For salmonids, access to healthy spawning and rearing habitats are important for maintaining high fish productivity. Certain species of salmonids can spend 2-4 years in freshwater using a variety of habitat types before smolting and migrating to the ocean. Resident species such as grayling can be very nomadic as well. Therefore, unimpeded movement through culverts is critical at all life stages to allow access to all habitat types. Poorly designed, installed, maintained and/or failed culverts can impede fish passage and limit connectivity of habitat, as well as decrease the quality and quantity of fish habitat for salmon and resident species alike.
To learn more about the Copper River Watershed Project’s efforts to create a barrier free watershed and maximize habitat available to all aquatic organisms, including salmon, check out Program Director Kate Morse’s brown-bag presentation hosted by WISE. This presentation also provides an overview of our highest priority restoration project in the watershed, removing two culverts and installing a bridge over the Little Tonsina River and improving access to an estimated 70 miles of upstream habitat for Chinook and Coho Salmon. View the presentation here.
