Alaska Science Center
ALASKA SPATIAL DATA
ABOUT THE ALASKA
Water Resources of Alaska
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.
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.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates a long-term "benchmark" glacier program to monitor climate, glacier geometry, glacier mass balance, glacier motion, and stream runoff. The data collected are used to understand glacier-related hydrologic processes and improve the quantitative prediction of water resources, glacier-related hazards, and the consequences of climate change.
Alaska provides real-time water-stage, streamflow and precipitation data at 116 sites across the state.
Fourteen ground-water wells are monitored by the USGS in Alaska. These wells record data on hourly intervals.
Water-quality conditions are continuously monitored by the USGS at 52 sites across the state of Alaska
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
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.
The Alaska Science Center produces publications about water resources.