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Energy Projects 1984 Appendix D-3
Bethel Area Power Plan Feasibility Assessment APPENDIX D-3 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DRAFT Prepared for Alaska Power Authority by Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center, University of Alaska Draft April 1984 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THE EXISTING CHIKUMINUK LAKE REGION General Description Aquatic Resources Water Quality Invertebrates Fisheries Terrestrial Resources Vegetation Communities Birds Mammals Archeological and Historical Resources It ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF ALTERNATIVE HYDROELECTRIC SITES Kisaralik River -Lower Falls Kisaralik River -Golden Gate Falls Kisaralik River -Upper Falls Kipchuk River Upnuk Lake Milk Creek REFERENCES -i-lRrR IOUNNDEeRHAHHHRe1|NHWwtWwa) LIST OF TABLES Table No.Title | I-1 Water Quality Analysis of Tikchik Lakes, 1964. I-2 Water Quality Analysis (Surface)of Chikuminuk Lake and Allen River,1982. I-3 Vertical Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Profiles for Chikuminuk Lake,August 26, 1982. I-4 Identification and Enumeration of Zooplankton Collected by AEIDC from Chikuminuk Lake,August 1982. I-5 Identification and Enumeration of Benthic Organisins Collected by AEIDC from the Chikuminuk Project Area,August 1982. I-6 Fish Found in the Bristol Bay Area. I-7 Commercial Salmon Catch by Species,(In 1,000's of Fish),Bristol Bay,1961- 1981. I-8 Commercial Salmon Catch by District (1,000's of Fish). I-9 Sockeye Salmon Catch and Escapement (1,000's of Fish)Bristol Bay,1981. I-10 Bristol Bay Salmon Catch by District and Species (1,000's of Fish)1981. I-11 Minnow Trap and Dip Net Catches from Chikuminuk Lake and Allen River by AEIDC, August 1982. I-12 Major Plant Species Indentified at the Chikuminuk Lake Area. I-13 Relative Amounts of Breeding Habitats for Selected Species Groups in the Study Area. I-14 Mamnals and Habitat Use I-15 Mammals that Probably Occur in the Chikuminuk Lake Area. - ii- Exhibit No. LIST OF EXHIBITS "Title 1 Location of Water Quality Stations in Nushagak Bay and Drainages. Water Quality Analyses for Streams in the Project Area. Allen River Mean Monthly Streamflow at USGS Gage -October,1964 through September,1965. Surface Water Temperature (°C)and Water Quality Samping Locations,Chikuminuk Lake,August 1982. Surface Water Temperature (°C)Water Quality,and Benthos Samping Locations,Allen River,August 1982. Bristol Bay Area and Fishery Management Districts. Aerial Estimates of Spawning Chinook Salmon made during Run Peak,Nushagak District,1964-1975. Aerial Estimates of Spawning Sockeye Salmon Made During Run Peak,Tikchik Lakes System,1960-1975. Salmon Spawning Chronology,Bristol Bay Area. Percentage Composition of Fish,Tikchik Lakes, 1964. Minnow Trap Locations and Adult Fish Observations, Chikuminuk Lake,August 1982. Minnow Trap,Dipnetting Locations,and Adult Fish Observations,Allen River,August 1982. Vegetation of Chikuminuk Lake Area. Species which Probably Inhabit or Migrate through the Chikuminuk Lake Study Area. Location of Birds Observed by AEIDC during the Summer of 1982 in the Chikuminuk Lake Study Area. iii- LIST OF EXHIBITS Exhibit No. -----CPC/'|/'/'Tittle 16 Probable Breeding Areas of Cliff-Nesting Raptors in the Chikuminuk Lake Basin 17 Archeological Sites in the Chikuminuk Lake Study Area. -iv- Chapter I ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THE EXISTING CHIKUMINUK LAKE REGION General Description Chikuminuk Lake is one of six nearly parallel Tikchik lakes located in the Wood-Tikchik State Park approximately eight miles north of Dillingham (Exhibit 1). The Tikchik Lakes are located in the the Bristol Bay Re- gion.This region consists of a large coastal plain bordered on the west by the Kilbuck and Ahklun mountains,on the north by the Taylor Mountains and Nushagak-Big River Hills,and on the east by the Aleutian Range.It contains many large,deep lakes including Iliamna Lake,the largest in Alaska.The major water- sheds include the Togiak,Nushagak,Nuyakuk,Wood,Igushik, Kvichak,Alagnak,Naknek,Egegik,and Ugashik rivers.These are extremely valuable since they provide spawning grounds for sal- mon as well as water transport,navigation,and harbor sites. About 1.5 percent of Alaska's population resides in the Bristol Bay area,primarily in the moderate-sized communities ofDillingham,King Salmon,and Naknek (1).2/Because of the area's remoteness,residents depend on charter and scheduled commercial air service,boats,and snow machines for transporta- tion.Much of the subsistence economy and all commercial fish- eries are based on aquatic resources. The Bristol Bay region experiences considerable climatic variation.The larger interior portion experiences moderate summers and cold winters.Toward the coast,temperatures are slightly moderated by marine waters,and annual precipitation is higher,as are surface winds.Precipitation ranging from 20 to 160 inches per year,along with glacial and snowmelt and the large storage capacity of the numerous lakes,provides ample surface water for the area.The mean annual runoff in theregionvariesfromlessthan2cfs/mi2?in the central lowlandstomorethan4cfs/mi2 in the mountains (2). L/Numbers in parenthesis refer to references at end of text. I-1 Aquatic Resources Water Quality State water-quality standards,which provide for the pro- tection of identified uses of Alaska's waters,fall under the auspices of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation through Alaska Statutes Title 46,Chapter 3.All water bodies in the project area are classified by the State of Alaska as Class C,"Water used for growth and propagation of fish,shell- fish,other aquatic life,and wildlife including waterfowl and furbearers." Water quality in the area is good,iron content is general- ly low,and the water requires little if any treatment for domestic use.Streams of the area are of the calcium bicarbo- nate type and are of acceptable quality for nearly all general uses.The dissolved solids content of streams in the area is low,ranging from about 25 to 75 mg/l {[Selkregg et al.1976] (2).The larger streams of the eastern side of the region carry heavy sediment loads in their headwaters,but large lakes in the region act as settling basins.The U.S.Geological Survey (USGS)has collected and analyzed water samples from surface waters of Alaska since 1949.Exhibit 1 shows the location and period of record for water-quality data collected from Nushagak Bay drainages.Exhibit 2 provides a summary of the physical- chemical characteristics of these waters collected by USGS in previous years. Groundwater is readily available throughout the lake sys- tems.The water has low mineral content and ranges from soft to moderately hard,with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH (3). The lakes are generally ice-free from early June to late Octo- ber. Chikuminuk is a 16-mile-long lake that originates in the Wood River-Kuskokwim Mountains and drains into Lake Chauekuktuli from the north via the Allen River and then into Nuyakuk and Tikchik lakes (Exhibit 1).The flow rate at the Tikchik Lake outlet (Nuyakuk River)averages about 4.4 million acre-feet peryear(3).The Allen River has a drainage area of 278 mi2.USGSoperatedastreamgageontheAllenRiverfromJune1963to September 1966.Exhibit 3 gives average monthly discharge values for this location.Monthly streamflow records are for the period gaged between October 1964 to September 1965.The streamflow pattern exhibited by the Allen River is typical of lake systems of the area,which generally have high flows during the period June to October and low flows during winter (November to May). I-2 A limited limnological survey by the Fisheries Research Institute of the University of Washington (FRI)was conducted in 1964 in the Tikchik Lake system.Table I-l includes the water chemistry data obtained from Tikchik lakes by FRI (4).To aug- ment this information,AEIDC obtained physical and chemical data on Chikuminuk Lake,and Allen River,during the summer of 1982 (Table I-2).Water-quality measurements were obtained with a YSI Model 33 salinity/conductivity/temperature meter,YSI Model 51B oxygen meter,portable field pH meter,pocket thermometer (- 35°to 50°C),and a Hach DR-EL/2 field water-quality test kit. Exhibits 4 and 5 show water surface temperatures measured throughout Chikuminuk Lake and Allen River drainage as well as water-quality sampling locations.These results are fragmentary but,used in conjunction with the limited FRI and USGS data, indicate that most streams of the Tikchik lakes system exhibit similiar chemical characteristics.Variations resulting from the geology and vegetation of the drainage basin and morphometry of the streams are small. Table I-3 illustrates the vertical temperature and dis- solved oxygen profiles for Chikuminuk Lake in August 1982. Lakes are broadly classified into two types:eutrophic (rich in nutrients)and oligotrophic (poor in nutrients)(5).The Wood- Tikchik lakes are typically oligotrophic and ice covered for approximately six months.These lakes generally form a thermo- cline and become thermally stratified during August.In the Wood River lakes,a thermocline occurred during August to September of 1959 to a mean depth of 15 m [D.E.Rogers 1968] (6).In August 1982 Chikuminuk Lake gave evidence of only hav- ing a marginal thermocline to a depth of 15 m (Table I-3). The Nushagak Bay drainages are similar in morphology, hydrology,limnology,geography,and climate (7).Chikuminuk Lake,a large,clear,and deep oligotrophic lake,has a narrow Littoral zone of uniform gravel/cobble substrates throughout its entire perimeter.Salmon are not present in Chikuminuk Lake because access is prohibited by natural rapids.Therefore,the lake's nutrient level is probably lower than those lakes receiving nutrients from decomposed salmon carcasses. I-3 Table I-l WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS OF TIKCHIK LAKES,1964 pH Alkalinity Secchi Depth Chlorophyll A C Assimilated (mg/m?)(m2 )(mg/m?)(mg/m?) Range 7.2-7.3 22.13-28.90 19.5-17.0 0.54-1.07 29.6-41.2 Mean 7.28 24.39 14.3 0.68 35.0 Sources (4) Table I-2 WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS (SURFACE)OF CHIKUMINUK LAKE AND ALLEN RIVER,1982 Water Rody Date Temperature -pH Conductivity Alkalinity Hardness Secchi Depth (°C)(microhome/cm)(mg/l caco,)(mg/1 Caco)(m) Chikuminuk Lake August 26 8.0 7.2 50 30 30 16 Allen River August 25 6.5 7.5 30 30 30 - Source:(4) Table I-3 VERTICAL TEMPERATURE AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN PROFILES FOR CHIKUMINUK LAKE,AUGUST 26,1982 Depth Temperature Dissolved Oxygen (m)(°C)(mg/l) Surface 8.0 12.0 1 6.5 12.0 2 6.0 12.0 3 6.0 12.0 4 6.0 12.5 5 5.5 13.0 10 5.0 13.0 15 4.5 13.0 20 4.5 13.9 25 4.5 13.0 30 4.5 13.0 35 4.5 11.0 40 4.5 9.0 50 4.5 6.0601/4.5 5.0 i/Section sampled was deeper than 60m,the length of instrument cable. Invertebrates Macroinvertebrates are major consumers in the aquatic eco- system.They consist mainly of insect larva,dwelling in or on substratum of lakes or flowing water,that feed on detritus, other insects,bacteria,plankton,and larval fish.This group constitutes an important level in the aquatic food chain and provides the primary source of food for most fish and other aquatic vertebrates. Data is scarce concerning aquatic invertebrate populations of the Tikchik Lakes system.Qualitative sampling by Rogers (6) indicated larval and pupal midge flies (Chironomids)predomi- nated the littoral zone of Wood River lakes.The littoral zone, upper Tikchik Lakes,is less extensive than that of the Wood River lakes;otherwise it is similar.Vertical plankton tows in Lake Nerka of the Wood River lakes sytems by FRI in 1957 and 1958 indicated that cyclopoid copepods were dominant zooplank- ters (6).Comparative samples of zooplankton in Lake Aleknagik of the Wood River lakes and the Tikchik lakes by FRI in 1962 showed standing crops of the Tikchik lakes to be distinctly lower (4). AEIDC gathered site-specific data on macroinvertebrate and zooplankton distribution and relative abundance from Chikuminuk Lake and the Allen River during August 1982.Exhibits 4 and 5 show sampling locations.Zooplankton samples in Chikuminuk Lake were collected by making duplicate vertical tows from a 25 m depth to the surface using a No.10 Nitex net 30 cm in diameter and 1m long.Straining cloth for the No.10 Nitex net had an aperture of 153 microns.Plankton preserved in 70 percent alco- hol were later identified and counted on a Sedgewick Rafter counting cell.Table I-4 lists zooplankton types and their density.A cyclopoid copepod dominated the zooplankton ofChikuminukLake.This agrees with FRI data derived from the Wood lakes system in the 1960's.A more intensive survey would be necessary to determine if the zooplankton populations are sufficient to support a large pelagic fish population. Table I-4 IDENTIFICATION AND ENUMERATION OF ZOOPLANKTON COLLECTED BY AEIDC FROM CHIKUMINUK LAKE,AUGUST 1982 Taxa Organisms/m3 Encopepoda (copepods) Cyclopoida 2,873 Nauplii 68 Rotatoria (rotifers) Kellicottia 34 A 12-in Surber sampler was used to collect stream benthos. Bottom samples were washed in a screen bucket with 30 meshes per inch.Organisms preserved in 70 percent alcohol were later identified to the lowest possible taxon then enumerated.Table I-5 shows the results.The most abundant organisms found were midges,stone flies,mayflies,and caddis flies.Samples col- lected during this survey showed a paucity of aquatic organisms and little diversity,a common situation in cold-water streams of Alaska (8).This could result from instability of gravel substrates and extensive bottom ice,which together could be a limiting factor for fish rearing.More extensive sampling would be