HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA210ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
TASK 3 -HYDROLOGY
FJELD DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING
VOLUME 1
FEBRUARY 1982
Prepared for:
ACRES AMERICAN INCORPORATED
1000 Uberty Bank Building
Main at Court
Buffalo, New York 14202
Telephone: (716) 853-7525
Prepared by:
R&M CONSULTANTS, INC.
5024 Cordova
Anchorage 1 Alaska 99502
Telephone: ( 907} 279-0483
ARLIS
Alaska Resources
Library & Information Services
Anchorage. Alaska
ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
TASK 3 -HYDROLOGY
FIELD DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
VOLUME ONE
1 -INTRODUCTION
2 -SUMMARY
3 -STREAMFLOW (CONTINUOUS)
4 -STREAMFLOW (PARTIAL)
5 ... WATER QUALITY
6 -SEDIMENT DISCHARGE
7 -CLIMATE
8 -FREEZING RAJN AND ICING
9 -SNOW SURVEYS
10 -GLACIAL OBSERVATIONS
11 -SNOW CREEP
12 -RIVER ICE OBSERVATIONS
13 -EVAPORATION
14 -REFERENCES
ATTACHMENTS
A -LOCATIONS OF DATA COLLECTION SITES
B -DATA COLLECTION EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES
B.1 -
B.2 -
B.3 -
8.4 -
B.S -
B .6 -
B. 7 -
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Streamflow {Continuous)
Streamflow (Partial)
B .2.1 -Crest Stage Recorders
B.2.2 -Staff Gages
Water Quality
Sediment Discharge
Climate
Freezing Rain and Icing
Snow Surveys
- i -
PAGE
iii
vi
l-1
2-1
3-1
4-1
5-1
6-1
7-1
8-1
9-1
10-1
11-1
12-1
13-1
14-1
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
B-5
B-5
B-8
B-9
8.8 -
8.9 -
8.10 -
8.11 -
Glacial Observations
Snow Creep
River Ice Observations
Evaporation
C -FIELD OBSERVATION LOG
VOLUME TWO
D -PERTINENT CORRESPONDENCE
VOLUME THREE
E-FIELD DATA SUMMARIES
E.1 -Streamflow (Continuous)
E.2 -Streamflow (Partial)
E. 3 -Water QuaUty
PAGE
8-10
8-11
B-12
B-13
E.3, Part 1 -Water Quality Data Summaries 1:.
E.3, Part 2 -Water Quality Monitor Data Summaries E-"
E.4 -Sediment Discharge E-40
E.S -Climate Data Summaries
E.G -
E.7-
E.B -
E.9 -
E. 10 -
E.11 -
E.5 1 Part 1 -Susitna Glacier Climate Data
E. 5, Part 2 -Denali Climate Data
E.5, Part 3 -Tyone River Climate Data
E.S, Part 4 -Kosina Creek Climate Data
E. 5, Part 5 -Watana Climate Data
E. 5, Part 6 -Devil Canyon Climate Data
Watana Ice Detector Observations (Counts)
Snow Survey Observations by Site
Glacial Observations
Snow Creep Observations
River Ice Observations
Evaporation Data
F -HISTORICAL DATA COLLECTED BY OTHER AGENCIES
F. 1 -Streamflow
F. 2 -Water Quality
F. 3 -Sediment Discharge
F. 4 -Climate
F.S -Snow Surveys
F. 6 -Ice Thicknesses
F. 7 -Evaporation
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-ii -
E-45
E-76
E-107
E-136
E-165
E-202
E-233
E-239
E-262
E-264
E-266
E-268
F-4
F-19
F-35
F-43
F-80
F-84
F-88
B. 2.1
B.3.1
B .5.1
B.5.2
B. 9.1
B.9.2
E. 1. 1
E.3. 1
E.3.2
E.3.3
E.4.1
E.4.2
E.4.3
E. 6.1
E. 7.1
E.7.2
E.7.3
E.9.1
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LIST OF TABLES
Factors for Relating Recorded Streamflows to
other sites, Based on Drainage Area
Water Quality Sampling Summary
Climate Station Operating Histories
Percentage of Usable Climate Data
Description of Devil Canyon Snow Creep
Installation
Description of Watana Snow Creep Installation
Watana Streamflow Data
Water Quality Data Summary, Susitna River at
Vee Canyon
Water Quality Data Summary, Susitna River at
Gold Creek
Monthly Summaries fo.r Watana Water Quality
Monitor, October 1980 through October 1981
Sediment Discharge, Susitna River at Gold
Creek
Sediment Discharge, Susitna River at Vee
Canyon
1981 Bedload Transport Data
Ice Detector -Watana Camp Site
Snow Survey Markers Installed by R&M
Consultants
Summary of Snow Survey Data Collected by
R&M
Snow Survey Data by Site
Snow Creep Observations
-iii -
PAGE
B-14
B-15
B-16
B-23
B-33
B-34
E-2
E-21
E-24
E-28
E-41
E-42
E-43
E-234
E-240
E-241
E-242
E-265
E. 11 .1 Evaporation Data Collected at Watana Camp,
1981
F .1.1 Water Discharge Record -Susitna River near
Denali
F .1. 2 Water Discharge Record -Susitna River near
Cantwell
F. 1. 3 Water Discharge Record -Maclaren River near
Paxson
F. 1. 4 Water Discharge Record -Susitna River at
Gold Creek
F .1. 5 Water Discharge Record -Chulitna River near
Talkeetna
F.1.6 Water Discharge Record ... Talkeetna River
near Talkeetna
F .1. 7 Water Discharge Record .. Willow Creek near
