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pdftitle={Kenai Thermal Imagery},
pdfauthor={Benjamin Meyer},
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\title{Kenai Thermal Imagery}
\author{Benjamin Meyer}
\date{11/18/22}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
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\hypertarget{executive-summary}{%
\chapter*{Executive Summary}\label{executive-summary}}
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{Executive Summary}
\markboth{Executive Summary}{Executive Summary}
\begin{figure}
{\centering \includegraphics[width=\textwidth,height=3.125in]{./images/example_TIR_figure.jpg}
}
\caption{Example of airborne thermal infrared imagery showing
temperature contrast in a stream. A cold water inflow (purple and blue
colors) enters the main channel (yellow color). Figure from NV5
Geospatial consultants.}
\end{figure}
\hypertarget{from-thermal-infrared-imagery-to-conservation-actions}{%
\section*{From Thermal Infrared Imagery to Conservation
Actions}\label{from-thermal-infrared-imagery-to-conservation-actions}}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{From Thermal Infrared Imagery to
Conservation Actions}
\markright{From Thermal Infrared Imagery to Conservation Actions}
Cold Water Refugia, or areas within a stream that are persistently
colder than surrounding areas, are critical features of wild salmon
habitat throughout their range. Stream reaches with cold seeps and
springs often result in much cooler water, which are increasingly
important for wild salmon to keep cool as water temperatures in many
streams have warmed. Some human activities can diminish or extinguish
cold water refugia, such as groundwater withdrawl and construction of
impervious surfaces. To conserve cold water refugia these sites must
first be mapped and identified, and land owners and managers must
understand best practices for their conservation.
Since 2020, three nonprofits - Cook Inletkeeper, Kachemak Heritage Land
trust, and Kenai Watershed Forum - have worked together to identify
where cold water refugia are found in the Kenai Peninsula lowlands, a
region where productive wild salmon habitat intersects with a growing
development footprint. We used cutting-edge methods to locate cold water
refugia with thermal infrared imagery, a technology similar to night
vision goggles that shows heat contrast. Our resulting ``treasure map''
of cold water refugia locations is a valuable tool for prioritizing
conservation and outreach efforts.
In this project we focused our research on tributaries of the Kenai and
Kasilof rivers; specifically in the lower sections of streams outside of
the federally protected Kenai National Wildlife refuge as outlined in
the Mountains to Sea planning document (Morton et al. 2015). Our goals
with this project were:
\begin{enumerate}
\def\labelenumi{\arabic{enumi}.}
\item
Identify land parcels that contain one or more cold water refugia
features, and communicate information about these features and
possible conservation strategies to land owners
\item
Use a variety of techniques to communicate our results to over sixty
landowners, agencies, and organizations
\end{enumerate}
Conservation actions that will result from these efforts include parcel
acquisition and conservation easements, voluntary compliance,
stewardship and restoration projects, and voluntary land agreements or
exchanges.
\hypertarget{the-future}{%
\section*{The Future}\label{the-future}}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{The Future}
\markright{The Future}
Our efforts in applying thermal imagery data for conservation purposes
highlights the value of recognizing cold water refugia as an asset for
wild salmon habitat (Snyder et al. 2022). The work described here can
continue to expand into additional territiories: there are twenty river
corridors of conservation priority described in the Mountains to Sea
plan, while we possess aerial thermal infrared imagery on just five (the
Anchor river plus the four rivers described in this report) (Mauger,
McCarty, et al. 2015).
Beyond gathering additional thermal infrared imagery data in order for
the work of conserving cold water refugia to have a sustained and
widespread impact beyond this project we recommend that future efforts
develop Alaska-specific technical and legal definitions, and applying
them towards management needs.
Two examples of potential applications follow:
\hypertarget{example-source-water-protection-areas}{%
\subsubsection*{Example: Source Water Protection
Areas}\label{example-source-water-protection-areas}}
\addcontentsline{toc}{subsubsection}{Example: Source Water Protection
Areas}
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) defines ``Source
Water Protection Areas'' for groundwater sources used for drinking
water, which delineate geographic areas that contribute to the drinking
water supply\footnote{https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/delineate-source-water-protection-area}.
Similar logic could apply towards defining the extent of riparian
landscape that supplies cold water refugia. Researchers with Kachemak
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (KBNERR) in Homer, Alaska
recently demonstrated that the extent of land that recharges cold water
refugia can be delineated by use of a GIS-based model(Gerlach et al.
