our vision for the Eklutna
Our vision includes
The Eklutna River running freely, continuously, and naturally from its glacial headwaters through its dramatic canyon and its productive estuary to the marine waters of Cook Inlet.
All five species of Pacific salmon once again swimming freely from Knik Arm through the entire length of the Eklutna River to their spawning grounds at Eklutna Lake and the tributaries upstream of the lake.
An abundant salmon fishery that supports the Eklutna Dena’ina and the people of Southcentral Alaska.
Eklutna Lake, centerpiece of Chugach State Park, full to its natural lake level to support sockeye salmon shore spawning and human-powered recreation.
An Eklutna River that rebalances the needs of fish, the Eklutna Dena’ina, drinking water for Anchorage, and low-carbon power production.
Steps needed for recovery
Regular and continuous water flowing the entire length of the Eklutna River based its natural hydrograph.
Fish passage for upstream and downstream migration throughout the watershed, including at the dam and Eklutna Lake outlet, for adult and juvenile fishes at all future water levels and all times of the year.
Future stream flow at adequate volume to support off-channel and riparian habitat for spawning, rearing and migration of wild salmon.
Periodic “flushing flows” adequate to maintain sediment transport in the Eklutna watershed.
More stable and consistent water levels in Eklutna Lake to maintain salmon spawning and rearing along lake shores and nearby riparian habitat.
Physical restoration of habitat along the Eklutna River to accommodate predicted stream flow regimes and habitat needs.
Ensure that the final fish and wildlife plan is sufficient to garner support from the Native Village of Eklutna and to support healthy and productive wild salmon populations.
Return Water.
Under the current water allocation regime, 90% of the water in Eklutna Lake is pumped through the Eklutna Hydropower Project to create 3-6% of electricity for the Railbelt and the remaining 10% of the water provides the majority of Anchorage’s drinking water.
At present no water is released from the dam at the outflow of Eklutna Lake and much of the river downstream of the lake runs dry or with too little water for good salmon habitat. The contribution of Thunderbird Creek to the lower river supports reduced populations of all 5 species of Pacific salmon.
An appropriate amount of water needs to be released from the upper dam for salmon to access and utilize the 8 miles of historic habitat that was connected after the removal of the lower Eklutna Dam in 2018.
Allow Fish Passage.
A historic sockeye salmon run was lost as a result of the Eklutna Hydropower Project’s multiple fish passage barriers. In order for sockeye salmon to return, and for salmon to make a full recovery throughout the river, fish passage needs to be provided around the upper dam so that salmon can access Eklutna Lake, the East Fork and West Fork of the Eklutna River, and additional upstream tributaries.
Maintain All Uses.
Drinking water is critical for residents of Anchorage, and electricity produced by the Eklutna Hydropower Project helps balance the grid.
There has been a demonstrable impact to Eklutna River salmon as a result of water usage and coming out of the 1991 Fish & Wildlife Agreement, it is clear that water use needs to be reevaluated.
There is enough water to meet Anchorage’s drinking water needs, create electricity, and support wild salmon in the Eklutna River.
Native Village of Eklutna’s Vision for the future of the river.
Read NVE’s Eklutna River Restoration and Vision “We are hopeful the salmon will return to us”.