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This document contains three works which are possibly authored by Bruce
M. Barrett.
• December investigations on the upper Susitna River watershed
between Devil Canyon and Chulitna River.
• January investigations in the upper Susitna River watershed between
Devil Canyon and Chulitna River.
• February investigations in the upper Susitna River watershed between
Devil Canyon and Chulitna River.
Decer-!Jer Invest;gati ons on the Urper Sus itna P.i ver
Watershed Between Devil Canyon and Chulitna River
INTRODUCTION
In December of 1974 the Division of Commercial Fisheries~contracted
by the National tiarine Fisheries Servi ce,commenced a series ')f monthly v.,rinter
investigations on the Upper Susitna River belcw Devil Canyon.Previous inv2st-
igations denoted 21 rel ativly major and minor salmon spawning and rearing
sloughs adjoining the Susitna River be~Jeen Devil Canyon and the Chulitna Riv-
er_(Figure 1 ).Chum salrmn Vlere the primary spawning species and coho fry
the dominate rearinG species.
The presence of aqe 0.0 coho fry and the absence of adult coho spm'mers
in the sloughs suggests that fry immigrate,·in early sprino.from the spa!:m-
ing streams to the Susitna River and enter the sloughs for rearing.Some
emigration into the Susitna River was observed in the late fall of 1974
corresponding with partial slough dewaterin9.Rearing fry may inhabit both
the Susitna River and the slouqhs durinq Ninter months.Slou0hs void of
adult spawning ~opulations may be due to their incapability to buffer v-Jinter
conditions.The \'linter investi9ations are intended to provide qualative
information on fry distribution and abundance and vtinter conditions in the
sloughs and in the Susitna River.
PROCEDURES
The first survey \t;las conducted during the period of December 3 through 6
from a field stat on established at Sold Creek.Travel to the sloughs was
achieved primarily through the use of two u'lin track sn~~vehicles.Sloughs
'~'-'~'"that h'ere accesslble \\fere samf11ed for 0.0.,pH,relative \"/ater heiqht,ice
th i ckness and cover.snow dep~~:,.temperature and flo...l.rnnnm'l'traps baited
with saloon roe were fished in s1 ougns havinq suffi cient vlater derth.
----------~..._----
5 mil es
Tal kee tn a R.
ARLIS
Alaska Resources
LAbrary &Information SflrvlOO8
~Qhgf~.AJa~ka
Porta0::Cr.(
Fourth
July
Cr.
rnd;an
Clear Cr.
Lane Creek
l'io.p of the area encompassed in the Devil Canyon invest~r;Jations
on the upper Susitna Ri ver Hatershed.Devil IS Canyon Winter
Project,1974.
Reference ~~ap
Figure 1.
......
,.
,-
A Ryan thermograph was installed at Gold Creek and at Chase on the
Susitna River.~'Iater samples It/ere collected for suspended sediment anal-
ysis and pH and D.O.levels were monitored at the thermograph sites and
at the Fairbanks-Anchorage highway crossing.
RESULTS
Sloughs No.8,No.9,No.11,No.12,No.13,No.14,No.15,were
accessible by track machine or by foot.Table 1 presents a summary of
the survey results.Aside from Slough No.14 and No.15,sloughs \'!est
of the Susitna River '.'Jere inaccessible due to instability of the river ice.
A major portion of Slough No.8 was dewatered;the remaining portion
was approximately 70 percent ice free.The dissolved oxygen level was
13.6 ppm.Insufficient water depth prohibited the employment of a fry
trap.Rearing fry were not observed .
.Slough No.9 was 20 percent ice free.Hater temperatures and dis-
solved oxygen level was 34°F.and approximately llppm.respectively.
Water depth averaged approximately 17 inches.No fry were observed,but
with the employment of two minnow traps,10 age 0.0 coho fry were caught
during a 25.5 hour period.Their mean lenqth,weight and condition factor
..../as 64.3 centimeters,31.1 grams and 1.166 (Table 2).
Slough No.11 was approximately 20 percent clear of ice.Dissolved
oxygen level was 9.6 ppm and water temperature was 34°F.Two minnow traps,
fished ~/enty yards apart,caught eight age 0.0 coho fry.The mean length,
weight and condition factor of the fry was 61.0 centimeters,2.8 grams and
1.242,respectively (Table 2).
Slouqh No.12 was completely ice covered except for a relatively small
portion located approximately 130 yards above its mouth.Three sites \"Jere
sampled.Anchor ice was observed at h/o sites.I'later temperature was 34°F.
Table 1.Survey OJ'tnter conditions ?nd rearina fry distribution in Sloughs i/o.R,).8A.No.9.No.11,No.12,No.13.No.14 and No.15,Devil's \)on \./inte~·Pru,~
197 4 .I r'.-C h'.1nnO{,'Irao ate.
Fish Species
-'=.
Temperature Ice Ice Snow Depth Hater g'.~.