2021).
As of winter 2022 the Kenai Peninsula Borough is currently in the
process of reviewing its permitting process for material extraction
sites (i.e.~gravel pits). Initial discussions between the the Borough
and KBNERR have included the possibility of permit reviewers being able
to use their maps of subterranean aquifer flow paths to comment on
proposed development plans. This cooperation could help ensure that
future development minimizes impact on the aquifers that supply cold
water refugia, in the same way that defining Source Water Protection
Areas help protect drinking water sources.
\hypertarget{example-columbia-river-cold-water-refugia}{%
\subsubsection*{Example: Columbia River Cold Water
Refugia}\label{example-columbia-river-cold-water-refugia}}
\addcontentsline{toc}{subsubsection}{Example: Columbia River Cold Water
Refugia}
In an example from the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest, the U.S.
EPA has taken detailed steps to identify, define, and recommend
conservation actions for cold water refugia. Here, cold water refugia
were defined by quantitative flow volumes and their level of contrast
with connected, warmer water bodies\footnote{https://www.epa.gov/columbiariver/columbia-river-cold-water-refuges-plan}.
Such efforts could set an example for Alaska to follow in beginning to
develop its own technical definitions of cold water refugia.
Existing efforts to technically define cold water refugia have focused
on needs of adult upstream migration. However, salmon at all life stages
benefit from a mosaic of water temperature environments, such as when
juvenile fry migrate between colder and warmer and areas to feed and
digest (Armstrong et al. 2013). Thus it is recommended that future
technical definitions also consider the needs of juvenile salmon.
\hypertarget{next-steps}{%
\section*{Next Steps}\label{next-steps}}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{Next Steps}
\markright{Next Steps}
We will continue to use our existing dataset to prioritize land
conservation efforts in the Kenai Peninsula lowlands area. Currently we
have surveyed the lower sections of four tributaries, while the
Mountains to Sea document highlights twenty priority river corridors as
conservation targets.
Specific actions that will continue to support the goals of this project
include:
\begin{itemize}
\item
Identifying where current, future, and retired material extraction
sites (i.e.~gravel pits) may influence conservation goals in the 20
Mountains to Stream corridors, and supporting efforts to include
groundwater considerations in permit reviews
\item
Continue to communicate with the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife office,
which in 2022 initiated an effort to gather aerial thermal infrared
imagery in local river corridors used by migrating adult coho
salmon\footnote{https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/sports/refuge-notebook-flying-a-remote-sensing-mission-on-the-refuge/}.
A cost-effective collaboration could result if USFWS aerial thermal
imagery can be used for the same conservation goals as detailed in
this project
\item
Continue to communicate with the Alaska Department of Environmental
Conservation and other agencies about moving towards formally defined
standards for cold water refugia
\item
Develop and publish standards for collection and application of
thermal imagery in aquatic habitat, similar to published standards for
stream temperature monitoring (Mauger, Shaftel, et al. 2015a)
\item
Convert the thermal imagery map files acquired from this project to a
format accessible from an online web browser or Google Earth
\end{itemize}
A two-page project summary titled, ``Science Based Land Conservation:
Cold Water Stepping Stones'' is outlined below in
Figure~\ref{fig-summary-sheet}. Download a full size version of this
information by clicking on the link below.
\begin{figure}
{\centering \includegraphics[width=4.16667in,height=5.20833in]{./images/project_summary_img.jpg}
}
\caption{\label{fig-summary-sheet}Project Summary Sheet}
\end{figure}
\bookmarksetup{startatroot}
\hypertarget{introduction}{%
\chapter{Introduction}\label{introduction}}
The following chapters contain data and analysis related to the Kenai
River Thermal Imagery project conducted from 2020 - 2022. This work is a
collaborative effort between three Kenai Peninsula Nonprofits: Cook
Inletkeeper, Kachemak Bay Heritage Land Trust, and Kenai Watershed
Forum. It is funded by the Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund (project
\#53003).
This report is generated using Quarto, an open source publishing
platform. It is best accessed online at the url
\url{https://kenaiwatershed.quarto.pub/kenai_thermal_imagery/}.
All code used to generate this report is available in the project's
GitHub repository at
\url{https://github.com/Kenai-Watershed-Forum/kenai_thermal_imagery_v2}.
