Spotlight on Big Lake Drainage
Big Lake is a recreational hotspot for fishing and water sports in the growing community of Big Lake, just west of Wasilla in the Mat-Su Borough. The lake itself, with 26 miles of shoreline and two major streams in its basin, provides extremely valuable spawning and rearing habitat for sockeye and coho salmon as well as resident populations of Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, and other native fishes. Threats to salmon in the Big Lake drainage include habitat loss through shoreline development around the lake, hydrocarbon pollution from boats, undersized and perched culverts on tributary streams and wetlands, stormwater runoff from roadways, paved driveways, parking areas and roofs, aquatic invasive species such as aquatic plant Elodea and northern pike (not native to Southcentral Alaska) and impacts from climate change.
Using Big Lake as a case study, on August 22nd, 13 presenters over five stops, highlighted some of the challenges and solutions to maintaining water quality and the integrity of fish habitat while growth continues in this recreational hotspot for fishing and watersports. Thanks to the 40 people who took the time to come out!
Click here for tour handout, including itinerary and presentation summaries
Google Maps Driving Directions – https://goo.gl/maps/dkQ4jBrKi9r696wY7
Special thanks to presenters, and to event supporters: National Fish Habitat Partnership, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Trout Unlimited, Knik Tribe and Alaska State Parks.
Added thanks to Pioneer Baptist Church of Wasilla for overflow parking.