needed to substantiate this. Table I-5 IDENTIFICATION AND ENUMERATION OF BENTHIC ORGANISMS COLLECTED BY AEIDC FROM THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE PROJECT AREA,AUGUST 1982 Oo Allen Chikuminuk LOCATION:River Lake Tributary(Organisms/m?) Taxa NUMBER OF SAMPLES:3 1 Diptera Chironomidae (midges)29 226 Simulliidae (black flies)22 Heleidae (biting midges)22 Tipulidae (crane flies)li Cecidomyiidae (gall midge)4 Syrphidae (flower flies)4 Ephemeroptera (mayflies)79 194 Plecoptera (stone flies)22 108 Trichoptera (caddis flies)7 118 Oligochaeta (aquatic worms)43 22 Gastropoda (snails)11 Hymenoptera (wasps)4 Fisheries The Bristol Bay area,as defined by Alaska Department of Fish and Game (1),includes all coastal waters and inland drain- ages east of a line from Cape Menshikof to Cape Newenham (Exhib- - it 6).The major watersheds in the area important to salmon production are the Togiak,Nushagak,Nuyakuk,Wood,Igushik,Kvichak,Alagnak,Naknek,Egegik,and Ugashik rivers.More sockeye salmon are produced in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska than in any other region of the world.It also supports substantial commercial fishing from other salmon species and herring. For management purposes,ADF&G has divided the Bristol Bay area into five fishing districts which are located near the mouths of the major rivers (Exhibit 6).These are the Ugashik, Egegik,WNaknek-Kvichak,Nushagak,and Togiak districts.The fishing districts are confined,as near as practical,around river mouths in order to minimize interception of salmon des- tined for adjacent systems. The Allen River drainage is located in the Nushagak dis- trict and contains a number of valuable fish species that sup- port major commercial,subsistence,and sport fisheries.These fisheries constitute the economic mainstay of the region which contains 24 freshwater species (Table I-6).In addition to the five species of Pacific salmon,other important species include rainbow trout,Dolly Varden/Arctic char,Arctic grayling,lake trout,northern pike,burbot,and several species of whitefish. Generalized life histories for the more common fish species are described in Appendix B. Table I-6 FISH FOUND IN THE BRISTOL BAY AREA Common Name Scientific Name Arctic lamprey Lampetra japonica (Martens) Chinook (king)salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum) Sockeye (red)salmon Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum) Coho (silver)salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum) Chum (dog)salmon Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum) Pink (humpback)salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum) Rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri Richardson Lake trout Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum) Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus) Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma (Walbaum) Round whitefish Prosopium cylindraceum (Pallas) Pygmy whitefish Prosopium coulteri (Eigenmann & re Eigenmann) Least cisco Coregonus sardinella Valenciennes Bering cisco Coregonus laurettae Bean Humpback whitefish Coregonus pidschian (Gmelin) Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus (Pallas) Boreal (rainbow)smelt Osmerus mordax (Mitchill) Pond smelt Hypomesus olidus (Pallas) Northern pike Esox lucius Linnaeus Blackfish Dallis pectoralis Bean Longnose sucker Catostomus catostomus (Forester) Burbot Lota lota (Linnaeus) Threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus Linnaeus Ninespine stickleback Pungitius pungitius (Linnaeus) Slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus Richardson Sources:(9) Commercial Fishery.Commercial salmon fisheries began in Nushagak Bay in 1884,Gill nets and traps were originally used in the fishery,but traps were banned in 1940.Commercial sal- mon fisheries presently utilize only set and drift gill nets (1). All five species of Pacific salmon are fished commercially in Bristol Bay.The sockeye salmon of this world renowned fish- ery usually comprise more than 90 percent of the region's total commercial catch.Historically,this area accounts for approximately 22 percent of the statewide salmon harvest and 63 percent of the statewide sockeye harvest,which is 31 percent of the world sockeye harvest (1).The 1981 total salmon harvest of 27.7 million was second in size to the record 1980 harvest of 28.2 million and accounted for 25 percent of the statewide catch.All-time catch records of 239,000 chinook salmon and 25.7 million sockeye salmon were recorded in 1981 (11).Table I-7 shows historical commercial catch statistics by species for Bristol Bay. Table I-7 COMMERCIAL SALMON CATCH RY SPECIES,(IN 1,900's OF FISH), BRISTOL BAY,1961-1981 Period Sockeye Chinook Chum Coho Pink 8/Total 1961-70 b/9,313 105 517 42 1,470 10,7141971-80 b/8,508 103 905 104 1,981 10,6111961-80 c/8,911 104 711 73 1,726 10,662 1975 4,899 30 325 46 --5,391 1976 5,619 96 1,329 27 1,037 8,108 1977 4,878 131 1,598 107 5 6,718 1978 9,928 192 1,158 94 5,153 16,525 1979 21,429 213 907 294 4 22,847 1980 23,674 96 1,405 335 2,650 28,160 1981 25,713 239 1,475 313 7 27,748 a/Includes only even-numbered yearsb/10-year averagec/20-year average Source:(11) Commercial fishing for chinook salmon commences in early June.The Nushagak district normally produces more than 75 percent of the Bristol Bay catch of this species (11).The chinook run generally peaks during late June,then efforts shift to sockeye.The sockeye salmon run generally peaks around July I-9 4 and ends about mid-July.Chum and sockeye salmon runs are nearly identically timed,although chum season generally lasts a week longer.Pink salmon run during even years in Bristol bay with most fishing occurring in the Nushagak district.Pink salmon commences in mid-July and usually ends by mid-August. The coho salmon fishery extends from mid-July through August. Table I-8 shows commercial salmon catch statistics by district and species. The economy of Bristol Bay depends almost entirely on the commercial salmon fishery..The 1981 salmon harvest was worth nearly $136 million to the fishermen.Sockeye accounted for $125 wmillion,or 92 percent,of this figure.The herring fish- ery contributed an additional $4 million (11). For management purposes ADF&G places the Tikchik Lakes system,including the Allen River,in the Nushagak District (Exhibit 6).Table I-8 shows the commercial catch of salmon by species in the Nushagak district,which normally produces more than 75 percent of the Bristol Bay chinook salmon catch (11). This district is also the leading producer of chum,coho,and pink salmon as well as being one of the largest and most valua- ble sockeye salmon fisheries in Alaska.The 2l-year (1961 through 1981)average annual harvest of sockeye for the Nushagak district is 2.107 million fish with a current value of more than $37 million (7). Because of the area's large size,varying weather condi- tions,and high operating expenses,it has been difficult for ADF&G to obtain accurate salmon escapement data.Extensive aerial surveys were conducted for peak chinook salmon spawning grounds estimates in the Nushagak district from 1964 thru 1975 (Exhibit 7).Similar sockeye salmon aerial estimates were made in the Tikchik Lakes from 1960-66 and 1974-75 (Exhibit 8). Since 1975,sonar,counting towers,and weirs have been used extensively to monitor salmon escapements.For 1981,sockeye salmon escapements were determined principally by counting towers and weirs on the 11 major spawning rivers (Table I-9). Ti-ITable 1-8 COMMERCIAL SALMON CATCH BY DISTRICT (1000'S OF FISH) District Period Sockeye Chinook Chum Coho pink 2/total B/ Naknek-Kvichak 1960-69 ¢/5,625 9.9 115 2.8 91 5,8441970-75 &/5,963 6.6 126 0.3 198 6,294 1981 10,949 10 346 1 --11,306 Egegik 1960-69 S/1,448 2.6 26 2.7 --1,4791970-75 o/981 1.8 29 2.8 --1,015 1981 4,481 6 87 31 --4,605 Ugashik 1960-69 ¢/391 2.7 22 2.9 --4191970-75 &/233 0.7 11 3.3 --248 1981 1,950 4 33 27 --2,014 Nushagak 1960-69 &/990 76 227 25 1,342 2,7201970-75 &/851 60 350 13 300 1,574 1981 7,713 195 773 225 --8,906 Togiak 1960-69 ©/159 11 126 10 6 3121970-75 9/172 21 153 19 9 374 1981 621 24 236 30 --911 a/Includes only even-numbered yearsb/Due to rounding,the totals may not equal the sum of the catches. c/10-year average d/5-year average Sources (11) Table I-9 SOCKEYE SALMON CATCH AND ESCAPEMENT (1,000'S OF FISH), BRISTOL BAY,1981 District and River System Catch Escapement Total Run Naknek-Kvichak Kvichak River 5,206 1,754 6,960 Branch River 237 82 319 Naknek River 5,506 1,796 7,302 Egegik 4,481 3,632 5,176 Ugashik 1,950 695 3,277 Nushagak Wood River 3,132 1,233 4,365 Igushik River 1,832 591 2,423 Nuyakuk River 2,304 834 3,138 Nushagak--Mulchatna River 410 177 587 Snake River 35 15 50 Togiak 621 366 987 TOTAL 25,713 8,870 34,584 Source:(11) Exhibit 9 outlines the general timing of Bristol Bay area salmon runs by species as determined by ADF&G (10).Although there are local variations,the phenology of migration of adult fish into fresh water and of actual spawning is well known,but that of emergence of fry from stream gravel and their outmigra- tion to sea is still uncertain. Subsistence Fishery.Residents of the Bristol Bay area take large numbers of salmon,as well as whitefish,northern pike,Arctic grayling,rainbow trout,lake trout,Dolly Varden/Arctic char,herring,and smelt,for subsistence uses. Most subsistence fishing is conducted in the Toziak,Nushagak, and Lake Iliamna Lake Clark drainages.Salmon for subsistence are taken with set gill nets near townsites or at established fish camps.These fish camps are most abundant in the Nushagak and Togiak drainages (10).Most of the fish are dried or sinnoked.Records are not kept for the freshwater species uti-lized for subsistence.The bulk of these are smelt and white- fish that are taken in lower numbers than are salmon.Many sea- run char are also taken in the Togiak River.Most of these are I-12 taken with set gill nets and are dried or smoked similarly to salmon. Subsistence fishing in Bristol Bay has remained relatively constant ever since harvest records were first reported in 1963. Annual subsistence catches for all salmon species normally range between 100,000 to 200,000 fish (11).Table I-10 shows prelimi- nary subsistence salmon catch by district and species for 1981. The Nushagak district sustained more than half the total sub- sistence harvest for that year. Table I-10 BRISTOL BAY SALMON CATCH BY DISTRICTANDSPECIES(1,000'S OF FISH),1981 &/ Permits District Issued Sockeye Chinook Chum Pink Coho Total Naknek-Kvichak 649 55 1 b/g 1 57 Egegik 4 ++0 0 0 + Ugashik 12 ++0 0 0 + Nushagak 391 44 12 ll 2 9 78 Togiak 52 2 +1 +2 6 roTaL &/1,108 101 13 12 2 412 141 Preliminarya/ b/Indicates less than 1,000c/Due to rounding,the totals may not equal the sum of thedistricts'catches. Sources (11) The 1980 subsistence harvest of more than 213,000 salmon approaches the maximum number needed by the present human popu- lation (l,11).Despite the size of the run,the subsistence catch barely fluctuates,suggesting that subsistence use is primarily a function of need rather than fish availability. Sport Fishery.Bristol Bay contains some of the best rec- reational fishing waters in the state (12).Most recreational angling is by out-of-region fishermen,often guided,in quest of trophy rainbow trout.Typically,sport fishing waters in Bristol Bay are reached through the combined use of aircraft and boat transportation.As of 1976,32 commercial sport fishing lodges reportedly operated throughout Bristol Bay,offering boats,float planes,accommodations,and guide services (10). I-13 Private aircraft owners and air-taxi operators transport iany anglers into the area.Fly-in river float trips using inflata- ble rafts are becoming popular as a means of reaching otherwise inaccessible waters. Although visiting fisherman have fished for rainbow trout since the 1800's the current sport fishery had its beginnings during World War II when the King Salmon Air Force Base was constructed (10).At that time,fishing camps were established along the Naknek and Kvichak rivers to accommodate military personnel and visitors.With rapidly growing interest in the large rainbow trout fishery of Bristol Bay,ADF&G developed the trophy fish concept,and in 1968 the Kvichak drainage was designated by the Alaska Board of Fish and Game as a "trophy fish area."This was in recognition of the quality angling opportunities offered by its large resident rainbows (13). Presently the Kvichak drainage (except Lake Clark and its tribu- taries above Six-Mile Lake)is designated by ADF&G as a "wild trout area".The quality of the native rainbow trout population in the "wild trout area"is maintained by restrictive fishing regulations and by prohibiting the introduction of artificial stocking of non-native trout species (14). Other major sport fisheries in the area include a chinook salmon fishery during June and July in the Naknek,Kvichak,and Mulchatna drainages;a trophy grayling fishery at Ugashik;and a Dolly Varden/Arctic char fishery in the Wood River system. Area-Specific Fishery Resources.Chikuininuk Lake drains from the north via the Allen River into Lake Chauekuktuli and thence into Nuyakuk and Tikchik lakes which drain into Nushagak Bay near Dillingham via the Nuyakuk and Nushagak rivers.His-torical fisheries data for this area is fragmentary and limited mostly to the Tikchik Lakes system. Sockeye salmon aerial estimates were made in the Tikchik Lake system from 1960 through 66 and in 1974 and 1975 (Exhibit 8). FRI conducted a survey of the Tikchik Lakes in 1964 to determine the relative abundance and distribution of fish (Exhibit 10).Samples were obtained by beach seining and gill netting.Stomach contents were analyzed.The 16 species caught in the Tikchik Lakes,with the exception