HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA4106UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Arnie J.Suomela,Commissioner
1958 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
DENALI AND VEE CANYON DAM SITES AND RESERVOIR AREAS
SUSITNA RIVER BASIN
STATE OF ALASKA
Juneau,Alaska
June 1959
For Administrative Use Only
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND
Page
1
OPERATIONS AND METHODS 6
FINDINGS,DENALI AREA
Des cription and Range ,.
Big Gam e ~0 "~Q ..Q ..!;\...,"..a '"Q 0 II <1 c III • •<)••"c ",
Small Game CI l:l ""•'1 "C 0 o Q "'#o II>e I)e "e c "(>.."c "•
Fur Bearers ..,,.
Waterfowl ,.
Stream Surveys and Fisheries .
FINDINGS,VEE CANYON AREA
Des cription and Range .
Big Gam.e "..C Q :0 <l ",:.0 '"<)0 II I)•"••9 •C ..0 .. 0 .,"e
Small Game ~"(I q I).. "..0 .. """•4'"l1li ,..."...
Fur Bearers .,I>"\l e 0 ¢l,I 0'"•••" ..0 0 ";>
Waterfowl .
Stream Surveys and Fisheries .
CONCLUSION
LITERATURE CITED
i
8
10
16
16
17
19
24
26
27
27
28
29
34
37
BACKGROUND
L The coming era is regarded by many as one of population expan-
sion and industrial growth for Alaska with an attendant demand for increased
and cheaper electrical power,Development of the hydroelectric potential of
the Susitna Basin,located between the population centers of Anchorage and
Fairbanks,appears to be one of the most feasible means of meeting the
anticipated power demands in this area (Fig,1).The Susitna River,glacial
in origin,and 275 miles long,drains a relatively uninhabited area of about
19,300 square miles,This river flows generally to the southwest between
the Alaska Range lying to the north and west,and the Talkeetna Mountains
lying to the southeast.The Alaska Railroad,running north and south through
the middle of the Ba s in,and the Denali Highway cutting the northern fringe,
are the main facilities developed for ground traveL
2.The Bureau of Reclamation (1952)has described 19 potential dam
sites for ultimate power development of the Susitna River Basin.Three pre-
liminary Fish and Wildlife Service reports dealing with basin-wide aspects
of the fish and game resources were issued in response to this Bureau of
Reclamation report.The first dam to be constructed would be at Devil
Canyon at river mile 134.Results of Fish and Wildlife Service investigations
to determine effects of a dam at Devil Canyon on fish and wildlife were pre-
sented in progress reports issued in 1957 and 1959,Investigations are being
1
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Figu r e 1.S us itna River B a sin,A l as ka .
2
continued to determine downstream effects on fish and game of an impound-
ment at Devil Canyon.
3,A second dam in the Bureau of Reclamation's plan of ultimate
development for the Basin would be located at the Denali site on the upper
section of the river at mile 245 (Figs,2 and 3).This unit would function
as a storage reservoir to provide regulated water releases for power
gene ration at Devil Canyon.
4.The earth dam planned for Denali would be 205 feet high and
would have a crest length of 1,900 feet.The reservoir would be 2 to 6
miles wide,29 miles long,and would extend almost to the headwater
glaciers if the maximum reservoir capacity of 6,700,000 acre-feet were
developed.This would inundate approximately 120 square miles.Inasmuch
as the reservoir would be intended primarily for storage,it is probable
that no power plant would be installed.
5.A third dam,Vee Canyon,at river mile 200 would be a concrete.
arch-gravity structure with a height of 425 feet and crest-length of 1,400
feet.The most recent figures obtained from the Bureau of Reclamation
list 2.400 feet as the probable maximum reservoir elevation.This would
inundate between 95 and 100 square miles,backing water up the main stem
of the Susitna River a distance of 50 miles to the headwaters of the Tyone
system at Lake Louise.With ultimate development of the Susitna Basin,a
power plant with a productive capacity of 260,000 kilowatts would be in-
stalled at Vee Canyon,
6.Studies to determine feasibility of the Denali site were started
by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1958.Concurrently,the Branch of River
Basin Studies began field investigations to determine what effects the
3
146'
Proposed Impoundment
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Figure 3,Susitna River,showing Denali and Vee Canyon darn sites,
5
proposed development would have upon the fish and wildlife resources.
Because of the proximity of the Denali and Vee Canyon sites,the Fish and
Wildlife Service program was expanded to include similar determinations
for the Vee Canyon impoundment.
OPERATIONS AND METHODS
7.Semi-permanent camps were established for summer field in-
vestigations at the Denali Highway crossing of the Susitna River and at the
mouth of the Tyone River.River travel was accomplished with a 30-foot
river boat powered with a 35-horsepower outboard motor.Areas inacces-
sible by boat were covered on foot by the two or three crew members who
separated,sometimes for several days.The routes followed on foot were
laid out so that impoundment areas could be adequately cover-typed and the
larger water bodies surveyed for the presence of fish,fur bearers,and
waterfowL
8.Interviews with residents of the area gave information on trap-
ping pressure and winter harvest of game.
9.In cooperation with the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife,
an intensive effort was made to contact hunters in and adjacent to the Denali
impoundment area during the first few days of the hunting season which
opened August 20,Hunters were then interviewed periodically until the end
of the first moose season,September 20.Information recorded was hunter
name,type of t ra.ns por-ta.ti.on ,residence,camp location,kind and number
of game animals desired,kind and number of game animals killed,location
nunre c ,and location in which game was killed.In addition,each hunting
was asked for a total cost estimate of direct expenses for the trip,
not including non-expendable items.A total of 282 hunters (273 resident,
6
9 non-resident)were interviewed.Total trip-cost estimates were obtained
from 262 hunters.Additional information relative to expenditures for trans-
portation,food,ammunition and miscellaneous items was obtained from 81
of these 262.Twenty individuals were unable to determine costs associated
with their hunting.