\bookmarksetup{startatroot}
\hypertarget{project-map}{%
\chapter{Project Map}\label{project-map}}
Our research focused on four streams in the Kenai Peninsula lowlands
region in southcentral Alaska:
\begin{itemize}
\item
Three tributaries of the lower Kenai River
\begin{itemize}
\item
Moose River
\item
Beaver Creek
\item
Funny River
\end{itemize}
\item
One tributary of the lower Kasilof River
\begin{itemize}
\tightlist
\item
Crooked Creek
\end{itemize}
\end{itemize}
The ArcGIS Online project map may be accessed below or at
\href{https://arcg.is/0vaueq}{ArcGIS Online (Click Here:
https://arcg.is/0vaueq)}.
The online map contains layers with the following data:
\begin{itemize}
\item
Project Watershed Boundaries
\item
National Hydrography Database (rivers, lakes, streams, etc)
\item
Anadromous Waters Catalog
\begin{itemize}
\item
Streams
\item
Lakes
\end{itemize}
\item
Kenai Peninsula Borough Parcel Boundaries
\item
Thermal Imagery Data from NV5 Geospatial consultants report
\begin{itemize}
\item
Significant Thermal Features (identified from thermal imagery)
\item
Longitudinal Temperature Profiles (main channel temperatures of
study streams)
\item
Water Temperature Logger Sites
\end{itemize}
\end{itemize}
\bookmarksetup{startatroot}
\hypertarget{thermal-imagery-data}{%
\chapter{Thermal Imagery Data}\label{thermal-imagery-data}}
To acquire and prepare thermal aerial infrared imagery, we worked with
\href{https://www.nv5.com/geospatial/}{NV5 Geospatial}\footnote{https://www.nv5.com/geospatial/}
(formerly Watershed Sciences, Inc), a contractor who has led prior
efforts in the region to gather thermal aerial infrared data for aquatic
habitat research (Watershed Sciences 2010). On July 5, 2020, NV5
collected thermal infrared imagery from a helicopter-mounted camera for
the four steams on the Kenai Peninsula lowlands that were the focus of
this study (Beaver Creek, Funny River, Moose River, and Crooked Creek).
All streams were flown during the afternoon hours in order to maximize
the thermal contrast between the river's water and the banks.
The surveys extend for a total length of 59.1 km of the streams. Flight
transects proceeded from the mouth of each stream in an upstream
direction. The data were collected to aid the team in identifying the
spatial variability in surface temperatures as well as thermal influence
of point sources, tributaries, and surface springs.
Specific deliverables generated by NV5 Geospatial from the thermal
imagery data include:
\begin{itemize}
\item
Rasters (map image files; .tif and .jpg formats)
\item
Shapefiles (longitudinal temperature profiles, stream centerlines,
others; .shp format)
\item
Other supplemental items (coordinates of significant thermal features,
maps and figures, and others)
\end{itemize}
The full technical report from NV5 Geospatial describing detailed
methods and interpretation can be downloaded at the following link in
the online version of this report:
The image raster files are of a large size (\textasciitilde3 GB) and may
be acquired by contacting staff at Cook Inletkeeper
(sue@inletkeeper.org), Kenai Watershed Forum
(hydrology@kenaiwatershed.org), or Kachemak Heritage Land Trust
(info@kachemaklandtrust.org).
\hypertarget{parcel-data-summary}{%
\section{Parcel data summary}\label{parcel-data-summary}}
We generated a table in GIS (ArcMap Pro 10.8.1) of parcels in the Kenai
Peninsula Borough that intersect with cold-water inputs (e.g.~seeps,
springs) within the surveyed areas of Beaver Creek, Crooked Creek, Moose
River, and Funny River. We identified a total of n = 31 unique parcels
containing a total of n = 63 unique cold water refugia features.
\textbf{?@fig-parcel-plot} summarizes the ownership type of these
parcels by general category of owner type.
\includegraphics{./thermal_imagery_data_files/figure-pdf/parcel-plot-1.pdf}
\hypertarget{ground-truth-data}{%
\section{Ground truth data}\label{ground-truth-data}}
On July 7-8, 2021 we visited a subset of sites identified by the NV5
Geospatial Consultants report as cold water features. We visited 12 of
63 total sites. We recorded surface water temperatures of the identified
features as well as the adjacent main stem using a using a Hach Sension
5 portable meter. The average time difference between main stem
temperature observation and off-channel observation was 13.9 minutes. We
created a graphic sketch of the layout of each feature, and recorded
site photos.
