ADF&G flooded gravel mine studies since 1986 and an arctic grayling experimental transplant into a small tundra drainage a synthesis

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

ADF&G FLOODED GRAVEL MINE STUDIES

SINCE 1986 AND AN ARCTIC GRAYLING EXPERIMENTAL

TRANSPLANT INTO A SMALL TUNDRA DRAINAGE:

A SYNTHESIS

by
S. M. Roach

Technical Report No. 93-6

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
CHARLESTON , SC 29405-2413

I~~~
operty of CSC Library

Frank Rue
Director
Habitat and Restoration Division
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
P. 0. Box 3-2000
Juneau, Alaska 99802

April 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
LIST OF TABLES .................................................... iii

LIST OF FIGURES ................................................... v

ABSTRACT ..........................................................

PART I

FLOODED GRAVEL MINE SITES STUDIED SINCE 1986 ......................2

Introduction .................................................2

Description of Mine Sites .................................... 4

Mine Sites In Large Drainages ........................... 6
ARCO Sag Site C.................................... 6
Ott's Oxbow ........................................ 7
Goose Green Gulch .................................. 7
Kuparuk Deadarm .................................... 8
Mine Sites In Small Tundra Drainages .................... 8
Kuparuk Mine Site D ................................ 9
Kuparuk Mine Site B ................................ 9
Lower Put River Mine Site and Put 27 ............... 10

Biological and Limnological Sampling ......................... 10

Methods ................................................. 10
Fish Surveys ....................................... 10
Zooplankton Surveys ................................ 11
Phytoplankton Surveys .............................. 11
Chemical Evaluations ............................... 12
Results ................................................. 12
Fish Surveys ....................................... 12
Zooplankton Surveys ................................ 14
Phytoplankton Surveys .............................. 21

I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Page1
Chemical Evaluations.................21.
Discussion ........................255

PART II3

ARCTIC GRAYILING TRANSPLANT INTO A SMALL TUNDRA DRAINAGE.......29

Introduction..........................29

Methods ............................30

Results ............................313

Discussion...........................32

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...........................35I

LITERATURE CITED ..........................36

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page
1. North Slope flooded gravel mine sites investigated by
Habitat Division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
since 1986 ..................................................

2. Number of flooded gravel mine sites that ADF&G personnel
captured fish by species and type of drainage; all sites

(N=7), sites within large river drainages (n=4), and sites
within small tundra drainages (n-3) ......................... 13

3. Fish species captured in North Slope flooded gravel mines
after initial flooding ...................................... 15

4. Fish species captured in North Slope flooded gravel mines
after initial flooding and after habitat enhancement ........ 16

5. Zooplankton collected from flooded gravel mine sites by

taxonomic group (Class, Order, and Family) .................. 20

6. Estimated density of small zooplankton (Cladocera < 0.75 mm;
Copepoda < 0.50 mm) and large zooplankton (Cladocera >
0.75 mm; Copepoda > 0.50 mm) in four North Slope gravel mine
sites (adopted from Hemming et al. 1989) .................... 22

7. Average concentrations of chlorophyll-a in five North Slope
flooded gravel mine sites by year and month (adopted from
Hemming et al. 1989). (Samples from each site ranged from

two to six) ................................................. 23

8. Average concentrations and ratios to chlorophyll-a of
chlorophyll-b and chlorophyll-c in four North Slope flooded

gravel mine sites from data collected in May, July, and
August 1988 (adopted from Hemming et al. 1989) .............. 24

LIST OF TABLES (Continued)

Table Page
9. Average water temperature (temp), dissolved oxygen (DO),
acidity (pH), conductivity (cond), alkalinity (alk), and
hardness (hard) values for North Slope flooded gravel mines
by month and site ............................................ 26

LIST OF FIGURES

I Figure ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Page
1. Number of species captured in North Slope flooded gravel
3 ~~~~mines, before and after habitat enhancement..........17

