Thermal Imagery to Identify Cold-Water Refugia in the Deshka Watershed

Salmonid Restoration Planning and Assessments

Salmonid Habitat Assessment / Inventory
Project IDAK53004
Recovery Domains -
Start Date03/01/2020
End Date11/30/2022
Year2019
StatusCompleted
Last Edited02/27/2024
 
1 - 1

Description    


In 2020, Cook Inletkeeper acquired thermal imagery for 32 miles of the lower Deshka River to map discrete cold-water refugia for migrating and spawning Chinook salmon (the study reach from the Kroto and Moose creeks confluence to the mouth was somewhat shorter than expected). With over 200 inflows mapped, productive conservation actions in the Deshka River watershed can move forward with unique opportunities based on public land ownership (state and Mat-Su Borough) and private landowners.

Project Benefit    


In recent years, this lower reach has exhibited warm temperatures (above 20o C) and thus presents a potential thermal bottleneck for migrating fish. This high-resolution characterization of water temperatures can guide land conservation and fishery management actions by 1) identifying cold-water refugia used by adult Chinook salmon to avoid stressfully high summer temperatures; 2) identifying areas that are warm during summer where fish are particularly sensitive to disturbances such as catch-and-release angling; and 3) identifying areas that are warm during winter that may serve as important overwintering habitats.

Accomplishments

Metric Completed Originally
Proposed

Funding Details

SourceFunds
PCSRF$60,705
Other$21,277
Report Total:$81,981


Project Map



Worksites

46842496    


  • Worksite Identifier: 46842496
  • Start Date:
  • End Date:
Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

  • Basin: Susitna River (190205)
  • Subbasin: Lower Susitna River (19020505)
  • Watershed: Fish Creek-Susitna River (1902050510)
  • Subwatershed: Delta Islands-Susitna River (190205051002)
  • State: Alaska
  • Recovery Domain:
  • Latitude: 61.6997
  • Longitude: -150.31794

ESU

  • Un-Named ESU Chinook
  • Un-Named ESU Coho

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • B.0 Salmonid Restoration Planning and AssessmentsY (Y/N)
    •      . . B.0.a Planning And Assessment Funding 81,981.00
    •      . . B.0.b.1 Area Encompassed .0
    •      . . B.0.b.2 Stream Miles Affected 32.50
    •      . . B.2 Salmonid Habitat Assessment / InventoryY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . B.2.a Habitat Assessment Funding 81,981.00
      •      . . . . B.2.d Habitat surveysY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . B.2.d.1 Type of habitat survey/assessment (LOV)
        •      . . . . . . B.2.d.2 Amount of habitat assessed .0
        •      . . . . . . B.2.d.3 Amount of habitat assessed that needed restoration .0