HomeMy WebLinkAboutHydrologic Conditions and Low Flow Investigations of Bradley River Near Homer 1993HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS AND LOW-FLOW INVESTIGATIONS
OF THE LOWER BRADLEY RIVER NEAR HOMER, ALASKA
OCTOBER 1991 TO FEBRUARY 1992
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Open-File Report 93-95
Prepared in cooperation with the
ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY
HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS AND LOW-FLOW INVESTIGATIONS
OF THE LOWER BRADLEY RIVER NEAR HOMER, ALASKA
OCTOBER 1991 TO FEBRUARY 1992
By Ronald L. Rickman
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Open-File Report 93-95
Prepared in cooperation with the
ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY
Anchorage, Alaska
1993
i
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
For additional information write to:
District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey
4230 University Drive, Suite 201
Anchorage, AK 99508-4664
Dallas L. Peck, Director
Copies of this report can be purchased from:
U.S. Geological Survey
Books and Open-File Reports Section
Box 25425
Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225-Q425
li
CONTENTS
Page
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Location and site description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Previous studies and data collection activities.................................. 5
Hydrologic conditions.......................................................... 5
Low-flow investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Bradley River below dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Middle Fork Bradley River below North Fork Bradley River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Bradley River above slough at canyon mouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Bradley River near tidewater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Results and discussion...................................................... 14
Summary..................................................................... 16
References cited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1. Map showing location of the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project
area............................................................... 2
2. Photograph of fish-water bypass outlets at Bradley River below
dam: A, summer (August 1992); B, winter (February 1992) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. Hydrographs showing mean daily discharge of: A, Bradley River near
Homer, 1989 water year and Bradley River below dam, 1992 water
year; B, Bradley River near tidewater, 1989 and 1992 water years . . . . . . . . . 6
4. Map showing Lower Bradley River study area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5-8. Photographs of:
5. Bradley River below dam showing low-flow study reach, looking
upstream toward Bradley Lake............................... 10
6. Middle Fork Bradley River below North Fork Bradley River, looking
upstream at Alaska Energy Authority gaging station pool . . . . . . . . . 11
7. Bradley River above slough showing low-flow study reach, looking
upstream from Bear Island: A, early winter; B, mid-winter. . . . . . . . . 12
8. Moderate ice formation on Bradley River near tidewater, looking
downstream from Bear Island: A, February 1992; B, january 1993 . . . . . . 13
TABLES
Table 1. Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project gaging station network and low-flow
study sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2. Low-flow discharge, water temperature, specific conductance, and
channel conditions for the lower Bradley River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CONVERSION FACTORS, ABBREVIATED WATER QUALITY UNIT,
AND VERTICAL DATUM
Multiply
foot (ft)
mile (mi)
cubic foot per second (f~ Is)
degree Fahrenheit (0 F)
~
0.3048
1.609
0.028317
Abbreviated water-quality unit used in report:
J.!S/an, microsiemen per centimeter
To obtain
meter
kilometer
cubic meter per second
degree Celsius (°C)
Sea level: In this report "sea level" refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929-a
geodetic datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of both the United
States and Canada, formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.
iv
HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS AND LOW-FLOW INVESTIGATIONS
OF THE LOWER BRADLEY RIVER NEAR HOMER, ALASKA,
OCTOBER 1991 TO FEBRUARY 1992
By Ronald L. Rickman
ABSTRACT
Construction of tlze dam at Bradley Lake near Homer, Alaska, and the resulting flow regulation ho.ve
lessened the variation in seasonal streamflow in the lower Bradley River. Streamflow records prior to dam
construction indicated tho.t the lower Bradley River was occasionally a losing reach at medium and
medium-high discho.rges. Following completion of the dam, there were concerns tho.t the lower Bradley
River might be a losing reach during the winter and that a streamflow loss would dewater critical salmon
spawning gravels, violating Federal Energy Regulatory Commission minimum flow requirements. A low-
flow investigation was made on the lower Bradley River from October 1991 to February 1992 to determine
if a gain or loss in streamflow occurred between the bypass outlet at the dam and the U.S. Geological
Survey's (USGS) gaging station, Bradley River near tidewater. Streamflow measurements were made at
four sites on tlte lower Bradley River in October and December 1991 and February 1992. Water
temperature and specific conductance measurements were also made in river cross sections at these sites to
gain insights into ground-water contributions. Low-flow study results indicated tho.t no discho.rge losses
or gains occurred until February, when the downstream part of lower Bradley River showed a significant
increase in flow. This increase is probably caused by ground-water inflow. The river channel at the USGS
gaging station, Bradley River below dam, remained ice free during most of the study period, whereas the
river cho.nnel at the Bradley River near tidewater site was affected by ice during mudt of the winter period.
