Geology topics

Bruce Parks

Publications and source records attributed to Bruce Parks.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1985

Estimation of selected flow and water-quality characteristics of Alaskan streams

Although hydrologic data are either sparse or nonexistent for large areas of Alaska, the drainage area, area of lakes, glacier and forest cover, and average precipitation in a hydrologic basin of interest can be measured or estimated from existing maps. Application of multiple linear regression techniques indicates that statistically significant correlations exist between properties of basins determined from maps and measured streamflow characteristics. This suggests that corresponding characteristics of ungaged basins can be estimated. Streamflow frequency characteristics can be estimated from regional equations developed for southeast, south-central and Yukon regions. Statewide or modified regional equations must be used, however, for the southwest, northwest, and Arctic Slope regions where there is a paucity of data. Equations developed from basin characteristics are given to estimate suspended-sediment values for glacial streams and, with less reliability, for nonglacial streams. Equations developed from available specific conductance data are given to estimate concentrations of major dissolved inorganic constituents. Suggestions are made for expanding the existing data base and thus improving the ability to estimate hydrologic characteristics for Alaskan streams. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1983

Trace metals in surface water and stream sediments of Healy and Lignite Creek basins, Alaska

Water quality and streamflow in the Russian River basin during low-flow seasons (May to October), were studied for water years 1973-78 to document water-quality and streamflow conditions in the basin, and to determine the extent and cause of any water-quality impairment. The most important factors affecting surface-water quality and streamflow during the period of the study were wastewater discharges, their abatement beginning in 1975, and the drought during 1976 and 1977. Substantial decreases in fecal-coliform bacteria and nutrients occurred from 1975 through 1978, corresponding to regulations specifying no discharge of wastewater during the lowflow season. Generally, turbidity and nutrients were least during the 1977 lowflow season. However, specific conductance increased markedly during 1976 and 1977 in response to substantially decreased streamflow during the drought. Algal growth in the Russian River depends on the amount of nitrogen in the water and is not limited by the amount of phosphorus in the water. Cold water releases from Lake Mendocino seem to be important for maintaining downstream water temperatures at acceptable levels for survival of certain aquatic organisms, retarding aquatic community respiration, and preventing nuisance growths of photoplankton and periphyton. During August 1977, a diel study showed the Russian River was a heterotrophic system where photosynthetic production of oxygen was not sufficient to offset respiration. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1981

Sediment transport in the Tanana River near Fairbanks, Alaska, 1977-79

Suspended sediment and bedload transport rates for the Tanana River near Fairbanks, Alaska, can be related to water discharge, and annual sediment loads can be computed using these relations. For a site near Fairbanks, the average annual (1974-79) load is 24 million metric tons of suspended sediment and 321,000 metric tons of bedload. Upstream, near North Pole, the average annual load is 20.7 million metric tons of suspended sediment and 298 ,000 metric tons of bedload. For both sites bedload is usually 1 to 1.5 percent of suspended sediment load. Particle size distribution of suspended sediment is similar at Fairbanks and North Pole. Median particle size is generally in the silt range, but at some low-water discharges, it is in the very fine sand range. Median particle size of bedload near North Pole is generally in the gravel range, but at some low transport rates, it is in the medium sand range. In 1977 median bedload particle size was comparable at the two sites, but in 1978 the median size was markedly smaller at Fairbanks. In 1979, generally coarser material was transported at both sites, but the decrease in bedload particle size was even greater between the sites. At both sites and at all water discharge and sediment transport rates, suspended load particles are significantly smaller than bedload particles. At North Pole in 1979, median bed material particle size was in the course gravel range; at Fairbanks it was in the medium gravel range in the main channel but in the fine sand range in the overflow part of the channel. (USGS)

Alaska↗

USGS1979

Sediment transport in the Tanana River in the vicinity of Fairbanks, Alaska, 1977-78

Measurements of the sediment load of the Tanana River in the vicinity of Fairbanks, Alaska, show that suspended-sediment transport rate in tons per day, relates to water discharge, in cubic feet per second, as: Suspended-sediment transport rate (tons/day) = 5.717 x 10 to the minus 8th power x water discharge (cubic feet/second) to the 2.713 power, (where the correlation coefficient squared = 0.967). The bedload-transport rate is approximately 1 to 2 prcent of the suspended-sediment transport rate. Data collected at Fairbanks and upstream from Fairbanks near North Pole, Alaska, show little difference in size distribution of suspended sediment between the two locations. The median particle size distribution of suspended sediment is generally in the silt range, but at some low-water discharges, the median particle size is in the very fine sand range. The median particle size is in the very fine sand range. The median particle size of bedload near Noth Pole is generally in the gravel range, but at some low transport rates, the median particle size is in the medium sand range. At Fairbanks, data collected in 1977 indicate median particle sizes of bedload comparable to those of the upstream location, whereas data collected in 1978 indicate a marked decrease in median particle size of bedload between the two locations. For both locations and at all water discharges and sediment transport rates, particles constituting the suspended load are significantly smaller than particles constituting the bedload.

Alaska↗

USGS1978

Sediment transport in the Tanana River in the vicinity of Fairbanks, Alaska, 1977

Measurements of suspended- and bedload-sediment transport for the Tanana River in the vicinity of Fairbanks, Alaska, show that suspended-sediment load, G in tons per day, relates to water discharge, Q, in cubic feet per scond, as: G S = 1.66 x 10 -8 Q 2.83 The bedload transport rate is approximately one percent of the suspended-sediment transport rate. The median particle size of suspended sediment is generally silt (<0.062 mm), but at some low-water discharges, the median particle size is very fine sand. The median particle size of bedload is generally gravel (>2.0 mm, and often in the range of 10 to 20 mm), but at some low transport rates, the median particle size is medium sand. At all water discharges and sediment-transport rates, the particles constituting the suspended load are significantly smaller than the particles constituting the bedload.

Alaska↗