King salmon spawning reaches on Yakwyaax̱
Methods suggested for enhancing chinook spawning and rearing habitats in the alluvial fan channel at the mouth of Big Boulder Creek.
Dan Bishop on alluvial fan of Yakwyaax̱, alongside boat (Big Boulder Creek), downstream from Haines Highway. We flew up to meet Kevin Brownlee, a biologist with ADF&G, December 13, 1990. Dan’s report with Ben Pollard was his last publication.
Bishop & Pollard were asked by ADF&G staff to concentrate on 4 kinds of enhancement measures: 1) channel steps; 2) boulder clusters; 3) large woody debris (including low log weirs); and, 4) an incubation box water supply.
If there was one bottom-line message I took from 7 years’ tagging along with Streamwalker Bishop it was simply that “the river laughs last.” If we try to control it on one bank, our neighbors on the other side will soon come knocking.
From Dan & Ben’s report:
“Freedom of the stream to wander naturally back and forth across the fan is instrumental in continual creation and periodic replenishment of valuable spawning and rearing habitat. Channelization by the bridge has cost the natural stream system the ability to develop high quality habitat, driving the effort to enhance by artificial means. Our dilemma comes from the prospect of correcting ill effects of existing channelization by still more—the inevitable consequence of following an enhancement program based on construction of check dams.”
After 32 years I finally got back to Yakwyaax̱ during the September landforms class with Cathy Connor. Highway on right; confluence with Klehini River in upper left.