Slough Survey Time.(oF)Dissolved Thickness Cover On Ice Depth F101~Anchor No.Hours :=1i
No.Site Date (mil itary)Air Hater Oxyuen(ppm)pit (inches)(%)(inches) (inches)Detectable Ice Present Fished ~E ~
u ~::?:
8 A 12/6/74 1530 28 35 13.5 5.1 0.3-0.E 30 0.5-24 3.0 Yes No 0.0
-------------------------------~---------------~--------------------------------------------------------------------------------.-.--------------------------------------
81\A
B
12/6/74
12/6/74
1200
1215
26
26
34
34
12.8
11.7
5.4
5.5
0.5-1.(
0.3-1.C
20
20
0.5-24
1.0-24
5.0
7.0
Yes
Yes
No
No
0.0
0.0
9 A 12/5/74 0930 30 34 11.0 5.5 2.C 80 0.0-36 16.5 Yes No 25.5 4 0 0
B 12/5/74 1000 30 34 10.5 5.3 2.E 80 0.5-2.0 17.3 Yes No 25.5 6 0 a
---~--------------------------------------------------_____________________'_______~___________________________________~_______~M ___________~_____________________________
11 A 12/4/74 1300 15 34 9.6 5.6 O.~80 1.0-2.0 14.5 Yes No 43.5 2 0 0
B 12/4/74 1320 --------Yes rio 43.2 6 0 0
----------------------------.-----------.-----------------.-------------------------.-------------------------------------.--------------------------------------------.-
12 A 12/4/74 1330 15 32.5 5.0 6.0 4.6 95 0.1 7.8 No Yes 0.0
13 12/4/74 1345 15 32.5 - -
4.3 95 2.0-36 5.8 No Yes 0.0
C 12/4/74 1400 15 34 5.2 5.8 1.0-2.0 %0.1 2.0 Yes No 0.0
13 A
B
12/4/74
12/4/74
1440
1500
15
15
33
33
6.8
5.2
5.6
5.6
0.8
1.0
95
95
0.3-48
1.0
1.9
7.6
Yes
Yes
No
No
0.0
0.0
14 A 12/5/74 1530 25 34 11.8 5.4 1.0 50 8.0-36 3.3 Yes No 0.0
15 A
B
12/4/74
12/4/74
1000
1015
10
10 34 12.4 5.2
9.8
9.0
100
100
19.5
11.0
0.0
7.3
No
Yes
No
No
0.0
0.0
Tab 1e 3.Survey of winter condition$in the Susitna River at Gold Creek,Chase and Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway crossing,Devil's Cani on
Winter Project,1974.'
Suspended SpJjds
Temperature Sample r1on-Total Water Ice Ice Snow Depth Anchor
Time (oF)D.O.Size Settlable Filterable Suspended Depth Cover Thickness On Ice Ice
Date {Military]Air Water (ppm).pH (1)(maLl)(rng/l)(mg/l)(inches)(%)(inches) (inches)Present
Susitna
River
Site
Chase 12/6174 1700
33.5 >6.4 5.6
f..o ld
Cr.12/5/74 1400 30
28 34 14.8 6.7
2.0
2.0
21
6
4
6
25
12
48
>96
30
9S
4-6
7-12
0.5-6
1.0-24
No
No
Fair.-
Anch.12/19/74 1440 16 32.5 14.2 6.8 2.0 2 ·2 4 >96 75 8-10 9.7-13
)
Table 2.Age and length samples of coho fry collected at Sloughs No.9 and No.11,Devil IS Canyon ~\Jinter
Project,1974.
)
.~
Slough
No.Date
Sample
Size
Percent
Comrosition
O.D Age~C:1jKs_~-~--=-_
r'lean -
Lenq~~Standard Heiaht Standar"d Condition Brood
(mm)Deviation (9)Deviation Factor Year
9
11
11/6/74
11/6/74
10
8
100.0
100.0
64.3
61.0
5.8
6.5
3.1
2.8
1.1
0.9
1.166
1.242
1973
1973
Table 4.Survey of \'Iinter conditions in Indian River,L'lne Creek and Gold Creek,Devil IS Canyon Hinter Project,
1974.
Survey
Stream Si te
Temfe ra ture
Time oFf
Date (military)Air I~ater
Ice
Th i ckness
(Inches)
Ice
Cover
(%)
Sno'f/DeDth
On Ice
(Inches)
t'fater
Deptll ~Fl 0\'/
(Inches)(C.F.S.)
Anchor
Ice Present
Indian
Ri ver 3.0 12/6/74 0930 21 34 1 .5 -3.S 50 4.0-24 12-14 +No
Lane
Cr.0.112/6/74 1500 28 35.5 0.5-1.0 90 6.0-24 8-12 7.21 No
------------------------------~---------------~-------------------------------------------------------------.--
Gold
Cr,0.3 12/6/74 0830 21 32.5 12-14 98 24-48 6-9 +No
at ::he ice free station and at the ath2r t':::J 51:27.10;;5 t:·;~temper'.1t'Jl"2 \:..)
-=,"~.:3
ard c1chor ice was not observed.
Dissolv2d oXyGen level
'11i::.3 7.25 'nches.~!ater flo!:J \'ldS undet~ctible at :.::2 1;,'/0 sanpling stations.
At the confluence of the slough with the Susitna Riv~r only subsurface
(inter-gravel)water was present.
510uqh No.14 was approximately 50 percent ice free and mean water d,=pth
was 3.3 inches.The water temperature and dissolved oxygen level was 34°F.
and 11.8 ppm.Fry were not observed.
