HomeMy WebLinkAboutCosmos Hills Summer Fall Report 2010Alaska Village Electric Cooperative
Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study:
Summer-Fall 2010 Report
Alaska Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund,
awarded grant #2195413
Looking towards Cosmos Hills in late March
(photo by Elia Sakeagak)
November 18, 2010
WHPacific, Inc.
300 W. 31st Ave
Anchorage, AK 99503
www. whpacific.com
Overview of Summer-Fall 2010 Cosmos Hills Studies
The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC), in collaboration with NANA Regional Corporation, is
embarking on a feasibility study of potential hydropower sites and associated power lines in the Kobuk
River Valley. NANA is the land owner of these potential hydropower sites. The purpose of this report is
to summarize the Cosmos Hills hydropower field and office study activities performed by WHPacific in
the summer and fall of 2010.
In 2009, AVEC received partial pre-construction funding from the Alaska Energy Authority's Renewable
Energy Fund {REF) program {awarded grant #2195413) to pursue feasibility and design of hydroelectric
sites in the Cosmos Hills area north of Shungnak and Kobuk. AVEC and other project partners are
providing additional financial and in-kind resources to help evaluate renewable energy solutions for
Kobuk Valley communities. WHPacific, Inc., a subsidiary of NANA Regional Corporation, has been hired
by AVEC to oversee the Cosmos Hills hydroelectric feasibility studies.
AVEC's Cosmos Hills preconstruction program consists of fieldwork and office-based studies to
determine hydroelectric project features, estimated project costs, operating conditions, environmental
impacts, energy production costs and overall project feasibility. Currently, diesel-fuel power generation
is the only source of electricity for the upper Kobuk River communities of Ambler, Shungnak, and Kobuk.
Diesel fuel can be expensive when it has to be flown in due to shallow-water conditions on the Kobuk
River. The high cost oftransporting fuel to Ambler and Shungnak result in these two communities having
some of the highest electricity costs of the 53 rural Alaska communities which AVEC serves. The
purpose of small hydroelectric plants would be to supplement diesel fuel used for power generation.
Run-of-river hydro sites in this area could provide electricity from about mid-April until early November,
although the Kogoluktuk River may be able to provide power later into the winter, and earlier in the
spring.
In July 2010, AVEC decided to proceed with further study on Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek, Dahl Creek
and the Kogoluktuk River during the summer/fall 2010 fieldwork season, and hosted an agency meeting
in late July to discuss these plans. A map showing these four sites, and the locations of the communities
of Shungnak and Kobuk, is provided in Figure 1. The three Cosmos Hills study areas investigated with
field-based wetlands, fish habitat, and geotechnical studies, and office-based cultural resource studies,
during summer and fall 2010 were Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek, and Dahl Creek. Wetlands, fish habitat
and geotechnical fieldwork in these three streams were conducted in late July 2010. These three project
study areas, along with Kogoluktuk River, were also mapped with LIDAR and aerial photography in
August and September 2010, respectively. Climate/hydrological stations were installed at these four
sites (Cosmos, Wesley, Dahl and Kogoluktuk), as well as four hilltop radio repeaters, in August 2010 to
initiate the Cosmos Hills hydrologic monitoring network. WHPacific submitted a final reconnaissance
report on the potential Cosmos Hills hydropower sites to AVEC in September 2010.
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study November 18, 2010
-WHPaufic
Figure 1: Potential hydroelectric sites under study by AVEC (map by Paula Hansen)
Hydrology
Measurement of stream flow available in the Cosmos Hills watersheds of Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek,
Dahl Creek and Kogoluktuk River is crucial for the evaluation of the feasibility of these potential
hydropower sites. The Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Hydrology Network was installed in August 2010, with
a follow-up calibration visit conducted in October 2010. The network consists of four climate/hydrologic
stations (Upper Cosmos Creek, Upper Wesley Creek, Upper Dahl Creek, and Kogoluktuk River). Four
repeater stations (Cosmos Creek Repeater, Wesley Creek Repeater, Dahl Creek Repeater, and
Kogoluktuk River Repeater) collect air temperature and also relay information from the
climate/hydrologic stations to a base station located at the school in Kobuk. Since 1986, the USGS has
operated a stream gauge on lower Dahl Creek near the airstrip, funded by the Alaska Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities. Data and records from this existing station will be used along with
data collected from the four new hydrologic stations for the hydrological analysis of the potential
hydropower sites.
Water depth is being collected at each climate/hydrologic station and utilized with discharge
measurements performed by team members to develop stage/discharge relationships. Additional data
is being collected to evaluate climate and river conditions including air temperature, summer
precipitation, camera images, and water temperature. The camera images collected since August 2010
show that each stream/river has shown different characteristics going into winter freeze-up
Geo-Watersheds Scientific, Brailey Hydrologic, and EEinternet are the project partners investigating and
reporting hydrologic characteristics of the study watersheds, and have started the Cosmos Hills
·AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study . November 18, 2010
hydroelectric hydrologic network website: http://www.cosmoshydro.org.This website shares real data
and webcam images (updated hourly) from stream gauges/mini-weather stations that measure the
stream flow and basic weather data for Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek, Dahl Creek and the Kogoluktuk
River.
In December 2010, the Geo-Watersheds Scientific/Brailey Hydrologic team will submit a report that will
present a basic summary on field activities and data collected since August 2010, including station setup,
measurements at each station, discharge measurements, and hydrologic conditions going into
December. The hydrology team also plans follow-up calibration visits to the Cosmos Hills
climatic/hydrologic stations in early spring, late spring/early summer, midsummer and fall 2011.
Aerial Photography and LIDAR Mapping
AeroMetric made two flights over the Cosmos Hills hydroelectric project study areas-one on August 24,
2010 for the aerial photography, and another on September 14, 2010 for LIDAR mapping. For each of
the designated project areas of Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek, Dahl Creek and the Kogoluktuk River,
AeroMetric has provided (submitted as CDs to AVEC with this report):
• Bare Earth Digital Elevation Model {OEM) data in ASCII format (from LIDAR)
• 1' Cl topographic maps in AutoCAD format (from LIDAR)
• Y,' pixel resolution color digital orthophotos in .tiff format
Orthophotos of the four sites, combined with LIDAR contour data, are provided in Appendix A.
Wetlands Delineation
A short field reconnaissance was conducted between July 26 and August 2, 2010 to determine wetland
types. A report, attached as Appendix B, documents the findings of a field reconnaissance of wetlands
and "other waters" (streams) in connection with the Cosmos Hills Pre-Construction Program. Field
studies were conducted on potential hydropower sites on three streams in the Cosmos Hills: Cosmos
Creek, Dahl Creek, and Wesley Creek study areas. Complete and intense field delineation will not be
conducted until a final project site is selected and preliminary engineering is completed.
The 2010 Cosmos Hills wetlands report provides data and mapping that identifies and locates stream
channels and wetlands at reconnaissance level accuracy, and characterizes wetland habitats. It will
provide information for the planning process and selection of the preferred project site. Wetland areas
were identified based on the Corps of Engineers 3-parameter approach of the 1987 Wetland Delineation
Manual and the 2007 Regional Supplement for the Alaska Region. Ordinary High Water Line along the
streams was also identified in several locations, and data was recorded on adjacent riparian plant
communities, channel and floodplain morphology, and topography, along with photographs. Wetland
polygons and streams were digitized to produce the set of maps on an aerial photograph base. The
polygons are labeled according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Cowardin) classification system.
Photographs taken at marked data points and a transcript of data notes are included in appendices to
the report.
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study November 18, 2010
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Study
The Cosmos Hills Reconnaissance Fisheries Report, attached as Appendix C, documents the results of a
reconnaissance level fisheries survey of nine separate sample reaches within three stream drainages:
Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek, and Dahl Creek. This report includes field data gathered between July 26
and August 2, 2010 on general fish abundances, habitat characteristics, and water quality. Also included
are maps depicting the sample reaches within each stream basin, fish collection data, field-sketched
habitat maps, and water quality data.
Dolly Varden were collected at all nine of the sample reaches and slimy sculpins at four of the nine
sample reaches. Slimy sculpins do not appear to occupy the studied reach of Dahl Creek, but are found
in Wesley and Cosmos Creek. Fish abundance was found to be highest in Dahl Creek, followed by
Wesley Creek, and finally Cosmos Creek.
Habitat sampled varied from slow flowing and shallow glides to high velocity cascading riffles with deep
and turbulent plunge pools. Pools associated with high velocity cascades yielded the largest number of
fish. These habitats are common in sampled portions of Wesley and Dahl Creeks, but less common in all
but the most upstream sampled reach of Cosmos Creek. Dominant substrates ranged from gravels and
cobbles in the lower reaches of Wesley and Cosmos Creeks to large boulders and cobbles in the middle
reaches of Wesley and Dahl Creeks, the lower reach at Dahl Creek, and the upper reaches at Wesley and
Cosmos Creeks.
Office-Based Cultural Resources Study
An office study of cultural and historical features within the hydroelectric project areas of Cosmos Creek,
Wesley Creek and Dahl Creek was conducted by WHPacific in fall 2010, and this report is attached as
Appendix D. To date, there have been few professional archaeological surveys in the Cosmos Hills and
there are few known cultural sites. Some of the transportation routes into the Hills as well as other
historic resources such as the mine at Bornite will need to be evaluated for their historic context.
Formal consultation with the Office of History and Archaeology is likely to mirror the Federal Section 106
process.
Geotechnical
Golder Associates Inc. (Golder) joined WHPacific for a reconnaissance level exploration of the Cosmos
Hills hydrology project from July 26 to July 31, 2010. Three of the four drainages considered for the
project; Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek, and Dahl Creek, were observed, where accessible, during the
reconnaissance. The project will include foundations in support of an intake, tailrace, penstock
alignment, and power generation facility. The penstock will also require thrust blocks and foundation
anchoring for support of hydraulic forces. Golder's role in the reconnaissance was to conduct surficial
geological and geotechnical observations for use in conceptual level design of the project. Observations
also included shallow depth test pits and soil probes with hand tools. The reconnaissance observations
were used in conjunction with existing geological mapping and aerial photography of the project area to
conduct a general geological and geotechnical assessment of the project area for potential geohazards
and general constructability issues.
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study November 18, 2010
The general surficial soil conditions were alluvial outwash deposits within the established creek
channels. Outside of the defined creek channels, within the lower elevations of the drainages, the
general surficial soil conditions consisted of fine grained alluvial and eolian deposits with both unfrozen
and potential frozen (permafrost) soils. At higher elevations along the creek channels, deposits
consisted of fractured and weathered bedrock, potential glacial till, and colluvium. Adjacent creek
channel slopes above the project areas, that were visible during the reconnaissance, generally did not
show signs of recent slope instabilities.
Based on the reconnaissance exploration and study of existing data, it was determined that
conventional foundation systems could be considered for both the unfrozen ground areas and potential
frozen ground (permafrost) areas of the project. The facilities could be sited to avoid permafrost areas
as best as possible. A subsurface soil exploration should be conducted at specific facility locations
during design development to confirm surficial observations obtained during the reconnaissance level
study. Penstock alignment and drainage topography will pose foundation geometry and construction
challenges at some alignment areas where the creek channels are well defined with adjacent steep
slopes of colluvium and weathered and fractured rock deposits.
The complete geotechnical report is attached as Appendix E
Recommendations for 2011 work
The Cosmos Hills hydrology network stations installed in August 2010 by Geo-Watersheds Scientific and
Brailey Hydrologic will continue monitoring stream flow though the end of 2011. The hydrology team
plans follow-up calibration visits to the climatic/hydrologic stations in early spring, late spring/early
summer, midsummer and fall 2011.
It is recommended that AVEC hold another agency meeting in early 2011 to review the environmental
and cultural resources fieldwork conducted in 2010, and presented in this report. During spring 2011,
AVEC and permitting agencies would discuss and plan any summer 2011 environmental fieldwork.
In summer 2011, it is recommended that geotechnical, wetlands delineation and fish habitat fieldwork,
in addition to an office-based cultural resources study, be conducted for the Kogoluktuk River site. The
scope and scale of these efforts would be similar to the summer-fall 2010 studies conducted on Cosmos,
Wesley and Dahl Creeks.
It is recommended that further engineering design, cost estimates and detailed feasibility analysis wait
until fall of 2011. This is because more than a year's worth of hydrologic data for the four potential
hydropower sites will have been collected by then. At least one year of stream flow data, combined
with a hydrological analysis to predict a range of year-to-year variation, is needed to estimate design
flow of possible hydroelectric plants at the four sites.
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study -s-November 18, 2010
Appendices
Appendix A: Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study Areas, Combined Orthophotos and LIDAR Contour Maps
Appendix B: Reconnaissance Report: Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States, Cosmos Hills
Appendix C: Reconnaissance Fisheries Report
Appendix D: Cultural Resources office study
Appendix E: Geotechnical
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study November 18, 2010
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study-Summer-Fall 2010 Report
Appendix A:
Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study Areas
Combined Orthophotos and LIDAR Contour Maps
Cosmos Creek
Wesley Creek
Dahl Creek
Kogoluktuk River
Photos and maps by AeroMetric, Inc.
Map/photo pdf exports by Paula Hansen of WHPacific
Aerial photography date: August 24, 2010
Aerial LIDAR mapping date: September 14, 2010
Combined Orthophoto and Contour Map
November 11, 2010
--5' Contour Lines
Gross head (elevation change) along
surveyed stream reach is 425 feet. ------==========:J Miles
0 0.5 1
Wesley Creek
Combined Orthophotos and Contours
November 11, 2010
-5' Contours
Gross head (elevation change) along
surveyed stream reach is 563 feet · ------==========::::J Miles 0.5 1
Combined Orthophotos and Contours
November 11 , 2010
--5' Contour Line
Gross head (elevation change) along
surveyed stream reach is 313 feet.
----c:::::=:=::::::J Feet
1,000 2,000 .
Kogoluktuk River
Combined Orthophoto and Contour Map
November 12, 2010
-5' Contour Line
Gross head (elevation change) along
surveyed stream reach is 87 feet.
· Feet
0 1,000 2,000
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study-Summer-Fall2010 Report
Appendix 8:
Reconnaissance Report:
Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States
Cosmos Hills, Kobuk River Valley, Alaska
Report by Phil Quarterman of WHPacific
November 5, 2010
Reconnaissance Report: Wetlands and Other
Waters of the United States
Prepared for:
Alaska Village Electric
Cooperative (AVEC)
November 5, 2010
Prepared by:
WHPacific, Inc.
300 W. 31st. Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99503
WHPanfiC
Prepared for:
Title:
Project:
Prepared by:
WHP Project 539302
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Brent Petrie, Manager, Community Development
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, AK 99503
E-mail address:
Reconnaissance Report: Wetlands and Other Waters
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Pre-Construction Program
WHPacific, Inc.
300 W. 31st Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Contact: Philip 1. Quarterman, PWS
Sr. Wetland Scientist
(503) 372-3562
FAX: (503) 526-0775
E-mail address: pquarterman@ whpacific.com
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1
B METHODS ............................................................................................................................. 1
C GENERAL CHARACTERIZATION OF STUDY AREAS .............................................. 3
D DESCRIPTION OF WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS IN STUDY AREA ........... 5
EXHIBITS
Wetlands Study Maps:
1. Cosmos Creek South, Central and North
2. Dahl Creek South and Nmth
3. Wesley Creek South, Central and North
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Exhibits
Appendix B: Site Photographs
Appendix C: Field Data Log
WHP Project 539302
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
A INTRODUCTION
This report documents the findings of a field reconnaissance of wetlands and "other
waters" (streams) in connection with the Cosmos Hills Pre-Construction Program. Field
studies were conducted in summer 2010 on potential hydropower sites on three streams
in the Cosmos Hills: Cosmos Creek, Dahl Creek, and Wesley Creek study areas. See
Appendix A for maps of the respective study areas. The estimated linear distance of the
study areas are as follows:
• Cosmos Creek: 3.8 miles
• Dahl Creek: 2.2 miles
• Wesley Creek: 4.0 miles
Each study area averages an estimated 0.5 mile in width.
