About the Copper River Watershed Project

The Copper River Watershed Project (CRWP) is a nonprofit organization promoting a salmon-rich, intact watershed, and culturally diverse communities by forming partnerships for watershed-scale planning and projects. With offices in Cordova and Glennallen, Alaska they work throughout the Copper River Watershed.

With a focus on sustainable development, CRWP strikes a balance between economic diversification and maintaining quality of life for watershed residents. Nature is the infrastructure the communities rely on, and salmon are the backbone of the economy. CRWP’s fish habitat restoration projects help support this vital resource, and work-training initiatives provide opportunities for residents to work and thrive in the watershed. The organization strives to support the values of Copper River watershed residents while working to secure the long-term prosperity of the region and its ecosystems.

Twenty-five years ago, when the Copper River Watershed Project was first getting started, Kristin Carpenter joined the staff with Founder Riki Ott. Six months later, in 1999, Carpenter became the organization’s first Executive Director.

Fish habitat restoration work was the initial focus, with the help of local fisherman Paul Swartzbart. They began revegetating stream banks to provide shade and cover for aquatic insects and for the fish that feed on them.

After accomplishing several stream bank restoration projects, exploring restoration techniques, and learning how to mobilize and manage volunteers, word started getting out in the region about the new nonprofit organization. That work led CRWP to Bill Rice with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, who took the fledgling organization under his wing and helped start the first culvert replacement project. This inspired staff member Becky Clausen to create a point system to rate culverts, with the goal of creating a structure to identify fish passage risk for every culvert in the watershed.

Kate Morse came aboard in 2008 as a part-time staff member after earning her master’s in public administration and non-profit management from the University of Oregon, with a focus on managing watershed landscapes. Her case study on the Copper River watershed led to a pivotal connection with Kristin Carpenter, who connected Morse with communities and partners throughout the watershed. Morse helped secure funding and significantly expanded CRWP’s programs for the next sixteen years as Program Director.

In 2019, Lisa Docken joined the CRWP staff as Executive Director and helped guide the organization through five years of tremendous growth and several large fish passage construction projects.

In 2022, NOAA announced nearly $105 million in funding would be awarded for 36 new fish passage projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Copper River Watershed Project was the only organization to have their project selected in Alaska through the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal funding opportunity.

CRWP’s Little Tonsina Bridge Project in the Copper Basin was completed with BIL funds, opening 71 miles of upstream salmon-rearing habitat in a critical spawning tributary of the Copper River.

CRWP, in partnership with The Eyak Corporation  and funded by the BIL through the NOAA Restoration Center, also initiated culvert replacement projects to restore waterways on the Copper River Delta near Cordova. 

In the spring of 2024, Docken left the organization and Alexis Cooper stepped up as the interim Executive Director until Kate Morse officially took the helm as the new Executive Director in September. The same year, Morse was invited to speak with the Alaska Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. She highlighted the positive impacts of BIL funding in the region, positioning CRWP as a key player in fish passage restoration. The delegation sought insights from organizations with completed BIL-funded projects, and CRWP was uniquely able to provide feedback, underscoring its readiness to advance critical initiatives.

The Eyak Lake Weir Project also moved forward in 2024, with the convening of multiple partners and stakeholders and finalizing the design documents to replace the old, damaged weir. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 with the objective to improve fish passage up and downstream of the weir, while maintaining current water levels to protect nearshore spawning sites for salmon. Visit the Eyak Lake Atlas to learn more. 

To view all completed and upcoming fish passage projects, visit the Fish Passage Habitat Restoration Dashboard.

CRWP expanded its staffing in 2023-24 to accommodate the growth and increase capacity, adding a full-time Partnership Administrator, Operations Manager, and the first upriver full-time permanent staff member in the Copper Basin with the Watershed Stewardship Program Manager position.

Rooted in local action, and gaining national attention to open doors for further funding and support, the Copper River Watershed Project continues its work and mission to create a barrier-free watershed, dedicated to restoring salmon habitat and ensuring the health of the Copper River ecosystem for future generations.

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Facts about the Copper River Watershed Project:

  • Created in 1999 by Founder Riki Ott
  • 1999 Kristin Carpenter becomes first Executive Director 
  • First culvert replacement project in partnership with Bill Rice and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  • 2003 CRWP moved to a new office
  • 2006-2007 Becky Clausen created a point system to rate culverts in the watershed
  • 2008-2024 Kate Morse expanded programs as the Program Director
  • 2019-2024 Lisa Docken came aboard as Executive Director 
  • 2022 CRWP was awarded funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for culvert replacement and fish passage restoration projects
  • 2023 established first full-time permanent upriver position hiring a Watershed Stewardship Program Manager
  • 2024 Kate Morse becomes Executive Director 
  • 2024 Kate Morse spoke at the Alaska Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C,. highlighting the positive impacts of BIL funding in the region
  • 2024 Eyak Lake Weir Project moves forward with 100% design completion
  • 2024 CRWP expands staff hiring a full-time Partnership Administrator and Operations Manager