A slough (No.8A)paralleling the Alaska Railroad at Mile 254 was 10-
cated and identified for the first time (Figur2 2).Cursory observations of
the slou~;,suggest that it may be a significant spc.~'ming and rearing area.
Hater temperature was 34°F.and dissol ved oxygen levels ranged from 11.7
to 12.8 ppr:1.Approximate ly 8:'J percent of the slo'_i-:;h "las ice fn:e.No Tl"Y
were observed and minnm1 traps were not fished due to time limitations.
Susitna River water collected at Gold Cree~averaqed 25 n9/l{D~m)
d ~l'd The settling rate was aonroximately 50 nercentofsusneneuso,s._
at 2~hours.5amoles at Chase contained an average of 12 moll of
susoended ~olids;the settling rate was aDofoximately 50 nercent at 24
hours.River samples collected at the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highl;Jay
crossing contained 4 mg/l of suspended solids with a 50 percent
sett1in9 rate at 24 hours.
Indian River.Lane Ct'eek.and Gold Creek were surveyed.The results
are oresented in Table 4.
·',.
.I
j TreeICovered
&Island
~~
"(;;~
~1
~\Tree~\'covered
~Island
\~\~\
Riffle
.~--t--Riffl e
Clear Hater
Stream
0.7 Mile
figure 2.Map of Slough No.8-A as composed on December 6,Devil's Canyon
Winter Project,1974.
DISCUSSION
Coho fry were rearing in Sloughs NO.9 and No.ll and possibly in
Slou~h No.BA.An analysis of length and weight samples inrlicate that the
fry were in lI goo dll condition.Sloughs No.12,No.13,No.14 and No.15
can probalby be considered sub-quality rearing ~il.bitat primarily -due to
their extreme dewatered state.
The Susitna River was clear with a suspended load of less than 26 ppm.
At Gold Creek approximately 70 percent of the Susitna River was open,al-
thoug!l 70 percent of the open flOiJ \,{as slush ice.r1id-river depth exceeded
five feet at Gold Creek and the river substrate was visibly clear from the
railroad trestle.At Chase,approxiamtely 5 percent of the river was ice
free with 40 percent of the open flod being slush ice,and the Susitna River
below the confl uence of the Chul itna and Tal keetna Rivers \'ias 25 percent open
with surface fla~comprised of approximately 30 percent slush ice.
RECOH~:1ENDATIO~S
Sloughs No.19~No.20 and No.21 may be accessible with the aide of a
ski aircraft and if permissible at least one winter survey should be conduct-
ed on them.Minnow trapping should be initiated in the Susitna River.
JANUARY INVESTIGATIONS IN THE UPPER SUSITNA RIVER
WATERSHED BETWEEN DEVIL CANYON AND CHULITNA RIVER
INTRODUCTION
Winter investigations in the Upper Susitna River between Devil Canyon
and the Chulitna River are intended to provide qualitative information on
fry distribution and abundance and winter conditions in the sloughs and in
the Susitna River (Figure 1).Investigations conducted in December 1974
documented the presence of coho fry (Oncorhyncus kisutch)rearing in Sloughs
No.9 and No.11,extreme dewatered conditions in Sloughs No.12,No.13,
No.14,and No.15,and suspended solid levels of less than 26 ppm in the
Susitna River.
METHODS
Field operations were conducted from January 13 through 17,based from a
field camp located at Gold Creek.Access to sampling areas was obtained pri-
marily with the aid of single and twin track snow vehicles.Snowshoes afforded
access when snow and ice conditions prohibited vehicle operation.Sloughs
were sampled for dissolved oxygen and pH levels,relative water height,ice
cover and thickness,snow depth,and water flow and temperature.Streams were
:monitored for temperature,water flow and'relative depth,and ice cover and
thickness.Minnow traps baited with fresh salmon roe were fished in sloughs
having sufficient depth.
Thermographs installed the preceding month in the Susitna River at Chase
and Gold Creek were checked and reinstalled.Suspended solid,dissolved oxygen
and pH levels,ice cover and thickness and snow depth were monitored at the
thermograph sites and at the Anchorage-Fairbanks highway crossing.
J
aq
1.0"!c;-..0
proposed
Devi 1 Canyon
Dams ite
1\1
5 miles
51.#21
51.#20
51.#19
Creek
Talkeetna R.
Indi an R.
Portage Cr.
Fourth
July
Cr.
;
Clear Cr.
Lane Creek
Reference ~1ap
Figure 1.Map of the area encompassed in the Devil Canyon investigations
on the upper 5usitna River Watershed,Devil's Canyon Winter
Project,1975.
~.RESULTS
Open leads and overflow conditions,prevalent from the Anchorage-Fairbanks
highway crossing to Devil Canyon on the Susitna River,hampered track vehicle
travel along the river banks and prevented river crossing.A Gold Creek,
Chase,and the Anchorage-Fairbanks highway crossing the river was approximately
25 percent,0 percent,and 10 percent free of surface ice,respectively (Table 1 ).
