Projects and Research

Kenai Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Fisheries Branch staff monitor fish populations and stream temperatures within the Refuge and Habitat Branch staff work to restore fish passage and streambanks downstream and across the Kenai Peninsula. 

Kenai River Coho Salmon Telemetry and Fishery Assessment

This project is designed to continue to support and sustain salmon recovery, improve fishery resources, prioritize fish passage enhancement projects, manage human uses, prioritize strategic habitat protections, and prevent habitat fragmentation. The information garnered from this project will…

Kenai Thermal Imagery and Salmon Distribution Study

This project utilizes Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) data to detect temperature variation and impacts on spawning distribution of Chinook and Coho Salmon returning to the Kenai Peninsula's Funny River and Moose River in Alaska. Thermal imagery has been used to make assumptions about critical fish…

Live Stream Temperature Monitoring

Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors controlling the distribution and behavior of fishes. Fish often inhabit a specific thermal niche where they optimize physiological performance. Although water temperature requirements and preferences vary according to individual species and life stage, of interest and relevance to us is continual engagement in field projects investigating thermal preferences and tolerances exhibited by species of interest (e.g. Chinook and Coho Salmon).

We have performed water temperature analyses in support of various research projects since 2008. Currently a multi-year thermal monitoring study within the numerous watersheds throughout Alaska and will require water temperature data to help understand how thermal conditions may influence salmonid distribution and abundance.

Water Quantity and Quality Surveys

The Water Resources Branch provides scientific leadership and technical assistance, collecting and interpreting water quantity and quality data to address water management issues and acquire water rights on Alaska’s refuges.

Inventory, Mapping, and Digitizing the Wetlands of Alaska's Refuges

As part of the National Wetlands Inventory, we are mapping and digitizing high priority wetlands in Alaska’s 16 National Wildlife Refuges. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency tasked with providing public information on the status and trends of our Nation's…

Early Detection of Invasive Species in Alaska

Invasive Species Program staff collaborate with Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge, the State of Alaska and other partners to protect Alaska's lands and waters by working to detect invasive species infestations while they’re still relatively small and have the highest chance of being successfully…