The Juneau Chapter of Trout Unlimited is working with the U.S. Forest Service to upgrade salmon rearing habitat and upgrade a trail on the east side of Mendenhall Lake. They are seeking volunteers to help upgrade the trail.

Discussions with member Bob Armstrong, and observations of the area by Habitat Improvement Committee members of Juneau’s Trout Unlimited chapter, indicated that the rearing habitat for first year coho was being degraded by the many footpaths crossing an area. The foot traffic broke down some banks, increased sediment and disrupted fish. The habitat of another crossing closer to Nugget Falls has also been degraded.

After an on-site visit to the area, the Forest Service and Trout Unlimited agreed to work together on an East side of Mendenhall Lake project to: make a single, drier and safer crossing at two drainages over a wider range of water levels; plant willows to protect streambanks and discourage other crossings; and revegetate some side trails by the placement of rocks and vegetation — this will upgrade the appearance of the area, and better filter water before it reaches the drainages.

Volunteers are needed on both Saturday, April 9, and Saturday, April 16.

Work will begin at 9 a.m. on both Saturdays and continue to 3 p.m. All volunteers need to receive a 9 a.m. safety briefing and sign a volunteer agreement before working on the project, even if they can only work a portion of the day. The Forest Service offers a season’s pass to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, a $15 value, to volunteers who work at least 4 hours.

Contact Chuck Caldwell at ceis@gci.net to volunteer.