Coho Salmon Habitat Improvement Project

Modified from an article by Jody Seitz, printed in the Cordova Times

Three years ago, the Native Village of Eyak and Ken Hodges, Project Coordinator, of the U.S. Forest Service began a coho salmon enhancement project. Their goal was to enhance local salmon runs while giving young adults hands-on experience in resource management.

Six Eyak residents worked with the USFWS. They began by surveying habitat along 11 streams, from mouth to the headwaters. They found strong running streams in high mountain habitat, with few sheltered areas for the salmon.

The Eyak residents measured the different types of habitat in each stream, and modeled their results to see what factors may be limiting production. The deep, quiet, protected pools the salmon need for rest and to grow were in short supply.

Plateau Creek in Port Gravina showed the best signs of successful enhancement, being a smaller creek with lower flow levels. They anchored logs and placed boulders in the streambed. This is the first summer with the habitat improvements in place. If they hold, residents can expect to see more coho in coming years.

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