shrub, alpine tundra and mat-cushion tundra.
Red foxes were found from 516 m:. (1600 ft.) to 1129 m: •. (3500 ft.) mean
sea level. Eighty percent of all fox tracks recorded were located
between 710 m. (2200 ft.) and 1000 m:. (3100 ft.) elevation (Table 9).
Transect data demonstrate a marked increase in numbers of fox tracks
encountered as one progressed upstream from Devil Canyon to the Tyone
River. Table 9 shows that almost twice as many (151 tracks vs. 79
tracks) tracks were located on the south side of the Susitna River when
compared to the north side. However, transects 1 through 11 had almost
even numbers of tracks north and south of the river (67 on the north
side vs. 51 on the south side). All of the north side-south side
discrepancy is accounted for in transects 12 through 14.
-30-
TABLE 4. HOME RANGES OF ADULT RED FOXES IN THE SUSITNA STUDY AREA.
"'
FOX (sex) HOME RANGE (km 2 )
-, /!4021 (female) 26.6
#4040 (male) 32.7
#4280 (male) 28.1
#4181 (female) 31.2
#4221 (male) 19.8
#4060 (female) 18.3 -,
j ---·--·--
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26.9, males
25.4, females
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TABLE 5. HOME RANGES OF RED FOXES STUDIED IN OTHER STATES.
STATE HOME RANGE (km 2 ) REFERENCE
-, Illinois 9.7 Storm (1972)a
Michigan 4.9 Murie (1936)b
Iowa 3.1 Scott (1943) c
Michigan 2.8 Schofield (1960)d
~.
Wisconsin 5.6 Ables (1969)e
Wisconsin 7.1 Pils and Martin (1978)f
Wisconsin 7.9 Pils and Martin (1978)f
-,·
a Average (2.5 X 1.5 mi)
_j b 1200 acres (~ pair)
..., c . d average, est1mate
d average nightly hunting range
.. ./ e male fox
f adult female measured from home range map
.,
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-32-
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TABLE 6. RED FOX AND VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS DETERMINED
BY SNOW TRACKING.
Vegetation type Number sample points Percent of total
Mat and cushion tundra 109 35.6
Low shrub 59 19.3 -,
__J Alpine tundra 43 14.0
Medium shrub 36 11.7
Woodland black spruce 33 10.7
Rock 15 4.9
Sedge grass tundra 6 2.0
--,
Lake 5 1.6
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TOTALS 306 100.0
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TABLE 8. RED FOX AND VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS
DETERMINED BY RADIO LOCATIONS
Vegetation type Number location poin.ts Percent total
Rock 52 29.2
Medium shrub 49 27.5
Alpine tundra 43 24.1
Mat and cushion tundra 27 15.1
Low shrub 5 2.8
Woodland black spruce 2 1.1
TOTALS 178 99.8
-35-
TABLE 9. TRACKS OF RED FOXES ENCOUNTERED DURING
FALL 1980 AERIAL TRANSECT SURVEYS
Elevation (m) Number of fox tracks
North side Susitna South side Susitna
516 -547 1
548 -581 2 4
582 -613 5
614 -645 1
646 -677
678 -709
710 -741 20 2
742 -774 9 6
' 775 -806 10 18
-' 807 -838 -2
839 -870 12 47
871 -902 5 1
903 -935 -38
"'\
936 -967 5 1
.J
968 -1000 7 2
' 1001 -1032 1 -
--" 1033 -1964 -2
' 1065 -1096 3 11
_) 1097 -1129 -15
TOTAL . 79 151
__;;
Transects 1 -11 67 51
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-36-
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This appears to be at odds with the fact that more active dens were
found on the north side of the river. Evidence gathered on dispersing
foxes indicate that subadults from the lower river disperse toward and
into the area of transects 12 through 14 and beyond. Further, collared
foxes which dispersed in this direction crossed the Susitna from the
north to the south side during dispersal. At the upper reaches of the
proposed impoundment fox density was observed to increase markedly. The
south side of the river above Vee Canyon changes from mountainous terrain
to open, marshy flats which are characteristic of good fox habitat.
Transects were flown in mid-November, a time which has been documented
to be a major period of fox dispersal, including some movement of adults
to winter ranges. The effect of this on transect data is unknown but it
is our belief that this accounts for, at least in part, .some of the
concentrations of foxes observed in some areas. Late winter or early
spring aerial transect surveys are needed to·clarify this matter as well
as additional late fall transects such as the one we conducted.
In summary, foxes in the upper Susitna basin appear to prefer relatively
high elevation areas, usually near or above timberline. Black spruce
flats upstream from Vee Canyon were also commonly used. Searches of the
area by project investigators in late winter and early spring 1980
produced no evidence of foxes along the Susitna River or the lower
elevations along tributaries. Tracks and other signs of foxes were
noted along the banks of the Susitna River in late fall and early winter
1980. Winter snow transect surveys in 1980 produced evidence of utilization
of the shores of the Susitna River in late fall and early winter.
3.5 Fox Population Estimates
Reports from trappers operating in the Susitna area and fur buyers
suggest fox numbers are not high between the Tyone-Susitna confluence
and Devil Canyon. The annual harvest of foxes in the study area has
been low in recent years. One trapper operated in the study area during
winter 1979-80, two in 1980-81, and three in 1981-82. Two foxes were
trapped in the winter of 1979-80, two in the winter of 1980-81, and none
were trapped as of December 1981.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game fur records for five trapping seasons,
1976-81, indicate that trappers exported 2070 foxes from Game Management
Units (GMU) 13, 14, 20 and 25. Trapper export figures reflect numbers
of foxes exported out of Alaska by trappers, usually to out-of-state fur
auctions. Dealer export figures were not used due to transfers of pelts
among dealers from one unit to another for export. Units discussed were
chosen because they represented various types of fox habitat in the
state. Game Management Unit 14 includes the Anchorage area, GMU 20
includes the Fairbanks area, and GMU 25 includes the Ft. Yukon area. At
least some trappers with Fairbanks and Anchorage addresses trap in units
other than those in which they live, therefore these figures may be
somewhat inflated.
-37-
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TABLE 10. TRAPPER EXPORT OF RED FOX 1976-1981
STATE OF ALASKA (SELECTED LOCATIONS)a
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Table 10 indicates that trapper exports from Cantwell, which lies closest
to the study area, comprised approximately 11% of the total five-year
GMU 13 export. Galena, Copper Center, and Glennallen lie relatively
close to each other and comprise 80% of the take. Dean Wilson (pers.
comm.), a fur buyer from Copper Center, purchases many of the foxes in
that area. He indicated that most foxes are taken in the Upper Copper
River -Solo Hills -Maclaren River area and west of Paxson in the
Crossman Lake vicinity in open, marshy country. According to Mr. Wilson,
prime fox habitat decreases from the Maclaren river country into the
Tyone-Oshetna-Susitna areas as flat, open plains dissolve into mountainous,
alpine terrain.
The density of red fox family units in the Susitna study area appears to
be low compared to densities of red foxes in mid-western states (Table 11).
In summer 1981, six active fox dens were found on a 1751 km2 study area
(Figure 3). Two pups were sighted briefly at one den site but neither
the natal den nor a den utilized after the sighting was discovered. So,
we can be relatively confident that at least seven dens were occupied by
fox families during 1981. This is one fox family per 250 km2. Probably,
all dens in the study area were not sighted. If on~ half of all active
dens were found, the figure is one family per 125 km . Correspondingly
if only one-third of the active dens were found, the estimate is one
family per 83 km2 compared to one family per 10 km2 estimates found by
researchers in mid=western states (Table ll). Our estimate of one
family per 83 km2 seems reasonable for the upper Susitna basin in light
of the fact that a variety of other study personnel continually combed
the study area for a period of two years in addition to TES furbearer
biologists and state game biologists.
Based on interviews and this study, the Susitna fox population level at
this time appears to be low relative to good fox areas in Alaska. Dean
Wilson (pers. comm.), who buys furs from most of the area east of the
Susitna study area, believes that fox populations were a little above
average for the last two years and show no signs of dropping off. Herbert
Melchior (pers. comm.), state furbearer biologist in Fairbanks, Alaska,
indicates that fox harvests were high and staying high in some areas of
the state and that the hare population was increasing in other areas
which would result in larger numbers of foxes there. This information
is based on total Alaskan fox pelt exports, results of trapper questionnaires,
and reports by state game biologists. Therefore, although the Susitna fox
population is probably low relative to good fox areas in other parts of
the state, it may be above the average level for the study area.
3.6 Fox Food Habits
The diet of red foxes in the upper Susitna basin was investigated by
direct observation of foraging foxes, following fox trails in snow,
identification of food remains at dens, examination of scats, and examination
of stomachs from foxes taken by trappers. Principal foods during spring
-39-
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TABLE 11. POPULATION DENSITIES OF RED FOXES REPORTED IN
MIDWESTERN STATES DURING SPRING AND DENSITIES NOTED DURING
SPRING IN THE UPPER SUSITNA BASIN.