of lake trout and least cisco,also occur in the Wood River lakes;however,the relative abundance of various fish species caught in the gill nets were imarkedly different in the two lake systems (4).The Arctic char constituted more than 80 percent of fish caught in gill nets in the Wood River lakes,with round whitefish next in abundance at about 10 percent.Lake trout were widespread in the Tikchik lakes,and Arctic char never ranked higher than third in abun- I-14 dance in any one catch.Sockeye,salmon fry,stickleback and sculpins dominated the FRI beach seine catches from the Wood River system.The mean number of sockeye fry represented the species most frequently caught and showed the greatest varia- bility between catches.Sticklebacks were abundant in the lit- toral zone,and sculpins occurred more frequently in beach seine hauls (4). From mid-August to mid-October 1967,ADF&G sampled fish in the Tikchik Lake area by angling in the narrows between Nuyakuk and Tikchik lakes.Arctic grayling,lake trout,and Arctic char were taken (15).Northern pike were found in Nuyakuk Lake,and rainbow trout in the Nuyakuk River. In July 1980 ADF&G float -surveyed the Tikchik River from Upnuk Lake to Tikchik Lake,a distance of approximately forty- eight river miles.They sampled fish principally by angling and electroshocking and found nine fish species including Arctic grayling,burbot,Dolly Varden/Arctic char,northern pike,round whitefish,sculpin,chinook,coho,and sockeye salmon (12). AEIDC conducted fisheries investigations in August 1982 to update and expand existing information on salmonids and their habitats in the Tikchik Lakes system and the Allen River.The Allen River and Chikuminuk Lake were sampled by minnow traps, dip nets,angling and visual observations to ascertain species present and to help identify habitat used.Table I-11 and Exhibits 11 and 12 show fish sampling locations and results of the survey.Dolly Varden,Arctic char and sculpins were the only fish minnow trapped. Several hundred sockeye and pink salmon were observed in the lower mile of the Allen River,as were two chinook salmon carcasses.Several thousand sockeye were also observed in the Allen Beach area.Dolly Varden/Arctic char,Arctic grayling, lake trout,and sculpins were numerous at the mouth of Allen River.Arctic grayling were also observed below both the upper and lower gorges of the Allen River.Lake trout,Dolly Varden/ Arctic char,Arctic grayling,and sculpins were observed in Chikuminuk Lake or its tributaries.In addition to fish species found during the 1982 survey,round whitefish,burbot,and sticklebacks may also occur since FRI,in 1964,found them in the Tikchik Lakes below Chikuminuk Lake. The Allen River supports populations of sockeye,pink, chinook,and possibly coho salmon that contribute to the Bristol Bay commercial and subsistence fishery.At the lake outlet,the river provides excellent sport fishing prospects for Arctic grayling,lake trout,and Dolly Varden/Arctic char.Sport fish- ing effort is light because of the area's remoteness;however, I-15 Table I-1ll MINNOW TRAP AND DIP NET CATCHES FROM CHIKUMINUK LAKE AND ALLEN RIVER BY AEIDC,AUGUST 1982 Number of FishMapCodesa/ Allen River Sites Dolly Varden/Artic Char Sculpin Dipnet 6 0 1 0 3 2 0 0 3 1 0 4 1 0 5 7 0 6 0 0 7 0 0 8 0 0 Dipnet 3 0 9 0 0 10 0 0 11 0 1 Chikuminuk Lake Sites 12 0 0 13 1 5 14 0 1 15 0 0 16 1 0 "717 0 1 18 1 0 19 0 2 20 0 1 21 0 1 22 0 0 23 0 0 24 1 1 25 0 0 a/Locations are shown in Exhibits 11 &12 some use occurs mostly by patrons of two nearby lodges.Tikchik Narrows Lodge is on the north shore of Tikchik Lake,and the royal Coachman Lodge is along the Nuyakuk River.Transportation to the area is almost exclusively by aircraft.Chikuminuk Lake offers good fishing for lake trout and Dolly Varden/Arctic char and provide excellent wilderness camping and other outdoor related experiences for the few recreationists who visit this area each year. Terrestrial Resources Vegetation Communities Chikuminuk Lake lies in the foothills of the Kilbuck Moun- tains of southwest Alaska and is at the western edge of conifer growth in Alaska.This area represents a regional ecotone between forest and tundra.Species diversity does not appear to be high,but the species that do occur grow under a wide range of environmental conditions. AEIDC identified five major vegetation association types at Chikuminuk Lake.The general distribution of these types is shown in Exhibit 13.Descriptions of these vegetation types follow and include a cross-reference to the classification scheme of Viereck,Dyrness,and Batten (16).This information is presented in parentheses immediately following the type name. Botanical names can be found in Table I-12. White Spruce Woodland.This type is dominated by widely spaced white spruce having a crown cover of less than 25 per- cent.The understory is chiefly comprised of dwarf Arctic birch,bog blueberry,and some willow rooted in a mat of sphag- num moss and cranberry.White spruce woodland is found along the Allen River,beginning about two miles below the mouth of Chikuminuk Lake.Two small groves of white spruce also occur along the northeast arm of the lake.Although white-spruce woodland is rare in the Chikuminuk Lake drainage proper,it is more abundant in adjacent areas and could influence the pres- ence,distribution,and movement patterns of vertebrates in the study area. Balsam Poplar.This association consists of balsam poplar trees ranging from 20 to 50 feet in height.It is a rare rela- tive to other associations in the Chikuminuk Lake basin.Balsam poplar is found along streams and rivers,together with willow communities.The understory usually consists of willows and sedges. Willow Scrub.Willow thickets,primarily felt-leaf willow, reach heights ranging from 3 to 20 feet with an average height I-17 Table I-12 MAJOR PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE AREA Common Name Alder,Sitka Angelica Aspen,quaking Azalea,alpine Beachfern,northern Bearberry,alpine Birch,dwarf arctic Birch,Kenai Birch,paper Blueberry,bog Bluegrass,arctic Bluejoint Buckbean Burnet,American Bur reed Cinquefoil,shrubby Cloudberry Cranberry Cranberry,bog Cranberry,highbush Creeping Jenny Crowberry Elder,Pacific red Fireweed Hellebore,false Horsetail Juniper,common mountain Labrador tea Lovage,beach Mountain ash,Greene Mountain heath,Aleutain Parsnip,cow Pond lily,yellow Pondweed Poplar,balsam Rosemary,bog Sedge Sedge,russet Sedge,water Sphagnum moss Spirea,Alaska Spruce,white Sundew,round leaf Sweetgale Twistedstalk Wild flag Willow Willow,felt leaf Woodfern,mountain Sources:(17,18,19,20) Scientific Name Alnus crispa subsp.sinuata Angelica genuflexa Populus tremuloides Louiseleuria procumbens Thelypteris phegopteris Arctostaphylos alpina Betula nana Betula kenaica Betula papyrifera Vaccinium uliginosum Poa arctica ; Clamagrostis canadensis Menyanthes trifoliata Sanguishorha stipulata SparganiumPotentilla fruticosa rubus chamaemorus Vaccinium vitis-idaea Oxycoccus microcarpus Vilburnum edule Lycopodium complanatum Empetrum nigrum Sambucus racemosa Epllobium angustifolium Veratrum viride subsp.Eschscholtzii Equisetum spp. Juniperus communis Ledum palustre Ligusticum scoticum Sorbus scopulina Phyllodoce aleutica Heracleum lanatum Nuphar polysepalum Potamogeton spp. Populus balsamifera Andromeda polifolia Carex Spp.Carex saxatilis subs,laxa Carex aquatilis Sphagnum spp. Spirea beauverdiana Picea glauca Drosera rotundifolia Myrica galeStreptopus amplexifolius Iris setosa Salix spp.Salix alaxensis Dryopteris dilalata I-18 of about ten feet.The understory is sparse,consisting primar- ily of russet sedges,with occasional grasses and fireweed.Onwell-drained sites,the understory often includes dwarf Arctic birch,shrubby cinquefoil,and highbush cranberry.Willow scrub at Chikuminuk Lake is found along drainages,around lakes and pounds,on inlet deltas,and in association with beaver impound- ments. Alder Scrub.Dense alder thickets growing to about ten feet in height characterize this association.The understory is usually sparse and may include fireweed,mountain woodfern,and bluejoint grass.Interspersed with these thickets are small meadows of bluejoint,Alaska spirea,highbush cranberry,and mountain woodfern.This complex is found on slopes at eleva- tions less than two thousand feet. Shrub and Lichen Tundra.This type is composed of two main components--the shrub tundra and the lichen-dominated tundra. Of the two,the shrub tundra is more common and dominated by dwarf Arctic birch and crowberry with bog blueberry,Alaska spirea,cloudberry,cranberry,and scattered sedges and willows. Tundra is found throughout the study area,primarily on slopes and at high elevations.Lichen-dominated tundra consists pri-marily of lichens of the genera Cladina,Cladonia,andStereocaulon.Vascular plants such as alpine bearberry,cran- berry,and crowberry are often prominent also.Lichen-dominated tundra is found on exposed ridges,at very high elevations,and in other harsh environments. Birds Remote and seldom visited by man,the Chikuminuk area has not been systematically surveyed by ornithologists,and little is known of its avifauna.Several factors indicate the avifauna is probably diverse but that few species occur in high numbers. The major factor is the location of the area.Chikuminuk Lake and environs are part of the broad transition zone,or ecotone, separating treeless tundra from spruce woodland in this area of Alaska (21,22,23).In transition-zones avifauna are generally characterized by a high diversity of forms.Often,however,few species become abundant in transition-zone communities,since species-specific habitats are usually widely scattered.This appears to be the case at Chikuminuk Lake.Ornithological investigations conducted in similar transition zones elsewhere in the Bristol Bay region have a relatively complex avifauna (24,25,26,27,28).With the exception of those species capa- ble of exploiting multiple habitats,however,individual popula- tions are seldom large (24,25,26,27). AEIDC compiled a list of "probable"bird species for the study area avifauna (Exhibit 14)based on a search of the liter- ature on birds of the Bristol Bay region.Few avian species were observed by AEIDC during reconnaissance surveys (Exhibit 15)because the primary objective of terrestrial bird investiga- tions was to describe and delineate avian habitats.A discuss- ion of avian habitats and their relationship to prominent species and species groups follow. Loons.Loon numbers are thought to correlate with the number of ponds and lakes in the area;the greater the number of ponds and lakes,the greater the number of loons (King,pers. comm.).Since ponds and lakes are not numerous in the study area,loons probably are scarce.Chikuminuk Lake probably pro- vides the bulk of loon breeding habitat in the study area.In the absence of alternate sites,most nests are probably con- structed directly on the lake shore.Shore nests are often subject to heavy predation,and they may be minor importance to maintenance of loon populations in a given area (29).Evidence of the destructive effects of storm waves around the margins of Chikumink Lake was noted also.This factor may limit opportuni- ties for successful loon breeding. Four species of loons are present in this area of Alaska (Exhibit 14).Arctic and common loons are the species most frequently reported (27,30,28).Only two loons were observed by AEIDC.A common loon was seen in a beaver pond near Milk Creek's outlet,and an Arctic loon on the Allen River (Exhibit 15). Waterfowl.The study area contains few of the small lakes and ponds that constitute whistling swan breeding habitat (King, pers.comm.),and swan densitites are probably low.AEIDC flushed a single pair of nonbreeding adults from a small tundra pond between Chikuminuk and Upnuk lakes in July of 1982 (Exhibit 15).These were the only swans seen during the surveys. Absence of further sightings is probably significant,since swans are highly conspicuous and difficult to overlook. For similar reasons,the study area affords little breeding habitat for puddle ducks,such as mallards,gadwalls,and green- winged teal.The only puddle ducks noted during 1982 was a flock of about thirty mallards on Chikuminuk Lake.Because of scarcity of breeding habitat,most puddle ducks using the area are probably migrants or molting adults.Such use is probably low,considering the area's distance from flyways and breeding habitats.Some diving ducks,such as scaup and scoter,mmay nest along the shoreline of Chikuminuk and several tributary lakes. Breeding habitats appear limited,however,and no evidence of breeding by this group was found.Hundreds of white-winged scoters were rafted on Chikuminuk Lake in July,1982.Their presence in large rafts indicated that they were nonbreeders that may have been molting. The study area contains considerable stream habitat favored by such species as mergansers and harlequins--probably the only ducks to breed with regularity in the study area.Young-of-the- year harlequins were present along the entire length of the Allen River in August 1982 and were the sole duck-breeding records made by AEIDC in the Chikuminuk Lake area. Raptors.Precipitous south-and southeast-facing slopes that are favored breeding habitat for northern cliff-nesting species,such as golden eagles and gyrfalcons,do occur around Chikuminuk Lake (Exhibit 16).AEIDC found no evidence of breed- ing by any raptors.The amount of habitat present suggests that limited nesting may occur.A rough-legged hawk was the only cliff-nesting raptor seen by AEIDC;however,the limited number of bird observations must be considered in light of the limited field study and lateness of the survey effort. Breeding habitats for ground-nesting and tree-nesting spec- ies,such as merlins,bald eagles,and goshawks,are also abun- dant in the study area,especially at lower elevations adjacent to the lake and the Allen River;however,again few individuals of this latter group were seen by AEIDC (Exhibit 15).They are probably relatively common in the area,given the amount of breeding habitat available and the presence of suitable prey items. A major pass through the Kuskokwim Mountains leads to the head of Chikuminuk Lake.Gabrielson and Lincoln (30)described use of such passes by migrating raptors and passerines in Alaska.Although AEIDC investigations did not take place during peak migration periods,such use may develop,and more raptor species may occur in greater numbers than has been indicated (Exhibit 14). Grouse and Ptarmigan.Spruce grouse reportedly occur throughout this portion of Alaska (31);however,AEIDC encoun- tered none.Their numbers within the study area probably are limited by scarcity of coniferous forest habitat.AEIDC found willow ptarmigan and their sign in all riparian willow thickets visited,suggesting that they are widely distributed throughout the area.Rock ptarmigan also occur in this area of Alaska (28, 31).Although AEIDC saw no evidence of their presence,suitable alpine and subalpine vegetation associations are widespread. The species probably occurs in the study area. Shorebirds and Gulls.AEIDC field crews recorded few shorebirds,but suitable breeding habitats are common so shore- birds are probably common.Tundra breeding habitats are suita- ble for western sandpipers,spotted sandpipers,greater and lesser yellowlegs,and common snipe (24,25,27).Grumman Eco- systems Corp.