CRWP Works to Improve Little Tonsina Salmon Habitat
The following article first appeared in the October 22 issue of the Copper River Record. We are reprinting it here in anticipation of Kate Morse’s January 15 WISE lecture on the Copper River Watershed Project (CRWP)’s work. The original article also discussed a fundraiser which took place in October 2020. That has been omitted from this version.
Temporary culverts on the Little Tonsina. CRWP plans to replace these with a bridge, which will greatly improve fish passage. Photo Courtesy of CRWP
The Copper River Watershed Project (CRWP) has its eye on the Little Tonsina River, specifically on a culvert on Burma Pit Road, near 79 mile on the Richardson Highway. This culvert won the dubious distinction of being the one of the worst culverts, impeding some of the best habitat, in the entire watershed. I spoke with Kate Morse, CRWP Program Director, to learn more about the project and how it will help fish habitat.
In 2006, after a flood damaged the original infrastructure, two 11 foot pipes were installed as a temporary fix to the road. In the intervening years, these pipes were never replaced although they were too small in diameter to provide a lasting solution. Poor culverts can threaten salmon habitat in various ways. They can impede fish passage to the area upstream of the culvert directly if they become obstructed with debris. Even a partially obstructed culvert can be impassable at lower water levels. At high water levels, small culverts can create artificially fast sections of river (Imagine blocking part of the end of a hose with your finger). This can also make the area impassable for salmon, especially juveniles. This phenomenon can also wash out sediment and move large rocks, altering the habitat downstream from the culvert.
The CRWP is working with state and federal partners to replace the dilapidated temporary pipes with a bridge. This will allow unimpeded passage upstream to 45 miles of high quality habitat with no human development. This habitat appears to be an ideal place for juvenile silver and king salmon to grow and feed before they head out to sea. There are already populations of these fish in the area. With the habitat improvement, these populations are expected to grow. This, in turn, could increase the number of king and silver salmon returning to the Copper River in future years.
Replacing the original culverts is in the purview of the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT). However, the approximately $3 million project has not made it to the top of the DOT list due to revenue limitations and the low volume of vehicle traffic on Burma Pit Road. The CRWP is working with the DOT to provide a solution by seeking funding partnerships. Thus far, NOAA Restoration Center’s Community-Based Restoration Program has pledged approximately $1 million towards the habitat improvement. The state DOT can provide an additional $1 million. CRWP staff are seeking the balance from other entities with a mission to protect and enhance salmon habitat. DOT staff and equipment will do the actual work of installing the bridge. The bridge design is being funded by part of the NOAA grant. CRWP hopes the work can begin in 2021, although there is a possibility it may not begin until 2022.
Article by Allison Sayer
For more information about Kate Morse’s January 15 WISE talk, visit http://www.wise-edu.org/.