Location Year(s) Area (kmz) Families/kmz Reference
Eastern Michigan 1942 36 0.1 Shick (1952)
Southeast Iowa 1946-48 10.6 0.1 Scott and Klimstra (1~55)
Central N. Dakota 1969-73 559.4 0.1 Sargeant et al. (1975)
Southern Wisconsin 1972-75 83.7 0.1 Pils and Martin (1978)
Central Alaska 1980-81 1751 .008-.013 This study
a Adapted from Pils and Martin, 1978 •
-40-
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and summer included Arctic ground squirrels and voles, usually red-
backed voles and singing voles. Ptarmigan were taken throughout the
year. Remains of Arctic ground squirrel and ptarmigan were found
during visits to all active den sites in 1980 and 1981, except Swimming
Bear Lake den where no ptarmigan remains were seen. Shrews were commonly
found at den sites but were either whole or in various states of decay.
Murie (1944) mentioned that in Michigan he found that foxes often killed
shrews but rarely ate them. Other remains found at den sites include
muskrat, marmot, and caribou.
Trails in snow indicate that foxes commonly foraged in areas above
timberline frequented by large flocks of ptarmigan. Muskrats are taken
where available and they may be relatively important around large lakes
such as Stephan Lake, Clarence Lake and Deadman Lake. Dispersing young
muskrats and muskrats at push-ups are particularly vulnerable to predation
by foxes. Mr. Edward Powell (pers. comm.), a trapper, reported observing
foxes hunting muskrats at muskrat push-ups on Stephan Lake during winter.
Aerial and ground observation by our study team at Clarence Lake indicate
that foxes visit muskrat push-ups frequently.
Carrion may be important to red foxes in parts of the study area.
Caribou carcasses appear to be the main source of carrion in the Clarence
Lake area where sport hunting is relatively heavy during fall. Two
foxes near Watana Camp fed on remains of a caribou and a moose carcass
through most of winter 1980-81. Two foxes were also observed feeding on
a sheep killed by wolves on the east fork of Watana Creek in October
1981.
Several investigators have found that snowshoe hares are a very important
component in the diets of red foxes. Snowshoe hares are presently
scarce in the Susitna study area and therefore relatively unimportant in
the diets of f~xes. No hare remains were observed at six active fox
dens during summer of 1981 nor at two active dens found in 1980. No
evidence of foxes preying on hares was found during trail sampling of
foxes in 1980 and in 1981.
3.7 Reactions of Foxes to Human Disturbance
Results of disturbances of foxes at dens by helicopter and foot traffic
(Table 12) were not analyzed statistically due to insufficient data in
some blocks. Preliminary conclusions, however, are presented below and
are discussed by the type of disturbance.
Helicopter Disturbance
The proximity of a helicopter t ~ den site less than 30 meters, as well
as 30 to 80 meters often involve,)rash evasive and defensive
behavior from adults as well as juvenile foxes. At 81 to 150 meters and
151 to 300 meters, reactions varied from alert to very excited. The
severity of the "average" reaction decreased as the distance from the
-41-
~
TABLE 12. FOX REACTIONS TO HUMAN DISTURBANCES AT DEN SITES.
Number of Encounters by Reaction Type(a)
Distance (m) 1 2 3 4 5
HELICOPTER DISTURBANCE
Juveniles
0 -30 0 1 7 1 0
31 -80 0 32 23 0 0
81 -150 8 9 8 0 0
151 -300 8 4 5 0 0
301 -400 2 2 0 0 0
Adults
0 -30 0 0 0 0 0
31 -80 0 0 1 1 0
-.
81 -150 0 1 0 1 0
1 <:: 1 _ 'lnn 1"\ 1 0 1 0 ..L...I..L -.JVV v
., 301 -400 0 0 0 0 0
FOOT TRAFFIC DISTURBANCE
' Juveniles
_)
0 -30 0 6 1 1 3
31 -80 1 1 0 0 0
81 -150 1 0 1 3 0
151 -300 0 3 0 0 0
-' 301 -400 0 0 0 0 0 --
~
Adults
--" 0 -30 0 0 0 0 0
-, 31 -80 4 2 0 0 1
..... 81 -150 0 1 0 1 0
151 -300 0 0 0 0 0
301 -400 0 0 0 0 0
-"
a -reaction type
..J 1 -ignore, observe casually
2 -alert, stand up
-~ 3 -crouch, run back and forth, enter den
4 -run, evasive maneuvers
5 -run, warning barks
-42-
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animal increased. Between 301 and 400 meters, reactions of juveniles
were less intense, more an attitude of alert curiosity than of imminent
danger. It seems apparent from data collected and from den site observations
that reactions of juvenile foxes to helicopters are negligible at distances
(whether ground or air distances) over 500 meters.
The reaction of adult foxes to helicopters at den sites was somewhat
different. Although observations were limited, they suggest that reactions
of adults may be more extreme at longer distances than for pups. Two
reactions were recorded where adults moved away from the den site when
a helicopter was approximately 1600 m (1 mi.) distant and at an altitude
of 300 to 400 m. Reactions such as these may account for the low success
achieved in attempting to observe reactions of adult foxes to helicopters.
Also, many of the adults were radio-collared and therefore were often
located away from the den site by an antenna-equipped helicopter. Radio
location by helicopter probably increased fear and anxiety of adults to
helicopter sounds~ In addition~ adults in general were found to be far
more alert and faster reacting to potential danger than pups. Reactions
to over-flying helicopters during radiolocation also varied considerably
among adults. It is possible that young foxes and possibly adult foxes
become acclimated to helicopter over-flights and that the severity of
reaction to helicopters decreases with continued exposure.
li'nl'"'l+ fTI.,.o.P..P~,.. ..... ....,.....,v .&...I. f;.ol,o..&..&...&..l..,.
Based on a few observations it appears that foxes are far more tolerant
of foot traffic than of helicopters. In comparing reactions to foot
traffic vs. helicopter over-flights (Table 12), it is noticeable that
both juveniles and adults react less drastically to people on foot, and
at closer distances~ than to helicopters. This is almost intuitive
when one considers the number of fox dens located near dwellings, farms,
and even construction facilities in some cases (Gipson~ pers. comm.).
Juveniles became aware of humans approaching the den site at 100 to 200
meters. Adults were usually aware of human presence at 400 to 500
meters in open country. Adults reacted to human disturbances at 100 to
150 meters by moving away from the den and barking warnings. This
response was probably an attempt to lure intruders away from the den.
Dens were repeatedly disturbed by humans during our study. Foxes were
captured and released~ scats were collected, and recording units were
placed at den sites and serviced. No dens were abandoned during the
study. In the Fairbanks area, den density is apparently higher than
in the Susitna study area. Often~ dens visited in the Fairbanks area
will be abandoned quickly after a single visit by humans (Guthrie,
pers. comm.). This is probably due to the availability of alternative den
sites nearby whereas alternative den sites in the Susitna study area
are widely spaced in most cases with one site being just as secure as
-43-
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the next. Also, due to the elevation and vegetation in the study area,
excellent visibility of the surrounding area is to be had at. every den
site located, possibly contributing to the security of the denning
foxes. Many den sites in the Fairbanks area are located in marshy,
brushy areas and on tree-covered pingos where the view of the surrounding
area is much less than the study area. A pingo is an ice heave which
creates a mound of debris and dirt.
3.8 Radio-telemetry Studies of Marten
Seventeen marten were captured in live traps 23 times and equipped with
20 radio collars. Excluding those animals for which inadequate data
were gathered, the number of radio locations obtained by animal and
season, are presented in Table 13. For the purpose of this tabulation
and other seasonal determinations, the seasons are defined as follows:
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
=
=
March-May
June-August
September-November
December-February
Home ranges of marten (for which there are sufficient data) are presented
in Figures 10-16. These range perimeters indicate that marten establish
home ranges, but that fidelity to home ranges varies considerably. Home
ranges of adult male marten were in almost all cases mutually exclusive •
Overlap of home ranges of marten of different sex/age classes is common.
Marten rarely cross bodies of water which require them to swim. The
Susitna River and larg~r tributary creeks form partial home range boundaries
for many marten.
Seasonal home range sizes of radio-collared animals are presented in
Table 14. Two sets of totals are presented, one including data gathered
from animals 514 and 515, the other excluding these data. Animals 514
and 515 had unusual home ranges. Each animal possessed a home range
with two nodes separated by a distance greater than the diameter of
either node. The minimum area polygon method of home range size determination
does not accurately indicate true home range size for this type of home
range and tends to bias home range size upwards. ·
Marten were found to rest below ground during late autumn, winter and
early spring months. The characteristics of marten winter resting sites
are presented in Table 15. Of 37 marten resting sites found during the
study, 26 (70%) were active red squirrel middens, two (5%) were inactive
red squirrel middens, three (8%) were red squirrel grass nests in white
spruce trees and six (16%) were burrows or holes of unknown origin in
soil. All of these resting sites were in forest or woodland vegetation
types •
Martens rest above ground during summer months. Soil temperatures are
lower than air temperatures then, and the relative humidity in subter-
rainean chambers is probably near saturation. Marten radio-tracked on
-44-
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1
Table 13. Marten radio locations. Number of radio locations by individual animal
and season.
