Our Projects – Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership

KPFHP funded projects:

2023

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordination and Operational Support (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The Kenai Watershed Forum (KWF) will provide coordination services for the Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership (KPFHP) and its associated steering committee. The duties include but are not limited to facilitation of regular steering committee meetings; coordination of one biennial science symposium; regular updates and maintenance of the KPFHP website and related content; and conducting an annual call for proposals to address components of the KPFHP Strategic Plan and Conservation Action Plan.

Stream Watch: Deepening Impact of Volunteer Fish Habitat Stewardship (Kenai Watershed Forum)
80+ volunteers will steward fish habitat by managing 3 miles of riparian habitat protection fencing, removing 3,500 pounds of fish endangering debris, completing erosion control projects, and educating 4,000 people about healthy fish habitat. A new Invasive Species volunteer program will recruit 15 volunteers, conduct 8 invasive species removal workdays, and assist in surveying for invasive species around the Peninsula. Funding will also contribute to the new Stream Watch Junior Ambassadors program.

Quartz Creek Watershed Instream Flow Reservations and AWC Nominations (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
This project will provide legal protection, by means of instream flow reservations, for up to 13 river reaches and one lake. Over 5 years of hydrological time series data characterizing the Quartz Creek watershed will be made available. This project will add additional streams to the project’s original scope, including Devils Creek and Bean Creek. Opportunistic sampling for fish species will also occur on Devils Creek and other streams in the area to add to the Anadromous Waters Catalog (AWC).

Freshwater Invasive Species Mitigation and Control on the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai Watershed Forum)
This project will continue to ensure that the Kenai Peninsula remains free of Elodea, Northern pike, dreissenid mussels, and other destructive freshwater invasive species through early detection methods including vegetation surveys and eDNA sampling. This project will also seek to implement key components of the updated KP-CISMA Reed Canarygrass Strategic Management Plan including contain, control, and eradication operations as well as targeted education and outreach within selected watersheds.

Creating Kenai Watershed Stewards Through Adopt-A-Stream Program (Kenai Watershed Forum)
A long-standing and nationally recognized environmental educational program of the Kenai Watershed Forum (KWF), Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) has been successfully delivering natural resource education to a broad audience of children and adults since 2006. In conjunction with the education goals outlined in the KPFHP strategic action plan (p.37), AAS emphasizes fish habitat as a priority through high-level conservation education and delivery of water quality curricula to K-12 students year round.

Designing of nature-based stormwater management solutions for urban areas along the Kenai River (St. Mary’s University of Minnesota)
This project will develop a process for selecting locations suitable for nature-based stormwater management in urban areas near the Kenai River. It will highlight green infrastructure design elements and quantify the expected outcomes of stormwater interception for sediment, road salt, heavy metals and petroleum products. Educational signage, school curriculum and community engagement tools will be developed in order to inform local stakeholders and promote techniques that can be employed. (Final Report)

2022

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordination and Operational Support (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The Kenai Watershed Forum (KWF) will provide coordination services for the Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership (KPFHP) and its associated steering committee. The duties include, but are not limited to: facilitation regular steering committee meetings; coordination of one biennial science symposium; regular updates and maintenance of the KPFHP website and related content; and conducting an annual call for proposals to address components of the KPFHP Strategic Plan and Conservation Action Plan. (Progress Report)

Elodea Surveys in Kenai Peninsula Lands of Western Cook Inlet (Tyonek Tribal Conservation District)
This project seeks to prioritize and survey waterbodies on the Kenai Peninsula lands of Western Cook Inlet (WCI) for the presence of the aquatic invasive plant Elodea canadensis (hereafter, Elodea) over 24 months. Major tasks include creating a prioritized list of waterbodies to survey in WCI, and collaborating with partners to survey the floatplane-accessible Big River Lakes waterbodies and four additional waterbodies in WCI for Elodea. (Final Report)

Stream Watch: Volunteer-Driven Fish habitat Stewardship on Kenai Peninsula (Kenai Watershed Forum)
70+ volunteers will steward fish habitat through education and restoration projects. Volunteers will manage 2+ miles of riparian habitat protection fencing, remove 3,500+ pounds of fish endangering debris, complete erosion control projects, and educate 3,000+ people in order to sustain healthy fish habitat. A new Invasive Species volunteer program will recruit 15 volunteers, conduct 5 invasive species removal workdays, and assist in surveying for invasive species around the Peninsula. (2022 Season Summary) (Progress Report) (Stream Watch website)

