Relocation of Coho Creek for Hoonah Airport Runway Safety Area Expansion
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities

Vigil-Agrimis, Inc. (VAI) assisted AKDOT&PF with Runway Safety Area (RSA) improvements at Hoonah Airport. The 300-foot extension of the east RSA will require relocation of Coho Creek. The proposed realignment is approximately 500 feet. Coho Creek is an Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) cataloged fish stream that provides spawning and rearing habitat for Coho and pink salmon and Dolly Varden char. The existing creek meanders through wetland and high marsh type emergent habitat.

VAI staff investigated existing conditions, coordinated with permitting agencies (ADF&G, NMFS, Corps of Engineers), and reviewed related fish habitat considerations. We prepared a technical memorandum summarizing existing conditions, proposed stream design parameters, and restoration of the existing disturbed wetlands. The restoration was designed to create fish spawning and rearing habitat and to restore emergent wetlands.