This report provides data and mapping that identifies and locates stream channels and
wetlands at reconnaissance level of accuracy, and characterizes wetland habitats. Stream
channels and wetlands are mapped on an aerial photograph base. A detailed delineation
of wetlands and streams is not required until a project site has been identified, as part of
the preliminary engineering phase. This study will provide information for the planning
process and selection of the preferred project site.
8 METHODS
Field Reconnaissance: The field reconnaissance was conducted between July 27 and July
31, 2010. The wetland team consisted of Philip Quarterman, (Sr. Wetland Scientist,
WHPacific) assisted by three field technicians (NANA shareholders) from the Village of
Kobuk. They were accompanied by Brian Yanity (WHPacific Project Manager), Casey
Storey (WHPacific Fisheries Biologist) and Jeremiah Drage (Golder Associates,
Geotechnical Engineer).
The Cosmos Creek study area was reached by a helicopter provided by Pollux Aviation,
as there is no road access to the site. During the flight, the helicopter flew up and down
the Dahl Creek, Wesley Creek, and Cosmos Creek study areas to provide a general
overview to the team.
The Wesley Creek study area was accessed either by 4-wheel trail (the lower section), or
by the Bornite Mine access road, which crosses the upper part. The Dahl Creek study
area was accessed by 4-wheel trail. Where vehicular access was not immediately
available, we accessed the streams and wetland features on foot.
We identified wetland areas based on the Corps of Engineers 3-parameter approach of the
1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and the 2007 Regional Supplement for the Alaska
WHP Project 539302 1
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Region. We initially identified areas with hydrophytic vegetation, and performed further
investigation to determine whether wetland hydrology and hydric soils were present.
We located representative data plots sufficient to characterize both wetland and non-
wetland habitats. We recorded data on vegetation, hydrology and soils in a notebook,
and recorded latitude and longitude coordinates using a hand-help GPS unit. The level of
accuracy depended on overhead cover, and varied from as close as plus or minus 20 feet
to as much as plus or minus 60 feet. The GPS coordinates are intended to locate the plots
in a general way within a given cover type which could later be identified on color aerial
photograph images. We also took photographs at each plot.
We similarly located the Ordinary High Water Line along the streams in several
locations, and recorded data on adjacent riparian plant communities, channel and
floodplain morphology, and topography, along with photographs.
Mapping Methods: Each study area was flown by Aero Metric on August 24, 2010, and
true color aerial photographs were developed from these flights. After fall leaf drop, the
study areas were flown again using LIDAR technology, and contour maps were
developed at 1 foot interval on the aerial photo base.
WHPacific developed aerial photo-based maps of the study areas at a scale of l inch =
400 feet. Data plot locations were plotted on the maps. We then analyzed the aerial
photo color and texture signatures of the different plant communities and areas of open
water, together with the information from the data plots to identify known wetland areas
and stream channels. We also analyzed the contour maps, both at 1 foot and 5 foot
contour intervals, and correlated that information with the vegetation and open water
signatures. We used this information to identify wetland areas that had not been sampled
during the field reconnaissance, and corresponded with known areas based on vegetation
signatures and topography.
Using the combination of aerial photo signatures and topographic data, we hand-drew the
boundaries of wetland polygons and steam channels on the maps. We distinguished and
classified the different wetland plant communities using the US Fish and Wildlife Service
wetland classification (Cowardin system).
The main stream channels, including major secondary channels, were mapped. We also
mapped secondary stream channels identified during the field reconnaissance, and
distinguished perennial from intermittent streams.
The polygons were digitized to produce the set of wetland maps (see Appendix A).
The polygons were labeled according to the Cowardin classification system as follows:
• PEM: Palustrine Emergent wetland
• PSSl: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous wetland
WHP Project 539302 2
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
• PF04:
• POW:
• R3: .. R4
• u
Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen wetland
Palustrine Open Water wetland
Upper Perennial stream
[ntermittent stream
Upland
Source: Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe 1979. Classification of
Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S.D.L Fish and Wildlife
Service. FWS/OBS-79/31.
Note: Upland polygons are only shown on the maps where they occur on the valley floor
to distinguish them from adjacent wetlands.
C GENERAL CHARACTERIZATION OF STUDY AREAS
Topography: The study areas consist of three stream corridors, including floodplains,
low terraces, and adjacent slopes. Each of the study areas is bordered by the Cosmos
Hills, which rise to elevations of over 3,000 feet. The study areas range from
approximately 800 feet elevation at the upper end to 300 feet at the lower end. Portions
of each study area are confined within fairly narrow, steep valleys. Other portions have
significant floodplains, particularly the lower ends, where the valleys open out into the
broad Kobuk River plain. Low, flat to slightly sloping benches are present next to the
streams in places.
Hydrology: Each of the streams originates in the center divide of the Cosmos Hills.
Flow occurs approximately six months of each year, with break-up occurring most years
in May. Stream channels are mostly single, but may diverge into two channels of similar
width. Secondary channels with seasonal or flood-event f1ow also occur.
Several tributaries exist along each of the study area reaches. Several of them have flow
throughout the summer and fall until freeze-up, while others flow only seasonally and dry
up during mid-summer. These small tributaries may enter the main streams as a single
channel, or may diverge into multiple channels, or even go underground in alluvial fans.
The sources of flow are snow-melt, melting of near-surface ice within the active zone,
and precipitation. As summer precipitation is relatively low, snow-melt and ice-melt are
the primary sources, although occasional major storm events cause sudden increases in
stream flow.
There are also many areas of springs and seeps along slopes and benches adjacent to the
streams that contribute to base-flow. High water tables or surface ponding develop in t1at
to slightly depressional areas in floodplains and low benches along the streams where
water from springs and seeps accumulates.
WHP Project 539302 3
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Soils: Soils have developed from weathering of local rock materials, stream-deposited
alluvium and colluvium from local mass wasting and earth movement, together with
accumulation of organic material. Organic materials typically form a thin surface un-
decomposed or partially decomposed active layer, due to the short season of biological
activity. Floodplain and bench soils tend to be gravelly or fine sandy loam texture, often
with an organic component. Within the active channels, there has been little soil
development.
Plant Communities: Five distinct woody plant communities were identified in the project
area, following the classification in Alaska Trees and Shrubs (2nd. Edition) (Viereck and
Little, 2007). They are as follows:
• Closed Spruce-Hardwood Forest (White spruce type)
• Open Low-Growing Spruce Forest (Black spruce type)
• Floodplain Shrub Thickets
• Birch-Alder-Willow Thickets
• Moist Tundra
Plants are identified by their common and scientific names following the nomenclature in
Viereck and Little, with their Wetland Indicator Status (WIS) according to the National
List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: 1988 National Summary (US Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1988).
The dominant tree and shrub species in the Closed Spruce -Hardwood Forest community
are white spruce (Picea glauca, FACU), Alaska paper birch (Betula neoalaskana,
FACU), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera, FACU), bog blueberry (Vaccinium
uliginosum, FAC), narrowleaf Labrador-tea (Ledum decumbens, FACW), crowberry
(Empetrwn nigrum, FAC), prickly rose (Rosa acicularis, FACU), and various willows
(Salix spp. FAC-FACW). The understory is fairly open, and the ground is covered with a
thick carpet of mosses. This community occupies low benches along the streams and
lower slopes. Soils are typically well-drained and gravelly. White spruce cover is dense
and robust in places, with dbh up to 12-18 inches, and 90 feet in height. Typically, this
community is non-wetland.
The dominant tree and shrub species in the Open Low-Growing Spruce Forest
community are black spruce (Picea mariana, FACW), Labrador-tea (Ledum
groenlandicum, FACW), crowberry, bog blueberry, mountain cranberry (Vaccinum vitis-
idaea, FAC), resin birch (Betula glandulosa, FAC), dwarf Arctic birch (Betula nana,
FAC), bush cinquefoil (Dasiphorafruticosa, FAC), and various willows. White spruce is
also present in smaller amounts. The trees are typically spindly and short. The
herbaceous layer dominants are various sedges (Carex spp., FAC-OBL) and bluejoint
(Calamagrostis canadensis, FAC), underlain with a thick mat of mosses. This
community occupies poorly-drained level areas along the streams or on lower slopes
where seepage and runoff from the slopes accumulates. Soils are typically high in
WHP Project 539302 4
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
organic material. These areas are typically wetlands. The corresponding Cowardin class
is typically PF04 (Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen).
The dominant woody species in Floodplain Shrub Thickets are Siberian alder (Alnus
fruticosa, FAC), red osier dogwood (Comus stolonifera, FACW), and numerous willow
species (FAC-FACW). This community is found on floodplains with alluvial soils that
are periodically flooded. The herbaceous layer dominants are various sedges and
bluejoint. These areas are frequently, but not exclusively, wetlands. Where determined
to be wetland, the corresponding Cowardin class is PSS 1 (Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-
Leaved Deciduous).
The dominant woody species in Birch-Alder-Willow Thickets are Siberian alder, resin
birch, dwarf Arctic birch, bog blueberry, crowberry, narrow-leaf Labrador tea, Steven
spiraea (Spiraea stevenii, FAC), and various willows. This community is found mostly
on north-facing hillsides in the project area, and forms dense, low-growing stands. The
alder tends to be found in wetland areas, such as intermittent drainages, and the other
species in drier sites. Alder thickets are classified as PSS 1 under the Cowardin system.
The dominant woody species in the Moist Tundra community are Siberian alder, resin
birch, dwarf Arctic birch, narrow-leaf Labrador tea, bog blueberry, mountain cranberry,
and various willows. The Moist Tundra community is found both on level benches
where seepage and runoff accumulate, and on drier north-facing slopes. It forms a low-
growing shrub layer over an herbaceous layer dominated by sedges, most commonly
Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii, FAC), and in the level, wetter sites, sedges and
cottongrass (Eriophorum spp., OBL). The Moist Tundra type found on benches is
typically wetland, the slope areas typically non-wetland. Where determined to be
wetland, the corresponding Cowardin class is PSS 1/PEM (Palustrine Shrub-Scrub,
Broad-Leaved Deciduous/Palustrine Emergent).
In a few locations, small areas of Palustrine Emergent wetland were found, intergrading
into open water, shrub-scrub, forested wetland types. They are typically dominated by
cottongrass (Eriophorum spp., OBL) and sedges (Carex spp. FAC-OBL). These areas
are classified as Eriophorum-Carex Wet Meadow under The Alaska Vegetation
Classification (L.A. Viereck, C.T. Dyrness, A.R. Batten and K.J. Wenzlick, US Forest
Service PNW Research Station, July 1992).
0 DESCRIPTION OF WETLANDS AND STREAMS IN STUDY AREAS
Cosmos Creek: The southernmost reach of the Cosmos Creek study area flows through a
broad alluvial floodplain. The floodplain consists of a complex of shrub-scrub and
forested wetlands dominated by spruce (mainly black spruce), willows, birches, Labrador
tea, and alder. The stream mostly occupies a single channel, with occasional secondary
channels, either active or historic.
WHP Project 539302 5
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
In the central reach of the study area, the valley narrows as the stream gradient increases.
The stream again occupies mostly a single channel. There is one large historic channel
that has developed into a forest/shrub-scrub wetland. Warren Creek, a small perennial
stream, and a smaller intermittent stream, enter from the north side. A complex of
forested and shrub-scrub wetlands has developed in a floodplain area on the south bank,
apparently supported by overflow from the channel.
The upper reach continues as a mostly single, higher gradient channel in a narrow valley.
Two unnamed streams enter from the east side. Some areas of shrub-scrub wetland have
developed in the floodplain, especially where small streams enter the main channel.
There is an extensive fairly open shrub-scrub and emergent moist tundra wetland on a
low bench on the west side at the upper end of the study area.
Dahl Creek: The lower reach of the Dahl Creek study area occupies mostly a single
channel. There are a few small forested or shrub-scrub wetlands that have developed in
historic channels or floodplains. For the most part, Dahl Creek has low sinuosity and
relatively high gradient.
The same type of channel is found in the upper reach of the study area, with no adjacent
wetlands until the upper half. Two extensive linear shrub-scrub/emergent wetlands have
developed on a low bench on the east bank, supported by seepage discharging from the
base of the hillside. The dominant plant species include black spruce, willows, alder, bog
blueberry, bluejoint, sedges and cottongrass. There is also a shrub-scrub/emergent
wetland with a small pond on the west bank, near where a 4WD trail crosses the stream.
Near the upstream end of the study area, extensive shrub-scrub and emergent wetlands
have developed on low benches above the channel, apparently supported again by
discharge from seeps.
Wesley Creek: The lower reach of Wesley Creek follows a somewhat meandering course
with areas of shrub-scrub and forested wetlands in places along the floodplain. There is
one place where flow appears to be blocked, possibly by beaver dams, and water has
ponded up in a broad area around an island between a split channel.
The central reach follows a less sinuous course, with a higher gradient. A large shrub-
scrub wetland has developed on an alluvial fan around a small intermittent drainage on
the west side. Two small unnamed streams, one of which is perennial, enter from the east
side beneath the Bornite Road. An extensive linear shrub-scrub wetland has developed in
a historic channel.
In the upper part of the study area, the valley opens up into a broader floodplain with
shrub-scrub wetlands. Two secondary channels carry flows during storm events or spring
run-off. Both have gravelly substrates and shrub-scrub cover consisting of willows and
alder. A perennial stream enters from the east side. An extensive wet tundra area with
low shrub-scrub and emergent wetlands is located west of the Bornite Road in an area of
hillside seeps.
WHP Project 539302 6
WHP Project 539302
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
APPENDIX A
EXHIBITS
7
I Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study +N
Wetlands Study w E
Cosmos Creek South s
I I• Data Plot Locations
Wetlands Classification
PEM: Palustrine Emergent
PSS1: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous
PF04: Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen
POW: Palustrine Open Water
R3: Upper Perennial Stream
R4: Intermittent Stream
:Upland
*Where two vegetation classes are shown, the first one is the dominant one
1" = 400' -----.. ===========------Feet 0 500 1,000 1,500
Notes:
Map Compiled by: WHPacilic, Inc., OctobBf 29, 201 0; Projection: NAOBJ, AK Stale Plane Zone 6; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetric, DB/241201 O;
O.la Plot Loe~~llon : Data points coll!dltd by GPS; ~!lands Classmcalion Layer. 0\!linellled by Phil auartllffllan and dlgilz&d by PIIUia Hansen
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study
Wetlands Study
Cosmos Creek Central
• Data Plot Locations
Wetlands Classification
PEM: Palustrine Emergent
PSS1: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous
PF04: Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen
POW: Palustrine Open Water
R3: Upper Perennial Stream
R4: Intermittent Stream
u: Upland
*Where two vegetation classes are shown, the first one is the dominant one
1" = 400' -----.:===========------Feet 0 500 1,000 1,500
Notes:
N W+E
s
Mlilp Compiled by: WHPacific, Inc., October 29, 201 O; Projection: NA083, AK State Plane Zone e; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetric,. 0812412010;
DMII Plol Location: Data points collected by GPS; Wtllands Classlncauon Layer: Delineated by Phil Quartemum and dlgll!zed by Paula Hansen ~1-~SL:i.~~·~~ _.,_3, .. ~\':~~~ nW .... .l
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study +N
Wetlands Study w E
Cosmos Creek North _ s
• Data Plot Locations
Wetlands Classification
PEM: Palustrine Emergent
PSS1: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous
PF04: Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen
POW: Palustrine Open Water
R3: Upper Perennial Stream
R4: Intermittent Stream
u: Upland
*Where two vegetation classes are shown, the first one is the dominant one
1" = 400'
•••••-========-•••--Feet
0 500 1,000 1,500
Notes: .