(28)thought that spotted and western sandpipers and semi palmated plovers were the most common shorebirds in the area. AEIDC found three species of gulls in the study area. Glaucus-winged gulls were common on Chikuminuk Lake,where a small colony of about fifty individuals was discovered on a small heath-dominated islet in the lake.This was the only instance noted of breeding by gulls,but other similar islets occur in Chikuminuk Lake which may also be used by gulls for breeding.A single Sabine's gull and a single herring gull were seen along the Allen River.Neither species is common to this area of Alaska. Owls.AEIDC saw no owls,though several instances were noted of owl (probably short-eared owl)predation on ground squirrels.Short-eared owls,a burrow-nesting species,commonly inhabit tundra associations in this area of Alaska (30).Other owls may occur in the study area,but their numbers are probably low since most are forest species and forest communities are rare. Woodpeckers and Allies.Four species of woodpecker ay occur in the study area (Exhibit 14).Numbers,however,are probably very low,considering the scarcity of forest communi- ties around Chikuminuk Lake. Passerines.Although AEIDC saw only nine species of pass- erines during surveys (Exhibit 15),their diversity is probably high,considering the varied habitat types found here.With few exceptions,however,individual habitats are neither expansive nor contiguous,limiting their potential productivity.Thus,it appears likely that few species are abundant.Chief exceptions are likely limited to certain thrushes,warblers,sparrows,and swallows (Exhibit 14).The first three groups are comprised of species which often breed in high density in riparian willow thickets in southwestern Alaska (24,25,32,33,34,27,28,30, Peterson,pers.comn.).Such riparian willow communities are common in the Chikuminuk Lake area.Swallows are abundant throughout all ecologic formations in Alaska,and_several species occur in the study area. Endangered Birds.Currently,two species of Alaska birds are listed by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened or endangered:the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum I-22 and F.p.tundrius)and the Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis). Based on available records,it appears that peregrine falcons were never numerous in the lands to the east of the Kuskokwim Mountains including Chikuminuk Lake (30,35).The possibility exists that some peregrines might migrate through the pass at the head of Chikuminuk Lake,since they are relatively common along the middle reaches of the Kuskokwim River and because two forms in question are not coastal migrants.Suitable breeding cliffs also occur within the Chikuminuk Lake drainage basin and might possibly be used as peregrine nest sites. Recent sightings of the Eskimo curlew are rare,and many people believe the species to be extinct.Historic breeding grounds apparently were limited to the arctic coastal plains of Canada and Alaska.The principal migration corridors are unknown,but the species used to be common in coastal regions of western Alaska during spring and fall (30).Given its coastal orientation,it appears highly unlikely that the species occurs at Chikuminuk Lake or surrounding environs. Summary.Many species of birds occur in the study area,but in low numbers (Exhibit 14).The principal factors limiting most populations here appear to be related to habitat availabil- ity (Table I-13).The Chikuminuk Lake area comprises a portion of a broad ecotone dividing spruce woodland from treeless tundra.Such areas are usually not conducive to the maintenance of large populations of any species. Significance of Resource.Little information currently exists on the study area's bird resource;hence,conclusions must be tentative.Regardless of its size the resource has some intrinsic value in that it contributes to the attributes of the Wood-Tikchik State Park.To some extent,the resource may also have some national value in that many of its species are migra- tory.However,these species with the highest values such as waterfowl and endangered species occur in low density. Mammals Table I-14 lists mammal species likely to occur in this region.It has been compiled from listings in the 1971 Resource Inventory of the Wood River-Tikchik Area (28)and Alaska's Wild-life and Habitat (36,31).Resource studies that preceded land acquisition and planning for the state park and field observa- tions made by AEIDC during August 22-27,1982 have provided general information on the region's fauna.Other information on mammals is presented in ADF&G's Wildlife of Alaska and in ADF&G Table I-13 RELATIVE AMOUNTS OF BREEDING HABITATS FOR SELECTED SPECIES GROUPS IN THE STUDY AREA Species Group Rating a/ Loons Ducks,geese,and swans Raptors Grouse Ptarmigan Shorebirds and gulls Owls Woodpeckers Passerines WHWNDNeHWFFEa/Rating 1:Breeding habitats are scarce and widely separate in space. 23 Breeding habitats are limited to particular ecologic formations or riparian willow thickets. 33 Breeding habitats are common throughout all ecologic formations and ecotones. wildlife survey reports (36,31).Some species,such as red squirrel and marten,are probably not present at the lake because suitable habitat is lacking,and such species as tundra hare and Arctic fox are absent or rare because of range limits. Species and habitats that occur around Chikuminuk Lake are listed in Table I-15. The eastern part of the Chikuminuk Lake basin is hilly upland,whereas the western three-fourths of the lake is border- ed by precipitous mountain slopes extending to elevations of four or five thousand feet.The mountain escarpment includes extensive cliffs and exposed rock,as well as small alpine gla- ciers.To the south,the Allen River outlet of Chikuminuk Lake drops immediately into a boreal forest association dominated by spruce and birch interspersed with extensive muskeg.To the northeast,similar forested lowlands border the Tikchik River. The nuclei of animal activity around the lake are the eight or more alluvial/talus tributary stream deltas.The largest of these deltas are the four on the western end of the lake, including the Milk Creek delta.These are cut by extensive stream distributaries and are characterized by vigorous thickets I-24 Table I-14 MAMMALS AND HABITAT USE White-Spruce Mountain Woodland Willow Passes (Allen River Alder Scrub (Relow 1000°Lake Species Valley)Scrub Stream Deltas Tundra Elevation)Streams Shore Snowshore hare x x Arctic ground squirrel x xX xX xX xX Small rodents x X xX x xX x Porcupine xX xX xX X Wolf x x xX Xx x xX Red fox xX x xX xX xX Xx Black bear X xX X ?xX X X Brown bear xX Xx xX x x xX x Marten Xx Ermine X X X X xX Mink xX xX Otter X xX Wolverine X X X X X X xX Lynx x xX Moose xX xX x xX xX Caribou x xX Table I-15 MAMMALS THAT PROBABLY OCCUR IN THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE AREA Arctic shrew Masked shrew Dusky shrew Little brown bat Snowshoe hare Arctic hare Alaska marmot Arctic ground squirrel Red squirrel Northern flying squirrel Beaver Deer mouse Northern red-backed vole Meadow vole Tundra vole Muskrat Collared lemming Northern bog lemming Brown lemming Meadow jumping mouse Porcupine Coyote Gray wolf Arctic fox Red fox Black bear Brown bear Marten Ermine Least weasel Mink River otter Wolverine Lynx Moose Barren ground caribou Sorex arcticus Sorex cinereus Sorex obscurus Myotis lucifugus Lepus americanus Lepus arcticus Marmota caligata Spermophilus parryii Tamlasciurus hudsonicus Glaucomys sabrinus Castor canadensis Peromyscus maniculatus Clethrionomys rutilus Microtus pennsylvanicus Microtus oeconomus Ondatra ziebethicus Dicrostonyx torgquatus Synaptomys borealis Lemmus sibiricus Zapus hudsonicus Erethizon dorsatum Canis latrans Canis lupus Alopex lagopus Vulpes vulpes Ursus americanus Ursus arctos Martes americana Mustela erminea Mustela nivalis Mustela vison Lutra canadensis Gulo gulo Felix lynx Alces alces Rangifer tarandus of willow approaching tree-size.They include about four square miles of this lowland riparian habitat,much of it at elevations within 50 feet of the lake elevation.The tributaries at the east end of the lake are smaller and have more restricted deltas. Several mountain passes around the drainage are important as seasonal habitat and as seasonal movement routes for larger mammals.These include:(1)the Allen River and three other low passes that lead from Chikuminuk Lake into the forested lowland of Chauekuktuli Lake;(2)the Milk Creek pass,a natural travel route into the Kilbuck Mountain-Kuskokwim country;and (3)low foothills to the northeast of Chikuminuk Lake that lead to the Tikchik River area.Trails used by the larger mammals were noted at several locations around the lake running parallel to the lake shore.These were prominent along the southern and western shores. The region averages about one hundred inches of snowfall annually--similar to that of Anchorage.Such heavy snowfall probably influences the winter behavior of many animals,such as moose,restricting their range and possibly even causing them to seek other ranges. The Chikuminuk Lake basin shows little sign of use by snow- shoe hares,probably because of lack of habitat.The remains of one hare were noted on the north shore of the lake.AEIDC noted minor use of browse plants at two other locations.The Allen River valley includes better habitat- a combination of dense cover and hardwoods with adequate food sources--and probably supports more snowshoe hares.The tundra hare is unlikely to occur in the Chikuminuk Lake area. The Arctic squirrel is present at low to medium densities throughout the vegetated and relatively dry habitats within the Chikuminuk drainage.Highest abundance is in scrub and lichen tundra containing some rock outcrops.All such habitats show evidence of brown bear foraging for these animals. The red squirrel inhabits white-spruce woodland only below Chikuminuk Lake in the Allen River valley.Although the flying squirrel is reported in this part of Alaska,AEIDC found no evidence of its presence.If present,the suitable habitat would be in the white-spruce woodland of the Allen River val- ley. Porcupine sign was evident at all stream deltas visited as well as along the shoreline of Lake Chauekuktuli west of Allen River.This rodent,typically a forest dweller,ranges far from forested areas into some willow scrub of western Alaska.This is evident around Chikuminuk Lake where a few animals occur at many locations along the shoreline.The forests of the Allen River valley probably support higher densities of porcupines. AEIDC found mink sign along the Allen River and occasional- ly at tributary stream deltas around Chikuminuk Lake.Highest populations are probably in the Allen River valley where there are areas of good habitat. River otters range throughout Chikuminuk Lake and the Allen River.Otter tracks were observed at tributary stream deltas on the north and west sides of Chikuminuk Lake.Three otters (probably a family group)were observed in a small bay of the lake. The wolverine probably ranges at low densities throughout all habitats of the Chikuminuk Lake-Allen River area.Tracks occurred around the western end of Chikuminuk Lake (at the heads of both north and southwestern bays)and on the Milk Creek delta.One wolverine was seen in white-spruce woodland near the Allen River outlet. No weasels or marten were seen.Ermines are probably pres- ent throughout much of the area wherever its principal prey, small rodents,are sufficiently abundant.The marten,if pres- ent,is probably confined to the Allen River valley. The wolf is a faunal member in this region and probably ranges throughout the Chikuminuk Lake region.Suitable prey species are not particularly abundant so wolves are probably few in number.AEIDC found tracks of a single wolf at two locations along the north shore of the northeast arm of Chikuminuk Lake. AEIDC found sign,judged to be of red fox,at three widely distributed locations:the mouth of the Allen River,a 1,000- foot hill about two miles east of the east end of Chikuminuk Lake,and the delta area of the northwest arm of the lake.The apparently low