Maintaining Capacity for Aquatic Early Detection and Rapid Response within the KPFHP (Kenai Watershed Forum)
This project will allow for the continued coordination of KP-CISMA and KPFHP partners as it relates to aquatic invasive species (AIS) management. This will ensure continued management of prioritizations, permitting, and planning to initiate education, early detection, and rapid response efforts within the KPFHP. KWF will collaborate with KP-CISMA and KPFHP partners to conduct AIS surveys (including but not limited to Elodea, Northern pike, and freshwater mussels) and augment AIS outreach. (Report)

2021

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordination and Operational Support (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The coordinator for the Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership provides operational support to the Steering Committee; provides oversight and coordination for monthly meetings, an annual membership meeting and a biennial science symposium; provides representation at local and national events and working groups; provides engagement with the membership; coordinates site visits; and provides oversight to complete Partnership evaluation materials. All of these actions produce desired outcomes of the FHP’s Strategic Plan. (Report)

Stream Watch: Volunteer-Based Watershed Education and Stewardship on the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Stream Watch provides education and stewardship at the following popular recreational sites on the Kenai Peninsula: Anchor River State Recreation Area, Bing’s Landing, Centennial Park, Deep Creek State Recreation Area, Kasilof River Special Use Area, Moose Range Meadows, Ninilchik River State Recreation Area, North Kenai Beach, Russian River Angler Trail, Russian River Falls, Russian River Ferry.
Stream Watch coordinates 100+ volunteers to promote fish habitat protection through peer-to-peer education and completes river restoration and stewardship projects. Volunteers install 2+ miles of riparian plant protection fencing, remove 3,000+ pounds of litter from riparian areas, complete erosion control projects, and educate 3,000+ people in order to sustain healthy watersheds and riparian habitat. (Season Summary) (Report)

Ninilchik Watershed Stewardship Through Different Ways of Knowing (Kachemak Bay Nation Estuarine Research Reserve)
Ninilchik watershed stewardship will be achieved through collaborative sharing and actions including traditional and scientific knowledge of landscape support for fish habitat, conservation actions, creative community engagement, and visioning future stewardship. These outcomes advance KPFHP goals through a vibrant and diverse partnership of Ninilchik Traditional Council, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, Kachemak Bay Research Reserve and artists focused on stewardship and community well-being. (Report)

Adopt-A-Stream: A K-12 Watershed Education Program (Kenai Watershed Forum)
A long-standing and nationally recognized environmental educational program of the Kenai Watershed Forum (KWF), Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) has been successfully delivering natural resource education to a broad audience of children and adults since 2006. In conjunction with the education goals outlined in the KPFHP strategic action plan, AAS emphasizes fish habitat as a priority through high-level conservation education and delivery of water quality curricula to K-12 students year round. (Report)

Instream Flow Reservations on the Kenai Peninsula (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
This project will provide legal protection, by means of instream flow reservations, for portions of Anchor River, North Fork Anchor River, Chakok River, Two Moose Creek, Stariski Creek, Quartz Creek, Daves Creek, and Tern Lake. In total, 12 applications for reservations of water will be filed; in total, these reservations will protect over 70 miles of habitat for anadromous salmon and other fish species. (Report)

Urban Change in HUC 190203021806 for use in Watershed Analysis (Saint Mary’s University)
This project will conduct the delineation of urban (impervious surface) change in the Kenai River sub watershed (190203021806) on the Kenai Peninsula for the years of 1984 and 2016. The datasets created from this change detection could be used in future watershed analysis; particularly related to urban run-off and nonpoint source pollutants. (Report)

2020

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordination and Operational Support (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The coordinator for the Kenai Peninsula FHP provides operational support to the Steering Committee; provides oversight and coordination for monthly meetings, annual membership meeting and a biennial science symposium; provides representation at local and national events and working groups; provides engagement with the membership; coordinates site visits; and provides oversight to complete Partnership evaluation materials. All of these actions produce desired outcomes of the FHP’s Strategic Plan.