Map Compiled by: WHPacific, Inc., October 29, 201 0; Projection: NAD83, AK State Plane ZOne 6; Aerial Photo Source: AercMetrlc, 08124/2010;
Data Plot Location: Data points collected by GPS; Wetlands Classification Layer. Delineated by Phil Quarterman and dlg itlzed by Paula Hansen
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study +N
Wetlands Study w E
Dahl Creek South s
• Data Plot Locations
Wetlands Classification
PEM: Palustrine Emergent
PSS1: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous
PF04: Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen
POW: Palustrine Open Water
R3: Upper Perennial Stream
R4: Intermittent Stream
U: Upland
*Where two vegetation classes are shown, the first one is the dominant one
1" = 4oo· .......... .c========== ........... F~t
0 500 1,000 1,500
Notes:
Map Compil ed by: WHPaciflc, Inc., October 29, 201 o; Projection: NAOB3, AK State Plane zone 6; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetrlc, OB/24/2010;
Dala Plot Location : Oars points collected by GPS; Wetlands ClasSification Layer: Delineated by Phil Quartennan and digitized by Paula Hansen
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study +N
Wetlands Study w E
Dahl Creek North s 1 :,.'';~~<..·~.~:-''"t:.:
• Data Plot Locations
Wetlands Classification
PEM: Palustrine Emergent
PSS1: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous
PF04: Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen
POW: Palustrine Open Water
R3: Upper Perennial Stream
R4: Intermittent Stream
u: Upland
*Where two vegetation classes are shown, the first one is the dominant one
1" = 400' ............ ~===========-............ Feet
0 500 1,000 1~00
Notes :
Map Compil ed by : WHPacilic, Inc., October 29, 201 o; Projection : NA083, AK State Plane Zone 6; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetric , 08/24/2010;
Data Plot Location : Data points collected by GPS; Wetlands Classification Layer: Delineated by Phil Quarterman and dlgltlzed by Pau la Hansen
t£\·~~Sii£"'i~M1;.~ .. }e'i'~~··.~·:t-:\it.i~}.
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study +N
Wetlands Study w E
Wesley Creek South s
• Data Plot Locations
Wetlands Classification
PEM: Palustrine Emergent
PSS1: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous
PF04: Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen
POW: Palustrine Open Water
R3: Upper Perennial Stream
R4: Intermittent Stream
u: Upland
*Where two vegetation classes are shown, the first one is the dominant one
1" = 4oo· -----.::===========------Feet 0 500 1,000 1,500
Notes:
Map Compiled by : WHPacific, Inc., October 29, 201 0; Projection: NAD83, AK State Plane Zone 6; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetric, 08/241201 O;
Data Plot Location: Data points collected by GPS; Wetlands Classification Layer. Delineated by PhD Quarterman and digitized by Paula Hansen
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study +N
Wetlands Study w E
Wesley Creek Central s
Data Plot Locations
Wetlands Classification
PEM: Palustrine Emergent
PSS1: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous
PF04: Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen
POW: Palustrine Open Water
R3: Upper Perennial Stream
R4: Intermittent Stream
u: Upland
*Where two vegetation classes are shown , the first one is the dominant one
1" = 400' ............ c=========== ............. Fe~
0 500 1,000 1,~0
Notes:
Map Compiled by : WHPacific, Inc., October 29, 201 0; Projection: NAD83, AK State Plane Zone 6; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetric, 08/2412010;
Data Plot Locatlon: Data points collected by GPS; WeUands Classification Layer: Delineated by PhD Quarterman and digitized by Paula Hansen
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study +N
Wetlands Study w E
Wesley Creek North s
• Data Plot Locations
Wetlands Classification
PEM: Palustrine Emergent
PSS1: Palustrine Shrub-Scrub, Broad-Leaved Deciduous
PF04: Palustrine Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen
POW: Palustrine Open Water
R3: Upper Perennial Stream
R4: Intermittent Stream
u: Upland
*Where two vegetation classes are shown, the first one is the dominant one
1" = 400'
••••••=====::::~••••••Feet 0 500 1,000 1,500
Notes: •
Map Compiled by : WHPacillc, Inc., October 29, 201 o; Projection: NADB3, AK State Plane ZOne 6; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetrfc, 0812412010;
Data Plot Location: Data points conected by GPS; Wetlands Classification Layer: Delineated by Phil Quarterman and digitized by Paula Hansen
WHP Project 539302
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
APPENDIX B
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
All photographs taken from upstream to downstream
8
WHP Project 539302
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
COSMOS CREEK:
Plot 2: Moist tundra wetland west of stream
Plot 3: Upper Cosmos Creek channel
9
. .
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 4: Floodplain shrub thicket with small tributary entering. Wetland. Moist tundra on
hillside in foreground
WHP Project 539302 10
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 8: Looking upstream to upper end of project area. Island and secondary channel
Plot 8: Looking downstream to narrower canyon. Moist tundra on NW -facing hillside,
mixed spruce-hardwood forest on SE-facing hillside
WHP Project 539302 11
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 16: Higher bench in narrow part of canyon. Well-developed white spruce forest.
Non-wetland
Plot 12: Floodplain shrub thicket with willow, bluejoint. Wetland.
WHP Project 539302 12
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 11: Channel downstream from Warren Creek confluence. Willow/alder riparian,
low bench with white spruce. Non-wetland.
Plot 10: At 4WD trail ford, channel and floodplain shrub thicket. Wetland
WHP Project 539302 13
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 10: Floodplain shrub thicket, willow, alder, resin birch. Wetland.
I
Plot 10: Looking downstream from ford. More floodplain shrub thicket in background.
Wetland. Moist tundra in the foreground.
WHP Project 539302 14
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
DAHL CREEK
Plot 11: Divided channel, floodplain shrub thicket, willow. Upper end of project area
Plot 10: Open bench area with willow, bluejoint. Standing water. Wetland.
WHP Project 539302 15
I
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 9: Pond near 4WD trail ford. Willow, sedges, bluejoint. Wetland.
Plot 7: Open willow, cottongrass and sedge area with water at surface. Wetland.
WHP Project 539302 16
'"
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 5: Steep sided canyon. Alder, willow riparian. White spruce, Alaska paper birch on
slopes. Non-wetland.
Plot 4: Channel of small intermittent tributary crosses trail. Stream to left. Wetland.
WHP Project 539302 17
I
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
WESLEY CREEK
Plot 9: Wet tundra with alder, blueberry, Labrador-tea, dwarf birch, sedge. Wetland
WHP Project 539302 18
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 10: Stream channel, floodplain shrub thicket (willow). Wetland.
Plot 11: Stream channel, looking upstream
WHP Project 539302 19
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 12: Secondary channel, standing water, willow, bluejoint, sedges. Floodplain shrub
thicket, alder, willow. Wetland
Plot 15: Secondary channel. Wetland.
WHP Project 539302 20
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 18: View from Bornite Road. Open floodplain area with standing water, shrub
thicket (willow). Wetland.
Plot 20: Perennial tributary enters stream from east
WHP Project 539302 21
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 5: Wesley Creek at confluence with tributary from northeast. Large white spruce.
Non-wetland
Plot 21: Creek channel. Riparian area with white spruce, willow, alder. Non-wetland.
WHP Project 539302 22
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 22: Alluvial fan of small tributary. Shrub thicket of willow. Wetland.
Plot 3: Floodplain shrub thicket with open areas. Willow, blueberry, bluejoint, bush
cinquefoil. Wetland.
WHP Project 539302
. .
23
I
I
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
Plot 2: Floodplain forest, white spruce, willow, alder, blueberry. Non-wetland.
Plot 1: Wesley Creek channel at 4WD trail ford, looking upstream.
WHP Project 539302 24
WHP Project 539302
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
APPENDIX C
FIELD DATA LOG
25
COSMOS
CREEK
PLOT#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
WHP Project 539302
LAT .
67 00 22.6
67 00 17.4
67 00 15.2
67 00 12.6
67 00 09.4
67 00 08.7
67.00111
66 59 59.4 I
66 59 50.1
66 58 50.5
66 59 11.9
66.98762
66 59 17.8
66.99013
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
LONG DESCRIPTION
157 06 26.0 (7 /27) Willow, floodplain, confluence of small
trib. Calamagrostis, Aconitum
157 06 33.0 Bench by Cosmos Creek. Carex bigelowii, Salix
spp., Alnus, Dasiphorum, Vaccinium. Sat. @ 4 in.
Sandy loam, 2.5Y 4/1 w/ redox. WETLAND.
Game trail higher, NON-WETLAND
157 06 31.4 S. side, OHWL
157 06 35.0 Alluvial fan, small stream. Sat. @ 10 in. silt loam
w/ redox, 10YR 4/2. Alnus thick, Colamagrostis,
Ribes sp., Spiraea sp., Salix spp. WETLAND
157 06 36.9 Small creek, alder, willow. Channel plus
intermittent branches. WETLAND within alder
thicket
157 06 41.1 Willow, alder thicket, alluvial fan. Small creek,
trickle of water
157.11383 Narrower channel, canyon. Higher gradient.
Willow, alder riparian. Secondary channel, south
side
157 06 52.8 Top of rock. Views up and downstream
157 06 51.1 Small creek
157 11 10.6 (7/28) Starting downstream end. Floodplain,
minor channels, ford 4WD trail.
Salix/Vaccinium/ A/nus/Equisetum/Calamagrostis
Sat. @ 4 in. Silt loam, 2.5Y 4/1 w/ lOYR 4/4
redox (25%) WETLAND
157 09 59.5 Downstream from Warren Creek confluence.
Well drained sandy loam. Picea glauco (big, 12 in
dbh), Salix, Alnus, Betula pap. Low bench, NON-
WETLAND except two small secondary channels
(old)
157.15791 Willow, Calamagrostis opening in spruce forest.
Also Dasiphora. Sat@ 4 in., histosol, 10YR 2/1.
WETLAND
157 09 17.6 Same as Plot 12. Carex aquatilis. Area of Picea
mariana between Plots 12 and 13. WETLAND
157.15134 Stream channel. Flood channel with
feet to S.
26
15
16
DAHL
CREEK
PLOT#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
WHP Project 539302
66 59 26.0
66.99361
LAT.
66 57 05.9
66 57 03.3
66 57 03.0
66 57 11.9
66 57 39.6
66 57 53.5
66 57 55.6
66 58 02.4
66 58 08.2
66 58 13.9
66 58 18.0
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
157 08 51.4 Secondary channel, island. Willow
157.13922 High bench, narrow canyon, higher gradient.
Picea glauco, Alnus, Betula pap., B. nona,
Vaccinium uliginosum NON-WETLAND
LONG.
156 53 39.9 (7 /29) ATV crossing. High gradient stream.
Riparian zone sloping. Alnus, Salix, Betula pap.,
Populus bal., Calamagrostis, Epilobium
angustifolium, Picea glauco. NON-WETLAND
156 54 01.5 Historic excavated channel remnant, 8-20ft.
wide. Salix, Calamagrostis. NON-WETLAND
156 54 08.3 Stream near powerhouse location. Riparian
same as Plot 1
156 53 43.9 Casey's midpoint. 2 p.m. Going upstream from
middle of study area. Secondary channel of
small intermittent trib. Salix, Alnus, Equisetum,
Potentilla palustris, Carex spp. Surface water
source is small trib.
156 52 56.0 Road crossing, steep sides. Salix, Alnus. Picea,
Betula pap. higher upslope
156 52 39.8 Small pocket draining off hillside. Calamagrostis,
Picea mariana, Alnus, Vaccinium uli. Water at
surface. WETLAND
156 52 35.3 Pocket with water at surface. Carex, Eriophorum
sp., Salix spp. Another about 100 m further on.
WETLAND
156 52 29.0 Similar to Plot 7. Springs draining off hillside.
Salix, Calamagrostis, Eriophorum. WETLAND
156 52 22.3 Near ford. Pond with Salix, Calamagrostis,
Carex. WETLAND
156 52 05.6 Big open area. Pocket of standing water on
bench. Small trickles to creek. Salix, Picea,
Calamagrostis, Carex. WETLAND
156 52 01.9 Divided channel, island. Salix spp.
27
WESLEY
CREEK
PLOT#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
WHP Project 539302
LAT.
66 57 14.6
66 57 14.3
66 57 17.0
66 58 34.7
66 58 33.7
66 58 25.8
66 58 36.1
66 58 55.9
66 59 36.3
66 59 36.6
66 59 30.3
66 59 26.2
66 59 25.2
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
LONG.
157 01 20.6 (7 /30) OHWL on creek
157 01 19.9 Picea glauco, Salix, Alnus, Vaccinium. Soil
gravelly. Some redox. Not saturated. Floodplain.
NON-WETLAND
157 01 08.8 Flood pain. Open Salix, Vaccinium,
Calamagrostis, Dasiphorum. Saturated @ 2 in.
Organic/sandy soil over gravel. Strong redox @ 6
in. WETLAND
156 59 07.0 Mid-section of study area. Small trib. @ main
road crossing (culvert) plus small spring on ATV
trail
156 59 10.0 Wesley Creek@ trib. Confluence. Bench well
above creek. Picea glauco, Alnus, Salix. Picea big,
up to 16 in. dbh, 100ft. high NON-WETLAND
156 59 14.7 Small intermittent trib. w/ Calamagrostis, Salix,
Alnus
156 59 10.2 Small spring 20ft. from creek on bench. Salix,
Alnus, Picea glauco. Same on other side of creek,
bench
156 58 49.0 Creek crossing. Bench both sides. Alnus, Salix,
Betula pap.
156 58 51.7 Upper end of study area. Alpine tundra. Alnus,
Vaccinium, Ledum, Betula nona, Carex bigelowii,
Arctuos plus lichens. Saturated @ 2 in. 8 in.
organic layer over gravel. Some seepage onto
road. WETLAND
156 58 43.1 Creek OHWL, secondary channel also. Salix scrub
on floodplain, both sides. Saturated to surface,
water table @ 9 in. Some standing water. Salix,
Calamagrostis, Potenti/la palustris. Sand/gravel.
2.5Y 4/1. WETLAND
156 58 44.9 Alnus (closed canopy) scrub, Spiraea below road.
Saturated to surface. 0-6 in. organic soil, 6-10 in.
fine sandy loam. 2.SY 4/1 with redox. Rock
below 10 in. Stream plus WETLAND
156 58 48.1 Secondary channel (artificial?). Salix,
Calamagrostis, Carex sp., Equisetum. Below
road. Standing water. WETLAND. Berm next to
channel about 200ft. wide, Alnus, Salix. NON-
WETLAND
156 58 49.2 Alnus, Spiraea west of road. Saturated@ 4 in. 1-
28
14 66 59 21.4
15 66 59 17.0
16 66 59 16.4
17 66 59 15.8
18 66 59 11.6
19 66 58 55.8
20 66 59 07.2
21 66 58 18.6
22 66 58 15.7
WHP Project 539302
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT: WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS
COSMOS HILLS, KOBUK RIVER VALLEY, ALASKA
chroma soil w/ redox. Fine sandy loam.
WETLAND
156 58 50.1 Standing water below road. Salix beyond to
channel, and past it WETLAND
156 58 47.5 Continued secondary channel with Salix, .
Calamagrostis. Some standing water among rock
in channel. Berm with Alnus.
156 58 44.6 Secondary channel past berm (wide).
Salix/gravel. Not saturated. Another low
floodplain berm. NON-WETLAND
156 58 42.1 Main channel. Salix in floodplain with Alnus.
NON-WETLAND
156 58 47.5 View over floodplain from road. Open, plus Salix.
Standing water at base of road prism. WETLAND
156 58 45.5 From bridge, up 4WD trail. Alnus, sloping on left.
NON-WETLAND
156 58 35.5 Perennial trib. From above Wesley Creek.
156 59 25.2 (7/31) Mid-section off smaii4WD trail. Stream
channel, riparian zone, raised slightly, sloping.
Big Picea glauco, Alnus, Salix. NON-WETLAND
156 59 29.1 Large shrub field in alluvial fan, outwash from
tributary. Salix, Calamagrostis, Potentil/a
palustris. Water flowing under surface.