red fox population probably results from low prey abundance.They seem to range widely in the area,however.The Arctic fox is probably absent or rare at Chikuminuk Lake because its principal range lies closer to the coast. Beaver occur throughout the Chikuminuk Lake drainage where there is adequate water,willow forage,and material for dams and lodges.Their presence was noted at outlets of all tribu- tary streams as well as along the streams wherever conditions were suitable.A number of active lodges were noted on the shoreline of Chikuminuk Lake.The Allen River valley supports numerous active beaver colonies.Although two trappers are reported to have worked this area during the winter of 1981-82, the beaver population presently appears to be excessive for available habitat. Black bear range over much of the area and sign was noted at most locations where ground observations were iade.The animal favors timbered sites and areas of open brush cover. Black bears are most numerous in the timbered valley of the Allen River where five individual bears were seen.Bear sign was evident at nearly all of the tributary stream deltas where willow thickets provided cover.The Milk Creek delta,in parti- cular,seems to be a favored habitat.Black bears travel over the numerous trails that parallel the lake shore,and they are probably resident in the Chikuminuk-Allen River drainage.They probably den in heavy cover at low elevations. Brown bears also range throughout the area,tending to use more of the open tundra and alpine areas than do black bears. During July,AEIDC noted two single brown bears between Chikumi- nuk and Upnuk Lakes.Another singleton was observed in August on a slope above Chikuminuk Lake about one mile west of its outlet.This species is diligent in foraging for ground squir- rels and is responsible for most excavations of ground squirrel burrows that may be seen throughout the drainage. The population of the brown bear is lower than that of black bears.The species ranges more widely,however,and uti- lizes more of the habitat bordering the lake than do black bears.Denning habitats preferred by brown bears are steeper slopes near the upper limit of the alder scrub zone.Such habi- tat is abundant on slopes bordering Chikuminuk Lake.Brown bear populations are reported to be high east of the study area along the Tikchik River where they are attracted to spawning salmon areas (37). Moose range throughout the Chikuminuk Lake-Allen River drainage in the willow scrub and balsam popular forest types. AEIDC noted 17 individual moose during the period August 22-27, 1982.Of these,eight were in the forested portion of the Allen River valley;and nine were near Chikuminuk Lake--at the outlet, I-29 on the northeast peninsula,in three delta areas at the west end of the lake,along Milk Creek,and in a pass south of the lake. Moose use the larger tributary deltas as summer range and may be able to winter there in some years.There is,however, only minor evidence of winter browsing on willows.They are more likely to winter in the Allen River valley,above the north shore of Lake Chauekuktuli,and along the Tikchik River to the east.The pass to the south is good summer and fall moose range and also serves as a travel route between two lakes.Some travel around Chikuminuk Lake is evident on trail sections that parallel the shore. In summary,the Chikuminuk Lake region supports a low sea- sonal population of moose in willow scrub habitats.The Allen River valley provides some medium-quality,year-round range. Although the Chikuminuk area is remote from settlement,the moose population apparently is subject to considerable pressure from hunters who fly to the lake,reportedly from Bethel and Aniak. Caribou ranged principally in the foothills bordering the eastern part of Chikuminuk Lake in August of 1982 and probably during other seasons of the year as well.Fresh as well as old trails were abundant throughout these eastern foothills and on the large hilly peninsula at the western end of the lake.'Two adult bulls were noted about 1.5 miles northeast of Chikuminuk Lake.AEIDC found no caribou sign in the mountains along the western three-fourths of the lake.Although the Milk Creek val- ley appears to be a likely travel route for interchange between Kisaralik-Kilbuck caribou and those ranging east of Chikuminuk Lake,AEIDC found no evidence of recent or past use of this valley by caribou. The eastern borders of Chikuminuk Lake are important range for small numbers of caribou,probably in summer.These caribou do not depend on tributary stream deltas or other lakeshore habitats,as do some species of mammals.There is also no indi- cation that they use Milk Creek pass or the passes to the south of the lake.These caribou are probably loosely associated with the Mulchatna herd that ranges to the east.Considering the remoteness of Chikuminuk Lake,it is unlikely that this group sustains any significant hunting pressure. Summary.The prominent mammals of the Chikuminuk Lake- Allen River drainage are moose,caribou,black bear,brown bear, beaver,ground squirrel,porcupine,river otter,and wolverine. Inconspicuous mammals that may be numerous in some habitats are small rodents,red fox,wolf,ermine,and mink. Some mammals depend partly or entirely on lakeshore habi- tats that extend as high as 50 feet above the lake and would be affected to some degree by a raise in lake level of that magni- tude.Species whose major populations would be affected include the following: Moose Otter Black Bear Beaver Snowshoe hare Mink Archeological and Historical Resources Little is known about the prehistory and history of the Chikuminuk Lake area.It is believed to have been first occupied by a culture similar to groups living farther inland and to the north and which were probably based on caribou hunt- ing.Recent evidence dates this occupation within the range of 9,000 to 4,500 years ago (38). Virtually nothing is known about the next several millennia until the late prehistoric period (200 to 400 years ago)when Yup'ik from the Bering Sea coast moved inland to inhabit the Nushagak drainage.Known as the Kiatagmiut,they shifted from sea mammal hunting to salmon fishing and land mammal hunting. Their population in the vicinity of the Nushagak River and the Tikchik and Wood River lakes has been estimated to have been 400 to 500 (39).Although there is no evidence of occupation in the immediate vicinity of Chikuminuk Lake,they are believed to have used the area for subsistence activities (38). Settlement patterns remained relatively stable until 1918, when a major influenza epidemic swept the region,decimating the Yup'ik population.People did not resettle the area until the late 1920's.Several traditional commmunities were never rees- tablished.Villages continue to be located primarily along major rivers,and the pattern of intermittent human use of intervening lands without permanent settlements has persisted. Archeological investigations have been limited in the Chikuminuk Lake study area.James W.VanStone conducted a sur- vey in 1964 during which one site was identified on Lake Chauekuktuli just west of the mouth of the Allen River.The Alaska Heritage Resource Survey (AHRS)describes this site (TAY- 004),containing three small house depressions with tunnels facing the lake,as a possible winter village of the Nushagak River Eskimo. Five archeological sites were identified during another Major survey undertaken by Robert E.Ackerman in 1980 as part of a four-year study (38).One surface location was found between I-31 Chikuminuk and Upnuk lakes at the head of the northeast arm of Chikuminuk Lake.Test excavations yielded several pieces of pottery and worked stone.Four additional sites were found near the outlet of the lake,three of which were surface scatters of lithic material.The fourth site was located on a terrace above the present lake level and contained projectile points and microblade cores.These artifacts were similar to those of the Kagati Lake complex described by Ackerman (40),which existed between 9,000 and 4,500 years ago. Approximate locations of these sites are shown on Exhibit 17. Chapter II ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF ALTERNATIVE HYDROELECTRIC SITES Numerous hydroelectric sites were considered during the screening study,described in Chapter II of Appendix D.This chapter describes the environmental aspects of the following alternative sites: °Kisaralik River -Lower Falls °Kisaralik River -Golden Gate Falls fe)Kisaralik River -Upper Falls Oo Kipchuk River fe)Upnuk Lake fe)Milk Creek Kisaralik River -Lower Falls The Lower Falls dam site is located (SW 1/4,S17,T4N, R62W)on the Kisaralik River in a narrow gorge about 64 miles east-southeast of the City of Bethel and 30 river miles down- stream from the outlet of Kisaralik Lake. The vegetation at the Lower Falls on the Kisaralik River consists of three major types.Along the river is a riparian willow belt and beyond,alder patches extend upslope to as high as 1,500 ft.Interspersed between the alders,and occurring above them,is a low birchericaceous shrub dominated by dwarf birch and Labrador tea. Commercially significant numbers of salmon migrate past this site enroute to upstream spawning areas.King and coho salmon dominate numerically with a few red salmon also being present.Other fish of interest in this river section includerainbowtrout,Arctic char,and Arctic grayling.Little sal- monid spawning habitat is present at this site. Relatively few birds were observed at or near the proposed site.Principal forms observed were golden and white crowned sparrows,arctic warblers,tree,cliff,and bank swallows,gyr- falcons,and golden eagles.Golden-crowned sparrows and cliff swallows are the most conspicuous of the passerines.An active golden eagle nest situated approximately one mile downstream II-1i from the site and an active gyrfalcon nest situated 2 to 3 miles downstream,indicated that suitable nesting habitat for these species occurs within the gorge area. A small number of moose seasonally utilize this area for feeding purposes.Light evidence of browsing on riparian wil- lows indicated that the area is of marginal utility to moose maintenance in the area as a whole.Few tracks or scats were seen,reinforcing the belief that few moose inhabit the area. A number of caribou occur in this area although little suitable forage occurs at the site and most use is probably related to travel. Relative to areas further downstream,few brown bear occur at this site.Few tracks,scats,or other noted evidence of their presence indicated that the site is of minor importance to bears in the region as a whole. The project area is as a migration corridor for several salmonid species;principally king and coho salmon,Arctic char,and Arctic grayling.The gorge provides high qualitynestinghabitatforbothgoldeneaglesandgyrfalcons.The proposed impoundment would inundate significant amounts of rip- arian vegetation,imposing further constraints on moose and bears. Kisaralik River -Golden Gate Falls The Golden Gate Falls dam site is located on (NW 1/4,S28, T5N,R62W)on the Kisaralik River about 58 miles east-southeast of the City of Bethel and 35 river miles downstream from the outlet of Kisaralik Lake. Vegetation at the Golden Gate Falls is slightly more com- plex than at Lower Falls.Again,there is a belt of riparian willow.Beyond the willows are alder thickets.On the north- facing slope these thickets extend to approximately 900 ft. Above that elevation the vegetation is dominated by low birch and ericaceous shrub tundra (primarily dwarf birch and Labrador tea).A small bench extending along the opposite shore supports a stand of cottonwood trees.Beyond this,stands of white spruce are interspersed with alder and birch. Commercially significant numbers of king and coho salmon migrate through this area enroute to spawning habitats further upstream.Small numbers of red salmon also utilize the area for this purpose along with Arctic char and Arctic grayling. II-2 Few birds were noted at the dam site.Notable exceptions were limited largely to cliff swallows and cliff-nesting rap- torial species.Active golden eagle and gyrfalcon nests are within one to three miles of the site. Small numbers of moose feed within the proposed inundation area during the more temperate times of the year.Brown bears are also present in low numbers during summer. The proposed project area is utilized by migrating salmon. King and Coho salmon,Arctic char,and Arctic grayling species predominate.Cliffs adjacent to the proposed project area pro- vide high quality nesting habitat for cliff-nesting raptors; golden eagles and gyrfalcons are the most common raptors at this site.Inundation of the limited riparian habitats upstream of the proposed dam would affect moose numbers in the upper reaches of the Kisaralik considering the scarcity of winter feeding habitat in the area.Some bears could be diverted from tradi- tional travel routes by the proposed project. Kisaralik River -Upper Falls The Upper Falls dam site is located on the (SW 1/4,S7, T3N,R61 W)on the Kisaralik River about 70 miles east-southeast of the City of Bethel and 20 river miles downstream from the outlet of Kisaralik Lake. The north facing slope supports an alpine vegetative form consisting of lichen,crowberry,and sedge species;the composi tion changes along the sloping bench to include willow clumps, increasing amounts of dwarf birch and diapensia,and a forb complex.The gradient increases to form breaks and swales. Ground squirrel activity is prevalent along slope and ridge lines of the ravines.Willow communities appear as fingerlike projections covering lower parts of the swales.Deeper formed ravines contain proportionately more dwarf birch and willow. Outwash areas (ravine mouth),support