Cop 3 and Sher 3 Fish Passage on the Copper River Delta

The Copper River Watershed Project (CRWP) and partners will restore fish passage and stream function at one Copper River Highway (Cop) and one Sheridan Glacier Road (Sher) stream crossing site on the Copper River Delta. Historical land use and alteration—railroad and highway construction—prevent migrating adult and juvenile coho salmon from reaching upstream spawning and rearing habitats, have degraded local stream conditions, and cause regular flooding of the roads at these sites. Through the installation of properly sized culverts and functional stream restoration, this partnership will restore access to 1.4 km and 3.8 hectares of pond of pristine upstream salmon spawning and rearing habitat, preserving these culturally and economically significant runs into the future.

This project will reestablish connectivity to 1.4 km of stream habitat and 3.8 hectares of pond habitat for spawning and rearing coho salmon. Stream simulation fish passage guidelines ensure that construction activities not only restore up and downstream connectivity for migrating fish, but eliminate road flooding and restore stream functions such as floodplain connectivity and sediment transport.