WETLAND
29
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study-Summer-Fall2010 Report
Appendix C:
Reconnaissance Fisheries Report
Report by Casey Storey of WHPacific
November 17, 2010
Reconnaissance Fisheries Report
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility
Study
Prepared for
Alaska Village Electric
Cooperative
November 17, 2010
Prepared by
WHPacific
9755 S.W. Barnes Road
Portland, Oregon 97225
Prepared for:
Title:
Project:
Prepared by:
Brent Pertrie, Manager, Community Development
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative
Cosmos Hills Fisheries Resources Report
AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study
WHPacific
9755 SW Barnes Road, Suite 300
Portland, Oregon 97225
Contact: Casey M. Storey
(503) 372-3648
FAX: (503) 526-0775
E-mail address: cstorey@whpacific.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Location and Site Conditions ................................................................................................ 4
2.0 METHODS ...................................................................................................................................... 4
3.0 RESULTS ........................................................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Habitat .............................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Water Quality ................................................................................................................... 7
3.3 Fisheries resources ........................................................................................................... 8
4.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION .......................................................................................... 10
5.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 11
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Study Area and Sample Reach Map Cosmos Creek
Study Area and Sample Reach Map Wesley Creek
Study Area and Sample Reach Map Dahl Creek
Appendix A: Figures
Appendix B: Photographs
Appendix C: Field Data
APPENDICES
1.0 Introduction
This report presents the results of a fisheries and fish habitat survey conducted in the Cosmos
Hills, Alaska as part of an analysis of feasibility for hydropower sites on three streams. Three
reaches were established and sampled on Cosmos Creek, Dahl Creek, and Wesley Creek. Within
each reach, fish populations were sampled, habitat conditions were documented, and water
quality parameters were measured and recorded. A general assessment of habitat conditions and
a general population abundance of fish species in each reach are provided.
1.1 Location and Site Conditions
The project study area is located in the Cosmos Hills north of the Kobuk River plain and north of
the towns of Kobuk and Shugnak, AK. Each of the studied streams originates on the southern
flank of the Cosmos Hills in approximately parallel valleys. Site elevation ranges from 300 feet
at the most downstream reaches to 700-800 feet for the upstream most sample reaches. Sample
reaches were placed in proximity to potential water intake locations (upstream-most or upper
reach), a portion of the middle of the potential project reach for each stream (middle sample
reach), and near the potential presumed tailrace (downstream-most or lower reach). The middle
and upper sample reaches for Wesley Creek are in close proximity to one another due to site
accessibility. All other sample reaches are distinctly separate from one another within each
respective watershed.
2.0 Methods
Sampling and survey of selected stream reaches was conducted between 27 and 31 July, 2010.
Start points for stream sample reaches were located with topographic maps and via aerial
helicopter visual survey. Stream reach sample lengths were standardized by multiplying the
mean wetted channel width by 40 as recommended by Alaska Department of Fish and Game
(ADFG) personnel (Bob Piorkowski, ADFG, pers. comm., 2010).
Fish sampling was completed utilizing a Smith Root LR-24 backpack electrofisher, dipnet,
and/or 6'X 8' haul seine. All habitat safely accessed by wading was sampled and sampling was
completed moving upstream through the reach. Only a single pass with the backpack
electrofisher was made through any habitat. All fish collected were identified, measured to fork
length (salmonids) or standard length (cottids), and released downstream of unsampled areas.
Multiple water quality parameters were analyzed at each sample reach prior to habitat
measurement and fish sampling. Water quality parameters measured included, pH (standard
units), dissolved oxygen (DO) (g/L), temperature (Celsius), turbidity (NTU), conductivity
(s/cm), oxidation reduction potential (ORP) (mV), and total dissolved solids (TDS) (g/L). All
parameters were measured utilizing a Horiba Multi-Parameter Sonde model U22XD-2.
At the conclusion of the fish sampling effort for each reach, general habitat conditions and
summary notes were made. A general assessment of habitat types, general flow conditions,
4
location and association of fish within particular habitats, riparian habitat, substrate, and other
notable observations were recorded in field notebooks. A site sketch of each reach was made for
each reach as well.
3.0 Results
Sample reaches are depicted for each stream in Appendix A, Figures 1, 2, and 3.
3.1 Habitat
Habitat conditions between streams and between each sample reach within each stream varied
with the riparian habitat type, gradient, and amount of cover afforded by woody debris, large
diameter substrate, and turbulence. In general, the downstream most stream reaches within each
stream were similar in that the gradient of these reaches was lower in contrast to middle and
upstream reaches, the riparian vegetation was dominated by willows and the cover afforded by
larger boulders was not significant. At Wesley Creek and Cosmos Creek, the substrate within
the lower reaches is dominated by cobbles and gravels, while at the lower reach of Dahl Creek,
the substrate is dominated by larger cobbles and small boulders-the gradient is also significantly
higher. Riffle habitat dominates in the lower reach of Cosmos Creek and Dahl Creek with
approximately 10 percent of the habitat characterized as pool (plunge pool). The majority of the
habitat in the lower reach of Wesley Creek is also riffle dominated, but a significant component
of glide or run habitat and slow deep pools is also notable in this reach.
The middle reach for each stream was comparable in regards to riparian vegetation, but not in
general habitat conditions. Significant components of spruce (Picea spp.), alder (Alnus spp.),
and willow (Salix spp.) make up the riparian forest community along each of these stream
reaches. The middle reach of Cosmos Creek was located downstream of significant valley and
channel confinement and was dominated by cobble and gravel substrate, moderate velocity
riffles, overhanging vegetation, and some side channel development. The middle reaches of
Wesley and Dahl Creek were significantly different from that of Cosmos Creek with large
cascading riffles and plunges pools over large boulders as the primary habitat in each. Woody
debris and overhanging vegetation is an important habitat component in both the middle reach of
Wesley and Dahl Creek.
The upper reaches of each stream are significantly different from one another. The upper reach
of Cosmos Creek is characterized by cobbles, large cobbles, and boulders of all sizes. The
gradient of this stream reach is high, plunge pools are abundant, and the riparian area is
dominated by willows, birch, and alder. The width of the channel in this reach limits the cover
effect by the riparian shrub community. Side channels are common in the upper reach of
Cosmos Creek.
The upper reach of Wesley Creek is characterized by very high velocity flows, swift cascades,
and stair-stepped deep plunge pools. Willows and alders dominate the riparian forest and
provide significant aerial cover for fish.
5
The geomorphic position of the upper reach of Dahl Creek is on a high bench within the Dahl
Creek valley. Due to this position the upper reach of Dahl Creek is characterized by moderate
gradient riffles, gravels and cobbles, and a shrub dominated riparian community. A large cut
bank or bank failure is found within this reach. Channel meanders and remnant side channels are
present within and in proximity to the sample reach.
Table 1 below provides the location, dimensions and general habitat conditions of each site
sampled in the overall study.
Table 1. Sample Locations and General Habitat Conditions
Channel Dominant Dominant Dominant
Field Number Location Width/Sample Riparian Substrate(s) Habitat Type
Reach Length Vegetation
CMS 10-01 Upper Reach of 34'Wide Cobbles and Riffle and Cosmos Creek 1360'Long Willow boulders cascading riffle
CMS 10-02 Lower Reach of 34' Wide Cobble and Riffle ( -10% Cosmos Creek and Willow
ATV stream ford 1360'Long gravel pools)
CMS 10-03 Middle Reach of 27' Wide Spruce, alder, Cobble and Riffle Cosmos Creek 1080'Long willow gravel
CMS 10-04 Lower Reach of 27'Wide Willow, Cobble, Riffle, Dahl Creek 1080'Long alder, birch boulder, cascading riffle gravel
Middle Reach of Boulder,
CMS 10-05 Dahl Creek in 21'Wide Spruce, alder, large cobble, Cascading
Narrows 840'Long willow gravel in riffle, cataract
margms
CMS 10-06 Lower Reach of 27'Wide Willow, Cobble, Riffle, glide, Wesley Creek at
ATV ford 1160'Long some spruce gravel pool
CMS 10-07 Middle Reach of 22' Wide Boulder,
Wesley Creek 880'Long Alder, spruce cobble, Cascading riffle
gravel
Upper Reach of Alders and
Wesley Creek willows Cobble, CMS 10-08 upstream of 19'Wide Sparse spruce boulder, Cascade riffle,
Bornite Road 760'Long around gravel riffle
middle of
reach
CMS 10-09 Upper Reach of 23'Wide Willows Gravel, Riffle Dahl Creek 920'Long cobble
6
3.2 Water Quality
Water quality parameters were measured for each stream reach. Parameters are within similar
ranges between all stream reaches. Of note are the turbidity readings taken for all or most of the
measurements. In our opinion, the values provided are erroneous, as the optically estimated
value for all of the stream reaches was between 0 and 10 NTUs. All stream segments observed
exhibited extreme clarity. We suspect that despite calibration efforts, the portion of the data
sonde that records turbidity was damaged or malfunctioning during our field effort.
Table 2 provides a summary of water quality parameters for each reach.
Table 2. Water Quality Data
Field Location pH Cond. DO Turb. Temp. ORP TDS
Number (s/cm) (giL) (NTU) (C) (mV) (giL)
CMS 10-01 Upper Reach
of Cosmos 7.62 0.362 11 58.7 8.75 NA 0.21
Creek
Lower Reach
CMS 10-02 of Cosmos
Creek and 7.65 0.309 11.02 24.8 5.87 66 0.2
ATV stream
ford
CMS 10-03 Middle Reach
of Cosmos 7.97 0.312 10.65 31.3 8.51 67 0.2
Creek
CMS 10-04 Lower Reach 7.78 0.223 11.42 31.7 4.29 84 0.14 of Dahl Creek
CMS 10-05 Middle Reach
of Dahl Creek 7.87 0.223 11.1 -10 4.87 78 0.14
in Narrows
Lower Reach
CMS 10-06 of Wesley 7.51 0.241 NA 42.4 6.07 71 0.14 Creek at ATV
ford
CMS 10-07 Middle Reach
of Wesley 7.75 0.248 10.88 59.7 5.88 84 0.16
Creek
Upper Reach
CMS 10-08 of Wesley
Creek 7.76 0.267 11.04 35.4 4.71 96 0.17
upstream of
Bornite Road
CMS 10-09 Upper Reach 7.68 0.244 10.97 62 6.48 94 0.16 of Dahl Creek
7
3.3 Fisheries resources
Fish sampling efforts yielded fish at all sample localities with low species diversity and varying
abundances between the sites. Only two species were collected during sampling: Dolly Varden
(Salvelinus malma) and slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus). Slimy sculpins were collected at all
sample reaches in Cosmos Creek and the lower reach of Wesley Creek. Dolly Varden were
collected within all sample reaches.
The highest abundance of fish collected was in the lower two reaches of Dahl Creek with 98
Dolly Varden collected at the downstream most sample reach and 91 Dolly Varden collected in
the middle reach. The upper reach of Cosmos Creek also yielded a relatively high abundance of
fish collected (37), but the size of the sample reach and level of effort for this reach was
significant.
General fish abundances based on collection and visual observations were highest in Dahl, then
Wesley, and finally Cosmos Creek. Catch efficiencies are difficult to extrapolate and accurately
compare between the sites due to the differences in habitat and sampling conditions. Many
Dolly Varden were observed, but not collected in the cascading riffle conditions found in upper
Cosmos Creek, lower and middle Dahl Creek, and middle and upper Wesley Creek. In addition,
visibility in these areas due to the turbulent nature of the cascade habitat made collection by dip
net difficult. In contrast, the laminar surface and shallow habitat associated with the lower
reaches of Wesley and Cosmos Creek and the middle reach of Cosmos Creek made collection
more efficient despite the lower observed abundance of fish in these reaches.
At the outset of sampling at the middle reach of Wesley Creek, the backpack electrofisher
malfunctioned and could not be used for sampling. Due to this equipment failure our sampling
team switched the primary sampling method to the use of a 6' X 8' seine rigged to 6' tall poles or
brails. We utilized this seine to make upstream and downstream hauls into and through riffles,
runs, and pools. We also employed the seine as a set net, with a member of the sample team
herding fish from upstream into the set net and then lifting it up when fish were observed. While
this method of sampling was presumably less efficient than the backpack electrofisher for overall
habitat sampling, we found its use quite effective in sampling plunge pools and moderate
velocity riffles.
Dolly Varden were most often collected in association with pools of all kinds. Plunge pools,
pools associated with wood debris, and pools at the tail of long riffles yielded the highest number
of this species. High velocity plunge pools associated with cascades and cataracts were some of
the most productive sampling areas. Dolly Varden collected during the sampling effort ranged in
size from 25mm-220mm (fork length).
Slimy sculpins, when collected were found in most habitats including riffles, runs, and pools.
The size range for this species was 18mm-90mm (standard length).
Table 3 below provides a summary of fish collection information for each sampled reach.
8
Table 3. Sample Locations, Dates, Effort and Fish Collected by Site
Field Reach Methods Effort Salvelinus Cottus
Number Location Date Length Used malma cognatus
and Width
CMS Upper Reach 34'Wide
10-01 of Cosmos 7/27/2010 1360'Long BPEF 2271 sec 11 26
Creek
Lower Reach
CMS of Cosmos 34' Wide 10-02 Creek and 7/28/2010 1360'Long BPEF 1704 sec 6 13
ATV stream
ford
CMS Middle
10-03 Reach of 7/28/2010 27' Wide BPEF 1679 sec 12 18 Cosmos 1080'Long
Creek
CMS Lower Reach 27'Wide 10-04 of Dahl 7/29/2010 1080'Long BPEF 2098 sec 98 0
Creek
CMS Middle
10-05 Reach of 7/29/2010 21'Wide BPEF 1596 sec 91 0 Dahl Creek 840'Long
in Narrows
CMS Lower Reach
10-06 of Wesley 7/30/2010 27'Wide BPEF 1620 sec 5 8 Creek at 1160'Long
ATV ford
CMS Middle
Reach of 22' Wide 10-07 Wesley 7/30/2010 880'Long Seine 40 Hauls 26 0
Creek
Upper Reach -30
CMS of Wesley 19'Wide Hauls
10-08 Creek 7/31/2010 760'Long Seine -5 Sets 21 0
upstream of -4 Kick-
Bornite Road sets
CMS Upper Reach 20 Hauls
10-09 of Dahl 7/3112010 23'Wide Seine 15 sets 27 0 Creek 920'Long 5 Kick-
sets
*BPEF =Backpack electrofisher
9
4.0 Discussion and Conclusion
Sampling efforts across three unique drainages yielded some general trends in species
composition and general habitat conditions.
Habitat that is dominated by plunge pools, overhanging vegetation, narrower channels, and
larger substrate is favored by fish in all streams. High stream velocity has little obvious impact
on the distribution of Dolly Varden in each watershed. In fact, stream velocity appears to be
positively correlated with higher Dolly Varden abundances.
Dolly Varden are found in all streams and in all studied reaches with varying abundances. Slimy
sculpins appear to only be found in Cosmos Creek and the downstream most reach of Wesley
Creek. However, the malfunctioning backpack electrofisher prevented the same level of
sampling effort at the middle and upper reaches of Wesley Creek to more definitely test the
distribution of slimy sculpins in Wesley Creek.
Our efforts and observations found that fish abundances were highest at Dahl Creek and Wesley
Creek, with lower abundances in Cosmos Creek and the downstream-most reach of Wesley
Creek. Our catch of fish per unit of shocking effort was highest in Dahl Creek and lowest in the
lower and middle reaches of Cosmos Creek.
Based on the results of our surveys and site observations, Dolly Varden can be anticipated to
occur upstream of the expected water withdrawal location for each of the stream basins. In
addition, slimy sculpin can be anticipated to occur above the expected water withdrawal area at
Cosmos Creek.
Anecdotal information provided by local residents indicates the confluence (with the Kobuk
River) and lower reaches of each of the studied streams as important habitat for a number of fish
species. According to this information, lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), Dolly Varden,
northern pike (Esox lucius), Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) and rainbow trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) at a minimum can be found near the Kobuk River confluence of each
stream during different times of the year. Presumably, upstream water diversions will have
limited effect on the habitats associated with the near-confluence portions of the streams studied.
