Geology topics

D.R. Kernodle

Publications and source records attributed to D.R. Kernodle.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1986

Hydrologic reconnaissance of the Unalakleet River basin, Alaska, 1982-83

The Unalakleet River, Alaska, from its headwaters to the confluence of the Chiroskey River has been designated as a wild river and is included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Yearly low flow, which occurs during the winter, is sustained by groundwater discharge; there are few lakes in the basin and the cold climate prevents winter runoff. The amount of winter streamflow was greatest in the lower parts of streams with the exception of the South River and was apparently proportional to the amount of unfrozen alluvium upstream from the measuring sites. Unit discharge in late winter ranged from nearly zero at the mouth of the South River to 0.24 cu ft/sec/sq mi in the Unalakleet River main stem below Tenmile River. Summer runoff at the time of the reconnaissance may have been slightly higher than normal owing to recent rains. Unit runoff ranged from a low of 1.0 cu ft/sec/sq mi at the South River, to a high value of 2.4 cu ft/sec/sq mi at the North Fork Unalakleet River. Flood marks were present in the basin well above streambank levels but suitable sections to measure the maximum evident flood by slope-area methods were not found. Flood peaks were calculated for the Unalakleet River and its tributaries using basin characteristics. Calculated unit runoff for the 50-year flood ranged from about 17 to 45 cu ft/sec/sq mi. Water quality was good throughout the basin, and an abundant and diversified community of benthic invertebrates was found in samples collected during the summer reconnaissance. Permafrost underlies most of the basin, but groundwater can be found in unfrozen alluvium in the stream valleys, most abundantly in the lower part of the main tributaries and along the main stem of the Unalakleet River. Groundwater sustains river flow through the winter; an estimate of its quantity can be found through low-flow measurements. Groundwater quality in the basin appears to be satisfactory for most uses. Currently, little groundwater is used within the basin. The water supply for Unalakleet is obtained from a well and gallery in a small valley north of the airport, outside the Unalakleet River basin. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1983

Reconnaissance of surface-water resources in the Kobuk River basin, Alaska, 1979-80

Surface water data were collected at selected sites in the Kobuk River Basin in northwest Alaska in August 1979 and April 1980. In August 1979, frequent heavy rains caused abnormally high flows in the basin; unit runoff values, computed from discharge measurements at 25 sites, ranged from 0.08 to 12.2 cu ft/sec/sq mi. Mean unit runoff for August computed from 13 years of record at a stream gaging station on the Kobuk River ranged from 1 to 3 cu ft/sec/sq mi. Unit runoff computed from discharge measurements made at eight sites in April 1980 ranged from 0 to 0.30 cubic feet per second per square mile. These values are in reasonable agreement with those derived from the record at the gaging station. High-water marks of maximum evident floods and evidence of ice-affected flooding were found at near bankfull stages at 17 sites on the Kobuk River and its tributaries. Computed unit runoff for the maximum evident floods generally decreases with increasing drainage area. Unit runoff ranges from about 50 to 75 cu ft/sec/sq mi for drainage areas < 1,000 sq mi to < 25 cu ft/sec/sq mi for larger areas. Field determinations were made of water temperature, pH, alkalinity, dissolved-oxygen concentration, and specific conductance, and discharge was measured at about 40 stream sites and one spring. Water samples for laboratory analysis of dissolved inorganic constituents and biological samples were collected in August 1979. Water quality data indicate that the surface waters would be acceptable for most uses; they are a calcium bicarbonate type having dissolved-solids concentrations between 50 and 140 milligm/liter. The pristine nature of the waters is also indicated by the overall diversity and composition of its benthic invertebrate community. A more highly mineralized (about 550 milligm/liter dissolved solids) sodium bicarbonate water flows from Reed River Hot Spring. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1983

Reconnaissance of surface-water resources in the Togiak River basin, southwestern Alaska, 1980 and 1982

Data collected during August and September 1980 and March 1982 describe hydrologic characteristics of the Togiak River and its tributaries. Surface waters are generally cold and clear, have significant wilderness recreation values, and provide outstanding salmon habitat. Late summer unit runoff ranged from 2.3 to 8.1 cubic feet per second per square mile. Stream width increased with discharge from about 20 feet on the tributaries to more than 300 feet on the Togiak River near its mouth. Mean depth increased with discharge downstream direction from about 1 to more than 4 feet. Mean velocity ranged between 1 and 4 feet per second and bore little relation to discharge. Late winter unit discharge for sites having little or no upstream lake storage was about 0.5 cubic foot per second per square mile. For the remaining sites, values ranged from 0.8 to 1.4 cubic feet per second per square mile. Unit runoff of maximum evident floods ranged from 12.9 to 50 cubic feet per second per square mile. Field measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity and specific conductance indicated that water quality seems much the same throughout the basin and is influenced by the major lakes. Benthic invertebrates indicate a reasonably diverse fauna with midge larvae representing the largest percentage of all organisms found at most sites. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1978

Water resources along the TAPS route, Alaska, 1970-74

The U.S. Geological Survey installed 10 streamgaging and water-quality stations along the trans-Alaska pipeline route (TAPS) starting in 1970. These stations, mostly north of Fairbanks, add to the historical network of gaging stations and provide records of hydrologic conditions along the TAPS route. Selected data from 23 gaging stations along the TAPS route for the period 1970-74 (prior to construction of the pipeline) are compiled in graphic form. The data include annual hydrographs of daily mean or instantaneous values of a standard set of parameters which are indicative of physical, chemical and biological conditions of the streams. The hydrographs facilitate comparisons of data, both in time and between stream sites. Thus, they are a tool for evaluating streamflow characteristics along the TAPS route during the preconstruction period. (Woodard-USGS)

Alaska↗