Marten
number
(sex) Autumn 80 Spring 81 Summer 81 Autumn 81 Totals
044 (male) -- ----8 8
' 045 (female) ----11 11 --
126 (male) --27 13 --40
128 (male) --39 6 46 91
200 (male) ------42 42
512 (male) --37 11 49 97
"' 514 (male) --46 ----46
~ v
515 (female) --40 3 --43
516 (male) 5 ------5
.J 517 (male) --23 12 --35
" 518 (male) 22 ------22
519 (.male) 18 ---- --18
520 (male) 32 ------32 .,
654 (female) ------34 34
.~
655 (female) ------36 36 .,
Total (females) 0 40 3 81 124
Total (males) 77 172 42 145 436
.}
TOTALS 77 212 45 226 560
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Figure 10. Radio locations of marten, spring 1981.
-46-
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Figure 11 , ' • Radio • '
~1,'"·~·-r --.v;-~Ooo . \ . : ~· \ • ..
;• .I / , ' :· •:. \~-:-~ •
locations of marten, summer 1981.
21
-47-
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Figure 12. Radio'1ocations of marten, autumn 1981.
-48-
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Figure 13~ Polygon home range perimeters of radio-collared marten, spring 1981.
(n=number of locations within perirneter).
-49-
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\, .J '-' .. ,·
----
'[-' t:'' .Ll I ' '\ (" --,. I , \. ' t,
' ' 1 -' ' J · I , -· -•-1 ,• cc l ' ,
--. ' : A ' -' -~ I ~~---~~:::>~~'[· .,·· ~ .;cc·l~~-;-, '
. --------~\ J . .....q::-· --' .·
: (7::;·-...... .
; \;\ ,-:'• I , .. · ~ ' .. _ _,..,, J \·~
~•oo ' ' I
J.l IH
z.1uo·
r:-· l"'" 0 2
~II.~OM TERS .· l, ~ ;. :
j
/
/-
.I
2
R.Joo
_,J '
--t .. \
r.J .,
1
_:. · .. /
' L' /
! . /
;' . .., /
. I /
' ··1
/
/
~
•.,, •-\ '.:. ...
/\ -~-·
\ '
-\7
'\.1
u I
()
Figure 14. Polygon home range perimeters of radio-collared marten, autumn 1981.
locations within perimeter).
-50-
. !
I j \i
I
I
J 'I I ,_ ',. , .. J
I . I; ' . ~
'4-i-' '---/. '~> , ·. i.'T-J ·(
. i . --'4(,-' ·. ·.------' '..r .:1!,. <;' 9 8 . .:-_-~
f '
-r' /-"'
I ,_
. ..--~
16
-654 ~n=~t-
....,,_,.,
',
-,
:21
I
f \r"-, J I I'
r---
(n=:number of
\. .· L L ... r
I
•r,~
.~ J~\
;'<' ;/ "
\"' ·'~>+
I' . I ,
/;'
~.;'' 24 ~~-rP
,,tl'
··r
\ 'l
L-.J
k.,.
·,
I
]'l
l --!
0 . '' 2 KILt)MtTERSs
j :' / /1 I ,.. ..
.. -~/ I
.... J.J ' \, " . ) l, ' ' ,! ] l. ) ... .!
.
/
. :I
\ I
'; ) )
51'i i
. \ ( 'jl ' \. r ,_· · ..
/\. ' .··),.'·Jf~':/( / jn-1 ''l " ... ::.?-' '
._ :. I,· , '.~ .. j ·, s':.s--=-'"':/(·_.r
, ·, , .. f·.· :•f. -·r,.b.:::
. < i \. ,-. ., . I _.
J'.. . ' •. II I . . )' I . I·/ . ! ' 'I . ~ .:~·-,~: r ···---. ..--.' /)-; .. ~u~:i;. (-.~1.· ,/_;;· /1~ ' .'. ,··1 -• ' ,(1-1 . .-~ . ! .•... I / IG
.I I ~ jl I,
' ' ;>
/ .
/
c.
20
···; '"1•
21
?,;
'I jl -'I
. ~ I ' I ' (.~-"1\·) 1.1·1• I I;\
i ~-:V'l ;:.( ~~~-~•'so,, ' :: .. ' .. ~ . :: •--. . i_..JCIOlJ·-
Figure 15. Polygon home range perimeters of radio-collared marten, summer 1981. (n
number of locations within perimetE=r).
-51-
J "'
-z~-
; ( .J:a~auq:_.J:ad U"j:q~"j:lll. SUO"j::~B-::>01 JO .J:aqmnU=U)
•1861 ~U"j:.J:ds 'ua~.J:Bm a1-em ~1np-e UB JO S~J"J=4S a~UB.J: aillOH •91 a.J:n~l=d
,_
c.
7 E ~ v
r
.--.. -1·-
£_-:. / \.._
i!Si!Z>t I
I r ..
P( I n: <.
~/ ..... ~-.
o~; ___ --
r
_j ~r-~"f~~;· --------,
'· ;'. :,-~~-:~--
Table 14. Seasonal home range sizes (km 2 ) of radio-collared marten.
Marten
Number
(sex) Autumn 80 Spring 81 Summer 81 Autumn 81 X
044 (male) ------------5.98 5.98
045 (female) ------------2.15 2.15
~
126 (.male) ----4.74 9.69 ----7.22
128 (male) ----4.48 ----2.46 3.47
200 (male) -------- ----
13.42 13.42
J 512 (male) ----12.04 7.49 8.57 9.37
514 (male) ----9.95 --------9.95 ..,
515 (female) ----20.56 --------20.56
517 (male) ----7.64 3.86 ----5.66 ..,
518 (male) 4.74 ------------4.74
~ 'l1Q (...,.,,.,, 5.44 c:' I. I
_,~_, \,J...U. ......... -,1 ~---=== ........ ----J•'+'+
520 (male) 4.87 ------------4.87
654 (female) ------------1.09 1.09
,.~ 655 (female) ------------7.90 7.90
_;
Females ----20.56 ----3. 71 7.92 (n=4)
Males 5.02 7. 77 7.01 7.61 7.02 (n=l5)
...;,'
Both Sexes 5.02 9.90 7.01 5.94 7.21 (n=l9)
j
Females(a) ------------3. 71 3. 71 (n=3)
-, Males (a) 5.02 7.23 ----7.61 6~82 (n=l4)
j
Both sexes(a) 5.02 7.23 7.01 5.94 6.27 (n=l7)
' -
·" aExcluding numbers 514 and 515.
"
_..
.,)
-53-
..,
..,
"
../
--'
J
...,
o-,
_J
-,
~J
L,
-,
--4
y.J
_.
_}
......
Table 15. Characteristics of 37 marten resting sites (~utumn, winter and
spring) .
NUMBER
TYPE OF SITE OF RESTING SITES
Red squirrel midden, active
Red squirrel midden, inactive
Red squirrel grass nest, in tree
Burrow in ground
Total
VEGETATION TYPE
Forest, white spruce
Forest, mixed (white spruce-paper birch)
Forest, mixed (white spruce-balsam poplar)
Woodland, mixed (white spruce-black spruce)
Woodland, white spruce
Woodland, black spruce
ASPECT
North
Northeast
East
Southeast
South
Southwest
West
Northwest
None
ELEVATION
x = 56! m (1845 ft.)
Total
Total
Range: 451-722 m (1480-2370 ft.)
SLOPE
X "' 15.3°
Range: 0-45°
-54-
26
2
3
6
37
8
17
1
5
4
2
37
1
1
2
4
10
6
6
1
6
37
% OF TOTAL
70
5
8
16
99
22
46
3
13
11
5
100
3
3
5
11
27
16
16
3
16
100
...,
..,
_)
'
~
:::~
J
l
_;;;
-,
...
-,
_j
-,,
...
.,
"""
-,
.J
~
the ground in summer flee the researcher at his approach, or seek refuge
in white spruce trees, well above ground level. Due to the escape
response of marten above ground it is seldom possible to characterize
marten summer resting sites. Some of these are probably in the branches
of white spruce trees, others are probably in red squirrel nests, in
hollow tree trunks and at the base of spruce trees.
3. 9 Activity Pa.tterns
Activity pattern data for marten were compiled and tabulated for autumn
1980 (n=573) and spring 1981 (n=l207). These data are presented in
Figures 17 and 18 respectively. Data from autumn 1980 strongly suggest
that marten are nocturnal in their circadian activity patterns and have
a peak of activity near 0500 h. Very little activity takes place between
0900 h and 1600 h and what activity does occur during this midday period
probably consists of grooming or other non-foraging activities •
The data from spring 1981 differ markedly. During spring, extremes of
activity and inactivity are less pronounced than in autumn. There is
more activity during afternoon hours, and the total amount of time spent
active is much less.
