Field measured precipitation and runoff in Arctic basins - Emily K. Youcha, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Water and Environmental Research Center (co-authors: Douglas L. Kane/UAF, Horacio Toniolo/UAF)

ABSTRACT

Precipitation and runoff (or water levels) are measured in several large basins in the central North Slope of Alaska. All the large basins in this area (except the Colville) flow from south to north. The Chandler, Anaktuvuk, Itkillik, Sagavanirktok, and Shaviovik Rivers have contributing areas in the mountainous Brooks Range to the south. Several other basins, including the Kuparuk River, drain mostly from the foothills and/or coastal plain. Spring snowmelt is the most important period for streamflow runoff in the Arctic, but in basins with large contributing areas in the mountains, summer precipitation causes summer peak flow events that often exceed the snowmelt peak. In the past, discharge is measured in several rivers draining from the mountains; however, little or no precipitation data has been available. Summer precipitation is highest in the mountains (over 250 mm) and decreases to the northern regions of the Coastal Plain (80 mm on average). This presentation compares precipitation and runoff data collected on select Arctic Rivers in spring 2009.

Topic: Alaska Hydrology