2. Number of freshwater resident species captured in North Slope
I ~ ~~flooded gravel mines from large river and small tundra
* ~~~~drainages...........................18

3. Number of species captured in North Slope flooded gravel
3 ~~~~mines from large river and small tundra drainages.......19

4. Average yearly growth rate to length at time of transplanting
3 ~~~of Arctic grayling in Kuparuk Mine Site B transplanted in
1989 and recaptured in 1990 and 1991 .............34

I~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABSTRACT

North Slope flooded gravel mine sites investigated since 1986 contain suitable
dissolved oxygen concentrations and sufficient under-ice water during the
winter to provide potential overwintering areas for fish. In addition, North
Slope flooded gravel mine sites have suitable chemical characteristics,
zooplankton abundance, and phytoplankton levels to support fish. Two or more
species of fish from adjacent waterways colonized each flooded gravel mine
site studied. Five or more species of fish colonized three gravel mine sites

modified to enhance fish utilization. Rehabilitation efforts at these sites
included providing permanent connections to adjacent waterways, increasing
shoreline diversity, and creating additional shallow water. A greater number
of freshwater resident species were captured in flooded gravel mine sites
associated with the large river drainages of the Kuparuk and Sagavanirktok
River than in flooded gravel mine sites associated with small tundra streams.
However, ADF&G personnel successfully transplanted Arctic grayling in 1989 to
Kuparuk Mine Site B, a unique overwintering site in a small tundra drainage.
Investigations indicate that at least 20% (95% CI = 20 to 55%) of the fish

transplanted survived at least two years. Growth rate of transplanted fish
was comparable to age-2 to age-7 Arctic grayling found in a small tundra
stream that drains into the Kavik River. Although, reproductive success was
not conclusive, transplanted fish spawned or were in pre-spawn condition in
1991 and five Arctic grayling were captured near Kuparuk Mine Site B that were
smaller than any of the fish originally transplanted at the site. Two of
these fish were estimated to be age-1 Arctic grayling (fork length = 120 mm
and 115 mm) and three estimated to be young-of-the-year Arctic grayling (fork

length < 38 nun). The observed lengths of these small Arctic grayling are
consistent with the premise that they were the spawning progeny of the
transplanted fish.

PART I

I ~~~~~~FLOODED GRAVEL MINE SITES STUDIED SINCE 1986

Introduction

Both positive and negative potential effects of gravel mining to the habitat
3 ~~on the North Slope is of interest to the Alaska Department of Fish and Came
(ADF&G). Gravel mining and large scale development of Alaska's North Slope
3 ~~began after the Prudhoe Bay oil discovery of 1969 and continues today. Gravel
is necessary for road construction, road maintenance, drilling pads, and other
projects an the North Slope. Construction projects on the North Slope need

more gravel compared to similar projects further south because of the presence
of permafrost. Thick layers of gravel, besides forming the base for

construction, help maintain the thermal regime necessary to prevent permafrost
thawing. One large gravel site or a series of sites in one area are not
3 ~~adequate for projects on the North Slope because gravel sites must be located
close to construction projects and at regular intervals for road maintenance.
3 ~~Construction in Alaska requires short haul distances because of the high costs
of transporting gravel. Economical reasons required gravel haul distances of
3 ~~16 km or less, for the maintenance of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

During early North Slope development, gravel was obtained by shallow scraping
of the floodplain gravels. Environmental and hydrological considerations led
to state policies that minimized surface disturbances by limiting the number
3 ~~of mine sites and encouraging large deep multi-user mine sites. Potential
effects to the environment, from floodplain gravel mining, were identified in
3 ~~the early 1970's (Weeden and Klein 1971; Klein 1973; West 1976). The United
States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), consequently, recognized a need to
* ~~provide information to resource managers that would help minimize negative
effects to the environment from floodplain gravel mining. Woodward-Clyde
Consultants began a study for the USFWS in 1975, which reported on 25 arctic
I ~ ~and sub-arctic gravel mining sites (Woodward-Clyde Consultants 1980). This
study culminated in an arctic and sub-arctic gravel extraction guide (Joyce et
I ~~al. 1980).

During the five-year Woodward-Clyde study, investigations included the
evaluation of eight interior Alaska flooded gravel sites for habitat and fauna
diversity. This report suggested that these eight flooded gravel mines
increased local habitat and fauna diversity. There was a positive relation
between flooded pits with the greatest fauna diversity and shoreline
vegetation, irregular shoreline development, one or more islands, diversity of
water depths, food availability, and connection to a stream or river system 3
(Joyce 1980).

I
Distributions of fish in the arctic are restricted to deep pools, deep lakes,
and spring-fed areas during the winter. On the North Slope most bodies of
fresh water, within small tundra drainages, freeze to the bottom during the
winter or lack sufficient oxygen for the overwintering of fish, making
overwintering habitat a limiting factor for fish diversity and abundance
(Bendock and Burr 1985; Schmidt et al. 1989). For example, Craig and Poulin
(1975) identified only two overwintering locations for fish within the tundra
drainage of the Shaviovik River. Most deep pools are associated with large
river drainages such as the Sagavanirktok and Kuparuk River drainages.

Encouraged by the Woodward-Clyde report and considering the paucity of
overwintering sites for fish on the North Slope, ADF&G identified North Slope
gravel pit reclamation a priority in 1986 and began studies to investigate
flooded gravel mines on the North Slope. ADF&C identified Prudhoe Bay -
Kuparuk flooded gravel mine management as an opportunity to benefit fish,
wildlife, and man. Currently, in the North Slope oilfield, over 320 ha (800 3
ac) have been mined for gravel. The surface area of these sites range from
1.5 to 46.8 ha (3.7 to 117 ac) and range between 11.8 and 15.2 m (39 to 50 ft) 3
below surface elevation. ADF&G hypothesized that reclaimed deep gravel mines
on the North Slope may provide useable fish and wildlife habitat (e.g. rearing
and overwintering areas). In addition, flooded deep gravel mines may provide
sport fishing opportunities and a source of winter water for domestic and
industrial use. This paper provides a synthesis of ADF&G reports on flooded
gravel mines on the North Slope since 1986 (Hemming 1988; Hemming et al. 1989;
Winters 1990a; Winters 1990b; Hemming 1990; Hemming 1991). 3

3 I

ADF&G investigations of Prudhoe Bay - Kuparuk flooded gravel mines were
designed to:

1. determine the presence of fish and other fauna;
2. determine the suitability of these sites for overwintering habitat
for fish;
3. compare biological and limnological characteristics among the sites;
4. identify site features that increase aquatic productivity and site
utilization by fish and wildlife; and,
5. determine the feasibility of stocking fish in flooded mine sites
within small tundra drainages where the opportunity for colonization
is low.

Description of Mine Sites

Habitat and Restoration Division of the ADF&G investigated seven flooded
gravel mines since 1986. Investigations included gravel mine sites in

drainages between the Ugnuravik and Sagavanirktok (Sag) River on the North