10.Stream surveys and fish collections were made on the lower
sections of most streams which would be affected by impoundment.Stream
flows were computed by the floating chip method.Fish were collected by
rne ans of a ~-inch seine,minnow traps,and hook and line.
1L Counts of game present in the impoundment areas were obtained
during aerial transects.Nine counts were made in the Denali area;three
in the Vee Canyon area.Original plans were to obtain 50 percent coverage
flying transects one mile apart and recording animals in a i-mile wide
strip,~mile on each side of the plane.Plans were changed on 2 flights to
give 25 percent coverage by flying at 2-mile intervals and counting a i-mile
strip on each side of the plane.Spacing between transects was maintained
quite consistently by flying at right angles between transects for the length
of time required to travel the desired distance at the plane's particular
speed.However,in open areas it was noted that animals were being re-
corded in locations nearly adjacent to the previous transe ct.Therefore,
1/8 mile was added to the width of the counting strip on each side of the
plane.This provided 75 percent coverage when a I-mile interval was
7
rna.irrtai ned between transects and 37.5 percent coverage when a 2-mile
interval was maintained.These percentage figures have been expanded to
obtain an estimate of total numbers of animals in the impoundment areas.
FINDINGS
DENALI AREA
Description and Range
12.The upper portion of the proposed Denali reservoir area extends
nearly to the headwaters of the East and West Forks of the Susitna River
and is confined largely to an old flood-plain.Both forks are spread out and
braided.The outermost channels of the East Fork are from Ii to 2i miles
apart;those of the West Fork range from a singLe channel to channels Ii
rrii le s apart.Nearly pure stands of sedge or willow,and stands of sedge
and willow together are the dominant vegetative types in this upper 15-mile
long section.Game animals in the past have browsed this willow lightly to
moderately.Current usage appeared light.
13.About 2 miles below the junction of the East and West Forks the
river and impoundment area narrow.Sedge and willow are the d orrii n.arrt
vegetation in the river bottom.Glandular scrub birch,scattered spruce,
and a heath formation composed of blueberry,low-bush cranberry,Labrador
tea,and crowberry occur on the side hills.Willow showed light to moderate
use (Fig.4),
8
Figure 4.Upper section of Denali impoundment area
looking north from Denali Highway bridge
crossing of Susitna River to headwater
glaciers.
14.The Susitna River is confined to a t-mile wide channel for
4 miles below the Denali Highway crossing.The impoundment area is
It to 2 miles wide in this section.Glandular scrub birch and heath plants
are the dominant vegetation.Spruce is scattered through the area with
willow and sedge prominant along water bodies.
15.Topography changes below the mouth of Butte Creek;in this
area,hills do not encroach on the river as closely as in upper sections.
The impoundment area reaches its greatest width,It to 4t miles,in this
locale and contains numerous lakes,potholes,and marsh areas,sepa-
rated by higher well-drained land.Sedge and willow form pure stands in
9
:
the wet ,low areas and also occur together and with spruce.Spruce and
scrub birch are the dominant plants .Heath plants and lichens occur as an
under s tor y t h roughout the better-drained se ctions .
16 ,I n th e lower three miles o f the Denali area ,the impoundment
woul d b e confined by hills to a strip t to t mile wide .This is an area of
scrub b i r ch w ith scattered spruce and willow and a heath plant understory .
Big Game
17 .I nd ic ati on of the numbe rs of big game ani mal s utilizing the i m -
poundm ent areas was obtained by means of aerial surveys .Counts of
mo o se i n t h e Denali i m p oundm e nt are a and the expanded population esti -
mate s ar e p r esented in Tab le 1.T h e no r thern half of the Denali imp ound-
ment area i s pa rt of t he Denali Rese r ve ,a section 80 miles long no r th o f
the D enali Highway w hich is closed t o b ig game hunting .
T able L Moose counted in the Denali impoundment area on nine flights
and expand ed popu lation e stim a te s .
Moose Expanded Popu -
D a te Coverage Area Counted lation Estima te
1 1-20-57 75%Reserve 55 73
Open 2 3
Tota l 57 76
1-8-58 7 5%Reserve 21 28 ')Open 4 5
Tota l 25 3 3 I \t.'1.1
2 - 12-58 75%Reserve 44 59
Open 7 9
Total 51 68
3-11-58 750/0 Reser ve 31 41
Open 13 17
)Total 44 59
10
Table i.(continued)
Moose Expanded Popu-
Date Coverage Area Counted lation Estimate
4-28-58 75%Reserve 7 9
Open 3 4
Total 10 13
5-2-58 75%Reserve 26 35
Open 17 23
Total 43 57
7-28-58 37.5%Reserve 17 45
Open 22 59
Total 39 104
10-23-58 37.5%Reserve 16 43
Open 15 40
Total 31 83
12-1-58 75%Reserve 88 117
Open 8 11
Total 96 128
18.Factors which might contribute to the variation in numbers of
ani:mals recorded in the period fro:m Nove:mber through April,when snow
and sighting conditions were considered good,are 1)ani:mals :move:ment in
and out of the i:mpound:ment area and 2)inconsistencies of pilot and observer
in sighting rrio os e ,Snow cover was poor on the May flight.Moose were
relatively easy to sight in July although there was no snow on the ground.
Sighting and snow conditions were good on the October and Dece:mbe r 1958
flights.
19.Sexual differentiation,exclusive of calves,was possible during
three of the counts when visible antlers were present on the bulls.These
counts and sex and calf ratios are presented in Table 2.
11
Table 2.Sex and age composition of moose counted in the Denali impound-
ment area.