Field forms, including site sketches, can be accessed at the following
link:
In general we observed symmetry in the pattern of temperature contrast
for both our ground-truthed data as well as temperatures observed from
the thermal aerial infrared dataset. This indicates that the temperature
contrasts identified from the aerial imagery are persistent and not
ephemeral. Figure~\ref{fig-gt-tir-obs-beaver} through
Figure~\ref{fig-gt-tir-obs-funny} visualize water temperature data
sourced from the significant features in aerial imagery on July 20, 2020
along with ground-truthed measurements from July 7-8, 2021.
Note that the temperature data reported from thermal infrared imagery
observations consists of multiple statistics, whereas the ground-truth
values consist of a single observation. Multiple statistics are reported
for the aerial thermal infrared temperature values as a result of the
sampling method used, wherein ten surface temperatures within a
two-meter radius are evaluated. See the, ``Interpretation and Sampling''
section in the technical report from NV5 Geospatial Consultants,
available for download above (NV5 Geospatial 2021).
\begin{figure}
{\centering \includegraphics{./thermal_imagery_data_files/figure-pdf/fig-gt-tir-obs-beaver-1.pdf}
}
\caption{\label{fig-gt-tir-obs-beaver}Beaver Creek water temperatures,
ground truth and thermal infrared imagery observations.}
\end{figure}
\begin{figure}
{\centering \includegraphics{./thermal_imagery_data_files/figure-pdf/fig-gt-tir-obs-crooked-1.pdf}
}
\caption{\label{fig-gt-tir-obs-crooked}Crooked Creek water temperatures,
ground truth and thermal infrared imagery observations.}
\end{figure}
\begin{figure}
{\centering \includegraphics{./thermal_imagery_data_files/figure-pdf/fig-gt-tir-obs-funny-1.pdf}
}
\caption{\label{fig-gt-tir-obs-funny}Funny River water temperatures,
ground truth and thermal infrared imagery observations.}
\end{figure}
\hypertarget{collaborative-assessment}{%
\section{Collaborative Assessment}\label{collaborative-assessment}}
Researchers with participating organizations assessed conservation
strategies within each study watershed, and recorded their notes on a
shared platform. These collective notes are being used internally to
inform strategy for outreach approaches with local property owners.
Data sources used to assess parcel-specific conservation strategies
include:
\begin{itemize}
\item
Custom maps for each significant thermal feature, including
information about the parcel or parcels that it occupies
\item
Information about individual thermal features from the
\href{https://github.com/Kenai-Watershed-Forum/kenai_thermal_imagery/blob/master/documents/TIR_Technical_Data_Report_Kenai_Rivers_20210107.pdf}{NV5
Geospatial Consultants Report}, including mean value and contrast with
the main stem
\item
The \href{https://arcg.is/fzn14}{ArcGIS Online project map}
\end{itemize}
\textbf{Project collaborators may access the Thermal Imagery Database
Google Sheet using the link below:}
\textbf{Link:
\href{https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TZcTMBOL6WDCyvOODZlGeuCd-1sPWzYsurWtx7MJoUE/edit}{Thermal
Imagery Collaborative Assessment}}
An example map is shown in Figure 3.5.
\begin{figure}
{\centering \includegraphics[width=3.90625in,height=3.38542in]{./images/Beaver_Crk4.png}
}
\caption{\label{fig-example-map}Example of airborne thermal infrared
imagery map with parcel overlay.}
\end{figure}
\bookmarksetup{startatroot}
\hypertarget{water-temperature-loggers}{%
\chapter{Water Temperature Loggers}\label{water-temperature-loggers}}
In order to supplement aerial thermal infrared imagery and cold-feature
ground truthing data, we deployed water temperature loggers in the lower
reach of each study stream to collect continuous time series of water
temperature. We used Onset HOBO Temp Pro V2 loggers, deployed and
maintained according to published regional standards (Mauger, Shaftel,
et al. 2015b).
This section describes methods to visualize and perform basic quality
checks on continuous temperature loggers deployed in the study streams.
All data files (.csv) used in these analyses can be downloaded from this
project's
\href{https://github.com/Kenai-Watershed-Forum/kenai_thermal_imagery/tree/master/input}{GitHub
repository}.
\hypertarget{locations}{%
\section{Locations}\label{locations}}
See the Project Map (Section 2) section of this report for locations of
water temperature logger sites. The ArcGIS Online layer titled, ``Water
Temperature Logger Sites'' displays these locations.