Susitna River water samples collected at Gold Creek averaged 58 mg/l suspended
solids with 98 percent settlable within 24 hours.Samples collected at Chase
averaged 18 mg/l suspended solids with 94 percent settlable at 24 hours.
Water samples at the Anchorage-Fairbanks highway crossing contained an average
of 228 mg/l suspended solids with 98 percent settling occurring within 24 hours.
Thermographs operating in the Susitna River at Chase and Gold Creek
recorded the river temperature at a relatively stable 31-32°F during the
period of December 7 through Oecember'30 (Figure 2).
Minnow trapping was conducted from January 15 through 17 in the Susitna
River at Gold Creek.One coho fry was captured in 52 hours of fishing
(Table 2).This fish,produced from the 1973 parent year.had a length,
weight,and condition factor of 62 mm,2.7 g,and 1.133,respectively.
Slough No.3 averaged approximately 75 percent ice cover (Table 3);
water temperature and the dissolved oxygen level was 34°F and 13.4 ppm.
No rearing fry were observed.
Slough No.8-A averaged approximately 85 percent ice cover.Water
temperature was 34°F and dissolved oxygen levels were not monitored at the
sampling station due to equipment failure.The author suggests that the
oxygen levels were within fish tolerances as water flow was detectable and
portions of riffles in the slough were ice free.
))
Table 1.Survey of winter conditions in the Susitna River at Gold Creek,Chase and Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway crossing,Devil 's Canyon Winter
Project,1975.
Non-Total Hater Ice Ice Snow Depth Anchor
Filterable Suspended Depth Cover Thickness .On Ice Ice
(mg/l)(mg/1)(inches)(%)(inches).·(inches)Present
Suspended 5015l1s
Temferature Sample
Time oF}D.O.Size Settlab1e
Date (Military)Air 14ater (ppm)pH (1)(mg/l)
Susitna
Ri ver
Site
Gold
Cr.1t.14/75 1200 6 32 10.4 5.7 2 57 58 48 75 12.0 0.5-12 No
_____________________M ------------------------------------------------------~-----------------------------------
Chase
Cr.1/13/75 1145 -9.0 32 9.5 5.7 1.5 17 1 18 96 100 27.5 6.0-24 No
----~--~---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~-----------~------------------------------
Fair.-
Anch.1/12/75 1306 2 33 12.8 5.6 2 224 4 228 42 90 24.0 9.0 No
li(1/22/75 1300 12.1 2 2 4 90 24.0
Table 2.Age and lenoth samples of coho fry collected in Sloughs No.8-A,NO.·9,No.11 and in the Susitna River at Gold Creek,Devil's Canyon
Winter Project,1975.
0.0 Age Class 1.0 Age Class
Mean ~1ean
Sampling Sample Percent [eng-tf-Standard Standard Condition Brood Percent Standard Standard Condition Broo.
Site Date Size Composition (min)Deviation Weight Deviation Factor Year Composition Length Deviation Weight Deviation Factor Year
8-A 1/17/75 2 50.0 64 3.0 1.144 1973 50.0 74 4.8 1.185 1972
9 1/17/75 2 50.0 64 3.0 1.144"1973 50.0 83 5.8 1.014 1972
11 1/15/75 6 85.7 62.3 5.0 3.4 0.8 1.il06 1973 14.3 83 8.6 1.504 1972____~-._~~~_~~_~M M ~_~~---•_
Susi tna
River 1/16/75
Gold Cr.
100.0 62 2.7 1.133 1973 0.0
)"
33
oj.).....
QJ...cc:::32QJs.....c
ttl
l.l..I _.~
VI 31
QJ
QJs..
C'l
OJ 30Cl
Gold Creek
I I ..------~.._------~------
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
December
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
......,
,/,----;,~-----,.'----_._--~-----....,,.'----...."
,"-----_.......
/
,/.../'.._....._---'",,-_..-
33
+J.....
QJ...cc:::
32 1 ",QJs..",...c ."ttl
LJ...
VI 31
QJ
QJs..
C'l
OJ 30Cl
-------Chase
7 8 9 10 11
l
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
December
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ~9
Figure 2.Profile of water temperatures recorded daily in the Susitna River at Gold Creek and Chase,Devil 's
Canyon Winter Project,1975.
).-
Tah1e 3.Survey of winter conditions and rearing fry distribution in Sloughs No.8,No.8A,No.9,No.11,/.lo.12,No.13,No.14,No.15,No.17