Willow
F .1.8 Water Discharge Record -Deception Creek
near Willow
F. 1. 9 Water Discharge Record -Desh ka River near
Willow
F.1.10 Water Discharge Record -Skwentna River near
Skwentna
F .1 .11 Water Discharge Record -Susitna River at
Susitna Station
F .2.1 Water Quality Data Summary -Susitna River
near Denali
F .2. 2 Water Quality Data Summary -Susitna River
near Cantwell
F. 2. 3 Water Quality Data Summary -Susitna River at .
Gold Creek
F.2.4 Water Quality Data Summary -Susitna River at
Sunshine
-iv -
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PAGE
E-269
F-5
F-7
F-8
F-10
F-12
F-13
F-14
F-15
F-16
F-17
F-18
F-20
F-23
F-26
F-29
F.2.5
F .3.1
F. 4.1
F.4.2
F.4.3
F.4.4
F.4.5
F.4.6
F.4.7
F.4.8
F.4.9
F. 5.1
F. 6.1
F. 7.1
E.7.2
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Water Quality Data Summary -Susitna River at
Susitna Station
Suspended Sediment Discharge Equations
Susitna River Basin
Notable Climatic Stations in Proximity to the
Susitna ·Basin
Climatological Data Summaries for Susitna Basin
McKinley Park Historical Climate Data
Summit Historical Climate Data
The Gracious House Historical Climate Data
Gulkana Historical Climate Data
Talkeetna Historical Climate Data
Matanuska Agricultural Experiment Station
Historical Climate Data
Anchorage Historical C I imate Data
Historical Average of April 1 Snow Depths
Ice Thickness Observations Across Alaskan
Rivers
Historical Evaporation at McKinley Park
Historical Evaporation at Matanuska Average
Experiment Station
- v -
PAGE
F-32
F-36
F-44
F-45
F-46
F-52
F-56
F-62
F-66
F-70
F-76
F-81
F-85
F-89
F-90
A.1
A.2
A.3
A.4
A.S
A.6
B .2. 1
B. 7.1
B. 8.1
B. 9.1
E. 1 • 1
E.2.1
E.2.2
E.2.3
E.2.4
E.2.5
E.2.6
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LIST OF FIGURES
Current Data Collection Sites, Streamflow
Current Data Collection Sites, Water
Temperature, Sediment, and Water Quality
Current Data Collection Sites, Meteorologic
Current Data Collection Sites, Snow Markers,
Courses, Creep, and In-Cloud Icing and
Freezing Rain
Historical Data Collection Station Sites,
Streamflow, Water Temperature, Sediment,
Meteorologic
Historical Data Collection Station Sites, Water
Quality
Crest Stage Recorder
Snow Survey Marker Detail
Snow Stake and Velocity Marker Locations
Snow Creep Station Detai I
Stage-Discharge Rating Curve, Susitna River
near Watana Damsite
Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River
near Deadman Creek
Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Watana Damsite
Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Watana Staff Gage
Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River
near Devil Creek
Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Devil Canyon Upper
Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Devil Canyon Staff Gage
-vi -
A-1
A-3
A-4
A-5
A-6
B-29
B-30
B-31
B-32
E-6
E-8
E-9
E-10
E-11
E-12
E-13
E.2. 7 Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Portage Creek E-14
E.2.8 Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Sherman E-15
E. 2. 9 Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Section 25 E-16
E.2.10 Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Curry E-17
E.2.11 Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Chase E-18
E.2.12 Stage-Discharge Rating Curve Susitna River at
Chulitna Confluence E-19
F. 3.1 Suspended Sediment Rating Curves Susitna
River near Denali and Maclaren River near
Paxson F-37
F. 3.2 Suspended Sediment Rating Curves Susitna
River near Cantwell F-38
F.3.3 Suspended Sediment Rating Curves Susitna
River at Gold Creek F-39
F.3.4 Suspended Sediment Rating Curves Chulitna
and Talkeetna Rivers F-40
F.3.5 Suspended Sediment Rating Curves Susitna
River at Susitna Station F-41
F.3.6 Annual Suspended Sediment Duration Curves F-42
-vii -
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1 -INTRODUCTION
The objective of the Hydrologic Field Data CoUection and
Processing was to supplement available streamflow and climatologic
data within the Susitna River Basin. Specifically, the existing
data base was augmented to meet the requirements of the FERC
license application and to fill other data gaps that were present in
the flow forecasting network for future project operation.
