HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUS10005TK
1425
.S8
S9
no.10005
SUS 10005
Moose Movements and Habitat Use Along the Upper
Susitna River -- A Preliminary Study of Potential Impacts
of the Devi ls Canyon Hydroelectric Project
by Kenton P. Taylor and Warren B. Ballard
This work made available here constitutes Section II of the document Preliminary
Environmental Assessment of Hydroelectric Development on the Susitna River
(prepared for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service by the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game and assigned APA Document no. 1613, RTS no. 4, and SUS no. 35).
This volume contains the title page and table of contents of the full document and pages
II-1 to II-91 (which compose Section II).
The two sections (I and II) were not issued separately, but are listed in the Susitna
Aquatic Impact Assessment Project Bibliography under separate entries as parts within
SUS 35. Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS) is making each
section available separately in print and electronically, as we are doing for each entry
assigned an individual APA or SUS number in the indexes.
Note: Do not confuse this final version with the version contained in a shorter version of
document no. 1613. That shorter version includes only 127 selected leaves of the full
report, I-1 to I-52 and I-97 to I-116 and II-1 to II-38 and II-76 to II-91. It is one of
several documents in a collection called "Alaska Power Authority Response to Agency
Comments on License Application," which is one of the 25 titles that accompanies
Document no. 2905 (listed in the Susitna Hydroelectric Project Document Index). That
shorter version is cataloged separately and called "Reference to comments(s): B. 8, I.
75"; it is numbered (by ARLIS) as APA 2905-75.
~....
PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
/OF HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT
/ON THE SUSITNA RIVERlJ
Prepared for the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
by the
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage,Alaska
1978
Il;)..$
YlO/7!)
Section I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fisheries and Habitat Investigations of the Susitna River
Page
Summary •
Backgrmmd
Description of Area •
Procedures
Findings and Discussion •
Conclusion
Recommendations
Acknowledgements
Literature Cited
1-7
1-9
1-10
1-11
1-17
1-47
1-48
I-50
I-51
Section II
\
Moose MOvements and Habitat Use Along the Upper Susitna
River
Summary •
Background
Description of Area •
Procedures
Findings
Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
Acknowledgements
Literature Cited
11-3
11-4
11-7
11-8
11-11
11-26
11-31
II-34
11-34
11-36
Moose Movements and Habitat Use
Along the Upper "Susitna River--A Preliminary Study of
Potential Impacts of the Devils
Canyon Hydroelectric Project
by
Kenton P.Taylor
and
Warren B.Ballard
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Division of Game
Robert A.Rausch,Director
March 1978
II-l
CONTENTS
Summary.
Background.
Description of Area
Procedures.
Findings
Numbers of Moose Captured.
Movements.
Devil Mountain Area •
Watana Creek.
Susitna Bend Area
Maclaren River Area
Habitat Use.
Discussion.
Conclusions
Recommendations
Acknowledgements.
Literature Cited.
Appendix 1.
Appendix II
II-2
Page
3
4
7
8
11
11
13
13
16
20
22
'.24
26
31
34
34
36
39
76
SUMMARY
During October i976 and March 1977,18 radio and 21 visual collars
were placed on moose along the Susitna River from the mouth of the
Maclaren River downstream to Devil Creek.Radio tracking flights over
13 months yielded 270 observations of radio-collared moose.Visual
collars were located 43 times.Movements were slight for radio-collared
moose between Jay Creek and Devil Mountain,generally within 48 km 2 •
One visual collar from Devil Creek was seen near Lone Butte,84 km east
of her tagging location.Movements·of moose collared east of Jay Creek
were substantially longer,and migrations up to 103 km were observed.
Radio-collared moose were found most often (70 percent)in spruce dominated
habitats during all seasons.Seven of the eight cows that had calves
gave birth in spruce vegetation.The bend of the Susitna River from
Goose Creek to the mouth of Tyone River was identified as important
winter habitat for moose from many areas of the Susitna River drainage.
Lower elevations along the Susitna River were found to be important as
both wintering and calving areas for resident populations,particularly
on the south side,east of Stephan Lake.Collared moose crossed the
Susitna a minimum of 26 times during this study,15 of which were across
that portion which would be inundated by dam construction •.
Movement data gathered over a period of only 13 months are insufficient
to accurately delineate separate moose populations.Evidence to date
suggests that moose from many portions of the Susitna River drainage
utilize habitats adjacent to or portions of the area which will be
flooded by dam construction.Intensive vegetative studies and research
II-3·
on movements both upstream and downstream are needed to adequately
assess the impacts of the proposed construction (Appendix II).
BACKGROUND
Feasibility studies on providing hydroelectric power from the
Susitna River to the railbelt area of southcentral Alaska have been
conducted since 1948.Potential dam sites were identified by the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation,the Alaska Power Administration and the Henry J.Kaiser
Company.Proposed hydroelectric projects have included from 2 to 12
dams within the Susitna River basin,along with associated maintenance
facilities and transmission lines to Anchorage and Fairbanks (Dept.of
Army 1975).
The Devils Canyon-Watana dam system has been selected by the Army
Corps of Engineers as the most viable of several alternatives (Fig.1).
This system would theoretically provide 6.1 billion kilowatt-hours of
electrical power annually from a dependable capacity of 1,568 megawatts
(Army Corps of Engineers 1975).The Devils Canyon dam would be a concrete
structure 193 m high,and the Watana dam would be a rock fill impoundment
rising 247 m above the river bottom.A 103 km road from Chulitna to the
Watana site including a 198 m bridge across the Sus tina would be constructed
for transporting materials and personnel to the dam sites.Five hundred
eighty-six km of transmission line corridors,57-64 m wide,would be cut
across the mountains between Anchorage and Fairbanks.Warehouses,
vehicle storage buildings and permanent living quarters would be erected
at the dam sites.The total projected cost of completing this project
11-4
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BASIN BOUNDARY J 1./r .....(
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MOVEME~TS
Di.'onett ,It""10 Mit..abOVe mouth.
[1,..aliDn.,,'.r 10 m'd"_d ltw.l.
Watana Access Road
(Proposed)
MOOSE
...r
UPPER SUSITNA RIVER PROFILE
RIVER MILES 120-290
CJ
F:LLure 1.Devils Canyon Proposed Hydroelectric Project Moose Movement
Study Area.Devils Canyon Project,March 1978.
itl
.,.~
l~ll;
[
!!(
')TALKEETNA ,>
AI!
-'-
is $2,100,000,000 (Army Corps of Engineers 1977).The estimated annual
cost for operation for 100 years following completion is $104,000,000.
Power on the line from the Watana site is scheduled for 1986 and from
the Devils Canyon dam by 1990.Construction and maintenance of this
system would constitute the largest hydro-power project in North America
(Gravel 1977).
Construction of both proposed dam sites would inundate 51,000 acres
of the river valley,132 km upstream to a point between the Tyone and
Oshetna Rivers (Fish and Wild1-Ser.1975).Water levels of the Devils
Canyon reservoir are expected to remain almost constant but may fluctuate
up to 55 m (ob.cit.).The Watana.reservoir is projected to have substantial
)
seasonal fluctuations up to 78 m.Downstream flow is expected to be
maintained at a constant rate between 8,000 and 10,000 cubic feet per
second,eliminating the flooding action that presently occurs each
spring when downstream flows may be as high as 90,000 cfs (Army Corps of
Engineers 1975).
The Susitna River Basin has long been recognized as an extremely
rugged wilderness area of high esthetic appeal and as an important
habitat to a wide variety of wildlife species (ADF&G,unpubl.data).
Most important to sport and subsistance users are moose (Alces alces)
and caribou (Rangifer tarandus).Hydroelectric development has been
under consideration in this area for a number of years and some very
general ungulate population assessment work was begun in 1974 (USF&W
1975).Since then no studies were conducted in the project area until
1976 when limited funds were made available to begin acquiring baseline
II-6
information on moose and caribou populations within and adjacent to the
project area.The purpose of this report is to present the findings of
this one-year study and to discuss their implications in relation to the
construction of the proposed hydroelectric project.
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
Moose movements and habitat use were studied in that portion of the
Susitna River Basin lying between latitudes 60°30'-63°15'north and
longitudes 146°30'-149°west (Figure 1).The landscape is primarily
mountainous and ranges in elevation from 300 to 1900 m.Semi-arid
conditions dominate this area of the basin.Temperatures are generally
cool in the summer and overcast days are common.Snowfall is usually
moderate and ground accumulation does not often exceed one meter.
Prevailing winds are out of the east and north.High winds are common
along the river during any season.
Along the banks of the Susitna and its tributaries from the Maclaren
River to Devil Creek the dominant vegetative cover is black spruce
(Piaea mariana),interspersed with muskeg bogs on the basin floor.
Occasional stands of black cottonwood (PopuZus triahoaarpa)are found on
the islands in the river.Understory vegetation in the lower elevations
includes highbush cranberry (Viburnum eduZe),devil's club (Eahinopanax
horridus),blueberry (Vaaainium spp.),lowbush cranberry (Vaaainium
vitis-idaea)and several representatives of the rose and grass families.
Hardwoods such as aspen (PopuZus tremuZoides)and birch (Betula papyrifera)
are often found interspersed among the spruce,predominantly on south-
II-7
facing slopes.White spruce (Picea glauca)replaces the smaller,stunted
black spruce on better drained soils.The understory above 300 m contains
blueberry,lowbush cranberry,Labrador tea (Ledum spp.),fireweed (Epilobium
spp.),crowberry (Empetrum nigrum),and several mosses and lichens.
Alder (AZnus spp.)dominates the reaches just above timberline,
particularly along the headwaters of streams.Willow (SaZix spp.)
,
exists throughout the study area but occurs most frequently at timberline
and on riparian sites.Alpine tundra extends above the alder-willow
zone about 1200 m.A network of old caribou trails scars the tundra
slopes of the mountain foothills throughout most of the area.
PROC~U~S
During October 1976 and March 1977,moose were captured along the
Susitna River from its confluence with the Maclaren River downstream to
Devil Creek.They were darted from a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter using
standard techniques described by Franzmann et ale (1974)with doses of
Anectine (Succinylcholine chloride),ranging from 23 to 29 mg.All
captured moose were marked with plastic flagging affixed with metal ear
tags and with either a radio collar,visual collar,or both.Radio
collars were manufactured by AVM Instrument Company (Champaign,Illinois).
These collars weighed 1.1 kg and were constructed of machine belting
13 mm thick and 65 rom wide with an adjustable inner circumference of 101
to 106 cm.The belting surrounded the radio components which were
encased in dental acrylic,making the unit waterproof.Each radio was
equipped with a SB-2 transmitter powered by cold resistant lithium batteries.
11-8
All radios operated on frequencies between 150.700 and 151.875 MHz.
Each visual collar (as described by Franzmann et al.1974)had three
sets of numerals,one on top and one on each side,to facilitate identification
from the air.Visual collars were placed over many of the radios to
enable observers to more easily pick out the radioed individual from a
group of moose.
When conditions permitted,a lower front incisor was removed from
each moose for age analysis using techniques developed by Sargent and
Pimlott (1959).Blood and hair samples also were collected to aid in
assessing physiological condition using methods described by Franzmann et al.
