Presentor Name:	Christopher D. Arp back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Dr.
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Decadal to Seasonal Lake Salinity Dynamics in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Benjiman M. Jones U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, Alaska
Abstract
Numerous shallow thermokarst lakes on the Beaufort Sea Coastal Plain provide important habitat for migratory waterfowl and water supply for local villages and industry. The water budgets of these lakes are narrowly constrained by quick snowmelt runoff recharge in late spring and very low evaporation rates through the Arctic summer. Thus slight changes in these hydrologic processes, along with connectivity with other lakes, streams, and the sea, may affect lake-water budgets and also water quality through concentration of salts. Lake-water salinity, as measured by specific conductance (SC), was used to analyze both the water budgets and water quality of 43 lakes and ponds in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area sampled in the spring and summer of 1977 and again in 2004-07. Our goal in this study was to begin to understand the processes responsible for varying scales of lake salinity dynamics from seasonal, to interannual, to decadal time periods. We hypothesized that lake salinity may be shifting over decadal time-scales due to slight changes in the timing and magnitude of snowmelt recharge and the strength and duration of evaporation, and that in order to detect any such changes we would first need to understand controls on shorter-term variation. Synoptically measured SC increased at 11 lakes from late July and early September by an average of 23 percent with the exception of Teshekpuk Lake where SC decreased slightly and a saline lake with an intermittent surface connection to the Beaufort Sea that increased SC by 60 percent. Continuous SC sensors placed in the saline lake and an adjacent freshwater lake with no marine connection showed vary different patterns of day-to-day variability with salinity in the saline lake fluctuating between 15,000 to 35,000 micro-Siemens per centimeter and the freshwater lake increasing progressively into the fall, from 1,130 to 1,400 micro-Siemens per centimeter. These continuous and synoptic data sets from 2007 suggest a natural regime of evaporative water salinization through the summer; the notable exception being lakes with marine connectivity. We used these seasonal salinity response curves to aid in making comparison among 10 lakes with late summer measurements from 2004 – 2007 and found a slight SC increases in 8 freshwater lakes possibly suggesting persistently tightening water budgets. During the same 4-year period, 2 saline lakes declined in SC over the same period potentially showing recovery from a suspected storm surge event in late 2004; though given the very high variation observed from our continuous sensor lessens our confidence in point measurement of marine-connected lakes. Lake salinity increased by an average of 29 percent from 1977 to 2007, except at Teshekpuk Lake, which showed little variation, and at a lake that was breached by coastal erosion and became saline during this 30-year period. These gradual but consistent shifts observed at several time-scales indicate a shift in lake water quality that may influence lake productivity and biological communities, and also may be indicative of shifts in lake hydrologic budgets.
Topic:	Climate Change

Presentor Name:	Christopher D. Arp back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Decadal to Seasonal Lake Salinity Dynamics in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Decadal to Seasonal Lake Salinity Dynamics in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Benjiman M. Jones
Abstract
coming soon (but after AGU)
Topic:	Climate Change

Presentor Name:	Chad Cormack back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Mr.
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Potential Recharge Estimates of Arctic Lakes to Aid Water Management on the North Slope of Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Michael Lilly, GW Scientific Horacio Toniolo, UAF Daqing Yang, UAF
Abstract
Water is a valuable resource on the North Slope of Alaska. Industry water users require a great amount of water for various applications such as ice road construction, drilling operations, and facility use. Regional lakes and groundwater supply this large demand. The quality of groundwater normally restricts it’s applications to secondary recovery in petroleum reservoirs. Lakes are primarily used where freshwater resources are needed. Currently, water usage is limited to 15 to 30 percent of under ice volume, depending on fish species conditions. Shallow lakes that are not available for overwintering habitat can have 100 percent of the under-ice volume permitted for industry use. We evaluate current water-use practices, and present the developing hydrologic engineering tools that will help assess water availability for arctic lakes. Many parameters influence the availability of lake water on the North Slope. Weather data such as precipitation, snow depth, temperature, and net radiation directly impact the amount of annual recharge to lakes from their contributing watersheds. Since weather data on the North Slope is scarce, a network of weather stations was installed to help develop, test, and demonstrate the water-use management tools. It is important to obtain a better understanding of the meteorological trends within the NPRA region with the limited data available. Appropriately applying data from these stations improves potential recharge estimates. Delineating watershed and lake areas is equally important. GIS programs such as Rivertools have been utilized to properly define the regional watershed areas of local lakes that were previously used for ice road construction. A water-use management tool was created to calculate potential recharge from the weather data, watershed areas, and lake water-use permitting information. The results from this tool can be used to compare what lakes are more likely to recharge when a significant amount of water is pumped from them. Other various factors contributing to the potential recharge of the lakes are currently being analyzed to improve the water-use tool. Application of the water-use tool, which uses hydrologic principles, will improve water management on the North Slope of Alaska.
Topic:	North Slope Hydrology and Sustainable Water Use

Presentor Name:	Nick Korzen back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Undergraduate ENVS major
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Poster
Title:	Changing Lake Bathymetry with Deglaciation: the Mendenhall system
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Ed Knuth-UAS ENVS Program Cathy Connor-UAS ENVS Program
Abstract
Ongoing rapid ice ablation and glacier thinning has continued the buoyancy-driven, large-scale calving events and ice terminus collapse of the Mendenhall Glacier. New bathymetric data collected from Mendenhall Lake between 2004 and 2007 reveal a shallowing of the lake basin adjacent to the 2007 glacier terminus. Since 2000, the lake has expanded beyond its 3.4 km2 footprint and 0.05 km3 volume as it elongated to the north filling its old Pleistocene ice-scoured cirque basin. The northeastern-most deep in the lake basin reached a maximum depth of ~74 meters below mean sea level in 2004. Since that time this deep shallowed to the north decreasing along the 2007 glacier terminus to depths ranging from 63 to 9 m below mean sea level. This new bathymetric data will be used for future studies to estimate changes in lake sedimentation rates and lake basin morphology since 1970 when original lake surveys were conducted by AK Dept of Fish & Game. Comparison of lake basin volume with river discharge data will help to better define the seasonal contribution of glacier meltwater to Mendenhall River summer discharge, which reached 50% during the summer of 1998. Additional Info: Please use this revised abstract instead of the one we submitted yesterday. Thank you!
Topic:

Presentor Name:	Nick Korzen back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Undergraduate ENVS major
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Poster
Title:	Changing Lake Bathymetry with deglaciation: the Mendenhall system
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Ed Knuth UAS ENVS Program Cathy Connor UAS ENVS Program
Abstract
Ongoing rapid ice ablation and glacier thinning has continued the buoyancy-driven, large-scale calving events and ice terminus collapse of the Mendenhall Glacier. New bathymetric data collected from Mendenhall Lake between 2004 and 2007 reveal a shallowing of the lake basin adjacent to the 2007 glacier terminus. Since 2000, the lake has expanded beyond its 3.4 km2 footprint and 0.05 km3 volume as it elongated to the north filling its old Pleistocene ice-scoured cirque basin. The northeastern-most deep in the lake basin reached a maximum depth of ~80 meters below mean sea level in 2004. Since that time this deep shallowed to the north decreasing to 73.5 meters below sea level along the 2007 glacier terminus depths range from 63 to 9 m below mean sea level. This new bathymetric data will be used for future studies to estimate changes in lake sedimentation rates and lake basin morphology since 1970 when original lake surveys were conducted by AK Dept of Fish & Game. Comparison of lake basin volume with river discharge data will help to better define the seasonal contribution of glacier meltwater to Mendenhall River summer discharge, which reached 50% during the summer of 1998.
Topic:

