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Stanley H. Jones

Publications and source records attributed to Stanley H. Jones.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Magnitude and frequency of floods in Alaska and conterminous basins of Canada

Equations for estimating the magnitude and frequency of floods at ungaged sites on streams in Alaska and conterminous basins of Canada were developed using multipleregression analyses of basin climatic and physical characteristics and peak-flow statistics from 260 gaged locations in Alaska and 72 gaged locations in Canada. Methods are presented for estimating flood magnitude and frequency at sites on gaged streams. Flood-frequency data based on observed peaks and basin physical and climatic characteristics are given for 332 gaged locations on streams with natural flow. The State of Alaska and conterminous basins of Canada were divided into five flood-frequency areas having similar flood characteristics on the basis of statistical cluster analyses and regional regression analyses. Generalized skew coefficients were determined for each of the five flood-frequency areas using at-site unbiased skew coefficients computed for 82 stations in Alaska having 22 or more annual peaks through the 1987 water year and 31 stations in Canada having 22 or more annual peaks through the 1984 calendar year. A set of equations for estimating peak discharge having recurrence intervals of 2,5,10,25, 50,100, 200, and 500 years was developed for each flood-frequency area. Significant basin characteristics in the equations are drainage area, mean annual precipitation, percentage of lakes and ponds, mean minimum January temperature, mean basin elevation, and percentage of forest. Drainage basin sizes range from 1.02 to 321,000 square miles. Average standard errors of prediction for the equations range from 26 to 77 percent. A regionalized mean annual precipitation map for the climatic normal period of 1951-80 was developed for Alaska west of longitude 141° and modified from published maps for southeastern Alaska and conterminous basins of Canada. Maximum known floods at 722 sites in Alaska and conterminous basins of Canada are tabulated.

Alaska↗

Floods from small drainage basins in Alaska

Flood peak-stage and associated discharge data collected since 1963 in small (generally less than 100 square miles) drainage areas in Alaska are presented in tabular and graphical form. The report also contains table of computed magnitudes of floods at selected recurrence intervals (2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 years) for sites having 10 or more years of record. Data have been collected at approximately 125 sites since the ' small-streams program ' began in 1963; 64 crest-stage gages and 3 continuous recording gages are being operated in 1983. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Flood-prone area maps of three sites along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Alaska

The Bureau of Land Management requested on May 3, 1979 that the U.S. Geological Survey determine the base (100-year) flood-plain limits at three sites (fig. 1) along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Highway (Haul Road) between the Yukon River and Prudhoe Bay in order to issue land-use permits. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT) has constructed maintenance camps at Coldfoot and adjacent to the Jim River near Pump Station 5. The site along the Sagavanirktok River near Pump Station 3 is under consideration as a site for potential development. An analysis of the flood data available at nearby gaging stations, at prior flood-survey sites, and from regional flood analyses was made. The discharge of the 100-year flood was calculated for the three sites using methods described by U.S. Water Resources Council (WRC, 1977) and given in Lamke (1979). Next field examination was made of the sites. Flood-deposited debris upon the overbank flood-ways was used to determine elevations of the maximum evident flood at the three flood-prone sites mapped. The maximum evident floodmarks for these floods were at elevations and locations which indicated that they were independent of ice scars. Ice scars higher than the highest flood debris were found at the Jim River site. Flood evidence of recent peaks was also used as an aid in determining the base flood boundaries. These limits have been delineated on aerial photographs of the sites. Surveying was limited to that necessary to adequately define the base flood boundaries; step-backwater computations were not made. Although some additional pertinent information is shown on the photographs, no attempt was made to delineate areas of inadequate local drainage or seasonal problems of high ground-water tables. Aerial photographs of the three sites were obtained from North Pacific Aerial Survey, Inc., with the permission of Alaskan Natural Gas Transportation Co. One photograph was obtained from Air Photo Tech, Inc., with the permission of Aleyska Pipeline Service Co.

Alaska↗

Copper River hydraulic study at Million Dollar Bridge, Alaska

The Copper River hydraulic conditions in the vicinity of the Million-Dollar Bridge, Alaska, at the outlet to Miles Lake are described. The water discharge, lake and river bed profiles, bathymetry, velocity, and direction of flow are presented. (Kosco-USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Water resources of the Kodiak-Shelikof subregion, south-central Alaska

Hydrologic data for the Kodiak-Shelikof subregion of south-central Alaska are summarized to provide a basis for planning water resources development, identifying water problems and evaluating existing water quality and availability. Average annual precipitation, measured at a few coastal locations in this maritime climatic zone, ranges from 23 to 127 inches. Mean annual runoff for the Kodiak Island group ranges from 4 to 8 cfs/sq mi. A maximum instantaneous runoff of 457 cfs/sq mi has been determined from a small basin on Kodiak Island. Lowest measured stream discharges range from no flow to 0.91 cfs/sq mi. Surface water is the primary source of water supplies for the city of Kodiak and other communities. The geology of the subregion is characterized by metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks with only a thin mantle of unconsolidated material. A few small, alluvium-filled coastal valleys offer the most favorable conditions for ground-water development, but moderate yields (50-100 gal/min) have been obtained from wells in fractured bedrock. Water in streams and lakes generally has a dissolved-solids concentration less than 60 mg/L, and the water varies from a calcium-bicarbonate type to a sodium-chloride type. The chemical composition of ground waters has a dilute calcium-bicarbonate type in unconsolidated materials and a sodium-bicarbonate type in bedrock. The dissolved solids in the groundwater ranges from 170 to 250 mg/L.

Alaska↗

Channel erosion surveys along TAPS route, Alaska, 1974

Repeated site surveys and aerial photographs at 26 stream crossings along the trans-Alaska pipeline system (TAPS) route during the period 1969-74 provide chronologie records of channel changes that predate pipeline-related construction at the sites. The 1974 surveys and photographs show some of the channel changes wrought by construction of the haul road from the Yukon River to Prudhoe Bay and by construction of camps and working pads all along the pipeline route. No pipeline crossings were constructed before 1975. These records of channel changes together with flood and icing measurements are part of the United States Department of the lnterior's continuing surveillance program to document the hydrologic aspects of the trans-Alaska pipeline and its environmental impacts.

Alaska↗

Surface-water investigations at Barrow, Alaska

The U.S. Public Health Service is currently developing plans for a long-term water supply and sewage treatment system for the village of Barrow, Alaska. To assist in planning, the U.S. Geological Survey was requested to initiate a cooperative streamflow data-collection program with the U.S. Public Health Service in June 1972 to determine the availability of surface water and the areal distribution of runoff in the Barrow area. This basic-data report summarizes the streamflow data collected from June 1 through July 10, 1972, at three gaging stations in the Barrow area (fig. 1) and discusses the future data-collection program.

Alaska↗