Slope of Alaska. There was one gravel mining site each in the Ugnuravik, East
Creek, Kuparuk, and Putuligayuk (Put) drainages, and three sites in the Sag
drainage (Table 1).

Flooded gravel mine sites are dynamic systems, continually changing because of
spring flooding, thawing of adjacent ice fields, erosion from water and wind,
and other natural events. Rehabilitation efforts by man are also a source of
change for flooded gravel sites. Nature or man has altered several or all the
sites studied since original flooding. In addition to flooding the sites, the
oil industry completed enhancement projects for Sag Site C, Kuparuk Mine Site
B, Kuparuk Dead Arm Reservoir 5, and Kuparuk Mine Site D. Natural events
notably altered Sag Site C after enhancement efforts.

After gravel mine sites fill with water, a permanent or temporary connection
to a stream, river, or lake is necessary for the colonization of fish.
Permanent connections provide pathways for open water movement and temporary

Table 1. North Slope flooded gravel mine sites investigated by Habitat
Division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game since 1986.

Year Studied

Drainage Site 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

Saga
Sag Site C * * * * *
Ott's Oxbow Site * *
Goose Green Gulch * *

Kuparuka
Kuparuk Deadarm 5 & 6 * * *

Ugnuravikb
Kuparuk D Pit * * * *

East Creekb
Kuparuk B Pit * * * * *

Putb
Put 27 Mine Site * *

a~~~~~~~~~~~~~
a Large river drainage.
b Small tundra river drainage.

connections provide pathways for movement during high water events. All the
3 ~~mine sites investigated were either permanently or temporarily connected to
natural water bodies for colonization. Flooded gravel mine sites in large
river drainages should have higher fish abundance and more species diversity
I ~ ~than small tundra drainages because the source of colonization is greater in
larger systems.

3 ~~Mine Sites in Large River Drainages:

The Kuparuk and Sag drainages are large systems with deep pools and spring-fed
areas, which enables the support of several species of freshwater and
anadromous fish throughout the winter (Bendock 1977; Bendock 1982; Bendock and
3 ~~Burr 1984). There were four gravel mine sites studied in these two large
river drainages; three in the Sag drainage (ARCO Sag Site C, Ott's Oxbow Site,
and Goose Green Gulch) and one in the Kuparuk drainage (Kuparuk Deadarm Gravel
Site).

ARCO Sao Site C. ARCO Sag Site C is near the west channel of the Sag River in
I ~ ~the floodplain of the Sag River Delta. The Sag River oil pipeline crossing
borders the north side of Sag Site C and the Sag River causeway borders the
south side. The Sag River flooded this site when the western perimeter berm
was breached in June of 1986 resulting in a 15.5 ha (38.2 ac) lake. High
water created an outlet channel during breakup in 1987, which provided a
seasonal connection to the Sag River. Depth profiles of this rectangular
flooded mine site, before rehabilitation efforts, indicated steep sides, flat

basin floors, and depths greater than 10 m (Hemming 1988).

I ~~In the fall of 1987 ARCO Alaska, Inc. established littoral areas in Sag Site
C. ARCO personnel established 2.0 ha (4.9 ac) of shallow water habitat by
removing 183 m of the gravel berm and removing gravel 0.6 to 1.2 m below water
surface elevation. In June of 1989 flood waters from the Sag River washed the
causeway road out, depositing the gravel on top of about 5 ha (12.3 ac) of the
ice in Sag Site C. Additional erosion resulted in the redistribution of

gravel in the newly created shallows, reducing the littoral habitat to 0.3 ha
(0.7 ac). However, 0.2 ha (0.5 ac) of shallow water developed when the outlet
channel expanded because of erosion. In addition, the tundra subsided along
the east side of the site and surface flow changed near the northeast corner
of the site, which resulted in a new inlet into Sag Site C from the tundra inI
August of 1989 (Hemming 1990). In 1990, erosion and sediment deposits from
spring flooding almost completely filled the littoral area established by3
ARCO. In addition, water flow through the inlet was discontinuous and water
discharge through the outlet was minimal (Hemming 1991). However, in the fall3
of 1992, ARCO Alaska installed culverts on a high water channel bordering the
east side of the site.3

Ott's Oxbow Site. Ott's Oxbow Site is in the floodplain of the Sag River.I
The ARCO airstrip and Prudhoe Bay Operations Center borders the west side of
this gravel mine site. Ott's Oxbow is a 6.9 ha (17.0 ac) backwater area of5
the Sag River, which formed in the mid-1970's from shallow parallel scraping
of gravel from the river. A gravel road partly isolates this shallow (not3
exceeding 2 m) backwater area from the main channel of the Sag River. The
depth of gravel removal was irregular, which resulted in several small islands

and spits within the mine site (Hemming 1990).

Goose Green Gulch. The Goosea Green Gulch Site is in the floodplain of the Sag
River. The Dalton Highway borders the west side of this gravel mine site and
the Sag River borders the east side. Gravel removal, from six aliquots within
the site, created shallow interconnected wetland habitat. An outlet channel,3
at the north end of the site, connects the shallow ponds of Goose Green Gulch
to the Sag River. In 1977, Goose Green Gulch was fertilized and grass

planted. Between 1978 and 1980 the site was planted with willow. This
flooded gravel mine site has an extensive shoreline development of spits,

embayments, and islands. The depths of these ponds range from 0.2 m to 1.2 m.
During the 1990 spring flood, erosion, sedimentation, and scouring caused
extensive changes to Goose Green Gulch. Flooding expanded the width of the3
outlet channel from 5 m to 15 m and deposited sand and silt at the southern

end of the complex, which reduced the depth of the ponds. Other disturbances
included scour holes and removal of vegetation. During the summer of 1990,
the Sag River flowed continuously through the Goose Green Gulch mine site
(Winters 1990).

KuDaruk Deadarm Gravel Site. The Kuparuk Deadarm Gravel Site is on the east
side of the Kuparuk River floodplain. This site was a former high-water
channel of the Kuparuk River. The Deadarm Site is a string of six connected
gravel mining pits. In 1986, Kuparuk River water backed up into the former
high-water channel creating lakes totaling 58.3 ha (143.6 ac). Depth
profiles, before rehabilitation efforts, of Kuparuk Deadarm Gravel Reservoirs
4 and 5 indicated steep sides, flat basin floors, and depths greater than 10
m. There is little shoreline development at these two sites. Depth profiles
of Reservoir 6, however, indicated extensive areas with depths less than 2 m.
In addition, there is more shoreline development, small islands, and spits at
Reservoir 6 (Hemming 1988).

In the winter of 1988 and 1989 BP Exploration established littoral habitat as
part of an expansion of the Kuparuk Deadarm Gravel Site by removing gravel

adjacent to Reservoir 5. This excavation to about 2.5 m below the water
surface level of the reservoir, added 6.2 ha (15.3 ac) to the complex. There
is an overburden dike between the reservoir and the expansion. There is a
deep channel through the dike that connects the expansion and the reservoir.
In addition, high water connects the two bodies of water south of the
overburden dike during spring flooding (Hemming 1990).

Mine Sites in Small Tundra Drainages:

The lack of water deep enough to provide overwintering habitat limits fish
abundance and species diversity in the Ugnuravik, East Creek, and Put
drainages (Dew 1981). ADF&G studied three gravel mine sites in these tundra
drainages; Kuparuk Mine Site D, Kuparuk Mine Site B, and Put 27 Mine Site.

Kutaruk Mine Site D. Kuparuk Mine Site D is adjacent to Charlie Creek.