Presentor Name:	Debasmita Misra back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Associate Professor
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Spatial & Temporal Modeling Using Artificial Intelligence/Pattern Recognition Technique
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Thomas Oommen Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 200 College Avenue Tufts University Medord, MA-02155 thomas.oommen@tufts.edu ph. 617 627 2272
Abstract
Physics-based models for spatial and temporal simulations are quite complex and involve inclusion of several parameters to attain desired accuracy. Recently, pattern-learning type algorithms such as the artificial neural networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) have gained popularity in simulating similar processes yielding comparable accuracy. Through two distinct case studies, one spatial and the other temporal, I will be presenting the outcome of application of ANN, SVM, and a new approach developed in UAF called the Multiple Regressive Pattern Learning Technique (MRPRT) (Oommen, 2006). From these studies, one could conclude that pattern recognition methods could be used even in sparse data scenarios to simulate complex hydrological processes.
Topic:	Other

Presentor Name:	Dennis Reed back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Fishery Biologist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	NFk Bradfield: Beyond
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Dennis Reed, USDA Forest Service
Abstract
In light of the proposed Bradfield Road providing mid-region access to the US/Canada border and Cassiar Highway, a discussion of the management history, watershed impacts, recent restoration efforts, and the outlook for further restoration is presented. The NFk Bradfield River is a large floodplain, glacial-outwash system. Over the recent 30-plus years, significant hydrologic events have occurred about every ten years creating floodflows energized by mass wasting and resulting in several channel avulsions. The watershed has been listed in the past by ADEC as “suspected impaired”, and is not a Forest Service “priority watershed”. Removal of large wood from the floodplain via timber harvest has resulted in a highly dynamic channel network of reduced stability. Logjams, critical to fish and wildlife as well as channel stability, likely possess smaller wood pieces and, hence, have reduced stability and longevity. Floodplain habitat is more temporary and transient than prior to timber harvest. Initial development via timber harvest was costly in financial terms as well, resulting in two settlements: 1) a court settlement between the timber sale purchaser and the logging contractor in the early 1970s; and 2) a Contract Disputes Act settlement between the timber sale purchaser and the federal government in the 1980s. Historically, the Bradfield has been a difficult place to do business due to associated high risks. Although permanent road access would provide, among other benefits, a means for increased restoration efforts, the potential impacts of such development could exceed restoration benefits derived from it. Additional Info: slide presentation with oral discussion
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Donald E. Carlson, P.E. back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Regional Hydraulics Engineer
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Either
Title:	Using HY8 to Design Depressed Invert Fishpassage Culverts
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	State of Alaska DOT&PF, Northern Region Hydraulics Unit.
Abstract
A mini-course on how to use the FHWA HY8 Culvert design software to design Fish Passage culverts. After you have your basin hydrology data, either through use of USGS regression equations or by other means, how do you properly size a depressed invert culvert that meets both hydraulic and fish passage requirements? This presentation will focus on how the Northern Region DOT Hydraulics Unit uses HY-8 to verify capacity and headwater criteria when a depressed invert culvert is used to accommodate fish passage. Additional Info: This will be a test run on developing a one-day fish passage culvert design course. I will concentrate on just the culvert software aspect of that, which many consultants will consider valuable. I hope to keep the presentation no longer than an hour... 2/3 nuts and bolts 1/3 case study. I can try for shorter if needed. This would be the first time presented to an audience other than DOT hydraulic engineers.
Topic:	Engineering and Design

Presentor Name:	Ed Neal back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Hydrologist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Preliminary Assessment of Changing Hydrologic and Geomorphic Conditions of the Alsek River Outwash Plain
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Dr. Eran Hood/University of Alaska Southeast Chad Soiseth/National Park Service
Abstract
The East Alsek River, a former distributary channel of the Alsek River, flows 10 km before entering its estuary. Recently it contributed up to 189,000 sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to the local commercial and subsistence fisheries. Sockeye salmon numbers declined precipitously beginning in 1995 and despite closures to the commercial fishery, stocks have not recovered to previous levels. Preliminary analysis suggests that changing habitat conditions in the East Alsek River may be related to glacial recession and subsequent formation of Alsek Lake beginning about 100 years ago. One currently operating hypothesis is that suitable spawning substrate in the East Alsek River is a limiting factor to sockeye salmon production. Peak flows from the larger Alsek River no longer reach stages adequate to induce over flow into the East Alsek River channel and as a result fine sediment and aquatic vegetation have accumulated in the channel. The last time the Alsek River overflowed its banks and flooded the East Alsek River was in 1981. Three additional floods were recorded between 1964 and 1981. We tested two hypotheses relating to reductions in flood stage of the Alsek River: 1) enlargement of Alsek Lake has reduced peak discharges at the lake outlet, and 2) channel incision downstream of the lake has resulted in reduced flood elevations. Level pool flood routing solutions generated at Alsek Lake outlet indicate the lake reduces peak discharges by less than 4 percent. Hydraulic modeling of the Alsek River at the head of the East Alsek River overflow channel indicated a discharge of 7,530 m3/s is required to overtop the current Alsek River channel and induce flood flows down the East Alsek River channel. A discharge of this magnitude has an annual exceedence probability of 0.02 to 0.04. Formation of Alsek Lake has likely reduced the amount of bedload in Alsek River, which generally results in channel incision. To simulate conditions prior to 1 meter of channel incision, model parameters were adjusted by increasing the active channel bed elevation of the Alsek River by 1 meter. These simulations suggest a flood of just 6,020 m3/s would initiate overflow down the East Alsek River channel. Discharges of this magnitude would have an annual exceedence probability of 0.2. These results suggest that small amounts of channel incision could dramatically influence fluvial geomorphic processes in a recently abandoned distributary channel with direct influences on salmon habitat.
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Ed Neal back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Hydrologist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Recent Changes in Seasonal Stream Discharge Patterns in Southeast Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	none
Abstract
The north Pacific climate regime shift of 1977 resulted in an approximate 2 ºC increase in winter temperatures throughout Southeast Alaska. Stream discharge data from six watersheds were split into pre-(1947-1976) and post-1977 (1977-1998) subsets. For all watersheds examined, the average annual streamflows were not significantly different during the cooler years prior to 1977 when compared to the warmer years after 1977. Monthly and seasonal discharges, however, did differ significantly between the two periods. The pre-1977 winter (December-March) flows typically were lower than the post-1977 winter flows, and the pre-1977 summer (May-July) flows typically were greater than the post-1977 summer flows. These results were driven by temperature and precipitation patterns in the region. Differences in watershed response to the climate regime shift appears to be controlled by basin characteristics including watershed glacial cover and hypsometrically controlled variations in the degree that winter and spring precipitation is stored as snowpack. Discharge data from 1999-2006 continue an adherence to the previously identified linkage of seasonal streamflow patterns to the Pacific decadal oscillation index. In addition, trends in increasing winter discharge and decreasing summer discharge since 1977 have been identified in some, but not all, of the six watersheds examined.
Topic:

