%0 Book %I [Alaska Energy Authority] %C Anchorage %G English %B Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project document ; %T Riparian vegetation study downstream of the proposed Susitna-Watana Dam, Study plan Section 11.6, Initial Study Report %U https://www.arlis.org/docs/vol1/Susitna2/ISR/SuWa223sec11-6ptA.pdf %U https://www.arlis.org/docs/vol1/Susitna2/ISR/SuWa223.html %X This study is being conducted to collect baseline information on riparian vegetation along the Susitna River in Alaska as part of a series of studies to be submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for licensing of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. The primary objectives are to classify and map local-scale riparian ecosystems (riparian ecotypes), wetlands, and wildlife habitats in the middle and lower Susitna River downstream of the Watana Dam site; to characterize the roles of erosion and sediment deposition in the formation of floodplain surfaces in the same areas; and to model natural riparian vegetation succession pathways in the Susitna River floodplain. The data will be used to support the modeling of changes in riparian areas from alterations in river flows associated with development of the proposed Watana Dam project. The study area encompasses riparian areas downstream of the dam site to river mile 30.