Conservation Security Program

This year the Anchorage Watershed is eligible for the 2008 Conservation Security Program (CSP). The sign-up period will take place April 18 through May 16, 2008.

For more information:
Kathy Potter (907) 271-2424 ext. 100
Meg Mueller (907) 283-8732 ext. 100
 

Anchorage Watershed

HUC: 19020401

Introduction

The Anchorage Bowl Watershed is the most human-populated watershed in Alaska. It lies between the Chugach Mountain Range and Cook Inlet. Scattered homesteads that were cleared and farmed in the 50s and 60s have since been developed into residential and business areas. Land uses in the watershed consist mainly of headquarters where small properties (.5  to 5 acres) accommodate horse operations for recreation and tourism. The total area of the HUC is 657,755 acres, of which 228,000 acres are covered by digitized soil survey.

Physical Description

The area is mostly urban but has several hobby and horse farms. There are approximately 10 to 15 farms that are each smaller than 50 acres and just a few farms larger than 50 acres.

Common Resource Areas

The watershed area is located in Major Land Resource Areas 223-Cook Inlet Mountains and 224-Cook Inlet Lowlands. The topography ranges from lowlands to hills to mountains and the horse operations reside throughout.

Resource Concerns

Water quality issues caused by animal waste storage, soil compaction, habitat fragmentation, inadequate cover and shelter for salmon habitat, noxious and invasive plants, and wildfire hazard are the areas primary concerns.