Presentor Name:	Erik Norberg back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Hydro Tech
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	A Biogeochemical Comparison of Three Stream Types within SE Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Edwards, R.T. USDA Forestry Sciences Lab Fellman, J.B. Institution of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Abstract
Southeast Alaska encompasses a vast array of pristine watersheds with varying precipitation, topography, and soils. The diversity in watershed landscape characteristics within the region produces a wide variety of stream types. To predict how changes in management regimes and climate affect stream processes, managers need an enhanced understanding of how biogeochemical processes in streams vary over large spatial scales and with major controlling landscape variables. The past three years we conducted monthly samplings from twelve different streams measuring concentrations of inorganic N, P and dissolved organic matter (DOM). The twelve streams were subdivided into three types: glacial, brownwater and clearwater. Total dissolved nitrogen concentrations were dominated by inorganic N in clearwater streams, organic N in brownwater streams and varied seasonally between organic and inorganic forms in glacial streams. Overall, concentrations of nitrate were greatest in clearwater streams throughout the sample period, but showed seasonal trends for all stream types indicative of summer biotic retention. DOC concentrations for all stream types varied with discharge ranging from 0.4 mg/L to 20 mg/L. DOC concentrations were lowest in clearwater an glacial streams and greatest in brownwater streams with an increasing trend during late summer. Our data suggests there is a biogeochemical difference between these stream types and illustrates the need for improved management of watersheds with different landscape characteristics. Management should incorporate an understanding of spatial, temporal, and baseline stream biogeochemical dynamics to better anticipate outcomes and predictions.
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Josh Jones back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Undergraduate Student
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Poster
Title:	Modeling Glacier Runoff: A Case Study of Lemon Glacier, Juneau, Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Eran Hood, Environmental Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, eran.hood@uas.alaska.edu Matt Heavner, Environmental Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, matt.heavner@uas.alaska.edu Regine Hock, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, regine.hock@gi.alaska.edu
Abstract
Glacial melt is an important water resource in many glaciated areas of the world. The water is used for irrigation, domestic water supply, transportation, and many other uses. An estimate of the amount of water coming from a glacier based on climate conditions would provide a useful tool for water resource management. Lemon Glacier is a small, temperate glacier near Juneau, Alaska that experiences late summer outburst floods from two supraglacial lakes. We ran a distributed temperature index glacial melt model taking into account solar radiation on Lemon Glacier to simulate the glacier’s contribution to Lemon Creek. The simulated discharge output by the model was then compared to the measured discharge hydrograph to test the accuracy of the model. Spatial distribution of daily snow depth and ice melt was digitally visualized with IDL programs. An estimation of the volume of the glacial lakes and any englacial storage was also calculated using the modeled hydrograph.
Topic:	Climate Change

Presentor Name:	Eran Hood back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	A high-resolution study of the impacts of glacial runoff on water quality and aquatic habitat, Lemon Glacier, Juneau, Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Matt Heavner, Environmental Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, matt.heavner@uas.alaska.edu Josh Jones, Environmental Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, jmjones3036@hotmail.com
Abstract
Glaciers have a pronounced impact on the timing and magnitude of discharge in downstream river systems. Glacial runoff can also influence aquatic habitat and water quality in pro-glacial streams. We are studying the physical and chemical linkages between the Lemon Glacier and the downstream Lemon Creek ecosystem near Juneau Alaska. The Lemon Creek watershed is 32 km2 and is more than a third of the watershed is covered by glacial ice from the Lemon, Ptarmigan, and Thomas Glaciers. The US Geological survey operates a stream gage on Lemon Creek and we installed an in-situ sensor that measures water temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity at the site of the stream gage. We measured these water quality parameters every 15 minutes during the summer of 2007 to assess the impact of glacial runoff and frequent precipitation events on the physical and chemical characteristics of Lemon Creek. Preliminary analyses of our data indicate that stream temperature showed an early seasonal peak in mid-May and demonstrated strong diurnal cycles. Conductivity decreased as glacial runoff increased during summer and showed less pronounced diurnal variations. Both pH and dissolved oxygen showed strong diurnal variations, with pH minima and DO maxima during the night. Turbidity was highly variable on short time scales, varying by several orders of magnitude over the course of a day. This heterogeneity appears to be driven by episodic sedimentation events from the Lemon Glacier. Developing an understanding of the physicochemical links between glaciers and their drainage streams is important for assessing how ongoing glacial thinning and recession may alter water quality and fish habitat. In addition, our high resolution data provide a useful baseline for understanding how water quality standards can be applied to glacial streams in Alaska.
Topic:

Presentor Name:	Greta Myerchin back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Research Professional
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Optimal Storage Volumes for Rainwater Catchment Systems in Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Amy Tidwell, Institute of Northern Engineering, UAF PO Box 755910 Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910 Phone: (907) 474-2783 Fax: (907) 474-7041 Email: fnact@uaf.edu Bill Schnabel, Institute of Northern Engineering, UAF PO Box 755910 Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910 Phone: (907) 474-7789 Fax: (907) 474-7041 Email: bill.schnabel@uaf.edu Daniel White, Director for Institute of Northern Engineering, UAF PO Box 755910 Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910 Phone: (907) 474-7013 Fax: (907) 474-5457 Email: ffdmw@uaf.edu
Abstract
A study was conducted to determine optimal storage volumes for rainwater catchment systems located over a range of Alaskan communities. Optimal storage volume was defined as the minimum storage volume necessary to meet water use demand through the operational (non-frozen) season while maintaining a 5% reserve volume. The optimal storage volumes presented were based on modeled input parameters including local climate data, rainwater catchment surface area and water usage rates. Additional considerations included the contribution of snowmelt during break-up and additional winter storage requirements due to off-season use. An automated evaluation process was devised to determine the optimal storage volume required for individual homes and communities. A climatic design year was first selected from a list of site-specific climate data to represent the year most indicative of average site conditions. Next, the program calculated individual tank profiles for a combination of collection areas, usage rates, and storage capacities. Following the development of tank profiles, storage optimization graphs were prepared for a suite of communities studied. From these graphs, users can determine their own optimal rainwater storage volume under a given set of conditions.
Topic:	Engineering and Design

Presentor Name:	Daqing yang back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Associate prof
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Results of Snowfall/Blowing Snow Observations in Barrow
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Konosuke Sugiura and Tetsuo Ohata Institute of Observational Research for Global Change (IORGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) 2-15, Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, 237-0061, JAPAN Phone:+81-46-867-9250 (Fax:-9255), E-mail: sugiura@jamstec.go.jp
Abstract
Systematic errors caused by wind-induced undercatch, wetting and evaporation losses in precipitation measurement have long been recognized as affecting all types of precipitation gauges. The need to correct these biases especially for solid precipitation measurement has now been more widely acknowledged, as the magnitude of the errors and their variation among gauges became known and their potential effects on regional, national and global climatological, hydrological and climate change studies were recognized. The Arctic climate is characterized by low temperature, generally low precipitation and high winds. Arctic precipitation events generally produce small amounts but they occur frequently and often with blowing snow. Because of the special condition in the Arctic, the systematic errors of gauge measured precipitation and the factor such as wind-induced undercatch, evaporation and wetting losses, underestimates caused by not accounting for trace amount of precipitation, and over/under measurement due to blowing snow, are enhanced and need special attention. Recognizing the importance of the precipitation data quality to cold region hydrological and climatic investigations, the Japan Frontier Research System for Global Change and the Water and Environmental Research Center (WERC), University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) have collaboratively undertaken a gauge intercomparison experiment and blowing/drifting snow observation study at Barrow Alaska CMDL research Lab. We installed the several precipitation gauges commonly used in the arctic regions for intercomparison, such as i.e: the Double fence intercomparison reference (DFIR), the Wyoming snow gauge system, the NOAA-ETI gauge, Hellmann gauge, the Russian Tretyakov gauge and US NWS 8" non-recording gauge. We also set up an automatic weather station for blowing/drifting snow observations in winter months to investigate blowing snow mass flux (Sugiura et al., 1998) as functions of wind speed, air temperature, and height, and to evaluate their impact on gauge snowfall observations. This presentation will summarize the results of field observations and recommend future research needs.
Topic:

