The Grandpa's Farm Bridge Road project is the final project to fully reconnect the Mountain View and Crane Flats Creek drainages by replacing a perched/undersized culvert with a timber bridge on Harry Hall Creek at Grandpa's Farm Road in Gustavus, Alaska. This project will complement the significant amount of fish passage and habitat work that has already been completed within these drainages, including seven culvert to bridge restoration projects funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Gustavus (COG), Trout Unlimited, and Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund. When finished, this project will restore complete connectivity and access to interconnected high-quality salmon (coho, pinks, and chum) rearing habitat.
The specific purposes of this project are to eliminate the fish passage restriction caused by the last remaining perched culvert by replacing the culvert with a timber bridge and also to eliminate the traffic hazard caused by the single lane culvert crossing lacking curbs and guardrails. The Grandpa’s Farm fish passage improvement project will benefit passage of rearing coho salmon, enabling them to reach about six miles of high-quality habitat along Harry Hall Creek and the Mountain View stream. Residents, visitors, and businesses along the road, as well as the general public who use the road, will benefit, and road maintenance provided at the site by the City of Gustavus will be reduced.
Human Interest/Community Benefit:
The City of Gustavus is located in the northern part of Southeast Alaska, has a population of about 655, and is known as the Gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Gustavus is a subsistence community, and the local harvest of fish, wildlife, and abundant plant resources, remains important to most residents. In summer, the population is at its highest as many residents come here to second homes and cabins. It is also a popular tourist destination as many lodges, and fishing/outdoor companies provide access to fishing trips and of course, the majestic Glacier Bay. In winter, about half the population stays in town.
As a result of this project, the community of Gustavus will have a safer stream crossing. The bridge will be an attractive addition to the road that serves several subdivisions and a major fishing lodge. The project will also eliminate the traffic hazard of the current narrow unguarded stream crossing with a steep drop-off into the stream; making it safer and more usable to the community and the many visitors who come to Gustavus to fish, enter Glacier Bay National Park, and Preserve, and enjoy the community of Gustavus and all the scenic beauty this unique setting has to offer.
Project Timeline:
March – May 2022: Contract for project implementation open
August 1, 2022: Project implementation begins
August 15th(ish): Project completes
August 15th(ish): Community of Gustavus Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (tentative, pending project completion date
Partners:
City of Gustavus, Alaska
Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Trout Unlimited
Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund
Alaskan Brewing Company