Phase I Restoration

In 2002, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service collaborated with the Enterprise Watershed Restoration Service to begin restoring a 1.5-mile section of Resurrection Creek that had been degraded by historic mining in the early 20th century. This effort, which became known as Phase I of the Resurrection Creek restoration project, reconnected the historic floodplain, stream channels and riparian areas; constructed new pools, side channels and ponds; installed logs and root-wads in new stream channels; and re-vegetated the riparian areas.

Following the completion of Phase I, fish and wildlife immediately responded. In 2007, just one year after restoration was completed, the numbers of adult Chinook salmon increased six-fold, and the population has continued to increase. Resurrection Creek is one of a few streams of its size and type in upper Cook Inlet that supports Chinook salmon, making this habitat invaluable to assuring Cook Inlet Chinooks are around for future generations. Pink and chum salmon also have become more abundant. From 2005 to 2015 the adult pink salmon population has increased a whopping 1,550%, while the adult chum salmon population has increased 1,025%. Changes in ocean conditions and Alaska Fish and Game commercial harvest regulations may have contributed to these increases, but the trends are positive and encouraging.

Salmon are not the only species to benefit from the restoration. Harlequin ducks began returning to the area as soon as restoration began, utilizing new pool habitat and constructed log jams for nesting and shelter. Moose also benefited from the restoration. Before the stream channel was reconstructed, the current was too powerful and dangerous for moose calves to cross. The restored habitat now provides safer crossings for moose and their calves, which can now more easily escape predators and find forage.

Restoring Phase I of Resurrection Creek brought fish and wildlife back to the area, but there is still more work to be done.