Bulls /Calves/
Date Section Bulls Cows Calves 100 cows 100 cows
11-20-57 Reserve 23 24 8 96 33
Open 1 1 0 100
Total 23 25 9 92 36
7 -,28-58 Reserve 7 7 3 100 43
Open 6 9 7 67 78
Total 13 16 10 81 63
10-23-58 Reserve 7 7 2 100 29
Open 3 6 6 50 100
Total 10 13 8 76 61
Ratio of bulls to cows,which is higher in the reserve than in the open area,
probably reflects bull removal under a "bulls only "hunting restriction.
Number of animals observed are too few to permit comparison of calf:cow
ratios in the reserve and open areas.However,from fall count ratios of
the entire impoundment area,calf productivity,as defined by Rausch (1958),
may be considered good in 1957 and excellent in 1958.
20.Table 3 lists counts and estimates of numbers of caribou in the
Denali impoundment area based on aerial transecting.Most of the varia-
tion in caribou counts is probably due to the nomadic nature of these
animals,
12
Table 3.Caribou counted in Denali i rnp oundrn ent area
expanded population estimates.
on nine flights and
Date
Percent
Coverage
Caribou
Counted
Total
Estimate
November 20 75 702
January 8 75 3,680
February 12 75 753
March 11 75 258
April 4 75 175
May 21 75 193
July 28 37.5 13
October 23 37.5 270
December 1 75 195
936
4.907
1.004
344
233
257
35
720
260
21.Hunting season began August 20 for moose,caribou.and black
bear and September 1 for grizzly bear.The most intensive hunting pressure
occurred along the Denali Highway.the only portion of the proposed im-
poundment area which could be reached by automobile.Of the 282 hunters
interviewed in or adjacent to the Denali impoundment area,243 (860/0)were
hunting moose and 266 (950/0)of the same 282 hunters desired caribou.
Table 4 presents the interview data according to number of caribou desired.
Table 4.Number of caribou desired and obtained by 282 hunters in and
adjacent to the Denali impoundment area.In general,hunting
trips of those interviewed were roughly one-half completed.
(Bag limit:3)
two three
Caribou killedNo.of
Caribou desired No.of hunters one
1 83 (300/0)24
2 65 (240/0)24
3 105 (390/0)19
Uncertain 7 (30/0)
13
8
14 17
22.At the time of the interviews,16 moose had been killed,re-
sulting in a success ratio of 3. 7 pe rcent.A total of 110 hunters had killed
at least 1 caribou at the time of the interview;these figures yield a success
ratio of 41 percent.Data for both moose and ca r ibou ,including success
ratios presented here,were obtained in field interviews after approximately
one-half the hunting effort of those interviewed had been expended.Total
harvest figures and.success ratios would have been higher had hunters been
contacted at the conclusion rather than the middle of their hunt.
23.Less than 1 percent of those persons interviewed were specifi-
cally hunting bear but 27 percent said they would take a black bear and 9
percent said they would take a grizzly bear should they have the chance
while hunting moose and caribou.
24.Days spent hunting,excluding figures from the few who did not
know how long they would hunt,ranged from 1 to 30.Average length·of
hunting trip was 5 days.The length of hunting trips most frequent in the
interview data (22 percent)was 2 days.
25.A cost estimate for the particular trip to the Susitna area was
obtained from 262 of the 273 resident hunters interviewed.Average cost
per hunter for food,transportation,arnrnuniti on ,film,and miscellaneous
expendable items was $53 per trip.A breakdown of expenditures obtained
from 81 hunters gave a total cost-per-hunter figure of about $37.This
smaller sample figure is less than the $53 figure obtained for 262 hunters.
14
Table 5 presents this breakdown,
Table 5,Trip expenditures of hunters on foot in and adjacent to the Denali
impoundment area in 1958.
(81 hunters)Average time
spent hunting--'\3 days,
Expend./Expend./
Trip Day %
Transportation $19.78 $4,60 53,5
Food 12,23 2.84 33.1
Lodging
Ammunit.i on ,misc.4.96 L 15 13.4
26.Expenditures of 8 non-resident hunters averaged $500 apiece.
Of the resident hunters interviewed,60 percent resided in the Anchorage
area,20 percent in the Fairbanks area.and 20 percent in other localities
in south-central Alaska.
27.Figures quoted thus far are for hunte rs who did not utilize
services of weasel and swamp buggy operators along the Denali Highway
either for the initial hunt or for hauling game which had been killed while
hunting on foot.According to the three operators who worked fairly in-
tensively in the Denali area,approximately 75 percent of their hunters
took caribou.Cost for an unsuccessful trip was $10 to $25.Average
price for hauling a moose was $50;a first caribou,$25;and additional
caribou,$10 to $25 each.
15
SmaU.Game
28.Snowshoe hare,whose numbers fluctuate periodically,are re-
ported to inhabit the impoundment area although none were observed during
the period of investigation.None of the hunters interviewed were hunting
this species.
29.Likewise,game bird populations were at a low level of abun-
dance.One spruce grouse and approximately ten broods of ptarmigan were
the total numbers seen during the field season.Less than 1 percent of
hunters interviewed were hunting only small game but 30 percent were
interested in hunting gam.e birds in addition to big game.Six ptarmigan
taken by two hunters constituted the total harvest among hunters inter-
viewed.No hunting pressure was observed for Wilson's snipe,present
throughout the area.