Locations will also be reflected in the Alaska Center for Conservation
Science's AKOATS map
(\href{https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/aquatic-ecology/akoats/}{Alaska
Online Aquatic Temperature Site})\footnote{https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/aquatic-ecology/akoats/}
in Spring 2023.
\hypertarget{additional-data-preparation}{%
\section{Additional Data
Preparation}\label{additional-data-preparation}}
Some water temperature time series downloaded from loggers required
additional examination in order to prepare them for submission to
AKOATS. See Appendix A, Temperature Logger Data Preparation for
additional details.
\newpage
\bookmarksetup{startatroot}
\hypertarget{applications}{%
\chapter{Applications}\label{applications}}
We applied our findings of where cold-water inputs were located towards
education and outreach opportunities in the Central Kenai Peninsula
region. We used a variety of methods including comments on public land
management plans, direct mailers, cooperative planning with peer
researchers, and communication with state and federal agency staff.
We used the thermal features map layer generated from this project as a
tool to help generate comments on a local land management plan. We
commented on the
\href{https://www.kenai.city/lands/page/land-management-plan}{City of
Kenai 2021 Land Management Plan}, which highlighted a number of parcels
in the Beaver Creek corridor, and recommended parcel-specific actions
(e.g.~retain, sell, re-zone).
We created a separate map showing parcels highlighted in the plan, with
management status available in a point and click format. The parcels
were superimposed on a several layers highlighting ecological values
such as wetlands and anadromous streams, as well as the thermal features
identified in this project. Methods are described in a separate
stand-alone document at \url{https://rpubs.com/kwf/867931}.
Access the City of Kenai Land Management Plan Comments Map here:
\url{https://arcg.is/1Oq9Kq}.
Access PDFs of submitted Public Comments below:
\hypertarget{landowner-outreach}{%
\section{Landowner Outreach}\label{landowner-outreach}}
\hypertarget{letter}{%
\subsection{Letter}\label{letter}}
We composed a letter addressed to landowners whose property contains
cold water features that flow in to one of our study streams. This
letter describes the nature of the project and the value of cold water
features to salmon habitat. Landowners are invited to contact the
researchers if they would like more information about their specific
property.
A draft version of the letter to landowners may be accessed below:
\hypertarget{postcard}{%
\subsection{Postcard}\label{postcard}}
We designed and mailed a post card to landowners whose property contains
cold water features that flow in to one of our study streams. The
postcard notifies landowners that their specific parcels are of high
conservation value, and encourages them contact project scientists to
learn more about best practices.
A PDF proof version of the postcard may be accessed below:
\hypertarget{communication-with-local-state-and-federal-agency-staff}{%
\subsection{Communication with local State and Federal Agency
Staff}\label{communication-with-local-state-and-federal-agency-staff}}
We met with state and federal agency staff to discuss the nature of our
research and its applications.
\begin{itemize}
\item
In conversations with staff from the Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation (ADEC), we learned more about the process
by which new research such as ours may be applied in the future.
Emerging research on how water quality issues may affect freshwater
fish habitat is typically first evaluated by the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game (ADF\&G) before being evaluated in a regulatory context
such as ADEC. With that in mind, our final reports will be made
available to ADF\&G staff.
\item
On June 1, 2022 we met with local U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff to
discuss the nature of thermal infrared imagery gathered in summer 2022
for a separate USFWS project related to adult coho salmon movement.
These data are currently being evaluated, and it is our hope that they
may later also be applicable for the purposes of identify cold water
refugia in the conservation priority corridors identified in the
Mountains to Sea report (Morton et al. 2015)
\end{itemize}
\hypertarget{local-interest-in-conservation-easement}{%
\subsection{Local interest in Conservation
Easement}\label{local-interest-in-conservation-easement}}
We also communicated with the Snowshoe Gun Club, one of the larger
private landowners in the lower Beaver Creek corridor. The gun club's
ground footprint currently is set back several hundred yards from
adjacent riparian zones and can be considered compatible with fish
habitat management.
The Club has expressed interest in developing conservation easement
status for part of their current land holdings, along with an adjacent
parcel also set on Beaver Creek also currently in private ownership. We
provided a custom map (Figure~\ref{fig-sgc-map}) to highlight cold water
refugia features on these parcels, available for download below.
