ABOUT LITTLE CAMPBELL CREEK

LITTLE CAMPBELL CREEK

Photo by M. Schroeder (U.S.F.W.S)

The Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) is composed of nearly 20 watersheds. Little Campbell Creek (LCC) is one of the MOA's seven primary urban watersheds, and encompasses about 7,000 acres or about 11 square miles. More than half of the upper LCC watershed is undeveloped, and is comprised of Far North Bicentennial Park and Chugach State Park. The upper reaches of LCC, which are devoid of urbanization, tend to be in an almost pristine condition (at least relative to the lower sections of the drainage). However, by the time the LCC's North and South Forks empty into Campbell Creek near Nathan Drive, the water quality has degraded considerably. Water monitoring by Anchorage Waterways Council's CEMP (Citizen's Environmental Monitoring Program) has collected data from this area, which clearly demonstrate poor quality near this stream confluence.

Why are LCC and these creeks important?

Little Campbell Creek and the other major creeks in Anchorage, i.e. Ship Creek, Fish Creek, Chester Creek, Campbell Creek, Rabbit Creek, and Eagle River, are all important for a variety of reasons. They are areas for recreation, enjoyment, beauty, and habitat for a diverse group of critters including salmon. These creeks are all anadromous - meaning that salmon (and other fish) use them for migration, spawning and rearing, and therefore are protected under Alaska Statute. The creeks also provide flood control through the conveyance of storm water and emerging ground water.