Aquatic Resource Survey: Indian River, Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska
Paustian SJ and Hardy T. 1995. Aquatic Resource Survey: Indian River, Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Chatham Area. Sitka, AK
This report presents the results of an ecological survey designed to assess aquatic resource conditions and trends within Sitka National Historical Park. The report compliments the existing ecological inventory for soils and plant communities. Principle areas of investigation include: watershed hydrology, fish habitat, channel morphology and stability, and water quality. Results: Watershed and climatic characteristics of Indian River cause large, flashy peak flow events in the lower river. Historic flood events in the park have damaged or swept away inchannel structures, and caused major changes in stream channel morphology. Localized areas of stream bank erosion, along the east bank of the Indian River, were identified in this survey. However, current floodplain and channel conditions are stable, relative to natural streams systems. Fish habitat within the park is primarily suited for pink and chum salmon spawning. The lack of pool habitat and large woody debris make this portion of the Indian River less suitable for juvenile salmonid rearing habitat. Relatively low diversity and the presence of pollution tolerant macroinvertebrates indicate slight water quality impairment in the lower Indian River.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Paustian, Steve; Hardy, Tom
- Date of Issue
- 1995-11
- Publisher
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Chatham Area
- Units
- SITK , WRD
- Keywords
- Alaska, Anadromous, Aquatic, Channel Morphology, channel stability, Fish Habitat, Hydrology, Indian River, Salmon, SITK, Sitka National Historical Park, Spawning, Water Quality, watershed hydrology, WRBIB