Presentor Name:	Sveta Berezovskaya back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Dr.
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Accuracy of snow water equivalent measurements at watershed scale
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Douglas L. Kane Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-5860, USA
Abstract
An experiment in northern Alaska was carried out to evaluate the accuracy of snow water equivalent (SWE) estimations in tundra snowpack. In northern basins, water hold in the snowpack contributes significantly to both seasonal and annual water balances. It is critical to realize and address the problems of measuring and processing observational snow data so that the data can be used properly to advance our understanding of hydrological systems. The standard method of obtaining SWE is by gravimetric measurement using a sample core. To capture spatial snowpack variability, a snow survey usually includes both gravimetric SWE sampling and snow depth measurements collected over a large area. This technique is referred to as “double sampling”. A combination of well-developed depth hoar at the base of tundra snowpacks and extensive surficial organic soils in permafrost regions can significantly affect snow water equivalent and snow depth sampling accuracy. The experiment in the Imnavait Creek area shows that the depth of tundra snowpack is typically overestimated, because low density organic material (overlaying impermeably frozen ground) is often incorporated into the snowpack depth. When observers probe the snow depth, it is difficult to recognize the snow-ground interface, because the organic layer offers similar resistance to the probe that the snow does. Error is larger for the sedge tussocks areas on the windward slopes with shallow snow cover and decreases toward the valley bottom due to the snow-river ice interface at the bottom of the snowpack. In April 2006, the average snow depth in the Imnavait basin was overestimated from 11 to 31%. It suggests that snow water equivalent from any type of double sampling technique tends to be overestimated. Whereas snow depths show a systematic overestimation error, SWE obtained with snow cores is underestimated. The difficulty in these interpretations is that actual, accurate SWE is unknown. We noticed that the difference between basin average snow core SWE and double sampling SWE varies from 4 to 20%. The true SWE should lie somewhere in between.
Topic:	North Slope Hydrology and Sustainable Water Use

Presentor Name:	Emily Youcha back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Research Professional
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Either
Title:	Hydrologic modeling on the North Slope of Alaska using the Swedish HBV
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Emily K. Youcha, Erin D. Trochim, and Douglas L. Kane University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute for Northern Engineering, Water and Environmental Research Center, PO Box 755860, Fairbanks, AK 99775
Abstract
The Arctic fresh water hydrologic cycle is dominated by the melting of the seasonal snow cover and temporal and spatial scattered precipitation events during the summer months. The HBV model is currently being applied in the Imnavait and Upper Kuparuk basins, located in the headwaters of the Kuparuk River on the North Slope, to examine runoff during spring and summer months. HBV is a semi-distributed conceptual model and was developed in 1975 by the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute. Simple data inputs and robust predictive capacity make HBV an attractive method for modeling discharge, particularly in basins with limited data. Current work has focused on calibrating the Imnaviat and Upper Kuparuk models with greater precision using historical meteorological and discharge data. We are now trying to determine if there are effective HBV parameter sets that will relate to the physical properties of North Slope basins and whether we can apply these parameter sets to different basins on the North Slope, including ungaged basins. We are trying to identify what types of data are needed to better calibrate the model. Next steps are to apply the model to simulate flow on the entire Kuparuk, Putuligayuk, and Sagavanirktok basins along with other North Slope ungaged basins. Challenges associated with modeling larger watersheds include more spatially distributed processes and limited available data for model calibration. Additional Info: I am not yet sure if I will present and oral or poster. If I attend the conference, I will be available to volunteer. If I cannot come, I will send a poster presentation to this conference.
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Dragos A. Vas back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Mr
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Estimating Methane (CH4) Ebullition in Arctic Lakes Using Active Remote Sensing,
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Dr. Katey Walter/University of Alaska, Fairbanks Laura Brosius/University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Abstract
Lakes, a prominent landscape feature in the arctic covering up to 30% of the land surface, may be significant source of the potent greenhouse gas, methane, to the atmosphere. Little is known about the magnitude of methane emissions from different kinds of arctic lakes given the challenges posted by land distribution patchiness, inaccessibility, and the shear large numbers of lakes in the Arctic. Pilot studies have suggested that Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) may be a useful remote sensing tool for quantifying methane ebullition (bubbling), the dominant mode of emission from arctic lakes. SAR imagery is different from other satellite imagery because it uses an active sensor that is not dependent on the Sun’s energy or affected by cloud or snow cover. Methane bubbles that become trapped in early winter ice can be detected by the SAR sensor due to their specific backscatter properties. The objective of this work is to use remote sensing to overcome the limitations encountered in field sampling in order to scale up methane emissions from a variety of lake types in Alaska, including North Slope coastal plain lakes, post-glacial lakes, and thermokarst lakes in tundra and boreal ecosystems. Results from our October 2007 field campaign in which we surveyed the abundance of methane ebullition in 24 lakes between Prudhoe Bay and Fairbanks, Alaska are shown together with SAR Radarsat-1 C-Band correlations for a select number of lakes using different beam modes.
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Jason Fellman back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Graduate Student
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Poster
Title:	Changes in the concentration, biodegradability and fluorescent properties of dissolved organic matter during stormflows in coastal temperate watersheds
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Eran Hood Environmental Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK 99801 Richard T. Edwards U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Juneau, AK 99801 David V. D’Amore U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Juneau, AK 99801
Abstract
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) transport during storms is an increasingly studied area because of its overall importance in the annual watershed dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export budget. We sampled streamwater from two watersheds (upland and wetland-dominated) and three sub-catchments (bog, forested wetland and mineral forest) in coastal southeastern Alaska during a fall and summer storm to investigate changes in the chemical quality and biodegradability of streamwater DOM during stormflows. Stormflow export of DOC ranged from 2.3 kg C ha-1 in the upland watershed to a high of 13.9 kg C ha-1 from the bog sub-catchment. Biodegradable DOC (BDOC) export for these same storms ranged from 0.6 kg C ha-1 in the upland watershed to a high of 4.2 kg C ha-1 from the bog sub-catchment. To our knowledge, our results are the first to show that stormflows are responsible for a substantial export of BDOC from watersheds. PARAFAC modeling of fluorescence excitation-emission spectroscopy showed that as streamwater DOC concentrations increased during stormflows, the fluorescent properties of DOM generally shifted towards a greater percentage of humic-like DOM. PARAFAC analysis of fluorescent DOM also showed that during stormflows, there was a shift in protein-like fluorescence and that this change in DOM composition was strongly correlated with biodegradable DOC. Overall, the observed seasonal response in the concentration and chemical quality of DOM during storms suggests that future changes in regional climate could impact both short and long-term DOM export from watersheds, particularly in streams draining wetlands.
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Agota Horel back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Graduate Student
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Poster
Title:	Fate and transport of fish biodiesel, biodiesel blends and conventional diesel in natural porous media
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Dr. Silke Schiewer University of Alaska Fairbanks, Water and Environmental Research Center and Dr. Debasmita Misra University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Engineering and Mines
Abstract
The objectives of this research were (a) to collect data, analyze, and compare the rates of biodegradation of pure fish biodiesel (B100), 5%, 20% and 50% biodiesel blend with diesel (B5, B20, and B50 respectively) and high-sulfur diesel fuel (conventional diesel) in contaminated natural soil from lab column experiments, and (b) to use these degradation rate constants to simulate their fate and transport in a saturated porous media. The rate constants for model simulations of microbial reactions were obtained by investigating respiration rates of naturally occurring microorganisms in diesel and fish biodiesel contaminated soils. The biodegradation rate, measured as CO2 production, was studied as a function of time for different contaminant types and temperatures (6°C and 20°C). Small scale experimental studies (29 set ups) were conducted during a four week time period. Microbial growth phases were also investigated. The typical soil data was obtained from laboratory studies using ASTM standard methods. The chemical breakdown of each of the contaminants used in the research was determined by using Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. The experimental data collected show that the different types of fuel have similar initial microbial response times. Some preliminary results also suggest that higher fuel biodiesel percentages are associated with longer stationary phases and significantly higher cell growth during the exponential phase under optimal conditions. Although higher temperature influences the rate constants significantly, lower temperature studies indicate no considerable changes in the degradation rates for different fuel types. We used numerical modeling studies on hypothetical aquifer conditions using MODFLOW to compare the transport and fate of the constituents of biodiesel and biodiesel blends with conventional diesel under isothermal aquifer conditions. We have simulated the transport under different aquifer heterogeneity, reaction parameters, and stress conditions to understand and distinguish between the fates of the constituents in contaminated aquifers. We have discussed the results obtained from the numerical simulations.
Topic:	Environmental Remediation