Fish Passage Improvement on Old Tyonek Creek Tributary near Robert’s Fish Camp in Tyonek, AK (Tyonek Tribe Conservation District)
TTCD removed an undersized and significantly perched culvert in the Old Tyonek Creek watershed on an unnamed tributary to Old Tyonek Creek and replaced it with an appropriately sized, fish friendly culvert, restoring unimpeded access to 1.2 miles of stream and 19 acres of lake spawning and rearing habitat for Chinook and Coho salmon. TTCD restored pristine habitat, encouraging healthy fish populations and aquatic systems for future generations addressing Target #5 in the KPFHP Freshwater Plan. In addition, the project resulted in a collaborative effort engaging Tyonek resident and diverse partners including USFS, Native Village of Tyonek, the Tyonek Native Corporation, NRCS, and ADFG.

Stream Watch Volunteers Making a Difference for Kenai Peninsula River Resiliency (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Founded in 1994, the Stream Watch program began in response to a small group of enthusiastic river users looking to share river protection information on the Russian and Kenai Rivers. Annually, trained volunteers remove riverside litter, install plant protection fencing, complete restoration projects, in addition to sharing critical information on river stewardship, agency regulations and bear safety during the summer season (June-September). The Stream Watch 2020 season resulted in over 2+ miles of habitat fencing at various areas on the Kenai Peninsula, including Moose Range Meadows. In addition, Stream Watch was responsible for the removal of 4,590 lbs of riverside litter and 99 lbs of fishing line throughout the 2020 season.

Elodea Eradication from the Kenai Peninsula and continued Elodea surveying throughout the KP and Western Cook Inlet (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Assisted USFWS with eradication efforts of Elodea from Sandpiper Lake. Completed presence/absence surveys in 10+ high priority lakes as part of Early Detection and Rapid Response Techniques. Engaged with seaplane operators and float plane guide services informing them of the dangers and status of Elodea throughout the Cook Inlet Region. Worked with the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership (AKISP) Elodea sub-committee to create an easy access, online platform that will inform the public about the status of Elodea surveying and monitoring.

Adopt-A-Stream Program Educator (Kenai Watershed Forum)
In conjunction to the education goals outlined in KPFHP strategic action plan, the Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) outreach program emphasizes fish habitat as a priority while making connections between children and their natural world. The AAS Program Educator teaches the joy of stewardship and discovery through exposure and awareness of water quality and fisheries management. In a transforming climate, AAS works to educate youth about relevant environmental topics and students gain knowledge that works to benefit the future economy, community, and environment.

Assessment of nearshore fish communities in vegetated and beach habitats in Kachemak Bay (Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve)
The marine nearshore provides critical habitat for fish communities, including species that occupy this habitat for rearing, migrating and forage purposes. The Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership (KPFHP) identified the value of nearshore habitats and the threats that are posed to them in their 2014 Strategic Marine Conservation Action Plan; however, basic community information is lacking for low gradient, beach sediment habitats (KPFHP, 2014). This information is necessary for decision-making regarding potential shoreline developments, oil spill response procedures, or other activities. The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (KBNERR) conducted studies to better understand fish communities within beach habitats of the Kenai Lowlands area of eastern Cook Inlet, and to develop opportunities for future engagement with stakeholders of the area to build stewardship of fish habitat. Over the course of this project, the KBNERR established three representative beach habitat sites in the Kenai Lowlands area for these purposes. We report fish community assemblage and local water quality. During the project, we were also able to support a National
Ocean and Atmospheric Administration Hollings Scholar (R. Veldman, co-author) who conducted an analysis of sediment grain sizes and forage fish egg abundances. (Report)

2019

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordination and Operational Support (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The coordinator for the Kenai Peninsula FHP provides operational support to the Steering Committee; provides oversight and coordination for monthly meetings, annual membership meeting and a biennial science symposium; provides representation at local and national events and working groups; provides engagement with the membership; coordinates site visits; and provides oversight to complete Partnership evaluation materials. All of these actions produce desired outcomes of the FHP’s Strategic Plan.

Crooked Creek: Monitoring Movement of Juvenile Coho Salmon During Remediation of Incompatible Road Development (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Four PIT tag arrays were installed in previously determined locations upstream and downstream of the fish passage barrier on Crooked Creek. The installation occurred in 2018, after which KWF began PIT tagging in fall 2018. USFWS provided PIT tagging instruction and, in total, about 1400 tags were deployed during this tagging session and tagging continued throughout 2019 so as to ensure that about 1400 tags were in the system at all times. Consideration of tag loss through mortality and smolt outmigration was incorporated into this planning. Data collected during this project has provided context to fish passage by monitoring fish movement and response prior to, during, and after one of the largest culvert replacements the State of Alaska has ever completed. (Report)

