Rel stream reaches are in Rosgen's (1996) E stream category.  E streams are slightly entrenched, sluggish, pool-dominated streams with thickly vegetated banks.  They occur on surfaces deposited by larger processes.  On the Kenai Lowlands, those larger processes occurred when glaciers occupied more of the landscape during the last major advance and then left behind lakebed, drainageway and kettle surfaces. 

Rel units are E streams with linear channels.  Typical Rosgen E streams have high channel sinuosity, but many Kenai Lowland E streams have a sinuosity of less than 1.3 (usually around 1.1).  Rel units are common and widespread, they often occur as streams flowing across peatlands on relict glacial lakebeds.  Streambed material is typically cobbles (Rosgen's E3), or gravels (E4).

Rel streams frequently have an extensive wetland fringe, as they often occupy relict lakebed surfaces which support large peatland complexes. 

After the floods that occurred during October and November of 2002, many E streams' character changed.  Their beds were scoured, creating more riffles, and exposing cobbles and gravels.  Beaver dams breached, so E streams that were dammed became free-flowing and now exhibit some B and C stream characters. 

E streams are considered "evolutionary" (Rosgen, 1996).  Many of these steams should probably be re-examined to observe whether or not they: 1) changed during the floods, 2) return to their former character, or 3) begin to evolve into a different stream type.  The floods may have been one of the first big episodes in the long term evolution of these streams.  The glacial till these streams now flow across will eventually be left as a terrace as the stream valley becomes entrenched into underlying bedrock over time.  Then the till terrace will erode into the stream, a deep V-shaped valley will form, then perhaps glaciers will return and reset the process.

Fifty foot habitat protection area

Fourteen streams in the project area are covered under Kenai Peninsula Borough's Anadromous Streams Habitat Protection Ordinance.  Many activities require a permit, or are prohibited within 50 feet of these streams.  For a list of the streams, rationale for the ordinance, and details on obtaining a permit, visit the link highlighted above.

 

Floodplain regulation

From The Kenai Borough website:

"The Kenai Peninsula Borough manages a Floodplain Ordinance that addresses proper development to reduce flood risks and lessen the economic losses caused by flood events. The ordinance provides building standards for construction projects within the floodplain to ensure the availability of flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. These building requirements also are intended to minimize or prevent damage when flood events occur. The ordinance requires floodplain development permits for all projects in floodplains."