.3.10 Pine Marten Populations
Pine marten are locally abundant in the vicinity of the proposed Devil
Canyon and Watana impoundments. Information from former and present
trappers indicates that marten have historically been important and are
presently the most economically important furbearer species to trappers
in the vicinity of the impoundment zones. Data from aerial transects
flown in November 1980 indicate that marten are present along the Susitna
River at least as far downstream as Portage Creek and as far upstream as
the Tyone River. , The highest marten densities occur between Devil Creek
and Vee Canyon (see Table 19). Marten were most numerous in coniferous
and mixed forest and woodland habitats below 1000 meters in elevation.
Our preliminary estimates indicate approximately 150 marten are present
in the area that would be inundated by the Watana impoundment and approximately
55 are in the area that would be inundated by the Devil Canyon impoundment.
3.11 Muskrat and Beaver Surveys Upstream from Gold Creek
Findings of the spring 1980 surveys for muskrats in the upper Susitna
basin are summarized in Table 16. The beaver and muskrat surveys in May
1980, plus observations by team members on shuttle flights and sightings
reported by helicopter pilots and other project personnel, indicated
that populations of these species occur along much of the Susitna River
and its main tributaries. Sign of these animals was most visible in
early spring when snowmelt was in advanced stages but lake and river ice
still remained. During aerial surveys made in July 1981 upstream from
Gold Creek the bulk of sign of these aquatic species was. found in lakes
on plateaus above the river valley between 6lO m (2000 feet) and 730 m
(2400 feet) MSL.
-55-
...,_
' !
~·j
~
!
"J
""<
J
I
~··
-!
I
I
-"
·-,
I
I
I -'
··-r
-
r
\ -~
i
="
I
I -~
~·--
...J
I -·
_,
100
-~ 0 -70
0 w > 60 a:: w en
CD 50 0
>-
1-40 -> -1-u 30
<t
20
10
0
Figure 17.
28 12 10 17 -..... ,....,..-
24
0
0
0
0
~
w.
19 22 -~
17 -
31
2
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
N V ~ CO 0
0 0 0 0
37
37
18 3
19 20
0 0
0 0
(\J v
20
L...J
0 0
0 0
(0 co
TIME OF DAY
0 0
0 0 0 (\J
(\J (\J
Activity patterns of radio-collared male marten, autumn
1980. Numbers represent total observations for each
one-hour time period.
-56-
'
"
J
J
J
...,
"'
'
J
.,,
'
..)
'
J
-~ 0 -
0 w
>
0:::: w
U)
CD
0
>-..... ->
..... u
<(
100-
901-
801-
701-
601-
~() 1-....,....,
36
4oLr
301-
201-
I 0 t-
22 24 m
2024 tn.9
48 rn
II ~
91
~ ~~~
70
1-
4749 --j§_O 34
M153 -
7
69
h
~
0 Ll I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
ooo ooo
0 N ¢-
NNN
0
0
N
0
00
00
¢<.0
00
oooooo oooooo
~ON¢<.0CD
HOUR OF DAY
Figure 18. Activity patterns of radio-collared male marten,
spring 1981. Numbers represent total observations
for each one-hour time period.
-57-
TABLE 16. RESULTS OF SURVEYS FOR MUSKRAT PUSHUPS UPSTREAM FROM GOLD CREEK
DURING SPRING, 1980.
Locations of Lakes
Lake Elevation No. Quarter
number MSL (m) pushups section Section Range Township
001 267 2 sw 31 lW 32N
SE 31 lW 32N
002 472 4 SE 30 lW 32N
sw 29 lW 32N
003 526 14 NE 30 lW 32N
NW 29 lW 32N
004 640 0 NE 20 lW 32N
NW 21 lW 32N
SE 20 lW 32N
_J 005 500 . 26 SE 15 1W 32N
sw 14 lW 32N
., SE 14 lW 32N
NW 23 lW 32N
006 495 0 NW 23 lW 32N
NE 23 lW 32N
007 480 0 NW 24 1W 32N
sw 24 lW 32N
SE 23 lW 32N
NE 23 lW 32N
008 463 0 sw 6 1E 31N
~· 009 463 0 SE 6 1E 31N
010 442 0 sw 32 1E 32N
011 472 0 SE 32 1E 32N
J 012 419 0 SE 32 1E 32N
013 542 0 sw 4 lE 32N
SE 4 1E 32N
014 724 0 NW 28 lE 32N
015 724 0 NE 21 lE 32N
NW 22 1E 32N
sw 22 1E 32N
NW 27 1E 32N
SE 21 1E 32N
016 712 0 sw 16 1E 32N
_) SE 16 1E 32N
sw 15 1E 32N
NW 22 1E 32N
NE 21 1E 32N
_; 017 754 0 NE 22 lE 32N
NW 23 1E 32N
018 572 0 NW 35 1E 32N
019 503 0 sw 35 1E 32N
NW 2 lE 31N
020 541 0 SE 35 1E 32N
NE 2 1E 31N
_.)
-58-
Table 16. Continued
Locations of Lakes
Lake Elevation No. Quarter
number MSL (m) EUShUES section Section Ran8e .. ~Towns __ hip
~
021 724 0 NW 36 lE 32N
022 724 0 NW 36 lE 32N
023 686 0 sw 24 lE 32N
.., SE 24 lE 32N
sw 19 2E 32N
NW 30 2E 32N
NE 25 lE 32N
NW 25 lE 32N
024 724 0 NE 19 2E 32N
NW 20 2E 32N
025 722 0 NW 20 2E 32N
NE 20 2E 32N
SE 20 2E 32N
sw 20 2E 32N
026 709 0 sw 21 2E 32N
027 533 0 NW 27 2E 32N
NE 27 2E 32N ..., SE 27 2E 32N
sw 27 2E 32N
028 754 0 l'lE 7 I. T:1 'l1.._T
I '+.C. .:>.Ll'l
., 029 716 0 sw 8 4E 31N
030 602 0 NW 17 4E 31N
~· 031 602 0 NE 17 4E 31N
032 693 1 NW 5 SE 31N
sw 5 SE 31N
033 693 0 sw 5 SE 31N
034 716 0 sw 4 SE 31N
SE 5 SE 31N
03.5-680 0 sw 9 SE 31N
SE 9 SE 31N
NE 16 SE 31N
NW 16 SE 31N
NE 17 SE 31N
NW 17 SE 31N
NE 18 SE 31N
SE 7 SE 31N
:J sw 8 SE 31N
' SE 8 SE 31N
036 678 8 sw 10 SE 31N
SE 9 SE 31N
037 693 0 SE 3 SE 31N
sw 3 SE 31N
SE 10 SE 31N
sw 10 SE 31N
NE 9 SE 31N
038 643 0 SE 11 SE 31N
__.j sw 11 SE 31N
-59-
Table 16. Continued
Locations of Lakes
Lake Elevation No. Quarter
number MSL (m) :eushu:es section Section Range Towns hiE .,
NW 14 5E 31N
NE 15 5E 31N
sw 15 5E 31N
NW 15 5E 31N
sw 10 5E 31N
039 709 0 NW 3 5E 31N _, 040 683 0 sw 21 5E 32N
041 678 1 NW 21 5E 32N
042 683 0 NE 21 5E 32N
043 689 1 NE 21 5E 32N
NW 22 5E 32N
SE 21 5E 32N
NE 21 5E 32N
044 693 0 sw 15 5E 32N
NW 22 5E 32N
045 683 0 SE 16 5E 32N
1 NE 21 5E 32N
046 693 0 SE 15 5E 32N
J sw 45 5E 32N
047 683 7 NW 15 5E 32N
' 16 5E 32N NE
048 739 6 NW 10 5E 32N
049 716 0 NW 14 5E 32N
' sw 14 5E 32N
050 716 0 NW 14 5E 32N
-' 051 716 0 NW 14 5E 32N
052 716 0 NW 14 5E 32N
NE 14 5E 32N
053 716 0 NE 14 5E 32N
054 716 0 SE 14 5E 32N
055 716 0 NE 14 5E 32N
SE 14 s:E 32N _.J
056 716 0 NE 14 5E 32N
NW 13 5E 32N
057 693 0 sw 35 5E 32N
:;; 058 708 0 NE 53 5E 32N
059 693 32 NE 13 5E 31N -,
NW 18 5E 31N
_; sw 18 5E 31N
SE 13 5E 31N
. sw 13 5E 31N
SE 14 5E 31N
NE 14 5E 31N
NE 13 5E 31N
060 692 0 sw 5 6E 31N
_s SE 5 6E 31N
NE 8 6E 31N
-60-
Table 16. Continued
Locations of Lakes
Lake Elevation No. Quarter
number MSL (m) pushups section Section Range Township
OB6 BOB 0 SE 2 BE 31N
OB7 BOB 0 SE 2 BE 31N
OBB 741 1 SE 7 9E 31N -, OB9 B66 25 SE 25 llE 30N
sw 30 HE 30N
NW 31 / llE 30N
NE 36 llE 30N
090 B70 2 SE 30 llE 30N
NW 31 llE 30N
091 B69 0 NW 31 llE 30N
092 777 1 sw 5 llE 29N
NW B llE 29N
093 777 0 NW B llE 29N -, NE B llE 29N
SE B llE 29N
sw B llE 29N
-1 094 7BO 0 SE 5 llE 29N
NE B llE 29N
_J 095 777 0 sw 4 llE 29N
096 777 0 i'l-w 9 llE 29N
097 777 0 NW 9 llE 29N
09B 777 0 NW 9 llE 29N
sw 9 llE 29N
~ 099 777 0 SE B llE 29N
sw 9 llE 29N
100 B53 1 NE 26 lOE 30N
101 B53 0 NE 26 lOE 30N
NW 25 lOE 30N
_J 102 B53 0 sw 24 lOE 30N
103 B53 0 sw 23 3E 30N
NW 26 3E 30N
-1
~.