Collection and processing of the field data was performed by R&M
Consultants and reviewed by Acres American. Portions of the
field effort were done cooperatively with other data collection
agencies, such as the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Soil
Conservation Service, and the Alaska Geophysical Institute, as is
detailed in the following sections.
This Closeout Report presents an overview of the data-collection
program and a general description of the field work undertaken
relative to each of the hydrologic parameters. Each section of the
main report briefly discusses what was done and why with
reference to each parameter. The five appendices detail the
locations of the data collection sites {Attachment A), the equipment
and techniques used (Attachment B), the dates of field
observations (Attachment C), pertinent letters and comments
received (Attachment 0), and they also give summaries of the data
collecte_d (Attachment E). Attachment F presents summaries of
historical data collected through the present by other agencies.
The numbering system used herein deserves some explanation.
The main sections of the report are identified by Arabic numerals,
1 through 14. The attachments are named by letters, as described
above. Ordering of figures and tables in Attachments A, C, and
D is fairly straightforward, but figures, tables and subsections in
Attachments 8 and E follow a specific system. The first letter of
each (B or E) identifies the attachment, which is followed by a
number to denote the applicable parameter. (The table of contents
lists parameters and sections}.
The finaJ number is merely a sequence number. Thus,
Table B .5.2 would be the second table for Section 5 (Climate) of
Attachment B. Finalty, Attachment F presenting historical data
collected by other agencies proceeds sequentially, with no
numbering relationship to Attachments B or E, as detailed in the
contents.
susi13/m 1 - 1
2 -SUMMARY
The hydrologic field data collection and processing program
consisted of observation, sampling, and measurement of eleven
basic parameters: streamflow (continuous), streamflow (partial or
miscellaneous), water quality, sediment discharge, climate,
atmospheric icing, snow depth and density, glacial characteristics,
snow creep, river ice processes, and evaporation. The purpose of
the present effort was to add to the previous data that had been
collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National
Weather Service, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS), the
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
and various other state and federal agencies.
The extent of the data collection program under the present study
is summarized below for each major hydrologic parameter.
Streamflow (Continuous). A continuously-recording manometer
streamgage was installed in the Susitna River about two miles
downstream from the proposed Watana Damsite. The installation
was made after spring breakup in 1980, and the recorder was made
operational in early July. Stage records were obtained through
freeze-up in 1980 and again in 1981 for the open-water period.
Eight di.scharge measurements were made at the site to permit
construction of a stage-discharge rating curve.
Streamflow (Partial). Crest-stage recorders were established at
seven sites in the Devil Canyon-Talkeetna reach, three in the
Deadman Creek-Devil Creek reach, and one in between these two
reaches. Water surface elevation data were needed to calibrate the
H EC-2 hydraulic model for the two reaches, so sequential
observations were made at various flow levels to determine
stage-discharge relationships. Data were also collected at three
staff gages along the river, one on the extreme upper river at the
Denali Highway bridge and one downstream of each of the proposed
damsites.