____arJ~18,~DeviJ 's(:anyon Winter Project,1975.
Minnow Trap Catch
Fish Species
0:c:
Temperature Ice Ice Snow Depth .Water
Slough Survey Date Time (OF)Dissolved Thickness Cover On Ice Depth Flow
No.Site (Military)Air Water Oxygen(pp~Q.H_(inches)(%_)_(inshes)---.iinches)Detectable
Anchor 0
Ice No.Hours..c:
Present Fished 8
~c:o 'r-
r-..c 0->,c:r-
IO .,..::::I
s..to u
Cl ex::II')
8 A 1/13/75 1415 6 34 13.4 5.5 1.0-3.0 75 0-12 4.5 +No 0.0
------------------------------------------~-------------.---------------.---------------------------------------------.---.----------------------------
8A A 1/17/75 1210 29 34 -5.4 0.5-2.0 80 6.0-12 4.0 +No 68.1 0000
8A B 1/17/75 1225 29 34 5.4 0.3-1.8 90 1.0-10 8.5 +No 68.0 2 0 0 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~------------~-------------.----------------------.------
A 1/17/759
9 B 1/17/75
1107
1128
25
25
34
33
11.4 5.5
5.5
0.5-4.0
0.2-3.0
95
80
2.0-36
0.5-15
13
13
+
+
No
No
66.0
66.5
2 0 0 0
000 0
6 0 0 0
11
11
A
B
1/14/75
1/14/75
1445
1430
4
4
35
35
7.0
8.8
5.7
5.7
0.5-3.0
0.5-2.5
95
95
0.5-3.0
1.0-3.0
12
9.0
+
+
No
No
24.8
24.8
o o
12
12
B
c
1/14/75
1/14/75
1515
1506
4
4
33
34
5.8
6.8
5.7
5.6
6.25 100
1.0-3.0 70
3.0-24
0.5-36
8.0
4.0
+
+
No
No
0.0
0.0
-----------------------------------------~--~------------------------.-.----------------------------------------~------------~-------------------------.
13
13
A
B
1/14/75
1/14/75
1531
1541
8
8
34
34
7.4
7.0
5.5
5.6
0.5-2.0
0.5-4.5
90
90
1.0-12
0.5-12
3.5
8.0
+
+
No
No
0.0
0.0
14
14
A
B
1/14/75
1/14/75
1105
1035
6
6
35
35
9.1
8.2
5.5
5.5
0.5-3.0 98 0.5-9.0
2.5-5.0 100 ·5.0-12
5.0
3.0
+
+
No
No
0.0
0.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.3 0.5-2.0
15
15
B
C
1/15/75
1/15/75
1000
0930
18
18
32
34
6.4
7.4
5.4 10.0 100
95
36-48
2.0-24
14
3.0 +
No
No
0.0
0.0
17 A 1/16/75 1138 28 35 9.6 5.7 0.5-1.0 20 5.0-36 10.5 +No 0.0
17 B 1/16/75 1145 ~8.34 .10.2 5.7 0.210 8.0-24 3.0 +No 0.0
------------------------~------------~~-------------------------------------------------------------~----------------------------~---------------------18 A 1/16/75 1225 29·.34 9.2 5.5 6.50 100 12-24 6.0 .;.No 0.0
:
Table 4.Survey of winter conditions in Indian River)Lane Creek and Gold Creek)Devi1's Canyon Winter Project,1975.
Stream
Survey Time
Sit~__p_at~_U~il itary)
Temrerature
OF}
Air Water
ICe I ce Snow Depth Water
Thickness Cover On Ice Depth Flow
(Inches)(%)(Inches) (Inches)(c.f.s.)
Anchc
I ce Pres
Indian
River
lane
Cr.
3.0 1/15/75
0.1 1/13/75
1155
1405
18
6
34
33
3.0-5.0
1.0-12
100
99
8-36
2.0-36
12
5
+
+
No
No
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gold
Cr.0.3 1/15175 1006 21 .33 2.0-12 100 12-48 7 +No
Minnow traps were fished at two locations in Slough No.8-A for approximately
68 hours each.Two coho fry and three sculpin were captured.One coho fry was
from the 1973 brood year and the second was produced from the 1972 brood year.
The length,weight.and condition factor for the former was 64 mm,3.0 g.and
1.144,and the latter fish had a length,weight,and condition factor of 74 mm,
4.8 g,and 1.185.
Slough No.9 averaged approximately 8a percent ice cover.Water temperature
averaged 34°F and the dissolved oxygen level was 11.4 ppm.Two minnow traps
were fished for a total of 132.5 hours.One coho fry from the 1973 brood year
and one from the 1972 brood year were caught.Their lengths were 64 mm and
83 rom,respectively.
Slough No.11 averaged approximately 95 percent ice cover.The mean
water temperature and dissolved oxygen level was 35°F and 7.9 ppm.Two minnow
traps were fished for a total of 59.6 hours;seven coho and one rainbow trout
(Salmo gairdneri)fry were captured.Approximately 86 percent of the coho fry
caught were from the 1973 brood year;their mean length,weight,and condition
factor was 62.3 mm,3.4 g,and 1.406.The remainder of the catch represented
a 1972 brood year fish;its length and weight was 83 mm and 8.6 g.The length
and weight of the rainbow trout was 71 mm and 5.0 g.
In Slough No.12 only a small portion located approximately 130 yards
above its confluence with the Susitna River was ,clear of ice cover.Water
temperatures averaged 33.5°Fand dissolved oxygen levels averaged 6.3 ppm.
·In the ice free section organic material consisting primarily of cottonwood
and alder leaves ranged from one to two inches on the substrate.The decomposi-
tion of such is probably resulting in a significant oxygen demand.No rearing
fry were observed during the survey.
The surface of Slough No.13 was ~pproximately 10 percent free of ice
cover}and water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels averaged 34°F and 7.2
ppm.Fry were not observed.
Ice cover exceeded 98 percent in Slough No.14.The water temperature
and depth averaged 35°F and 4 inches.The dissolved oxygen levels ranged
from 7.0 to 7.4 ppm.Fry were not observed.