J
-61-
:
"
J
-·,
_j
-,
....
--.,
-,
-'
-"
Trapper reports suggest that beavers and muskrats inhabiting alpine
streams and lakes have seldom been pursued by trappers. Beavers and
muskrats in alpine areas represent an important fur resource, but in
higher elevations both species are particularly vulnerable to environmental
alterations and/or overharvest because of their dependence upon small
isolated riparian habitats. Populations of beavers and/or muskrats were
noted along slow flowing sections of most larger creeks, particularly
where lakes drain into streams such as the Stephan Lake/Prairie Creek
drainage and the Deadman Creek/Deadman Lake drainage. Two sightings of
beavers were reported by surveyors working along the Susitna River
between Fog and Devil creeks. These beavers may have been dispersing
two-year-olds since to our knowledge no active lodges or bank dens have
been sighted on the river, or on the lower reaches of the feeder streams.
3.12Muskrat and Beaver Furbearer Surveys Downstream from Devil Canyon
Use of the Susitna River by aquatic furbearers, especially beavers,
increases progressively downstream from Devil Canyon. Increasing abundance
of aquatic furbearers is best illustrated by sign of beavers noted
during surveys from a riverboat during summer 1980 (Table 17). In
Section I, above the confluence with the Talkeetna and Chulitna Rivers,
beaver sign is limited to occasional foraging sites and lodges along
protected banks of the river, sloughs and tributaries. In Section II
foraging sign is common along sloughs, deltas of tributaries and along
stable banks of the Susitna River. Additional lodges and possibly bank
dens not observed by the survey team probably exist away from the main
channel of the river. Sign of beavers is in sight almost continuously
along Section III. The numerous islands and sloughs provide ideal
habitats for foraging, caching food and building lodges, and only a
portion of the sign was visible from the riverboat. An attempt to
correct for increasing width and braiding of the river and limited
visibility was made in Table 17.
Aerial surveys flown along the lower Susitna River during July 1981
verify that beaver sign increases progressively from Devil Canyon down-
stream to Cook Inlet.
Results of these surveys agree with findings of Boyce (1974) and Hakala
(1952) who reported beavers in Alaska favor lakes or slow flowing streams
bordered by subclimax stages of shrub and mixed coniferous and deciduous
forests. This description fits Section III of the Susitna River. Large
rivers with narrow valleys and high velocity flows (such as Section I of
the Susitna River)7 are generally sparsely populated by beavers (Retzer
1955).
3.13Aerial Transects Surveys for Furbearer Sign
Results of aerial transects have been discussed in part, in sections
3.4, 3.6 and 3.7 under marten and red fox.
-62-
'
-,,
'
'
_)
--'
Table 17. Occurrence of beaver signs along three sections(a) of the
lower Susitna River.
Beaver Sign
River Kilometers Number Cuttings Number Houses
Section Surveyed Cuttings per Km Houses per Km
Section I 62 12 .19 2 .03
Section II 30 7 .23 (.46)(b) 2 .06 (.12)
Section III 26 16 • 62 (1. 86) 4 .15 (. 45)
Entire Survey 118 35 • 30 8 .07
a.
,__
u.
Section
Section
Montana
I=Devil Canyon to Confluence with Talkeetna and Chulitna Rivers,
II=Confluence with Talkeetna and Chulitna Rivers to Confluence with
Creek, Section III=Confluence with Montana Creek to Delta Islands.
'li.T~--1.. ---l,UlllUo=L i::i in parentheses are adjustments to realistically reflect signs
present in Sections II and III. Signs were multiplied by a correction
factor of 2 in Section II and a factor of 3 in Section III. The
increasing width and braiding of the river permitted the team to see
approximately half the signs in Section II and only a fourth to a third
in Section III.
-63-
Table 18. Preliminary tabulation of autumn 1980 aerial transect data,
species by vegetation type.
Vegetation Short-tailed
TY£e Marten Fox weasel Mink Otter Totals
Forest, white spruce 35 1 4 0 0 40
Forest, birch 3 0 2 0 0 5
Forest, poplar 0 0 1 0 0 1
Forest, black spruce 0 2 0 0 0 2
Forest, mixed 54 0 1 0 0 55
~, Alpine mat-cushion 3 5 29 0 0 37
Woodland, white spruce 525 5 88 1 0 619
Woodland, black spruce 605 61 401 3 1 1071
WOodland, mixed 29 0 5 0 0 34
'
Shrub, low 12 9 8 0 0 29
-, Shrub, medium 35 108 190 0 0 333
-" Shrub, alder 25 2 11 0 0 38
River ice 2 1 2 20 20 45
Lake ice 0 4 0 0 0 4
Creek ice 6 0 2 4 2 14
Marsh 3 4 0 3 0 10
'
-' River bar 9 8 1 3 7 28
, Rock 0 0 1 0 0 ·1
..; Totals 1353 213 746 34 30 2376
-64-
--'
'"
J
_.
A total of 741 short-tailed weasel tracks were encountered during the
transects, of these, 57% were located in woodland black spruce and 23%
were in medium shrub (Table 18). Eighty-seven percent of tracks recorded
were located along transects 10 through 14 indicating that a substantial
portion of the weasels inhabit the upper reaches of the Susitna study
area in the region of the Oshetna River (Xable 19).
Aerial transect data indicate that nearly 50% of mink tracks encountered
were found in transects 12, 13 and 14 (Table 19), suggesting that mink
also prefer the upper reaches of the proposed impoundment. Otter (Table
19) were fairly evenly distributed throughout the Susitna drainage with
both mink and otter primarily inhabiting the area immediately adjacent
to the Susitna River.
3.14 Otter and Mink Surveys
In November 1980, an unusually high incidence of otter tracks was noted
on shelf-ice along the Susitna River in the proposed impoundment zones.
A survey was carried out in which 37 points on the river between Portage
Creek and the Oshetna River were examined for the presence of otter
tracks (Figure 2). Forty-three otter tracks were present at 17 of these
points (Table 20). The significance of these tracks is not clear. They
may represent upriver or downriver movements of otters prior to freeze-
up. Another possibility is that otters were concentrated along the
river to feed on grayling as they left tributaries at freeze-up to
overwinter in the Susitna River. A total of 54 mink trails were observed
at 31 points. The mink tracks were fairly uniformly distributed along
the river, although a slight increase in mink track density was observed
upstream from Kosina Creek.·
River otters are common in the upper basin of the Susitna River. Tracks
were often sighted along the river, on tributary creeks to 1200 m and
around Stephan Lake and other large lakes. Some otter trails were
observed in cross-country travel, away from bodies of water. Such
tracks may. represent dispersal of subadult animals and have been noted
in other areas of southcentral Alaska. Local trappers seldom take river
otters. The animals are relatively difficult to trap and pelt values
have usually not been high enough to justify the effort.
Mink are locally abundant near some streams and lakes. A total of 34
mink tracks were counted along aerial transects in November 1980 (Table ~9).
Of these, 27 were in riparian or lake shore habitats (Table 18). Mink
tracks were observed along all major tributary creeks below 1200 meters
in elevation.
-65-
Table 19. Preliminary tabulation of autumn 1980 aerial transect data,
species by transect number.
'
Transe<(li) Short-tailed
Number Marten Fox weasel Mink Otter Totals
01 41 1 3 5 2 52
02 80 0 7 1 6 94
03 91 9 5 3 0 108
04 . 198 0 20 0 3 221
05 84 0 11 1 0 96
06 163 0 6 0 1 170
07 202 23 39 0 2 266
08 86 11 0 ') <:: , (\/. ... _, .l.V'"t
09 85 11 1 2 0 99
10 125 20 95 2 3 245
11 39 30 58 2 1 130
12 40 38 96 5 1 180
13 7 60 77 5 3 152
14 112 10 328 6 3 459
Totals 1353 213 746 34 30 2376
d
a See Figure 2 for transect locations.
-66-
-'
.....
-,
'
"
~
'
~
-'
-'
Totals
TABLE 20. RESULTS OF OTTER AND MINK SURVEYS,
SUSITNA RIVER, 10 NOVEMBER -12 NOVEMBER 1980.