Water Quality. A water quality sampling and analysis program was
initiated at two sites: the USGS gaging stations 11 ~usitna River
near CantweiJI' and 11 Susitna River at Gold Creek 11 • Some
parameters were measured directly in the field, while most
concentrations were determined on samples brought back to
Anchorage for laboratory analysis. The sampling period extended
from the summer of 1980 to the winter of 1981-82. Most sampling
times were selected to coincide with certain hydrologic events (i.e.
low flow, freeze-up, break-up, rising/falling limbs and peak of a
flood hydrograph, and ice cover), in order to try to estimate
these condjtions 1 effects on the water chemistry.
susi11/e 2 - 1
In addition, a continuous monitor was installed in the fall of 1980
one mile downstream from the proposed Watana Damsite. Water
quality parameters recorded were water temperature, pH, dissolved
oxygen concentration, oxidation-reduction potential, conductivity,
and temperature-corrected conductivity. The plan had been to
observe changes in the parameters with time and with discharge
level. Several operational problems were encountered with the
equipment, primarily related to operation through the winter and
break-up periods.
Sediment Discharge. Suspended sediment samples were collected at
the same sites and times as were water quality samples. A depth-
integrating sampler was used at several points across the cross-
section at each of the two locations. In addition, a bedload-
sampling .program was begun in 1981 in cooperation with the USGS.
Sampling was done at one site each on the Chulitna and Talkeetna
Rivers and above and below the Chulitna-Susitna-Talkeetna
connuence on the Susitna River. Each of the four sites was
visited three times, at various flow levels, to estimate the ranges
in bedload.
Climate. Recording climatic stations were installed in the spring
and summer of 1980 at six sites throughout the Upper Susitna
Basin. One was located in the midst of the upper glaciers, one
somewhat downstream in the Denali Highway area, one in the
southeast corner of the basin, one further west in the Kosina
Creek drainage, and one near each of the proposed damsites.
Data parameters recorded on magnetic tape at 15-minute intervals
were air temperature, average wind speed, resultant wind
direction, relative humidity, cumulative precipitation 1 solar
radiation intensity, and peak wind gust speed.
Atmospheric Icing. Freezing rain and in-cloud icing data were
sought for two locations near the proposed transmission line
corridor to estimate the severity of icing conditions to be expected
on the proposed line. Heavy-duty transmission cables and
horizontal steel plates were installed near the proposed Watana
Damsite and near Denali to permit measurement of accumulated ice
on them. A recording icing detector was also installed near
Watana to measure ice build-up in general.
~ Depth !!!£ Density. Snow surveys were undertaken in the
basin cooperatively with the SCS 1 who has been managing the
program statewide for years. Existing aerial markers were
observed jointly, new markers and snow courses were established
and observed by R&M, and the data for all were assimilated and
reported by SCS. The new markers were all primarily on and
around the major basin glaciers -West Fork, East Fork, and
Susitna Glaciers.
susi11/e 2 - 2
Glacial Characteristics. The contributions of the major g1aciers in
the basin was sought to be determined to evaluate their effect on
the flow regime of the river. Mass balance 1 g1acial velocity and
dynamics, and sediment contribution were the chief parameters
investigated. As noted previously, climate and snow data were
also collected in close proximity to the glaciers.
Snow Creep. The importance of snow creep forces on transmission
line towers in the region was investigated by installing two
simulated transmission towers on movable plates on steep slopes.
The maximum force of the snow on the towers was recorded by a
maximum-reading indicator. Generally light snow conditions in the
basin and late winter installation in the 1980-81 winter cause doubt
as to the representativeness of the data obtained from that period.
River Ice Observations. Experience with hydroelectric projects
elsewhere has emphasized the importance of careful study of ice
conditions and processes for engineering works in arctic and
subarctic climates. Field observations were made during freeze-up
in the fall of 1980, during the continuous ice-covered period in the
winter, and during break-up in the spring of 1981. Aerial
photographs were taken to document ice accumulation locations and
dates, progress of ice cover growth was recorded, and water
levels and velocities were observed at selected sites at certain
times.
Evaporation. An evaporation pan was installed near the proposed
Watana · Damsite in April of 1981. Observations were made of daily
pan evaporation so that an estimate could be made of evaporation
to be expected from the two proposed project reservoirs.
All the known existing hydrologic data (collection periods,
locations, and specific parameters observed) are documented in the
R&M Field Data Index (1982). The index has been updated twice
annually -the most recent revision is dated January 1982.
Data collection sites are shown in Attachment A to this report.
Locations of both active and historical sites are shown. Station
names and other particulars may be found in the Field Data Index,
referenced above.
Attachment 8 describes the specific equipment and measurement
techniques used for field observations of each type of parameter.
Laboratory methods and office methods for data reduction 1 where
appropriate, are also given.
The record of site visits and periods of record for the continuous
recorders are presented in Attachment C, the Field Observation
Log.
susi11/e 2 - 3
Correspondence pertaining to instrument selection and data
collection site locations, received from the Alaska Power Authority,
Acres, other subcontractors, and other government agencies, are
reproduced in Attachment D.