Fur Bearers
30.Wolf,red fox,wolverine,beaver.muskrat,and river otter
were seen in the Denali impoundment area.Wolf num.bers have been re-
duced in recent years by bounty hunters and by the Predator Control
Division of the Fish and Wildlife Service.The proposed impoundment
location is in a study area where wolves are protected to obtain informa-
tion on their life history and ecology.Beaver,distributed through m.ost
of the impoundm.ent area,appear to have the greatest potential value of
the fur bearing species.One or two year-round residents,who trap
16
occasionally for beaver near the Denali Highway crossing of the Susitna
River,now exert the only known trapping pressure in the Denali impound-
ment area.These people estimated that their average annual take does
not exceed 20 beaver,
Waterfowl
31.The first waterfowl observations in the Denali area were made
on a Hight May 21 in conjunction with moose and caribou counting.At this
time.about one-third of the total water area was ice-free.Approximately
450 ducks--mostly scaup--in groups of from 20 to 75 were counted.Other
ducks,mostly paired,including mallards and p irrta.i l s,were noted in vege-
tation along edges of water bodies but a complete count was not obtained.
32.Ground observations of waterfowl were recorded from June 15
through August 16 in the Denali area from the dam site to the mouth of
Valdez Creek,An aerial survey on August 28 sampled the area above the
junction of the East and West Forks which was not covered from the ground,
Tables 6 and 7 summarize these data,which are not total numbers but are
considered representative of waterfowl composition of the area.Most of
the ducks observed early in the season were groups of molting males.
Broods were more readily observed as
tails are among the first to migrate and
season progressed.Since pin-
e observed in the aerial survey
of August 28 were in large flocks.they may not have nested in the impound-
ment area,
17
Table 6,Waterfowl recorded from the ground in the Denali impoundment
area from June 15 through August 16,1958,
Broods
Adults Young Avg ,young/brood
4 several
22 180 8.2
4 22 5.5
2 4 2
1 5 5
1 6 6
Species
Swan
Canada goose
Scaup
Widgeon
Mixed scaup &widgeon
Green-winged teal
Mallard
Pintail
Bufflehead
Shoveller
Canvasback
American goldeneye
White-winged scoter
Old squaw
American merganser
Unidentified
Adults
without
young
2
III
75
423
28
20
11
7
6
3
2
31
28
225
3
1
19
3
6. 3
3
Table 7.Waterfowl counted from the air on the East and West Forks of
the Susitna River in Denali impoundment area,August 28,1958.
Swan
Pintail
Mallard
Scaup
Widgeon
11
263
81
67
48
Shoveller
Green-winged teal
White-winged scoter
American merganser
Unidentified
5
15
14
33
579
33.The areas of greatest waterfowl concentration were in the upper
10-mile section of the impoundment area,and__on and adjacent to Goose
Island,a marshy area with many lakes and potholes about 12 miles below
the Denali Highway crossing of the Susitna River.Lack of food apparently
18
limited waterfowl use in other areas,Star duckweed and pondweed were
the principal waterfowl food species in the Goose Island area,
34,Swans nesting in this area are believed to be trumpeters.inas-
much as all nesting swans and eggs which have been identified by personnel
of the Fish and Wildlife Service waterfowl division south of the Alaska Range
have been trumpeters,Measurements made June 12$1958 of an egg from
a qlut ch near the mouth of the Oshetna River and of 2 eggs from a clutch
near Crosswind Lake,13 miles east of Lake Louise definitely established
these clutches as trumpeter rather than whistling swanafl-Ians en ,1958),
35,Residents report that sizeable numbers of a small species of
Canada goose rest and feed in the impoundment area .on their way south in
the falL
36.The waterfowl hunting season opened September 1;hunting
pres sure was ne gligible,
Stream Surveys and Fisheries
37,The Susitna River is glacial in origin and flows gene rally
through flat bottom land,In the Denali impoundment area,it is charac-
terized by many shifting channels and a silt-mud bottom;Water levels
were measured daily at the Denali Highway bridge,Day to day fluctuations
ranged from 0 to 8 inches;and the total range observed was 16 inches.No
overall upward or downward trend was evident during the period from
June 18 through August 15.Sun which melted the glaciers,or rain,
19
caused the river to rise;cooler weather without rain caused the river to
drop.Cold weather after August 15 caused a steady drop to the Septem-
ber 11 level,which was 28.5 inches lower than the highest recorded in
July.
38.A continual record of air and water temperatures was obtained
for the Susitna River at the Denali Highway bridge.Mean daily high and
low water temperatures and range in daily fluctuations by two-week periods
are tabulated in Table 8.
Table 8.Susitna River temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit at Denali
Highway bridge.
Mean Daily Mean Daily Range in Daily
Period High Low Fluctuations
June 18 -30 47.1 42.5 1 -8
July 1 - 15 46.9 42.1 2 - 8
July 16 -31 45.4 41.6 2 - 7
August 1 - 15 44.1 40.9 2 - 6
August 16 - 31 42.5 39.2 2 - 5
September 1 - 14 41.5 38.7 2 - 4
39.Few,if any,anadromous fish occur in the Susitna River
system above Devil Canyon.None were found above Vee Canyon during
the period of investigation.Sport fish are not sought in the silty main
stem of the Susitna River.Burbot were the only fish collected in the main
stem of the Susitna River in the Denali area.
20
40.Tributaries,portions of which would be flooded by a dam at
Denali site,are des cribed beginning with the furthest upstream.and working
downstream.Flows have been computed using a factor of 0.8 for these
streams which all have rough bottoms.
41.Boulder Creek,flowing into the East Fork of the Susitna River.
is about 13 miles long.It is glacial in origin,has clear water tributaries,
and receives no fishing pressure.The lower 1/2 mile would be inundated
by dam construction at Denali site.Due to the inaccessibility of Boulder
Creek,the stream was surveyed from the air and no discharge measure-
ments were made.
42.Valdez Creek.14 miles long.enters the Susitna River from
the east about 5 miles below the junction of the East and West Forks.
Placer operations at the gold mining site of Denali,about 3 miles above
the mouth of Valdez Creek,have silted the gravels in the lower section.