(1975).Several physical measurements were taken when time permitted
and general physical condition was assessed according to criteria developed
by Franzmann and Arneson (1973).Cows captured in March were rectally
palpated using techniques described by Greer and Hawkins (1967)to \
determine pregnancy.
Radio tracking flights were made monthly in a Piper PA-lS Supercub
equipped with two three-element Yagi antennas connected to a four band,
12 channel portable receiver manufactured by AVM Instrument Company.
Tracking methods were similar to those described by Mech (1974).Radio
locations,vegetation type and miscellaneous notes were recorded for
each observation (Fig.2).During parturition,flights were increased
to approximately every 3 to 5 days to more adequately assess initial
production and survival of calves.
11-9
Figure 2.Survey form used"to record data during radio tracking flights along the
Susitna River.Devils Canyon Project,1978.
SUSITNA SWDY
MOOSE RADIO OBSERVATION FO~l
Observer:Weather:
Time off:Temp.:
Time On:
NotesVegetationLocationCalvesSeenChannel"Radio /#.
".
"8583 4-7-4.0
8584 4-8-2.0
8586 4-10-3.2
8589 4-12-3.0 .
8580 4-6-2.0
8038 4-3-2.8
8573 2-9-3.5
8576 3-6-0.0 .
8022 1-4-2.5
8588 4-12-2.4
8040 4-11-.5 ......
3578 4-4-3~9 "
8579 4-5-1.9 ,
8031 3-8-2.5
8035 3-12-1.4
8018 1-2-3.8
1
8030 3-7-1.5
[8575 2-12-4.2
II-lO
FINDINGS
Numbers of Moose Captured
Thirty-nine moose were captured and collared during October 1976
and March 1977 along the Susitna River in the vicinity of that portion
of the river which would be inundated by the construction of the proposed
dams at Devils Canyon and Watana Creek.Although the 13 moose collared
in October were not originally part of this study,the data from these
animals is included in this report.Collaring location and other pertinent
tagging statistics are summarized in Table 1.Eighteen moose were
fitted with radio transmitters and 21 wore numbered visual collars only.
Twenty-seven incisor teeth were collected during the collaring operation,
and cementum layer analysis indicated the average age for females was
6.7 years with a range from 2 to 13 years.Yearlings were generally
avoided during the collaring operation.Of 21 females palpated,18 were
pregnant (85.7 percent).
Blood and physical measurement data were combined with those from
other moose studies and were presented elsewhere (Ballard and Taylor,in
prep.).Briefly,the pooled blood parameters tested were very comparable
to values obtained from other studies of populations considered to be in
good condition.Some parameters tested (hemoglobin and pack cell
volume)from the Devil Mountain area were lower than those from the
other tagging sites,but it is not known if those differences were
statistically significant since no tests have as yet been performed.
II-ll
Table 1.Date,location and general information of female moose radio and visual collared
along the Susitna River.Devils Canyon Project,March 1978.
Collar
Number
8583
8584
8586
8589
8580
8038
8573
8576
8022
8588
8040
8578
8579
8031
8035
8018
8030
8575
2 Blue
4 Blue
5 Blue
6 Blue
7 Blue
71 Blue
50 Blue
51 Blue
52 Blue
53 Blue
54 Blue
56 Blue
58 Blue
60 Blue
61 Blue
63 Blue
64 Blue
75 White
79 White
80 White
81 White
Collaring
Date
3/18/77
3/18/77
3/18/77
3/18/77
3/18/77
10/27/76
3/19/77
3/19/77
10/28/76
3/19/77
10/28/76
3/20/77
3/20/77
10/22/76
10/27-/76
10/27/76
10/22/76
3/21/77
10/22/76
10/22/76
10/22/76
10/22/76
10/22/76
10/28/76
3/22/77
3/22/77
3/22/77
3/22/77
3/22/77
3/22/77
3/22/77
3/20/77
3/20/77
3/20/77
3/20/77
3/19/77
3/19/77
3/18/77
3/18/77
Location
E.of Devil Mtn.
E.of Devil Mtn.
Devil Mtn.
E.of Devil Mtn.
Devil Mtn.
Watana
Susitna-Watana
Susitna-Watana
Upper Watana
Upper Jay Creek
Upper Watana
Susitna-Tyone
Susitna-Tyone
S.Bend-Susitna
S.MacLaren Flats
Butte Creek
W.of Ballard L.
Lower Maclaren
N.Oshetna R.
Susitna-Tyone
Susitna-Tyone
Susitna-Tyone
Susitna-Tyone
Jay Creek
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Lower Maclaren R.
Susitna N.of Tyone
Susitna N.of Tyone
Susitna Bend
Susitna Bend
Jay Creek
Jay Creek
E.Devil.Mtn.
E.Devil Mtn.
Anectine
Dosage
27 mg.
25 mg.
23 mg.
27 mg.
23 mg.
27 mg.
28 mg.
29 mg.
29 mg.
29 mg.
27 mg.
25 mg.
27 mg.
29 mg.
25 mg.
29 mg.
27 mg.'
27 mg.
25 mg.
29 mg.
27 mg.
25 mg.
27 mg.
27 mg.
25 mg.
27 mg.
27 mg.
28 mg.
25 mg.
27 mg.
27 mg.
28 mg.
28 mg.
25 mg.
27 mg.
Cementum
Age (years)
4
10
9
8
10
8
2
3
2
6
11
9
4
6
5
6
3
8
3
7
4
7
12
13
5
11
4
C:ondition*
6
6
4
7
6
7
7
7
5
6
7
7
6
6
7
7
6
6
7
5
7
7
7
7
7
7
Pregnant**
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
*Condition was determined by general appearance and relative amount of fat over rump and
ribs.Scale of 1-10,10=excellent.See Franzmann et a1.(1974)for criteria.
**Only cows collared in March and palpated are included in this column.
11-12
A total of 270 observations were recorded for 18 radio collared
moose between late October 1975 and mid November 1977.One radio collared
moose was found dead two weeks after collaring.The cause of death was
undetermined;we suspect,however,that it was drug related.Another
moose was lost from the sample when we were unable to relocate it after
one month of tracking.Its loss was attributed to a faulty transmitter.
Movements
Radio-collared moose occupied areas ranging from 21 1an 2 to 520 km 2
(Table 2).Significantly smaller areas were occupied in the rugged
terrain between Jay Creek and Devils Canyon than east of Jay Creek where
the terrain becomes more open and level.The correlation between the
number of sightings and size of range for each moose was r =0.50.
Observed locations and detailed movements of each radio-collared moose
are presented in Appendix I.A brief description of radioed moose
movements follows.
DeviZ Mountain Area
Three moose (#s 8583,8584 and 8586)were radio-collared on Devils
Mountain on 18 March 1977,approximately 3 Ian north of the Susitna River
(Fig.3).All three remained in the vicinity of their tagging location
until spring when #8583 moved 8 1an east.Both #8584 and #8586 remained
on their winter range through April.At the end of May,during the peak
-of calving,#8584 and #8586 were located 10-11 km to the southeast on
the other side of the Susitna River within 2 km of each other.Three
II-13
Table 2.Range size,number of locations and minimum number of river crossings of
radio collared moose along the Susitna River.Devils Canyon Project,
,~March 1978.
Collar
Number
8583
8584
8586
8589
8580
8038
8573
8576
8022
8588
8040
8578
8579
8031
8035
8018
8030
8575
Number of
Locations
12
12
10
2
3
19
14
12
18
11
19
17
10
26
23
18
24
20
Range
Length km.
11.6
17.7
17.7
14.2
14.8
6.9
24.8
13.5
17.1
14.3
30.6
16.1
62.3
65.0
55.5
103.0
Range
Width km.
4.8
4.5
5.3
9.3
7.9
6.4
17.2
8.2
6.4
5.5
11.9
12.1
14.0
18.7
21.2
10.5
Total
Area km 2
30.9
37.3
30.9
51.5
47.6
20.6
180.2
39.9
49.9
32.2
173.2
74.7
373.4
520.1
415.8
291.4
Minimum number
of river crossings
o
3
1
o
2
o
1
1*
o
1
2
o
o
2
2
o
270 Total
*Cow observed on island.
Ave.range size 148.1 km 2 15 Total
Correlation between number of sightings and size of range for each moose =.50.
II-14
Figure 3.Location and General Range Size for Radio-Collared Moose Along the
Susitna River near Devil Mountain.Devils·Canyon Project,March 1978.
#8580 =ED
~85 84 -[[l]I1'll]
..#"8583 =WllA
-:;P8586 =-~
..
.:.....,....
~mi.
II-iS
N
1
J
I
days later #8584.was seen with two new calves and #8586 was seen with
one.Number 8583 was not pregnant when palpated in March.She remained
on the north side of the river within a 3 km radius of her April location.
Number 8586 lost her calf within two weeks and remained through the fall
within 6 km of her calving location.Moose #8584 lost one calf within
the first two weeks and the other prior to the first week in July.She
.was found on the north side of the river on 28 June and on the south
side on 5 July where she remained through the fall.All three moose
remained at elevations below 950 m during the time they were monitored.
Some seasonal fluctuation in elevation occurred just prior to calving as
#8584 and 118586 moved down from the south facing slope of the riverbank
and crossed the river to calve.Seasonal home ranges for all three
I
moose appeared to be small,probably not in excess of 20 km 2 •
Watana Creek Area
Three radios'were placed on cows along upper Watana Creek in October.
Two of these females,#8040 (Fig.4)and #8022 (Fig.5),were collared
together.Both moved to lower elevations as winter progressed and
remained there until June.Number 8040 was seen with twins on 8 June
but on 16 June the calves were missing and were never seen again.The
cow returned to upper Watana Creek and remained within a 2 km radius
throughout the fall.Number 8022 traveled considerably farther than
#8040 as she crossed the Susitna sometime in February and returned in
March.On 1 June she was seen in the same vicinity as #8040 on lower
Watana Creek.On 16 June they were again found in close proximity.Her
movements indicated no distinct migration between winter and summer
11-16
~.
I
I
Figure 4.Location and General Range of Radio Collared Moose Numbers ?
8038,8040 and 8573 Along Watana Creek.Devils Canyon Project,
March 1978.
8573 =~"Z'@
8038 =11111111111
8040 =I I
11--17
.."..
Figure 5.Location and General Range of Radio Collared Moose Numbers'~
8022,8576 and 8588 Along Watana Creek.Devils Canyon Proj ect,.--
March 1978.
8022 =
8576 =11111111111
85 88 =ft~~~\~..l./:;.:I
II-18
ranges.Number 8022 was never seen with a calf.During the calving
season she was found in four different locations.
Number 8038 was collared 5 km south of Big Lake.During all 19
observations this moose was between 600 m and 950 m elevation (Fig.4).
Although she was observed with a new calf on 26 May,when checked again
on 31 May the calf was missing.From June through fall she appeared to
move constantly,and ranges used throughout this period overlapped that
of winter observations.