INTRODUCTION
The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) completed construction and began operation of the Bra-
dley Lake hydroelectric power plant near Homer, Alaska in 1991. The main dam was built on the
outlet to Bradley Lake, and smaller dams were built on the Upper Nuka River, Battle Creek, and
the Middle Fork of the Bradley River to divert water into Bradley Lake (fig. 1). A bypass system
at the dam is used to maintain legally required flows for fish in lower Bradley River. As part of
the AEA/U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative hydrologic study program, the USGS began
to collect streamflow data in the Bradley River basin in 1979.
1
BAY
0
I
0
I
~s
~~ ~0<)
' ~~~ 01-
1
---,I,..----'~ MLLES
0 5 KILOMETERS
EXPLANATION
J' I' I } ,I
..& USGS Stream-9<t9ing station
I ,J I' " \ )
.& AEA Stream-gaging station ,
-Dam
Bradley River..._ ' \ /"J \ " ) f _ _, ) ) .............
r',-......
5M1LES
I
' )
r ....
5 KILOMETERS
Figure 1 . Location of the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project area.
2
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing requirements for the Bradley Elec-
tri.c Hydroelectric Project include maintenance of the following minimum flows in lower Bradley
River:
Date
May 12 to September 14
September 15-23
September 24 to October 31
November 1
November 2 to April 30
May 1-11
Flow regulation
100 f~/s
Decrease flow 5 f~ Is per day to 50 tt3 Is
50 f~/s
Decrease flow 5 tt3 Is per day to 40 tt3 Is
40 f0/s
Increase flow 5 f~ /s to 100 f~ /s
These discharges are measured at the USGS gaging station, Bradley River near tidewater,
which is referenced as "Tree Bar Reach" in several publications (Alaska Power Authority, 1984,
v. 2, chap. 3, p. 3.2-3.23). Severe channel icing at this site adversely affects tl1e stage/discharge
relation used to obtain real-time discharge information. The USGS gaging station, Bradley River
below dam, is located directly downstream from the darn and remains ice free most of the winter.
Therefore discharge data from this gaging station could be used to predict discharge at the down-
stream gaging station, Bradley River near tidewater. However, the discharge variations between
these two gaging stations must be better understood.
Pur pose
The purpose of this report is to determine streamflow gains or losses in the lower Bradley
River and their variations through the winter, and to describe the characteristics and ice condi-
tions of the channels. This report briefly describes the water diversion facilities, hydrologic con-
ditions of the lower Bradley River, and low-flow study methods and results.
Location and Site Description
Bradley River originates in the Kenai Mountains east of Horner and flows into Bradley Lake
(fig. 1). The two major inflow sources are Kachernak Creek, which begins at Kachemak Glacier,
and an unnamed tributary (called "upper Bradley River'' in this report), which begins at Nuka
Glacier. Bradley River flows northward from Bradley Lake for about 5 rni to Kachemak Bay. The
Middle and North Forks of Bradley River flow into the main stem of Bradley River 3.3 mi down-
stream from Bradley Lake outlet. The most downstream mile-long reach of Bradley River pro-
vides habitat for five species of Pacific salmon (Rundquist and others, 1985, p . 78).
The main dam located at the outlet to Bradley Lake impounds water from the upper basin and
is used for power generation. Smaller dams on Battle Creek, upper Nuka River, and Middle Fork
Bradley River divert water into Bradley Lake. A fish-water bypass (fig . 2), consisting of two pipes
with motor-driven valves at the outlets, are installed parallel to the darn diversion tunnel to
deliver water to the lower river to meet minimum release requirements.