Presentor Name:	Anna Liljedahl back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Ms.
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Either
Title:	TopoFlow Soil Moisture Simulations and Validation
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Larry Hinzman ffldh@uaf.edu University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks AK-99775, USA
Abstract
Soil moisture exerts a major control on the form of carbon (CO2 or CH4) released to the atmosphere. A warming of the Arctic region with thawing of carbon rich soils can therefore have global implications that can be enhanced due to CH4, which is a stronger greenhouse gas than CO2. Future projections of a climate warming feedback through altered carbon fluxes require soil moisture model simulations. A physically-based hydrological model, TopoFlow, was used to find spatially distributed near-surface hydrological conditions. The Biocomplexity site in Barrow, Alaska, is densely monitored and offers model validation of runoff, evapotranspiration, water levels and, after installation in September 2007, a spatially distributed network of near-surface soil moisture. There were 38 water content reflectometers (model CS616) placed in the organic soil 6-10 cm below the live material across a polygon and drained lake basin. Until the soil moisture measurements for summer 2008 will be obtained, preliminary model simulations were made. As potential windows to future hydrological conditions, but with a crucial difference among them, summer 2004 and 2007 were chosen. The two years experienced the warmest summers (mean air temperature June-August was 5.3°C) since 1973 (1973-2007 3.3°C), but 2004 received 101 mm of adjusted June-August precipitation compared to 24 mm in 2007. Model simulations at 10 m horizontal resolution showed a larger area of open water in 2004 than 2007, but with no significant differences in lower water table elevations between the two years. From field experience, unusually dry soil was observed summer 2007, calling into question the performance of the model in the chosen spatial resolution. Further model runs are needed to test the effect of geographical scaling.
Topic:

Presentor Name:	Anna Liljedahl back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Ms.
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Either
Title:	The Role of Meteorological Variables on Arctic Wetland Evapotranspiration
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Larry Hinzman ffldh@uaf.edu University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks AK-99775, USA Yoshinobu Harazono Y.Harazono@uaf.edu University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks AK-99775, USA Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka-599-8531, Japan
Abstract
As the climate warms, it is generally expected that the air will be able to hold more moisture and evaporation from water bodies will increase. However, literature shows decreased historical trends in pan-evaporation with increased air temperatures, opening a discussion about the components and dependence of evapotranspiration (ET) on meteorological variables. The latter and its temporal dependency were examined at a coastal arctic wetland in Barrow, northern Alaska. Today, the area is an energy-limited system, with incoming radiation as the main driver of evapotranspiration. Analysis of directly measured latent heat fluxes by the eddy covariance method during June-August 1999-2003, incoming (R2 = 0.83±0.06, p-value <0.001) and net (0.84±0.06) short-wave radiation and all net radiation (0.81±0.06) continuously showed the top three R2 in the 30 minute time scale. Long-wave net radiation showed high correlation to ET in the daily time step not seen in 30 minute scale. Wind speed, air temperature and vapor pressure deficit had no or minor correlation to ET in both the daily and half hourly scale. In June, surface temperatures showed as high correlation to ET as incoming and net short-wave radiation, but it was not found in the daily time step. The relative importance of the different variables remained nearly unchanged throughout the measured years. The correlation of ET to the different meteorological variables shows temporal scaling dependency. Knowledge of the site specific drivers of ET and their role in different time scales allows for a suitable model selection in estimating historical or in projecting future scenarios of near-surface hydrological conditions. A similar analysis is planned on a nearby eddy covariance tower to examine any spatial differences.
Topic:	Wetlands

