Kenai River Studies

Historically, human presence in the Kenai River watershed (map 115 Kb) in south-central Alaska has been sparse. However, during the past few decades, the Kenai River has become Alaska's most popular sport fishery. Residential and commercial structures have proliferated adjacent to the river and river use has increased. Streamside development and boat activity have produced numerous human influences on the river and its banks. Recently, the USGS and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have studied the effects of streamside structures and boat activity on the river. The reports listed describe the results of the studies. Up-to-the-minute streamflow data are also available

USGS Reports:

Dorava, J.M., 1995, Hydraulic characteristics near streamside structures along the Kenai River, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4226, 41 p. [Citation and Report]

Dorava, J.M., 1996, Salmon habitat alterations resulting from recent flooding along the Kenai River, Alaska [abs.]: American Water Resources Association, Alaska Section Annual Meeting, April 18-19, 1996, Proceedings, 1 p.

Dorava, J.M., 1999, Effectiveness of streambank-stabilization techniques along the Kenai River, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4156, 21 p. [Abstract and link to full report]

Dorava, J.M., and Liepitz, G.S., 1996, Balancing the three R's (regulation, research, restoration) on the Kenai River, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-160-96, 2 p.[Acrobat PDF v3, 244KB] [Acrobat PDF v2, 342KB] (download free Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Dorava, J.M., and Moore, G.W., 1997, Effects of boatwakes on streambank erosion, Kenai River, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 97-4105, 84 p. [Abstract & link to full report]

(To obtain a copy of the above report, call the Earth Science Information Center in Anchorage. In Alaska, call 1-888-ASK-USGS. Outside of Alaska, call 1-907-786-7011.)

Dorava, J.M., and Ness, Lee, 1999, Physical, chemical, and biological data for two sites on the upper Kenai River, Alaska, 1998: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-258, 49 p. [Abstract and link to full report]

Dorava, J.M., and Scott, K.M., 1998, Role of glaciers and glacial deposits in the Kenai River watershed and the implications for aquatic habitat, in Gray, J.E., and Riehle, J.R., eds., Geologic studies in Alaska by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1996: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1595, p. 3-8. [Abstract].

Scott, K. M., 1982, Erosion and sedimentation in the Kenai River, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1235, 35 p.

 

Information on obtaining reports:

Streamflow Data on the Kenai River and Tributaries

Other sources of information about the Kenai River

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Kenai River Center

For more information about the Kenai River studies by the USGS, contact us by email or by phone at (907)-786-7100