Project Overview
Jim’s Landing Boat Launch is a facility within the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, which is a component of the larger Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has identified a need for improvements to the boat launch and associated parking areas in order to address deficiencies.
This recreation site is situated between the Russian River and Skilak Lake and offers an important launch and retrieval site before the Kenai River flows through the Kenai River Canyon. The site contains wetland and riparian habitats and an anadromous stream (Jean Creek). White spruce dominates the mature forest that lines the river banks, where a strong main channel rimmed by backwaters changes with rising or falling water levels. The landing is a busy boat landing with occasional launching, mainly for the recreational boating public. This launch/retrieval site is frequently used to float the Upper Kenai River by recreational fishermen as well as scenic and fishing guides. The landing can be challenging, especially for less-skilled boaters, when there are high-water conditions and crowded situations. Parking areas close to the river are used only by the public and are generally full during the majority of the fishing season. These areas suffer from congestion and user frustration due to unclear circulation combined with varying levels of trailer and boat knowledge.
Due to the limited parking capacity close to the river, all commercial operators must use the overflow parking located across the Sterling Highway. Crossing the Sterling Highway creates a hazard for operators that must walk across the busy highway and cross the road with their vehicles and trailers. Additionally, the risk of accidents may increase as this section of the Sterling Highway will soon be modified, and road speeds potentially increase. The feasibility of a secondary parking area located along Skilak Road near Jim’s Landing Entrance will be under consideration.
This project will assess the launch and retrieval area and associated facilities and develop solutions that improve public safety and user convenience through upgrades to vehicle and pedestrian circulation, parking, signage, and amenities. Improvements for the site will seek to balance development for a better facility, with appropriate consideration for potential impacts to wetland and riparian habitats.