Kenai Peninsula Aquatic Invasive Species & Bradley Lake Treatment (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Elodea, an aquatic invasive plant species, alters salmon rearing habitat and threatens the natural life cycle of all salmonids on the Kenai Peninsula. KPFHP, KWF, and a large array of partners are trying to eradicate and contain Elodea on the peninsula to reduce its impacts on salmonids. (Report)

Wetland Loss by Type and Watershed and Urban Change Assessment (Kenai Watershed Forum)
This project built upon previously funded KPFHP project work, as well as efforts that were funded via the MatSu Salmon Partnership. Historic and modern imagery were compared and wetland losses due to human fill activity have been delineated into ArcGIS polygons for all watersheds. Loss polygons will then be summarized by wetland type and by watershed and verified with field visits. Preliminary measurements suggest that wetland losses are generally less than 5% for all watersheds. Some types in some HUC watersheds will certainly exceed the overall estimate for percentage loss, i.e. greater than 5% of some wetland types in some HUCs are likely filled by human activity. This project addresses critical data gaps throughout the most developed regions of the KPFHP. (Report)

Adopt-A-Stream Assistant Environmental Educator (Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association)
The Adopt-A-Stream program educates children in local schools on stewardship of the natural resources in their own backyards. It aims to connect kids with the landscape around them and instill a conservation ethic from a young age in the next generation.

2018

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordination and Operational Support (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The coordinator for the Kenai Peninsula FHP provides operational support to the Steering Committee; provides oversight and coordination for monthly meetings, annual membership meeting and a biennial science symposium; provides representation at local and national events and working groups; provides engagement with the membership; coordinates site visits; and provides oversight to complete Partnership evaluation materials. All of these actions produce desired outcomes of the FHP’s Strategic Plan. (Report)

Stream Watch Volunteers Making a Difference for Kenai Peninsula River Resiliency (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Since 1994, the Stream Watch program has strived to conserve and restore riparian areas to maintain water temperatures, turbidity levels and fish habitat conditions by training and coordinating 100+ volunteers to promote salmon habitat protection through peer-to-peer education and hands-on conservation projects on the Kenai Peninsula. Volunteers protected riparian areas through the installation and maintenance of 2+ miles of seasonal riparian fencing, removed 1,500+ pounds of litter, completed erosion control projects as needed and educated more than 4,000 river users about riparian health. (Report)

A Comprehensive Media Campaign to Promote Fish Habitat Protections on the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The media campaign increased awareness of and bolstered support for fish habitat and relevant protection practices, primarily the Kenai Peninsula Borough Habitat Protection Ordinance, on the Kenai Peninsula. KWF made use of video, written articles, presentations, and permanent informational displays to accomplish this objective. As a result, salmon and other native fish species benefited from the prevention of incompatible road development and irresponsible residential development in riparian areas. KWF facilitated discussions and conducted surveys with various audiences to gauge changes in understanding. In addition, the campaign’s reach was quantified through views of online media hosted by a variety of regional environmental agencies and organizations. Finally, interested parties were encouraged to participate in outreach and restoration efforts as part of KWF’s Stream Watch program. (Videos: Salmon Stream Restoration in Alaska, Sustaining Salmon, Protecting Salmon for the Common Good, Collaboration is Key to Conserving Alaskan Salmon)

Characterizing Biological Communities of Nearshore Habitats Associated with River Mouths (Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve)
This project resulted in new tools, including a GIS integrating river estuary and nearshore data sets, with added benthic and pelagic communities, and indices of biologic diversity associated with estuary-river habitat types. Previously, there was a large data gap around biota in these areas, and this information is needed in order to make decisions regarding shoreline development, oil spill response, beach alteration, aquaculture permitting, and other uses in the nearshore marine environment. (Report)

Bringing state of the art management tools to Alaska: mapping thermal networks using monitoring data (University of Alaska, Anchorage)
Recent advances in stream temperature monitoring within the state of Alaska now allow for the development of thermal stream networks which are a standard for managing fisheries in the western US. This project will link stream temperature monitoring efforts previously funded by the partnership with the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and Anadromous Waters Catalog (AWC) to create thermal maps of stream temperatures in the Anchor and Kenai River watersheds. Our final product will be a state of the art management tool for resource managers and decision makers. (Report) (Appendix B: Model tables and figures) (Appendix C: Fish Thermal Regimes)

