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."