The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is working to increase salmon runs by improving local habitat. Over the past few years, the staff has focused their efforts on replacing culverts that posed obstacles to both adult fish returning to spawn and juveniles heading to sea. It’s part of a collaborative effort of the Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership that includes local, state and federal agencies.

“A lot of road designs in the past weren’t thinking about fish so much. They were trying to move vehicles across the roads, trying to get water underneath those roads,” said Trent Liebich with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We’re learning over time moving adults upstream is one thing, but we also need to be able to move those juveniles as well.” About ten years ago, the Mat-Su Borough found 80% of its culverts were “inadequate” or “marginal” when it came to fish passage.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game also identified and mapped hundreds of culverts that needed to be replaced.

Read more from KTVA (CBS).