Invasive Species Mapping and Inventory (Seldovia Village Tribe)
This project produced a completed inventory and survey of reed canary grass (RCG) populations and other invasive species in the general Seldovia/Jakolof area, including a GIS map of local invasive plant populations. RCG populations were treated/removed, and other invasive species were treated/removed where feasible. A public education program about identifying and preventing the spread of invasive species, with a focus on reed canary grass and its potential impact on salmon, was also conducted. (Report)

2017

Updating the NHD on the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai Watershed Forum)
This project built upon previously funded partnership efforts to update the NHD of the Kenai Peninsula. More specifically, this effort resulted in updated and validated data for USGS HUC8 19020202, which includes Kenai Fjords National Park. The update captured missing features and reconciled existing features with current imagery and elevation datasets. This work has proven critical to fulfilling the national, regional and local need for updated surface hydrography in the NHD for use in a wide-range of assessment, conservation and management planning related to both freshwater and marine environments. These data are particularly relevant for assessments and estimates of Pacific salmon aquatic habitats and for quantifying aquatic connectivity conservation actions for Pacific salmon. (Report)

Assessment and Early Detection of Reed Canary Grass and Elodea (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Elodea and Reed Canary Grass are two species of injurious invasive species that have negative affects on salmon habitat on the Kenai Peninsula. Building on prior work, and continuing to address early detection, rapid response of high-priority invasive aquatic species, this project surveyed 28 high-risk watersheds for the
presence of Elodea and/or Reed Canarygrass. This project also assisted federal and state partners in the treatment of infested waterbodies when quantified through surveying. There was also a strong outreach component to this project, reaching hundreds of local students and landowners living on infested waterbodies. (Report)

Indian Creek Watershed Fish Passage Restoration (Tyonek Tribal Conservation District)
This project removed undersized culverts at three sites in the Indian Creek Watershed and replaced them with culverts designed for fish passage, restoring aquatic connectivity and unimpeded fish access to 9.5 miles of pristine stream habitat and 147 acres of pristine lake spawning and rearing habitat for coho and pink salmon. The Tyonek Tribal Conservation District (TTCD) coordinated the project, including the removal of the old fish passage barrier, installation of stream simulation culverts, pre- and post-project monitoring and evaluations, partner collaboration and educational and outreach activities to the local community.

2016

Stream Temperature Monitoring Network 10-year Assessment (Cook Inletkeeper)
This project will result in a 10-year assessment of temperature trends in ten salmon streams on the Kenai Peninsula, which the Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership’s Freshwater Conservation Action Plan has identified as conservation targets vulnerable to a warmer climate. In addition, we propose to develop a low-cost, digital camera-based stream stage monitoring system, which will involve collecting image-based stage heights by focusing a camera on an in-stream staff plate and generating a time series of water levels. Data will be delivered in a variety of ways, including using citizen observers and real-time, web-based connectivity, to meet different users’ specific needs. We will develop a strategic plan to facilitate water level data collection on Kenai Peninsula streams. (Report) (Data)

Stream Stage Monitoring to Track Changes in Available Fish Habitat (Cook Inletkeeper)
We propose to develop a low-cost, digital camera-based stream stage monitoring system, which will involve collecting image-based stage heights by focusing a camera on an in-stream staff plate and generating a time series of water levels. Data delivery will be accomplished in a variety of ways, including using citizen observers and real-time, web-based connectivity, to meet different users’ specific needs. We will develop a strategic plan to facilitate water level data collection on Kenai Peninsula streams. (Report)

Restoring and Reconnecting Cold Water Habitat to the Ninilchik River (Alaska State Parks)
This project restored a small tributary of the Ninilchik River, which has been identifies as a significant cold water input using aerial imagery. An old bridge that was rotten and obstructing the stream was removed and a new bridge has been constructed. A trail which lead through wetlands has been rerouted to higher ground and has been graveled. An elevated board walk has been installed leading to the bridge and a trail leading away from the cold-water input has been improved for anglers to access the river. Old wooden material and rebar has been removed from the site. (Report)

Stream Watch: Volunteers and Partners Protecting & Restoring Kenai Peninsula Salmon Habitat (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Stream Watch strives to maintain healthy riparian areas with vegetated riverbanks and cold-water temperatures by coordinating 100 trained volunteers to promote river protection to 4,000+ river enthusiasts and complete river restoration projects (install 2+ miles of plant protection fence, erosion control, remove riverside litter including fishing line) on the Kenai, Kasilof and Russian Rivers. (Report)