10
5.0 References
Piorkowski, Robert. July 8, 2010. Personal communication in a telephone call with Casey Storey
(WHPacific). Fish Resource Permit Coordinator -Division of Sport Fish, ADF&G
11
Appendix A-Figures
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study
Fish Report
Cosmos Creek
0 Data Plot Locati on
Study Reach
N W+E
s
-----======= .. ---.:=======----Feet 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000
Notes :
Map Compiled by : WHPacific, Inc., November 5, 2010; Projection: NAD83, AK State Plane Zone 6; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetric, 08/24/2010;
Data Pl ot Location: Data points collected by GPS
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study
Fish Report
Notes:
Wesley Creek
0 Data Plot Location
Study Reach
.............. ~=============-.............. Feet
0 1,000 2,000 3,000
Map Compiled by : WHPacific, Inc., November 5, 2010; Projection : NAD83, AK State Plane Zone 6; Aerial Photo Source : AeroMetric, 08124/2010 ;
Data Plot Location : Data points collected by GPS
-Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study
Fish Report
Dahl Creek
0 Data Plot Location
Study Reach
N W+E
s
................ ~===============-................ Feet
0 1,000 2,000 3,000
Notes:
Map Compiled by: WHPacific, Inc., November 5, 201 0; Projection: NAD83, AK State Plane Zone 6; Aerial Photo Source: AeroMetric, 08/24/201 o;
Data Plot Location: Data points collected by GPS
Appendix B -Site Photographs
Photo 1. Seine utilized for sampling.
Photo 2. Backpack electrofisher.
Photo 3. Downstream most reach of Cosmos Creek at ATV ford looking upstream .
.
Photo 4. Middle reach of Cosmos Creek looking upstream.
I
Photo 5. Downstream most reach of Wesley Creek at ATV ford and bridge. Looking upstream.
Photo 6. Middle reach -Wesley Creek, looking upstream.
Photo 7. Upstream most sample reach-Wesley Creek at Bornite Road crossing.
Photo 8. Downstream most sample reach -Dahl Creek, looking upstream.
Photo 9. Middle reach Dahl Creek -looking upstream. Typical plunge pool habitat for reach.
Photo 10. Upper reach of Dahl Creek at downstream end. Typical riparian community and in-
stream habitat.
Appendix C -Site Location and Fish Collection Data, Stream
Reach Sketch Maps
Field Sampling UTM 1-UTM2-Fork Total
Number Date Northing Westing Genus Species Length Length
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salve/inus malmo 180
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salvelinus malmo 220
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salvelinus malmo 160
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salve linus malmo 170
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salve linus malmo 39
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salvelinus malmo 170
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salvelinus malmo 135
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salve linus malmo 115
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salve linus malmo 145
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salve linus malmo 125
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Salve linus maim a 32
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 52
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 50
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 50
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 45
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 51
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 25
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 24
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 23
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 65
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 50
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 47
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 41
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 50
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 40
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 20
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 32
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 24
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 18
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 20
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 52
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 62
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 64
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 60
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 42
CMS 10-01 7/27/2010 66.999556 157.118361 Cottus cognatus 32
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Salvelinus malma 120
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Salve/in us malmo 118
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Salvelinus malmo 84
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Salvelinus malmo 31
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Salve linus malmo 83
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Salvelinus malmo 25
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 64
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 68
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 54
Field Sampling UTM 1-UTM2-Fork Total
Number Date Northing Westing Genus Species Length Length
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 48
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 32
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 46
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 41
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 27
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 25
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 23
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 24
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 26
CMS 10-02 7/28/2010 66.980639 157.186306 Cottus cognatus 52
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salve/inus malmo 145
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salve/in us malmo 170
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salve linus malmo 130
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salvelinus malmo 158
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salvelinus malmo 125
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salve linus malmo 133
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salvelinus malmo 37
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salvelinus malmo 134
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Sa/ve/inus malmo 43
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Sa/vel in us malmo 107
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salvelinus mafma 135
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Salve/inus malmo 41
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 58
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 68
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 49
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 40
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 24
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 25
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 26
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 24
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 22
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 71
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 57
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 73
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 54
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 57
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 24
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 24
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 27
CMS 10-03 7/28/2010 66.98689 157.16452 Cottus cognatus 23
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 42
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 155
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 140
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 90
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 119
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 78
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 124
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 114
Field Sampling UTM 1-UTM2-Fork Total
Number Date Northing Westing Genus Species length length
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 130
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 118
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 94
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 125
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 112
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 119
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 115
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 76
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 98
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 65
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 80
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 78
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 72
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 33
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 64
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 38
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 44
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 45
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 125
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 98
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 170
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 160
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/inus malmo 113
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus maim a 166
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 127
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 116
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/inus malmo 118
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 110
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus maim a 117
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus maim a 114
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malma 135
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus maim a 150
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 160
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 119
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malma 115
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 120
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 122
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 125
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus maim a 74
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 109
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 122
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 113
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 112
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus maim a 123
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 108
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 116
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 127
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 128
Field Sampling UTM 1-UTM2-Fork Total
Number Date Northing Westing Genus Species length length
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 118
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 125
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 127
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 90
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 104
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 107
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 104
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 75
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 74
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 107
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 95
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 68
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 70
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 83
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 92
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 79
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 78
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 74
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 98
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 118
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 80
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/inus malmo 68
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/inus malmo 87
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 84
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 68
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 72
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 47
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 60
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 70
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 72
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 45
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 47
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/inus malmo 43
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 43
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 43
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 44
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 40
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 30
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 40
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve linus malmo 48
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salve/in us malmo 34
CMS 10-04 7/29/2010 66.95161 156.89946 Salvelinus malmo 37
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 40
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 38
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 35
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 40
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 155
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 112
Field
Number
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
CMS 10-05
Sampling
Date
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
7/29/2010
UTM 1-
Northing
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
66.95957
UTM2-
Westing
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
156.88342
Genus
Salve/in us
Salve/in us
Salve linus
Salvelinus
Salve/in us
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salvelinus
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salve/in us
Salve linus
Salvelinus
Salvelinus
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salve/in us
Salvelinus
Salvelinus
Salve/in us
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salve/in us
Salve/in us
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salve linus
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salve linus
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salve linus
Salvelinus
Salvelinus
Salvelinus
Salve linus
Salve/in us
Salve linus
Salve/in us
Salvelinus
Sa/velinus
Salvelinus
Salve/in us
Salvelinus
Salvelinus
Species
malma
malmo
malmo
malmo
malma
malma
malma
malma
malmo
malma
maim a
malmo
malma
malmo
malma
malma
malmo
malmo
malma
malma
malmo
maim a
malma
malmo
malma
malmo
malmo
malmo
malmo
malmo
malma
malma
maim a
malmo
malma
maim a
maim a
malmo
maim a
malmo
maim a
malma
malmo
malma
maim a
malmo
malmo
malmo
Fork
Length
123
141
125
117
132
118
114
142
113
130
115
105
128
132
136
114
118
103
104
113
108
42
97
63
110
70
65
73
73
62
62
60
43
42
34
43
38
35
36
32
25
40
40
38
36
30
27
30
Total
Length
Field Sampling UTM 1-UTM2-Fork Total
Number Date Northing Westing Genus Species Length Length
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 39
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 34
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 126
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 140
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 155
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malma 125
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 114
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 157
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 130
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 117
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 120
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malma 130
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 103
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malma 108
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 125
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 114
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 122
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malma 117
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malma 118
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus maim a 107
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 113
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus maim a 114
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus maim a 112
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 122
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 109
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 98
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 103
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 93
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 74
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 72
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 77
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 44
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 40
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malma 45
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve linus malmo 44
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salve/in us malmo 44
CMS 10-05 7/29/2010 66.95957 156.88342 Salvelinus malmo 35
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Salve linus malmo 175
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Salve linus malmo 155
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Salve linus malmo 155
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Salve linus malmo 160
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Salve linus malmo 175
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Cottus cognatus 68
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Cottus cognatus 57
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Cottus cognatus 90
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Cottus cognatus 64
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Cottus cognatus 58
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Cottus cognatus 63
Field Sampling UTM 1-UTM2-Fork Total
Number Date Northing Westing Genus Species Length Length
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Cottus cognatus 52
CMS 10-06 7/30/2010 66.954056 157.022722 Cottus cognatus 53
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus maim a 114
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus malmo 145
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salvelinus malmo 125
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salvelinus malmo 128
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus malmo 154
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salvelinus malmo 131
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salvelinus malmo 135
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus malma 118
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve/in us maim a 128
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salvelinus malma 111
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve/in us malmo 123
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve/in us malmo 128
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve/in us maim a 130
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve/in us malma 137
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus malmo 140
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus maim a 113
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salvelinus malmo 130
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salvelinus malmo 114
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve/in us maim a 113
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus malmo 127
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve/in us malmo 128
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus malmo 122
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve/in us malma 120
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus maim a 108
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salve linus malmo 114
CMS 10-07 7/30/2010 66.97648 156.98634 Salvelinus malmo 128
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malma 170
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 154
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve/in us malmo 150
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve/in us malmo 125
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 180
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 134
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 125
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 123
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve/inus malmo 146
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salvelinus malmo 113
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malma 125
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 120
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salvelinus malmo 135
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salvelinus malmo 126
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 128
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salvelinus malmo 115
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 112
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salvelinus malmo 113
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve linus malmo 122
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salve/in us malmo 180
Field Sampling UTM 1-UTM2-Fork Total
Number Date Northing Westing Genus Species length length
CMS 10-08 7/31/2010 66.974864 156.984628 Salvelinus maim a 116
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us maim a 124
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us maim a 185
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us maim a 150
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us maim a 180
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us malmo 135
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus maim a 160
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus malma 135
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us malma 140
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us malma 125
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve linus malma 130
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us malma 142
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us malma 110
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve linus malma 110
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus malma 139
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/inus malma 138
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus malma 126
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus malma 110
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us malma 115
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus maim a 108
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus malma 105
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us maim a 105
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve linus malma 100
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus malma 110
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Sa/velinus malma 100
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us maim a 113
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salvelinus maim a 105
CMS 10-09 7/31/2010 66.971751 -156.867383 Salve/in us malma 74
..
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AVEC Cosmos Hills Hydropower Study-Summer-Fall2010 Report
Appendix D:
Cosmos Hills
Cultural Resources Office Study
Report by Diana Rigg of WHPacific
October 18,2010
Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Feasibility Study
Culhu·al Resources Office Study
INTRODUCTION
The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) is a non-profit electtic cooperative that serves
53 communities in interior and western Alaska. Electricity is currently generated primarily from
diesel fuel consumption. The costs of fuel have escalated in recent years making it prohibitively
expensive to continue to provide electricity in the traditional way. AVEC is looking at a variety
of technologies to relieve the costs of electricity for their members. One of these is small
hydropower generation in the Cosmos Hills, foothills to the Brooks Range.1The proposed project
would harness one of three creeks in the Cosmos Hills to generate electricity for the area. The
Alaska Heritage Resources Survey data base was consulted and the grey literature files at the
Office of History and Archaeology were reviewed. This task is intended to provide baseline
infonnation on cultural resources in the area.
CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
The area of investigation is in nm1hwest Alaska. Kotzebue, on the coast, is slightly southwest of
the area about 128 air miles away. The Noatak National Wildlife Refuge, Gates of the Arctic
National Park and Preserve, and Selawik National Wildlife Refuge are significant pubJic lands in
the area. Wesley, Dahl and Cosmos Creeks drain roughly from northeast to southwest. Nearby
villages include Kobuk, Shungnak and Ambler. All are within the Northwest Arctic Borough
geopolitical jurisdiction.
Cultural Context
Archaeologists believe there is evidence of people living in the Kobuk River area dating before
11,000 years ago, but remains are largely undocumented for that time. The earliest well
documented tradition is the American Paleo-Arctic Tradition. 2 The original documentation came
fi"om the site at Onion Pot1age, near Shungnak. Large cores are typical and were used to strike
off blade prefmms. These were reworked into a number of different knives and other tools. This
tool tradition was related to mostly tundra hunting and persisted from approximately 8,000 B.C.
to 6,100 B.C. The Mesa Site in interior northern Alaska also dates to this time fi·ame.3
1 Alaska Atlas and Gazetteer. 1992, P. 133 & 136
2 Prehistory of North Alaska by Douglas D. Anderson in Handbook of North American Indians Vol. 5, Arctic David
Damas, Editor, Smithsonian Institution Washington, 1984 P. 81
3 The Mesa Site: Paleoindians above the Arctic Circle BLM Publication86 by M. Kunz, M. Bever, and C. Adkins,
p vi.
1 October 18,2010
The archaeology of the period between 6,000 B.C. and 4,600 B.C. is poorly represented. At least
one site (Mesa on the Colville River) had only a small microblade component not really
associated with the paleoindian artifacts.4 The Northem Archaic Tradition was in place by I
approximately 4,560 B.C. Artifacts include bifacial knives, notched pebble artifacts and
microblades. This tradition was replaced by the Arctic Small Tool Tradition by about 2,200
B.C.5
Flgua·e 1 Arctic Small Tool Tradition htt >://www.athro olis.com/arctic-facts/fact-palco-cskimo.htm
The Arctic Small Tool Tradition tool kit seems to represent development of a seasonal and year-
round coastal hunting and fishing lifestyle. The tradition is characterized by phases such as
Denbigh, Old-Whaling, Chmis, Norton, and Ipiutak. The lpiutak phase or culture is thought to
represent an early stage of Eskimo development. The Ipiutak culture was in place by about
2,000 years ago.
Figure 2 lpiutak Carving h t II> ://anthropology .uwaterloo.ca/ ArcticArchStuff/norton.h tml
Prehistoric Eskimo Culture represents a significant adaptation to coastal resources. This Culture
is manifest by about 500 A.D. More specialized tools are found in this Tradition by about I ,000
A.D. and specialization continued into the Historic Eskimo Culture.6
The Historic Eskimo period began in 1778 with Captain Cook's landfall in northwest Alaska.
Natives had access to limited trade goods from Russian exploration and were using bits of metal
4IBID, P. 35
5 Prehistory ofNorth Alaska by Douglas D. Anderson in Handbook ofNorth American Indians Vol. 5. Arctic David
Damas, Editor, Smithsonian Institution Washington, 1984, P 84
~rehist6ry of North Alaska by Douglas D. Anderson in Handbook of North American Indians Vol. 5. Arctic David
Damas, Editor, Smithsonian Institution Washington, 1984 P. 90-91
2 October 18, 201 0
and beads, but influence increased and trade became more important when New England whalers
fi·equented the coast. Traders and prospectors were living fuJI time in the Kobuk River area by
1890. Missionaries and teachers also became more prevalent early in the twentieth century. 7
Recent History
Gold was discovered in the Kobuk River area in the last decade of the nineteenth century which
sparked prospecting activity. The community of Kobuk was created as a supply stop for the
prospectors. 8 Although mining exploration slowed down in the decades that followed,
prospecting was pursued in the late 1940's at Bornite (variously known as Pardners Hill or Ruby
Creek). The original prospector, Rhinehati Berg, sold the prospect to Kennecott in 1957.9
Kennecott invested in more exploration and developed a mine shaft. The shaft was closed by
1967, and interest in mining in this area shifted to the Arctic Prospect to the east.10 However the
camp at the Dahl Creek airstrip and the mine buildings suppm1 cuiTent exploration activity in the
area.
Cultural Resource Surveys in the Cosmos Hills
There have been limited, professional, archaeological surveys in the area around Wesley, Dahl
and Cosmos Creeks, although there were extensive excavations at nearby Onion Portage
National Landmark. Areas where archaeologists have surveyed are shown on Figure 3.
J.L. Giddings is most known for his work at Onion Portage National Landmark. However he
conducted investigations in the Cosmos Hills, as well (1950's and early 1960's).
Edwin Hall searched for Fmi Cosmos (SHU 003) in 1972 but did not locate it. He believed it
may have eroded into the Kobuk River.
Stephanie Stirling and Steve Klinger (Office of History and Archaeology) surveyed an alignment
between Shungnak and the airstrip at Dahl Creek in 1981. The route was eight miles long and a
1940's era cabin was located (SHU 019) about a mile and a half west of the Dahl Creek airstrip.
Howard Smith, Bureau ofLand Management, surveyed some trail alignments in the area in
1990.
7 IBID, P.93
8 hup://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dcalcommdb/CIS.efm
9 http://alaskamininghalloffame.org/inducteeslberg.php
10 Ruby Creek Copper Prospect, Bomite, Alaska Prepared for NANA Regional Corporation by Stevens Exploration
Management Corporation, May 1988 P. 3-4
3 October 18, 20 l 0
I
I
I
I
Mike Yarborough (Cultural Resources Consultants) did a review of the Kiana-Selawik-Shungnak
RS 2477 trail in 2006.