Presentor Name:	Hans Arnett back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Senior Hydrologist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Government Creek Relocation
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Shane Cherry/ Cherry Creek Environmental, Inc
Abstract
Government Creek is a salmon stream that flows through bedrock along the south end of the Ketchikan International Airport. In 2007 the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) initiated the construction of safety upgrades at the airport including extending the runway safety area (RSA) at the south end of the runway. An Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) convened and evaluated multiple alternatives for minimizing impacts to the Creek while accommodating the new RSA. The IDT selected stream relocation, and a new stream channel was constructed to the south. The historic channel was filled to accommodate the extension. The channel design was developed by characterizing the geomorphology of a reference reach selected to represent the natural channel located upstream. This innovative design approach integrated the morphology characterization with analysis of geomorphic processes to initiate the formation of a naturally functioning channel. The design minimized the use of artificial material and anchors allowing the channel to adjust itself and evolve over time by distributing sediment and large woody debris throughout the constructed channel. Stream flow was diverted into the new channel on August 15, 2007. Early monitoring data demonstrate that salmon occupied and utilized the new habitat within 2 weeks of the diversion. Future work includes establishing riparian vegetation, conducting ongoing monitoring, and adaptively managing the system in response to observations of performance.
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	James Munter back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Principal Hydrogeologist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Climate-Induced Groundwater Flooding at an Upland Site near Palmer, Alaska, and Management of a Water Diversion Crisis
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	none
Abstract
Groundwater flooding is an under-recognized phenomenon that can cause property damage and devaluation and disruption of lifestyles. Attempts to control this damage can result in criminal and civil prosecution. Above-normal snowpack and rainfall near Palmer, Alaska, in 2004-05 are inferred to have caused groundwater flooding of a home, septic system, and surrounding land. The home had been constructed in the late 1990’s, and soil testing had shown groundwater depth at 13 ft with no history of flooding. Groundwater flooding first occurred after melting of a thick snowpack in 2005, subsiding during summer. Flooding occurred again after above-average precipitation in the fall of 2005. The homeowner constructed two dewatering wells, installed pumps and was able to lower the high water table and prevent water from entering the home by pumping approximately 60 gallons per minute continuously during the fall event. Discharge of pumped water resulted in the flow of water to a neighboring property where it infiltrated benignly into the soil of forest and field. Complaints by the neighbor to the Alaska DNR resulted in the issuance of a Commissioner’s Order to “cease and desist” unauthorized pumping, recognizing that cessation of pumping would cause water to infiltrate into the home. The flood event in the fall of 2005 created a crisis of data collection, ditching, constructing infiltration basins, legal filings, and a search for technical solutions to avoid off-site surface water discharge, all under the threat of potential criminal prosecution. As groundwater levels fell during the late fall and winter of 2005-2006, the crisis abated and pumping was no longer required. The “cease and desist” Order remains in place. This case raises issues about the diversion of water during floods. While surface water floods are well understood and sand bags and other emergency diversion structures are exempt from rules prohibiting unauthorized diversion of water, groundwater flooding is more difficult to identify and manage. Groundwater flooding lasts longer than surface water flooding and is usually caused by prolonged high recharge rates. Emergency diversion of water to protect from groundwater flooding may be needed for weeks, not days. In this case the homeowner was also prosecuted by the State of Alaska and convicted by a Palmer jury of a misdemeanor as a result of the diversion of water. Water resource professionals should recognize groundwater flooding at the earliest opportunity and educate flood victims about its causes and remedies. The State of Alaska should recognize that groundwater flooding is a valid reason for emergency diversion of water and that repeat flooding can occur from sustained or repeated high levels of groundwater recharge. Emergency diversion of water from groundwater flooding to minimize property damage should be deemed legal, and the State of Alaska should be a resource for alleviating the adverse effects of flooding for all flood victims.
Topic:	Groundwater

Presentor Name:	jason mouw back to agenda
Presentor Title:	ecologist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Hyporheic Exchange, Surface Water Hydraulics, and Redd Site Selection by Chum Salmon
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Jason E.B. Mouw*1, Tyler Tappenbeck2, Jack A. Stanford2, and Jake L. Chaffin2 1Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, 333 Raspberry Rd. Anchorage, AK. 99518 2Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, 311 Bio Station Lane, Polson, MT. 59860
Abstract
Detailed ground and surface water hydraulic data were collected at chum salmon redds to identify parameters influencing redd site selection in the Kwethluk River, a tributary of Alaska’s lower Kuksokwim River. We collected data for two distinct spawning strategies: mainstem and off-channel spawners that spawned in distinct hydraulic environments. Hydraulic data were collected within the full range of habitat use within each of these environments, including sites occupied and unoccupied by spawning chum. Analysis of these data showed that redd site selection was incoherent with surface water hydraulics (depth, velocity), bulk flow characteristics (froude number), and substratum. Rather, chum were found to respond to the interaction of ground and surface waters at four scales. Within the mainstem, chum primarily spawned in association with particular bed form units (fluvial scale). In secondary and tertiary channels, chum were found spawning within localized upwelling associated with short, shallow parafluvial flow paths driven by differences in surface water head between channels (parafluvial scale). Longer flow paths between the mainstem environment and relatively old surfaces were found to drive reach-scale upwelling in spring channels that are typically disconnected from the mainstem (orthofluvial scale). At the regional scale, the mainstem is upwelling. Mainstem chum responded to these gradients by spawning in association with bed-form scale downwelling in regional downwelling zones, and entirely avoiding the mainstem in regional upwelling zones. With very few exceptions, off-channel chum were found spawning within localized parafluvial upwelling, and orthofluvial upwelling in zones of both regional downwelling and upwelling.
Topic:	Fish and Wildlife

Presentor Name:	Janet Curran back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Hydrologist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Persistence and Geomorphology of Clearwater Side Channels in a Braided River: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Christian Zimmerman, USGS Brian Winnestaffer and Jessica Dryden, Chickaloon Village Traditional Council
Abstract
Clearwater side channel lifespans and geomorphic changes are being examined to guide research on importance of side channels to salmon habitat quantity and quality at the river-long scale and implications for land management. Dynamic patterns of channel formation in braided rivers can result in rapid abandonment of channels within the braid plain. When these channels fill with water from hyporheic, regional ground water, or upland tributary sources, clearwater side channels result that might create a stable environment for spawning salmon. To determine the annual to decadal persistence of these side channels, clearwater channels in the 120 km-long Matanuska River in southcentral Alaska are being identified from color differences on a 0.3 m pixel 2006 color orthophoto prepared from 1:24,000-scale aerial photography. Channel identification is being calibrated with field observations of selected channels. This inventory of modern clearwater side channels is being compared to historical conditions from a black-and-white orthophoto prepared from 1949 1:40,000-scale aerial photography, and selected aerial photography for the 1960s and 1980s. Where photo quality limits detection of water clarity, side channel presence or absence is noted. Initial results show that while individual side channels may persist for many years, they have rarely persisted more than a few decades. Analysis of selected, wide braid plain areas shows that multiple water sources may exist for supplying abandoned braid plain channels, an indication that some locations may host clearwater side channels regardless of mainstem position. For example, a clearwater side channel that has been historically used as a spawning site is fed by a tributary known locally as Yellow Creek. This channel is presently being captured by the active braids of the Matanuska River. A comparable clearwater side channel has formed from tributary flow on the opposite bank. However, in 1949, this condition was reversed, with Yellow Creek flowing for 2 km within the braid plain, and the mainstem braids flowing along the opposite bank. This study is also examining the importance of periodic resetting, or fundamental disturbance of the sediment, channel form, and aquatic and riparian vegetation, by the mainstem by measuring the physical and hydraulic characteristics of selected channels used for spawning by salmon. Initial measurements of spring-fed channels show coarse gravel substrates, slow velocities in channels less than 0.5 m deep, and limited opportunities for flooding. These conditions indicate that channel form and substrate is likely little modified from the inherited initial condition, although the biologic activity of redd construction can locally modify bedforms and substrate. Additional Info: Please note I've used my AGU abstract as a placeholder. I'll send you a final version about the same project by the end of December (or sooner if you need it).
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Jessica Meister back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Environmental Planner
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Either
Title:	A Quantitative method for estimating discharge in Cripple Creek, an ungaged stream in interior Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Alaska Pacific University
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between snow ablation and discharge within Caribou Creek, a sub-arctic watershed near Fairbanks, Alaska. The results show that discharge during snow ablation can be predicted by precipitation accumulation (as snow) and temperature. During snowmelt, the presence of discontinuous permafrost limits the amount of water from snowmelt that enters the groundwater system; this generates high runoff quantities into Caribou Creek. The total coverage of permafrost within the watershed is unknown. The snow ablation discharge prediction equation can be used for Cripple Creek, an ungaged stream 30 miles NE of Caribou Creek. The snow ablation discharge predication equation will be complete once the percent permafrost coverage within Cripple Creek watershed is determined. Methods for determining the percent of permafrost coverage throughout a sub-arctic watershed are included under Recommendation for future study. Additional Info: This paper was written as a senior project at Alaska Pacific University in Spring of 2006.
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Beverly Anderson back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Director
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Poster
Title:	Will Work for Water- Southeast Alaska’s watershed councils help improve fisheries habitat and water quality throughout the region
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition Samia Savell, Natural Resource Conservation Service
Abstract
The Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition (SAWC) is a regional network that promotes watershed stewardship in our communities, while supporting each council’s individual efforts through shared knowledge and resources. SAWC was formed to unite rural southeast Alaska and provide a common voice for sustainability, protection, and wise management of our watersheds. We seek a balance of human and wildlife use within the watersheds, in order to benefit the communities, their resource-based economies and our quality of life. Rather than becoming another layer of government or regulation, SAWC provides a collective, local voice for resource management dialog with government agencies, and landowners. With salmon being the cornerstone of the regional economy, subsistence, and culture, each of the SAWC councils dedicates the majority of its efforts toward fish habitat protection, rehabilitation, or enhancement.
Topic:	Other

