Juneau Watersheds
Background
Juneau has five waterbodies listed as impaired (polluted). The waterbodies include Duck, Jordan, Lemon, Pederson Hill, and Vanderbilt Creeks. Each water has a recovery plan, also known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to address each pollutant.
Duck Creek
In 1994, Duck Creek was placed on the impaired list for debris, low dissolved oxygen, metals, fecal coliform bacteria and turbidity. Recovery efforts include water quality monitoring, culvert maintenance and upgrades, culvert replacement with bridges, streambank revegetation, sediment removal and channel reconfiguration, wetland restoration, and stream cleanup events. The construction of wetland habitat and stream channelization above Nancy Street resulted in improved fish and wildlife habitat, reduced turbidity and iron levels, and raised pH and dissolved oxygen in downstream reaches. However, ordinance enforcement challenges, ongoing land development and disruptive land use on private lands adjacent to Duck Creek continue to impair water quality.
- 2010 Bioassessment report (PDF)
- 2004-2008 Duck Creek Created Wetlands Monitoring (PDF)
- 2007 Duck Creek Restoration Assessment (PDF)
- 2006 Watershed Protection and Recovery for Duck Creek report (PDF)
- 2005 Duck and Jordan Creek Protection and Recovery report (PDF)
- 1999 Duck Creek Watershed Management Plan (PDF)
Jordan Creek
In 1998, Jordan Creek was placed on the impaired list for debris, low dissolved oxygen and sediment. Sampling and restoration efforts include water quality monitoring, stream cleanup events, and stormwater best management practices demonstration sites. Excess sediment in the creek lead to poor survival of salmon eggs and low oxygen readings in the substrate. The creek is largely spring fed and cannot transport large volumes of sediment. The stream corridor is under development, and the lower section of the creek regularly goes dry.
- 2015 Jordan Creek GI Project report (PDF)
- 2010 Bioassessment report (PDF)
- 2010 Water Quality Report for Jordan Creek (PDF)
- 2009 Water Quality Report for Jordan Creek (PDF)
- 2008 Jordan Creek Hydrologic and Geomorphic Evaluation (PDF)
- 2008 Jordan Creek Watershed Protectection and Recovery (PDF)
- 2007 Watershed Protection Recovery for Jordan Creek (PDF)
- 2007 ATV Trail Mapping for Jordan Creek (PDF)
- 2006 Watershed Protection and Recovery for Jordan Creek (PDF)
- 2006 Hydrology and Flood Profiles of Duck Creek and Jordan Creek Downstream from Egan Drive report (PDF)
- 2006 Jordan Creek Watershed Recovery and Management Plan (PDF)
- 2005 Duck and Jordan Creek Protection and Recovery report (PDF)
- 2004 Mendenhall Watershed Protection and Recovery report (PDF)
- 2004 Baseline Characteristics of Jordan Creek report (PDF)
- 2003-2013 Water Quality Report for Jordan Creek (PDF)
- 2002 Waterbody Assessment for Jordan Creek (PDF)
Lemon Creek
In 1990, Lemon Creek was placed on the impaired list for turbidity, sediment, and concerns about habitat modification. Monitoring efforts include a sediment assessment to determine natural nonpoint source sediment within Lemon Creek, and the role of active glacial and mass wasting processes.
- 2007 Lemon Creek Watershed Recovery Management Plan (PDF)
- 2004 Lemon Creek Watershed Geomorphic Assessment and Sediment Management Alternatives Analysis
- 2004 Lemon Creek Baseline Aquatic Habitat Characterization (PDF)
- 2003 Lemon Creek Natural Sediment Assessment (PDF)
Pederson Hill Creek
In 1990, Pederson Hill Creek was placed on the impaired list for fecal coliform bacteria. Monitoring and restoration efforts include water quality monitoring, and the installation of city sewer to adjacent properties. Fecal coliform bacteria continue to be detected in the surface water even though nearly all of the residential and commercial area buildings are connected to city sewer.
- 2013 Pederson Hill Creek Water Quality Monitoring (PDF)
- 2006 Watershed Protection and Recovery for Pederson Hill Creek (PDF)
- 2005 Pederson Hill Creek Watershed Protection and Assessment (PDF)
Vanderbilt Creek
In 1990, Vanderbilt Creek was placed on the impaired list for sediment and turbidity. Recovery efforts include wetland assessment, water quality monitoring, and restoration projects. Narrow stream buffers and urban stormwater continue to impact the creek.
- 2008 Watershed Protection and Recovery for Vanderbilt Creek (PDF)
- 2008 Vanderbilt Creek Watershed Wetland Assessment (PDF)
- 2007 Vanderbilt Creek Watershed Recovery and Management Plan (PDF)
Recent Actions
Recent recovery efforts to improve to water quality and fish habitat include community stream clean-up events for ongoing debris (trash) issues, water quality effectiveness monitoring to assess wetland creation and stream restoration, and roadway best management practices.
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