Charlie Creek is a western tributary of the Ugnuravik River, which flows into
the Beaufort Sea. In early June 1984, excavation of a diversion channel
between Kuparuk Mine Site D and Charlie Creek resulted in a 15.6 ha (38.7 ac)
lake. However, there was significant erosion in the diversion channel and in
Charlie Creek itself. In 1984 and 1985, the entire flow of Charlie Creek
diverted to the mine site. In 1986, the water level of the pit reached the
stream water surface level, reestablishing stream flow downstream of the mine
site. Depth profiles of this rectangular flooded mine site, before
rehabilitation efforts, indicated steep sides, flat basin floors, and depths

greater than 10 m (Hemming 1988).

Rehabilitation efforts completed in early May 1990 for Kuparuk Mine Site D
included construction of several inlet and outlet channels, removal of
overburden berms from the south and west side of the mine site, improvements
to the access road culvert, and excavation of two perched ponds on top of the
overburden pile (Hemming 1991). Material removed from the overburden berms
was placed on top of the ice to provide organic and fine grained material to
the basin after the ice thawed. A decrease in the surface water elevation at

this site has limited the effectiveness of this rehabilitation project.

KuDaruk Mine Site B (Aanaalia Lakes). Kuparuk Mine Site B is next to East
Creek, which drains directly into the Beaufort Sea. The Kuparuk Oil Pipeline
and Spine Road borders Mine Site B on the north. This gravel mine site has
two pits, which when flooded in 1978 resulted in lakes totaling 3.7 ha (9.1
ac). Channels independently connect both Kuparuk Mine Site B lakes to East
Creek. Depth profiles of this rectangular flooded mine site, before

rehabilitation efforts, indicated steep sides, flat basin floors, and depths
less than 10 m (Hemming 1988).

In May 1989 ARCO Alaska, Inc. established an inlet channel and permanently
connected the two lakes. ARCO Alaska personnel excavated a 18 m x 24 m
section between East Creek and the southern lake to a depth of 1.8 m to create

an inlet channel. Two additional excavations of 14 m x 24 m between the two
lakes connected the lakes and formed an island. In 1989, ADF&G conducted an
experimental introduction of Arctic grayling from the Sag River into Kuparuk
Mine Site B to determine if a reproducing population could be established over

time (Winters 1990b).

Lower Put River Mine Site and Put 27. Lower Put River Site is 3.2 km from
Prudhoe Bay within the Put River. This gravel mine site is within the
estuarine influence of Prudhoe Bay. In addition, there is a deep mined gravel
site (Put 27 Mine Site) next to this river site, separated by a 115 m buffer
strip and a flood control berm. The Lower Put River Site is a 9.5 ha (23.4
ac) pool, which resulted from gravel extraction during. the early 1970's
(Hemming 1990). In April 1990, BP Exploration excavated a channel between
the Put River and Put 27 Mine Site, which flooded in late-May 1990 creating a
14.2 ha (35 ac) lake. This mine site is different from the other mine sites
because BP Exploration conducted rehabilitation efforts recommended by ADF&G
before flooding, the channel was excavated with a slope of 3:1 to a depth of
1.8 m and the excavated material was deposited within the mine site to provide
organic debris and fine grained sediment.

Bioloeical and Limnolozical SamDlinz

Methods:

This section provides a brief summary of the methods used by ADF&G personnel

to investigate the biological and limnological characteristics of seven North
Slope flooded gravel mine sites. Readers may obtain more in depth information
on methods from Hemming (1988), Hemming et al. (1989), Winters (1990a),
Hemming (1990), and Hemming (1991).

Fish Surveys. ADF&G personnel captured fish from four flooded gravel mine
sites within large river drainages (Sag Site C, Ott's Oxbow, Goose Green

Gulch, and Kuparuk Deadarm) and from three flooded gravel mine sites within

small tundra drainages (Kuparuk Site D, Kuparuk Site B, and Put 27 Mine Site).
Fish were captured with variable mesh gill nets (sinking and floating), wire
minnow traps, and fyke traps to survey relative abundance and species
diversity. Fish were generally captured during the open-water period from
June through September. Under-ice sampling, however, was conducted in April
1987 in Sag C, Kuparuk D, and Kuparuk B gravel mine sites (Hemming 1988).
Investigators used fyke traps to capture fish in all sites investigated except
Kuparuk Mine Site D and gill nets in all sites except the Ott's Oxbow and
Goose Green Gulch Mine Sites. In addition, minnow traps were used in Sag Site
C, Kuparuk Mine Site D, and Kuparuk Mine Site B. Fishing time was recorded
for each unit of gear to obtain catch-per-unit of effort and total effort for
each site. Total hours of effort varied among flooded mine sites; 1332 hours
in Sag Site C, 96 hours in Goose Green Gulch, 118 hours in Ott's Oxbow, 300
hours in Kuparuk Mine Site B, 218 hours in Put 27, and 567 hours in Kuparuk
Mine Site D.

Zooplankton Surveys. ADF&G personnel surveyed two flooded gravel mine sites
within large river drainages (Sag Site C and Kuparuk Deadarm) and two flooded
gravel mine sites within small tundra drainages (Kuparuk Mine Site D and
Kuparuk Mine Site B) to determine the presence and relative abundance of

zooplankton (Hemming 1988; Hemming et al. 1989). ADF&G personnel removed and
preserved stomachs from fish that died from sampling. Stomachs were separated
by species and contents were examined for prey organisms. In addition,
zooplankton were gathered with a Wisconsin-type tow net. In 1987, the net was
pulled horizontally, but in 1988 the net was pulled vertically through the
water column, slowly from the bottom of the lake to the surface (Hemming 1988;
Hemming et al. 1989). Individual prey organisms were identified to the
highest possible taxonomic level and numbers of each were counted or
estimated.

Phvtovlankton Surveys. ADF&G personnel evaluated phytoplankton standing crop
in two flooded gravel mine sites within large river drainages (Sag Site C and
Kuparuk Deadarm) and two flooded gravel mine sites within small tundra
drainages (Kuparuk Mine Site D and Kuparuk Mine Site B) from chlorophyll-a
sampling (Hemming 1988; Hemming et al. 1989). In 1987, I-liter water samples

were gathered from each mine site in an area thought to be typical of all mine
sites (Hemming 1988). In 1988, samples were taken at various depths (Hemming
et al. 1989). A trichromatic method, corrected for turbidity, was used to
determine amounts of chlorophyll-a, -b, and -c.

Chemical Evaluations. ADF&G personnel determined temperature, dissolved
oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), pH, conductivity, alkalinity,
and hardness from water samples collected with a vanDorn sample bottle from
three flooded gravel mine sites within large river drainages (Sag Site C,
Goose Green Gulch, and Kuparuk Deadarm) and from three flooded gravel mine
sites within small tundra drainages (Kuparuk Site D, Kuparuk Site B, and Put
27 Mine Site). Water samples were taken during both open-water and ice-
covered periods. In 1986, samples were taken at the surface or just below the
ice at 3 m depth intervals (Hemming 1988). In 1987, samples were taken at
various depths through the water column (Hemming et al. 1989).

Results:

Fish Surveys. ADF&G personnel captured 11 species of fish in the flooded
gravel mine sites: four freshwater resident species (Arctic grayling Thymallus
arcticus, round whitefish Prosopium cylindraceum, slimy sculpin Cottus
cognatus, and burbot Lota lota); six anadromous species (Ninespine stickleback
Pungitius pungitius, broad whitefish Coregonus nasus, Dolly Varden Salvelinus
malma, Arctic cisco Coregonus autumnalis, least cisco Coregonus sardinella,
and rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax); and one marine resident species (fourhorn
sculpin Myoxocephalus quadricornis) (Hemming 1988; Hemming et al. 1989;
Winters 1990a; Hemming 1990; Hemming 1991). Ninespine stickleback were
captured in all sites investigated. Ninespine stickleback, Arctic grayling,
and burbot were captured in all sites associated with large river drainages.
Ninespine stickleback and least cisco were captured in all sites associated
with small tundra drainages. Burbot and slimy sculpin were captured only in
sites associated with large rivers. Fourhorn sculpin and rainbow smelt were
captured only in sites associated with small tundra drainages near the coast
within sites influenced by estruarine conditions (Table 2).

Table 2. Number of flooded gravel mine sites that ADF&G personnel captured
fish by species and type of drainage; all sites (N=7), sites within
large river drainages (n=4), and sites within small tundra
drainages (n=3).

Number of Flooded Gravel Mine Sites

Sites Within Large Sites Within Small
Species All Sites River Drainages Tundra Drainage

Arctic cisco 2 1 1
Arctic grayling 5 4 1
Broad whitefish 4 2 2
Burbot 4 4 0
Dolly Varden 3 2 1
Fourhorn sculpin 1 0 1
Least cisco 4 1 3
Ninespine stickleback 7 4 3
Rainbow smelt 1 0 1
Round whitefish 4 3 1
Slimy sculpin 3 3 0

Two or more species of fish colonized each gravel site after flooding (Table
3) and five or more species colonized three gravel mine sites that were
modified to enhance fish utilization (Table 4). Sag Site C showed the
greatest increase in number of species after habitat modifications (Figure 1).
A greater number of freshwater resident species were captured in flooded
gravel mine sites associated with the large river drainages of the Kuparuk and

Sag River than were captured in flooded gravel mine sites associated with
small tundra streams (Figure 2). When considering all species (marine,
anadromous, and freshwater resident), the greatest number of species were
captured in Put 27 Mine Site, a gravel mine site with a strong estuarine
influence within a small tundra drainage, which was developed using guidelines
recommended by ADF&G for habitat enhancement before initial flooding. Fewer
species, however, were captured in the two other sites within a small tundra

drainage compared to sites within large drainages (Figure 3).

ZooDlankton Surveys. ADF&G personnel identified zooplankton from seven
taxonomic orders in four flooded gravel mines: four from class Insecta
(Trichoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera); two from class Crustacea
(Copepoda and Cladocera); and one from class Mollusca (Gastropoda) (Hemming
1988; Hemming et al. 1989). Copepoda families Diaptomidae and Cyclopodae were
identified in all four sites and Temoridae in all sites except Kuparuk D Mine
Site. Trichoptera were identified in Sag Mine Site C and Kuparuk Mine Site B.

Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera were identified only in Sag Site C, a
site associated with a large river drainage. Gastropoda were identified only
in Kuparuk Mine Site B, a site associated with a small tundra drainage (Table
5).

Hemming (1988) subjectively rated the relative density of zooplankton
abundance in Kuparuk Deadarm Mine Site as moderate to high, in Kuparuk Mine
Site B as moderate, in Sag Mine Site C as low, and in Kuparuk Mine Site D as-
low. Hemming et al. (1989), likewise, reported low numbers of small

zooplankton (Cladocera < 0.75 mm; Copepoda < 0.50 mm) and large zooplankton
(Cladocera > 0.75 mm; Copepoda > 0.50 mm) in Sag Mine Site C compared to the
other three sites. Estimated densities of large Copepoda and Cladocera ranged
from zero organisms per liter found in May in each site to 4.9 organisms per

Table 3. Fish species captured in North Slope flooded gravel mines after
initial flooding.

Site Species

Sag Site Ca Arctic grayling
Dolly Varden
Broad whitefish
Round whitefish

Ott's Oxbowa Arctic grayling
Broad whitefish
Burbot
Ninespine stickleback
Round whitefish

Goose Green Gulch8 Arctic grayling
Round whitefish
Slimy sculpin
Burbot
Dolly Varden

Kuparuk Deadarma Arctic cisco
Arctic grayling
Ninespine stickleback

Kuparuk Site Db Least cisco
Ninespine stickleback

Kuparuk Site Bb Ninespine stickleback
Broad whitefish

Put 27b Round whitefish
Dolly Varden
Ninespine stickleback
Arctic cisco
Broad whitefish
Least cisco
Rainbow smelt
Fourhorn sculpin
Arctic grayling

a Gravel mine site within a large river drainage.
b Gravel mine site within a small tundra river drainage.

Table 4. Fish species captured in North Slope flooded gravel mines after
initial flooding and after habitat enhancement.

Species

Site After Initial Flooding After Enhancement

Sag Site Ca Arctic grayling Arctic grayling
Dolly Varden Dolly Varden
Broad whitefish Broad whitefish
Round whitefish Round whitefish
Least cisco
Burbot
Slimy sculpin
Ninespine stickleback

Kuparuk Deadarma Arctic cisco Arctic cisco
Arctic grayling Arctic grayling
Ninespine stickleback Ninespine stickleback
Burbot
Slimy sculpin

Kuparuk Site Bb Ninespine stickleback Ninespine stickleback
Broad whitefish Broad whitefish
Round whitefish
Least cisco
Dolly Varden

a Gravel mine site within a large river drainage.
b Gravel mine site within a small tundra river drainage.

* Before Enhancement
8- X 7 ~~~ After Enhancement
(D

4 I
2~~~~
0 XX

Sag Site C Kuparuk Kuparuk
Deadarm Site B

Flooded Gravel Mine Site

Figure 1. Number of species captured in North Slope flooded gravel mines,
before and after habitat enhancement.

17
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0 -m-
Sa ie uarkKpau
__~ ~ ~ ~ ~ edr Sit B
Floe Grve Min Sie
Fiur \. Nube of spce\atrdi ot lp loervlmns

beoean ferhbtt naceet,
2 -- \ \~~~~~~~~
\ \~~~~~~~~
\ \~~~~~~~~
\ \~~~1
- \ \~~~~~~~~~

Sites In Large Drainages

1 4 Sites In Small Tundra Drainages

(D 3
4 - l
U)

I~~~~~

U) ~ ~ ~ U
._~~Foe G r vl MieSt
)3 -I

*~~ 1-1

*~~ K

Sag Goose Ott's Kuparuk Kuparuk Put Kuparuk
Site C Green Oxbow Deadarm Site B 27 Site D
Gulch

Flooded Gravel Mine Site

Figure 2. Number of freshwater resident species captured in North Slope
flooded gravel mines from large river and small tundra drainages.

U Sites In Large Drainages
10 3 Sites In Small Tundra Drainages

19 1
-6-
U)
0~~~~~~~~~~~~

4 -

2- 3

0~~~~~~~~~~~

Sag Goose Ott's Kuparuk Kuparuk put Kuparuk
Site 0 Green Oxbow Deadarrn Site B 27 Site D
Gulch
FlodedGravel Mine Site

Figure 3. Number of species captured in North Slope flooded gravel mines
from large river and small tundra drainages.3

19
\ \~~~

Table 5. Zooplankton collected from flooded gravel mine sites by taxonomic
group (Class, Order, and Family).

Taxonomic Group

Site Class Order Family

Sag Site ca Crustacea Copepoda Cyclopodae
Diaptomidae
Temoridae
Insecta Coleoptera not identified
Diptera Chironomidae
Tabanidae
Tipulidae
Hymenoptera not identified

Trichoptera not identified

Kuparuk Deadarma Crustacea Cladocera Daphnidae
Copepoda Cyclopodae
Diaptomidae
Temoridae

Kuparuk Site Db Crustacea Cladocera Daphnidae
Copepoda Cyclopodae

Diaptomidae

Kuparuk Site Bb Crustacea Cladocera Daphnidae
Copepoda Cyclopodae
Diaptomidae
Temoridae

Insecta Trichoptera not identified

Mollusca Gastropoda not identified

a Gravel mine site within a large river drainage.
b Gravel mine site within a small tundra river drainage.

liter in Kuparuk Deadarm Mine Site in August. Large Cladocera or large
Copepoda were not found in any of the sites in May. Estimated densities of
small Copepoda and Cladocera ranged from zero organisms found in May in Sag
Site C to 50 to 75 organisms per litter in Kuparuk Mine Site D in August
(Table 6).

PhvtoDlankton Survevs. Hemming (1988) determined average chlorophyll-a
surface concentrations ranged from 1.28 to 5.51 pg/L in four North Slope
flooded gravel mine sites in August 1987 (Table 7). Hemming et al. (1989)
