Alaska Science Center
ALASKA PROJECTS
SCIENCE TOPICSUSGS IN YOUR STATEUSGS Water Science Centers are located in each state. |
Water Resources of AlaskaWelcome to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Web page for the water resources of Alaska; this is your direct link to all kinds of water-resource information. Here you'll find information on Alaska's rivers and streams, ground water, water quality, and many other topics. The USGS operates the most extensive satellite network of stream-gaging stations in the state, many of which form the backbone of flood-warning systems. The USGS provides current ("real-time") stream stage and streamflow, water-quality, and ground-water levels for over 200 sites in Alaska. AK Monitoring NetworksThe USGS Alaska Science Center Water Resources Office continuously monitors surface water, ground water, and water quality parameters across the state. Monitoring sites are operated in cooperation with various local, State, or Federal agencies. Bridge ScourThe USGS Alaska Science Center is researching streambed scour at bridges through scour monitoring, hydrodynamic modeling, and data collection during high flows. Surface WaterAlaska provides real-time water-stage, streamflow and precipitation data at 152 sites across the state. Ground WaterFourteen ground-water wells are monitored by the USGS in Alaska. These wells record data on hourly intervals. Water QualityWater-quality conditions are continuously monitored by the USGS at 42 sites across the state of Alaska Featured ProjectMatanuska River Bank ErosionAerial view of Matanuska River at mile 59, Glenn Hwy., near Sutton, AK. Photo by J. Curran, USGS, August 14, 2007. Bank erosion along the Matanuska River, a large braided river in southcentral Alaska, has periodically damaged or destroyed properties and structures for decades. Continued rapid population growth in one of the fastest growing areas in Alaska, coupled with the expense of erosion control measures, has elevated the issue for land managers and property owners. Understanding channel processes and variations in bank erodibility is needed to effectively manage areas near such active rivers. Data via GoogleMapsNew Maps Deliver Current Streamflow ConditionsWe recently added a Google-Map based Web page to deliver map-based current surface-water resources conditions in Alaska. The maps utilize zoom and pan to allow you to focus in on the water-monitoring sites that interest you. The maps show current streamflow as compared to historical records. By hovering your mouse over a site, a popup box shows the most recent stage and streamflow. Highlighted PublicationsThe Alaska Science Center produces publications about water resources.
Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4188
Kinematic Constraints on Glacier Contributions to 21st-Century Sea-Level Rise |