Attachment E contains summaries of all the field data collected by
the current study effort, itemized by parameter type. Finally,
Attachment F is a compilation of hydrologic and climatogic data
collected by other agencies through the present date.
susi11/e 2 - 4
3 -STREAMFLOW (CONTINUOUS)
The U. 5. Geological Survey has established three stream gaging
stations on the Upper Susitna River (i.e. above Talkeetna).
These are at Denali, Vee Canyon {I'Susitna River near Cantwelf 11 )
and Gold Creek. The latter two sites are separated by
approxjmatefy 80 river miles, and it is between these two sites that
the Devil Canyon and Watana projects are proposed. A new
continuous streamgage was set up just downstream of the proposed
Watana damsite. This site was chosen to provide a more precise
estimate of discharge at the actual damsite. The station is also
well-located to continue gaging of streamflow if the project is built
(i.e. record discharge from the Watana Reservoir). The gaging
methods used are described in Attachment B. 1, and the streamflow
data are contained in Attachment E. 1.
susi11/L 3 - 1
4 • STREAMFLOW (PARTIAL)
Partial streamflow records consist of infrequent water surface
elevation observations made at various locations. In the current
program, data were obtained at two types of installation:
crest-stage recorder (also called crest gage) sites and staff gages.
The crest gages were devices designed to record the highest water
level at a site since the gage was last reset. Staff gages
consisted of calibrated marks where the water level at the time of
reading could be observed. The crest gage installations and
specific staff gages are described in Attachment 8.2, and data are
summarized in Attachment E.2.
Crest•stage recorder sites were selected primarily to provide water
surface elevation data through two river reaches for use in
calibration of the HEC-2 Water Surface Profiles computer program.
One reach was from Devil Canyon to the Susitna-Chulitna
confluence, and the other was from Devil Creek to Deadman Creek
(around the Watana Damsite). The recorder called Devil Canyon
Upper, located about two mi1es upstream of the proposed Devil
Canyon Damsite and between these two reaches, was installed to
provide site-specific information near the damsite for construction
and cofferdam planning.
Staff gages were installed at three locations to provide information
on stage-discharge relationships in the tailrace areas of the two
proposed dams and to provide estimates of streamflow near the
upstream end of the basin during the summer.
susi11/n 4 - 1
5 -WATER QUALITY
A water quality program was initiated by R&M Consultants in 1980
to define . baseline parameters on the Susitna River. This basic
information was to aid the reservoir, fisheries, and instream-flow
studies for Phase I of the Susitna Hydroelectric Project.
The data collection program was established in conjunction with an
environmental consultant, L.A. Peterson and Associates. The
program consisted of a continuous water quality recorder situated
about one mile below the proposed Watana Damsite and a sampling
schedule at Gold Creek and Vee Canyon, designed to supplement
the U.S. Geological Survey data acquisition program. This
sampling schedule is based on specific streamflow events in order
to determine the range of variations in water quality parameters.
The sampling sites were selected to represent water quafity
conditions flowing into (Vee Canyon) and out of (Gold Creek) the
proposed reservoir system. The baseline data would be extended
at each site since the U. 5. G. S. had sampled historically.
Those parameters reqUirmg instantaneous measurement were
determined on site in the field. At the same time, samples were
collected, preserved and shipped on ice to Anchorage for
laboratory analysis.
A complete description of specific sampling events and procedures
is included in Attachment 8. 3. Summarized data tables are
presented in Attachment E.3.
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6 -SEDIMENT DISCHARGE
A study was implemented to gain information on the sediment
regime of the Susitna River in order to assess the impact of flow
regulation and sediment trapping by the Susitna Hydroelectric
Project. The sites sampled were near inflow and outflow points of
the proposed project.
Suspended sediment samples were collected during each water
quality sampling event. The sampling schedule was designed to
include a wide range of discharges so that a discharge/sediment
transport relationship could be established.
Depth-integrated samples were collected at Vee Canyon and Gold
Creek. Suspended sediment analyses were conducted by a
certified laboratory in Anchorage. For each sample the laboratory
reported suspended sediment concentratfon in mg/1 1 and for three
preselected samples, a particle distribution was analyzed and
reported as a percentage by size.
Bedload samples were collected in 1981 to further define the coarse
sediment transport. In cooperation with the U.S. Geological
Survey, samples were obtained at the gaging stations at .sunshine
and Gold Creek on the Susitna River. Additional samples were
cotlected in the Talkeetna River and the Chulitna River. The
U.S. G. 5. was responsible for all sample analysis and reporting of
data.