Clarius Technologies, LLC conducted a cultural review of the Shungnak area Air Guard Landing
sites in 2009.
Over time, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has surveyed individual Native Allotments in the
area.
Known Cultural Sites in the Area
SHU-00002: "Long Beach" an Eskimo camp near present-day Kobuk
SHU-00003: Fmt Cosmos, a winter camp used by Lt. Stoney, USN in 1885-1886 built at the
confluence of Cosmos Creek and the Kobuk River.
SHU-0019: Remains of a 1940's era reindeer herder's cabin. When located in 1981, the roof
was already collapsed. It is located along the trail between Dahl Creek and Wesley Creek
SHU-0029: Kobuk Cemetery is scattered clusters of graves just north of Kobuk
NEXT STEPS
The Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) is the contact office for cultural resources in
these proposed project areas because this is a state funded project and has minimal Federal
involvement. The OHA will implement the Alaska State Historic Preservation Act. The State of
Alaska does not have guidance or regulations that mirror the Secretary oflnterior's guidelines
for Section 106 consultations, Determinations of Eligibility, Detenninations of Effect and
Memoranda of Agreement. Consequently, OHA staff processes consultations for State projects
using the Secretaty of Interior's guidelines. The OHA should be contacted by letter once a
preferred alternative is detennined. The letter should request OHA's detennination of whether
an archaeological survey is warranted. Ifwarranted, survey results will be transmitted to OHA
and a Section 106-like consultation will proceed.
5 October 18, 201 0
GEOTECHNICAL
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative-Cosmos Hills
Hydroelectric Feasibility Study
Submitted To: Brian Yanity
WHPacific Inc .
300 West 31 51 Avenue
A ncho rage , Alaska 99503
Submitted By: Golder Assoc iates Inc.
Distribution:
21 21 Abbott Road , Suite 100
Ancho rage , Alaska 9950 7
1 PDF Copy -WHPacific Inc .
2 Co pies -Golder Associates Inc.
February 4, 2011
Golder, Golder Associates and the GA globe design are trademarKs of Golder Associates Corporation
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Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1
2.0 SITE AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................. 2
3.0 REGIONAL SETTING ...................................................................................................................... 3
3.1 Climate ......................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 General Geologic Conditions ....................................................................................................... 3
3.3 Glacial Activity .............................................................................................................................. 4
3.4 General Surficial Geology ............................................................................................................ 4
3.5 Topography and Drainage ........................................................................................................... 4
3.6 Seismic Activity ............................................................................................................................ 5
3.6.1 Kobuk Trench Fault System ..................................................................................................... 5
3.6.2 Regional Seismicity .................................................................................................................. 5
4.0 FIELD RECONNAISSANCE ............................................................................................................ 6
4.1 Visual Observations ..................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Test Pits ....................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Soil Probes ................................................................................................................................... 7
5.0 SITE CONDITIONS .......................................................................................................................... 8
5.1 Cosmos Creek .............................................................................................................................. 8
5.1.1 Lower Reach ............................................................................................................................ 8
5.1.2 Middle and Upper Reaches ..................................................................................................... 9
5.2 Wesley Creek ............................................................................................................................. 10
5.2.1 Lower Reach .......................................................................................................................... 10
5.2.2 Middle and Upper Reaches ................................................................................................... 11
5.3 Dahl Creek ................................................................................................................................. 12
5.3.1 Lower Reach .......................................................................................................................... 12
5.3.2 Middle and Upper Reaches ................................................................................................... 13
5.4 Existing Material Sites ................................................................................................................ 14
6.0 CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATION CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................... 15
6.1 Tailrace/ Powerhouse Facility .................................................................................................... 15
6.2 Intake Facility ............................................................................................................................. 16
6.3 Penstock Alignment ................................................................................................................... 17
7.0 CLOSING ....................................................................................................................................... 19
8.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 20
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List of Figures
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Project Location Map
Cosmos Creek Study Area
Wesley Creek Study Area
Dahl Creek Study Area
List of Photo Pages
Photo Page 1 to 3
Photo Page 4 to 6
Photo Page 7 to 1 0
Photo Page 11
Cosmos H•lls Recon
Cosmos Creek Photographs
Wesley Creek Photographs
Dahl Creek Photographs
Material Site Photographs
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February 2011 1 103-95465
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report presents the results of Golder Associates, Inc. (Golder) reconnaissance level geological and
geotechnical assessment in support of the proposed small-scale hydroelectric feasibility study in the
Cosmos Hills area. The Cosmos Hills hydroelectric project includes three creek drainage study
alternatives; Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek, and Dahl Creek. The geotechnical assessment included a
literature review, field reconnaissance effort, and conceptual engineering considerations. The work was
conducted in accordance with Golder's proposal addressed to WHPacific Inc. (WHPacific) dated May 25,
2010.
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2.0 SITE AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Cosmos Hills are located approximately 4 miles north of the village of Kobuk, and about 7 miles
northwest of the village of Shungnak. Figure 1 presents a project Location map. Within the Cosmos Hills,
three drainages are under study for potential small-scale, hydroelectric project; Cosmos Creek, Wesley
Creek, and Dahl Creek. Hydroelectric along these creeks is being considered for seasonal
supplementation of the current diesel generated power source as a way to reduce diesel fuel usage in the
area.
The project concept is 'run-of-river' hydroelectric consisting of an upstream intake structure, a
downstream tail race and power generation structure, and a single connecting penstock. The conceptual
penstock lengths vary from approximately 10,500 linear feet for Cosmos Creek, 12,000 linear feet for
Wesley Creek, and 7,500 linear feet for Dahl Creek. The project will include a power line intertie to
connect with existing power lines in the area. The power line alignment was not included under this
scope of work.
The conceptual penstock is a 24 to 36-inch diameter, insulated HOPE, above grade pipe with general
alignment adjacent to the stream drainage, outside of the flood zone. Thrust blocks and anchorages will
be required along the penstock alignment. Conceptual foundation options for the intake, tail race, and
power generation facility are discussed in this report.
The Wesley Creek and Dahl Creek drainages were previously mined by placer and hard rock methods.
Due to the mining activity, existing unmaintained rugged access roads and trails exist along these two
drainages.
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3.0 REGIONAL SETTING
The Cosmos Hills are an east-west trending highland at the southern edge of the Brooks Range bordering
the Koyukuk Lowland to the south. The Cosmos Hills extend east southeast across the boundary
between the Ambler River and Shungnak Quadrangles. The Cosmos Hills are approximately 4 miles
north of the village of Kobuk, and about 7 miles northwest of the village of Shungnak.
3.1 Climate
The Cosmos Hills are located in a sub-arctic environment, with a transitional climate zone situated
between continental (interior) and arctic. Average precipitation in the region, recorded at Kobuk, is about
17 inches with average annual snowfall accumulation of 56 inches. Air temperatures average between -
10 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) to 15°F during winter months and 40°F to 65°F during summer. Temperature
extremes exist well above and below these averages.
Table 1 summarizes the recommended engineering design air temperature data for the Cosmos Hills
area, comparing data from Hartman and Johnson's Environmental Atlas of Alaska (H&J) analysis of air
temperature records prior to 1978 with Golder analysis of air temperature records from 1980 to 2004 for
Kotzebue. The comparison data shows a general warming trend at Kotzebue. Actual conditions at the
Cosmos Hills area may vary from the data presented in Table 1 due to locale and elevation of project
study areas.
Table 1: Recommended Engineering Design Air Temperature Data (Cosmos Hills Area)
Design Index H&J 1978 1980 to 2004
Average Air Temperature 22.0 °F 23.9 °F
Average Freezing Index 6250 °F-days 5850 °F-days
Design Freezing Index 7500 °F-days 7300 °F-days
Average Thawing Index 2100 °F-days 2650 °F-days
Design Thawing Index 2600 °F-days 2850 °F-days
3.2 General Geologic Conditions
The Cosmos Hills are an isolated highland, up to 3,000 feet in elevation, that are isolated from the
southern Brooks Range by the Ambler Lowland that flanks the Ambler River before it joins the Kobuk
River, west of the Cosmos Hills. The Cosmos Hills are on the border between the physiographic
provinces of the Brooks Range and Koyukuk Basin to the south.
The Brooks Range Mountains are a contractional mountain belt with the foreland basin on its north side.
The southern Brooks Range contains the older rocks within the range, consisting of east-west trending
rock belts of increasing metamorphic grade to the north. The sequence of rocks in the southern Brooks
Range consists of a highly metamorphosed zone recognized as a schist belt, typically bounded on the
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south by a phyllite belt and further south, by weakly metamorphosed to non-metamorphosed rocks of
Angayucham Terrain. The Cosmos Hills, which forms a portion of the southern boundary of the Brooks
Range, are composed of rocks from each of the Brooks Range units described above (Till et al., 2008).
The upper portion of the Cosmos Hills contains rocks from the schist belt, but also a fault-bounded series
of dolostone, metalimestone, and marble that is regionally unique to the Cosmos Hills. The lower hills on
the south side of the Cosmos Hills are characterized by a cretaceous sedimentary series of
conglomerate, sandstone, and shale (Till et al., 2008).
The Kobuk River region, in the vicinity of the Cosmos Hills, is mapped as discontinuous permafrost by the
Institute of Northern Engineering (UAF, 2008). Discontinuous permafrost is identified as 50 to 90 percent
potential coverage.
3.3 Glacial Activity
Deposits of pre-Wisconsin Kobuk glaciations have been observed between elevation 400 to 800 feet
along portions of the northern and southern flanks of the Cosmos Hills. On the south, the glacial drift has
been mapped in areas between the flood plains (west to east) of the Cosmos, Wesley, and Dahl Creeks
(Fernald 1964). Erratic boulders have also been observed up to elevation 2200 feet in parts of the
Cosmos Hills (Fritts, 1970).
The younger Ambler glaciation (Wisconsin) is evidenced by extensive glacial drift deposits in the Ambler
Lowland that borders the Cosmos Hills to the north, and also in subdued moraine deposits in the
Shungnak and Kokoluktuk River valleys and near Kollioksak Lake. Some V-shaped valleys in the
Cosmos Hills indicate the valleys were not scoured by moving ice.
3.4 General Surficial Geology
Surficial geologic mapping of the Cosmos Hills shows bedrock covered with shallow surficial deposit
characteristics along most of the highland above about 600 to 800 feet in elevation. Eolian and alluvial
deposits, primarily sand, are shown between the floodplains of Cosmos, Wesley, and Dahl Creeks
between elevations of about 600 and 400 feet. Glacial drift deposits are mapped below the eolian and
alluvial units, between elevations of about 400 and 200 feet. Alluvial floodplain deposits of the Kobuk
River lie to the south of the Cosmos Hills, along with terrace and fan deposits abutting the higher drift
deposits in the area (Fernald, 1964).
3.5 Topography and Drainage
The topography of the Cosmos Hills is moderately rugged and mature, with approximately 3000 feet of
relief. The southern drainages of the Cosmos Hills typically flow to the southwest, away from the range,
including Cosmos Creek, Wesley Creek and Dahl Creek. Many of the creek valleys have been described
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as oversized, and likely are antecedent valleys of the ancestral Brooks Range that formed prior to
isolation of the Cosmos Hills (Fritts, 1970).
3.6 Seismic Activity
3.6.1 Kobuk Trench Fault System
The Kobuk Fault System zone extends along the southern border of the Brooks Range for approximately
300 miles, and is approximately 20 miles wide. The zone of faulting is made up of numerous closely-
spaced high angle fractures. The Kobuk Fault System represents a major transcurrent fault that stretches
across the southern edge of the Brooks Range. In general, the age of the major faulting is considered
Cretaceous or Tertiary, however, some Quaternary activity is indicated by rupturing of glacial drift (Patton,
1973).
In general, the Kobuk Fault System has been relatively inactive in the recent historical period. A rare
series of shallow earthquakes was recorded about 40 miles to the east in the neighboring Angayucham
Mountains in October of 1980 with magnitudes ranging between 4.0 and 5.0 (Gedney & Marshall, 1981;
Page, 1991 ).
3.6.2 Regional Seismicity
Regional seismicity has been observed in western Alaska, particularly on the Seward Peninsula, but also
to a lesser degree north of Kotzebue. Shallow earthquakes with typical magnitudes ranging between 2.0
and 5.0 are spread over the Seward Peninsula from many active fault sources and are not concentrated
from a single major fault systems. A magnitude 6.0 earthquake was recorded in the southern Seward
Peninsula in 1950 (Page, 1991).
A magnitude 7. 3 earthquake was recorded in 1958, with an epicenter near Huslia, Alaska, to the south of
the Cosmos Hills. The earthquake produced several failures in unconsolidated surficial deposits in an
elongate northeast-striking zone that may indicate the fault zone (Page, 1991 ).
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4.0 FIELD RECONNAISSANCE
WHPacific organized a field reconnaissance from July 26 to August 1, 2010 that included WHPacific
representatives and Golder's representative, Jeremiah Drage PE. Jeremiah Drage conducted the
geotechnical field reconnaissance portion of the effort from July 26 to July 31. Mr. Brian Vanity of
WHPacific organized the field logistics including, lodging and transportation. Mr. Vanity provided
scheduling and project direction during the field reconnaissance, including identifying conceptual facility
locations.
Transportation for the reconnaissance included limited all terrain vehicle access along Wesley and Dahl
Creeks and helicopter access to a base camp at Cosmos Creek. The majority of the reconnaissance
access was conducted by hiking to accessible project areas from the transportation access points. The
field reconnaissance included a helicopter over-flight of the study drainages. The over-flight provided
above ground observations of the creek drainage and side slopes.
The conceptual location areas for the intake and tailrace/power house were accessed for the study
drainages. The penstock alignments were not completely accessed due to terrain, thick vegetation
limitations, and allotted field duration. Alternatively, each typical section of the penstock alignment was
accessed for observations as determined by terrain and vegetation patterns.
The field reconnaissance consisted of surficial observations for geological hazards; shallow depth hand
dug test pits for general soil observations, and shallow depth soil probes for soil consistency and inferred
frozen ground depth. Geographic coordinates of typical observation locations were recorded with a
handheld GPS unit and are identified in Figures 2 through 4 as reference points. Additional observations
were conducted between reference locations identified in Figures 2 through 4.
4.1 Visual Observations
Visual field observations included terrain and topography trends; vegetation patterns; general slope
grades; evidence of slope instability; and rock-outcrop and soil surface conditions. Visual observations
were conducted with an initial helicopter over-flight of the study drainages that provided a broad scale
view of the drainages. On-the-ground observations were conducted by hiking through the drainage
valleys with emphasis on identifying general soil conditions within the typical terrain and vegetation
patterns that existed throughout the study drainages. Bedrock outcrop rock samples were obtained at
select locations for comparison with existing geological maps.
4.2 Test Pits
Shallow depth test pits were advanced throughout the project area. Test pits were excavated using a
hand shovel to depths of 24 inches, or shallower. Test pit locations were selected to provide
characteristic shallow depth soil information for the varying terrain and soil consistency/density conditions.
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The test pit soils were field logged as they were excavated and classified according to the Unified Soil
Classification System, in general accordance with ASTM D 2487-00. Soil samples were not retained for
the project.
4.3 Soil Probes
Shallow depth soil probes were advanced throughout the project area for determination of soil
consistency and potential seasonal permafrost active layer depths. The soil probes were manually
advanced to a maximum depth of 4 feet, which was the extent of the probe length. The probe consisted
of a slender rod, ~ inch in diameter. Consistency of probe advancement provides general soil profile
information such as broad scale soil grain size, evidence of granular material such as cobble or gravel,
depth of overburden over shallow bedrock, and depth of frost layer or permafrost surface, when
encountered.
The active layer depth, or depth to frost line, is the depth of the seasonally thawed or frozen layer near
the ground surface. The field reconnaissance was conducted during mid-summer when the depth of
surface thaw at permafrost areas would not yet be at the seasonal maximum, which occurs just before
freezing temperature conditions occur. Additionally, at the time of the field reconnaissance, seasonal
frost at non-permafrost areas may of not yet fully thawed. Due to the timing of the field reconnaissance, it
was difficult to determine at some areas if the probe refusal was on remnant seasonal frost or the surface
of permafrost. Other observations such as terrain features, vegetation, and test pits provided additional
information in determination of permafrost conditions.