NUMBER OF TRACKS OF EACH SPECIES OBSERVED AT ~O}TH AND
SOUTH SIDES OF 37 RIVER CHECK POINTS. a
Checkpoint North South
Numbers Otters Mink Otters Mink
01 3 0 0 0
02 0 2 0 0
03 0 0 0 0
04 0 0 3 1
05 0 0 2 0
06 0 0 0 0
07 0 1 0 1
08 0 0 0 2
09 0 0 1 0
10 0 0 0 2
11 4 1 0 1
12 3 1 0 0
13 0 0 0 1
14 2 0 3 1
15 0 0 4 0
16 3 1 0 2
17 0 3 0 4
18 0 0 0 2
19 0 0 1 2
20 2 0 1 0
21 1 1 0 0
22 0 0 0 0
23 2 1 0 2
24 0 0 0 0
25 0 0 0 0
26 0 0 0 0
27 0 0 4 0
28 0 0 4 0
29 0 0 0 2
30 0 0 0 0
31 0 0 0 0
32 0 0 0 3
33 0 2 0 3
34 0 1 0 2
35 0 1 2 3
36 0 0 2 2
37 0 1 0 2 ----
20 16 27 38
a See Figure 2 for locations of river check points.
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3 .1 5 Other Fur bearers
Coyotes
Coyotes occur in the study area, but their distribution is generally
restricted to areas downstream from Devil Canyon. Mr. Ed Powell reported
that on 12 September 1980, he heard a coyote howling a short distance
southwest of the Stephan Lake Lodge. Mr. Harold Larsen, an employee of
the Alaska Railroad at Gold Creek, reported trapping one coyote and
seeing tracks of others during the winter of 1979-80. Mr. Phil Roullier,
also of the Gold Creek area, informed us that during the past several
years, he has found coyotes to be common in the Indian River -Canyon
area. He reported hearing them howling often. Upstream from Devil
Canyon, coyotes are less common. No coyotes or their tracks were observed
by the furbearer team, nor were coyotes seen or taken by trappers upstream
from Devil Creek.
Lynx
Lynx occur in the study area, but their distribution is very limited.
On 19 November 1980, probable lynx tracks were observed on the Susitna
River bar across from the mouth of Goose Creek. On 22 October 1981,
this area was visited by members of the furbearer study team and a dense
concentration of lynx tracks and scats was discovered. On 30 October
1981, two team members found lynx tracks at the mouth of Jay Creek and,
on 3 November 1981, lynx tracks were seen along Goose Creek, 1.6 km from
the mouth. Two trappers from Glenallen reported taking lynx in the
vicinity of the mouth of the Oshetna River during winter 1976-77. Their
impression was that lynx had not been numerous before or since that
time. Trappers in the vicinity of the impoundments reported no sightings
of lynx or their tracks. Reports from trappers in the Gold Creek area
suggest that lynx have been uncommon there in recent years.
Although lynx appear to be uncommon in the study area at present (with
the exception of the upper reaches of the proposed Watana Impoundment),
populations may have been significantly higher in the past. The historical
frequency of natural fire appears to increase between Portage Creek and
the Tyone River. It may be that snowshoe hares have periodically been
numerous in these burned areas in the past, and that lynx numbers were
correspondingly higher.
Short-tailed Weasel
Short-tailed weasels are locally abundant in the study area. Their
tracks have been observed in a variety of habitat types from the banks
of the Susitna River to elevations over 1500 m. Seven hundred and
forty-six tracks of short-tailed weasels were observed during transect
surveys in November 1980; 328 were counted on a single transect near the
Tyone River. Four hundred and eighty-nine of the total tracks were
observed in woodland white or black spruce vegetation types and an
-68-
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additional 190 were counted in medium (Betula) shrub types. Trappers on
upper Tsusena Creek, in the Fog Lakes area, and elsewhere take short-
tailed weasels intentionally and incidental to the trapping of other
species.
Least Weasel
Least weasels occur sparsely throughout the study area. Several sets of
tracks were observed on lower Watana Creek in March 1980 which we felt
were definitely made by least weasels. A carcass of a least weasel
taken by a trapper at Fog Lakes was obtained in February 1981 and a live
least weasel was observed near the southeast edge of borrow site A on
25 October 1981. Least weasels may be locally common in the study area,
however, their small size and secretive behavior make confirmation of
their presence difficult.
4 -ANTICIPATED IMPACTS UPON. -FmmEARER-S
(a) Watana Dam and Impoundment
The flooding of the Watana reservoir will eliminate terrestrial furbearer
habitat and create some habitat for aquatic furbearers. Quantity and
quality of habitats created will depend upon the maximum pool elevation,
stability of pool level, ice characteristics, draw-down zone vegetation
and reservoir fish and invertebrate populations. Assuming that annual
fluctuations in water level will be 30-50 m (90-150 ft.) vertically, and
that water level will rise during summer, peak in autumn, and decline
during winter, there will be a large, unvegetated draw-down zone. This
draw-down zone and the aquatic habitat created will be of limited value
to otters, mink, muskrats, and beavers.
The flooding of the Watana reservoir will cause loss of terrestrial
furbearer habitat. The species most severely impacted from this habitat
loss will be marten due to their high dependence upon forested habitats
along the Susitna River and its tributaries. Foxes utilize riparian
zones along the Susitna River and its tributaries during summer and
autumn. Flooding of these areas may reduce the carrying capacity of the
region for foxes and block traditional dispersal corridors. Limited
numbers of lynx occur along the lower reaches of some tributaries and
adjacent to the Susitna River between Vee Canyon and the Tyone River •
Flooding of these sites may eliminate lynx from the immediate vicinity
of the Watana Imp·oundment.
Development and maintenance of construction camps associated with the
Watana Impoundment may displace a limited number of furbearers, particu-
larly if camps are near fox dens or favored foraging areas for pine
marten. Camps and construction areas should be designed to be as compact
as possible. Care should be taken to properly store and dispose of
garbage to avoid attracting foxes, marten and weasels to camps. Also,
an educational program should be developed to prevent workers from
feeding wild animals.
-69-
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(b) Devil Canyon Dam and Impoundment
The Devil Canyon Reservoir will eliminate terrestrial furbearer habitat
and create some aquatic furbearer habitat. The effects of these habitat
changes will depend upon the pool elevation, ice conditions, and stability
of the pool.
Aquatic habitat created by this reservoir may be of considerable value
to otters, mink, and possibly to beavers and muskrats. Assuming that
water level fluctuations are less than 2m (6 ft.) vertically, that
these fluctuations have a circadian cyclic nature, that vegetation is
permitted to grow within 19 m (57 ft.) of the reservoir's shore and that
suitable populations of prey fish are found in the reservoir we predict
that otters and mink will be favorably affected by the habitat created.
Beavers and muskrats utilize the area within the Devil Canyon impoundment
zone very little at this time and may be favorably affected by the
aquatic habitat created. However, Murray (1961) indicated that the rise
and fall from the normal water level should be no more than .6 meters (2
feet) for beavers to utilize an area.
Construction camps associated with the Devil Canyon Impoundment may
displace a limited number of furbearers. Problems are not expected to
be as serious around Devil Canyon as they are in the Watana impoundment
zone because furbearer numbers are generally lower near Devil Canyon.
Property could be damaged and workers could be exposed to bites and
wildlife-transmitted diseases if foxes, marten or weasels are attracted
to camps by garbage stored or disposed of in a manner that leaves foods
available to scavengers. Workers may attract furbearers to camps and
construction sites by feeding them directly or establishing feeding
stations.
(.c) Borrow Areas
Excavation of borrow sites would have negative effects upon furbearers
using the area. Left unvegetated, borrow areas would have little value
to furbearers. Vegetation restoration measures would determine the
suitability of restored habitats for various furbearer species. The
creation of graminoid and shrub vegetation may be attractive to small
mammals and birds and could provide valuable foraging habitat for foxes,
weasels and coyotes, especially if vegetative heterogeneity is established.
Because of the dependence of marten on a well-developed understory and
specifically red squirrel middens, it is highly unlikely that marten
would use revegetated borrow areas for resting sites in less than 100
years. Developing borrow sites under consideration along Tsusena Creek
(c, e, f) could have negative effects on foxes, marten, mink, otters and
short-tailed weasels throughout the drainage of that creek because of
the relatively large area of land involved.
(d) Downstream Impacts
-70-
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Projected changes in the flow rates of the Susitna River downstream from
the Devil Canyon impoundment could result in marked changes in aquatic
furbearer habitat. This was the case in the downstream portion of the
Peace River following construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam where an
extensive marsh on the Peace-Athabaska Delta became dry and furbearer
numbers were reduced. Reduced circannual water level fluctuations could
conceivably create a water flow regime more favorable to muskrats and
beavers. On the other hand, elimination of peak flows at breakup or at
other times may have the effect of drying up wetlands and reducing the
amount of subclimax, riparian vegetation along the river's edge.
Aquatic and semiaquatic furbearers (beaver, muskrat, otter and mink) are
not known to select habitats on the basis of water turbidity. It seems
unlikely that these species would be affected favorably by a reduction
in water turbidity. Altered fish populations may have major~(positive
' or negative) downstream effects upon otters and mink. Predict1ons of
such effects must await projections of changes in downstream fi~h popula-
' tions. ~ ',
Clearly beavers and probably muskrats are of significant ecological ~ria ..
economic importance downstream from Devil Canyon. Both species exist in
quantities that can sustain a high and continuous harvest. Foremost
among the questions to be addressed in Phase II studies are, (1) What
will be the effects of relatively stable water levels upon beavers,
muskrats and their habitats? (2) How will altered ice conditions impact
beavers and muskrats? (3) What plant species are beavers dependent upon
and how will these plants be effected by the hydroelectric development?
