Renovations to Chena Pump boat launch face pressure from upcoming moose hunting season

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) - The Chena Pump Recreation Site on the Tanana River in Fairbanks is currently under construction as the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) works to enhance the space. This construction currently has closed access to the popular boat launch at the site, but as moose hunting season approaches, the DNR plans to open access to boaters before the project is complete.

According to Ian Thomas, Northern Region Superintendent for the DNR, this area like others across the state faces challenges with “road maintenance, you know potholes and [it’s] just difficult to maintain gravel roads.” He added that projects such as the one at the Chena Pump site “greatly reduces the maintenance burden that we don’t have funding to tackle.”

The renovations to the site include paving the upper parking lot accessible from Chena Pump Road, as well as the day-use loop. While that’s underway, construction crews are building two picnic pavilions as well.

While there are existing pavilions, Thomas explained that the existing infrastructure is old and funding for the project allowed them to replace those pavilions in addition to paving the site.

Funding for the project has in part come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with a matching portion from the state.

Public access to the boat launch is expected to open on Aug. 25, “to protect people’s access for their moose season activities up and down the river because I know that’s extremely important,” Thomas said.

Construction will continue through Sep. 27. The day-use loop “will probably be closed for a four-day window during the first week of September, but that will not affect access to the boat launch and use of the upper parking lot for parking,” he explained.

While the site is closed, the DNR is encouraging boaters to use the boat launch at Pike’s Landing or the Tanana Lakes Recreation Area.

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