On 19 March three females (#s 8573,8576 and 8588)were collared on
the north side of the Susitna between Watana and Jay Creeks.Number
8576 moved less extensively than any of the other radio collared females
(Fig.5).She was observed 12 times,all on the north side of the river
within an area of approximately 28 km 2 •When last observed on 30 November
she was within 2 km of her tagging location.Female #8588 also wintered
along the north bank of the Susitna.She moved to an island in the
river in early June and was observed again on the north bank on 8 June
where she remained through November (Fig.5).Nu~ber 8573 wintered
along the north shore of the Susitna and crossed to the south bank
during calving season (Fig.4).She was never observed with a calf,
although it was determined that she was pregnant when collared.However,
she was not visually observed between 26 May and 3 June.She remained
on the south side of the river until July when she returned to her
collaring location.She stayed there until 30 November when,after a
moderate snowfall,she moved to lower elevations near the mouth of
Watana Creek.
11-19
Susitna Bend Area
Movements were more extensive for those moose collared east of Jay
'Creek.Number 8031 was collared in October 1976 on the north side of
the Susitna near the mouth of the Tyone River.Two others,#s 8578 and
8579,were collared in the same vicinity in March 1977.Number 8031 was
observed almost exclusively between 600 mand 950 m in spruce habitats
along the north and west banks of the Susitna (Fig.6).She was never
observed on the south bank of the river.She had a calf when tagged
which survived the winter,but she was never observed with a calf the
following spring.No seasonal range preference is discernible from her
movement pattern.
Number 8579 was once found 30 km from where she was collared (Fig.6).
She wintered along the Susitna and crossed to the mouth of Goose Creek
in May.She returned to the north side and moved to higher elevations
near the headwaters of Coal Creek during calving where she remained
through November.She was not located during June and was not observed
with a calf in July,although it had been determined in March that she
was pregnant.She remained in the high country through November.
Cow #8578 wintered in the same vicinity as 8579 and then crossed
the Susitna to the mouth of the Oshetna River (Fig.6).She never
returned to the north side and spent the remaining summer months and
fall in an area of approximately 7 km 2 ,west of the mouth of Goose
Creek.Number 8578 was not pregnant when collared in March.,
II-20
Figure 6.Location and General Range of Radio Collared Moose Numbers
8031,8578 and 8579 Dminstream from the MacLaren River.Devils
Canyon Project,March 1978.
1
III
II-21
Number 8030 was collared very close to #s 8031,8578 and 8579,but
her movement patterns were totally dissimiler (Fig.7).She moved south
across the Susitna River and wintered along the drainage of the Tyone
River.By 10 May she had moved 2 kIn to an island in Susitna Lake and
was observed there with a calf on 30 May.She remained with her calf
through August in the vicinity of Tyone Village and returned on 5 October
to within 1 kIn of her collaring location.
MacZaren River Area
Two females,fls 8035 and 8575,were collared along the Maclaren
River.Number 8035,collared on 27 October 1976,moved 59 kIn during
November and early December to the mouth of the Oshetna River where she
remained through March (Fig.8).On 22 April she was observed returning
to the vicinity of her tagging location.She was observed on several
occasions in this area without a calf throughout the summer and fall.
By 22 November she had returned to the mouth of the OshetnaRiver,50 km
from her previous location.During April 1977,#8575 migrated 103 km,
the longest movement recorded during this study,from the lower Maclaren
River to Sucker Lake south of the Glenn Highway near Tazlina Lake (Fig.7).
She was pregnant when collared in March but was never observed with a
calf.This moose remained near Sucker Lake through May and moved 11 kIn
north to Tolsona Ridge during June where she spent most of July and
August.She returned once to Sucker Lake and made one trip to Lost
Cabin Lake,but both times moved back to Tolsona Ridge.On 30 September
she was observed moving back towards her tagging location on the Maclaren.
By 5 October she had returned 82 kIn and was within 9 kIn of her collaring
location.
Figure 7.Location and General Range of Radio Collared Moose Numbers
8030 and 8575 Southeast from the MacLaren andSusitna Rivers.'
Devils Canyon Project,March 1978.
Clarence
_--Fe:---.....'-3ke
-.1o..,t{..&--:I.~::...a:
.-----.....
II-23
..
·Female #8018 was collared in October along Butte Creek.She was
accompanied by a calf and remained in the Butte Creek vicinity through
January (Fig.9)•.On 7 February she and her calf were observed across
the Susitna,43 kIn away on the north side of Kelley Lake.She wintered
there with her calf and began moving up the Maclaren in April.On
30 May she was seen with a new calf which was observed until 10 June.
By 12 July she had returned 30 kIn in the direction of her tagging location
and remained in the same vicinity she had inhabited the previous fall
through November.
Radio-collared moose movement data were supplemented somewhat by
incidental observations of visually collared moose.Eleven additional
river crossings were documented and possible migratory directions were
identified (Fig.10).The second longest movement during this study
occurred when the moose wearing visual collar #80 was found near Lone
Butte,84 kIn southeast of her tagging location at Devils Mountain.Of
the moose collared west of Jay Creek,she alone showed any migratory
movement of significant distance.Collar number 60 was tagged in March 1977
just north of the mouth of Tyone Creek and was found 78 kIn to the northwest
between the Nenana River and West Fork Glacier in August.One moose.
#10,collared along Butte Creek in October 1976 moved down Watana Creek
to the Susitna where she was found in August.Another,#67,was collared
near Susitna Lodge in March 1977 and was located in November at the
headwaters of Jay Creek.
Habitat Use
Habitat types being utilized by collared moose were noted during
Figure 9.Location and General Range of Radio Collared Moose Number 8018
Along the Maclaren and Susitna Rivers.Devils Canyon Project March 1978.
radio-tracking flights,and observations were categorized in nine groups
(Table 3).Because spruce is the dominant vegetation over much of the
study area and is widely variable in density,three categories were used
to describe it.One hundred and seventy-two habitat observations of
radio-collared moose were noted during tracking flights.Seventy percent
of all observations were in spruce dominated habitats.Moose were most
often (29.7 percent of observations)found in medium spruce areas where
trees ranged from six to 15 m high in stands of moderate density.
Calving took place primarily in open spruce areas,most often at
lower elevations where stands of trees four to 14 m high were interspersed
with openings.Eight calves,including one set of twins,were born in
spruce habitats while one cow gave birth to a set of twins in alder
dominated habitat.Alder and willow areas at and above timberline were
utilized during the rutting season until late in the fall when snow
depths approached one meter.
Between Devil Creek and Watana Creek,radio-collared moose remained
throughout the year almost exclusively at the lower spruce dominated
elevations.Moose collared along upper Watana Creek were observed more
often in willow-alder communities except during late winter when they
were generally found in spruce habitats at lower elevations.
DISCUSSION
Movement patterns of moose are highly variable.Studies.throughout
North America (Edwards and Ritcey 1956,Houston 1968,Goddard 1970,
IT-?~
'\---J
J
Table 3.Number of observations of radio collared moose in vegetation types along the Susitna River between
October 1976 and December 1977.Devils Canyon Project,March 1978.
--
Collar Total Open Medium Dense Spruce/Alpine Riparian
Number Sightings Spruce*Spruce Spruce Hardwood**Tundra Alder Willow Willow Open
8583 10 4 2 1 3
8584 9 5 2 1 1
8586 7 3 4
8589 1 1
8580 2 1 1
8038 13 5 4 1 1 1 1
8573 10 6 1 1 1 1
8576 12 3 8 1
8022 8 1 2 3 1 1
8588 9 2 3 1 1 2
8040 10 1 6 1 2
8578 12 6 1 1 2 1 1H8579911221 1H1I
N 8031 11 1 7 2 1
-....J 8035 12 3 3 1 1 1 3
8018 11 3 2 1 2 2 1
8030 11 2 3 6
8575 -15 3 3 7 1 1
172 43 51 26 7 7 16 11 10
1
Percent
of Total 100.0 25.0 29.7 15.1 4.1 4.1 9.3 6.4 5.8 .6
*Spruce categories include both white spruce (Pioea gZauca)and black spruce (Picea mariana).
**Hardwoods in this category include aspen (Populus tremuloides)and birch (Betula papyrifera),
LeResche 1972)support the hypothesis that movement patterns in moose
~
may range from being sedentary to seasonal migrations of great distances.
Peterson (1955)believed that many moose spend their whole lives in an
2areaof32-800 km..This appears to be true for many of the moose in
the Susitna study area.Nine of the 16 moose radio-collared and tracked
for 13 months along the Susitna River occupied areas smaller than 52 km.2 •
All but one of these were collared west of Jay Creek where the river
valley is fairly narrow and is surrounded by mountains.
LeResche (1974)found that home range seldom exceeds 5-10 km 2
during a given season.Because radio-collared moose were only monitored
for 8 to 13 months during this study,data were inadequate to allow
computation of seasonal home range sizes.It was noticed,however,that
several of the radio-collared moose were found repeatedly in areas less
than 10 km.2 in extent.Others appeared to be more nomadic,particularly
those collared in the eastern portion of the study area where they
wandered across areas up to 50 km.2 during the spring and sunnner.
Areas of low elevation are often inhabited by both migratory and
nonmigratory mOose during winter and spring (LeResche 1972).This was
apparent in the Devil Mountain area where #80 was collared.Between
March and September 1977 she moved a straight line distance of 84 Ian to
the southeast while a cow collared at the same time in the same location
remained within 11 km of her collaring site throughout the year.This
was also true of the wintering area between the Tyone River and Goose
Creek to which many moose migrated considerable distances.Number 8031
remained in this area throughout the 13 months of this study.
11-28
Edwards and Ritcey (1956)noted that increasing snow depths above
timberline triggered moose migrations out of the high country to their
wintering areas in the lowlands.Their observations have been supported
in Alaska by Rausch (1958)and LeResche (1974),both of whom concluded
that the fall migration in Interior Alaska is closely related to snow
conditions.Snow depths along~the Susitna River during the winter of
1976-77 were below normal until late March.They appeared to be greater
along the eastern portion of the study area than west of Jay Creek.
Shortly after accumulated snow reached its maximum depths,most collared
moose east of Jay Creek either migrated short distances where a considerable
drop in elevation was possible,or made long treks to their wintering
areas,gradually moving to lower elevations.Except for #80,those west
of Jay Creek showed no tendency to migrate at alL Radio collared moose
in this area may be representative of a sedentary population,but it is
recognized that data collections over a l3-month period which includes
subnormal snow depths are inadequate to accurately assess the migratory
nature of moose along this stretch of the Susitna River.If data from
this small sample are representative of the moose population currently
inhabiting this stretch of the Susitna River,construction of the Devils
Canyon dam would have a highly detrimental effect on the population as
the dam would inundate a major portion of the winter habitat presently
available.Destruction of this winter range would substantially reduce
the carrying capacity of a major portion of the Devil Creek drainages.
Some of the possible migratory routes represented by data accumulated
thus far are illustrated in Fig.10 and others are illustrated in Appendix I.