deltoid-shaped cot- tonwood stands having an average 12 cm DBH and canopy height of 10 m.Such stands are ringed by willow (tall variety)conti- guous with a closed willow community of intermediate height.A narrow band of willow shrubbery thus extends along the south axis of the bench.Passerine activity was noted to be more prominent within,and along the peripheral part of cottonwood stands.Species observed included golden-crown sparrow,red- poll,and yellow warbler.Browse species were fairly evenly hedged,indicating moderate to heavy use;however,lack of lead- er growth suggested a rather low forage yield typifying alpine elevations or the lateness of spring. II-3 Paucity of pellets suggest low use of the area by moose. The bench has a lush band of grass (Calamagrostis)paralleling the moist low area of the bench.Sedge covered tussocks form the major relief feature--these diminish in height toward either edge of the bench.Ground squirrel activity diminishes toward the center part of the bench probably because of extremely wet or bog condition.The first terrace,largest of the three,sup- ports ground squirrel,but their density appears to be consider- ably less than noted along the bottom part of the mountain slope.Judging from the number of used burrows,ground squirrel density is roughly about one per l10-square meters,while the lower terraced areas are used to a lesser extent.The vegeta- tion comprised of sedge,lichen,heather,dwarf birch,and low- growing willow,the latter showing evidence of browsing by moose.The same level of moose browsing noted on the bench is evidenced along the river bottom.Tall willow occurs along river's edge.The upper bowl has a backwash formed in an old stream channel which is potential beaver habitat.Old beaver cuttings were noted below the dam site.An old raptor nest was noted on the rocky outcropping of the north abutment. Old bear scat was noted on the north side of the river and an intradrainage bear trail extending along south side of the bowl and the crest of the intermediate terrace appears to be used infrequently.The upper part of the drainage obviously receives only light use by bear,moose,and caribou.Impact on large mammals would be insignificant.Primary use of this area by large mammals is virtually one of access between drainages. The absence of permanent trails suggest that use of the plateau for interdrainage travel is quite low or randomized,rather than a traditionally used migration corridor.The most significant impact would be on fisheries associated with Gold Creek, Kisaralik Lake,and the North Fork.The magnitude of spawning in these tributary systems is unknown,but presumably far less significant than in major lower tributaries (Quicksilver,Swift, Quartz,etc.). On al to 10 scale,impact can be rated at about 3 for Upper Falls compared to 7 for Lower Falls,and 8 for the Golden Gate areas.These ratings are based on on the potential losses to the fishery resources. Kipchuk River The Kipchuk River dam site is located (NW 1/4,S19,T8N, R56W)on the Kipchuk River about twenty miles upstream from its confluence with the Aniak River.The site is about 83 miles east of the City of Bethel. II-4 The visit was made when it was thought that the river stage was receding.A steep gradient is present resulting in a mod- erate to high water velocity.The river was turbulent with moderate silt load.Composition of the fishery resource is unknown.Skeletal remains of three king or chum salmon werefoundalongthewestshoreline.These salmon were probably captured or retrieved by a large carnivore.The system appears to support other salmonids including Arctic char and rainbow; whitefish and burbot are also expected. The vegetation is typical of a subalpine zone.Dispensia, heather,lichen,and dwarf birch are predominating.Range use by moose and caribou was found to be low.Moose pellets were found in only two instances.Moose are probably not dependent upon the area for winter range and are likely to move through the canyon to better feeding areas.Willow on adjacent slopes indicate low browsing activity.Similarly,bear travel through the canyon to principal activity areas.There are no habitat units in the proposed reservoir area. Considerable ground squirrel activity occurs above 1,100 ft elevation.No shrubbery is present except along river fringes. Harlequin duck,golden eagle,and water ouzel were noted. Potential nest sites for raptors were observed several miles downstream.Other mammals ranging in the general area include Marten,beaver,otter,weasel,wolverine,and wolf. In general,tributary systems above the dam site appear to be good to excellent for salmon spawning and,for this reason, project consequence could be equivalent or greater than in the upper Kisaralik area.The project's effect on terrestrial resources would be essentially the same as for the upper Kisaralik area. Upnuk Lake The Upnuk Lake dam site is located (SW 1/4,S36,T3N,R55W) on the outlet creek of Upnuk Lake about two miles downstream from the outlet.The site is about 110 miles east-southeast of the City of Bethel.The outlet creek is tributary to the Tikchik River. Dwarf arctic birch-crowberry/dwarf blueberry-crowberry complex covers an estimated 50 percent of the impoundment area. Closed willow communities are largely riparian,being restricted to the river valley and its contributory drainages. This community covers an estimated 40 percent of the impoundment area.A willow-alder community type was not in evidence at this site. II-5 Relatively few stands of alder were found in the project area.All were small and limited mainly to north-facing river banks above the floodplain.A closed crowberry mat is under- story to this association.This community type covers an esti- mated 1 to 3 percent of the impoundinent area. Bog type is identical to that found at the Chikuminuk site. It covers an estimated 5 to 7 percent of the impoundment area. The vertebrate fauna of the Upnuk site is identical to that of the Chikuminuk site except for the addition of salmon.This exception appears significant from the standpoint of project Viability. The outlet stream of Upnuk Lake is a major salmon nursery stream.Both red (sockeye)and coho (silver)salmon spawn in its waters.Actual escapements to the system are poorly defined,but upward of 100,000 red salmon have been counted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the outlet stream's confluence with the Tikchik River. Milk Creek The Milk Creek dam site is located (NW 1/4,S21,TIN,R58W) on Milk Creek,a tributary to Chikuminuk Lake,about nine miles upstream from the mouth of the creek.The site is about 95 miles east-southeast of the City of Bethel. A type of ericaceous heath dominates the vegetation of the impoundment area.The overstory is comprised chiefly of dwarf arctic birch supplemented with occasional stands of spirea and labrador tea.Overstory height seldom exceeds one foot and the overstory is semi-closed. The understory is comprised chiefly of crowberry which forms a nearly contiguous mat.The crowberry mat is broken in places by reindeer moss which is homogenously distributed throughout the understory and scattered low-bush cranberry and dwarf sedges.This community covers an estimated 70 percent of the impoundment area. Isolated stands of dwarf willow reaching to three feet in height occur throughout the area.Such stands are densely stocked and the canopy is closed.The understory is relatively simple due to the dense overstory and is limited mainly to wide- ly scattered ferns,blue violets,and burnet.This community covers an estimated 20 percent of the impoundment area. Mixed stands of willow and alder occur immediately upstream from the proposed dam site.This community is limited chiefly II-6 to oversteepened slopes adjacent to Milk Creek.The understory of this type is superficially identical to that of the closed willow communities.The overstory canopy is closed and averages six feet in height.This community covers an estimated 1 to 3 percent of the impoundment area. Pure stands of alder to six feet in height dominate over- steepened slopes at the proposed dam site.Such stands reach from stream level upslope through at least 200 feet in elevation above the water.Within the impoundment area,this community is broken only in slide areas and by natural rock outcrops.The understory is comprised of widely scattered clumps of bluejoint grass and lady fern.I estimate that this community covers approximately 3 to 4 percent of the impoundinent area. Pure stands of cottongrass occur in all bog areas.This community covers approximately 3 percent of the impoundment area. No fish or fish remains were observed in either Milk Creek, Cascade Lake,or the Cascade Lake outlet stream.One loon was observed repeatedly in Cascade Lake,however,implying the pre- sence of fish. Project area water bodies appear to have little importance to either commercial or sportfish populations in this area of Alaska.Cascade Lake,its outlet stream,and Milk Creek from its confluence with the outlet stream are glacially turbid, limiting their potential as fish habitat.Further,stream grad- ient here is relatively steep and numerous rapids occur through- out its length.While it appears that none of the rapids indi- vidually constitute a blockage to fish passage,in aggregate they probably constitute a formidable barrier to migrating fish. Relatively few birds were observed within the proposed project area.The most common species was the golden-crowned sparrow which is ubiquitous in all tall willow and alder associ- ations at this site.Territorial displays were common indi- cating that the area is utilized for breeding. Two other species of passerines were observed in habitats within the project area.Small numbers of lapland longspurs breed in the dwarf arctic birch/crowberry association.Several yellow warblers were observed in willow thickets. Lack of sighting of more passerine types or numbers was not unexpected considering the altitude of the site,and considering the temperature was cooler than normal. II-7 One willow ptarmigan was seen and another heard in willow thickets immediately upstream from the proposed dam.Lack of sightings is probably significant since our course of travel lead repeatedly through willow associations.Suitable habitat for willow ptarmigan is abundant and the low numbers observed are probably attributable to the late snow melt. No raptors were observed within Milk Creek drainages although some undoubtedly occur.Likely candidates for inclu- sion in this area's avifauna include golden eagles,roughlegged hawks,and gyrfalcons.Cliff faces suitable for nesting raptors appear limited,however,and numbers are probably low. No evidence of moose activity was noted within the drain- age.The complete absence of tracks,scat,or evidence of either past or present browsing on the willow implies that the area is of marginal value to moose. Three separate tracks representing at least two adult caribou were observed.The tracks they were laid down no more than one week prior to the site inspection.No evidence of widespread usage of the drainage area by caribou was found.The absence of well-defined trails indicates that the area is not utilized as a migration corridor for caribou crossing the Kilbuck Mountains. Evidence of the presence of bears was limited solely to widely scattered excavations of ground squirrel dens.All exca- vations examined were at least one year old.The complete absence of tracks,scat,or recent excavations implies that use of the area by bears is occasional during warm weather months. The area,however,appears to have some potential as denning habitat. Arctic ground squirrels,an important seasonal food item of bears,are ubiquitous throughout the dwarf arctic birch/crow- berry community type.Favored burrow sites appear to be in sheltered lees behind crests of ridges,swales,and hummocks. Estimated densities within the impoundment area range from a high of 10 animals per 100 square yards down to one per 100 square yards.Stocking at the dam site is estimated to be in the range of two to three per 100 square yards. Several beaver lodges were observed from the air along Milk Creek above its confluence with Cascade Lake.No individuals were observed at these sites.Several beaver lodges and an individual beaver were also observed downstream from the pro- posed dam site within one mile of Milk Creek's mouth.Assuming that all lodges observed were active,there are probably at least 50 individuals resident in Milk Creek drainages. II-8 The proposed project area does not appear particularly important for the maintenance of any species.Most of the area marked for inundation is covered with a type of ericaceous heath common in subalpine locations in this portion of Alaska.The proposed impoundment would inundate much less than 1 percent of the total of this type present within the drainage.No evidence of use of the area by migratory fish or moose was noted.Few bears utilized the area;most use is apparently seasonal and irregular.There is no evidence that the area functions as a migration corridor for caribou. II-9 10. ll. References Alaska Department of Fish and Games,"Alaska's Fisheries Atlas",2 vols.,1978a. Selkregg,L.L.,"Alaska Regional Profiles,Vol.3, Southeast Region",Arctric Environmental Information and Data Center,University of Alaska,Anchorage,Alaska, Report for Alaska Office of the Governor,1976. Alaska Division of Parks,"Proposed Wood-Tikchik State Park",Anchorage,Alaska,1977. Burgner,R.L.,et al.,"Comparative Productivity of the Tikchik Lake System",Unpublished Draft Annual Report, 1964. Ruttner,F.,"Fundamentals of Limnology",3rd edition, University of Toronto Press,1971. Rogers,D.E.,"A Comparison of the Food of Sockeye Salmon Fry and Threespine Sticklebacks in the Wood River Lakes", in Burgner,R.L.,ed.,"Further Studies of Alaska Sockeye Salmon,"Publications in Fisheries,New Series,Vol.3, University of Washington Press,Seattle,Washington,1968. Van Alen,B.W.,"Use of Scale Patterns to Identify theOriginsofSockeyeSalmon(Oncorhyrchus nerka)in the Fishery of Nushagak Bay,Alaska",Information Leaflet Wo. 202,Alaska Department of Fish and Game,1982. Hynes,H.B.N.,"The Ecology of Running Waters",Liverpool University Press,1970. Alt,K.T.,"Inventory and Cataloging of Sport Fish and Sport Fish Waters of Western Alaska",Sport Fish Div., Alaska Dept.of Fish &Game,Federal Aid in Fish Restoration,Vol.18,Inventory and Cataloging Western Alaska Waters,Study G-I-P,1977. Alaska Department of Fish and Game,"A Fish and Wildlife Resource Inventory of the Alaska Peninsula,Aleutian Islands and Bristol Bay Areas,Vol.II-Fisheries for Alaska Coastal Management Program",1977. Alaska Department of Fish and Game,"Preliminary Review of the Bristol Bay Salmon Fisher,1981",Anchorage,Alaska, 1981. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. References (cont'd) Gwartney,L.A.,and B.Russell,"Inventory and Cataloging of Sport Fish and Sport Fish Waters of the Bristol Bay Area",in Sport Fish Div.,Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration and Anadromous Fish Studies,Vol.22,Inventory and Cataloging,Study G-I-E, 1981. Russell,R.,"Rainbow Trout Studies,Lower Talarik Creek- Kvichak",Sport Fish Div.,Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game, Federal Aid in Fish Restoration,Vol.18,Study G-II-E, 1977. Alaska Department of Fish and Game,"Alaska's Fisheries Atlas",2 Vols.,1978b. Paddock,D."Inventory and Cataloging of the Sport Fish and Sport Fish Waters in the Bristol Bay and Lower Kuskokwim Drainages",Sport Fish Div.,Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game, Federal Aid in Fish Restoration,Vol.9,Project F-5-R-9, 1968. Viereck,L.A.,et al.,"Revision of Preliminary Classification System for Vegetation of Alaska", Unpublished,1982. Hulten,E.,"Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories", Stanford University Press,Stanford,California,1968. Viereck,L.A.,and E.L.Little,"Alaska Trees and Shrubs", Agriculture Handbook No.410,U.S.Forest Service, Washington,D.C.,1972. Scott,T.G.,and C.HU.Wasser,"Checklist of North American Plants for Wildlife Biologists",The Wildlife Society, Washington,D.C.,1980. Welsh,S.L.,"Anderson's Flora of Alaska and Adjacent Parts of Canada",Brigham Young University Press,Provo,Utah, 1974. Nelson,E.W.,"Report Upon Natural History Collections Made in Alaska Between the Years 1877 and 1881",Arctic Series No.3,U.S.Army Signal Service,Washington,D.C.,1887. Dice,L.R.,"The Biotic Provinces of North America", University of Michigan Press,Ann Arbor,Michigan,1943. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. References (cont'd) Shelford,V.E.,"The Relative Merits of the Life Zone and Biome Concepts",Wilson Bulletin,Vol.57,1945. Hurley,J.B.,"Birds Observed in the Bristol Bay Region, Alaska",Murrelet,Vol.12,1931. Hurley,J.B.,"Birds Observed in the Bristol Bay Region, Alaska",Murrelet,Vol.13,1932. Gabrielson,I.N.,"Some Alaska Notes",Auk,Vol.61,1944. Williamson,F.S.L.,and L.J.Peyton,"Faunal Relationships of Birds in the Iliamna Lake Area,Alaska",Biological Papers of the University of Alaska,No.5,1962. Grumman Ecosystems Corporation,"A Resources Inventory and Evaluation of the Recreational Potential of the Wood River- Tikchik Lake Area of Alaska",Anchorage,Alaska,n.d. Petersen,M.R.,"Nesting Ecology of Arctic Loons",Wilson Bulletin,Vol.91,1979. Gabrielson,I.N.,and F.C.Lincoln,"The Birds of Alaska", The Wildlife Management Institute,The Telegraph Press, Harrisburg,Pennsylvania,1959. Alaska Department of Fish and Game,"Alaska's Wildlife and Habitat",Vol.2,1978c. Weir,D.N.,"Bird Notes from the Western Kilbuck Mountains and Nearby Islands,Southwestern Alaska",Unpublished manuscript,Cregdhu Lodge,Newtonmore,Inverness Shire, Scotland,1973. Holmes,R.T.,and C.P.Black,"Ecological Distribution of Birds in the Kolomak River-Askinuk Mountain Region,Yukon- Kuskokwim Delta,Alaska",Condor,Vol.75,1973. Williamson,F.S.L.,"Ecological Distribution of Birds in the Napaskiak Area of the Kuskokwim River Delta,Alaska", Condor,Vol.59,1957. Cade,T.J.,"Ecology of Peregrine and Gyrfalcon Populations in Alaska",University of California Publications in Zoology,Vol.63,1960. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 4l. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. References (cont'd) LeResche,R.E.,and R.A.Hinman,eds.,"Alaska's Wildlife and Habitat",Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game,Anchorage, Alaska,1973. Hinman,R.A.,"Annual Report of Survey-Inventory Activities,Part I,Black Bears and Brown Bears",Alaska Dept.of Fish and Gane,Juneau,Alaska,Vol.XII,1981. Ackerman,R.E.,"The Archeology of the Central Kuskokwim Region",Washington State University,Final Research Report to the National Geographic Society,1982. VanStone,J.W.,"Eskimos of the Nushagak River",University of Washington Press,Seattle,Washington,1967. Ackerman,R.E.,"Southwestern Alaska Archeological Survey Kagati Lake,Kisaralik-Kwethluk Rivers",Washington State University,Final Research Report to the National Geographic Society,1980. Still,P.J.,"Index of Streamflow and Water-Quality Records to September 30,1978,Southwest Alaska",Open-File Report 80-551,U.S.Geological Survey,Anchorage,Alaska,1980. United States Geological Survey,"Quantity and Quality of Surface Waters of Alaska,1960",Water-Supply Paper 1720, United States Geological Survey,1962. United States Geological Survey,"Water Resources Data for Alaska,1970",1971. United States Geological Survey,"Water Resources Data for Alaska,1971",1972. United States Geological Survey,"Water Resources Data for Alaska,Part I,Surface Water Records",1965. Bellrose,F.C.,"Ducks,Geese,and Swans of North America", 2nd Edition,The Wildlife Management Institute,Stackpole Books,Harrisburg,Pennsylvania,1978. Cade,T.J.,"The Falcons of the World",Cornell University Press,Ithaca,New York,1982. Mindell,D.P.,and R.A.Dotson,"Distribution and Abundance of Nesting Raptors in Southwestern Alaska",in W.N.Ladd 49. 50. 51. 52. References (cont'd) and T.S.Schempf,eds.,"Raptor Management and Biology in Alaska and Western Canada",Symposium Proceedings,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Anchorage,Alaska,1982. Kortright,F.H.,"The Ducks,Geese,and Swans of North America",The Wildlife Management Institute and The Stackpole Co.,Harrisburg,Pennsylvania,1967. Terres,J.K.,"The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds",Alfred A.Knopf,Inc.,New York,New York, 1980. Osgood,W.H.,"A Biological Reconnaissance of the base of the Alaska Peninsula",North American Fauna No.24,U.S. Department of Agriculture,Washington,D.C.,1904. Kessel,B.,and D.D.Gibson,"Status and Distribution of Alaska Birds",Studies in Avian Biology No.1,Cooper Ornithological Society,Lawrence,Kansas,1978. Personal Communications King,J.G.1982.Interview,March 19,1982.Flyway biologist,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service,Juneau,AK. Mindell,D.1982.Interviews,1982.U.S.Bureau of Land Management,Anchorage,AK. Petersen,M.R.1982.Interview,September 10,1982.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Anchorage,AK. £of)SD EXHIBIT 1 Station No.Station Name Period of Record 1 Grant Lake 1960 {|2 Nuyakuk River 1954-57,67,70 3 Nushagak River tributary 1970 -ww”ON ON fo 4 Nushagak River 1970 Chemical _f[-|1 Temperature 5 Nushagak River 1956 zebbebiieteeAanpepeeee6WoodRiver1958-60,67,71Biological<t--j ]1-Sediment 4 7 Moody Creek 1971 a eee +ere \8 Silver Salmon Creek 1971 re \]9 Portage Creek 1071 é |Source:(44)-Pd . .wd NY °Chick Ktuty,>? Lake fee g PotyisPceBY'4 &SS Se yO Y\gehauekuktuli*)nee e y ? ee ae nes x 0p"y Harrig "zy 8ypS fr . '|O piv ,iy i 4 Qo N . Nee MG)oA yi ° gf. lz 4 is)20 OC =®=r ad o 17 a g :-fuIvER AK /fTROsNunavougaluk A man i) Lake oF oo" aNnoKotar &* vi Oss ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY Bye ca BETHEL AREA POWER PLAN9°ay FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT y*LOCATION OF WATER QUALITY p STATIONS IN NUSHAGAK BAY X bd e Protectio]-prepared by Arctic Environmental AND DRAINAGES 3 VO Information and Data Center,': 8 4S University of Alaska HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY Conatantine December 1982 EXHIBIT2 (50) I mint o' t 1 WATER QUALITY ANALYSES FOR STREAMS IN THE PROJECT AREA - Oo! oO aan} eredualy saoa"3 ret (sqtun 3Teqop-unut37eTd) bt ommmn o°o lo 4 o AOTOD a ado WOMrtin w win wo foo} aaee mcoo o (up/soquoro Tu) N nary N aa] a co) m BouePONPUdD OTFTOedgS FT CWWNW ©wo on Hw s SSeuprey s}EuCqTeOUCN (iq 'eo se T/oy) GF SAAR AQAaASNa ssoupzeyseg FHBBBR FR FBR SB (FONse T/Sx) o° ”Oo° fa] fon)adfaa] a 33 223TN oCa]°oooOoooOoNo {ase T/5a) Oo OANA aA a nan Oo ON f=) apiongg io oocc cc sos sc (nse T/Ax) o TetTN fo) Nn mW Cs) SpWOTD «w ococ Aal Sdoaadioia (FosThOS tte ' t '!' ! a7eF TNS ll ("oon seT/Aqy) OG tis ' t 'i' ' SPeuCgTeoTgQrse T/hy N Fes ' t !'! t wnTse}Og ° (en_se T/EN) | Ft ! 1 '!' I UWNTPOS qt (se t/ha) SN Fi 1 ' 't' ' untseubew ° (eose T/oy) ST lie 1 ! !t' ! UNTOTED bad(aaset/a)mo rin ! ! I1' ' {24seT/OH) ° uoazAl ° (ors se [/Gnx) 0 tied ( { '1' 1 ROTTTS be Oo cd inOo ca lon! Loa) on ™ a Qo ™ an in wo ns Oo So a a . a oonnm |ad ca a eo Na oO |ad. Coal Ana a ea faa] foxy isa] * Ano aaa M4 oO N . N 8 & wom py 5 a2acahaq @393 PL paho a qo oO. a)2 #3238 228BeB a) a 4By Boy OB853JJ&a 5 r) e2 gg&© él4 fg442A8y82oy "lg E fsa Pub ee yh& s|33 ggh geo FReo z82z22 aa wa & 4250 3250 2250 1250 250 EXHIBIT 3 CFS Source:(4,5) od = -_ \' N '=N\a -_Synthesized information OcT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY BETHEL AREA POWER PLAN FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT ALLEN RIVER MEAN MONTHLY STREAMFLOW AT Prepared by Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center, University of Alaska : USGS GAGE STATION -OCTOBER 1964 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1965 HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY December 1982 wiJE4 XHIBIT 4 Eifva tins aa hye”anToneedea:Water QualityZooplankton Sampling Station ” Gulllsiand \>»PYoewaRainy-a7VUfeeAYDINE ST SNA Se Spa ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY BETHEL AREA POWER PLAN FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT University of Alaska Prepared by Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center, SURFACE WATER TEMPERATURE. -2C)AND WATER QUALITY SAMPLING LOCATIONS CHIKUMINUK LAKE,AUG.1982 HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY December 1982 Wyi LUISA g(ZTBETHEL AREA POWER PLAN FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT ;=are Heer Fegan 7 1 AY ALU ENS ETUAAAAN T/A pikes"NX ;he A ONSeS+7 a y NatsitoUhYA&<-e 4 CNS:19 >WN ' -ess SVAsts AS;pupaer >\7 <Y ea RIG oD S < pp. f haw\750.YteZ2 AY) S 2 8 °S275! a . 2789 S D VeSos 4 IS = xo) (er is) 2427, S 2250; ©) i)/-ke} 14 Sod 1930 5 A : ON,7500 O¢"af ln VV 8303 C415,\© Loe |480 ts)x7 Q 9 SPD o oS qPEW,|g oN CRING* :7 v=DS WEMXRe"a7 \Rese 0)SON haeDseyQ i i a ::ia .::Ny ::f : oT -oo \Water.SamplingaudLg7Station % a Praia ne Dia -Prepared by : { Arctic Environmental |.Information and Data Center,|University of Alaska -WATER QUALITY,AND BENTHOS AUG.1982 SURFACE WATER TEMPERATURE (°C) SAMPLING LOCATIONS,ALLEN RIVER [.HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY December 1982 EXHIBIT 6 Ag Pungokepu Z,Lake &=ke Carter Spit 6 Cape Newenham ceoaoN oo"cae : \Kvichak }4 0 af é ee XY >ka otection Point 7 Cape Te a |Togiak_}Constantine \Nushagak | ' Wrog wv + {Ugashik| ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY BETHEL AREA POWER PLAN FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT Cape Menshiko BRISTOL BAY AREA AND FISHERY 0 io 20 30 40 MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS a reel Prepared by Arctic Environmental Miles -77]{|Information and Data Center,University of Alaska HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY ,.December 1982 AERIAL ESTIMATES OF SPAWNING CHINOOK SALMON MADE DURING RUN PEAK,NUSHAGAK DISTRICT,1964-1975 Date Stream 1964 1965 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 Wood River Streams 70:50 20 20 Igushik River '100 100 40 40 100 70 Snake River .60 150 60 110 130 10 Weary River 1 1 230 60 50 40 Nushagak River 3,600 5,200 2,470 160 1,210 5,270 4,370 Muklung River 1,000 570 350 750 520 590 280 150 1,010 660 Iowithla River 100 200 850 580 700 390 170 860 1,040 Kokwok River 130 90,110 80 60 270 Klutuk River 50 130 160 300 Nuyakuk River 430 70 240 70 -140 750 540 Tikchik River 50 Klutispaw Creek 140 310 ,90 320 280 380 440 670 King Salmon River 700 850 1,000 670 1,060 900 1,470 2,000 2,900 Chichitnok River 400 160 100 __ 100 110 350 710 Total 5,800 6,760 250 6,200 22460 3,680 910 22880 22300 11,240 11,569 1.Aerial coverage not complete Source:(10)-£LIGIHX3 AERIAL ESTIMATES OF SPAWNING SOCKEYE SALMON MADE DURING RUN PEAK, System Nuyakuk River Tikchik LakeCreekA Creek BCreekcl Tikchik River Tikchik River Cow Creek Koneruk Creek Nuyakuk Lake Northshore Beaches Southshore Beaches Portage Arm Mirror Bay Rapids Lake ChauekuktyliCreekNo.1 Allen River Beach Allen River Northshore Beaches Southshore Beaches Lake System Tota Total Population 1. 