Publication Citation

USGS Series Water-Resources Investigations Report
Report Number 77-38
Title Artificial recharge experiments on the Ship Creek alluvial fan, Anchorage, Alaska
Edition -
Language ENGLISH
Author(s) Anderson, Gary S.
Year 1977
Originating office
USGS Library Call Number (200) WRi no.77-38
Physical description v, 39 p. :ill. (1 fold. in pocket), maps ;27 cm. [PGS: 50 p.]
ISBN

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Abstract

During the summers of 1973 and 174, water from Ship Creek, Alaska, was diverted at an average rate of approximately 6 cfs (cubic feet per second) to an 11-acre recharge basin. Maximum sustained unit recharge for the basin was approximately 1.4 feet per day. During 1975 a second basin of 8 acres was also used for recharge, and the total diversion rate was increased to as much as 30 cfs. The second basin was never completely filled, but the unit recharge rate was at least four times as great as that in the first basin. During 1973 and 1974, when only one recharge basin was in operation, a maximum rise of 18 feet was observed in the ground-water table near the basin. In 1975, when both basins were being used, the maximum rise was 30 feet in the same area. During 1973 and 1974, the water-level rise was 12 and 8 feet in the unconfined and confined systems, respectively, at a point 4,400 feet downgradient from the basins; in 1975 the rise at the same point was 31 and 16 feet, respectively. The potentiometric rise that was achieved in the confined aquifer during summer operation of the recharge basins was quickly dissipated when diversion stopped and the basins drained. Thus the benefits of recharge would not persist into late winter, the critical period for water availability in Anchorage, unless diversion to the basins could be continued until January or February. (Woodard-USGS)