Project Overview
The Susitna Landing (Kashwitna River) Public Use Facility is owned and operated by the State of Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) and is located at the confluence of the Susitna and Kashwitna Rivers, approximately 84 miles north of Anchorage. The Department of Fish & Game has identified the need to improve the boat launch and other site facilities to address existing deficiencies. Funding for site improvements will be provided by the ADF&G Recreational Boating and Angler Access Program.
Susitna Landing is the largest ADF&G Division of Sport Fish-owned boating access facility in the state and one of the primary boat launch sites in the Susitna River drainage. The existing articulated two-lane boat launch and mooring dock have exceeded their service life and are in a state of disrepair. The boat launch lagoon experiences silt deposition, which accumulates after high-water events and requires dredging one to two times annually. Due to river hydrology and heavy foot traffic, the streambank around and upstream of the boat launch has been heavily degraded. This project aims to construct a new accessible boat ramp and floating dock, install root wads for bank restoration and erosion mitigation, and revegetate riparian areas to improve erosion resilience.
Additionally, ADF&G seeks to alleviate flooding along the access road, improve traffic flow within the facility, and create a more inviting entrance by incorporating landscape features such as grass berms, trees, or boulders. The project also includes upgrades to the site’s electrical, water, wastewater, and drainage systems. Campground improvements will include the installation of three new vault toilets, a designated camp host site, and three ADA-accessible campsites.
The primary objective of this project is to renovate the existing Susitna Landing (Kashwitna River) Public Use Facility to accommodate current high use and ensure it remains serviceable for at least the next twenty years. The project also aims to enhance visitor experience, address existing site deficiencies, and implement functional improvements that reduce annual maintenance needs and operating expenses.
Recreational Boating and Angler Access is one of the programs administered by the Division of Sport Fish. This program provides funds to build boating and angler access facilities throughout the state. Although a wide variety of projects can be undertaken through the Sport Fish Boating and Angler Access Program, the primary beneficiary of every project must be the recreational boating and sport fishing public. This program is funded through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux Act.