Detailed data collection procedures are outlined in Attachment B. 4.
Attachment E.4 contains data tables for suspended sediment and
bedload discharges.
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7 -CLIMATE
The Upper Susitna River basin contains over 6000 square miles of
diverse climatic regions: high glaciated mountains; the flat-lying,
poorly-drained terrain characteristic of the Tyone River Valley;
and the high plateau area that makes up much of the basin. In
this entire upper basin there existed no operating climatic
stations. Outside of the upper basin a few climate stations exist
from which a general climatic history of the basin can be
approximated but none are truly representative of the basin.
In order to provide accurate meteorological data for hydrologic
work, wildlife studies, and engineering design, six weather
stations were installed in the Upper Susitna Basin during the
spring and summer of 1980. Their locations, descriptions, and
histories are given in Attachment 8. 5, and the recorded data from
the stations are summarized in Attachment E.S.
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8 .. FREEZING RAIN AND ICING
Instrumentation for measuring freezing rain and in-cloud icing
conditions was installed at two sites, Watana Camp and Denali. A
set of cables was used to model icing on transmission lines, and
horizontal steel plates were used to simulate conditions that could
be expected for freezing rain accumulation on transmission line
towers. An electronic ice detector was later added at Watana Camp
to give a more accurate and continuous reading of icing condition
occurrence.
The Watana Camp and Denali locations were chosen due to their
proximity to proposed power transmission routes and also due to
the convenient setting near climate stations. It was also intended
that placing the instrumentation close to Watana Camp would permit
more frequent observation by camp personner.
The installations
Attachment B. 6,
Attachment E. 6.
susi10/q
used for the measurements are described in
and the observations are summarized in
8 - 1
9 -SNOW SURVEYS
Much of the water in the Susitna basin originates as snowfall.
This snowfall is especially concentrated in the high mountains at
the headwaters of the basin. Since the runoff from precipitation
as snow does not normally occur until spring melt, knowledge of
snow pack alfows estimates of spring floods in advance of their
occurrence.
The Soil Conservation Service administers the snow courses and
snow surveys that are in the Susitna River Basin. Prior to the
present study, there was a scarcity of data on many parts of the
basin, including especially the high mountain areas, where large
amounts of snowfall were expected. R&M Consultants, cooperating
with the S.C.S., established 21 sites at various locations
(described in Attachment E. 7) and surveyed these each month
between January and May to determine snow depth and water
content. The sites were selected with field input from the S.C.S.
Snow Survey Supervisor who offered advice on locations that would
best fill gaps in the basin data, as well as site-specific
suggestions to try to avoid installations in unrepresentative
locations.
The field data collection techniques are described in
Attachment B. 7, and the data are summarized in Attachment E. 7.
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10 -GLACIAL OBSERVATIONS
The purpose of this study was to conduct a reconnaissance level
investigation of the primary glaciers in the Upper Susitna Basin.
Assessments were made to determine whether significant changes in
water and sediment yield could occur, to determine if potential
floods from glacier-dammed lakes were possible and to develop a
long-term glacial observati.on and study program oriented toward
hydropower development.
The Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska provided
consulting services for this study. The Geophysical Institute was
responsible for all data reduction, analyses and reporting with
respect to velocity surveys, sediment contribution analysis, mass
balance studies, volume analysis and glacier temperature
determinations. R&M Consultants provided logistic support, field
support, suspended sediment data, and low-altitude snow survey
data and conducted all velocity surveys and gradient
determinations.
Procedures involved in these studies are described in
Attachment 8.8.
s11/y 10 - 1
11 -SNOW CREEP
Instrumentation for measuring the effect of snow creep pressure on
transmission line towers was installed by R&M Consultants during
the winter of 1980-81. Two locations were chosen along the
proposed transmission line route, a south-facing slope near
Tsusena Butte above Watana Camp and a north-facing slope near
Devil Canyon. The two sites were selected based on proximity to
the proposed route, accessibility from the damsite areas for ease of
measurement, location in expected heavy-snow areas, and location
on creep-prone slopes.
The field installations are described in Attachment B. 9, and the
observations are summarized in Attachment E. 9.
s11/r 11 - 1
12 -RIVER ICE OBSERVATIONS
Observations were made at different times and locations of the
various ice processes acting in the Susitna River. Freeze-up, the
winter ice cover, and break-up were all documented in detail.