The stream above is clear with many riffle areas,few pools,and a steep
gradient.Bottom types are gravel and rubble.Water temperature at
3:30 p.m ,on August 16 was 58 GF.;corresponding air temperature was
49 GF.Average velocity of a cross section in the lower 2 miles subject to
inundation was 6.3 feet per second.average depth was 1 foot.and average
width was 20 feet to give a flow of 101 c.f.s ,
43.Mayflies.the dominant aquatic insect,were fairly numerous.
One whitefish (Coregonus cylindraceus (Pallas))was seined at the mouth
21
of Valdez Creek.Fishing pressure is negligible since the stream is 5 miles
from the Denali Highway and may be reached only by pers ons on foot or
using track or four-wheel drive vehicles.
44.Windy Creek,a clear stream about 14 miles long,flows into
the Susitna River from the east about 1 mile above the Denali bridge.The
lower 2-mile section,which would be inundated,has pool and riffle areas
interspersed and a gravel-rubble bottom.Water and air temperatures at
10:30 a.rn ,on August 16 were 46°F.and 51 of .•respectively.Based on an
average depth of 0.8 feet,a cross section averaging 50 feet in width with
an average velocity of 3.5 f.p.s .•the stream flow in the lower section was
computed to be 112c.f.s ,
45.Mayflies,caddis flies,and stone flies were the dominant
aquatic insects present.Accessible from the Denali Highway by a short
walk,Windy Creek probably received more fishing pressure than any other
stream in the impoundment area.AU of this angling was for grayling,which
were readily taken and which ranged up to 16 inches in length.Fishing
effort and success were noted from late June through mid-S~ptember.
46.Butte Creek,a clear-water stream about 28 miles long,drains
an area of rolling hills to the west of the Susitna River.Much of Butte
Creek drainage can be traversed with swamp buggies and track vehicles.
A dam at Denali site would inundate the lower 7 miles of Butte Creek.
Pools about 4 feet deep and 10 feet long occur about every 50 feet in this
22
section and are interspersed with riffle areas.Stream bottom types are
gravel and rubble.A cross section taken in the proposed impoundment
yielded an average velocity of 2.5 f.p.s.,average depth 2.5 feet,and
average width 30 feet for a calculated flow of 150 c.£.s .Water and air
temperatures on August 27 at 2:00 P:m,were 47°F.and 59°F.,r e spe c-
tively.
47.Caddis flies were abundant;stone flies,mayflies,and black
flies were also present.Grayling,whitefish,and cottids were seined and
grayling were observed in pools.Fishing pressure,most of which was
incidental to other activities such as hunting o r prospecting,was light.
Access was by swamp buggy or track vehicles.
48.Raft Creek,which drains a wet,lowland area to the east of the
Susitna River would have its lower 2 miles inundated by the proposed
Denali dam.This stream is clear with an almost imperceptible current.
Bottom material is largely organic.No fish were observed in the section
which would be inundated.
49.Shallow,bog,brown-water lakes scattered throughout the
Denali impoundment area apparently support fish only if connected to a
stream system.Suckers and grayling were observed in several of these
lakes.
50.A clear-water lake of about 200 surface acres and having a
sand and rubble bottom is located about two miles south of the Denali
23
Highway on the west side of the Susitna River.Designated locally as Sand
Lake,it supports lake trout and receives a moderate amount of fishing
pressure.Anglers reach the lake by means of tundra vehicles or walking,
and fish for grayling and whitefish in the outlet stream.
51.Another clear-water lake approximately the same size as Sand
Lake is located in the impoundment area about ten miles south of the Denali
Highway.It is nearly inaccessible except by plane.
FINDINGS
VEE CANYON AREA
Description and Range
52.The Bureau of Reclamation has indicated that the Vee Canyon
impoundment probably would have a maximum elevation of 2,400 feet.At
this level,the reservoir would extend about It miles above the Denali site
and be essentially confined to the present river bed in this uppermost area
(Figs.5 and 6).
53.Most of the Vee Canyon reservoir would be confined by side-
hills to a strip 1/4 to 2 miles wide on each side of the Sus itna River and
tributaries.Here the Susitna is 1/8 to 1/4 mile wide and flows in a
narrower,deeper channel than in the Denali area.The impoundment area
bordering the river has spruce and glandular scrub birch interspersed as
dominants with occasional stands of aspen on the better-drained sites.
Heath plants form the understory.Willow and sedge are present on wetter
24
Figure 5.Vee Canyon darn site looking upstream.
Figure 6.Vee Canyon darn site looking downstream with
Goose Creek flowing in from left.
2.5
sites and bog cotton grass is an occasional dominant.Lichens present
throughout the area are most numerous in the Coal Creek and MacLaren
River areas but are only moderately abundant in those locales,
54.Willow in that portion of Clearwater Creek which would be im-
pounded has been utilized in past years to the extent that some plants are
dying and r e sp r outi.ng,Moderate use was noted on current growth at the
time of survey.Scrub birch had been utilized slightly.
55.The portion of the impoundment area which extends into the
Coal Creek drainage is a wet,lowland type characterized by intermingled
willow.spruce,sedge,and Sphagnum bogs.Scrub birch is dense on slopes
and ridges.Lichens are fairly abundant along ridges which run further
from the creek.Willow shows moderate to heavy use on past growth.
Light use was noted on current growth.
56.A dam at Vee Canyon would inundate lowlands having willow,
aspen,spruce,and sedge cover in the MacLaren River drainage.WHlow
and aspen show moderate to heavy past use with some willow having been
killed out and resprouting.Current browse use was moderate.Slopes
have he avy growths of scrub birch and a few spruce.Scrub birch in some
areas shows moderate use on past growth.Lichens are fairly abundant.