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5.0 SITE CONDITIONS
5.1 Cosmos Creek
The Cosmos Creek drainage is the most remote of the three study drainages with limited access and no
known previous mining activity. Unmaintained all terrain vehicle trails and a BLM cat trail exist for access
to the lower reaches of the study area, however, a helicopter was used for this project due to the length of
the access trails and unmaintained condition. The cat trail crosses Cosmos Creek near the conceptual
location for the tailrace/ powerhouse location. The conceptual facility locations developed by WHPacific
are identified in Figure 2 as is observation location stops for reference. Representative site photographs
are presented in Photo Pages 1 to 3.
The tailrace/ powerhouse location is at the upstream area where Cosmos Creek drainage begins a large
broad alluvial fan. Upstream of the tailrace/ powerhouse location, the stream channel is confined by the
toe of the easterly and westerly valley slopes with limited meandering through the channel. The alluvial
fan is identifiable by the larger tree and shrub vegetation that mimics the fan's geometry as visible in
Figure 1.
5.1.1 Lower Reach
The vegetation within the flood channel at the lower reach of the study area consists of densely spaced,
tall willow and alder shrubs and spruce. The vegetation outside of the flood channel at the lower reach
transitions to sparse shrub and stunted spruce with increasingly dense spacing near small drainage
channels.
The shallow depth test pits within the flood channel at the lower reach generally showed a thin organic
vegetation mat up to several inches in thickness overlying alluvial sand and gravel deposits with cobbles
(STP 096). The granular alluvial deposits included a layer of finer-grained silt and sand with increasing
gravel and cobble with depth. Hand probe refusal depths on gravel or cobble ranged from several inches
to a maximum of about 2.5 to 3 feet (STP 097 and STP 099). The hand tools did not allow for deeper test
pits or probes to determine the extent and consistency of the soils. Frozen soils were not encountered
within the limits of the hand tools.
The subsurface conditions outside of the flood channel consisted of alluvial and eolian deposits of finer
grained silt and sand with a vegetation mat and organic silt surficial layer. Within the sparser vegetation
areas, hand probes showed refusal on frozen ground at depths ranging from 3 to 3.5 feet (STP 098). At
areas with thicker vegetation, hand probes showed no refusal on frozen ground or larger diameter
granular material within the probe length of 4 feet.
At lower elevations, beyond the study area, general signs of permafrost consisting of polygonal patterned
ground were subtly evident from the aerial view of the plane ride to and from Kobuk. Discontinuous
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permafrost conditions outside of the flood channel along the lower reaches of Cosmos Creek should be
expected. The maximum extent of seasonal thaw within the active layer should be expected to exceed
those measured during the field reconnaissance, which took place before the end of the thawing season.
5.1.2 Middle and Upper Reaches
The middle and upper reaches of the Cosmos Creek study area transition into steeper valley side slopes
with localized areas of weathered bedrock outcrops. The flood channel is constricted by the toe of the
valley walls. The stream channel includes apparent secondary channels at areas. Generally, random
large boulders and weathered fractured rock increase in occurrence with elevation gain in the study area.
Colluvium and localized areas of talus exist at areas of steeper grade on the valley slopes.
The vegetation within the flood channel at the middle and upper reaches of the study area consisted of
densely spaced tall willow and alder shrubs with mature spruce that decrease in size and quantity with
elevation. The vegetation outside of the flood channel at the middle and upper reaches transitions to
sparse shrub and stunted spruce on the easterly slope while the westerly slope included denser
vegetation cover with trees of greater maturity and size.
The shallow depth test pits within the flood channel at the middle and upper reaches generally showed a
thin organic vegetation mat up to several inches in thickness overlying alluvial sand and gravel deposits
with a siltier matrix at shallower depths and presence cables throughout. The test pits and hand probe
refusal depths on gravel or cobble ranged from several inches to a maximum of about 2.5 feet. Localized
areas of thicker fine grained soil deposits that exceed depths of 4 feet existed at areas of flatter
topography within the flood channel (STP 104). The hand tools did not allow for deeper test pits or
probes to determine the extent and consistency of the soils. Frozen soils were not encountered within the
limits of the hand tools.
The general subsurface conditions outside of the flood channel included thin vegetation cover with
organic silt overlying weathered colluvium and fractured and weathered bedrock outcrops, including some
small scale pillars. The hand tools limited subsurface observations to the top 12 inches due to refusal on
granular material. The limited observations were not deep enough to determine if permafrost conditions
exist. Generally, due to the granular nature of the soils and larger void spaces associated with larger
diameter deposits, permafrost conditions would include a deeper active layer depth than those observed
in the fine grained soils along the lower reach. Large scale signs of slope instability were not observed on
the valley side slopes. Small localized areas of talus existed along steeper slope areas.
The conceptual intake location for Cosmos Creek was observed from a distance due to the hiking access
route the field reconnaissance team used for observations. From a distance, the vegetation and terrain
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conditions observed around the conceptual intake area are similar to those discussed above for the
middle and upper reaches.
5.2 Wesley Creek
The Wesley Creek drainage was previously mined at the middle and upper reach with some existing
evidence of placer activity. Additionally, a hard rock mine exists upstream of the study area within the
watershed. Existing unmaintained access roads and all terrain vehicle trails allow access to sections of
Wesley Creek. The conceptual facility locations developed by WHPacific for Wesley Creek are identified
in Figure 3 as is observation location stops for reference. Representative site photographs are presented
in Photo Pages 4 to 6.
5.2.1 Lower Reach
The vegetation within the flood plain at the lower reach of the study area and at the tailrace/ powerhouse
vicinity consisted of tall mature spruce with willow and other shrubs. The vegetation outside of the flood
channel at the lower reach is generally similar with decreased density. The stream channel bottom
generally consisted of cobble with smaller diameter granular deposits at areas of lower velocity stream
flow.
The shallow depth test pits within the flood plain at the lower reach generally showed a thin organic
vegetation mat up to several inches in thickness overlying silty sand deposits with underlying sandy
gravel deposits with cobbles (STP 133, STP 134, and STP 135). The hand probes returned refusals on
gravel and cobble at depths ranging from 8 inches to 2 feet. The hand tools did not allow for deeper test
pits or probes to determine the extent and consistency of the soils due to refusal on granular material.
The vegetation patterns in the aerial photography suggests that localized areas of flatter topography could
include wetlands and increased depths of fine grained deposits of silt and sand. Frozen soils were not
encountered within the exploration limits of the hand tools, which extended to depths of 2 feet maximum
within the granular material.
The shallow depth subsurface conditions outside of the flood channel consisted of alluvial and eolian
deposits of finer grained silt and sand. The distance from the stream channel at these observation points
was approximately 200 feet East or greater between Stops STP 135 and STP 143. Within the sparser
vegetation areas, hand probes showed refusal on frozen ground at depths ranging from 3 to 3.5 feet.
However, frozen ground refusal could have been remnants of seasonal frost. The area included a tall
spruce canopy of increased spacing with sparse shrubs.
At lower elevations, below the study area, general signs of permafrost consisting of polygonal patterned
ground were subtly evident from the aerial view of the plane ride to and from Kobuk. Discontinuous
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permafrost conditions outside of the flood channel along the lower reaches of Wesley Creek should be
expected in isolated areas.
5.2.2 Middle and Upper Reaches
The middle and upper reaches of the Wesley Creek study area transition into steeper valley side slopes,
more specifically on the western border. The channel becomes more constricted by the toe of the valley
wall on the western border and the gentler slope on the eastern border around Stops STP 143 and STP
144. Upstream from Stops STP 143 and STP 144 the channel constriction increases with elevation to the
conceptual intake location near Stop STP 137. Upstream of the intake location, localized areas of
colluvium and weathered and highly fractured rock and rock debris existed at areas on the valley slopes.
The vegetation within the flood channel at the middle and upper reaches of the study area consisted of
densely spaced tall willow and alder shrubs with mature spruce that decrease in size and density with
increasing elevation. The vegetation outside of the flood channel at the middle and upper reaches
transitions to sparse shrub and stunted spruce. Above the conceptual intake location the valley becomes
broader with increased shrub density.
The shallow depth test pits within the flood channel at the middle and upper reaches generally consisted
of a thin organic vegetation mat up to several inches in thickness overlying alluvial silt and sand with
underlying gravel deposits with cobble. The depth to the surface of the coarser grained granular alluvial
deposits of gravel and cobbles ranged from 4 inches to 3.3 feet as observed in the test pits and hand
probes. The vegetation patterns and topography infer that localized areas of flatter topography could
include wetlands and increased depths of fine grained deposits of silt and sand overburden. The hand
tools did not allow for deeper test pits or probes to determine the extent and consistency of the soils.
Frozen soils were not encountered within the limits of the hand tools, however, thin remnants of seasonal
frost several inches in thickness were penetrated with the hand probes.
The general subsurface conditions outside of the channel included thin vegetation cover with organic silt
overlying weathered colluvium and alluvial deposits of coarse material. At higher elevation on the valley
slopes colluvium, talus, and fractured and weathered bedrock outcrops exist with thin vegetation cover
and shrubs at localized areas. Generally, the hand tools limited subsurface observations to the top 12
inches. The limited observations were not deep enough to determine if permafrost soils were present.
Generally, due to the granular nature of the soils and larger void spaces associated with larger diameter
deposits, permafrost soils would include a deeper active layer depth, if permafrost is present. Large-scale
indications of slope instabilities were not observed on the valley side slopes. Small localized areas of
talus and colluvium existed at steeper slope areas.
Cosmos Hills Recon
(/jfGolder Associates
February 2011 12 103-95465
5.3 Dahl Creek
The Dahl Creek drainage was previously mined at select areas with evidence of placer activity both at its
lower and upper reaches. Existing unmaintained access roads and all terrain vehicle trails allow access
to sections of Dahl Creek. The conceptual facility locations developed by WHPacific for Dahl Creek are
identified in Figure 4 as is observation location stops for reference. Representative site photographs are
presented in Photo Pages 7 to 10.
5.3.1 Lower Reach
The vegetation within the flood plain at the lower reach of the study area consisted of tall mature spruce
with willow and other shrubs. The vegetation outside of the flood channel at the lower reach and at the
tailrace/ powerhouse vicinity is generally similar, consisting of spruce and shrub with decreased density.
The stream channel bottom generally consists of cobbles and boulders with gravel and sand deposits at
areas of reduced stream velocity.
The shallow depth test pits within the flood plain at the lower reach generally showed a thin organic
vegetation mat up to several inches in thickness overlying sandy gravel deposits with cobbles (STP 117,
STP 124, and STP 126). The test pits showed sand and gravel deposits with cobble at depths as shallow
as 2 to 4 inches. Cobbles were observed along the ground surface as well. The hand tools did not allow
for test pit or probe depths to determine the extent and consistency of the soils. The vegetation patterns
in the aerial photography suggests that limited localized areas of flatter topography could include
wetlands and increased depths of fine grained deposits of silt and sand overburden. Evidence of placer
mining including stream channel re-working and random windrows of mechanically moved soil existed
within the flood channel in the vicinity of Stops STP 117, STP 124, and STP 126. Frozen soils were not
encountered within the limits of the hand tools which extended to depths of 12 inches maximum within the
granular material in the flood channel.
The subsurface conditions outside of the flood channel consist of alluvial and eolian deposits of finer
grained silt and sand. Observation points at Stop STP 123 and STP 125 were taken downstream of the
conceptual tailrace/ powerhouse location. The aerial photography shows that vegetation density near the
conceptual tailrace/ powerhouse location is similar to conditions at Stop STP 123 which consisted of tall
thin spruce and sparse willow and shrub patches. A test pit located at Stop STP 123 showed 12 to 14
inches of tundra moss overlying silt with fine grained sand. Within the sparser vegetation areas, hand
probes showed refusals on frozen ground at depths ranging from 2 to 3.5 feet. Hand probes also
encountered areas with refusal on gravel which is not determinable of thermal state with the equipment
used. Frozen ground refusal, where encountered, could have been remnant seasonal frost. However,
the vegetation in the area included a tall spruce canopy of increased spacing with sparse shrubs and thick
vegetation mat is conducive to maintaining permafrost conditions.
Cosmos Hills Recon
(J/jt Golder
Associates
February 2011 13 103-95465
Random remnants of mining activity resembling test pits were scattered throughout the vicinity of the
tailrace/ powerhouse location. The test pits included excavated material stockpiled adjacent to the
excavation. The stockpile showed alluvial cobble deposits that are inferred to be soil removed from the
test pits. Based on the hand probe observations, it is estimated that these cobble deposits exist at a
depth greater than the extent of the hand probes that were 3.5 feet at maximum depth. It is expected that
the cobble deposits included sand and gravel which may of been separated and deposited elsewhere
after mined, or stockpiled beneath the cobbles during the excavation.
5.3.2 Middle and Upper Reaches
The middle and upper reaches of the Dahl Creek study area transition into steeper valley side slopes.
The channel becomes defined and constricted by the toe of the valley walls. Upstream from Stop STP
128 the channel constriction decreases with elevation to the conceptual intake location between Stop
STP 129 and 130. Upstream of the conceptual intake location, the valley becomes broader with
vegetation cover that obscured visual observations from a distance.
The vegetation within and adjacent to the channel at the middle and upper reaches of the study area
consisted of densely spaced tall willow and alder shrubs with mature spruce that decrease in size and
quantity with increasing elevation along the valley walls.
The shallow depth test pits within, and adjacent to, the flood channel at the middle and upper reaches
generally showed a thin organic vegetation mat of a few inches in thickness overlying colluvium deposits
of cobble and boulders (STP 127 to STP 128). The hand tools did not allow for deeper test pits or probes
beyond a few inches to refusal on cobbles and boulders. Near Stop STP 128 and upstream of this area,
the channel began to broaden into a wider valley bottom above the conceptual intake location. As the
valley broadened the alluvial deposits within the flood channel included thin vegetation cover with sands
and gravels. Localized areas of thicker fine grained deposits within wetland areas may exist near the
conceptual intake area and upstream.
The general subsurface conditions along the valley side slopes include thin vegetation over colluvium
deposits of cobbles and boulders. At greater elevation on the valley slopes colluvium, talus, and fractured
and weathered bedrock outcrops were visible with thin vegetation cover and shrubs at localized areas.
Generally, the hand tools limited subsurface observations to the top few inches. The limited observations
were not deep enough to determine if permafrost soils were present. Generally, due to the granular
nature of the soils and larger void spaces associated with larger diameter deposits, permafrost soils
would include a deeper active layer depth, if permafrost does exist. Large scale signs of slope instability
were not observed on the valley side slopes. Small localized areas of talus and colluvium existed at
steeper slope areas.
Cosmos Hills Recon
(!/Jt Golder
Associates
February 2011 14 103-95465
5.4 Existing Material Sites
Two previously developed material sites exist near the Dahl Creek camp and airstrip. The material sites
are located within alluvial fans of the Cosmos Hills, downstream of the Dahl Creek study area. The
existing cut slopes of the material sites included alluvial deposits of sand and gravel with cobbles and
random boulders. Representative photographs of the material sites are presented in Photo Page 11.
Cos."nos Hills Recon
~· f!!Al Golder
\ZPAssociates
February 2011 15 103-95465
6.0 CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATION CONSIDERATIONS
The reconnaissance level observations were limited to subsurface exploration depths of 4 feet or less.
Visual observation of terrain, vegetation, and surface conditions along with existing geological mapping
provide insight into potential subsurface conditions beyond the depths explored.
Generally, the soils along each study area vary within the drainage and are relatively consistent in respect
to each drainage. The potential thermal conditions of the soils are consistent for the region, terrain, and
vegetation patterns. The following sections discuss conceptual foundation considerations for the general
typical conditions. Site specific geotechnical explorations of deeper extent will be required during design
development.
