Dixon Diversion Project

The Alaska Energy Authority’s (AEA) Dixon Diversion project aims to increase storage capacity and power generation at the Bradley Lake hydroelectric facility in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

As a subcontractor to Kleinschmidt Associates, an ABR team led by Terry Schick is mapping wildlife habitats and studying the impact of the project on those habitats, comparing expected changes due to project effects to climate-induced shifts in plant succession.

The team will also conduct a Golden Eagle nesting survey to assess the potential for effects on nesting eagles and will prepare a wildlife habitat evaluation for bird and mammal species of concern. In conjunction with the habitat mapping, the habitat evaluation will enable AEA to estimate how wildlife habitats will change over time within the project area.

ABR staff will also prepare the wildlife and botanical sections of the Draft Amendment Application for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. This work is important to ensure the project minimizes impacts on local wildlife while helping support the Alaska Railbelt’s energy production needs.