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Duck Creek Water Quality and Anadromous Fish Habitat Restoration
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NOAA Restoration Center
Community-Based Restoration Program
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Duck Creek Restoration
Duck Creek Restoration
Duck Creek, a surface water body in Alaska, is impaired by urban runoff from non-point source pollutants including, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, iron flocs and excess nutrients. This small coastal stream originates from a spring that drains runoff from Mendanhall Valley, a relatively high residential and business area. Historically there were runs of nearly 10,000 chum salmon and Coho runs of about 500 fish in Duck Creek. Currently the chum run is extinct and the Coho run consists of only 20 fish. Restoration at Duck Creek involves the development and implementation of bioremediation methods to restore water quality and anadromous fish habitat in impaired streams. NOAA scientists attempted to correct the degraded conditions by using high-pressure jet pumps and suction dredges to remove fine sediment from the streambed. Researchers also added natural structures to direct stream flow and increase oxygen levels. The removal or replacement of perched culverts that impair fish habitat will also take place to reduce flood hazards. This project demonstrates the benefits of restoration and the importance of aquatic habitat protection in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Duck Creek Water Quality and Anadromous Fish Habitat Restoration
Duck Creek Water Quality and Anadromous Fish Habitat
Restoration
Work in progress at Duck Creek. This image shows the channel realignmentand meander after it has been added to the stream. The sand bags in theforeground were used to create meanders and pools and to reduce the width ofthe stream.
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(1.67 MB)
A close-up of the sand bags, cobble and jute matting used to reconfigurethe channel.
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(1.47 MB)
Cleaning gravel from the streambed using a suction pump.The device, in the background, is a modified gold dredge and was used byAmericorp and NOAA volunteers.
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(1.58 MB)
Americorp volunteers manually screen sand from the gravel the old-fashioned way.
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(1.53 MB)
Water is pumped onto the screen to sort sand and silt from the gravel.
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(1.54 MB)
In the foreground, two pumps operate the modified gold dredge. The dischargedsediments are placed on the screen where they are separated. This image providesa good overview of the gravel cleaning process, the modified gold dredge is onwheels to make
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.jpg
(1.51 MB)
A pump blows air into the riverbed to loosen the sand and gravelso the dredge can work through it later.
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.jpg
(1.45 MB)
Two men work the pump at Duck Creek.
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(1.53 MB)
Three workers use the pump used to loosen sand and gravel at Duck Creek.
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.jpg
(1.49 MB)
A close-up of the pump operating in the riverbed.
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(1.44 MB)
Looking down on the pumping operation at Duck Creek.
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.jpg
(1.41 MB)
The pumps blow air into the sand and gravel to loosen the sediments.
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.jpg
(1.49 MB)
Three men in the river operate the pump.
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.jpg
(1.48 MB)
The pumping system used at Duck Creek loosens sand and gravel from the riverbed.
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.jpg
(1.52 MB)
The pumping system at Duck Creek used to loosen sand and gravel from the creek.
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.jpg
(1.48 MB)
A close-up of air being pumped into the floor of the riverbed to loosensediments.
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.jpg
(1.42 MB)
Scientists monitor the gravel composition and levels of dissolved oxygen in thecreek. The process requires the insertion of plastic pipes into the streambedat a depth where fish eggs are found. The scientists use an oxygen probe tomeasure the levels
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.jpg
(1.51 MB)
A good close-up and overview of the gravel screening process. Gravel accumulateson the screen and sediments fall into the totes.
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.jpg
(1.42 MB)
An overview of the pumping and dredging operation.
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.jpg
(1.56 MB)
A scientist prepares to do sampling for gravel cleanliness and dissolved oxygenlevels.
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.jpg
(1.44 MB)
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