6.1 Tailrace/ Powerhouse Facility
The conceptual tailrace/ powerhouse location for Cosmos Creek and Dahl Creek study areas are located
in areas that have potential for permafrost soil conditions. A deeper geotechnical exploration with
recovered soil samples is advised to determine the the existence and extent of permafrost, ice content,
and determination of thaw stability. The foundation design for the permafrost area would be controlled by
the deeper soil matrix, volume of ice within the soil, and soil temperatures.
If the subgrade soils include thaw unstable fine grained permafrost soils, a deep foundation system of pile
members would be an option. The climate and subsurface thermal conditions of the site would control if
the piles would require a passive cooling system to preserve permafrost conditions.
An insulated and passively cooled gravel pad could be an alternative option; however, the resultant heat
generated from the tailrace and power house, and facility settlement tolerances, would most likely require
the need for a passive cooling system. An insulated gravel pad option may be more feasible for thaw-
stable subgrade soils.
Installation of a pile foundation could pose constructability challenges if subgrade soils include frozen
gravel and cobbles. With the existence of frozen gravel and cobbles a driven pile may not be a feasible
option, thus, pile installation would require drill and slurry methods. Drill and slurry methods include pre-
drilling a larger diameter hole, inserting the pile in the hole, and backfilling the annulus between the pile
and pre-drilled hole wall with a sand and water slurry mixture and allowing the slurry to freezeback to
nominal soil temperatures. The presence of cobbles would pose constructability challenges for pre-
drilling.
The conceptual tailrace/ powerhouse location for Wesley Creek study area is located within the creek
channel flood plain with likely sand and gravel deposits that are expected to be unfrozen. If granular
material is present, a shallow depth reinforced concrete foundation system could be used. The concrete
Cosmos Hills Recon
(JJGolder
Associates
February 2011 16 103-95465
foundation could be constructed on properly compacted structural fill over properly compacted subgrade
granular material. Any localized areas of deeper fine grained material deposits would require a deeper
excavation to prepare a properly compacted granular foundation base. Alternative foundation options
include driven piles and helical anchors.
Due to the climate of the area it would be recommended that the shallow depth concrete foundation
system include perimeter insulation for frost control. Procedures outlined in the Revised Builder's Guide
to Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations (NAHB, 2004) provide methods for placement geometry and
thickness of perimeter insulation. A frost protected shallow foundation incorporates perimeter rigid board
insulation to decrease the depth of seasonal frost penetration around the building and limit frost jacking
potential.
Sitting the tailrace/ powerhouse locations for Cosmos Creek and Dahl Creek within the flood plain deposit
zones could allow for consideration of a shallow depth concrete foundation system similar to Wesley
Creek. The shallow depth foundation system can be more feasible to construct than a foundation over
subgrade permafrost soils.
Facilities located within the flood plain would require designation of flood potential and floodwater
elevation in order to locate the facility above flood water elevation. A gravel fill embankment may be
required to raise the facility above flood elevation. If flooding source is due to spring runoff and related
ice dams or ice flows, protection measures need to be considered.
6.2 Intake Facility
The conceptual intake location for the three study areas is similar in that the conceptual foundation
locations include potential for both granular alluvial deposits, including boulders, and potential for
colluvium. A deeper geotechnical exploration at the selected facility location is advised to determine the
extent of the granular material and size estimate of boulders or larger dimension colluvium material.
Conceptual intake options include a shallow depth reinforced concrete foundation system. The concrete
foundation could be constructed on properly compacted structural fill over properly compacted subgrade
granular material. Any localized areas of deeper fine grained material deposits would require a deeper
excavation to prepare a properly compacted granular foundation base. The presence of boulders and
larger diameter colluvium deposits could require a deeper excavation to remove the large diameter
material and replace with classified fill for support of the facility. Any lateral thrust loads on the facility will
need to be considered and may require deeper foundation anchoring
Due to the climate of the area it would be recommended that the shallow depth concrete foundation
system include perimeter insulation for frost control. Procedures outlined in the Revised Builder's Guide
Cosmos Hills Recon
(/it Golder
Associates
February 2011 17 103-95465
to Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations (NAHB, 2004) provide methods for placement geometry and
thickness of perimeter insulation. A frost protected shallow foundation incorporates perimeter rigid board
insulation to decrease the depth of seasonal frost penetration around the building and limit frost jacking
potential.
Facilities located within the flood plain would require designation of flood potential and floodwater
elevation in order to locate the facility above flood water elevation. A gravel fill embankment may be
required to raise the facility above flood elevation. If flooding source is due to spring runoff and related
ice dams or ice flows, protection measures may need to be considered.
6.3 Penstock Alignment
The conceptual penstock piping is expected to be above-grade insulated HOPE arctic pipe. The
conceptual alignment locations for the three study areas are similar, crossing varying terrain and
subgrade soils. Generally, each alignment begins at the intake area with granular alluvial and colluvium
deposits, transverses slopes with colluvium deposits at the higher elevations and transitions to alluvium
and eolian deposits of potentially permafrost soils at lower elevations. A deeper geotechnical exploration
at specific locations that define the typical subgrade soils would confirm the subgrade conditions.
The conceptual penstock alignments are located outside of the existing flood plains for the majority of the
lengths. Terrain geometry challenges exist for each alignment near the upper reaches of the drainages
that are bordered by the toes of the valley slopes. These areas will require a cut or fill section to provide
a bench in support of the penstock. A slope stability analysis, at cut and fill sections in areas of inclined
natural grade, will need to be conducted as the design develops and alignment geometry is selected.
Support of penstock anchors and thrust blocks could be shallow depth reinforced concrete footings,
grouted anchors, or helical anchor system, depending on subgrade soils. At areas of site geometry
restrictions and inclined natural grade, an alternative bench could be constructed out of gabions that are
anchored to the side slope and could provide a retained earth wall in shallow cut sections.
The alignments transition into potential permafrost soils at the lower reaches of the alignments. At these
areas the tolerances for differential movement of the penstock pipe will control the required foundation
support. The above-grade insulated pipe material and summer-only operation also contribute to design of
the foundation support. To minimize effect on permafrost subgrade soils, a fill embankment section
placed over the existing vegetation mat should be considered. A fill embankment section will result in
uniform and differential settlement of the organic and fine grained subgrade soils with additional
settlement related to thaw consolidation, if permafrost degradation occurs. At areas with anchors and
thrust blocks, the design loads may require excavation and replacement of compressible subgrade soils
with classified fill to provide adequate support. Rigid board insulation added to the embankment sections
would provide additional mitigation against permafrost degradation, if it is determined to be needed during
Cosmos Hills Recon
(IJGolder Associates
February 2011 18 103-95465
design development. Options for support of anchors and thrust blocks could include pile foundations
depending on design loads and settlement tolerances.
Cosmos Hilfs Recon
February 2011 19 103-95465
7.0 CLOSING
This report has been prepared exclusively for the use of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, WHPacific,
Inc. and their consultants for use in study and conceptual design of the proposed Cosmos Hills
Hydroelectric Project. Golder should be involved during design development to confirm conceptual
foundation options, consider locations for detailed site specific geotechnical explorations, and further
develop the conceptual foundation options.
There are possible variations in subsurface conditions between explorations and with lapsed time.
Unanticipated soil conditions are commonly encountered and cannot fully be determined by a limited
number of explorations or observation points.
The work presented in this report was completed in a manner that is consistent with the standard of care
expected of professionals undertaking similar work in the State of Alaska, USA, under similar conditions.
No warranty expressed or implied is made.
GOLD ASSOCIATES INC.
J~/)~
J remiah S. Drage, PE
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Richard A. Mitchells, PE
Senior Geotechnical Consultant
JSD/MMH/RAM/mlp
Cosmos Hills Recon
<1JfGot4er Assoaates
February 2011 20 103-95465
8.0 REFERENCES
Fernald, A.T. 1964. Surficial Geology of the Central Kobuk Valley, Northwestern Alaska. (Geological
Survey Bulletin 1181-K). Washington DC: US Geological Survey
Fritts, C.E. 1970. Geology and Geochemistry of the Cosmos Hills, Ambler River and Shungnak
Quadrangles, Alaska. (Geologic Report No. 39). College, Alaska: State of Alaska, Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Mines and Geology.
Gedney, L. and Marshall, D. 1981. A rare earthquake sequence in the Kobuk Trench, Northwestern
Alaska. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 71, No. 5: pp 1587-1592.
Hartman C.W. and Johnson, P.R. 1978. Environmental Atlas of Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska: Institute of
Water Resources, University of Alaska.
Institute of Northern Engineering. 2008. Permafrost Characteristics of Alaska (map). University of Alaska
Fairbanks.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). 2004. Revised Builder's Guide to Frost Protected Shallow
Foundations. NAHB Research Center, Inc.
Page, R.A, Biswas, N.N., Lahr, J.C., and Pulpan, H. 1991. Seismicity of Continental Alaska, in
Neotectonics of North America, edited by Slemmons et al.: Boulder, Colorado: Geological Society of
America.
Patton, W.M. 1973. Reconnaissance Geology of the Northern Yukon-Koyukuk Province, Alaska.
(Geological Survey Professional Paper 774-A). Washington DC: US Geological Survey.
Till, A.B .. Dumoulin, J.A., Harris, A.G., Moore, T.E., Bleick, H.A., and Siwiec, B.R. 2008.
Bedrock Geologic Map of the southern Brooks Range, Alaska, and accompanying Conodont Data. (US
Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1149). Reston, Virginia: US Geological Survey
WHPacific, Inc. 2010. Alaska Village Electric Cooperative Cosmos Hills Hydroelectric Study:
Reconnaissance Report. WHPacific, Inc.
Cosmos Hills Recon
FIGURES
2 0 2
inch = 2 miles MILE
.Goklfr SCALE />S SHOWN
CADD APG
~ssocia1es DATE 2/4/2011
Anchorage, Alaska CHECK JSO
FILE No. PROJECT VICINITY MAP.DWG DATE 2/4/2011
PROJECT No. 103-95465 REV.
TITLE PROJECT LOCATION MAP
AVEC COSMOS HILL HYDROELECTRIC
FEASIBILITY STUDY
COSMOS HILLS, ALASKA
WHPACIFIC I COSMOS HILL/ AK f-Y.t~RE 1
LEGEND
STP 008
A
NOTE
OBSERVATION REFERENCE POINT
1) CONCEPTUAL FACILITY LOCATIONS IDENTIFIED BY WHPACIFIC
REFERENCES
1) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY WHPACIFIC .
2) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY SOURCE: AEROMETRICS (OCTOBER 2010)
1000 0 I--
1 inch = 1 000 feet
1000
~
FEET
SCALE AS SHOINN I TITI.E
CADD APG
DATE 2/412011
CHECK JSD
FILE No. PROP _STUDY _A_ COSMO_ v1.dwg 1 DATE 2/412011
PROJECT No . 1 03-95465 I REV.
I
I
1000 0 1000 I--~
1 inch = 1 000 feet FEET
COSMOS CREEK STUDY AREA
AVEC COSMOS HILL HYDROELECTRIC
FEASIBILITY STUDY
COSMOS HILLS, AK
WHPACIFIC I COSMOS HILLS I AK 2
LEGEND
STP 142
A
NOTE
OBSERVATION REFERENCE POINT
1) CONCEPTUAL FACILITY LOCATIONS IDENTIFIED BYWHPACIFIC
REFERENCES
1) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY WHPACI FIC
2) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY SOURCE : AEROMETRICS (OCTOBER 201 0)
I
F ILE No.
PROJECT No.
\
SCALE A S SHOWN TITLE WESLEY CREEK STUDY AREA
CADO APG AVEC COSMOS HILLS HYDROELECTRIC
DAlE 2/412011 FEASIBILITY STUDY
CHECK JSD COSMOS HILLS, AK
PROP _STUDY _WESLEY _v1 .dwg I DAlE 2/412011
103-95465 ' REV. 0 WHPACI FIC I COSMOS HILL I A K r .. 3
LEGEND
STP 126
A
NOTE
OBSERVATION REFERENCE POINT
1) CONCEPTUAL FACILITY LOCATIONS IDENTIFI ED BY WHPACIFIC
REFERENCES
1) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY WHPACIFIC.
2) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY SOURCE: AEROMETRICS (OCTOBER 201 0)
FILE No.
PROJECT No.
1000 0 1000
~ --I
1 inch = 1000 feet
SCALE AS SHOWN I TITI.E
CAOO APG
DATE 2/4/11
CHECK JSD
FEET
DAHL CREEK STUDY AREA
AVEC COSMOS HILL HYDROELECTRIC
FEASIBILITY STUDY
COSMOS HILLS, AK
PROP _STUDY _A_DAHL.dwg DATE 214/11
103-95465 REV. 1 WHPACIFJC I COSMOS HI LLS I AK IIG 4
FIELD PHOTOGRAPHS
IEl _ --_ -. February 2011
Cosmos Creek Photographs:
PHOTO: COSMOS 1
Photo looking down
Cosmos Creek drainage
from the middle reach area.
PHOTO: COSMOS 2
Photo looking up Cosmos
Creek drainage.
-~ L
/?AlGol4er \Z1 Assocrates
1 103-95465
February 2011
Cosmos Creek Photographs:
PHOTO: COSMOS 3
Photo looking East at
Cosmos Creek drainage
channel along trail. Photo
near conceptual tailrace/
powerhouse location . STP
098.
PHOTO: COSMOS 4
Photo looking North up
Cosmos Creek drainage .
STP 095.
2 103-95465
(!/j Golc!er Assoaates
El-_ ~~.::_~-= February 2011
Cosmos Creek Photographs:
PHOTO: COSMOS 5
Photo looking northerly
upstream of the Cosmos
Creek study area.
PHOTO: COSMOS 6
Typical Cosmos Creek
upper reach stream bed
conditions.
(JtGolder Associates
3 103-95465
I
February 2011
Wesley Creek Photographs:
PHOTO: WESLEY 1
Photo looking downstream
along Wesley Creek from
above the conceptual intake
location.
PHOTO: WESLEY 2
Photo looking downstream
along Wesley Creek from
middle to upper reach area.
4 103-95465
~ BJ!Golder
Associates
February 2011
Wesley Creek Photographs:
PHOTO: WESLEY 3
Photo looking upstream of
Wesley Creek at trail
crossing at downstream
boundary of study area.
PHOTO: WESLEY 4
Photo of shallow depth test
pit at Stop STP 136.
-~~ . f'!Al Golder
'2:1Associates
5 103-95465
I
I
--February 2011
Wesley Creek Photographs:
PHOTO: WESLEY 5
Photo at Wesley Creek
observation location Stop
STP 143.
PHOTO: WESLEY 6
Photo looking up the
Wesley Creek drainage just
above the conceptual intake
area.
(Jj#Golder Associates
6 103-95465
February 2011
Dahl Creek Photographs:
PHOTO:DAHL1
Photo looking upstream
along Dahl Creek.
PHOTO:DAHL2
Photo looking downstream
along Dahl Creek.
(/fit Golder
Associates
7 103-95465
February 2011
Dahl Creek Photographs:
PHOTO:DAHL3
Vicinity of conceptual
tailrace/ powerhouse (STP
123).
PHOTO:DAHL4
Thick vegetation mat at
Stop STP 123.
8 103-95465
(/JGolder
Associates
El-__ ~ February 2011
Dahl Creek Photographs:
PHOTO:DAHL5
Vicinity of conceptual
tailrace/ powerhouse
showing cobbles adjacent
to previous excavation .
PHOTO:DAHL6
Stream alignment and
confining west valley slope;
middle to upper reach area
of Dahl Creek.
9 103-95465
I
(/JtGol4er Assocrates
February 2011
Dahl Creek Photographs:
PHOTO:DAHL7
Localized wetland area with
thicker fine grained soil
deposits; above conceptual
intake location of Dahl
Creek study area.
PHOTO:DAHL8
Phil Quarterman and Brian
Vanity of WHPacific.
cj;Golder Associates
10 103-95465
February 2011
Material Site Photographs:
PHOTO: MATERIAL
SITE 1
Existing developed material
site near Dahl Creek Camp
PHOTO: MATERIAL
SITE 2
Exposed bank at material
site adjacent to Dahl Creek
Camp runway. Shows
alluvial deposits of granular
material with cobbles .
rfAlGolder \l1 Associates
11 103-95465
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