The Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition (SAWC) was awarded $88,000 to improve habitat in the Ward Creek watershed in Ketchikan, Alaska. This watershed provides habitat for Dolly Varden char; steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout; and pink, chum, coho, and sockeye salmon.

Historic riparian logging in the Upper Ward Creek watershed harvested habitat-forming old-growth trees resulting in channel simplification, fish habitat losses, and altered riparian forest conditions.

SAWC, in partnership with Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC, Tribal organization) and Cape Fox, Inc. (Tribal landowner), have conducted extensive watershed assessment, planning, and habitat improvement actions in the Ward Creek watershed since 2021. They have identified and mapped stream reaches that support fish, lack sufficient large wood to sustain aquatic habitat, and are bordered by structurally and biologically deficient young-growth forest.

To address these issues, they are implementing hand tool-scale habitat improvement projects on three tributaries that merge to form the Upper Ward Creek mainstem. Additional funds will support the continuation of that hands-on volunteer work as well as produce engineering designs for heavy machinery-scale restoration actions in the logged mainstem of Upper Ward Creek upstream of Talbot Lake. Hand tool restoration sites have been selected and designed, and will be implemented by SAWC, KIC Indigenous Stewards, and community volunteers.

Volunteers will learn about the role of large tree recruitment in sustaining fish populations and habitat, and the impacts of riparian logging on stream ecosystems. They will also participate in hand tool restoration projects.

The lower portion of Ward Creek is a prime angling destination for people from Ketchikan, with steelhead, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink salmon. The project site is located on a mix of Tongass National Forest (open access) and Cape Fox Corporation (Alaska Native Corporation, shareholder access) land.