57.The proposed impoundment will back water up the Tyone River
system but it will be generally confined to present shorelines in Lake
Louise,Susitna Lake.Tyone Lake and the upper Tyone River.Land
bordering the lower Tyone River and Tyone Creek which would be flooded
has extensive areas of bog cotton grass and some sedge in addition to the
widespread willow,spruce,scrub birch,and heath cover.Spruce are
s mall due to a relatively recent burn.Willow shows moderate to heavy use
on past growth.Light use was noted on rece'nt growth.
58.Alders are intermingled with willow,scrub birch,heath plants,
and spruce in the portion of the Oshetna drainage which would be inundated,
Browsing in the past has been heavy on willow;current use had been light to
moderate at the time of survey.
59.Willow and scrub birch are the dominant species in that portion
of Goose Creek which would be flooded.In this area,willow showed heavy
past use.
Big Game
60.Table 9 summarizes moose and caribou counts in the Vee
Canyon impoundment area.The limited data suggest that moose calf pro-
duction is excellent.Black and grizzly bear were present throughout the
area.
Table 9.Aerial counts of moose and caribou in Vee
area and expanded population estimates.
Canyon impoundment
Estim.
Date Coverage Counted Total Bulls Cows Calves
Bulls/'Calves7
100 cows 100 cows
MOOSE:
7-29 37.50/0 7 19 2 2 3 100 150
10-23 37.50/0 34 91 2 20 12 10 60
12 -1 750/0 73 97
CARIBOU:
7-29 37.50/0 1 3
10-23 37.50/0 129 344
12-1 750/0 22 29
2t1
61.The most intensive hunting in the Vee Canyon area was centered
in the upper Tyone River section.Lake Louise can be reached by road and
Lake Louise and the connecting Susitna and Tyone Lakes are popular for
hunting from boats.Due to inaccessibility,hunting throughout the rest of
the Vee Canyon area is limited to boat and float plane operations and is not
intensive.Boat hunting,confined largely to the Tyone system,is not inten-
sive below Tyone Lake due to difficulties imposed by shallow water sections
of the Tyone River.Planes are able to land and take off from several areas
of the Susitna River;however,lakes adjacent to the impoundment area are
utilized to a greater extent than the river.As in the Denali area,moose
and caribou are the species most sought.
Small Game
62.Snowshoe hare and spruce grouse,populations of which fluctuate
periodically,are reportedly present in the area.None were observed
during the period of investigation.Ptarmigan,another cyclic species,were
not abundant.One adult and eight young were the total seen in the impound-
rne nt area.Wilson I s snipe were distributed throughout the area.
Fur Bearers
63.Evidence of wolf,fox,lynx,wolverine,river otter,beaver,and
muskrat was seen in the Vee Canyon area.A moderate amount of trapping
in the Lake Louise area constitutes the major pressure currently exerted
to harvest these species.Beaver,perhaps,have the highest potential
28
1 9 9
2 19 9.5
1 5 5
1 6 6
1 7 7
4 13 3. 3
1 8 8
4 26 6.5
3 12 4
1 4 4
1 1 1
value of the fur bearing species.Wolves have been reduced in numbers in
recent years but are presently protected as part of a study to learn more of
their Hfe history and ecology.
Waterfowl
64.Waterfowl recorded in the Vee Canyon area,exclusive of Lake
Louise,Susitna Lake,and the Tyone River above the mouth of Tyone Creek,
are presented in Table 10.
Table 10.Waterfowl recorded from the ground in Vee Canyon impoundment
area from July 11 through August 2,1958.
Adults Broods
without Average
Species young Adults Young Young/Brood
Canada goose 2
Ame z-i can merganser 33
White-winged s cote r 12
Scaup 8
Bufflehead 8
American goldeneye 4
Pintail 3
Mallard 3
Widgeon
Green-winged teal 1
Surf seater
Old squaw 1
Unidentified 7
These data,obtained while covering the impoundment area by boat and on .
foot,are not total numbers of waterfowl utilizing the reservoir site,but
are considered representative of the composition of waterfowl present in
the locale.Water suitable for nesting is limited in the Vee Canyon area.
much of which is confined to the Susitna River bottom and immediate side
hills.Many of the lakes or potholes which would otherwise be suitable
lacked food for waterfowL Nearly all lakes with food produced at least one
b.r ood ;however.broods generally were s m al l ,P'ondwe ed ,water rni lf'oi.l ,
and bur reed were the most abundant duck food.Water lily was also abun-
dant in the shallow.bog lakes.
65.Hansen (1958)reports a clutch of trumpeter swan eggs in the
impoundment area at the mouth of the Oshetna River and another near
Crosswind Lake 13 miles east of Lake Louise.
Stream Surveys and Fisheries
66.The Susitna River in the Vee Canyon impoundment area is con-
fined by hills with moderate to steep slopes and has formed one or two
deep,permanent channels in most sections.Bottom materials include
rocks,boulders,mud,and silt.Flow data obtained for a cross section of
the Susitna River just above the mouth of Tyone Creek July 27 are:
average velocity,5 f.p,s ,u average depth.6 feet;average width,225 feet;
discharge,5400 c.f,s , A constant of 0.8 for a rough bottom is used in
calculating the discharge.Grayling,fine-scaled sucker,cotttd ,and burbot
were seined in shallow-water areas of the Susitna River 4 miles above the
mouth of Tyone Rive r-,
67.Clearwater Creek,about 34 miles long would have its lower 5
miles inundated by a dam at Vee Canyon.This lower section,which drains
an area of low hills and ridges,has many deep,long pools interspersed
with riffle areas.Willow and Equisetum are the predominant shore vege-
tation;spruce and glandular scrub birch are the dominant surrounding
country vegetation.Water flow data were obtained July 21 from a cross
section of stream.Average velocity was 5 feet per second,average depth
was 2 feet,and average width was 90 feet,while discharge of 720 c.f.s ,
was calculated.Grayling,burbot,and cottids were taken by seine and
minnow trap.The lower section,inaccessible except by boat or float plane,
receives little or no fishing pressure.
