Hidden Creek (Cooper Landing)
What
Hidden Creek Culvert Replacement
Where
Latitude 60.457 Longitude –150.199, at the crossing of Skilak Lake Loop Road
Project Narrative
Hidden Creek is a tributary to the Kenai River that supports salmon spawning and rearing habitat. The confluence of Hidden Creek and the Kenai River is located in Skilak Lake, approximately 50 river miles upstream from the mouth at Cook Inlet. Fish habitat use in the lower portion of Hidden Creek consists primarily of coho and sockeye salmon spawning with coho salmon known to spawn throughout all reaches of Hidden Creek. The culvert where Hidden Creek crosses Skilak Lake Loop Road was improperly sized and severly damaged. It had a waterfall, and the water velocity was excessively high. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game had consistently ranked this project in the top eight out of almost 100 potential fish passage restoration projects based on cost-benefit analysis. KWF replaced the improperly sized culvert with a new much larger culvert that properly fits the natural conditions of the stream and restored 100 feet of stream bank.
When
Spring/Summer 2008
Cost
Estimated $74,000+
Who
Kenai Watershed Forum
Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Alaska Department of Transportation
NOAA
US Fish & Wildlife Service