Discussions will continue with the Club to determine interest in moving
forward with a potential conservation easement.
\begin{figure}
{\centering \includegraphics[width=\textwidth,height=4.16667in]{./images/Snowshoe_Gun_Club_Thermal_Imagery_map.jpg}
}
\caption{\label{fig-sgc-map}Cold water refugia site highlights near
Snowshoe Gun Club}
\end{figure}
\bookmarksetup{startatroot}
\hypertarget{summary}{%
\chapter{Summary}\label{summary}}
The following are general observations regarding conservation potential
for each of the stream corridors in this study. The stream distance and
property ownership information cited is from (Morton et al. 2015). For
more details on land ownership and watershed-specific conservation
opportunities, see the Mountains to Sea report.
\hypertarget{general-recommendations-by-stream-corridor}{%
\section{General Recommendations by Stream
Corridor}\label{general-recommendations-by-stream-corridor}}
\begin{verbatim}
-- Attaching packages --------------------------------------- tidyverse 1.3.2 --
v ggplot2 3.4.0 v purrr 1.0.0
v tibble 3.1.8 v dplyr 1.0.10
v tidyr 1.2.1 v stringr 1.5.0
v readr 2.1.3 v forcats 0.5.2
-- Conflicts ------------------------------------------ tidyverse_conflicts() --
x dplyr::filter() masks stats::filter()
x dplyr::lag() masks stats::lag()
\end{verbatim}
\hypertarget{beaver-creek}{%
\subsection{Beaver Creek}\label{beaver-creek}}
Beaver Creek runs a total of 21.8 river miles before meeting the Kenai
River, with 4.0 of those miles in the lower section outside the Kenai
National Wildlife Refuge.
Land ownership in the lower Beaver Creek corridor can be described as
very parcelized, with the majority of parcels that are directly adjacent
to the creek in private ownership (20 of 28), most of them accessible
via Beaver Loop road. In our work, we found that 21 of these parcels
contained cold water refugia features (Figure 3.1).
In the context of near-term potential conservation opportunities,
several categories are highlighted. Several parcels belonging to the
City of Kenai are recommended in the 2021 Land Management Plan for
rezoning to recognize their conservation value. Our submitted comments
support this goal. Additionally, the 160 acre parcel that Snowshoe Gun
Club is considering for conservation easement status also stands out. We
intend to continue the dialogue with the club to ensure that the
opportunity for potential easement status can be easily accessed when
they choose to proceed.
\hypertarget{funny-river}{%
\subsection{Funny River}\label{funny-river}}
Funny River runs a total of 67 river miles before meeting the Kenai
River, with 4.5 of those miles in the lower section outside the Kenai
National Wildlife Refuge.
The lower Funny River riparian corridor can be described as primarily
under ownership of private individuals, the Alaska Department of Natural
Resources (AKDNR), and the regional native corporation CIRI (Cook Inlet
Regional Incorporated).
In the context of near-term potential for conservation opportunities,
several categories are highlighted. An AKDNR parcel that parallels Funny
River Road contains a significant cold water feature that we visited on
foot ground truth. Future road improvement projects would ideally be
cognizant of such features and take efforts to minimize impact from
impervious surfaces.
An additional parcel owned by CIRI approximately 4 miles upstream
contains a cluster of six cold-water features. This parcel also contains
tributaries not currently documented as anadromous but very likely are.
We intend to communicate the conservation values of this parcel to CIRI
so that they may be best informed for future land management decisions.
\hypertarget{moose-river}{%
\subsection{Moose River}\label{moose-river}}
Funny River runs a total of 137 river miles before meeting the Kenai
River, with 2.2 of those miles in the lower section outside the Kenai
National Wildlife Refuge.
We identified a minimal number of cool-water refugia features in the
lower Moose River. All of these features lie on privately owned parcels.
In our efforts to contact Moose River landowners to share educational
materials we failed to receive responses.
At current time, we intend to continue seeking opportunities to
communicate with Moose River landowners. Future community opportunities
and events will likely present new opportunties to share our findings
with specific landowners.
\hypertarget{crooked-creek}{%
\subsection{Crooked Creek}\label{crooked-creek}}
Crooked Creek runs a total of 45.9 river miles before meeting the
Kasilof River, with 16.8 of those miles in the lower section outside the
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
In the context of near-term potential for conservation opportunities,
several categories are highlighted. The majority of cold-water features
(17/25) lie on state-owned land, and are generally clustered together in
close groups.
