Situated approximately 12 miles north of Juneau, Alaska, Auke Lake is an anadromous system supporting coho, sockeye, pink and chum salmon, as well as cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden char (Bethers, 1996). The Auke Lake watershed is a popular recreational area for Juneau residents, serves as a backdrop for the University of Alaska-Southeast campus, is a growing residential area, and hosts a NOAA/NMFS research facility on its outlet.
The purpose of this watershed assessment is to compile existing data into a single document, in order to identify data gaps and provide recommendations for further studies. This document also provides the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and the public with an overview of the current condition of the Auke Lake watershed, and outlines management recommendations to ensure the sustainability of fish habitat and recreational and aesthetic values.
The results of this assessment should be used to guide watershed management of this valuable lake system. The intention is that this report will be utilized by CBJ staff, the CBJ Planning Commission, Wetlands Review Board, the City Assembly, as well as Juneau residents and local, state and federal agencies involved in conservation and land management decisions within the Auke Lake watershed.