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Alaska Science Center

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Chokosna River valley, Mt. Blackburn

ALASKA PROJECTS

ALASKA SPATIAL DATA

ABOUT THE ALASKA
SCIENCE CENTER

SCIENCE TOPICS

USGS IN YOUR STATE

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.

There is a USGS Water Science Center office in each State. Washington Oregon California Idaho Nevada Montana Wyoming Utah Colorado Arizona New Mexico North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Texas Minnesota Iowa Missouri Arkansas Louisiana Wisconsin Illinois Mississippi Michigan Indiana Ohio Kentucky Tennessee Alabama Pennsylvania West Virginia Georgia Florida Caribbean Alaska Hawaii New York Vermont New Hampshire Maine Massachusetts South Carolina North Carolina Rhode Island Virginia Connecticut New Jersey Maryland-Delaware-D.C.

Water Resources of Alaska

Current streamflow conditions in Alaska
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Welcome 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.

Quick Link to Real-Time Data (Quick look: Real-time data typically are recorded at 15-60 minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to USGS offices every 1 to 4 hours, depending on the data relay technique used. Recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events. Data from real-time sites are relayed to USGS offices via satellite, telephone, and/or radio and are available for viewing within minutes of arrival.
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View site list: SW | GW | WQ

AK Monitoring Networks

The 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.

Streambed Scour

The USGS Alaska Science Center is researching streambed scour at bridges through scour monitoring, hydrodynamic modeling, and data collection during high flows.

Surface Water

Alaska provides real-time water-stage, streamflow and precipitation data at 152 sites across the state.

Ground Water

Fourteen ground-water wells are monitored by the USGS in Alaska. These wells record data on hourly intervals.

Flood Watch

The "Flood and high flow" map shows the location of streamgages where the water level is currently at or above flood stage.

Water Quality

Water-quality conditions are continuously monitored by the USGS at 42 sites across the state of Alaska

Featured Project

Matanuska River Bank Erosion

Picture of the Matanuska River.

Aerial 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 GoogleMaps

New Maps Deliver Current Streamflow Conditions

Example of Google Map showing current streamflow conditions.We 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 Publications

The Alaska Science Center produces publications about water resources.

The Arctic Freshwater Biodiversity Monitoring PlanThe Arctic Freshwater Biodiversity Monitoring Plan

Listening to Tide Water Glaciers—They are very noisyListening to Tide Water Glaciers—They are very noisy

Hydrology and Modeling of Flow Conditions at Bridge 339 and Mile 38-43, Copper River Highway, AlaskaHydrology and Modeling of Flow Conditions at Bridge 339 and Mile 38-43, Copper River Highway, Alaska

Spatially telescoping measurements for improved characterization of ground water—surface water interactionsSpatially telescoping measurements for improved characterization of ground water—surface water interactions

Uranium isotopes (<sup>234</sup>U/<sup>238</sup>U) in rivers of the Yukon Basin (Alaska and Canada) as an aid in identifying water sources, with implications for monitoring hydrologic change in arctic regionsUranium isotopes (234U/238U) in rivers of the Yukon Basin (Alaska and Canada) as an aid in identifying water sources, with implications for monitoring hydrologic change in arctic regions

Water quality of the Chokosna, Gilahina, Lakina Rivers, and Long Lake watershed along McCarthy Road, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska, 2007–08Water quality of the Chokosna, Gilahina, Lakina Rivers, and Long Lake watershed along McCarthy Road, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska, 2007–08

Streamflow and Streambed Scour in 2010 at Bridge 339, Copper River, AlaskaStreamflow and Streambed Scour in 2010 at Bridge 339, Copper River, Alaska

Distribution, Persistence, and Hydrologic Characteristics of Salmon Spawning Habitats in Clearwater Side Channels of the Matanuska River, Southcentral AlaskaDistribution, Persistence, and Hydrologic Characteristics of Salmon Spawning Habitats in Clearwater Side Channels of the Matanuska River, Southcentral Alaska

Simulating unsteady flow, anabranching, and hyporheic dynamics in a glacial meltwater stream using a coupled surface water routing and groundwater flow modelSimulating unsteady flow, anabranching, and hyporheic dynamics in a glacial meltwater stream using a coupled surface water routing and groundwater flow model

Gulkana Glacier, Alaska—Mass balance, meteorology, and water measurements, 1997-2001Gulkana Glacier, Alaska—Mass balance, meteorology, and water measurements, 1997-2001

Limnological and Water-Quality Data from Wonder Lake, Chilchukabena Lake, and Lake Minchumina, Denali National Park and Preserve and Surrounding Area, Alaska, June 2006–August 2008Limnological and Water-Quality Data from Wonder Lake, Chilchukabena Lake, and Lake Minchumina, Denali National Park and Preserve and Surrounding Area, Alaska, June 2006–August 2008

Re-analysis of Alaskan Benchmark Glacier Mass-Balance Data Using the Index MethodRe-analysis of Alaskan Benchmark Glacier Mass-Balance Data Using the Index Method

Glacier microseismicityGlacier microseismicity

Contribution of glacier runoff to freshwater discharge into the Gulf of AlaskaContribution of glacier runoff to freshwater discharge into the Gulf of Alaska

Annual Water Data ReportsAnnual Water Data Reports

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Page Last Modified: December 11 2012 16:00:50.