An AKDNR parcel that parallels the Sterling Highway and adjacent
subdivisions contains several significant cold water features that we
visited on foot ground truth. Future road and home improvement projects
would ideally be cognizant of such features and take efforts to minimize
impact from impervious surfaces. We recommend a follow-up meeting with
AKDNR officials to highlight these results.
\bookmarksetup{startatroot}
\hypertarget{references}{%
\chapter*{References}\label{references}}
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{References}
\markboth{References}{References}
\hypertarget{refs}{}
\begin{CSLReferences}{1}{0}
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-armstrong2013}{}}%
Armstrong, Jonathan B., Daniel E. Schindler, Casey P. Ruff, Gabriel T.
Brooks, Kale E. Bentley, and Christian E. Torgersen. 2013. {``Diel
Horizontal Migration in Streams: Juvenile Fish Exploit Spatial
Heterogeneity in Thermal and Trophic Resources.''} \emph{Ecology} 94
(9): 2066--75. \url{https://doi.org/10.1890/12-1200.1}.
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-gerlach2021}{}}%
Gerlach, Mary E., Kai C. Rains, Edgar J. Guerrón-Orejuela, William J.
Kleindl, Joni Downs, Shawn M. Landry, and Mark C. Rains. 2021. {``Using
Remote Sensing and Machine Learning to Locate Groundwater Discharge to
Salmon-Bearing Streams.''} \emph{Remote Sensing} 14 (1): 63.
\url{https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14010063}.
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-mauger2015b}{}}%
Mauger, Sue, Marie McCarty, Mandy Bernard, and Branden Bornemann. 2015.
{``Science-Based Land Conservation: Conservation Strategies to Protect
Key Salmon Habitat in Lower Kenai Peninsula Watersheds.''}
\url{https://inletkeeper.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Science-based-Land-Conservation-report.pdf}.
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-mauger2015}{}}%
Mauger, Sue, Rebecca Shaftel, E. Jamie Trammell, Marcus Geist, and Dan
Bogan. 2015a. {``Stream Temperature Data Collection Standards for
Alaska: Minimum Standards to Generate Data Useful for Regional-Scale
Analyses.''} \emph{Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies} 4
(September): 431--38. \url{https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2015.07.008}.
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-mauger2015a}{}}%
---------. 2015b. {``Stream Temperature Data Collection Standards for
Alaska: Minimum Standards to Generate Data Useful for Regional-Scale
Analyses.''} \emph{Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies} 4
(September): 431--38. \url{https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2015.07.008}.
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-morton2015}{}}%
Morton, J M, D R Magness, M McCarty, D Wigglesworth, R Ruffner, M
Bernard, N Walker, et al. 2015. {``Kenai Mountains to Sea: A Land
Conservation Strategy to Sustain Our Way of Life on the Kenai
Peninsula.''}
\url{https://kenaiwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kenai-Mountains-to-Sea-Strategic-Plan_5nov2016_compressed.pdf}.
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-nv5geospatial2021}{}}%
NV5 Geospatial. 2021. {``Kenai Rivers - Thermal Infrared Airborne
Imagery Technical Data Report.''} Homer, Alaska.
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-snyder2022}{}}%
Snyder, Marcía N., Nathan H. Schumaker, Jason B. Dunham, Joseph L.
Ebersole, Matthew L. Keefer, Jonathan Halama, Randy L. Comeleo, et al.
2022. {``Tough Places and Safe Spaces: Can Refuges Save Salmon from a
Warming Climate?''} \emph{Ecosphere} 13 (11).
\url{https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4265}.
\leavevmode\vadjust pre{\hypertarget{ref-watershedsciences2010}{}}%
Watershed Sciences. 2010. {``Airborne Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing:
Anchor River Basin, Alaska.''} Homer, Alaska.
\url{https://inletkeeper.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Airborne-Thermal-Infrared-Remote-Sensing-Anchor-River-Basin-Alaska.pdf}.
\end{CSLReferences}
\appendix
\addcontentsline{toc}{part}{Appendices}
\hypertarget{temperature-logger-data-preparation}{%
\chapter{Temperature Logger Data
Preparation}\label{temperature-logger-data-preparation}}
\hypertarget{water-temperature-logger-data-qaqc}{%
\section{Water Temperature Logger Data
QA/QC}\label{water-temperature-logger-data-qaqc}}
Water temperarture data retrieved from the field was subjected to a
basic quality assurance process before being incorporated into the