Areas of primary interest were the vicinity of the two proposed
damsites and the reach between Devil Canyon and Talkeetna, with
less concern below the Talkeetna confluence and in the extreme
upper basin.
The importance of ice observations (and analysis under subtask
3.06) was to assist with an assessment of post-project and
during-construction effects on the ice regime and also effects of
the ice on the project construction and operation. Thus, the
damsite areas were studied carefully, as were developed areas
downstream (i.e. Talkeetna, the Alaska Railroad, other small
communities).
Attachments 8.10 and E.10 give descriptions of the observation
program itself and the general results of the observations,
respectively.
s11/s 12 - 1
13 -EVAPORATION
The evaporative losses from the proposed Watana and Devil Canyon
reservoirs are influenced by several factors, primarily solar
radiation, air temperature, relative humidity and wind. These
same factors determine rate of evapotranspiration from land and
evaporation from a pan. Thus, measurement of pan evaporation
provides an index of the total effect of meteorological conditions on
lake evaporation.
There are few evaporation pans in Alaska. The two closest to the
Susitna watershed are at McKinley Park, with 14 years of data,
and at Matanuska Agricultural Experiment Station, with 30 years of
data. McKinley has an interior climate greatly influenced by the
Alaska Range. The climate at the Matanuska station, located
40 miles northeast of Anchorage in Palmer, is influenced by the
proximity of the Cook Inlet.
In order to obtain an estimate of actual evaporation in the Susitna
watershed, an evaporation pan was installed near the proposed
Watana damsite in May 1981. The data collection techniques are
described in Attachment B.11, and the data are summarized in.
Attachment E.11.
s11/t 13 - 1
14 -REFERENCES
Harrison, William D. and R&M Consultants, Inc. Susitna Basin
Glacier Studies
Feasibility Report.
Buffalo, New York.
Alaska. December.
1981. Part of Susitna Hydroelectric
Prepared for Acres American, Inc.,
Fairbanks, Alaska, and Anchorage,
Meyer, Robert. (1978). Snow creep investigations in Southeast
Alaska. In Applied Techniques for f.2!£ Environments, Cold
for Regions Speciality Conference, Anchorage, Alaska,
May 1978. Published by American Society of Civil Engineers,
New York, New York.
R&M Consultants, I ric. (1981a). "Evaporation in the Susitna
Hydroelectric Project. Part of Susitna Hydroelectric
Feasibility Report. Prepared for Acres American, Inc.,
Buffalo, New York. Anchorage, Alaska. December.
(1981b). Hydrographic surveys. Part of Susitna
Hydroelectric Feasibility Report. Prepared for Acres
American, Inc., Buffalo, New York. Anchorage, Alaska.
October.
(1981c). Ice observations. Part of Susitna Hydroelectric
Feasibility Report. Prepared · for Acres American, Inc.,
Buffalo, New York. Anchorage, Alaska. August.
(1981d). Preliminary channel geometry, velocity and water
level data for the Susitna River at Devil Canyon. Prepared
for Acres American, Inc., Buffalo, New York. Anchorage,
Alaska, April 22, 1981.
(1981e). Summaries of published USGS and NWS data from
Susitna Basin stations through 1981. Part of Susitna
Hydroelectric Feasibility Report. Prepared for Acres
American, Inc., Buffalo, New York. Anchorage, Alaska.
December.
(1981f). Water quality annual report. Part of Susitna
Hydroelectric Feasibility Report. Prepared for Acres
American, Inc., Buffalo, New York. Anchorage, Alaska.
December.
(1981g). Water quality procedures manual (revised) Part
of Susitna Hydroelectric Feasibility Report. Prepared for
Acres American, Inc., Buffalo, New York. Anchorage,
Alaska. December.
(1982).
American,·
February.
susi11/u
Hydrology field data index.
Inc., Buffalo, New York.
14 - 1
Prepared for Acres
Anchorage, Alaska.
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
(1981). Water Supply Outlook. February .. June and also
same period in 1980. Anchorage, Alaska.
susi11/u 14 - 2
ATTACHMENT A
LOCATIONS OF DATA COLLECTION SITES
s11/d1
R&M CONSULTANTS, INC.
STATIONS
• Streamflaw-Continuoua (USGS)
0 Streamflow-Partial (USGS)
. [J Streamflow-Continuous (R&M)
fB Streamflow-Partial (R&M)
·C.:URRENT D_AT A ·_90LLECTION
~nATION ~ITES
A,-1
N
-fiGURE
R&M CONSULTANTS, INC.
