Marine and Stream Ecology

False Pass Airport, Expansion and Creek Relocation Evaluation

Dowell Engineers
False Pass, Alaska

We evaluated wetland, fish, and marine impacts of expansion to improve safety and operability at the False Pass Airport in the Aleutian Islands. The existing facility was constrained by mountainous terrain and adjacent marine, wetland, and stream habitats.



Brookside Creek Stream Channel Restoration

Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation
Lake Forest Park, Washington

This fish passage system design project won an Outstanding Project award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Seattle Section. The design emphasized community involvement and the use of natural materials, such as rocks and logs, to keep project costs low.



Pebble Mine Port Development

Pebble East Claims Corporation
Kamishak Bay, Alaksa

We are engaged in a long-term study of marine resources potentially at risk from development of an entirely new deepwater port in a remote bay in southwest Cook Inlet. We are building on data we had collected in other studies at the site over the last 30 years to characterize the marine fauna, flora, and habitat conditions. This will give us information adequate to evaluate potential impacts for compliance with NEPA and support other permitting activities.




National Creek Geomorphic Assessment

National Park Service
Kennecott, Alaska

The National Park Service needed to know the risks associated with a creek that ran through a National Historic District. We performed a geomorphic and hydrologic study of the highly dynamic creek. We investigated stream flow via a stream gaging program and associated discharge monitoring, created a geomorphic map to determine sources and quantities of sediment inputs, analyzed sediment samples, surveyed creek cross sections to determine depth of flow for specific flood events, and provided recommendations for potential mitigation of existing structures.

Knik Arm Crossing, Baseline Studies and NEPA/EFH Assistance for Highway and Bridge Permitting

HDR Engineering, Inc.
Alaska

Knik Arm is a shallow glacial estuary with large tidal ranges, strong currents, massive inputs of glacial and coastal sediment, extreme turbidity, and severe seasonal ice scour. Hart Crowser was contracted to expand the limited understanding of fish and invertebrate use of nearshore areas in the Arm and the potential contributions of fish populations to the food web supporting Cook Inlet beluga whales. This information was needed for permitting construction of a highway and bridge.