In the context of this project, pits represent a major divergence from the 

 natural. However, when considered from the standpoint of multiple use or 

 habitat diversification, a resource manager may elect to recommend or ap- 

 prove a permit for this form of gravel removal. In these situations the 

 resource manager will be able to predict the results of such an operation by 

 review of the following sections in this report. 



PROJECT DESCRIPTION 



A 5-year gravel removal study was initiated in mid-1975 to evaluate 

 the effects of gravel removal from arctic and subarctic streams in Alaska. 

 The primary purpose of the project was to provide an information base that 

 will assist resource managers in formulating recommendations for minimizing 

 detrimental environmental effects of removing gravel from arctic and sub- 

 arctic streams. To achieve this the following objectives were met: 



• A comprehensive literature review and synthesis was conducted to 

 evaluate known and conjectured effects of gravel removal and other 

 similar disturbances on floodplain environments. 



• Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of seven sites 

 inhabited by fish after gravel removal were evaluated in moderate 

 detail on a short-term basis. 



• Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of 18 sites that 

 reflected various removal methods, stream types, and times since 

 completion of operations were determined in gross detail and on a 

 short-term basis, 



• Relationships between parameters related to gravel removal operations, 

 geomorphic characteristics of streams, water quality, and biota were 

 eva I uated. 



The study of three sites prior to, during, and immediately after gravel 

 removal was an original project objective that was eliminated due to a lack 

 of suitable sites meeting project schedules. 