Presentor Name:	Matt Heavner back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Assistant Professor of Physics
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	One year of operating a wireless watershed in Lemon Creek, Juneau, Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Eran Hood, Environmental Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, eran.hood@uas.alaska.edu Marijke Habermann, Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, marijke.habermann@seamonsterak.com Rob Fatland, Microsoft Corporation, Boulder, CO, Rob.Fatland@microsoft.com Logan Berner, Environmental Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, berner.logan@gmail.com
Abstract
The SouthEast Alaska MOnitoring Network for Science, Telecommunications, Education, and Research, or SEAMONSTER, is a NASA Earth Science Technology Office funded effort to deploy a sensor web in Southeast Alaska. An important component of SEAMONSTER is to implement a wireless sensor web to monitor hydrology and climate in the Lemon Creek watershed near Juneau, Alaska. The two science goals of the Lemon Creek study are 1) long term monitoring of the impacts of changing glacial coverage on the watershed and 2) monitoring the occurrence and impacts of transient glacier lake outburst floods from supraglacial lakes on the Lemon Glacier. These two objectives require different temporal sampling strategies. The sensor web must be aware of the currently observed situations (e.g. is the lake almost full and prone to outburst flooding?) and autonomously change sampling strategy. After the initial year of work on the project, we have instrumented Lemon Creek with a variety of hydrology and climate sensors. The sensor web is built upon a network of sensors with real time communication between nodes and semi-autonomous reconfigurability based on the information shared between nodes. The sensor web is designed to provide long term monitoring that is sensitive to local conditions to accurately record transient events with dynamic use of available resources (e.g. power, storage, communications bandwidth). We currently have 7 different stations monitoring 37 physical parameters. We are implementing communications via wireless 802.11b to transmit data from sensor web nodes back to the University of Alaska Southeast. The backbone of the sensor web is composed of Vexcel Microservers. These low-power servers are base stations with support for sub-networks, server support with respect to the rest of the network, and server behavior with respect to network-external contact. This presentation describes the methods we have used to establish the wireless watershed sensor web in Lemon Creek, explains future directions for the sensor web, and describes the observations from the past year.
Topic:	Meteorology/Hydrology

Presentor Name:	Rena Bryan back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Ms.
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Poster
Title:	Surface Water Storage Change as Influenced by Permafrost Degradation
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Larry D. Hinzman/ University of Alaska- Fairbanks Robert C. Busey/ University of Alaska- Fairbanks Kenji Yoshikawa/ University of Alaska- Fairbanks
Abstract
Much of the Alaskan Arctic and Subarctic receives a minimal amount of annual precipitation. Changes to regional precipitation patterns and the general transient warming expected in the next century’s lake hydrology and the associated wetlands place the risk of lakes perforating the permafrost boundary on the forefront. Lake change on the Alaskan landscape due to permafrost degradation is going to be important to local ecosystems and in, for example, providing habitat for migratory waterfowl in the next decades and centuries. Permafrost presence, absence, and thickness are interconnected in the deciphering of groundwater gradients and projection of changes in surface water extent on the Alaskan landscape. Intensive efforts have been invested to develop maps of presence or absence of the permafrost on the Seward Peninsula and changes experienced in the previous century and those expected in the next century. Further efforts are in place to do the same for the Yukon Basin. Continuous permafrost can provide an impervious barrier to groundwater movement and most groundwater-surface water interaction occurs in areas of discontinuous permafrost. With permafrost thawing and open talik formation in discontinuous permafrost regions, surface water formerly perched above the permafrost can drain into the subpermafrost groundwater. In contrast, in areas where the local hydraulic gradient is upwards, subpermafrost groundwater may discharge at the surface as the confining layer of permafrost degrades and an open talik forms. Lake change, in the absence of changes in evaporation and surface flow, are governed by the local vertical flux of water and therefore provide indications of the direction of hydraulic gradients. In this poster, we will discuss the processes controlling surface and subsurface hydrologic dynamics.
Topic:	Climate Change

Presentor Name:	Rick Edwards back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Dr.
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Collaborative watershed research in Southeast Alaska
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Dave D'Amore Forestry Sciences Lab Eran Hood, U. Alaska Southeast Jason Fellman, U. Alaska Fairbanks Erik Norberg, Forestry Sciences Lab Frances Biles, Forestry Sciences Lab Chelsea Crenshaw, University of Utah
Abstract
There are about 40 million hectares of coastal temperate rainforest occurring around the globe, but most are located on the Pacific coast from Canada to Kodiak Island. The total amount of Coastal Temperate Rainforest in the US and Canada is about 18.5 million hectares, with most of the undeveloped rainforest occurring within the Tongass and Chugach National Forests in Alaska. Coastal temperate rainforests are defined by high rainfall and cool summers, conditions that result in extensive wetlands and bogs and high carbon storage. The Tongass national forest alone contains 7% of the carbon in storage in all forests in the Untied States and is drained by a distributed network of several thousand small streams and rivers that host most of the remaining healthy wild salmon runs. To better understand the impacts of human induced changes (timber harvest, restoration efforts) and natural climate changes, we have been engaged in multi-scaled research focused on biogeochemical interactions among vegetation, soils, groundwater, hyporheic zones, glaciers and surface water to develop an understanding of how CTR watersheds function. We will report emerging insights from collaborative research from scientists with the PNW Forest Service research laboratory in Juneau, the University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of New Mexico. Soils cycle and export large amounts of organic and inorganic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Soil pore water contains from 8 to 120 mg DOC per liter, much of which is bioavailable. The Tongass NF exports about 2.3 teragrams of dissolved organic carbon to adjacent marine ecosystems. The flux of DOC per unit area of soil to adjacent streams averages about 35 kg per ha, the highest regional rates ever measured. Material fluxes vary with season, soil temperature and hydrology, with large increases during storms. New fluorescence techniques we have developed to measure dissolved organic matter quality show that soils export high quality DOC, which is rapidly consumed during transport within streams. Bioavailable DOC derived from soils comprises 10-35% of the total DOC. Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus export to streams varies with soil and forest type, and forested wetlands export surprisingly large amounts of dissolved material. Annual runs of salmon also import large amounts of high quality organic matter, which is stored or consumed within lower streams reaches. Carbon uptake lengths in lower reaches vary widely seasonally and short (~50m) when spawning salmon are present. Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus derived from salmon carcasses are stored in floodplains and hyporheic zones where they are consumed or returned to surface waters during floods. Our emerging understanding of terrestrial-aquatic biogeochemical linkages describes a highly dynamic system driven by rich carbon stocks and intense hydrologic flows. Models developed from this research will aid managers in predicting and ameliorating natural and anthropogenic disturbances in coastal temperate rainforests.
Topic:

