This is a project blog for a new (started in 2007), comprehensive study of the ecology of chinook salmon in the Chena River, a major spawning tributary in the Yukon drainage in interior Alaska. We’re trying to better understand and quantify how factors like water level, invertebrates, and woody debris influence the salmon population. The study is mostly being undertaken by several graduate students at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks under the supervision of Dr. Mark Wipfli, Dr. Nick Hughes, and Matt Evenson of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.  We are funded by the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative. There are many other significant contributors and collaborators.

This summer we’re testing methods and refining logistics for next summer’s rigorous data collection. We’ll be using this blog to share our activities with the public and fellow scientists.