Using eDNA to Assess and Eradicate Invasive Species from the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai Watershed Forum)
This project is designed to validate and apply tools for Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) to current and future aquatic invasive species in the Kenai Peninsula. We will use already developed eDNA markers to test for the presence of northern pike (Esox lucius) and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). Additionally we will provide support to statewide efforts in the development of eDNA for waterweed (Elodea spp.) (Report)

Validation of Kenai Peninsula NHD (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The purpose of this project was to review, validate and, where necessary, update the Kenai Peninsula NHD in order to meet the national quality standards identified by the USGS. This validation process is possible because up-to-date, large scale imagery and digital elevation data is now available for the Peninsula through the mapping efforts of the Kenai Borough, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Spatial Data Mapping Initiative. (Report)

2015

Building and Index Watershed Program to Assess and Track Land Use and Climate Impacts – Phase 1 (Cook Inletkeeper)
This project aims to establish an index watershed program to track habitat concerns identified by the Partnership: aquatic invasive species, warming climate, incompatible road development, and residential development in riparian area. One index watershed for each conservation target has been identified: Anchor River (lowland system); Resurrection Creek (non-glacial, mountain river); Kenai River (mainstem, glacial river with lakes); and Russian River (clearwater lakes with streams). Through the Index Watershed Program, Project partners will assess the current status of each threat and .or develop a plan for how to evaluate the current threat status. This assessment will provide the Partnership with guidance about which threat in each conservation target is the highest priority o Partnership activities. (Report)

Stream Watch: Volunteers and Partners Protecting & Restoring Kenai Peninsula Salmon Habitat (Kenai Watershed Forum)
Stream Watch strives to maintain cold-water temperatures by coordinating 60 volunteers to promote habitat protection and complete projects on the Kenai, Kasilof and Russian Rivers. Volunteers will protect riparian areas through the installation of 2+ miles of fencing and educate 4,000+ about riparian health for an investment of $8,646.24. A healthy riparian area is an effective way to ward off invasive species and stabilize post climate change rivers. This investment will allow volunteers to restore healthy riparian areas and educate the public for future development concerns.

Kenai River Watershed Water Quality Monitoring (Kenai Watershed Forum)
This project seeks KPFHP funds to conduct four separate multi-agency Water Quality (WQ) monitoring events of the Lower, Middle, and Upper Kenai River Watersheds (herein referred to as “Kenai River Watershed” or “Watershed”) to continue to document the existing and changing conditions of WQ at 22 unique sites within the Watershed. This project will extend a multi-year project (2000-present) for an additional two years. KPFHP funds are requested to pay for the analysis of WQ samples for four separate sampling events; sampling will occur twice in 2015 and 2016 (April and July, both years).

Old Tyonek Creek Fish Passage Restoration (Tyonek Tribal Conservation District)
The proposed project will remove two undersized, perched culverts at Old Tyonek Creek and replace with an appropriate sized culvert based on the engineering design opening 8.3 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for Chinook and coho salmon. The proposed project will restore pristine habitat, encouraging healthy fish populations and aquatic system for future generations. In addition, the proposed project will result in a collaborative effort engaging Tyonek residents and diverse partners (community organizations, federal and state entities, and for profit corporations).

Invasive Northern Pike Detection Using eDNA (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
This project will complete a joint ADF&G and USFWS study to develop and evaluate eDNA technology for detection of invasive northern pike populations. Components of the study will support the application of the technology to determine both the distribution of invasive northern pike and effectiveness of northern pike eradication efforts on the Kenai Peninsula. A measurable benefit is that ~1,650 square miles of watersheds will be surveyed for pike to inform future management of this invasive species. (Report)

2014

Salmon Outreach Strategy (Cook Inletkeeper)
The Salmon Outreach Strategy project is a proactive effort to education Kenai Peninsula residents of the value of riparian protections and healthy fish habitat with a goal of building broad-based and long-term support for salmon habitat protection. Our objective is increased public awareness and stewardship of salmon and their habitats by making locally-based information more accessible and digestible to a larger audience, relying on a set of outreach tools that will connect Alaskans personally to their salmon resources. These tools: tidebooks, habitat posters and community conversations, in turn, will translate into concrete improvements in Alaskans’ appreciation for wild salmon and salmon habitat protection. (Report)