Presentor Name:	Sonia Nagorski back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Research Assistant Professor
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Either
Title:	Do wetlands and salmon influence mercury concentrations in Juneau area streams?
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Sonia Nagorski, UAS, Juneau Eran Hood, UAS, Juneau Richard Edwards, USFS PNRS Juneau David D’Amore, USFS PNRS Juneau
Abstract
Wetlands are prevalent (comprising 29% of the land area of the Tongass National Forest) and DOC concentrations are high (10-30 mg/L) in many southeast Alaskan brownwater streams. Streams draining wetland-rich landscapes are known to be efficient exporters of mercury. Mercury contamination in southeast Alaska is of growing concern due to the combination of rising Hg atmospheric imports from Asia, contributions of marine-derived mercury from spawning salmon, and the abundance of wetlands covering the region. We investigated the Hg distribution in three watersheds with the goals of 1) characterizing concentrations of total and methyl Hg in regional catchments; 2) examining the extent to which the extensive areas of coastal wetlands may be facilitating the methylation of Hg, and 3) evaluating the influence of spawning salmon on Hg and nutrient export in streamwater. We measured Hg, nutrients, and ancillary water quality parameters and characterized dissolved organic carbon using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques in streams draining three watersheds with varying wetland coverage. We also sampled tributary streams within the watersheds that drained individual landscape units across a gradient of vegetation types including upland, bog, and forested wetland to evaluate their contributions to streamwater Hg loads. Each stream was sampled before (June), during (August), and after (October) salmon spawning. Our initial results indicate that methylmercury concentrations in 2 of the 3 mainstem sites were relatively high during active salmon spawning in August. Our data show that concentrations of total Hg in both mainstem and tributary streams were highly correlated with concentrations of bulk DOC and the percentage of DOC composed of hydrophobic acids, both of which were elevated in wetland-dominated sites. These results suggest that wetland landscapes are contributing disproportionately to riverine mercury export in southeastern Alaska.
Topic:	Wetlands

Presentor Name:	Sue Mauger back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Stream Ecologist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Understanding the Influence of Climate and Landscape Change on Water Temperatures in Cook Inlet Salmon Streams
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	n/a
Abstract
In the last five years, summer water temperatures in Lower Kenai Peninsula salmon streams have routinely exceeded state water quality standards established to protect spawning and migrating fish. Fisheries scientists warn that high stream temperatures make fish increasingly vulnerable to pollution, predation and disease. Yet despite the association between warming water temperatures and reduced salmonid survivorship, there is little or no consistent, long-term temperature data for salmon streams in Alaska. Without such basic information, it is impossible to gauge the health of salmon habitats and resources, and equally difficult to develop management responses to improve watershed resiliency to climate and land-use change. Cook Inletkeeper aims to better understand stream temperature trends and the connections to climate and landscape patterns, and to empower communities with monitoring tools to protect salmon habitat and watershed health. We have developed the Water Temperature Data Logger Protocol for Cook Inlet Salmon Streams. This protocol is intended to: promote water temperature data collection efforts; reduce the variability of water temperature data quality due to sampling techniques; and contribute to a standardized process for collection of water temperature data using data loggers in Cook Inlet salmon streams. We are in the process of designing a Stream Temperature Monitoring Network to collect consistent, comparable data for Cook Inlet salmon streams. In the near future, we will be working with Partners to create a centralized database for water temperature data and will develop standardized reporting formats to enhance comparison of water temperature data across Cook Inlet. Through these efforts, we hope to increase awareness and build local support to address the increasing threats from climate and land-use change facing the abundance and diversity of wild salmon and salmon habitat in Cook Inlet and throughout Alaska.
Topic:	Rivers Lakes and Streams

Presentor Name:	Valerie DeLaune back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Water Resource Specialist
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	Alaska Water Use Act & The Prior Appropriation System
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Valerie DeLaune Water Resource Section Department of Natural Resources Juneau Office
Abstract
Most people in the State, including government employees, have little information about the Alaska Water Use Act, although it governs the allocation of Alaska’s common property water resource. This presentation is geared toward the government permitting authorities that issue authorizations for water quality, land use authorizations, and habitat authorizations. The information can be used as management tools by all researchers, planners, land managers, advocates, and owners. The prior appropriation system increases certainty of right; under varying conditions of natural water availability, the most senior water right holder gets their water withdrawal first, the next most senior water right holder gets their amount next, and so on down the priority list until the most junior users may not get their water. It is a misconception that there is ample water for all uses in Alaska at all times. Even in Southeast Alaska, in some areas there is not sufficient water for all users. This power point presentation outlines when water use authorizations are required by law, when they are of benefit to the user even when an authorization is not required by law, the prior appropriation system versus the riparian system, the difference between water rights and temporary water use authorizations, the difference between consumptive and non-consumptive use, and how water rights protect commercial, domestic, and public investments. The presentation will also briefly cover instream flow reservations versus permit instream flow conditions, preferences for public water supplies, crimes and enforcement, departmental investigations, findings and determination criteria for permit issuance, basin-wide adjudications, federal reserved water rights statutes and regulations, and critical water management areas. Additional Info: Power Point Presentation. I won't have time to discuss all topics in details, so the PPT is something they can take and read, and use as a reference.
Topic:	Other

Presentor Name:	Mark McBroom back to agenda
Presentor Title:	Civil Associate
Presentor Affiliation:
Presentation Type:	Oral
Title:	North Slope Snow Water Equivalence and Its Use in Estimating Potential Lake Water Recharge
Co-Authors/Affiliations:	Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
Abstract
Lakes are a common source of water for use in ongoing operations on the North Slope. Removal of water should neither impact water quality nor deplete lakes beyond their typical annual recharge volume. Adequate recharge of a lake is highly dependent on seasonal snowmelt within the lake’s catchment basin. NRCS Basin Outlook Reports and Snow Pack Maps provide a general estimation of snow conditions prior to spring breakup. However, these predictive estimates are based on regional data and accurate site specific estimates are rare. During the spring of 2007, a study was undertaken to estimate snow water equivalents in the Colville River Delta on Alaska’s North Slope. Thirty lakes were included in the study. Snow surveys and water surface elevation surveys were conducted on a subset of nine lakes. Snow water equivalence was calculated from the snow surveys. Estimates of lake water recharge and snow water equivalence were compared to identify a tundra specific runoff contribution. Potential recharge volumes of the thirty monitored lakes were estimated using local and delta-wide terrain specific snow water equivalents.
Topic:	North Slope Hydrology and Sustainable Water Use