3
B
Figure 2. Fish-water bypass outlets at Bradley River below dam: A, summer (August 1992);
B, winter (February 1992).
4
Previous Studies and Data Collection Activities
The USGS collected daily streamflow data at the Bradley Lake outlet in July and August 1955
and from October 1957 to the present (U.S. Geological Survey, 1958-92). In 1979 and 1980, the
USGS began collecting daily streamflow data on the upper Nuka, Middle Fork Bradley, and
upper Bradley Rivers to determine the inflow into Bradley Lake before and after construction of
the diversion dams (U.S. Geological Survey, 1979-91). The USGS began daily streamflow data col-
lection on lower Bradley River in 1983 to determine the natural discharges into Kachemak Bay;
these data were used to assess fisheries habitat needs (U.S. Geological Survey, 1984-92). Data were
also collected by USGS on Battle Creek in 1991 and 1992, to obtain information needed to assess
possible stream-water diversions into Bradley Lake.
HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS
Prior to dam construction and streamflow regulation, discharges to the lower Bradley River
varied greatly on a seasonal basis. Daily mean discharges at the gaging s tation Bradley River near
Homer (No. 15239000)1 at the Bradley Lake outlet, commonly ranged from 700 to 1,500 ft3 Is dur-
ing the summer, and peak flows resulting from rainstorms were as high as 8,800 tt3 Is (U.S. Geo-
logical Survey, 1958-88). Daily mean discharges at the gaging station Bradley River near tidewater
(No. 15239070) commonly ranged from 800 to 2,000 ft3 Is during the summer, and storms pro-
duced peak discharges as high as 11,000 ft3 Is (U.S. Geological Survey, 1984-88). Water from North
and Middle Forks of Bradley River accounted for most of the additional flow at the tidewater gag-
ing station. Daily mean discharges during the winter ranged from about 10 to 100 ft3 Is at the lake
outlet and from 17 to 110 tt3 Is at tidewater (U.S. Geological Survey, 1958-88).
After completion of the dam, water storage in the Bradley Lake reservoir and diversion of
Middle Fork into Bradley Lake greatly reduced the streamflow to lower Bradley River during the
summer. Water released through the fish-water bypass has increased the flow above natural
quantities during the winter. Hydrographs showing the daily mean discharges of the lower
Bradley River before and after flow regulation and dam completion are shown on figure 3.
Daily discharge records indicated occasional loss of flow in the lower Bradley River from 1985
to 1990. These losses were determined by comparing the combined daily mean discharges from
the gaging stations, Bradley River near Homer and Middle Fork Bradley River (called "Bradley
River tributary near Homer'' before 1990), with those from the gaging station, Bradley River near
tidewater; the losses were verified by discharge measurements. Additional inflow from the North
Fork Bradley River was not accounted for in the comparisons. The apparent lo ss of surface water
occurred most often at medium to medium-high discharges (400 to 1,700 f~ Is), but not during
low flow (le ss than 400 tt3 Is) or high flow (more than 1,700 tt3 Is). Losses from the system
occurred most frequently during periods having only gradual or minor changes in streamflow.
The reasons for this lo ss are not understood. Following completion of the dam, there was concern
that lower Bradley River might be a losing reach during the winter. This streamflow loss would
dewater critical sa lmon spawning gravels and also would violate FERC minimum flow require-
ments.
1Gaging station Bradley River near Homer (15239000) was rep laced by Bradley River below dam (15239001)
in 1990. Discharges prior to 1990 are for unregulated, natural flows; discharge after 1990 is regulated: it is
controlled by the fish-water bypass and dam spillway, and is decreased by the flow through the diversion
tunnel to the powerhouse.
5
10,000 c-----r----r------r--.------,---..---.---,.----.----..----.--~
A
····--...__ __ --. __ .... _.
10
... , .... ......... :
1992 --
~. ,'
, ... · \.-....... ~··'
/ .. _ ... -· ... _ .... _.-..,. .. r·, ..... r\\_:l·· ...