determined average chlorophyll-a concentrations at various depths ranged from
0.98 to 2.10 pg/L in the four flooded mine sites in May, July, and August
1988. During May 1988, concentrations of chlorophyll-a ranged from 0.72 pg/L
in Sag Mine Site C to 3.35 #g/L in Kuparuk Mine Site D. During July 1988,
concentrations of chlorophyll-a ranged from 1.22 pg/L in Kuparuk Deadarm Mine
Site to 2.76 pg/L in Sag Mine Site C. During August 1988, concentrations of
chlorophyll-a ranged from 0.79 pg/L in Kuparuk Deadarm Mine Site to 2.75 pg/L
in Kuparuk Mine Site B (Table 7). Additionally, Hemming et al. (1989)
determined average chlorophyll-b concentrations in the four flooded mine sites
in May, July, and August 1988 ranged from 0.14 pg/L in Sag Mine Site C to 0.20
pg/L in Kuparuk Mine Site D and average chlorophyll-c concentrations ranged
from 0.67 pg/L in Kuparuk Deadarm Mine Site to 1.03 pg/L in Kuparuk Mine Site
B (Table 8).

Chemical Evaluations. Hemming (1988) and Hemming et al. (1989) reported water
temperature profiles of North Slope flooded gravel mines isothermal during
April-May and August. Kuparuk Deadarm Mine Site, Kuparuk Mine Site D, and
Kuparuk Mine Site B, however, were not isothermal in July. Average water
temperatures during April-May ranged from 0.1 �C in Kuparuk Deadarm Mine Site
to 3.4 �C in Put 27 Mine Site, average water temperatures during July ranged
from 3.6 �C in Sag Site C to 11.0 �C in Goose Green Gulch, and average water
temperatures during August ranged from 7.0 �C in Put 27 Mine Site to 8.5 �C in
Kuparuk Site D. Average DO during April-May ranged from 9.0 mg/L in Kuparuk
Site B to 13.6 mg/L in Kuparuk Deadarm Mine Site, average DO during July
ranged from 9.3 mg/L in Goose Green Gulch to 13.5 mg/L in Sag Site C, and
average DO during August ranged from 10.5 mg/L in Put 27 Mine

Table 6. Estimated density of small zooplankton (Cladocera < 0.75 mm;
Copepoda < 0.50 mm) and large zooplankton (Cladocera > 0.75 mm;
Copepoda > 0.50 mm) in four North Slope gravel mine sites (adopted

from Hemming et al. 1989).

Number / L

Small Zooplankton Large Zooplankton

Site May July Aug May July Aug

Sag Site Ca 0 < 1 < 1 0 < 1 < 1
Kuparuk Deadarma 2-10 26-50 11-25 0 3.5 4.9
Kuparuk Site Db < 1 11-25 50-75 0 < 1 < 1
Kuparuk Site Bb < 1 2-10 26-50 0 < 1 2.1

a Gravel mine site within a large river drainage.
b Gravel mine site within a small tundra river drainage.

Table 7. Average concentrations of chlorophyll-a in fivec North Slope
flooded gravel mine sites by year and month (adopted from Hemming
et al. 1989). (Samples from each site ranged from two to six).

Chlorophyll-a (pg/L)

1987 1988

Site Aug May July Aug Avg

Sag Site Ca 1.70 0.72 2.76 1.79 1.70
Kuparuk Deadarma 1.28 0.95 1.22 0.79 0.98
Kuparuk Site Db 5.51 3.35 1.65 1.72 2.10
Kuparuk Site Bb 1.59 0.85 1.54 2.75 1.89

a Gravel mine site within a large river drainage.
b Gravel mine site within a small tundra river drainage.
c Average concentration of chlorophyll-a in Goose Green Gulch in July 1990
was 0.27 (pg/L).

Table 8. Average concentrations and ratios to chlorophyll-a of chlorophyll-b
and chlorophyll-c in four North Slope flooded gravel mine sites
from data collected in May, July, and August 1988 (adopted from
Hemming et al. 1989).

Chlorophyll-b (pg/L) Chlorophyll-c (pg/L)

Site Concentration Ratio Concentration Ratio

Sag Site ca 0.14 0.13 0.83 0.62
Kuparuk Deadarma 0.15 0.16 0.67 0.71
Kuparuk Site Db 0.20 0.07 0.85 0.41
Kuparuk Site Bb 0.15 0.11 1.03 0.59

a Gravel mine site within a large river drainage.
b Gravel mine site within a small tundra river drainage.

Site to 11.3 mg/L in Kuparuk Site D (Table 9).

Average pH ranged from 6.7 in Goose Green Gulch during July to 8.3 in Put 27
Mine Site during August. Average conductivity ranged from 102 MS/cm in Sag

Site C during January-February to 894 MS/cm in Put 27 Mine Site during April-
May. Average alkalinity ranged from 56 mg/L in Kuparuk Site B during August
to 260 mg/L in Put 27 during April-May. Average hardness ranged from 64 mg/L3
in Kuparuk Site B during August to 194 mg/L in Put 27 Mine Site during April-
May (Table 9).1

Discussion:

ADF&G studies indicate that fish species found in adjacent waterways will
colonize North Slope flooded gravel mine sites. However, connecting pathways,
permanent or temporary, are necessary for colonization. Given the pathway,
the number of species of fish utilizing flooded gravel mine sites are directly3
related to the number of species occurring in the adjacent waterways (i.e. ,
colonization is limited to the number of available species). The number of

those species moving into flooded gravel mine sites, furthermore, are related
to the amount of time since initial flooding and the success of rehabilitation

efforts to provide overwintering or rearing habitat.

The ADF&G found that two or more species of fish colonized each North Slope3
flooded gravel mine site investigated. This represents a minimum number of
fish species. It is likely that with increased effort, or sampling at3
different times of the year, more species would be discovered. ADF&G studies
indicated that flooded gravel mine sites within the large river drainages of

the Sag and Kuparuk Rivers are more likely colonized by freshwater fish
species than the flooded gravel mine sites found within small tundra

drainages. Hemming (1988) suggested that the lack of overwintering habitat
within the small tundra drainages, and in particular, the inability of
obligatory freshwater fish to traverse saline waters to escape the poor winter3
conditions may help to explain the absence of these fish in these systems.
However, it is believed that Arctic grayling could be self sustaining in these3
small tundra streams if overwintering areas were available within these

251

Table 9. Average water temperature (temp), dissolved oxygen (DO), acidity
(pH), conductivity (cond), alkalinity (alk), and hardness (hard)
values for North Slope flooded gravel mines by monthe and site.

Month Site Temp DO pH Cond Alkc Hardc
�C mg/L pS/cm mg/L mg/L

January-February
Sag Site Ca 0.9 10.8 7.5 102 90 88

April-May
Sag Site Ca 1.0 12.6 7.7 105 86 99
Goose Green Gulcha - - -
Kuparuk Deadarma 0.1 13.6 - - - -
Kuparuk Site Db 1.2 10.9 7.4 438 112 172
Kuparuk Site Bb 0.8 9.0 7.2 325 144 167
Put 27b 3.4 13.4 7.7 894 260 194

July
Sag Site Ca 3.6 13.5
Goose Green Gulcha 11.0 9.3 6.7 75 101
Kuparuk Deadarma 10.6d 11.8
Kuparuk Site Db 5.1d 12.6
Kuparuk Site Bb 8.1d 11.1
Put 27b - -

August
Sag Site Ca 7.7 10.7 7.9 155 77 84
Goose Green Gulcha - - - - -
Kuparuk Deadarma - - -
Kuparuk Site Db 8.5 11.3 7.8 408 80 144
Kuparuk Site Bb 8.0 10.9 7.4 175 56 64
Put 27b 7.0 10.5 8.3 776 117 178

a Gravel mine site within a large river drainage.
b Gravel mine site within a small tundra river drainage.
C Expressed as CaCO3.
d Temperatures were not isothermal.
e Sag Site C sampled August 1986; January, February, April, July, and August
1987; and, May, July, and August 1988. Goose Green Gulch sampled July
1990. Kuparuk Deadarm sampled May, July, and August 1988. Kuparuk Site D
sampled August 1986; April, July, and August 1987; May, July, and August
1988. Kuparuk Site B sampled August 1986; April and July 1987; May, July,
and August 1988; and May 1990. Put 27 Mine Site sampled May and August
1990.

systems. For example, Arctic grayling are self sustaining in Weir Creek, a
small tundra stream that flows into the Kavik River drainage (Craig and Poulin
1975). Deep water in the Kavik River provides overwintering habitat for these
fish. However, very little deep water is available to Arctic grayling in
small tundra systems that flow directly into the Beaufort Sea. Flooded gravel
mine sites provide unique deep water habitat that may be used for
overwintering, but it would be necessary to initially transplant Arctic
grayling or other desired species at these sites.