Slough No.15 had in excess of 95 percent ice cover.Water temperature
and dissolved oxygen levels averaged 33°F and 6.9 ppm.Water flow was not
detectable at the lower sampling site located approximately 15 yards above
the confluence of the slough with the river,but flow was observable at a
station located approximately 110 yards above the confluence.
Slough No.17 and Slough No.18 were surveyed for the first time this
season.Access to both of these sloughs was obtained by crossing the confluence
I~
of Indian River and the Susitna River with tracked vehicles.Slough No.17
was approximately 85 percent free of ice cover.Water temperature and depth
averaged 34.5°F and 6.B inches.The dissolved oxygen levels averaged
9.9 ppm.No fry were observed.
Slough No.18 was completely ice covered.The water temperature and depth
at the sampling station was 34°F and 6 inches.The dissolved oxygen level
was 9.2 ppm and water flow was not detectable.Fry were not observed.
Indian River,Lane Creek,and Gold Creek were surveyed,and the results
are presented in Table 4.
,.~,..
DISCUSSION
The Susitna River was relatively low in suspended solids with water
samples collected ranging from 18 ppm at Chase to 228 ppm at the Anchorage-
Fairbanks highway crossing;subsequent sampling at the Anchorage-Fairbanks
highway crossing on January 22,1975 revealed suspended solids at the level
of 4 ppm.These suspended solid levels are within anadromous fish tolerances
"as suggested in the Fisheries Handbook of Engineering Requirements and
Biological Criteria by !1ilo Bell.
The capture of a coho fry in the Susitna River near the community of
Gold Creek is a major breakthrough toward documenting the presence of anadromous
fish wintering in the Susitna River.
Coho fry representing both the 1972 and 1973 brood years were captured
in Slough No.8-A,No.9,and No.11.
In an interview,a local trapper residing at Indian River stated that
"in late fall of 1973 he found a "few ll chum salmon carcasses in a riffle portion
of Slough No.8-A.This represents the first record,although unofficial,
of adult salmon present in this slough.Department personnel did not locate
this slough until December of 1974,consequently no spawning ground surveys
were conducted last season.
RE COfl1i~EN OAT I ON S
Minnow trapping should be initiated in Slough No.17.A major effort
should be expended to obtain access to Sloughs No.19,No.20,and No.21.
Trapping in the Susitna River should be expanded beyond the Gold Creek area.
...~
/~,
..,
FEBRUARY INVESTIGATIONS IN THE UPPER SUSITNA RIVER WATERSHED BETWEEN DEVIL
CANYON fu~D CHULITNA RIVER
INTRODUCTION
Winter investigations in the Upper Susitna River watershed from Devil
Canyon to the Chulitna River are directed toward assessing anadromous fry
distribution and abundance,and \,inter conditions in the sloughs and main
stem Susitna River (Figure 1).Studies conducted during the previous two
months have established that coho fry (Oncoryhnchus kisutch)are wintering
in Sloughs No.8-A,No.9,No.11 and the Susitna River,and that the Susitna
River was transporting suspended solid loads ranging from 4 ppm to 228 ppm.
HETHODS
Field investigations were conducted from a camp established at the
conf1~ence of Indian and Susitna Ri~ers from February 12 through 18.Access
to the sampling stations was obtained primarily with the aid of a single
track snow vehicle.Sloughs were monitored for dissolved oxygen and pH levels.
relative water depth,ice cover and thickness,snow depth,and water flow and
temperature.Hinnow traps baited with salmon roe were fished in the-sloughs
affording sufficient operational depth.
The Susitna River \,a8 monitored at Gold Creek,Chase,and the Fairbanks--
Anchorage Highway bridge for water temperature,dissolved oxygen and pH levels,
ice cover and thickness,and snow depth.At the Gold Creek Station,a Ryan
thermograph was installed to assess daily \,ater temperature fluctuations.
Indian River,Gold Creek.and Lane Creek were sampled for water temperature,
water flow and relative depth,and ice cover and thickness.
J Clq ..
/..01)/.
Cr '"
prooosed
Devi l'Canyon
Darnsite
5 mi 1es
S 1.tf21
S 1.#20
S1.#19
Creek
Tal keetna R.
Indian R.
Fourth
July
Cr.
Portage Cr.
Clear Cr.
Lane Creek
Reference ~1ap
, ' I
Figure 1.f'lap of the area encompassed in the Dev;1 Canyon i nves ti 9ati ons
on the upper Susitna River Watershed)Devil IS Canyon Winter
Pro j ec t)1975.
·.'
RESULTS
The Susitna River was completely ice covered at the Chase and
Anchorage Highway stations,and at the Gold Creek station ice cover was
approximately 95 percent (Table 1).Total suspended solid levels at
these stations averaged approximately 14 mg/l with a range of 9 mg/l at
Chase at 20 mg/l at Gold Creek.The settables,referring to that portion
of the total suspended solids which settle \,dthin a 24 hour period,comprised
approximately 90 percent of the samples.River telnperature 'I.-las 32 0 at the
three sampling stations and dissolved oxygen levels averaged 9.3 ppm.