0.1~--L--L--~--L--~-~--~-_J--~-_J--~-~
10,000 ,..----.---.-----,.---,...---,.---..---.------.---.-----r---.---~
.
B
\~
·, .. ··.
··-..................... /''.. I'
'-'
~ !· ..-J! :~ : ' ~ : ~ 1989 . '•. '"'
\ .-. ... : \ ... .~. l ·.: \ f\ -,/ · ..... : -.. : ··: •,,· .. : ~ : ~ . .. ~. ., .. · ... :
: ·. .. ....
,/ '", ,,. f ·-··
.. . . · ... v
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT
Figure 3. Daily mean discharge of: A, Bradley River near Homer, 1989 water year
and Bradley River below dam , 1992 water year; B, Bradley River near tidewater,
1989 and 1992 water years.
6
Bradley River below the lake outlet remains mostly ice free during the winter. Thus, the
stage/ discharge relation used to calculate daily mean discharge is effective year around. (This
condition was not changed by installation of the dam or regulation of discharge to the river.) The
exception was during the 1990-91 winter, when severe cold and heavy snows led to extensive ice
formation in the river at the gaging station below the dam. Historically, shore ice has formed on
the downstream reach of lower Bradley River and adversely affects the stage/ discharge relation
at the Bradley River near tid ewater gaging station. As a result, most of the daily mean discharge
values are estimated during the winter, and real-time gage-height data are affected by ice.
LOW-FLOW INVESTIGATIONS
A low-flow investigation was made on lower Bradley River during the winter of 1991-92, to
determine the extent of gains or losses of flow between the gaging stations Bradley River below
dam and Bradley River near tidewater (table 1 and fig. 4). Discharge was measured at each site
using standard procedures (Buchanan and Sommers, 1969). Discharge measurements were made
as closely as possible to each other in time to minimize the effects of diurnal fluctuations and
changes in the rate of water release from the reservoir. Also, measurements were made only dur-
ing extended periods of fair weather to ensure that the river was in a steady-state condition. Gage
height was recorded at the gaging stations. Stream-water temperature and specifi c conductance
were measured using standard approved methods (Hem, 1985) to help gain insight into ground-
water contributions to streamflow {Riggs, 1972, p.12; Stevens and others, 1975; Miller and others,
1988). Observations of channel and ice conditions were also recorded. Additional low-flow mea-
surements had been planned at sites located 1.5 mi below the dam and 0.5 mi below the tidewater
gaging station, but the measurements at these sites were canceled because of severe avalanche
danger and unsafe ice conditions at the time of the study.
Bradley River below Dam
(USGS Gaging Station No. 15239001)
A USGS water-stage recorder at this site is located on the right bank, approximately 250 ft
downstream from the confluence of the spillway and fis h -water bypass (figs. 4 and 5). The chan-
n el bottom consists of bedrock, small boulders, and cobble. Both streambanks are armored with
large boulder riprap. The channel remained free of ice and snow during mos t of the low-flow
study. Low-flow discharge measurement error for this study was estimated to be between 5 and
8 percent. Stream-water temperature data were collected at 1-hour recording intervals. Recorded
data were checked using calibrated field thermometers. Cross-sectional water temperature distri-
bution was measured periodically to verify the accuracy of the recorded data (Stevens and others,
1975, p. 33).