The relative significance of each of these is unknown at this time,
11-29
although it is apparent that a substantial number of moose migrate to
and utilize the area near the mouth of the Tyone and the Oshetna Rivers
for winter range.Coady'(1974)noted that the depth,density and hardness
of snow are appreciably lower in coniferous and deciduous tree communities
making them more favorable to moose under stress from severe winter snow
conditions.The lower,spruce-covered reaches of the Watana Creek
Valley are probably critical for the majority of moose inhabiting this
area during a severe winter.A major portion of this area would be
inundated by construction of the Watana dam.Additional observations of
moose during normal or severe winter conditions are necessary to determine
the importance of this area as winter range.If this area is used as
winter range during more severe winters which would normally occur in
this area,construction of the Watana Dam would substantially reduce the
carrying capacity of this portion of the study area.
Present information indicates moose depend heavily upon the river
bottoms and adjacent areas for winter habitat both above and below the
Watana and Devils Canyon damsites.Lack of adequate wintering areas in
the lower Susitna Valley has been a major limiting factor to moose
population growth there in the past (Chatelain 1951).Most existing
winter range is along the major rivers where periodic flooding has
caused rechanneling of the main stream,allowing riparian willow to
colonize the dry stream beds.Regulating the flow of water from the dam
at Devils Canyon could have a highly detrimental effect on growth of
riparian vegetation downstream to the mouth of the Susitna.It is
possible that maintaining a steady flow of 8,000 to 10,000 cu~ft./sec.
from the Devils Canyon dam would effectively prevent the flooding activity
II-30
that presently occurs periodically.This could create a short-term
abundance of winter range along the riverbanks that might last 30 or
more years.The net long-term effect could well be a negative one,
however,as it is suspected that the present natural flooding activity
of the Susitna River produces favorable conditions for browse production.
Without these annual floods,these riparian areas could become mature
stands of hardwoods after 25 or 30 years and provide little or no winter
forage.Research on riparian vegetation habitat types and associated
moose usage downstream of dam construction is essential to determine
potential impacts on moose populations.
CONCLUSIONS
The emphasis of this telemetry study focused almost exclusively on
the north side of the Susitna River upstream from the Devils Canyon dam
site.Information on migratory routes and annual movement patterns was
limited by the small sample of radio-collared moose (18),many of which
were observed for less than nine months.Moose which were collared in
October 1976 were monitored through the winter of 1976-77 which was
considered to be mild.Information pertinent to identifying critical
wintering areas is most appropriately obtained during winters of high to
severe snow depths as moose tend to congregate in greater densities on
the most vital ranges as snow depths increase.Acquisition of moose
movement information downstream and on the south side of the Susitna
River is essential in order to evaluate the full effects of the proposed
hydroelectric project.Downstream effects on moose would be expected to
be significant since vegetation composition would be altered substantially
as a result of regulated water flow.
11-31
Annual moose harvests within the immediate drainages along the
upstream portion of the Sustina River have averaged 146 moose since 1974
(ADF&G,unpublished data).Approximately 475-500 sportsmen participate
in moose hunts in this area each fall (ob.cit.).How significantly dam
construction might reduce or increase this level of activity is difficult
to project with the limited data available.Construction of an access
road to the Watana site would substantially increase hunter pressure in
the area,creating a corresponding increase in total man days spent
hunting.The quality of the hunting experience would probably decline,
however,as well as the rate of hunter success.Dam construction and
maintenance schedules are projected on a basis of a dam life of 100
years.If impacts of the project reduced local moose populations by 50
percent this would amount to a corresponding loss of harvest of 7,300
moose during the life of the dam.
Construction of the Devils Canyon dam would flood a 45 km portion
of the Susitna River having a surface area of 7,500 acres (USF&WS,
1975).The riverbanks along this portion of the river are generally
steep and provide marginal habitat for moose.The low density of moose
tracks in this area throughout the winter of 1977-78 indicates that
little utilization occurs during winters of moderate snowfall.Since
water levels in the Devils Canyon reservoir are expected to remain
fairly constant,low mortality rates associated with ice shelving and
steep mud banks would be expected.
Construction of the Watana dam would result in inundation of 43,000
acres along Watana Creek and the Susitna River.Approxiamtely 35,000
TT_1?
acres ,sustain moderate to heavy utilization by moose during an average
winter (USF&WS 1975).Much of it supports moderate moose densities
during the spring and swmner seasons as well.The preliminary movement
data gathered thus far from radio collared moose indicate that moose
from several surrounding areas of the Susitna Basin migrate across or
utilize this portion of the river during some period of the year.The
Alaska Department of Fish and Game recorded observations of 2 t 037 moose
during their fall 1977 sex and age composition counts of these areas
(ADF&G t unpublished data).LeResche and Rausch (1974)concluded that an
observer generally sees between 43 to 68 percent of the moose in an area
during an aerial census.Using 50 percent to extrapolate roughlYt the
resident population utilizing this portion of the basin probably falls
between 4 t OOO and StOOO moose.Random stratified counts weighted with
an accurate sightability index are needed to accurately assess numbers
of moose.
Effects of the construction of the Watana dam on these mOOSe populations
could be substantial.The resident nonmigratory segment of the population
could be eliminated.The immediate loss of a major portion of the
winter range along Watana Creek and parts of the Susitna River to flooding
would have the effect of reducing the carrying capacity of the habitat
at higher elevations used only during the warm seasons and mild winters.
The Watana Reservoir would be 87 kIn long and may during some seasons
prove to be an effective barrier to migrations.The resulting disruption
of movements to traditional breeding grounds may adversely affect productivity.
Increased mortality of neonates during post calving movements.might
occur.Since water levels are expected to fluctuate as much as 78 rot
ice shelving could become a significant cause of mortality as well.
11-33
Calving is a common occurrence in these portions of the study area.The
loss of calving habitat notwithstanding~fluctuating water levels would
convert the presently timbered slopes from the Watana dam site to the
Oshetna River to enormous mud banks.Calf mortality from slipping
downhill or getting stuck in the mud could become a common occurrence.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Collection of baseline biological data and completion of resource
assessment in the area affected by the proposed hydroelectric project in
far greater depth than this study is an essential prerequisite to understanding
the possible impacts of the proposed action (Appendix II).Identification
of moose populations~movement patterns,and habitat use downstream and
on the south side of the Susitna River is essential to predict both
negative and beneficial impacts of the proposed prject.Habitat studies
should be conducted concurrently to determine seasonal use and degree of
dependency of populations on habitat to be impacted by the project.
Alternate areas suitable for habitat rehabilitation to mitigate range
losses should be investigated as well as suitable methods for habitat
enhancement.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Several biologists with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game gave
freely of their time and expertise to assist us during the initial phase
of this study.Drs.A.Franzmann and T.Bailey from the Moos~Research
Center participated in the collaring operation,and area biologists
11-34
S.Eide and T.Spraker provided their assistance during several phases
of the study.Technician Tom Balland helped during all phases of field
work.A.Cunning constructed figures for this manuscript.We wish to
express our gratitude to the air taxi operators (Ken Holland,Rick Halford,
Ken Bunch,Al Lee and Vern Loftstead)for their many safe hours of
flying and their willingness to modify their aircraft to accommodate our
telemetry equipment.We wish to give special thanks to all those whose
comments and criticisms helped in the preparation of this manuscript.
II-35
Plan of study for
Prepared for the State
LITERATURE CITED
Alaska District,Army Corps of Engineers.1975.Hydroelectric power
and related purposes for the upper Susitna River Basin.Interim
Feasibility Rept.,125 p.
Alaska District,Army Corps of Engineers.1977.
Susitna hydropower,feasibility analysis.
of Alaska.297 p.
Ballard,W.B.and K.P.Taylor (In prep).Upper Susitna River moose
population study.Alaska Dept.Fish and Game P-R Proj.Rept.W-17-
10,Job IB-l.20.
Chatelain,E.F.1951.Winter range problems of moose in the Susitna
Valley.Proc.Alaskan Sci.Conf.,2:343-347.
Coady,J.W.1974.Influence of snow on the behavior of moose.Naturaliste
Can.,101:417-436.
Edwards,R.Y.and R.W.Ritcey.1956.The migrations of a moose herd.
J.Mammal.37(4):486-494.
Franzmann,A.W.,A.Flynn and P.D.Arneson.1975.Levels of some
mineral elements in Alaskan moose hair.J.Wildl.Mgmt.
39(2):374-378.
11-36
Franzmann,A.W.,P.D.Arneson,R.E.LeResche and J.L.Davis.1974.
Developing and testing new techniques for moose management.Alaska
Dept.Fish and Game P-R Proj.Final Rept.,W-17-2, W-17-3,W-17-4,
W-17-5 and W-17-6.54 p.(mu1ti1ith).
Franzmann,A.W.,and P.D.Arneson.1973.Moose Research Center
studies.Alaska Dept.Fish and Game P-R Proj.Rept.,W-17-5.60 p
(mu1ti1ith).
Goddard,J.1970.Movements of moose in a heavily hunted area of
Ontario.J.Wi1d1.Mgmt.34(2):439-445.
Gravel,M.1977 •Tapping Sus itna t s power.Sen.Mike Gravel Reports to
Alaskans.July Newsletter.4 p.
Greer,K.R.and W.W.Hawkins.1967.Determining pregnancy in elk by
rectal palpation.J.Wi1d1.Mgmt.,31:145-149.
Houston,D.B.1968.The Shiras moose in Jackson Hole,Wyoming.Grand
Teton Nat.Hist.Assoc.Tech.Bull.No.1.110 p.
LeResche,R.E.1972.Migrations and population mixing of moose on the
Kenai Peninsula Alaska.8th N.Am.Moose Conf.Works.,Thunder
Bay Ontario.Onto Minist.Nat.Res.,Toronto.p.185-207.
LeResche,R.E.1974.Moose Imigrations in North America with emphasis
on Alaska.Natura1iste Can.101:393-415.
11-37
LeResche,R.E.and R.A.Rausch.1974.Accuracy and precision of
aerial moose censusing.J.Wi1d1.Mgmt.38(2):175-182.
Mech, L.D.1974.Current Techniques in the study of elusive wilderness
carnivores.Proc.XI Internat.Congress of Game Bio.,pp.315-322.
Peterson,R.L.1955.North American moose.Univ.Toronto Press,
280 p.
Rausch,R.A.1958.Moose management studies.Fed.Aid.Wi1d1.Restor.
Job Completion Rept.Vol 12,Proj.W-3-R-12.Alaska Game Corom.
Juneau,138 p.
Sargent,D.E.and D.H.Pim1ott.1959.Age determination in moose
from sectioned incisor teeth.J.Wi1d1.Mgmt.23 (3):315-321.
u.s.Fish and Wildlife Service.1975.Sauthcentra1 rai1be1t area upper
Susitna River Basin hydroelectric project two dam plan.u.S.Dept.
Interior,Anchorage,AK.25 p.
11-38
Appendix I.Individual Observations and Locations of each Radio Collared Moose
Between October 1976 and November 1977.Devils Canyon Project,
March 1978.
o •tagging sit •
MOOSE
..
.:.....,..••
8583 -.