Presented in Figure 2 is a transposition of the thermograph data
collected between January 14 and February 15,in the Susitna River at the
Gold Creek sampling station.
MinnoH trapping was conducted in the Susitna River from the Gold Creek
railrCad trestle to Slough No.17,and produced a catch of six age 0.0 coho
fry.The average length,weight,and condition factor of these fish 'I.-las
70.0 rom,3.9 gm,and 1.137,respectively (Table 2).
A summary of the winter components monitored in Sloughs No.8,No.
8-A,No.9,No.9-A,No.la,No.11,No.12,No.13;No.14,No.15,No.
16,No.17,No.18,No.19,No.20,and No.21 is presented in Table 3.
Rearing coho fry were trapped in Sloughs No.9,No.9.,...A,No.11,and No.
19.A length and weight analysis of these fry by slough is presented in
Table 2.The entire catch represented fry produced from the 1973 brood
year.Their mean length,weight,and condition factor was 70.5 rom,41.1 gm,
and 1.170,respectively.
On February 17,Slough No.9-A was located and identified for the
first time (Figure 3).Approximately twenty hours of minnow trapping in
this slough afforded a relatively high catch of 21 coho fry.
)
Table 1.Survey of winter conditions in the Susitna River at Gold Creek,Chase and Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway crossing,Devil's Canyon Hinter
Project,1975.
Sus itna
Ri ver
Site Date
Suspended Solids
Temperature Sample Non----iotal \·Iater Ice Ice Snow Depth Anchc
Time (OF)D.O.Size Settlable Filterable Suspended Depth Cover Thickness On Ice Ice
(Military)Air vJater (ppm)pH (1)(mg/1)(mg/1) (mg/1)(inches)(%)(inches)(inches)Preser
Gold
Creek
Chase
2/14/75
2/.18/75
1515
1630
14
27
32
32
10.1
9.0
5.8
5.8
2
2
19
8
20
9
47
50
95
100
32
14
0.0-18
24-30
No
No
Q ......................................................•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••11I ......
Fairbanks 2/18/75
Anchorage
Highway 2/20/75
2030
1200
23 32 8.8
9.7
5.9 2
2
10
6
2 12
7
50 100 27 12 No
No
)
33
l-J
'M
(I)
..c:32c:
(I)
l-<-a 31~
({J
(I)
(I)
l-<3000
OJ
0
I .....-------..--~~-•
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
I - i I I---I--·--,~~-r
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
33
l-J
'r'!
(I)32,.....
Ci
l-<..c:
('j 31""(f)
(I)
~
l-<30eo
(I)
0
January
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
I I I -r ----,--I
10 11 12 13 14 15
February
Figure 2.Profile of water temperatures recorded daily in the Susitna River at Gold Creek,Devil
Canyon Winter Project,197~.
·..".f
~\.-
i
i
Figure 3.Map of Slougll No.9-A as composed on February 17 t Devil's Canyon Winter
Project,1975.
))
'.
Table 2.Jl.ge~length and weight analysis of coho fry collected in Sloughs No.9~No.9-A,No.11 ~No.19 and
in the Susitna River~Devil l s Canyon ['linter Froject~1975.
iiean~~----
[enqth -----s-tandard I·lei ght Standard Conditi on Brood
(mm)Dr.viation (g)Deviation Factor Year
0.0 Aqe ClassISamplingSamplePercent
II Site Date Size Compos i ti on,
S1.9 2/18/75 7 100.0 70.1 4.3 3.7 0.6 1.074 1973
S1.9-A
S1.11
2/18/75
2/15/75
8
2
100.0
100.0
73.5
62.0
4.5
2.8
4.9
2.8
0.9
O.1
1.234
1.175
1973
1973
._4 11I •••".
S 1.19 2/17/75 100.0 67 3.4 1.130 1973
...11I 11I .,:••••••_...
Sus itna
River 2/14-16/75
(GDld Cr.-
S1.17)
6 100.0 70.0 4.9 3.9 0.9 1.137 1973
)"
Table 3.Survey of winter conditions and rearing fry distribution and abundance in Sloughs No.8,No.8-A,No.9,No.9-A,No.10,No.11,No.12,..
No.13,No.14,No.15,No.16,No.17,No.18,No.19,No.20,Jn(l'J~.21,Devil-'-?Janyon \:lintel'Project,1975.
Minnow Trap Catch
Fish Species
Slough Survey
No.Site
8 A
Temperature
Date Time (oF)
Umitary)Ajr.Water
2/18/7513114 /30 36
0'>s:::~s:::
Ice Ice Snow Depth Water Anchor .~.~.-.0 0.
Dissol ved Th i cknes s Cover On Ice Depth F10w Ice No.Hours ~>,c .-
rtl .~::>
OXYQen (ppm)pH (i nches)(%)(inches)(inches)Detectable Present Fi shed 3 s..rtl U
c.."0:::V>
8.8 5.4 1.0-3 50 4-28 2.0 +No 0.0
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................t t ..
8-A A 2/17/75 1420 25 33 8.5 5.8 0.5-4 95 2-14 3.0 +No 0.0
8 2/17/75 1448 24 33 7.2 5.8 0.5-6 99 2-30 4.5 +No 21.8 0 0 0 a
........................................................................................................,..