The investigators found ninespine stickleback present in all flooded gravel
mine sites investigated and especially in the flooded gravel mine sites within

small tundra drainages with few other species. This suggests that ninespine
stickleback are adapted to intermittent water flow and low oxygen conditions
during the winter found in adjacent tundra waterways. Hemming (1988)
attributes this to greater tolerance to low oxygen, small size, and high
reproductive rate of ninespine stickleback. The effect of ninespine
stickleback on Arctic grayling is not known. However, Skaugstad (1989)
suggested that trophic competition between threespine stickleback Gasterosteus
aculeatus and Arctic grayling resulted in poor growth of Arctic grayling
fingerlings and no apparent survival of sac fry in Farmer and Sliver Lakes in

the interior of Alaska. For this reason, it may be necessary to transplant
Arctic grayling that are larger than the ninespine stickleback present in
these flooded gravel mine sites in order to establish an Arctic grayling
population. Investigators found both Arctic grayling and ninespine
stickleback in Sag Site C, Ott's Oxbow, Goose Green Gulch, and Kuparuk Deadarm
mine sites. This indicates, that once established, Arctic grayling
populations can exist in the same system with ninespine stickleback.

All North Slope flooded gravel mine sites investigated contain sufficient
under-ice water during the winter to provide overwintering areas for fish.
When compared to the shallowness of natural lakes and ponds on the North
Slope, the flooded gravel mine sites have the potential to greatly increase
the amount of overwintering habitat for fish on the North Slope. However,
depth is only one characteristic to consider for overwintering habitat. These
flooded gravel mine sites must also provide forage and escape cover for fish

that utilize these man-made lakes during the winter. A gradual transition
from shallow water to deep water, irregular shoreline development, and the
strategic placement of islands would ensure that these needs are met by
providing increased shoreline vegetation that would extend into the under-ice
water.

The greatest abundance and species richness of zooplankton were found in the
shallow areas of Kuparuk Deadarm Mine Site and Kuparuk Mine Site B. This
lends further support to the notion that littoral zones are important to
flooded gravel mine sites for providing zooplankton prey organisms for fish.
However, stomach analysis of fish captured at other sites, also indicated the
presence of prey organisms, but these organisms were mainly terrestrial
insects. Littoral zones would likely increase the foodsbase within these
sites. In addition, over time, as vegetation becomes more established in
flooded gravel mine sites, the food-base will likely increase. Artophilia
fulva may also be transplanted in shallow zones of these flooded mine sites to
help in establishing littoral vegetation. Zooplankton, similar to fish, may
disperse into the flooded mine sites provided there are pathways for movement.

Chlorophyll-a values found in the North Slope flooded gravel mine sites are
similar to values found in lakes and ponds near Yellowknife, Northwest
Territories that support fish populations (Ostrofsky and Rigler 1987). Other
water bodies with similar chlorophyll-a values and populations of fish are
Charr Lake (high of 1.2 yg/L and average of 0.8 #g/L), Harding Lake (high of 4
ug/L in May and average of 2 ug/L during the summer months), and Toolik Lake
(1.3 Mg/L) (Kalff and Welch 1974; LaPerriere 1988; Hobbie et al. 1986).

The North Slope flooded gravel mine sites investigated have suitable chemical
characteristics and dissolved oxygen levels to support fish. Hemming (1988)
reported that the dissolved oxygen concentration in Sag Site C were at least
three times higher than that in known overwintering areas for fish in the Sag
River drainage. Likewise, Bendock (1980) reported dissolved oxygen
concentrations, in several overwintering areas in the Colville River, one-
third less than the dissolved oxygen concentrations found in the flooded
gravel mine sites studied.

PART II

ARCTIC GRAYLING TRANSPLANT INTO A SMALL TUNDRA DRAINAGE

Introduction

Considering the information gathered from fish, zooplankton, phytoplankton,
and chemical surveys of North Slope flooded gravel mine sites, ADF&G expect
that gravel mine sites within small tundra drainages may provide unique and
suitable rearing and overwintering habitat for fish not generally found in
these systems. ADF&G, in 1989, determined the Kuparuk Mine Site B was
suitable for experimentally introducing Arctic grayling. This mine site is
found within a small tundra drainage with little or no opportunity for
colonization by Arctic grayling. Freshwater fish are prevented from entering
or leaving this small tundra system because of the marine saltwater barrier of
the Beaufort Sea. Before 1989, only the anadromous ninespine stickleback,
broad whitefish, and least cisco were documented using this flooded gravel
mine site. In addition, Dolly Varden were documented using this site in 1991.

Kuparuk Mine Site B is next to East Creek, which drains directly into the
Beaufort Sea. The Kuparuk Oil Pipeline and Spine Road borders Mine Site B on
the north. This gravel mine site has two pits, which when flooded in 1978
resulted in lakes totaling 3.7 ha (9.1 ac). In May 1989 ARCO Alaska, Inc.
established an inlet channel and permanently connected the two lakes. ARCO
Alaska personnel excavated a 18 m x 24 m section between East Creek and the
southern lake to a depth of 1.8 m to create an inlet channel. Two additional
excavations of 14 m x 24 m between the two lakes connected the lakes and
formed an island (Hemming 1990).

In 1989, ADF&C conducted an experimental introduction of Arctic grayling from
the Sag River into Kuparuk Mine Site B to determine if Arctic grayling could

be introduced, survive, and establish a reproducing population over time.
Hemming (1988) determined that this flooded gravel mine site holds sufficient
quantities of suitably oxygenated under-ice water for overwintering fish.
Winters (1990b) suggested that the permanent connection between Kuparuk Mine

Site B and East Creek provides a pathway between the mine site and the stream
for fish movement that may provide access to rearing and spawning areas, as a

source of additional nutrients to the mine site that may enhance productivity,
and as a source of warmer water that may promote rapid ice melt during the
spring and warm the mine site during the summer.

Methods

This section provides a brief summary of the methods used by ADF&G personnel
to capture and transplant Arctic grayling from the Sag River drainage to
Kuparuk Mine Site B. Readers may obtain more in depth information on methods
from Winters (1990b), and Hemming (1991).

In June 1989, ADF&G personnel captured Arctic grayling from seven locations
within the Sag River drainage using fyke traps, seines, and hook and line.
Arctic grayling were captured along the Sag River between Mark Creek and
Oksrukuyik Creek. Each fish was measured to the nearest millimeter (fork
length) and scales removed for age analysis. Numbered yellow floy tags were

attached at the base of the dorsal fin of each fish for individual
identification. ADF&G personnel released 210 Arctic grayling at the northeast
section of Kuparuk Mine Site D in June 1989 (Winters 1990b).

ADF&G personnel sampled Kuparuk Mine Site B in late August 1989 with fyke
traps and October 1989 by angling to determine if transplanted Arctic grayling
remained in the site. Sampling also took place in June 1990 with fyke traps
and angling, and in August and September 1990 with fyke traps to evaluate
survival, growth, and reproductive success of the transplanted Arctic

grayling. The 1990 sampling event included sampling sites within East Creek