II-39
Number
8583
Collar
Color
Orange
Collar
Number Date
7 18 March 1977
Remarks
Not pregnant~a1one~snow 2"above moose belly
/
Observations
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
31 March 1977
22 April 1977
26 May 1977
31 May 1977
3 June 1977
8 June 1977
28 June 1977
5 July 1977
5 August 1977
5 October 1977
With #8580~no visual observation (SE-KB)
Alone and spooky ~medium spruce-
up1and~condition 5 or 6 (WB-KB)
Alone~1600'~riparian spruce (Egbert-KB)
Alone,spruce/hardwood (?B)
Alone,heavy spruce (KT)
Alone,spruce (KT)
Alone,spruce/hardwood (KT)
Alone,open spruce (KT)
Alone,tall open spruce/hardwood (TB)
With large bull,spruce (KT)
11 30 November 1977 Alone,open medium spruce (KT)
11-40
(..
MOOSE
0 ...tCJ9ged site
...
8584 ..
11-41
Number
8584
Collar
Color
Orange
Collar
Number Date
9 18 March 1977
Remarks
Pregnant
Observations
1 (3:20 PM)31 March 1977 Alone in spruce (SE-KB)
2 (8:30 AM)22 April 1977 Alone,upland spruce and some willow,
condition 7 (WB-KB)
3 31 May 1977 No calf seen tall spruce (TB)
4 3 June 1977 With 2 new calves,open spruce (KT)
5 8 June 1977 No visual (KT)
o 16 June 1977 With one calf,location not recorded (Erickson)
6 28 June 1977 No visual contact,spruce/hardwood (KT)
7 5 July 1977 Alone,open spruce (KT)
8 (11:30 AM)5 August 1977 1/2 mile from bull and 2 cows,med.spruce (TB)
9 5 October 1977 With large bull and 3 cows,open spruce (KT)
10 30 November 1977 With one cow,open medium spruce (KT)
11-42
..........••
MOOSE
..
."
5
8586 ..
11-43 J
Number
8586
Collar
Color
Orange
Collar
Number Date
11 18 March 1977
Remarks
Pregnant,with one calf and 3 cows 1/4 mile
30 November 1977 Could not pick up signal
Observations
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 (11:30 AM)
9
10
31 March 1977
22 April 1977
3 June 1977
8 June 1977
16 June 1977
28 June 1977
5 July 1977
5 August 1977
5 October 1977
With 1 calf and 1 moose 1/4 mile away
With 1 calf,2 cows and 1 small bull within
100 yds medium spruce-riparian
With one new calf,spruce
With 1 calf,spruce
Alone,open spruce
Alone,open spruce
Alone,spruce
With 3 cows
Alone
11-44
o •TAG G I NG SITE
MOOSE
.:---.••
s
.-....
8580 ".
Collar
Number Color
8580 none
Collar
Number Date
none 18 March 1977
Remarks
Down only 5-10 minutes,collar too small,
no p~egnancy test,wlth cow and calf 1/4
mile and 2 others
Observations
1 (3:00 PM)
2
31 March 1977
22 April 1977
With 1 adult,spruce (SE-KB)
Alone,no ear tags,tall riparian spruce-(WB-KB)
11-46
0·tagging site
..
MOOSE 8038
•
..•
•
Number
8038
Collar
Color
Red
Collar
Number Date
NA 27 October 1976
Remarks
With DA#3,1 cow and one small bull
Observations
1 (11:40 AM)22 November 1976 Unable to visually observe due to dense
vegetation and poor snow.
2 (1:30 PM)
3 (11:00 AM)
4 (9 :35 AM)
5
6 (10:30 AM)
7 (6:05 PM)
8 (9:15 AM)
3 December 1976 Alone
24 December 1976 With 2 cows
19 January 1977 With 3 cows and 1 small bull
4 February 1977 Not visually observed due to high winds
3 March 1977 With 1 cow
6 April 1977 With 2 moose,sparse tall spruce
22 April 1977 With 6 moose (1 bull),sparse tall spruce and
cottonwood,condition 6
t"'!"""'...
17
26 May 1977
31 May 1977
3 June 1977
8 June 1977
16 June 1977
28 June 1977
5 July 1977
5 or 6 August 1977
5 October 1977
30 November 1977 With 2 cows,small spruce
II-48
10·tagging site
MOOSE
..
3573
,
..
II-49
..'..
Number
8573
Collar
Color
Orange
Collar
Number Date
5 19 March 1977
Remarks
Pregnant
Observations
1 6 April 1977
2 (10:15 AM)22 April 1977
3 26 May 1977
4 31 May 1977
91 1 June 1977
5 3 June 1977
6 8 June 1977
91 16 June 1977
7 28 June 1977
8 5 July 1977
9 5 August 1977
10 5 October 1977
With 1 cow,sparse short spruce,condition 7
With 1 cow,dense tall spruce
Not visually observed
Not visually observed,dense tall spruce
Alone,medium medium spruce
Alone,medium medium spruce
Alone,medium medium spruce
Not visually observed,alder
Alone,medium medium spruce
With 2 cows and white #75
Alone,medium medium spruce
11 30 November 1977 With 1 cow,willow
II-50
0·tagging s ita
":.~".
.,
MOOSE 8576
...
-•
•
II-51
11
Remarks
With 1 bull,pregnancy status unknown
Alone,in spruce (SE-KB)
With 2 cows,medium tall spruce,near radio 8588
Alone,medium short spruce
Alone,sparse medium spruce
Alone,medium medium spruce
Alone,medium medium spruce
Alone,medium medium spruce
Alone,medium medium spruce with some alder
Within 1/2 mile Blue fflO,sparse medium spruce
With 1 large bull and 3 cows,medium medium
spruce,not visually observed.
30 November 1977 Alone,open medium spruce
II-52
,
..
MOOSE 8022
0·tagging site
•
-•
•
Number
8022
Collar
Color
Red
Collar
Number Date
NA 28 October 1976
Remarks
Artificial respiration for 10-15 min.
Observations
1 (1:30 PM)
2 (1:45 PM)
3 (11:00 AM)
4
5 (11:00 AM)
6
7 (4:05 PM)
8 (9:00 AM)
9
0
22 November 1976 Unable to observe due to poor snow conditions
and dense vegetation
3 December 1976 With 1 cow
24 December 1976 With 1 cow
19 January 1977 Alone
4 February 1977 Not visually observed due to high winds
3 March 1977 Alone,standing,sparse medium spruce
6 April 1977 With 2 moose
22 April 1977 Alone,medium medium spruce
25 May 1977 Alone,riparian willow
1 June 1977 No visual observation,in steep wall canyon,
near radio 8040
10 8 June 1977
11 16 June 1977
0 28 June 1977
12 5 July 1977
13 (11:00 AM)5 August 1977
14 5 October 1977
Alone,medium medium spruce
Alone
Couldn't locate
Not observed,alder
With 1 cow,tall alder
With radio 8040,alder
15 30 November 1977 With 1 cow,willow
II-54
MOOSE 8588
0·tagging 5 He,
•
-•
II-55
,
RemarksDate
Collar
Number -----"----
Collar
ColorNumber
8588 Orange 16 19 March 1977 none
Observations
1 (4:05 PM)6 April 1977 Close to radio 8022,medium medium spruce
2 22 April 1977 With 2 cows,sparse short spruce
3 27 May 1977 With 1 yearling and 1 cow,sparse short spruce'
31 May 1977 Not visually observed
4 3 June 1977 Not visually observed on island,dense tall
spruce
5 8 June 1977 Alone,spruce (KT)
6 16 June 1977 Alone,willow-alder
5 July 1977 Alone
7 21 August 1977 Alone,sparse tall spruce
5 October 1977 Could not locate
8 3 November 1977 With one bull and 3 cows
9 30 November 1977 With one yearling,willow
II-56
o -tagging site
,
MOOSE 8040
•
-•
•
II-57
Collar
Number Color
8040 Green
Collar
Number Date
NA 28 October 1976
Remarks
Lone cow,old moose (10+),artificial
respiration-5 minutes
Observations
1 (11:50 AM)22 November 1976 With 1 cow and 1 large bull
2 3 December 1976 With 1 yearling and 2 cows
3 27 December 1976 With 2 cows,1 small bull and 2 large bulls
4 (9:30 AM)17 January 1977 Alone
5 (10:30 AM)3 March 1977 Alone
6 (6:16 PM)6 April 1977 Alone
7 (9:20 AM)22 April 1977 With 1 cow,riparian willow,condition 4
8 26 May 1977 Alone,sparse short spruce
o 31 May 1977 Not visually observed
o 1 June 1977 Alone
9 3 June 1977 Alone,willow
10 8 June 1977 With 2 new calves,alder
11 16 June 1977 Alone,alder
12 28 June 1977 Not observed,alder
13 5 July 19i7 Not observed,tall alder
14 (11:00 AM)5 August 1977 Not observed
15 5 October 1977 With 1 cow and 1 small bull,alder
16 30 November 1977 With 1 yearling,riparian willow
II-58
..
•...
857B.'MOOSE•
••
•
II-59
RemarksDate
Collar
Number ---==---
Collar
Number Color
8578 Orange 10 20 March 1977 Not pregnant,with 1 bull
Observations
1 30 March 1977 Not visually observed (TB-AL)
2 (10:30 AM)22 April 1977
3 13 May 1977
Alone,upland small spruce bog
No visual observation due to two other cows
in area,steep river banks and heavy spruce
(TB-AL)
(11:00 AM)30 May 1977
4 (2:00 PM)3 June 1977
5 (2:30 PM)6 June 1977
10 June 1977
17 June 1977
(10:30 AM)27 June 1977
30 June 1977
(10:00 AM)6 July 1977
6 (10:15 AM)23 July 1977
No calf,with 1 bull and 2 cows (TS-KB)
With 10 cows and 1 bull,open spruce,
no calf (TB-KB)
Up high in scrub sparse spruce,with 1 cow
and yearling
No calf,with a cow with calf an 1 lone cow,
yearling male grizzly present (SE-KB)
With 1 adult,no calf
Alone (TB-AL)
With 1 cow and bull,cow with calf 1/8 mile
away (KB-TB)
Alone,upland tundra,no calf,feeding (WB-KB)
Bedded down with 3 adults and 1 small bull,
mixed brush upland tundra with short scattered
spruce (WB-KB)
7 22 August 1977 Alone within 1/4 mile is cow with yearling,
in sparse medium spruce with lots of dwarf
birch almost alpine (WB-KB)
(8:55 AM)30 August 1977 With cow and calf in sparse short spruce,
feeding (WB-KB)
..-.(
8 (5:00 PM)
9 (1:40 PM)
5 October 1977 Alone,standing in scrub spruce,willow (WB-KB)
22 November 1977 Alone,standing in upland short sparse spruce
(WB-KB)
11-60
~)J
\
, J
{J
..•
•
•
.'
•
.II-61
MOOSE
..-..