9 A 2/17/75 1245 27 33 9.0 5.3 0.8-10 95 1-30 9.5 +No 0.0
B 2/17/75 1315 26 34 7.4 5.3 0.4-10 95 0.5-16 10.0 +No 45.4 7 0 0 a......................................................................~,.'.
9-A A 2/17/75 1545 24 35.5 6.1 5.4 0.5-2 65 2-5 9.5 +No 20.3 21 0 0 0
•to to "".
10 A 2/17/75 1615 24 34.5 7.4 5.4 1.0-4 55 0.3-16 6.0 +No 0.0
"'n to to
11 A 2/13/75 1025 -6 36 8.1 5.8 0.4-9 95 0.0-0.3 20.0 +No 24.5 a a 0 a
B 2/13/75 1100 -2 36 7.4 5.4 0.3-8 95 0.0-0.3 14.0 +No 68.5,2 0 a a.....................................................................................................................................................................................
12 B 2/13/75 1230 0 34 8.5 5.8 0.5-2 99 8-18 11.5 +No 0.0
C 2/13/75 1155 3 34 9.4 5.2 0.3-9 98 1-24 4.5 -No 0.0·~,.
13 A 2/13/75 1355 1 34 9.2 5.7 0.5-2 75 0.0-10 4 +No 0.0
'S 2/13/75 1420 0 34 9.2 5.6 0.5-2 75 0.5-10 7.5 +No 0.0·..
14 A 2/16/75
B 2/16/75
1140
1210
16
16
34
33
8.8
9.7
5.7 0.3-10
5.7 0.3-3
90
100
1-15
1-14
3.3
4.5
+
+
No
No
0.0
0.0
'".jo .
15 3 2/15/75 1205 9 33 8.1 5.5 12 100 7-16 9.0 -No 0.0
·~~~~~e~~~~?~~~.?:~~:~!:?~?~??..~:~~:?~:?~~~?:?.
16 A 2/17/75 0942 26 35 6.5 5.2 .9 5.-3..70 1.0:-1~_.3 ..0_-I:NoO.O._
17 A 2/13/75 1700 -2 33 8.5 5.3 0.3-3 95 0.0-12 13.0 +No 23.5 0 0 0 a
B 2/13/75 1740 -3 36 8.3 5.5 0.3-4 50 0.0-8 4.0 +No 0.0............................................................,..
,18 A 2/14/75 1035 6 33.5 7.2 5.7 5-9 100 0.0-28 6.5 -No 0.0.......................................................................................................................................................................................................
19 A 2/16/75 1720 16 34 9.0 5.5 0.5-6 98 14-28 9.5 -No 16.6 1 0 a 0
........................................................t 'I't
20 A 2/16/75 1430 17 32 10.3 5.5 6-15 100 23-36 2.0 +No 0.0
B 2/16/75 1530 16 32 5.4 14 100 23-36 9.0 -No 0.0...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
21 A 2/16/75 1620 17 34 9.4 5.7 1.0-12 100 0.5-10 5.0 +No 0.0
B 2/16/75 1635 16 32.5 9.4 5.4 3-10 100 0.5-16 8.5 -No 0.0
...
Indian River,Lane Creek,and Gold Creek were surveyed,and the results
are presented in Table 4.
DISCUSSION
Susitna River '-later samples contained relatively minor amounts of
suspended solids.Hinnm-l trapping near the community of Gold Creek established
the presence of rearing coho fry in the main stem Susitna River.It was
also documented that coho fry were rearing in Sloughs No.9,No.9-A,No.11,
and No.19.Based upon an analysis of length and weight data,the coho fry
captured in the sloughs and Susitna River were in relatively good condition.
Stable ice conditions on the Susitna River permitted the first winter
access to sloughs No.10,No.17,No.19,No.20,and No.21.Although
these sloughs Here appreciably dewatered from their summer/fall state,the
author suggests that only llharsh"egg i.ncubation conditions were present in
Slough No.20 where water temperatures were 32°and ice thickness averaged
in excess of 10 inches.
RECONHENDATIONS
Discontinue minnow trapping in Sloughs No.9 and No.11,but expand
trapping efforts in the other sloughs.Locate and fish minno\>'trap sites
near the cOlllinunity of Curry.Install permanent depth stakes at the sampling
stations.
-)
i
.
~
,....
"',1.\,"'
Table 4.Survey of winter conditions in Indian River,Lane Creek and Gold Creek,Devil is Canyon Winter Project,1975.
Temrerature Ice Ice Snow Depth t'Ja ter
Survey Time oF)Thickness Cover On Ice Depth Flow Anchor
Stream Site Oate 0-1il itary)Air \'Iater (Inches)(%)(I nches)(Inches)(c.f.s.)Ice Present
Indian
Ri ver 0.2 2/18/75 0934 27 32 7-12 100 14-40 7.0 +No
.,ilIlII 1 6 •••••••,..".
Lane
Creek O.1 2/18/75 1538 28 33 6-14 100 5-36 7.0 +No
.............................................................................................................."II .."..
Gold
Creek 0.3 2/16/75 1100 15 32.5 1 .0-7 100 28.36 7.2 +No.