upstream and downstream of the mine site, within the inlet channel to the mine
site, and within the mine site. Each fish captured was examined for the
presence of a floy tag or a tag scar and fork length measured (Winters 1990b).

ADF&G personnel conducted a mark-recapture experiment at Kuparuk Mine Site B
in 1991 to estimate Arctic grayling abundance in Kuparuk Mine Site B. Arctic
grayling captured in June and July were marked with internal anchor floy tags

and adipose fin clipped. The recapture event took place in August to allow
sufficient mixing. Investigators used an adjusted Peterson calculation to
estimate the Arctic grayling abundance at the Kuparuk Mine Site B (Ricker
1975).

Results

Fork length of the Arctic grayling transplanted into Kuparuk Mine Site B
ranged from 176 to 399 mm with a mean of 283 mm and standard deviation of 52
MM. The age of the Arctic grayling transplanted ranged from three to eleven
years. Visual observation indicated that all transplanted Arctic grayling
were healthy at the time of release. One Arctic grayling was observed moving
into East Creek and several were observed feeding within minutes of release
(Winters 1990b).

In 1989, investigators captured five Arctic grayling within the Kuparuk Mine
Site B; two in fyke traps during August and three on hook and line during
October. One fish captured in August was recaptured in October. Four of
these fish were examined for the presence of a floy tag and length measured.
All four fish were identified as transplanted fish; three by floy tag and one
by tag scar. These fish exhibited average daily growth from the time of
initial length measurements to recapture of 0.23 to 0.34 mm (Winters 1990b).

In 1990, investigators captured a total of 44 Arctic grayling within Kuparuk
Mine Site B, within the inlet channel, or within East Creek. Thirty-six fish
(eight of the 44 fish were captured more than once) were examined for floy
tags and fork length measured. Thirty-one of these fish were identified as
transplanted fish; 16 by floy tag and 15 by tag scar. These fish exhibited
average annual growth rates of 25 to 92 mm with a mean of 58.6 mm. During

June, investigators captured 22 Arctic grayling with fyke traps; three within
the inlet channel, 13 upstream of the mine site, six downstream of the mine
site. In addition, 18 Arctic grayling were captured on hook and line; three
upstream of the mine site and fifteen within the mine site. During August,
investigators captured four Arctic grayling within the inlet channel with fyke
traps. Although fyke traps were set and angling took place, Arctic grayling

were not captured within the stream during the August event. During
September, investigators did not capture any Arctic grayling. Three fyke
traps were set; one within the inlet channel, one at the north end of the
mining site, and one upstream of the lake. The effectiveness of these nets
was questionable and after 1-day of soaking had to be pulled because of
freezing in place (Hemming 1991).

In 1991, investigators captured a total of 79 Arctic grayling within Kuparuk
Mine Site B, within the inlet channel, or within East Creek. Forty-three fish
(36 of the 79 fish were captured more than once) were examined for floy tags
and fork length measured. Identified fish exhibited average annual growth
rates of 9 to 68 mm with a mean of 42.3 mm. During June, investigators
captured 21 Arctic grayling with fyke traps; nine upstream of the mine site,
one downstream of the mine site, and 11 within the mine site. During July,
investigators captured 25 Arctic grayling with fyke traps; four within the
inlet channel, two downstream of the mine site, and 19 within the mine site.
In addition, nine Arctic grayling within the mine site and two within East
Creek were captured on hook and line. During August, investigators captured
22 Arctic grayling with fyke traps; 19 within the inlet channel and 3
downstream of the mine site. Five Arctic grayling captured in 1991 were

smaller than any of the fish transplanted at Kuparuk Mine Site B in 1989. Two
of these were estimated to be age-l Arctic grayling (fork length = 120 mm and
115 mm) and three estimated to be young-of-the-year (fork length < 38 mm).

In 1991, investigators estimated the abundance of Arctic grayling in and near
Kuparuk Mine Site B to be 56 fish (95% CI - 43 to 116 fish) in June and July.
Thirty-seven Arctic grayling were marked in June and July and 18 were captured
(12 with marks) in August. Investigators estimated that 27% (95% CI = 20 to
55%) of the original 210 Arctic grayling survived two years, based on the
mark-recapture experiment.

Discussion

ADF&G personnel successfully transplanted Arctic grayling in a North Slope
tundra drainage with few or no overwintering areas except for a rehabilitated

flooded gravel mine site. Visual observation indicated that all transplanted
Arctic grayling were healthy at the time of release. One Arctic grayling was
observed moving into East Creek and several were observed feeding within
minutes of release (Winters 1990b). At least 20% or possibly as high as 55%
(95% CI) of the Arctic grayling transplanted at Kuparuk Mine Site B from the
Sag River drainage survived two years.

Growth information indicated that these fish increased in length at a rate
comparable to age-2 to age-7 Arctic grayling in Weir Creek, a small North
Slope tundra stream that drains into the Kavik River (Craig and Poulin 1975).
Craig and Poulin (1975) characterized the growth rate of Weir Creek Arctic
grayling as being among the highest for Arctic populations. As expected, fish
at a smaller size at the time of the transplant showed the greatest increase

in length (Figure 4).

Although, reproductive success was not conclusive, transplanted fish spawned
or were in pre-spawn condition in 1991 and five Arctic grayling were captured
near Kuparuk Mine Site B that were smaller than any of the fish originally
transplanted at the site. Two of these fish were estimated to be age-I Arctic
grayling (fork length = 120 mm and 115 mm) and three estimated to be young-of-
the-year Arctic grayling (fork length < 38 mm). The observed lengths of these
small Arctic grayling are consistent with the premise that they were the
spawning progeny of the transplanted fish.

120

100- -

-3
r 80 - 0o

CD o

0) 40 - oo
o

c o 13
'20 - 3
20 0

150 200 250 300 350 400

Length at Transplant (mm)

Figure 4. Average yearly growth rate to length at time of transplanting
of Arctic grayling in Kuparuk Mine Site B transplanted in 1989
and recaptured in 1990 and 1991.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I ~~This report is a synthesis of several Alaska Department of Fish and Came,
Habitat and Restoration Division Technical Reports written by Carl Hemming,
Phyllis Weber, and Jack Winters. Carl Hemming and Robert McLean provided
direction on content and manuscript review comments. Funding was provided by
3 ~~the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) through a grant
administered by the Alaska Division of Government Coordination under the
3 ~~federal OCRM Enhancement Grant Program, Section 309.

I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3

LITERATURE CITED

Bendock, T. N. 1977. Beaufort Sea estuarine fishery study. Pages 670-729 in
Alaskan OCS Principal Investigators Annual Reports. Research Unit 233.
NOAA. United States Department of Commerce, Boulder, CO.

Bendock, T. N. 1980. Inventory and cataloging of arctic area waters. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration, Annual
Report of Progress, 1978-1979. Project F-9-11, 20(G-I-I):l-31.

Bendock, T. N. 1982. Inventory and cataloging of arctic area waters. Alaska

Department of Fish and Game. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration, Annual
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