Eradication of Elodea from the Kenai Peninsula Alaska (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The purpose of this project was to treat the three infested lakes (Daniels, Stormy and Beck Lake) with aquatic herbicide in order to fully eradicate Elodea canadensis (elodea) from these systems. Treated lakes were consistently monitored to not only prevent the spread, but to preserve our freshwater ecosystems. Additionally, assistance and technical support was provided to partners to conduct non-target species impact studies in treated lakes, and new lakes were surveyed to ensure that no new infestations of elodea occur in the Kenai Peninsula. (Report)

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordination and Operational Support (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The coordinator for the Kenai Peninsula FHP provides operational support to the Steering Committee; provides oversight and coordination for monthly meetings, annual membership meeting and a biennial science symposium; provides representation at local and national events and working groups; provides engagement with the membership; coordinates site visits; and provides oversight to complete Partnership evaluation materials. All of these actions produce desired outcomes of the FHP’s Strategic Plan. (Report)

Launching the Cook Inlet Response Tool for Operational Use (Alaska SeaLife Center)
The prototype CIRT (Cook Inlet Response Tool) has been updated for operational use and is providing access to scientific data to aid policy and management decisions. Resource managers and emergency responders received training and are comfortable using the tool operationally. In addition, the CIRT development team solicited and received feedback from users that has been incorporated into improvements. Finally, the trainings promoted the National Fish Habitat Action plan, the Partnership, and broad use of the habitat relevant data in the response and planning activities of management agencies. (Report) Explore the Cook Inlet Response Tool

2013

Aquatic Invasive Plant Baseline Surveys in Kenai Peninsula Water Bodies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
The Kenai Fish and Wildlife Field Office proposes to establish baseline data on plant communities for water bodies of concern on the Kenai Peninsula, focusing on the presence or absence of Elodea spp. and collecting voucher specimens of all species within a water body. This information will then be used to inform decisions regarding early detection and rapid response, and foster public awareness and stewardship of these water bodies and their habitats. Surveys from this project will provide an assessment of habitat quality in priority water bodies on the Kenai Peninsula that addresses the Biological Complexity Focal Area by establishing a
baseline of plant communities to maintain long-term ecosystem, addresses the Water Quality and Quantity Focal Area by ensuring healthy water quality and addresses the Science and Technology Focal Area by surveying water bodies to identify aquatic plant distribution and abundance.

Understanding the Effects of Roadways on the Movement of Groundwater through Peatland Habitat (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
This project will assess the impact of roadways on the flow of shallow groundwater through a peatland habitat in a salmon stream corridor. Fundamental hydrologic properties of this common, yet poorly understood, wetland substrate will be documented. These data will be used to calibrate a model of groundwater flow, define the zone of impact and provide guidelines for a best approach to assessing roadway impacts and recommendations. Mitigation techniques will be tested in the model. Together, these products will be a vital management tool to land managers on the Kenai Peninsula. (Report)

Kenai Peninsula northern pike E DNA study (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
This project would use field and aquaria experiments to test the detection capabilities of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory techniques in identifying fragments of northern pike eDNA (environmental DNA) in water samples with the intent the technique could serve as a new invasive northern pike detection tool in the near future. The project would also apply this new detection method to survey for the presence of northern pike in some Kenai Peninsula rivers and streams. (Report)

Pilot Project to Establish Real-time, year-round, long-term Kenai Peninsula Stream Temp Sites (Cook Inlet Keeper)
This project will prioritize key watersheds in the Kenai Peninsula Borough and create a strategic plan, identifying potential long-term funding, to establish real time temperature monitoring stations; refine a prototype using paired air and water sensors with a real-time, online interface; and establish one real-time monitoring station in 2013 with online access to in-season information for fisheries managers and Alaskans in the highest priority salmon stream. (Report)

2012

Science Based Land Conservation Phase 1 (Cook Inletkeeper)
The overall goal of the Science-based Land Conservation project is to improve landscape-scale resilience for salmon on the lower Kenai Peninsula. Phase I of the project was focused on identifying critical salmon habitat, not already in conservation status, using thermal infrared imagery and other relevant local research. (Report)

Stream Temperature Monitoring Network (Cook Inletkeeper)
This project will result in a 10-year assessment of temperature trends in ten salmon streams on the Kenai Peninsula which have been identified in the Partnership’s Freshwater Conservation Action Plan as a conservation target vulnerable to a warmer climate. This information will provide a clearer understanding of inter-annual variability including years of below-average snow pack and be valuable for continued efforts to understand stream-specific sensitivity to thermal impacts. (Report)

