Water Resources
Monitoring
Hydrologic Data Collection and
Investigations
A network of stream discharge gages is operated to quantify the occurrence
and distribution of surface water on selected refuges within the Alaska
Region. Under this project, stream discharge data are collected continuously
over a 6 year period. Preliminary data are analyzed on an annual basis, and
final reports are prepared at the conclusion of each 6 year study. Report
results support water rights applications to maintain instream flows.
Detailed stream flow information has been or is currently being collected at
79 locations in
Alaska
.
Stream flow data are available for 21 gage sites on the
Arctic
and Yukon Flats national wildlife refuges. Stream flow data from 15 sites on
the Kenai Refuge concluded in 2000 and only preliminary data are available at
this time. Innoko Refuge stream flow data for 9
sites will be published and available in the near future. Stream flow data
are being collected and analyzed for an additional 30 gage sites located on Becharof, Togiak, Kodiak, and Tetlin refuges. Preliminary data for these stations are
available on request.
Lake
elevation surveys of selected lakes
were conducted to determine lake water surface levels to support instream water right applications. Work conducted by
contractors used state-of-the-art Global Positioning System technology to
determine lake elevations within centimeter accuracy.
Hydrologic investigations have been completed along the Coastal Plain
(1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and on the Yukon Flats
National Wildlife Refuge.
Lake
bathymetry
data are available for 119 lakes and lake elevation data have been reported
for 150 lakes on the Coastal Plain, and 63 lakes in the southern portion of
the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
Preserving water quality is one purpose of every Alaska Refuge. Land cover
and use can affect the water quality of rivers, lakes and other surface waters.
Potential sources of point- and non point-source pollution, such as
communities and resource development projects, can threaten refuges'
generally pristine waters. Baseline water quality data provide a benchmark
for identifying and quantifying the degree of contamination or change. On
most of
Alaska
's
refuges, there are limited or no water quality data available. The Water
Resources Branch began a water quality program in the summer of 2001 to
monitor water chemistry. Field measurements are made of physical parameters
at stream gage sites and samples are collected and analyzed for major
inorganic ions, nutrients, and trace metals several times each year. Water
quality data collection began on the Togiak Refuge
in 2001 (concluded in 2004), on the Kodiak Refuge in 2003 (concluded in 2007),
and on Tetlin Refuge in 2005 (continuing).
Details of various water monitoring programs on
Alaska
wildlife refuges are described in
the links listed below.
Last updated: September 4, 2008
Water Resources
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