68.Coal Creek,about 28 miles long,drains a relatively low area
west of the Susitna River.The lower 5-mile section of Coal Creek which
would be inundated,possesses a wet,lowland type terrain containing
willow,spruce,and sedge bogs.This clear stream has a gravel-rubble
bottom and many pools from 5 to 30 feet long and 1 to 5 feet deep inter-
spersed with riffle areas.A cross section measurement indicated an average
stream velocity in the area which would be inundated of 2.2 f.P>s ,;average
depth,1 foot;and average width,25 feet,resulting in a calculated discharge
of 44 c.f.s ,Caddis flies and May flies were the dominant aquatic insects.
Grayling and cottids were taken by seining;a run of adult suckers was ob-
served moving upstream on Ju.ly 20.Fishing pressure is nearly non-
existent due to inaccessibility.
3\1
69.The MacLaren Rivers a major tributary of the Susitna River.
enters from the east and originates at MacLaren Glacier 50 miles above its
junction with the Susitna.The lowlands in the 5-mile section which would
be Hooded by a dam at Vee Canyon are interspersed with willows aspen.
spruces and sedge.The turbid river has many long.deep pools interspersed
with rifHe areas;glacial mud and gravel are the stream bottom types
present.Average depth of a cross section near the mouth was 3 feet;
average width.150 feet;velocity.5 f.p.s ,;and the discharge was computed
to be 1800 c,f.s ,Burbot and cottids taken with minnow trap and seine were
the only fish species noted.No fishing pressure is known to occur on the
Ma.cLaren.
70.The Tyone system would lose more clear water through inun-
dation than any other stream in either impoundment area.Tentative Bureau
of Reclamation figures list 2.400 feet as the probable maximum Vee Canyon
reservoir water Leve l,If this is attained,the water levels of Tyone Lake
(elevation 2.361 feet rn,s ,L from 1:63.360 USGS maps issued in 1952).
Susitna Lake (2.361 feet rn,s ,L).Lake Louise (2.362 feet rn , s ,l.)and
Little Lake Louise (2,375 feet rn,s ,L).all at the upper end of the Tyone
River.would be raised.
71.Lake Louise,accessible by 18 miles of gravel road from the
Glenn Highway,provides boat access to Susitna Lake and Tyone Lake.This
area is becoming Inc re as ingly popular;private cabins are appearing along
32
much of the available lake frontage and Army and Air Force recreation
camps have been established here.The lake trout fishery is a major reason
for this popularity.Allin (1956)states tha t ,from records supplied by the
rru l.i.ta ry ,it is computed that 211 man-days of pressure took about 459 lake
trout in 1955.Military pers orme l exerted about 750/0 of the fishing pressure
at that time.Other species present are grayling,whitefish,fine-scaled
sucker,and burbot,Allin (1956,1957)more fully describes the Lake
Louise fishery.
72.The lower ten miles of the Tyone River were surveyed.Wi.Il.ow ,
spruce,and Equisetum are the dominant shore species with glandular
scrub birch and spruce dominant on surrounding hi l.ls ,The river is clear
and flows ave r gravel and rubble with pools from 1 to 8 feet long about
every 100 yards.Riffle areas are abundant.The water level fluctuates
greatly depending on r ai.nfal.l ,Flow data obtained from a cross section in
this area are:average velocity,1.4 f.p.s ,;average depth,2 feet;average
width,30 feet;and di s cha r-ge , 67 c.f.s ,Caddis flies were the dominant
aquatic insect.Water temperature on June 22 at 10:00 a.rn,was 58"F.;
air temperature was 59°F.Grayling,fine-scaled sucker,bur-bot,and
cattids were taken with seine and minnow trap at the mouth of the Tyone
River.Although the lower Tyone River is accessible by boat from Lake
Louise,Little fishing pressure was exerted here.
33
73.The Oshetna River,which flows north for 50 miles before
emptying into the Susitna River,would have its lower 6 miles flooded by a
dam at Vee Canyon.Willow,alder,and glandular scrub birch are the
dominant vegetative types in this section.Pools are infrequent in this
fast,clear stream which flows over gravel,rubble,and boulders.Stream
flow data obtained when the river was high due to rains are:average velo-
city,6 £.p.s ,;average depth,4 feet;average wi d.th.,100 feet;and discharge,
1920 c.Ls.Water temperature on July 31 at 7:30 av rn,was 48°F.Caddis
flies were abundant in the stream and grayling were present.Little or no
fishing occurs in this drainage due to inaccessibility.
74.Goose Creek,a clear stream flowing north to the SusitnaRiver,
would have 3 miles of its total length of 15 miles flooded by a dam at Vee
Canyon.This lower section,bordered by willows and alders,has a stream·
bed of mixed gravel"rubble,and boulders and contains many pool and
riffle areas.Water temperature at 1:00 P>rn,July 31 was 52°F.Average
velocity of a cross section measured when the stream was high due to rain
was 5 feet per second,average depth was 2 feet,average width was 25
feet,and flow was 200 c.f,s ,Fishing pressure is non-existent due to
inacce s sibility.
75.Shallow potholes and brown-water bog lakes,present through-
out the Vee Canyon area but less numerous than in the Denali area,
apparently contain fish only if accessible from a stream system.Tempera-
ture of most of these lakes was about 60"'F.
34
CONCLUSION
76.Investigations were conducted in the Denali and Vee Canyon
project areas of the Susitna River Basin to ascertain the species of fish
and wildlife present.The species identified are summarized by area in
Tables 11 and 12.
77.The information contained herein,along with the findings of
subsequent studies,will eventually be used in the preparation of reports
for the Bureau of Reclamation dealing with the effects of the proposed
projects on the fish and wildlife resources.
