Tips for your yard
Indoor tips
Tips around your property
Tips while enjoying the outdoors

There are many steps local residents and private businesses can take to keep our creeks clean and help local salmon populations.  We can all become “Salmon Stewards” to help Anchorage be a salmon-friendly community for years to come.  In general, salmon need the following conditions to thrive in our creeks:

• Ample clean, cool water
• Easy access into and out of our creeks (no barriers)
• Gravel streambeds for spawning
• Vegetated stream banks to prevent erosion and provide shade
• Good habitat providing food
• Channels with pools and riffles

Provided below are a few tips to help protect our creeks and wild salmon.  Also, go to Partners & Links for more information about sustaining salmon and watershed management.

Tips for your yard: 

1.  Lawn watering. Water is a precious resource and our salmon need a steady supply of it.  You can conserve water by replacing washers in hoses to stop leaks.  As a general rule, lawns only need to be watered one inch per week.  Measuring the amount of water is easily accomplished by placing a tuna can on the lawn during watering; when it’s full you’re done. 

2.  Lawn Mowing- “Cut it high and let it lie”.   This is a popular method of lawn care that reduces water use and promotes deeper root structure and better water retention.  “Let it lie, “ refers to mulch-mowing or leaving grass trimmings on the lawn which has a number of benefits including helping lawns to retain moisture and providing natural fertilization as the trimmings break down.   

3.  Consider lawn alternatives.  Consider using trees, shrubs, and ground covers instead of lawns.  The root systems of trees and shrubs are more extensive and stable than those of grass and can help to prevent soil erosion that might enter our creeks.  Salmon do not like fine sediments.  Most ground covers require less water and maintenance than grass lawns.  Another alternative is to surround lawns with a buffer of native plants, trees, and shrubs that can help filter stormwater runoff and keep our creek water cleaner.  A lawn surrounded by a buffer of trees or shrubs also adds more privacy.

4.  Limit use of Fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.  When using commercial products, follow directions on the label to avoid overuse and to dispose of properly.  Improper use and storage of pesticides may result in these materials entering our creeks, especially when it rains. The chemicals may be toxic to salmon.  Whenever possible, use least toxic pest control methods.

5.  Divert stormwater runoff.  Stormwater flows directly into our creeks through storm drains. Rain gutter downspouts that direct stormwater runoff into storm drains or onto paved driveways can be diverted through lawns or gardens to help reduce stormwater flows to our streams and reduce contaminants entering streams.  Re-directing your downspout allows stormwater to naturally filter through the ground. Increased infiltration into the ground regulates the rate at which water enters the creeks.

6.  Use native plants.  Non-native plant species that can cause harm to your garden and potentially to our salmon.  Native plants can reduce both the maintenance required and the impact of your garden on the environment, while attracting birds and insects that are beneficial to your gardens.

7.  Install rain gardens.  Rain gardens are gardens populated with native plants that allow stormwater to infiltrate into the ground.  Rain gardens absorb substantially more water than lawns, reduce contaminants  entering our creeks, help control peak stormwater flows, and benefit salmon.  Contact the City Watershed Management Division for more information on rain gardens at http://wms.geonorth.com.

Indoor tips:

1.  Repair leaky faucets.  Water conservation is an easy way to help keep our watershed healthy and to ensure salmon have sufficient water.  Repairing leaky faucets in your home is the easiest way to start conserving water.  Replacing screens inside faucets will also help save water by increasing water pressure and aeration. 

2.  Purchase water efficient appliances.  Low-flush toilets can save several gallons of water for each flush.  Water efficient dishwashers and clothes washers often use half as much water as conventional machines while also saving you money on utilities.

3.  Properly dispose of oil and household chemicals.  Taking toxic substances to proper disposal and recycling facilities will ensure that they do not enter a creek where they can harm salmon. Anchorage Regional Landfill accepts up to 5 gallons of household hazardous waste for free! These items can be dropped off at the landfill located on the Hiland Road Exit off the Glenn Highway near Eagle River or at the Central Transfer Station in Anchorage at the intersection of East 54th and Juneau just east of the Old Seward Highway. Call (907) 428-1742 or (907) 343-6262 for more information. Or click on http://www.muni.org/sws/hazardouswaste.cfm 

Tips around your property:

1.  Sweep paved areas rather than hosing them off.  Sweeping paved areas and throwing debris in the garbage keeps it from entering streams through the storm drains.  The result will save water while keeping contaminates out of our streams.

2.  Wash cars responsibly.  Use automatic car washes that recycle water and dispose of detergents properly.  When washing cars at home park on the grass instead of paved surfaces to allow the lawn to filter out soapy and dirty water from entering nearby creeks.

3.  Keep rain gutters clean and maintained.  Manually clean rain gutters instead of using a hose.  Properly dispose of debris to keep it from washing into nearby creeks.  Regularly check gutters for leaks or blockages.

4.  Keep vehicles properly maintained.  Oil, gas, and other chemicals from vehicles can run off paved surfaces into our creeks.  These materials are highly toxic for salmon. 

Tips while enjoying the outdoors:

1.  Hiking/ Fishing.  Be aware that off-trail exploration can damage stream banks and increase erosion - adding sediments into the creek. Increased sediment in the creek reduces water quality. 

Staying on designated trails and using creek access points reduces erosion and consequently sediment loads.  Be alert, the presence of salmon can also mean the presence of bears.  Make noise when you are hiking and be aware of your surroundings.  

2.  Creek etiquette.   Creekbeds are fragile areas which salmon depend on for laying eggs during their spawning cycle.  Disturbances caused by unnecessarily walking in creeks or tossing items into them can be disruptive to spawning grounds. Dogs can also cause damage to spawning areas. Try to keep your animals out of the spawning areas. Observe leash laws.

3. Clean up pet waste.   Animal feces create some of the worst pollution problems in Anchorage creeks.  Anchorage is home to roughly 60,000 dogs.  Most of our creeks are not meeting EPA standards for fecal coliform bacteria as a direct result of animal feces ending up in our creeks.  Cleaning up pet waste can bring a tremendous improvement to water quality in our local creeks.  Use "Scoop the Poop" stations found along many of our trails.

4.  Dispose of garbage.  Trash pollutes recreational areas and can end up in our creeks.  Packing out trash or using proper receptacles will help keep our creeks clean for salmon and for recreational users.  Improperly managed garbage also attracts bears and can lead to dangerous human-bear encounters.