7
Table 1. Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project gaging station network and low-flow study sites
[L, Low-flow study data-collection site;--, no data; see figure 1 for site locations]
USGS
Location
Altitude of
Period of continuous record
station Station name
number Latitude Longitude
15238648 Upper Nuka River near park boundary 59°41'04" 150042'12"
15238978 Battle Creek diversion above Bradley Lake 59°44'45" 150050'22"
15238982 Battle Creek below glacier 59°44'19" 150053'49"
15238984 South Fork Battle Creek 59°45'10" 150°57'14"
15238985 Battle Creek near tidewater 59°45'20" 150057'12"
15238990 Upper Bradley River near Nuka Glacier 59°42'02" 150°42'19"
15239001 Bradley River below dam (L) 59°45'30" 150051'02"
15239050 Middle Fork Bradley River 59°46'42" 150°45'15"
(1) Middle Fork Bradley River below North 59°47'54" 150051'48"
Fork Bradley River (L)
(2) Bradley River above slough at canyon 59°48'00" 150052'12"
mouth (L)
15239070 Bradley River near tidewater (L) 59°48'06" 150°52'58"
1Station operated by Alaska Energy Authority. Gag~height only; discharge is not computed
2Miscellaneous measurement site
gage
(feet) Streamflow
1,300 1984-present
1,350 1992-present
780 1991-present
100 1991-present
90 1991-present
1,250 1979-present
1,054 31955;
1957 -present
2,300 1979-present
130 (1)
75 (2)
25 1983-present
3Includes data collected at and published for gaging station No. 15239000, Bradley River near Homer, through water year 1989
4Stream and intragravel water temperature
Water
temperature
1980-90
3 1979~present
41986-present
15239070
Bradley River
near tidewater
Tree Bar Reach j I NorthFork
~e,"j
~'(0:
Bear Jslandp
~""='=::;-:=::::::9 Slough
AEA
Middle Fork /"\ /
'--~---Bradley River below / '-------""'
North Fork Bradley River
Bradley River above
slough at canyon mouth
15239001
Bradley River '\.
below dam '\.
EXPLANATION
A USGS Stream-gaging station
6 Measurement site without gage
• AEA Stream-gaging station ............ , JL---~------~~~----r-~'/ '
l, '
0
I
0
Figure 4. Lower Bradley River study area.
I
3 Kl LOMETERS
9
3 MILES
I
Figure 5. Bradley River below dam showing low-flow study reach, looking
upstream toward Bradley Lake.
Middle Fork Bradley River below North Fork Bradley River
An AEA water-stage recorder at this site is located on the left bank, approximately 200 ft
upstream from the confluence with the main stem of Bradley River (fig. 4). The river channel cuts
through a deep narrow canyon and consists of small pools connected by steep riffles and small
waterfalls (fig. 6). The channel bottom and banks are mostly bedrock with scattered boulders. Dis-
charge measurements were made at the gage pool outlet. The pool outlet was ice free during the
December field visit, and had a bout 5 ft of shore ice during the February visit. Discharge measure-
ments were estimated to be accurate to within 5 percent.
Bradley River above Slough at Canyon Mouth
This site (fig. 4) is located at the break between the steep gradient of the bedrock channel and
the moderate gradient of the alluvial channel downstream. This site also defines the uppermost
end of the Bradley River fisheries (Woodward-Clyde, 1983, p. 32). The channel consists of cobble
and gravel with some small boulders (fig. 7). There is no recording gage at this site. Discharge
measurements were made at a shallow pool outlet and were estimated to be accurate to within 5
percent. The site was ice free during the October visit and had only moderate shore ice in Decem -
ber. A discharge measurement was not made during the February 8 visit because of severe icing
and backwater conditions.
10
Figure 6. Middle Fork Bradley River below North
Fork Bradley River, looking upstream at Alaska
Energy Authority gaging station pool.
Bradley River near Tidewater
(USGS Stream Gaging Station No. 15239070)
A USGS water-stage recorder at this site is located on the right bank, 0.8 mi downstream from
Middle Fork Bradley River, and 4.3 mi downstream from the dam on Bradley Lake (fig. 4). The
channel bed consists of gravel and cobble: the left bank is a large cobble and gravel bar that was
deposited during the flood of October 1986, and the right bank is made up of cobble overlain by
vegetation and shallow soil. Discharge measurements were made at the gage pool outlet or at a
riffle 150 ft below the gage, depending on ice conditions. Channel conditions ranged from ice free
in October to moderate ice formation in mid-winter (fig. 8). Shore ice was significant enough to
adversely affect the stage/ discharge relation, but not the quality of the discharge measurements.
Discharge measurement error was estimated to be within 5 percent.
Surface-water temperatures were also recorded at 1-hour intervals. Recorded data were ver-
ified using calibrated field thermometers (Stevens and others, 1975, p. 30). Cross-sectional water
temperature distribution was measured periodically to verify the accuracy of the recorded data.
