Spring 2022 Water Quality Sampling Results Available
Kenai Watershed Forum has received all laboratory results from it’s Spring 2022 Baseline Water Quality Monitoring. The results are currently being prepared for upload to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Quality Exchange, a pubic data repository for water quality data. The results have not yet been analyzed to check against water quality standards; we expect to complete this by Fall 2022.
We worked with two laboratories in Spring 2022:
1.) Soldotna Wastewater Treatment Plant – SWWTP provided analyses of Total Suspended Solids and Fecal Coliform:
Download Spring 2022 Total Suspended Solids results
Download Spring 2022 Fecal Coliform results
2.) SGS Laboratories, Anchorage – SGS provided analyses of all other substances monitored in Spring 2022, including nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, and metals like zinc, copper, lead, and others:
Download Spring 2022 Metals and Nutrients results
For questions about Spring 2022 water quality results, contact Benjamin Meyer, Water Quality Coordinator. Thank you again to all the participants and volunteers who made this event happen!
The Kenai River Water Quality Action Framework
In winter 2022, Kenai Watershed Forum began work on project called the, “Kenai River Water Quality Action Framework.” With this project we aim to give the Kenai River a “health check-up” by looking at water quality in the river. Using our extensive dataset from the year 2000 through to present day, our analysis will help understand where, when, and how water quality in the Kenai River has changed over time.
With financial support from the federal Bureau of Reclamation’s Cooperative Watershed Management Program, our work will address ongoing and emerging water quality issues and provide a roadmap for future management solutions. The project is an opportunity to provide the tools to help ensure that the Kenai River continues to serve as the keystone of the local economy, culture, and ecosystem long into the future.
Currently we are engaged in preparing our data for analysis. Our first product will be similar to a technical report published by Kenai Watershed Forum in 2016 summarizing water quality data (download the report here). From there we will apply these data towards understanding what steps to improve water quality are most urgent. For example, some new construction projects are incorporating green storm water infrastructure, which can help mitigate pollution from impervious surfaces like roads.
As we progress with our research, we plan to integrate other sources of water quality data to help us understand the most complete picture, such as the data set being generated by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, a long standing partner of the baseline monitoring project.
The project will run through Fall 2023, and will include various public outreach activities at a later date. For more information on this project, contact Benjamin Meyer, Water Quality Coordinator.
Further Reading
Kenai River Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) – This document outlines procedures for water quality field data collection, QA/QC procedures, and data management. The QAPP is currently (July 2022) in the process of being updated to incorporate new revisions.
Kenai River Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Sample Collection Procedures – This document details field sample collection procedures for water quality samples, and is updated annually.
Kenai River gets spring health check-up
Kenai Watershed Forum’s biannual Kenai River Baseline Water Quality Monitoring program was recently featured on our local public radio station KDLL. Spring 2022 marked the 22nd consecutive year of this program that works with community partners to gather water quality data, which helps identify both challenges and solutions for water quality in the Kenai River.
Thanks as always to reporter Sabine Poux at KDLL! Volunteers interested in this program can contact Water Quality Coordinator Benjamin Meyer.
Click here to listen to the story: https://www.kdll.org/local-news/2022-05-16/river-monitoring
Check out a short video from sampling day on our Kenai Watershed Forum Facebook Page!
As local streams warm, cold water inputs could be crucial for salmon
In summer 2021, KDLL public radio reporter Sabine Poux joined us a day of fieldwork at Beaver Creek, near the city of Kenai. Kenai Watershed Forum is working with other local nonprofits including Cook Inletkeeper and Kachemak Heritage Land Trust to identify and conserve cold water inputs important for salmon habitat in local streams like Beaver Creek.
We’d like to congratulate Sabine for her award on this story at the 2022 Alaska Press Club awards for “Best Audio Science Reporting.” Thanks for helping us share our work with the community!
Read the story at the link below:
Volunteers Needed for Salmon Habitat Mapping Research
Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited is partnering with Kenai Watershed Forum in summer 2022 to identify, map, and conserve undocumented salmon habitat in our area. We can use your help!
Join us for local fieldwork this summer. For dates and more information, contact Benjamin Meyer (Water Quality Coordinator) at ben@kenaiwatershed.org.
USGS and Kenai Watershed Forum to Collaborate on Fish Habitat and Groundwater Research Project in Kenai, Alaska
With funding from the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Alaska Climate Action Science Center, USGS scientists will collaborate with Kenai Watershed Forum to study Beaver Creek as an example of how climate change may affect the future water needs of both humans and fish. With a combination of on the ground fieldwork and modeling, local managers and stakeholders will have access to the best available science to inform decisions. The project will rely on volunteer support from local stakeholders including tribal and nonprofit organizations.
For questions and additional details, contact Benjamin Meyer, Kenai Watershed Forum Water Quality Coordinator Benjamin Meyer.
Pick.Click.Give!
As you prepare to apply for your Permanent Fund Dividend on January 1st, consider making a donation through Pick.Click.Give. Last year numerous community organizations throughout Alaska benefited from donations through this program
to keep our communities thriving.
Consider Pick.Click.Giving! It makes investing in our communities easy and by choosing to invest in the Kenai Watershed Forum, you will be making a clear choice to support healthy rivers and strong salmon runs for future generations.
Salmon Stream Research Published!
Kenai Watershed Forum Wetlands Project Manager, Michael Gracz, has been working with a team of researchers to investigate Southcentral Alaskan peatlands and salmon streams in the face of climate change.
The group’s research, Analyzing peatland discharge to streams in an Alaskan watershed: An integration of end-member mixing analysis and a water balance approach, was recently published in the Journal of Hydrology.
Salmon spawning streams are potentially perturbed by climate change in Southcentral Alaska and therefore peatland contributions using specific approaches should be analyzed. Their research indicated that peatland discharge accounts for 50% of streamflow during dry times and could provide an important buffer for fluvial ecosystems impacted by climate change.
Read the research in its entirety here!
Make a Difference in 4-Hours!
Get hands-on in the great outdoors! In less than half a day you can have a positive impact on Kenai Peninsula rivers that will last for decades! Register now to protect sensitive fish habitat with Stream Watch!
Calling All Volunteers: Stream Watch Orientations!
Stream Watch Volunteers are ordinary people making an extraordinary difference on and off of Kenai Peninsula Rivers. Volunteers receive all of the training to share river protection information and complete hands-on projects throughout the summer. Start your adventure by learning more!