•
iI~.....~umber
8579
Collar
Color
Orange
Collar
Number Date
14 20 March 1977
Remarks
Pregnant,15 minutes artificial respiration
(broke couple of ribs),with 1 calf
Observations
1 22 March 1977 With cow,upland willow surrounding medium
spruce,condition 4 (WB-KB)
2 13 May 1977 Definite location didn't see due to steep
riverbanks and heavy spruce (TB-AL)
3 (11:30 AM)3 July 1977 Alone,feeding in upland tundra (WB-KB)
4 (10:15 AM)25 July 1977 Alone,no calf,riparian willow habitat
in upland tundra,bedded down
5 (5:30 PM)18 August 1977 With a cow with calf in tall spruce sparse
and dwarf birch (WB-KB)
6 (2:00 PM)5 October 1977 With 10 cows,1 small bull in upland short
spruce (WB-KB)
7 3 November 1977 With #61 which has calf (SE)
8 (2:00 PM)22 November 1977 Alone,running,in tall riparian spruce (\~-KB)
II-62
•
•
•
11-63
MOOSE 8031
-
•
Collar Collar
Number Color Number
8031 Green NA
Visual Blue 3
Observations
1
2 (11:15 AM)
3 (10:15 AM)
4 (Noon)
5 (3 :30 PM)
6 (1:00 PM)
7 (Noon)
8 (3:00 PM)
9 (Noon)
'10 (3:30 PM)
11 (8:15 AM)
12 (3:15 PM)
Date Remarks--"---"=~-------------------
22 October 1976 none
2 November 1976 With several bulls and cows within 1/4 mile,
also #2 with calf (TB)
19 November 1976 Unobserved due to vegetations and poor snow (WE)
16 December 1976 With a yearling cow
24 December 1976 With a calf
19 January 1977 With a calf,within 1/4 mile 2-3 year old bull
with 1 antler and cow with calf
3 February 1977 Did not attempt to observe (TS)
4 February 1977 Visually observed accompanied by calf
22 February 1977 With calf,with cow with twins (TS)
5 March 1977 With calf
30 March 1977 Didn't visually observe (TB-AL)
25 April 1977 With calf and another cow,tall spruce-willow
13 May 1977 Didn't see due to steep river banks but
definately there,singnal not heard until almost
overhead (TB-AL)
(2:00 PM)20 May 1977
13 (11:00 AM)30 May 1977
14 3 June 1977
(1:30 PM)6 June 1977
10 June 1977
With calf,also 2 cows with calves,1 cow,
medium spruce upland,2500'
With yearling and 1 cow,no calf,feeding,less
than 40'spruce and muskeg (TS-KB)
With yearling and 1 cow
With a yearling in scrub spruce 200'above river
(WB-KB)
With yearling,sparse medium spruce (SE-KB)
11-64
8031 continued
I"'"17 June 1977
15 24 June 1977
16 (11':'45 AM)3 July 1977
17 (10:35 AM)23 July 1977
With yearling (SE-KB)
Couldn't see due to wind (TB-AL)
Bedded down with yearling (bull)at least
17 other moose there (WB-KB)
With bull yearling in dense medium spruce,
2700',standing together
(5:30 PM)
(9:15 AM)
18 (1:15 PM)
19 (1:30 PM)
18 August 1977 Bedded~down with her yearling bull with 1 large
bull in dense medium spruce (WB-KB)
30 August 1977 Unable to observe,probably bedded down in thick
medium spruce
5 October 1977 With 4 cows,1 cow with calf,1 yearling
in dense medium spruce upland (WB-KB)
22 November 1977 With 4 cows,1 calf,2 large bulls,1 yearling
bull,standing,feeding,dense medium tall
spruce,essentially same location as 17
II-65
oX ce Ftc:lcl
N
c:.1.o_rn~~~
ALASKA RANGE
8035MOOSE
11-66
Number
8035
Collar
Color
Blue
Collar
Number Date
NA 27 October 1977
Remarks
3-4 minutes artificial respiration,with one
1111.probably 3 other cows.1 large bull,
1 small bull
Observations
1
2 (10:15 AM)
3 (Noon)
2 November 1976 With 1 cow
19 November 1976 Not visually observed,with radio 8030 and cow
16 December 1976 Did not visually observe due to fog
24 December 1976 With 1 cow,within 1/4 mile 1 cow with calf
and 5 cows
4 (3:45 PM)19 January 1977 With 2 yearlings (1 is bull),over 1/4 mile
a total of 11 moose which included 2 medium bulls
with 1 antler and 2 calves
5 (1:00 PM)
6 (1:00 PM)
7 (3:30 PM)
8
0
9
10 (2:30 PM)
(2:00 PM)
(Noon)
(8:3G AM)
3 February 1977 No attempt to observe
4 February 1977 With 2 yearlings (1 bull),other moose in area
but no count
22 February 1977 With 2 moose
5 March 1977 With 1 yearling
30 March 1977 No visual observation
22 April 1977 Condition 5-6,riparian willow
25 May 1977 Alone,medium medium spruce,feeding
1 June 1977 Alone,bedded down,sparse medium spruce
6 June 1977 Alone,dense ripariam tall spruce
10 June 1977 With cow,standing in riparian spruce
17 June 1977 With 1 cow
11 25 June 1977
6 July 1977
Alone
With 1 cow in upland tundra,resting
11-67
8035 continued.r-.
(Noon)12 July 1977
12 (1:15 PM)23 July 1977
13 (4:45 PM)18 August 1977
With 1 cow,upland riparian
Bedded down,sparse medium spruce
Bedded with a cow and yearling bull,sparse
short spruce
14 (4:30 PM)
15 (2:00 PM)
5 October 1977 With 1 large bull,13 cows,small moose 1 calf,
scrub willow with medium medium spruce
22 November 1977 Feeding,alone,medium short spruce
II-68
11-69
.....
•4 ••
(.
\
Collar Collar
Number Color Number Date Remarks
8018 Green NA 27 October 1976 Probably with a calf,with one cow
Observations
1 (12:10 PM)22 November 1976 With calf,3 cows and 3 calves (1 set twins)
2 (1:50 PM)3 December 1976 With medium bull,within 1/4 mile 5 cows,
and 3 cows with 2 calves
3 (11:15 PM)24 December 1976 With 1 cow
4 (1:20 PM)
5 (1:00 PM)
6 (1:00 PM)
19 January 1977 Alone
7 February 1977 Alone
5 March 1977 With calf
7 (11:02 AM)30 March 1977
8 25 April 1977
9 (7:45 PM)10 May 1977
0 27 May 1977-
10 (Noon)30 May 1977
91 (4:30 PM)6 June 1977
11 (8:00 AM)10 June 1977
12 (10:30 AM)12 July 1977
13 (12:30 PM)23 July 1977
14 (9:00 AM)22 August 1977
With calf
With calf,medium medium small spruce
-With 3 cows,sparse medium spruce
With 1 new calf,feeding,near a cow with twins
With calf,resting,river floodplain with
medium medium spruce
With calf,lying down in sparse tall spruce
Unable to observe,in thick upland tundra,
within 1/2 mile cow with calf
No visual,dense willow and alder must be
bedded down
Unable to observe due to dense alder-willow
within 1/4 mile cow with calf
15 (2:15 PM)5 October 1977 Alone,standing,riparian willow
16 (10:30 AM)22 November 1977 With 2 cows,3 calves,bedded riparian willow
rI-70
I
MOOSE-
8030
1
N
TT _71
Number
Collar
Color
Collar
Number ;:.D.::a.;:t.;:e _Remarks
8030 Black NA 22 October 1976 With 5-6 cows
Observations
1
2
3 (9:07 AM)
4
5
6 (Noon)
2 November 1976
19 November 1976 With 1 cow,and close to radio 8035
16 December 1976 With cow and ca1f-
19 January 1977 Alone,however,large concentration moose
in area
3 February 1977 No attempt to observe
5 March 1977 Alone
7 (10:22 AM)30 March 1977
8 (12:30 PM)22 April 1977
9 (5:00 PM)10 May 1977
~(9:52 AM)13 May 1977
10 (10:00 AM)30 May 1977
~(11:45 AM)6 June 1977
~(Noon)10 June 1977
11 (1:15 PM)15 June 1977
o 17 June 1977
o 25 June 1977
o 30 June 1977
o (10:15 AM)7 July 1977
o (10:00 AM)12 July 1977
12 (10:00 AM)23 July 1977
With 2 cows,medium medium spruce
No attempt to observe
Walking,dense tall spruce
With one new calf on island,feeding,sparse
medium spruce
With calf,feeding,sparse tall spruce
With calf on island,resting,sparse tall spruce
Alone,moved to next island,feeding on
shore in water
Alone
Unable to observe due to dense vegetation
With calf on island,medium medium spruce
With calf
With calf,bedded,medium medium spruce
With calf,running dense medium spruce
11-72
8030 continued
13
14
15 (1:00 PM)
16 (1:15 PM)
25 August 1977 With calf and 1 cow 7 sparse medium spruce
30 August 1977 With ca1f 7 bedded,dense medium spruce
5 October 1977 With calf,1 cow with ca1f 7 and 1 small
bul1 7 medium short spruce
22 November 1977 With ca1f 7 standing in dense short spruce
11-73
~I .
1
N.
11-74
MOOSE 8575 ..
Number
Collar
Color
Collar
Number Date Remarks
8575 Orange 3 21 March 1977 Pregnant,with group of 3 moose
Observations
1 (2:40 PM)30 March 1977
2 (7:45 AM)22 April 1977
0 10 May 1977
3 (9:10 AM)11 May 1977
4 (8:30 AM)25 May 1977
5 (2:45 PM)26 May 1977
Alone
Alone,bedded
Did not attempt to observe
Within 1/2 mile of 3 cows,dense tall spruce
A1on~,appeared pregnant,medium medium spruce
With cow that has new calf,resting,medium
medium spruce
30 September 1977 No visual,cow was traveling
13 September 1977 Alone,bedded,dense medium spruce
22 November 1977 With 1 cow,bedded,dense tall spruce
5 October·1977 Alone,in dense medium spruce,within 1 mile
1 cow with twins and 1 cow with calf
Alone,feeding,sparse tall spruce
Alone,bedded,dense medium spruce
Alone,bedded,dense medium spruce
Alone,bedded,riparian willow
Alone,bedded,medium medium spruce
Alone,bedded,sparse medium spruce
With 2 cows,bedded,medium medium spruce
Alone,feeding,sparse tall spruce
Alone
Alone,traveling,willow
30 May 1977
10 June 1977
17 June 1977
22 June 1977
28 June 1977
6 July 1977
12 July 1977
2 August 1977
17 August 1977
18 August 1977
6
7
0
8 (8:00 PM)
9 (1:00 PM)
10 (9:00 PM)
11 (1:00 PM)
12 (7 :30 AM)
13 (9:45 AM)
0 (2:00 PM)
o (9:45 AM)
0
14 (5:00 PM)
15 (1:00 PM)
T~"71::
APPENDIX II
Wildlife Studies
Introduction
The proposed Susitna Hydropower Project will have impacts on several
wildlife species which either reside in the project area,use the area
for migration or other seasonal purposes or use habitat downstream which
will be altered by the stabilization of water flow.The following
individual proposals comprise an integrated program to provide information
needed to predict the impacts of the Project on wildlife and to provide
a basis for making decisions which might minimize those impacts.
This program will not answer all questions.It is designed to provide
an acceptable basis of knowledge in a limited time period using presently
available techniques.Emphasis has been placed on species which are
likely to be most adversely affected by the project and are of greatest
interest to man.