11
A
Figure 7. Bradley River above slough showing tow-flow study reach, looking upstream from Bear
Island: A, early winter; B, mid-winter.
12
B
Figure 8. Moderate ice formation on Bradley River near tidewater, looking
downstream from Bear Island: A, February 1992; B, January 1993.
13
Intragravel water temperature data were collected at 1-hour recording intervals at the lower
end of Tree Bar Reach, 250 ft downstream from the USGS stage gage. This temperature sensor is
housed in a steel gravel point, driven vertically to a depth of 1.0 ft into the streambed gravels. No
method is available to field calibrate the sensor while it is in place, but the sensor was checked for
calibration immediately prior to gravel point installation.
Results and Discussion
Discharge measurements made on October 28, 1991 above the slough at the canyon mouth
and at the tidewater gaging station were nearly identical (table 2). This uniformity of measured
discharge indicated no gain or loss in streamflow in the upper alluvial channel. However, conclu-
sions cannot be drawn concerning gains or losses in streamflow between the dam and the com-
bined flow of Middle Fork Bradley River and the main stem of Bradley River, because high winds
prevented collection of data at Middle Fork Bradley River below the North Fork. A slight increase
in specific conductance and a significant decrease in water temperature were noted between
water released at the dam and water at the tidewater gaging station (table 2).
Discharge measurements made during the December 18, 1991 visit show no significant gains
or losses in streamflow between the upper part of the study reach (using the combined discharges
of Bradley River below dam and the Middle Fork below North Fork Bradley River) and the lower
river reach. As with the October visit, specific conductance values were slightly elevated in the
lower river and water temperature was significantly decreased (table 2).
Data from the final round of low-flow measurements collected on February 8, 1992 show a
27 percent increase in discharge at Bradley River near tidewater (52.4 ff Is) compared with the
combined discharges of Bradley River below dam and the Middle Fork below North Fork Bradley
River (41.2 ft 3 /s) (table 2). The source of this additional water may be from ground-water dis-
charging from the alluvial gravels downstream from the canyon mouth. This ground-water dis-
charge was verified by field observations in April1988, when supercooling caused the formation
of anchor ice over most of the lower river, except for numerous small areas (2 to 4ft in diameter)
where clear water could be seen flowing from the river bed gravels. Ground-water discharge has
also been documented at Bear Island Slough and Tree Bar Reach (Woodward-Clyde, 1983, p. 23).
Severe icing at the canyon mouth site during the February 8 visit prevented field personnel from
making a discharge measurement to confirm the source of the additional water in the lower river.
Specific conductance values were higher in the lower river with the highest (94 JIS/ em) found on
the Middle Fork (table 2). Stream-water temperature was the same at all measurement sites.
Another round of low-flow measurements scheduled for March 1992 was canceled because
of unsteady-state river conditions caused by snow melting in the lower part of the study reach.
14
Table 2. Low-flow discharge , water temperature, specific conductance , and channel conditions
for the lower Bradley River
[ft3 Is, cubic foot per second; oc, degree Celsius;~/ em, microsiemens per centimeter;-, no data; see figure 4 fo r site locations)
Channel conditions
C, clear channel; no ice
M, moderate ice formation; 5 to 10 ft shore ice on each bank; moderate backwater condition
S, severe channel icing; not possible to make accurate discharge measurement; severe backwater condition
October 28, 1991 December 18,1991 February 8, 1992
USGS
station Station name Dis-Water Specific. Channel Dis-Water Specific Channel Dis-Water Specific Channel
number charge temper-conduct-condi-charge temper-conduct-condi-charge temper-conduct-condi-
cftl/s) ature a nee tion (Jill s) ature ance tion cftl/s) ature ance tion (00 ().l.S/an) c:oo Q.IS/an) c:oo (JJS/an)
15239001 Bradley River 51.9 5.5 54 c 39.1 1.0 56 c 32.5 0.5 46 c
below dam
.... Middle Fork 01
Bradley River
below North
Fork Bradley (1) (1) (1) (1) 18.0 0.0 55 c 8.72 0.5 94 M
River
Total discharge2 57.1 41.2
Bradley River
above slough 81.3 3.5 69 c 59.5 o.o 65 M s
at canyon
mouth
15239070 Bradley River 80.1 3.5 68 c 59.5 0.0 69 M 52.4 0.5 67 M
near tidewater
1Unable to access with helicopte r because of high w inds
2Combined discharges from Middle Fork Bradley River below North Fork Br adley River and Bradley River below dam
SUMMARY
Streamflow variation in lower Bradley River has decreased since regulation began at the dam
in 1991. Regulated stream-water discharges are lower in summer and higher in winter than were
natural flows prior to darn construction. Streamflow data on lower Bradley River prior to the dam
construction indicated that it was a losing reach at medium and medium-high discharges (400 to
1,700 ft3 /s), but not at low discharges {less than 400 ft3 /s) or at high discharges (more than
1,700 f~ /s). Streamflow losses usually occurred during periods of relatively stable discharge.