3-5
1 L Fish and Wildlife species e rved the Denali and e i
ISmall
Fish I Game Game i Furbearers
~,areas.
Waterfowl
Area
-
I:J:l -rt.l
::l I:J:l ro.;->..-I
ro 1-1 ::l .....
f,:j Q)1=1 ro
00 v 0 P-io,..,..00-
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rt.l :::l 1-1 ::l
::l I:J:l 0 Q)
.;->'"dO U 1-1b.;->Q)-~1-I ~
::l..-l ""roOo.ooro..d'"d(j),..0
-""•.U I:J:l l:i ,.,..:::l "'-+,1:J:l""""•.-1.-1-....'O'"d'.-I +'1:J:l'H;""0,....,(j)
'"•..-i ~~,,~:>.~,..0 l:'l I:J:l-.;->~~Q)~U U '..-i l:'l 0Water11-1 +'ro ,!4 1=1 '::1 rn 1-1 ..-1 0::lOl-lro •..-i ...........ro1-l
Turbidity I:!:I 0 o ...:1 lZ;;S:Iil 0 o ~
Q)
H
ro
1=l,..cl
ro <!)
000•..-i ,.QSrt.l
H l3-
ro 0.;->f,:jP-iU)
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o l=lHI:J:l
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!-f ..-I reip..•..-i <!)
U);S:r:Q
1-1
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+'<!)
+'+'f,:jro0 ...-i
I-l 1-1 I-l~IaI~~:::l ~o:>.::l •..-i°O
lZ;...:1~~;S:;S:
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:>.I:J:l ,....,
Q)l=l rd
l=l rd Q)Q)00 .;->
'"d HQ).....(j)'"d
~~S ~~o '"dU1=I :>ool=ll=lroro·..-i ?
ro rd Q),..o l3-......ro
.....U U ""v ::l\\)•..-i •..-i ......I:J:l I H ...........'"d.··•.Q)ro~.....v •..-i
l=llrel.,"'l ......-I:>(j),.::i I:J:l rorol=lQ)Q)'H~(j)..-I .;->
l3-ro S S 1:1 ro 1-1 ~::s .SU)O<t;<t;~OcJ,c:;OP-i
1-1(j).;->o
U
I:J:l
'"dQ)
1-1 00
H 2 .S
(j)0 l3-f,:j:=U I 0
p..Q)I:J:lQ)(j)
::l:>'H';->00
roOl-!·..-i'"d
U ,.Q ::l ,..cl •..-i
U)U)U);S:;S:
w IPENALI
0>Main Ste:mSusitna glacial Ix
Boulder Creek glacial
Valdez Creek clear
I IJ~:I Ix
Windy Creek clear
Butte Creek clear I Ix
Raft Creek clear
Sand Lake clear I I t x t XI Ix
xlxlxlxlxlxlxlxlXIX XlxlxlxlxlxlxlxlxlxlxlxlXlxlxlx xiX
clear
clear
VEE CANYON
Main StemSusitna glacial
Clearwater Creek clear
Coal Creek clear
MacLaren River glacial
Tyone System(Lakes
Loui s e ,Sus ltna ,clear
and Tyone)
Oshetna River
Goose Creek
XIX xI IX
X X X
X
XliX
xIx
X X x XIXlx
x
XlxlXIXIXIX xlxlXlxlxlxlXIXlxlXlxlXIX XIX I XI XI X Xlxlx
Table 12.Non-game birds recorded in Denali and Vee Canyon areas.
Species Denali area Vee Canyon area
Common loon x
Pacific loon x
Horned grebe x
Swa.irrs on ts hawk x
Redtailed hawk x x
Golden eagle x
Bald eagle x x
Marsh hawk x
Osprey x
Golden plover x
Semi-palmated plover x
Hudsonian curlew x
Spotted sandpiper x x
Lesser yellowlegs x x
Northern phalarope x
Shortbilled gull x x
Franklin gull x x
Arctic tern x x
Horned owl x
Hawk owl x
Snowy owl x
Flicker x
Hairy Woodpecker x
Kingfisher x x
Cliff swallow x x
Robin x x
Hermit thrush x
Russet-backed thrush x
Ruby-crowned kinglet x
Bohemian waxwing x x
Myrtle warbler x x
Purple finch x
Whitewinged crossbill x
Tree sparrow x x
White crowned sparrow x x
Song sparrow x
Slate colored junco x x
LITERATURE CITED
Anonymous
1952.A report on potential development of water resources in the
Susitna River Basin of Alaska.U.S.Bureau of Reclamation
report.
1952.A preliminary report on fish and wildlife
to the Susitna River Basin Plan,Alaska.
life Service report.
resources in relation
U.S.Fish and Wild-
1954.A special report on economic aspects of the Nelchina Caribou
Herd.U.S,Fish and Wildlife Service report.
1954.A progress report on wildlife of the Susitna River Basin.
U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service report.
19570 1956 field investigations,Devil Canyon dam site,Susitna Rive r
Basin.U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service progress report.
1959.1957 field investigations,Devil Canyon dam site and reservoir
area,Susitna River Basin,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service
progress report.
Al Lin ,R.W.
1956.Catch distribution,composition,and size structure,sport
fishing Anchorage area.Federal Aid in Fish Restoration
quarterly progress report.
1957.Preliminary lake survey of Lake Louise and Little Lake Louise,
Federal Aid in Fish Restoration quarterly progress report.
Hansen,H.A.
1958.Annual waterfowl report,Alaska.U.S.Fish and Wildlife
Service report.
Raus ch,R.A,
1958.Herd composition surveys--Susitna and Copper River valleys,
moose management studies.Federal Aid in Wildlife Restora-
tion job completion report.
38