(e) Access Route
If care is taken to avoid wetland areas, the physical disturbance and
habitat loss from road construction would be relatively minor due to the
small amount of land involved. Access Plan 5 (road access from Parks
Highway to Gold Creek, south side of the Susitna River to Devil Canyon,
north side of the river to Watana) will minimize negative impacts to
furbearers. The negative impacts from borrow site development for fill
for roads will depend upon location and restoration measures. Borrow
sites or extended sections of roadways in or adjacent to wetland areas,
stands of white spruce, or near fox dens could be harmful. The most
serious impacts from road construction will arise from improved human
access and collisions of wildlife with vehicles. The public use impacts
of roads would consist primarily of increased harvest and human harassment
of jurbearers in the study area. Roads would provide convenient access
to areas which are now and have historically been remote. The severity
of this impact would depend upon regulatory measures imposed. Vehicle-
wildlife collisions would be another source of impacts to furbearers.
The severity of this impact is difficult to predict because of the
paucity of relevant published information. We believe that losses of
furbearers resulting from vehicle collisions will be relatively low •
-71-
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(f) Transmission Line
We assume that transmission system construction will involve placement
of transmission towers between the dam sites and the Parks Highway. We
also assume that helicopter construction techniques will be employed and
that roads will not be built. If roads are built during construction of
transmission systems, our comments under (e) Access Route apply. Impacts
to furbearers from helicopter~assisted construction would consist chiefly
of behavioral disturbance and would be relatively minor.
We assume that the operation of transmission facilities consists chiefly
of occasional maintenance activities at transmission towers between the
dam sites and the Parks Highway. We also assume that access for such
maintenance work would be by means of helicopter. Impacts upon furbearers
from these occasional maintenance activities would probably be negligible.
Vegetation clearing in transmission line corridors could provide habitat
for small mammals, hares and nesting birds, provided the climax vegetation
and soils are conducive to seral graminoid or woody browse communities.
Small mammals, hares and nesting birds might then be utilized by foxes,
marten, weasels, coyotes and possibly lynx.
5 -MITIGATION
A variety of techniques can be used to mitigate the negative impacts of the
Susitna project on furbearers. In cases where"the impacts are caused by
loss of habitat, there are no practical management options available to
compensate for the loss. In these situations the designation of replacement
lands could serve to offset the loss.
Where project components represent a temporary loss or alteration of
habitat, such as the borrow areas, construction camps, and most of the
construction zone, it would be beneficial to restore the areas. Replacing
topsoil, seeding, and fertilizing would permit these areas to return to
some level of use by furbearers. The early successional vegetation that
would develop would provide good foraging areas for furbearer species such
as fox, short-tailed weasel and possibly lynx.
The impacts associated with the improper disposal of garbage and feeding
of animals by workers could also be avoided through well-planned p~eventative
programs. Prompt collection and proper disposal of refuse would greatly
reduce the magnitude of this impact. Educating workers and strictly enforcing
state laws concerning the feeding of animals would also help to avoid, or
at least minimize, this problem. Fencing landfills and camp facilities
could be done to further reduce the likelihood of a negative impact on
furbearers.
The most difficult impact to mitigate is the influence of increased human
access. Any efforts to restrict or control human activity within the upper
basin will help reduce the negative consequences of this aspect of the project.
Restricting the use of ATVs would be a major step in confining the extent of
human disturbance .
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REFERENCES
Ables, E.D. 1969. Home range studies of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). J.
Mamm. 50(l):l08-120.
Allison, L. M. 1971. Activity and behavior of red foxes in Central
Alaska. M.S. Thesis. Univ. of Toronto. 76 p.
Archibald, W. R. 1980. Marten progress report no. 2. Yukon Wildlife
Branch, unpublished report. 15 p.
Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center.
of environmental effects of construction and
proposed Terror Lake Hydroelectric Facility,
University of Alaska, Anchorage. 3 volumes.
1980. An assessment
operation of the
Kodiak, Alaska.
Baxter, R. M. and P. Glaude. 1980. Environmental effects of dams and
impoundments in Canada: Experience and prospects. Canadian Bulletin
of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Ottawa. Bulletin 205. 33 p.
Boyce, M. S.
thesis.
1974. Beaver population ecology in interior Alaska.
Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks. 161 p.
M.S.
Hakala, J. B. 1952. The life history and general ecology of the beaver
(Castor c~nadensis Kuhl) in interior Alaska. M.S. thesis. Univ.
of Alaska, Fairbanks. 181 p.
Hawley, V. D. and F. E. Newby. 1957. Marten home ranges and population
fluctuations. J. Mamm. 38(2):174-184.
Konkel, G. (Editor).
Handbook-Alaska.
596 p.
1980. Terrestrial Habitat Evaluation Criteria
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Anchorage, AK.
Lensink, C. J. 1954. The home range of marten (Martes americana actuosa
Osgood) and its significance in management. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, unpublished report.
Leopold, A. s. and J. w. Leonard. 1966. Effects of the proposed Rampart
Dam on wildlife and fisheries. North American Wildlife Conference.
31:454-459.
Mech, L. D. and L. L. Rogers. 1977. Status, distribution and movements
of martens in northeastern-Minnesota. U.S.D.A. Forest Service,
North Central Forest Experiment Station, Research Paper NC-143.
12 p •
Murie, A. 1936. Following fox trails. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool., Univ.
Michigan 32:1-45.
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1944. The wolves of Mount McKinley National Park Fauna
Series No. 5. U.S. Govt. Printing Office No. 5. Washington. 238
P•
Murray, D. F. 1961. Some factors affecting the production and harvest
of beaver in the Upper Tanana River, Alaska. M.S. thesis. Univ.
of Alaska, Fairbanks. 103 p.
Nie, N.H., C.H. Hull, J.G. Jenkins, K. Steinbrenner and D.H. Bent.
1975. SPSS statistical package for the social sciences. McGraw-
Hill Book Company, New York. 675 pp.
Pils, C.M. and M.A. Martin. 1978. Population dynamics, predator-prey
relationships and management of the red fox in Wisconsin. Tech.
Bull. No. 5, Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, 56 pp •
Retzer, J. L. 1955. Physical environmental effects on beavers in the
Colorado Rockies. Proc. 35th Ann. Conf. W. Assn. State Game and
Fish Comm. 277-287.
Sargent, A.B., W.K. Pfeifer, and S.H. Allen. 1975. A spring aerial
census of red foxes in North Dakota. J. Wild!. Manage. 39(1):30-39.
Schofield, R.D. 1958. Litter size and age ratios of Michigan red
foxes. J. Wild!. Manage. 22(3):313-315.
Scott, T.G. 1943. Some food coactions of the northern plains red fox.
Ecol. Monog. 13(4):427-479 •
Scott, T.G. and W.D. Klimstra. 1955. Red foxes and a declining prey
population. Monograph Series No. 1, Southern Illinois Univ.,
Carbondale, 123 pp.
Sheldon, W. G. 1950 •. Denning habits and home range of red foxes in New
York state. J. Wild!. Manage. 14(1):33-42.
Shick, C.A. 1952. A study of pheasants on the 9,000-acre farm, Saginaw
County, Michigan. Michigan Dept. Conserv., Lansing, 134 pp.
Spurr, S. H. (Project Director). 1966. Rampart dam and the economic
development of Alaska. Volume 1, summary report. School of Natural
Reso~rces, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 52 p.
Stanley, W.C. 1963. Habits of the red fox in northeastern Kansas.
University of Kansas, Misc. Pub!. No. 34, pp. 1-31.
Storm, G. L. 1972.
United States.
185 p •
Population dynamics of red foxes in North Central
Ph.D. Dissertation. Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
-74-
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AUTHORITIES CONTACTED
Ralph Archibald, Biologist, Yukon Wildlife Branch, Whitehorse, Yukon
Territory -Presently conducting marten studies in the Yukon.
Provided information about marten habitat preferences.
Theodore Atwater, Alaska Railroad Employee, Talkeetna, Alaska. -
Discussed historical furbearer population status in proposed impound-
ment region.
Joan Foote, Biologist, Institute of Northern Forestry, Fairbanks.
Contacted regarding habitat sampling procedures.
Dale Guthrie, Professor of Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
-Valuable source of information on fox ecology in Alaska.
David Johnson, Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Delta Junction,
Alaska.
-Provided information about furbearer harvests in interior Alaska •
Gregory Konkel, Habitat Evaluation Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
-Discussed possibility of using REP in assessment studies.
Ron Long, Trapper and Fur Buyer, Fairbanks, Alaska.
A local fox trapper with extensive knowledge of furbearers. Discussed
historical furbearer population changes.
Harold Larson, Trapper and agent.for the Alaska Railroad at Gold Creek.-
Provided information about coyotes and other furbearers near Gold
Creek •
Robert Larson, Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Delta
Junction, Alaska.