Since the dam's completion, discharges have not been within the range that previously showed
losses in this reach.
The upper part of the study reach, at the Bradley River below dam gaging station, usually
remains ice free through most of the winter, whereas the l ower reach, in the vicinity of the Bradley
River near tidewater gaging station, is affected by ice most of the winter. Accurate, real-time
streamflow data can be obtained only where the river remains ice free. Discharges can be esti-
mated at Bradley River near tidewater on the basis of discharge data from the Bradley River below
dam gaging station, and estimated discharges for Middle Fork Bradl ey River below North Fork
Bradl ey River.
Low-flow study results indicated no losses of water in the lower Bradley River during the
winter of 1991-92. Stream-water discharges in the upper study reach were the same as those in the
lower study reach through December. Data from February showed significant additional inflow
(27 percent) into Bradley River at the lower part of the study reach. Ground-wat er inflow is the
likely source of this additional stream water.
REFERENCES CITED
Alaska Power Authority, 1984, Bradley Lake hydroelectric project, Bradley River, Kenai Peninsu-
la Alaska-Application for license for major unconstructed project before the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission: Anchorage, Alaska, Alaska Power Authority, 10 volumes.
Buchanan, T.J., and Sommers, W.P., 1969, Discharge measurements at gaging stations: U.S. Geo-
logical Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 3, chap. A8, 65 p.
Hem, J.D., 1985, Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water (3d ed.):
U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2254,263 p.
Miller, R.L., Bradford, W.L., and Peters, N.E., 1988, Specific conductance-Theoretical consider-
ations and applications to analytical quality control: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply
Paper 2311, 16 p.
Riggs, H.C., 1972, Low-flow investigations: U.S. Geologica l Survey Techniques of Water-
Resources Investigations, book 4, chap. B1, 18 p.
Rundquist, L.A., Baldrige, J.E., and joyce, M.R, 1985, Lower Bradley River flow regime and its re-
Lation to fish, in "Resolving Alaska's water resources conflicts," Proceedings, Alaska Sec-
tion, American Water Resources Association: Fairbanks, University of Alaska, Institute of
Water Resources Report IWR-108, p. 77-88.
16
Stevens, H.H., Jr., Ficke, J.F., and Smoot, G.F., 1975, Water temperature-Influential factors, field
measurements, and data presentation: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-
Resources Investigations, book 1, chap. 01,65 p.
U.S. Geological Survey, 1958-62, Quantity and quality of surface waters of Alaska, 1953-60, Annu-
al reports as follows: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Papers 1486, 1500, 1570, 1640,
and 1720.
__ 1971 and 1976, Surface water supply of the United States, 1961-70, Parts 15, Alaska: U.S.
Geological Survey Water-Supply Papers 1936 and 2136.
__ 1972-92, Water resources data for Alaska, water years 1971-91: U.S. Geological Survey
Water-Data Reports AK -71-1 to AK-91-1 (published annually).
Woodward-Clyde Consultants, 1983, Bradley River instream flow studies: 75 p. [available from
Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation, Anchorage, Alaska].
17