The design,timing,manpower requirements and funding levels of the
individual projects have been coordinated for efficiency.No single
project can be conducted by itself without considerable change in design
and increase in cost.For example the moose study is the core of the
entire package.The wolf,wolverine,bear and caribou studies are
dependent on the moose study for manpower equipment and logistic support.
The moose,habitat mapping and vegetation studies are also dependent on
each other as each will influence the design of the others and their
results must be compatible for final data analysis.If one project does
not produce results at the proper time other projects will be delayed,
reducing the quality of information and increasing the overall cost of
the program.
Title:Habitat mapping and vegetation studies required for analysis of
the effects of the Susitna Hydropower Project on wildlife.
Objectives:To prepare a vegetative type map of areas within and adjacent
to proposed impoundments,along transmission corridors and along
the downstream floodplain.
To identify key moose browse species and determine the condition
and trends of selected moose habitats.
To determine the effects of altered water flow on key plant species
and map areas where substantial vegetation changes will occur.
Background:Most impacts of the Susitna Hydropower Project on wildlife
will occur through loss or alteration of habitat.Where habitat is
totally lost to a population through inundation or blocking of migrations
it is necessary to know the importance of that particular habitat to the
population and the availability of alternative habitats.Whexe habitat
will be merely altered,it is also necessary to know what elements
within that habitat are important to the population and what changes
will occur in those elements.Direct studies of wildlife species can
TT-7h
delineate a population and tell us where various components of the
population are at different times and to a certain extent why they are
there.However,wildlife studies must be accompanied by habitat studies
if we are to determine the full significance of habitat alteration to
the population.
This proj ect is not an actual proposal.Several of the studies outlined
here could be expanded to meet the needs of other disciplines.Therefore,
this is a statement of information needed to evaluate the effects of the
Susitna Project on wildlife.Actual study proposals should be developed
to provide this information on the schedule outlined.
Procedures:A habitat type map of the proposed impoundment areas,all
drainages flowing into the impoundments,access and transmission corridors
and the downstream floodplain should be prepared during the first two
years of the study.This map should be of sufficient detail to permit
delineation of specific habitats favored by moose and must be accompanied
by sufficient ground truth data to identify the distribution and abundance
of moose browse species.In order to accomplish this it is essenital
that the principal investigators of moose studies work directly with the
habitat mappers.
Studies of the effects of water table and influence of water level
fluctuations on vegetation,particularly moose browse species,along the
floodplain of the Susitna River should be initiated immediately.A map
of areas where changes in flow caused by the dams will alter the vegetation,
either through changes in soil moisture or by allowing plant succession
to occur,should be prepared.Emphasis should be placed on areas of
high moose use such as the lower Susitna River.
Detailed studies of vegetation in important moose wintering areas should
be conducted to identify plant species used by moose and quantify their
presence,use and trends.Study areas would be identified from data
collected under the moose studies.
Schedule:
FY 78
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
Habitat mapping,effects of water level studies
Habitat mapping,effects of water level studies
Map areas of expected plant composition changes.
vegetation studies on moose winter range
Moose winter range studies
Moose winter range studies
II-77
Title:Impact of the Susitna Hydropower Project on Moose Populations
Objectives:To identify moose subpopulations using habitat subject to
direct and indirect impact of the Susitna Hydropower Project.
To determine the seasonal distribution,movement patterns,size and
trends of those subpopulations.
To determine the timing and degree of dependency of those subpopulations
on habitat to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project.
Background:Several subpopulations of moose occupy habitats that may be
inundated or substantially altered by the proposed Susitna Hydropower
Project.Limited studies conducted in 1977 identified one subpopulation
which occupied the upper ends of tributaries north of the proposed
impoundment areas during spring,summer and fall,then migrated to the
Susitna River bottomlands during winter.Similar populations almost
certainly occupy drainages to the south of the impoundments.There is
also strong evidence that riparian habitat along the mainstem,which may
be significantly altered by the stabilization of water flow,also
serves as winter range for several subpopulations of moose.These
habitats may be critical to these populations in severe winters.Other
subpopulations may be nonmigratory and use areas to be affected all
year.Some migratory populations may not rely on the river bottoms for
seasonal range but may migrate through them on their way between seasonal
ranges.
The degree of impact will vary depending on the subpopulations size,
status and degree of dependence on altered habitat and the nature of the
habitat alteration.Many factors must be considered including:the sex
and age composition of members of the subpopulation using the habitat
(often pregnant cows or cows with calves are more dependent on lowland
areas than bulls),the overall range of the subpopulation (some members
of a nearby subpopulationmigrate up to 60 miles indicating that reductions
in moose densities could occur over a vast area),the availability of
alternative ranges particularly during severe winters (habitat alterations
which may be relatively insignificant in normal or mild winters may be
devastating when heavy snowfall makes alternative ranges unavailable),
etc.
An adequate assessment of the potential impacts of the Susitna Project
on moose requires a thorough understanding of moose populations using
the area.This information must then be related to a knowledge of the
habitat and the elements within that habitat that are necessary for
moose.This study is designed to provide the necessary information on
moose.It is essential that certain habitat studies be conducted concurrently.
A habitat map of sufficient detail to delineate types selected by moose,
covering the impoundment area,surrounding drainages,transmission
corridors and the floodplain of the Susitna River to its mouth,should
be prepared at an early stage of the studies.Detailed browse studies
should be conducted at sites selected on the basis of use by moose to
identify important browse species,measure the degree of use and.identify
other elements of the habitats that are important to moose.The role of
II-78
the water table and spring flooding in maintaining moose habitat below
Devils Canyon should be determined and maps delineating areas where the
alteration of the flow will result in vegetation changes should be
prepared.
This moose study and the habitat studies outlined above should be closely
coordinated as each will influence the final design of the other and all
are necessary to relate habitat changes to moose.
Procedures:During 1977,12 moose were radio collared and 14 others
were collated with visually identifiable collars.These moose were
tracked from March to December 1977.Under this study,tracking of
those moose will be continued,to further delineate the ranges of that
subpopulation.
Additional moose will be radio collared in drainages along the south
side of the proposed impoundment area and in riparian habitats along the
mainstem below Devils Canyon.
Each radio collared moose will be relocated regularly.For each relocation
the exact location,habitat type,activity of the moose and association
with other animals will be recorded.
A random stratified census and seasonal sex and age composition counts
will be conducted on subpopulations most likely to be affected by the
Susitna Hydropower Project.Concentrations of moose will be mapped
throughout the area whenever the opportunity arises.
These data will be used to identify subpopulations using areas to be
impacted,to determine the seasonal ranges and migration routes of each
subpopulation and to estimate the size and composition of those subpopulations
most likely to be impacted.Locations of moose will be overlayed on
habitat maps to determine the degree of use of certain habitat types as
well as specific habitats.This information will be analyzed by subpopulation,
season,sex and age class and reproductive status.Areas likely to be
altered by the project that are critical to a subpopulation will be
identified and recommended for more detailed vegetation studies.
Schedule:
FY 78
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
Radio collar moose,tracking flights,composition counts
Tracking flights,composition counts,random stratified
count.Review habitat map and map of downstream areas to
be impacted and identify data gaps.Identify areas for
detailed vegetation studies.
Replace radios and radio collar new moose to fill identified
data gaps,tracking flights,composition counts.
Tracking flights,composition counts,random stratified
counts.
Tracking flights,composition count,start final analysis
of data.
Tracking flights,complete analysis of impact of Susitna
Hydropower Project on moose,write final report.
11-79
Cost:
FY 78
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
$220,000
$210,000
$180,000
$210,000
$175,000
$85,000
11-8"0'
Title:Mitigation measures for lost moose habitat.
Objectives:To identify and evaluate measures for enhancing moose
habitat.
To locate areas where moose habitat enhancement would effectively
mitigate loss or deterioration of moose habitat resulting from the
Susitna Hydropower Project.
Background:Important and perhaps critical moose habitat will be totally
lost or reduced in quality by the Susitna Hydropower Project.The
proposed moose and habitat studies should quantify this loss and its
resulting impact on moose populations.
Moose tend to favor subc1imax ranges.In recent years several agencies
have recognized a potential for enhancing habitat for moose by setting
back plant succession through artificial means.The Alaska Department
of Fish and Game,u.s.Fish and Wildlife Service and u.s.Forest Service
have all experimented with such techniques as mechanical crushing,
prescribed burning and fertilizing.At present these techniques have
not been fully evaluated.
Such techniques are probably effective only in certain types of habitats.
In some cases it might be possible to fully mitigate the impact on a
particular subpopu1ation of moose.For example,if an effective technique
can be found to maintain willow habitats on river bars wi~hout periodic
flooding,impacts on subpopu1ations dependent on downstream habitat
might be kept to a minimum.
In other cases where critical habitat will be completely destroyed it
might be possible to make alternative habitat available to the affected
subpopu1ation of moose.However,there will likely be some subpopulations
for which mitigation measures will not be possible.In these cases the .
loss to human users could be offset by enhancing the range of populations
of moose away from the Project area.
In order to assess these possibilities it is necessary to evaluate the
various techniques and to delineate habitat where these techniques would
have a positive effect on moose.
This project is designed to provide information to assess the feasibility
of mitigation and to initiate long term studies which would direct
actual mitigation efforts.Evaluation of these long term studies will
take many years.The need to complete the long term studies will depend
on the results of the feasibility study.
Procedures:A complete review of potential moose habitat manipulation
techniques will be made.Areas which have been experimentally manipulated
in the past will be visited and the quantity and quality of potential
moose browse produced will be assessed.Information gaps will be identified
and if necessary further experimental manipulation will be recommended.
11-81
Data from the habitat mapping,vegetation and moose studies will be used
to identify areas where habitat manipulation might offset adverse impacts
on each of the subpopu1ations of moose that are identified.
Schedule:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
·Cost:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
Preliminary review of techniques and identification of
areas of past experimentat.ion.
Evaluation of success of previous manipulation efforts.
Identification of data gaps.Recommendations on future
experimentation.
Continue evaluation of manipulated areas.Initiate
manipulation experiments to fill data gaps.
Evaluate techniques.Identify potential areas for mitigation.
Evaluate techniques.Identify potential areas for mitigation.
$5,000
$20,000
$275,000 (actual cost will depend on results of FY 79
and 80 studies)
$20,000
$20,000
11-82
Title:Impact of the SusitnaHydropower Project on caribou populations.
Objectives:To identify subpopulations of caribou in the Nelchina
Basin.
To determine the seasonal ranges and migration routes of these
subpopulations with emphasis on traditional migration routes
across proposed imp oundmen t_areas and potential alternative routes.
To determine the availability of suitable alternative seasqnal
ranges to caribou subpopulations that might be isolated frcJtn.traditional
ranges by the proposed impoundments.
Background:The Nelchina basin has been the most important sport hunting
area for caribou in Alaska.Although caribou numbers were reduced from
a recorded high of 72,000 to a low of 10,000 the population is presently
increasing and is now estimated to exceed 14,000 cariobu.Proposed
management plans state that the population will be allowed to increase
until it numbers 20,000 caribou.