-Provided information about furbearer harvest in interior Alaska.
Audrey Magdun, Ph.D. candidate, Fairbanks, Alaska. -
Volunteered information on red foxes in her North Slope study area.
Herbert Melchior, Furbearer Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish & Game.
-Discussed furbearer harvests and management plans.
John Morrison, Supervisor of Biological Services Program, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
-Discussed possibility of using USFWS data bases to aid in assessing
impacts of development upon wildlife in Alaska •
Don Newman and M?ry Kay McDonald, Trappers, Denali Highway, Alaska.
Provided furbearer carcasses and local trapping information.
-75-
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Edward Powell, Trapper and Lodge Manager, Stephan Lake Lodge, Alaska. -
Discussed furbearer population history and habits in the Susitna
study area.
Leroy Shank, Trapper, Fairbanks, Alaska. -Local marten trapper,
provided historical information about furbearers.
Roger Smith, Trapper, Tsusena Creek, Alaska. -Local trapper, discussed
trapping in the area and arranged for collection of carcasses.
Dr. Vic VanBallenberghe, Wildlife Biologist, Institute of Northern
Forestry, Fairbanks, Alaska. -Former furbearer biologist with the
Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Provided information on furbearers
in the Susitna Basin and sampling and field techniques.
Glen Wingkte, Trapper, Kenai, Alaska. -Traps between Gold Creek and
the Devil's Canyon dam site, provided information about furbearers
trapped.
Bill Zielinski and Wayne Spencer, Biologists, Sagehen Creek Field
Station, Truckee, California. -Conferred with these biologists
about marten research they are conducting in California.
Lester E. Eberhardt, Terrestrial Ecology Section, Battelle Pacific
Northwest Laboratories, Battelle Boulevard, Richland, WA 99352 -
Provided techniques for radio collaring mink and weasels.
Al Sargeant, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, P.O. Box 1747,
Jamestown, ND 58401 -Conferred radio collaring mink and weasels.
Carol Resnick, Tsusena Creek, Alaska. -Provided information on furbearer
occurrence in the study area, furbearer carcasses.
Dean Wilson, Copper Center, Alaska. -
Discussed red fox harvests and trends ·in the study area vicinity.
-76-
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Appendix I. Dates on which foxes were located by radio telemetry. Locations of foxes are numbered
chronologically on Figures 5-9.
Deadman Creek Area, 1981
Adult~ 4021 Juvenile d' 4201 Juvenile d' 4081 Juvenile d' 4101
Location Dates of Location Dates of Location Dates of Location Dates of
Numbers Location Numbers Location Numbers Location Numbers Location
1 2/27 1 8/7 1 8/7 1 8/7
2 5/13 2 8/15 2 8/15 2 8/15
3 5/19 3 8/25 3 8/25 3 8/25
4 5/20 4 8/28 4 8/~8 4 8/28
5 s/26 5 9/5 5 9/5 5 9/5
6 6/4 6 9/7 6 9/7 6 9/7
7 6/15 7 9/9 7 9/9 7 9/9
8 6/18 8 9/13 8 9/13 8 9/13
9 6/20 9 9/16 9 9/16 9 9/16
10 6/22 10 9/18 10 9/18 10 9/18
11 6/25 11 9/20 11 9/20 11 9/20
12 7/16 12 9/22 12 9/22 12 9/22
13 7/17 13 9/27 13 9/25 13 9/27
14 7/30 14 9/29 14 9/27 14 9/29
15 8/2 15 9/30 15 9/29 15 9/30
16 8/7 16 10/2 16 10/2 16 10/15
17 8/15 17 10/3 17 10/3 17 10/18
18 8/25 18 10/7 18 10/7 18 10/20
19 8/28 19 10/15 19 10/24
20 9/9 20 10/25 20 10/27
21 9/13 21 10/30
22 9/16
23 9/20
24 9/27
25 9/30
26 10/2
27 10/3
28 10/16
29 10/20
30 10/25
31 10/30
32 11/17
-77-
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Appendix I. Continued
Adult d 4040
Location Dates of
Numbers Location
1 5/14
2 5/20
3 5/27
4 6/11
5 6/13
6 6/15
7 6/20
8 6/22
9 6/25
10 7/17
11 7/27
12 8/2
13 8/7
14 8/25
15 8/28
16 9/5
17 9/20
18 10/1
19 10/7
20 10/19
21 10/24
22 11/10
23 11/17
' > ! , J l. ,J L, J l . J l .J
Clarence Lake Area, 1981
-78-
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Appendix I. Continued
East Fork Wat<ma Area, 1981
Adult 2 4060 Juvenile d 4545
Location Dates of Location Dates of
Numbers Location Numbers Location
1 6/15 1 7/16
2 6/18 2 7/17
3 6/20 3 7/27
4 6/22 4 7/30
5 6/25 5 8/2
6 7/15 6 8/7
7 7/16 7 8/14
8 7/18 8 8/25
9 7/27 9 8/28
10 7/30 10 9/14
11 8/2 11 9/16
12 8/7 12 9/20
13 8/14 13 9/27
14 8/25 14 10/1
15 8/28
16 9/3
17 9/14
18 9/16
19 9/20
20 9/27
21 10/1
22 10/7
23 10/19
24 11/17
-79'-
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Appendix I. Continued
Swimming Bear Lake Area, 1981
Adult d 4280 Adult ~ 4181 Juvenile d 41.32 Juvenile d 4641 Juvenile d 44 71
Location Dates of Location Dates of Location Dates of Location Dates of Location Dates of
Numbers Location Numbers Location Numbers Location Numbers Location Numbers Location
1 6/15 1 6/16 1 8/25 1 8/25 1 8/25
2 6/16 2 6/20 2 8/28 2 8/28 2 8/28
3 6/20 3 6/22 3 9/5 3 9/5 3 9/5
4 6/22 4 6/25 4 9/7 4 9/7 4 9/7
5 6/24 5 7/16 5 9/9 5 9/9 5 9/9
6 6/25 6 7/24 6 9/11 6 9/13 6 9/11
7 7/24 7 8/2 7 9/13 7 9/16 7 9/13
8 7/30 8 8/25 8 9/18 8 9/18 8 9/18
9 8/2 9 8/28 9 9/20 9 9/20 9 9/20
10 8/28 10 9/5 10 9/22 10 9/22 10 9/22
11 9/5 11 9/7 11 9/25 11 9/25 11 9/25
12 9/7 12 9/9 12 9/27 12 9/27 12 9/27
13 9/9 13 9/16 13 9/29 13 9/29 13 9/29
14 9/13 14 9/18 14 10/1 14 10/1 14 10/1
15 9/16 15 9/20 15 10/2 15 10/2 15 10/2
16 9/17 16 9/22 16 10/3 16 10/3 16 10/3
17 9/18 17 9/25 17 10/7 17 10/15 17 10/7
18 9/20 18 9/27 18 10/15 18 10/17
19 9/22 19 9/29 19 10/17 19 10/25
20 9/25 20 9/29 20 10/18
21 10/i 21 10/1 21 10/20
22 10/7 22 10/3 22 10/25
23 10/3 23 10/7 23 10/29
24 10/7 24 10/15 24 11/11
25 10/15 25 10/17 25 11/17
26 10/20 26 10/25
27 10/25 27 10/29
28 10/29 28 11/11
29 11/11 29 11/17
30 11/17
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Appendix I. Continued
Adult cJ 4221
Location Dates of
Numbers Location
1 7/27
2 7/30
3 8/2
4 8/7
5 8/14
6 8/25
7 8/28
8 9/9
9 9/5
10 9/7
11 9/14
12 9/16
13 9/18
14 9/20
15 9/22
16 9/25
17 9/27
18 9/29
19 9/30
20 10/1
21 10/3
22 10/7
23 10/17
24 10/24
25 11/10
26 11/17
) l ; ) i,j ") p I" ) l. .~1
Deadman Lake Area, 1981
Juvenile cJ 4441 Juvenile ~ 4492
Location Dates of Location Dates of
Numbers Location Numbers Location
1 7/27 1 7/27
2 8/2 2 8/2
3 8/7 3 8/7
4 8/14 4 8/14
5 8/19 5 8/19
6 8/25 6 8/25
7 9/5 7 9/5
8 9/9 8 9/9
9 9/9 9 9/9
10 9/14 10 9/16
11 9/16 11 9/18
12 9/18 12 9/18
13 9/20 13 9/20
14 9/22 14 9/22
15 9/25 15 9/25
16 9/27 16 9/27
17 9/29 17 9/30
18 9/30 18 10/1
19 10/2 19 10/2
20 10/7 :20 10/3
:21 10/20 ..
:22 10/24
:23 10/27
-81-
·' ) L ' ·-'
Juvenile cJ 4515
Location Dates of
Numbers Location
1 7/27
2 8/2
3 8/2
4 8/14
5 8/19
6 8/19
7 8/25
8 9/5
9 9/7
10 9/9
11 9/13
12 9/16
13 10/7
) L j )