2. TIKCHIK LAKES SYSTEM,1960-1975 Year 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 160 100 400 2,000 800 600 5,000 800 360 5,650 1,400 620 10,000 2,000 10,000 50 50 10 30 200 12,000 10,000 1,840 50,000 2,750 13,200 1,800 820 1,070 420 320 6,600 4,510 100 970 600 300 7,100 13,320 200 1,100 1,180 900 730 230 650 2,300 19,600 300 50 1,750 1,500 600 750 150 10 30 100 50 100 17,500 10,500 8,400 21,000 20,500 4,500 250 500 390 200 250 320 4,760 800 670 2,900 6,400 4,640 1,100 500 170 240 900 310 45,580 27,380 15,890 92,410 51,480 95,190 45,500 79,788 37,890 166,608 103,224 203,070 ADF&G stream designation Total population estimate based on tower counts Source:(10) 18,400 650 1,870 110 72,360 161,010 20,000 -150 2,220 60 39,110 154,614 61,600 13,100 12,000 29,080 2,810 1,970 11,980 20,000 10 46,000 1,000 3,290 380 216,530 669,918 8LIGIHX3- SALMON SPAWNING CHRONOLOGY, Species Chinook salmon Adults Enter fresh water Actual spawning Juveniles Emergence Outmigration Sockeye salmon Adults Enter fresh water Actual spawning Juveniles Emergence Outmigration Coho salmon Adults Enter fresh water Actual spawning Juveniles Emergence Outmigration Pink salmon Adults Enter fresh water Actual spawning Juveniles Emergence Outmigration Chum salmon Adults Enter fresh water Actual spawning Juveniles Emergence Outmigration 1.Estimated Source:(10) EXHIBIT9. BRISTOL BAY AREA Date May 20 to mid-July July 25 to August 10 Apri}to June?June Mid-June to mid-August Late July to late September Mid-March to mid-May Late May to mid-July Mid-July to mid-September Late August to September April to June?June Mid-July to mid-August Mid-to late August April to May*Early June Mid-June thru mid-August July 25 to August 15 April to M yt Early June Species Sockeye Salmon Fry Threespine Stickleback Ninespine Stickleback - Slimy Sculpin Arctic Char (age 0) Arctic Char (adults) Lake Trout Round Whitefish Humpback Whitefish Pygmy Whitefish Least Cisco Arctic Grayling Rainbow Trout Northern Pike Burbot Arctic Lamprey Total Number of Fish Source:(4) PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF FISH,TIKCHIK LAKES,1964 Beach Seine Lake Trout Stomachs Tikchik Nuyakuk ChavekuktuliGillNet Tikchik Nuyakuk Chauekuktuli 2.2 8.1 5.9 40.3 42.9 53.4 0.7 19.2 33.9 52.2 28.3 6.8 2.2 0.5 0.5 2.2 0.5 134.0 198.0 118.0 Tikchik Nuyakuk Chauekuktuli 40.0 54.4 87.8 54.1 27.2 6.3 2.4 5.9 0.5 0.5 10.3 3.6 0.7 1.6 1.3 0.2 0.2 + ++ 0.1 8,706.0 4,013.0 10,540.0 6.0 51.5 22.3 8.7 103.0 1.7 15.5 3.4 67.2 1.7 59.7 34.7 72.0 OLLISIHX4: ELEVATION Sau Rock tsland Zancee -Lake trout -Arctic grayling 42-Dolly Varden/Arctic char |---='|: ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY BETHEL AREA POWER PLAN FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT Prepared by Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center, University of Alaska MINNOW TRAP LOCATIONS ; AND ADULT FISH OBSERVATIONS CHIKUMINUK LAKE,AUG.1982 HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY December 1982 LYNWIMENONSe Ce aa om F . :uve SELLE EXHIBIT.12RED©-Minnow trap siteswsSSS-s Species Observed>ae -Sockeye salmon \\maye BY -Pink salmon S KS -Chinook salmonCAAG-Arctic graylingCASSDV-Dolly Varden/Arctic char LT -Lake trout q Spee 4;"_"ss.v-:ysZ2tae:*anNy.Ks,Qe.:aeSOliOoaxeM/ANipsZSSS\Pseeerg<>.!AeoVSS)ae.a6fy4o'oyfdVEGe>=FqSYGamejosa)|lsSGLY"lfZ&peeif7Giir"ANSE8ZFZon4RaeVpSeAHiOXjMAYSw)a- Dipnetting _Site BETHEL AREA POWER PLAN FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT i)LY}be)DSwy)MINNOW TRAP, -DIPNETTING LOCATIONS,ANDYi,LSppK<CZ,SSPrepared by Arctic Environmental _Information and Data Center, University of Alaska0,ESAmsRAK\SEEaSRIES355ff.Nia.ADULT FISH OBSERVATIONS ALLEN RIVER,AUG.1982 HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY December 1982 SPECIES WHICH PROBABLY INHABIT OR MIGRATE THROUGH THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE STUDY AREA Common Loon Arctic Loon Red-throated Loon Yellow-billed Loon Whistling Swan Mallard Gadwall Green-winged Teal American Widgeon Shoveler Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup ; Common Goldeneye Barrows Goldeneye Buffelhead Harlequin Duck White-winged Scoter Surf Scoter Common Scoter Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Goshawk Sharp-shinned HawkMarshHawk Rough-legged Hawk Golden Eagle Bald Eagle Osprey Peregrine Falcon Merlin Sparrow Hawk Spruce Grouse Willow Ptarmigan Rock Ptarmigan Semipalmated Plover Golden Plover Species Gavia immer G.arcticaG.stellataG.adamsiliOlorcolumbianus Anas platyrhynchos A.streperaA.carolinensisA.americanaA.clypeata Aythya marilaA.affinis Bucephala clangula B.islandicaB.albeola Histrionicus histrionicus Melani tts deglandiperspicillataRi.nigrafiergueTmmerganser M,serratorAccipitergentilis A.striatusCircuscyaneus Buteo legopusAquilachysaetosHaliaeetusleucocephalus Pandion haliaetus Falco paragrinus 'colunbariusSparveriusCaneenitescanadensis Lagopus lagopus L.mutus Charadrius semipalmatus Pluvialis dominica un My 0) Bo=o 4 N Vee()aois)'aAis]40 a HOSie)nun S 3 3 oD Q oceGHa R XX U XX R XX Ca XX U xX U XX R XX R xX R x R x Ca XX .Ca XX FC x R x R x FC FC R R xX Ca* FC xX uc R U U U U U R* U R U Cc R FC XX R FluviatileWatersandShorelinesmMOSOXaadmSSOSXX Breeding Habitats! v o =a4 .(e vO uw Le}O-ed KO w rs)avaGedvttOH oo x P32 al Qed GQ 2 fy Q Q BS 5 Ka 3 3 W Ox °u uu ac0ue)Fe}<30)-0 «7)2)iedi)aeAQ=re)wu nswMi4AAOrs)o ©30aco=3 omUs=z a a As XX x x x XX x XX x XX XX XX XX xX XX xX XX XX x xX x XX XX XX TallShrubThicketConiferousForestDeciduousForestMixedDeciduous-ConiferousForestpJO|o6egVLLIGIHX3 EXHIBIT 13 Le] a c a) & c 3g =ae:= r=Sa38=a7ER5aua a5c¢F238©25853ot0Satannas <p TIT Study area boundary Miles NYa iw aVoSo a STRenateeea "ROA - .Fei WwW«CHIKUMINUK LAKE CHAUVEKUKTULI z cg be>»tzwuWw>rio Ww re < cle -<& (o] ” Fa x|Ww uu iw] Ke” we O!la 5/2w fe) o|2 <1|Ow<-i= s|csi}= wl2 a,/a&= qs o|3 «|< Fe= z--rrr]a F\/a5| ws </|WH OD <"|Gw)7z |¢ mo S) Information and Data Center, Prepared by Arctic Environmental University of Alaska mea malik iSLa pen Rycages ane SPECIES WHICH.PROBABLY INHABIT OR MIGRATE THROUGH THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE STUDY AREA (cont.) Hairy Woodpecker Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker Northern Three-toed Woodpecker Say's Phoebe Alder Flycatcher Western Flycatcher Traill's Flycatcher Olive-sided flycatcher Horned Lark Barn Swallow Cliff Swallow Bank Swallow Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow Grey Jay Black-billed Magpie Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee Boreal Chickadee Winter wren Dipper Robin Varied Thrush Hermit Thrush Swainsons'Thrush Grey cheeked Thrush Arctic Warbler Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Water Pipit Yellow Wagtail Bohemian Waxwing Northern Shrike Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow Warbler Species P,villiosus P.arcticus P.tridactylus Sayornis sayaEmpidonaxalnorum E.difficilisE.trailliiNuttallornis borealis Eremophila alpestris Hirundo rustica Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Riparia riparia Iridoprocne bicolor Tachycineta thalassina Perisoreus canadensis Pica pica Corvus corax Parus atricapillus P.hudsonicusTroglodytestroglodytes Cinclus mexicanus Turdus migratorius Ixoreas naevius Catharus guttatus Cc.ustulatusCc.minimusPhylloscopus borealis Regulus satrapa R.calendulaAnthusspinolettus Motacilla flava Bombycilla garrulus Lanius excubitor Vermivora celata Dendroica petechia RelR-RoR-E=t-iRololeh-fekelFEhR-felEhiatthRokEEErn nuMuyt)i) yn;YU ov)ovSapsa A "ed N On|Oa o gonaoOAMedis}HO]PO ©PS]OGue]AN]AWS|=]> 3 OD!3U Q ge eipasdFGAoma R x Cc xX XX aCutbanks,andBlockFieldsCliffs,XX XX XX .1BreedingHabitats WetMeadowDwarfShrubMeadowDwarfShrubMatXX XX LowShrubThicketMediumShrubThicketXX TallShrubThicketXX XX XX XX ConiferousForest*xsxxX DeciduousForest7x sOMixedDeciduous ConiferousForestbdSy30ZofegPLLIDIHX] SPECIES WHICH PROBABLY INHABIT OR MIGRATE THROUGH THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE STUDY AREA (cont.) Black-bellied Plover Whimbrel Western Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Dunlin: Spotted Sandpiper Wandering Tattler Surfbird Black Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Greater Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Long-billed Dowitcher Common Snipe Least Sandpiper Bar-tailed Godwit Hudsonian Godwit Northern Phalarope Parasitic Jaeger Glaucus Gull Glaucus-winged Gull Herring Gull Mew Gull Sabine's Gull Bonapart's Gull Arctic Tern Snowy Owl Great Horned Owl Great Gray Owl Hawk Owl Short-eared Owl Boreal Owl Belted Kingfisher Common Flicker Downy Woodpecker Species BP.squatarolaNumeniusphaeopus Calidris mauri C.pusillaCc.alpina Actitis maculara Heteroscelus incanum Aphriza virgata Arenaria melanocephala A.interpresTringamelanoleuca T,solitaria T.flavipesLimnodromus scolopaceus Capella gallinago Calidris minutilla Limosa lapponica L.haemasticaLobipeslobatus Stercorarius parasiticus Larus hyperboreus L.,glaucescens L.argentatus L.canusXemasabini Larus philadelphia Sterna paradisaea Nyctea scandiaca Bubo virginianus Strix nebulosa Surnia ulula Asio flammeus Aegolius funereus Megaceryle alcyon Colaptes auratus Picoides pubescens 2Abundance*#QQaQaaQABDAOMNICACACACADBDDADNANCADADANACAADAAGAWHAADAWADAWAALacustrineWatersandShorelinesXX XX XX FluviatileWatersandShorelinesXX XX Cutbanks,andBlockFieldsCliffs,XX Breeding Habitats! pa) 3 23°youe)O-ncc)v wc Y 6 OB =="A GQ Q Q i) 3 FS}3 4 °iv ou Ocbe)&cat 3u ]n 2)uuia}aE=rw)wy nsuMie)" orS|Al al as XX XX x XX xX XX xX XX Xx xX x XX x xX XX xX XX XX XX x x x XX xX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX xX XX XX XX XX XX TallShrubThicketConiferousForestXX DeciduousForestSsMMMixedDeciduous-ConiferousForestvy39©abegVLLIGIHX3 SPECIES WHICH PROBABLY INHABIT OR MIGRATE THROUGH THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE STUDY AREA (cont.) ¢ Breeding Habitats?TallShrubThicketConiferousForestConiferousForestDeciduousForestMixedDeciduous-Be) oOKdavda)a .e)es)uM 4 OG)us}O-da)o oO is)rs)wepalpogao%Oe 6 o|6 Oo @ oO =='ddBalesQero QAlodPvhyQQESi.)Od}On FP)kK =]u ®on)OM )ui uy QsodMedof69GSGau54O]»Oo Pie)io 2)7)4is}PC)Go aa a SELe}YU)AW YW =HY aH nao G 2 Pp 4H Mi 4 A 3 oD!SU AD r)©w BU .8 sslag ag v 2 2 oYSpeciesHol&a On =a a = Townsend's Warbler D.townsendi R Myrtle Warbler D.coronata c Blackpoll Warbler D.striata Cc Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis Cc XX Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas R XX Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla c XX XX Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus U XX Pine Grosebeak Pinicola enucleator Ca Grey-crowned Rosy Finch Leucosticte tephrocotis R Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea c XX Hoary Redpoll C.hornemanni R XX Pine Siskin .Cc.pinus R White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera R Slate-colored Junco Junco hyemalis U Savana Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Cc XX x Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea c XX XX White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichea leucophrys Cc XX XX Golden-crowned Sparrow Z.atricapilla c XX Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca U xX XX Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolinii FC X XX Song Sparrow M.melodia R X Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus Cc Cc =Common FC =Fairly Common U =Uncommon R =Rare Ca =Casual *=Occurs only as migrant XX =Primary breeding habitat X =Secondary breeding habitat (1)=Habitat types follow Kessell (55) (2)=Abundance categories follow Kessel and Gibson (14) Sources:(24,25,27,46,47,48,49,50,51,52) XX XX "xmSHadEdXX "ox>badvy40pabbeyVLLISIHXS] LOCATION OF BIRDS OBSERVED BY AEIDC DURING THE SUMMER OF 1982 IN THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE STUDY AREA Lakes Riparian and Lake Allen Dam Willow Alder Species Ponds Shores River Site Tundra Thickets Thickets Forest Common Loon Gavia immer X Arctic Loon Gavia arctica X Whistling Swan Olar columbianus X Mallard Anus platyrhynchos X Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus X X Scater Melanitta sp.xX Red-Breasted Merganser Magus serrator X Rough-Legged Hawk Buteo lagopus X Golden Eagle Aquila ckrysaetos X Bald Eagle Haliseetry leucocephalus X Marsh Hawk Circus cyaneus Xx Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus Xx Xx Yellowlegs Tringa sp.X Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala X X Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago X xX Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos X X Glaucus-Winged Gull Larus glaucescens X Z40|obey'GLLIGIHX3 LOCATION OF BIRDS OBSERVED BY AEIDC DURING THE SUMMER OF 1982 IN THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE STUDY AREA (cont.) Lakes Riparian and Lake Allen Dam Willow Alder Species Ponds Shores River Site Tundra Thickets Thickets Forest Herring Gull Larus argentatus xX Sabines Gull Xema sabini Xx Olive-sided Flycatcher Nuttallornis borealis X Common Raven Corvus corax Xx Water Pipit Anthus spinaletta X X Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia X X X X Rusty Blackbird Euphagus cardinus X X Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis X X Golden-Crowned Sparron Zonotrichia atricapilla X xX Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia X X X Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus X Z39ZobegSLLISIHXA NSvOey)we REA}ORS:S ,ray }Nee inuk Lake So LA A chik <7)|raptors.¥ |South-facing precipitous slopes are common in the study area,providing ample habitat for cliff-nesting BETHEL AREA POWER PLAN FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT ¢--nsr |4 ; a i&BO a BRA q 'Prepared by Arctic Environmental _Information and Data Center,' \University of Alaska PROBABLE BREEDING AREAS OF CLIFF--NESTING RAPTORS IN THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE BASIN HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY December 1982 /Ze 'EXHIBIT 17 oh)Ss,|A.Ackerman survey sites @ AHRS site|rrike,sprSSte+ity [S008 BETHEL AREA POWER PLAN |FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT -ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE CHIKUMINUK LAKE STUDY AREAq'Prepared by Arctic Environmental'Information and Data Center, :University of Alaska ; HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY December 1982