Caribou traditionally have used a variety of ranges on both sides of the
Susitna River and varying numbers have crossed the Susitna at least
twice a year.Major crossing locations have been recorded in areas
which would be affected by the proposed hydropower project.Because
caribou frequently migrate long distances and may periodically overgraze
one range and shift to another,it is necessary to examine the status of
caribou and identify alternative ranges over a large area.
Range studies conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have
shown that the most desirable winter ranges remaining in the Nelchina
basin are located in the Clearwater Mountains,Chunilna Hills,Susitna
Uplands and Monahan Flats.Most of these ranges are north of the Susitna
River while historical and recent calving and summer ranges exist south
of the river.The preferred lichens south of the river have generally
declined and have not shown substantial recovery even with lowered
caribou populations.Meanwhile,the Nelchina population has used this
area to a greater extent than the other portions of its range.A portion
of the winter range exists east of the Richardson Highway in the Wrangell
Mountains but movement into this range may be affected by the recent
construction of the oil pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.All of
these factors make it likely that the ability to cross the Susitna will
remain critical to the well being of the Nelchina caribou herd.
To determine the extent that the impoundments will affect this movement
is difficult.Other migration routes may be used in addition to those
already shown in the literature or sufficient range may be available to
the east to support the proposed population level.It is also possible
that a separate but smaller population exists north of the Susitna which
may increase to fill the available range in that area even if the existing
Nelchina population were confined to the area south of the proposed
impoundment s.
11-83
Procedures:Caribou on both sides of the Susitna River will be radioco11ared
during the breeding season.Monitoring flights will be made at a relatively
low intensity (approximately monthly)throughout most of the year to
determine if more than one population exists in the area and to determine
.seasona1 ranges of each population identified.More intensive monitoring
flights will be made during the periods of preca1ving and postca1ving
movements and winter shift to determine present migration routes and the
timing of migration.It will be necessary to repeat this procedure for
several years to determine variation among years.
Traditional migration routes will be determined by mapping trails and
will be compared with present routes.
Potential alternative ranges will be identified and evaluated using the
modified Hu1t Surlander method of range analysis.These ranges will be
compared with Ne 1 china ranges that have been studied for a number of
years.
Schedule:
radios~monitor movements.
radios~monitor movements.
radios,monitor movements.
Repeat range analysis to determine
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
Cost:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
Radio collar caribou~monitor movements.
analysis.
Replace inoperative
Replace inoperative
Replace inoperative
Monitor movements.
trends.
$120,000
$95,000
$95,000
$95~000
$102,000
11-84
Conduct range
Title:Effects of the Susitna Hydropower Project on wolves.
Objectives:To determine the number of wolf packs and the number of
wolves in each pack that inhabit areas·to be directly affected by
the Susitna Hydropower Project.
To determine the proportions of each pack's territory that lies
within areas of impact.
To determine the location of dens,rendezvous sites,hunting areas
and the other essential activity areas of each pack in relation to
proposed impoundments and construction activities.
To determine the dependence of each pack on prey populations that
may be adversely affected by the Project.
Background:Wolves are of considerable national concern as evidenced by
recent newspaper and magazine articles.They are known to inhabit the
entire project area and information on population size and movements is
needed to determine project impacts.
Studies in other areas of southcentral Alaska have demonstrated that
some wolves have home ranges as large as 2,000 square miles while many
packs have territories ranging from 200 to 600 square miles.It is
known that the immediate project area may contain five or more wolf
packs.It appears that some of these packs use the Susitna River as a
territory boundary,and inundation and associated development could have
a dramatic influence on them.These packs depend heavily on moose
populations that use the impoundment areas.In addition other studies
have shown that any human disturbance relatively close to a wolf den may
cause abandonment of the traditional site and perhaps reproductive
failure.
Procedures:Two to four wolves will be radio collared in each pack
whose territory is believed to include potential impoundment areas and
construction sites.The numbers of wolves in each pack will be determined,
each pack's territory will be delineated and the degree and nature of
use of potential impact areas will be determined through repeated relocations
and observation of activities.Specifically,all den sites,rendezvous
sites and favored hunting areas will be mapped.These data will be used
to determine the degree of dependence of wolves on various areas that
will be impacted by the Project.
Dependency on various prey species will be determined by scat analysis
and observation of hunting behavior and kills.This information will be
used in conjunction with data from the accompanying studies of prey
species,particularly the moose study,to estimate indirect impacts on
wolves caused by a reduction in prey availability.
Field activities and manpower for this study will be integrated with the
moose study.Wolves frequently will be tagged and relocated at the same
time as moose.Full funding of the moose study is required for the
successful implementation of this study.
11-35
Schedule:
FY 78
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
Cost:
FY 78
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
FY 83
Radioco11ar wo1ves~monitoring flights.
Replace lost radios,monitoring flights.
Replace lost radios,monitoring flights.
Radioco11ar new wolves to fill data gaps.
Monitoring flights.
Monitoring flights.
Monitoring flights.
$55,000
$36,000
$29,000
$40,000
$25,000
$13,000
11-86
Title:Effects of the Susitna Hydropower Project on black and brown/grizzly
bears.
Objectives:To estimate the numbers of black and brown/grizzly bears
using the area to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project.
To determine the dependency of these bears on areas to be impacted,
with emphasis on identification of denning areas and seasonal
feeding areas.
Background:Very little is known of either brown or black bear populations
in the Susitna Basin except that brown bear densities appear to have
been very high for several years.We do not know how many bears inhabit
the area or how dependent they are on the impoundment areas.Studies
should be conducted to estimate bear numbers in and surrounding project
area~determine whether the same bears are resident or whether a larger
number have a seasonal dependency on the area~and determine the location
and extent of denning activities.
A major problem with any large construction project is the a'L:traction of
bears to camps and construction sites.This usually results in threats
to human safety,delays in construction and destruction of bears.If
areas of bear concentration can be identified and avoided during construction,
these problems can be substantially reduced.
Procedures:Bears will be radiocollared in the project area.Movements
in and around the area will be monitored.Den sites and concentration
areas will be mapped.
Bear numbers will be estimated through marked/unmarked ratios observed
during spring and fall composition counts and by recording all bears
seen during tracking flights.
Field activities for this study will be closely integrated with those
for the moose and wolf studies.Full funding of the moose study is
required for the successful implementation of this study.
Schedule:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
Cost:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
FY 82
Radiocollar bears,monitoring flights composition counts.
Monitoring flights,composition counts.
Monitoring flights,composition counts.
Monitoring flights.
$95,000
$57,000
$50,000
$35,000
II-87
Title:Effects of the Susitna Hydropower Project on wolverine.
Objectives:To determine the population status of wolverines using
areas to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project.
To determine movement patterns and identify habitats of seasonal
importance to wolverines.
Background:Less is known about the wolverine than any other big game
species in Alaska.Threatened with extinction throughout most of its
range in the Scandinavian countries,parts of Russia,the continental
United States and Eastern Canada,it is still considered relatively
abundant in Alaska.Studies in Idaho and Sweden indicate that wolverines
have exceptionally large home ranges.Records of males moving 15 miles
in a 24 hour period are not uncommon.
The Talkeetna mountains on either side of the Susitna River between Gold
Creek and the MacLaren River presently support a healthy population of
wolverines.Although th~ir density is not known at this time,it is
probably as high or higher there than ,in any other portion of their
range in Southcentral Alaska.Because the welfare of this species in
Alaska is of both national and international concern,some intensive
efforts to determine the status,distribution,and movement patterns of
wolverine in the project area are warranted.
Procedures:A limited number of wolverines will be radiocollared and
tracked in conjunction with other telemetry studies in the area.Home
ranges,movement patterns,and seasonal habitat use will be determined
by systematic relocation of radiocollared animals.
A systematic aerial survey of wolverines and their tracks will be made
in conjunction with wolf studies to determine the distribution and
numbers of wolverines using the area.
These data will be used to estimate the number of wolverines using the
impoundment areas,determine the degree of dependency of certain wolverines
on those areas and identify specific areas of importance to wolverines.
,Schedule:.
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
Cost:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
Radiocollar,monitoring flights,census.
Radiocollar,monitoring flights,census.
Monitoring flights.
$30,000
$25,000
$10,000
11-88
Title:Distribution and status of Dall sheep adjacent to the Susitna
Hydropower Project area.
Objectives:To determine the numbers of Dall sheep inhabiting mountains
adjacent to proposed dam sites.
To delineate the seasonal ranges of the sheep population.
Background:A relatively isolated sheep population inhabits mountains
adjacent to the proposed dam sites.While there will probably be little
direct impact on this population by the proposed project,there is a
possibility of adverse impacts from human disturbance a's a result of dam
construction activities and increased access.
Procedures:Aerial surveys will be conducted to determine the size of
the sheep population and to delineate seasonal ranges.
Schedule:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
Cost:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 81
Aerial surveys.
Aerial surveys.
Aerial surveys.
$3,000
$3,000
$1,000
11-89
Title:Distribution and abundance of furbearers and small game in the
proposed Susitna Hydropower Project impoundment areas.
Objectives:To determine the distribution and relative abundance of
furbearers and small game in the proposed impoundment areas and
determine the degree of use of those species by humans.
To determine the dependence of furbearers and waterfowl on downstream
habitats which will be altered by changes in water flow.
Background:Little is known about the distribution and abundance of
either furbearers or small game.In order to assess the potential
impact of the project on small game it will be necessary to conduct a
basic biological reconnaissance.It is known from data collected
incidentally to other projects that the Susitna River Basin provides
habitat for large numbers of fox,wolverine,and river otter.All three
of these species are highly sought by trappers.
Stabilization of water flow could substantially alter aquatic furbearers
and waterfowl habitat downstream.
Procedures:Limited aerial surveys will be conducted to determine the
presence,distribution and relative abundance of fox,otters,beavers,
ptarmigan,waterfowl and raptors.On the ground observations will be
made in conjunction with the nongame project.
Trappers and residents of the area will be interviewed.
Surveys of aquatic furbearers and waterfowl will be conducted in downstream
areas of probable habitat alteration that will be identified by studies
on the effects of water flow on habitat.
Schedule:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 82
FY 83
Cost:
FY 79
FY 80
FY 82
FY 83
Surveys in impoundment areas,interviews.
Surveys in impoundment areas,interviews.
Surveys downstream.
Surveys downstream.
$35,000
$35,000
$25,000
$25,000
11-90
Title:Distribution and abundance of nongame species of wildlife in the
area to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project.
Objectives:To determine the occurrance,distribution and relative
abundance of small mammals and passerine birds in the proposed
impoundment areas.
Background:
abundance of
birds in the
conducted:
Little is known about the occurrence,distribution or
small mammals and both resident and migratory passerine
Project impact area.A limited reconnaisance should be
Procedures:A literature search will be conducted.Surveys from the
ground will be made and limited trapping will be done.Portions of this
study will be coordinated with small game and furbearer studies.
Schedule:
FY 79
FY 80
Cost:
FY 79
FY 80
Literature search,initiate surveys.
Complete surveys.
$7,000
$8,000
I1-91