Debris Removal Program (Kenai Peninsula Borough)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) and numerous partners identified 22 known debris sites and ranked them according to removal priority. KPB and its partners have successfully removed significant amounts of debris from several sites on anadromous rivers across the Kenai Peninsula. This included removing an abandoned bridge, which was washed out and obstructing a portion of Bishop Creek and the flood plain. (Report)

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordination and Operational Support (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The coordinator for the Kenai Peninsula FHP provides operational support to the Steering Committee; provides oversight and coordination for monthly meetings, annual membership meeting and a biennial science symposium; provides representation at local and national events and working groups; provides engagement with the membership; coordinates site visits; and provides oversight to complete Partnership evaluation materials. All of these actions produce desired outcomes of the FHP’s Strategic Plan.

Kenai Peninsula Science Symposium (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership hosted its first Science Symposium on April 17th and 18th of 2013 at the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska, with the help of the Kenai Watershed Forum staff and it’s many other partners.
The Science Symposium brought together a myriad of people concerned with fish habitat and offered opportunities to interact with researchers, habitat advocates and the general public. Over 75 people attended the first day and more than 60 the second day. The symposium facilitated communication on up-to-date research, as well as encouraged idea exchange for more effective management. Through scheduled networking and the “Meet, Greet, and Eat”, the symposium increased connections between scientists and researchers across the peninsula and beyond. (Report)

Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Strategic Habitat Action Plan (Kenai Watershed Forum)
This project resulted in the creation of Freshwater and Marine Conservation Action Plans incorporating data from regional experts and scientists. These two Plans provide refined conservation priorities to the Partnership using a structured formal approach to integrate the latest research from peer-reviewed sources. Top threats to regional fish habitat were ranked by habitat type to produce a threat matrix. These threats and their associated strategies are used to inform funding decisions and project prioritization. (Report) (Access both CAPs)

2011

Soldotna Creek Northern Pike Eradication Project: Phase 1 (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
Nothern pike, an invasive species on the Kenai Peninsula, are injurious to the Kenai Peninsula’s native salmon and trout populations. Norther pike have been located in an increasing number of waterbodies in the region despite laws against transporting and stocking invasive species. ADF&G conducted several public scoping meetings to identify issues and get public input on plans for northern pike control and eradication in the Soldotna Creek watershed. Environmental feasibility and analysis was conducted also conducted. The Kenai Watershed Forum collected discharge data from Soldotna Creek. (ADFG’s Report) (KWF’s Soldotna Creek Hydrology Report)

Stariski Creek Wayside Exhibit Project (Homer Soil and Water Conservation District)
An informational display was installed at the Stariski Creek wayside on the Sterling Highway. The purpose of the display is to educate recreational anglers about the importance of using designated trails and boardwalks in order to prevent fish habitat degradation from foot traffic.

Introduction to Watershed Planning Symposium (Alaska Department of Natural Resources)
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with several other agencies and non-government organizations proposed to host an Educational-Outreach project designed to help local decision makers understand why watershed planning is important to the health of the river and its fishery resources. Topics were selected that gave a broad spectrum of knowledge about how a plan is designed and what has worked to solve complex watershed issues in other areas. Additional speakers helped participants understand why a healthy riparian corridor is necessary for the health of its wildlife and fish populations, and the general economic benefits accrued to property owners and the community. (Report)

Assessment of habitats utilized by juvenile salmon in the Anchor River watershed (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
This project resulted in the identification of areas that are likely to provide thermal refugia for fish in scenarios of increasing temperature regimes.

2010

Watermelon Trail Stream Bank Restoration (Homer Soil and Water Conservation District)

Assessment of Juvenile Salmon Distribution in three watersheds on the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai Watershed Forum)

Unnamed Creek at Beaver Loop Road Fish Passage Restoration (Kenai Watershed Forum)
The purpose of this project is to remove the fish passage barriers on Beaver Loop Road by replacing the undersized culverts with structures that allow for the stream channel to maintain natural conditions. These improvements will promote healthy fish habitat to support successful salmon runs in the future.(Report)

Unnamed Creek at Fourth Avenue Fish Passage Restoration (Kenai Watershed Forum)
KWF replaced a fish passage barrier in Kenai with a fish friendly culvert to open rearing and spawning habitat for various salmonids.