STATIONS
+Kater ·lemperature-Cont. (USGS)"
Q Sediment {USGS) N
E9 Water Quality and Sediment (USGS)
~Water Quality and Sediment (R&M)
CURRENT. DAT /(COLLECTION.
STATION. SITES
A-2 FIGURE AJiJ
R&M CONSULTANTS, INC.
STATIONS
0 G:omplete Meteorologic (NOAA)
~ Partiaf Meteorologic (NOAA)
<J c;umate (R&M)
SCALE. 1:1.000.000
1u ·: "16 MILES
~ ...... r•JC*Al
10 5 0
C~RRENT DATA C.OLLECTION.
STATfoN: .S.lTES
A..:.3
i
10
N
FIGURE
R&M CONSULTANTS, INC.
• .....
1\
........
STATIONS:
Snow :~~ikera
Snow' Courses
fl"now ~reap.
ln-Ciouc:i IQing ~nc:i
Ft:eezing Rain
CURRENT D"ATA 99LLECTION
$TATION SITES
A-4 FI~URE
R&M CONSULTANTS, INC.
0
T g
-0-
Streamflow-PartIal '·\USGS)
Water Ternpera.ture (USGS)
Sediment (USGS)
Complete Meteorologic (NOAA)
Partial Meteorologic (NOAA)
HISTORICAL DATA COLLEC:TION ~TATION ~ITES.
t~o· LONGER c:URRENT)
N
,A-5 ,FIGURE
R&M CONSULTANTS, INC.
·STATIONS
Water, Quality (USGS/
SCALE' 1:1.00".000
1u: 18 MILES
~r .. • .3tr*JL*5~
10 5 0 l
10
N
HISTORJCA~ DATA COLLECTION STATION SITES
1 8 ~0 1
("0 LONGER 9URRENT)
A-6 ·FIGURE A·.a·_
s11/d2
ATTACHMENT 8
DATA COLLECTION_ EQUIPMENT
AND TECHNIQUES
B.1 -Streamflow {Continous)
Susitna River near Watana Damsite.
Location -On right bank 0.3
4.3 miles downstream from
downstream of the proposed
Mountains (D-4) quad. map.
vegetation I ine of bank.
miles upstream from Tsusena Creek,
Deadman Creek, and 2.0 miles
Watana Dam centerline. Talkeetna
Gage house is in trees just above
Established -June 1980 by R&M Consultants.
Drainage~ -5,180 square miles, from topographic map.
Gage -Leupold & Stevens A-71 Water Stage Recorder coupled to
manometer gage. Housed in white 4 x 4 x S•foot wooden shelter.
Bubble tube is housed in 2-inch galvanized pipe.
Reference Marks .. TBM-1 is paint mark at downstream corner of
large rock at right bank of river 30 feet upstream from gagehouse.
Elevation 1444.72 feet M.S. L.
TBM 11 LOSTn is spike in upstream side of 14-inch spruce tree
50 feet upstream of gage house. Elevation 1445 .41 feet M.S. L. ·
Channef -Channel is straight above and below gage site. Banks
are gradually sloping on both sides of river. Bed material is
gravel and cobbles.
Discharge Measurements -All open-water measurements are made at
the gage site using a boat. A 1/411 cable tag line is strung across
the river at this point. It is painted yellow at 10-foot intervals
with white paint at the 100-foot points. River is 428 feet wide at
high water.
Winter Flow -Flow drops off quickly in October or November.
There i"'Sl:isually complete ice cover at the site during winter.
Winter measurements are made at this site.
Accuracy of Records -Believed good, based on uniformity of
cross-section and fairly consistent stage-discharge rating curve.
susi13/q B - 1
The Watana streamgage consists of a servo manometer assembly and
a strip-chart recorder. In this system nitrogen gas is bubbled
through a small tube and discharged through an orifice at a fixed
elevation in the river. The pressure in the tube is equal to the
head of the water above the orifice. This pressure is converted
to a stage of the water which is recorded on the water stage
recorder. The major advantage of this setup is that it allows the
instrumentation to be safely located away from the river. The
river stage was recorded in 1980 from July 11 to December 2,
when the orifice was removed from the ice. An attempt was made
to record 1981 breakup flows, but this resulted in the orifice
being carried away by ice. No data were obtained until after
breakup when a new orifice was replaced on May 21, 1981.
To convert stage data to discharge a rating curve was developed
using eight measurements made during 1980 and 1981. These
measurements ranged from 5820 to 39,725 c.f.s., producing a
well-defined rating curve between these limits.
Open-water discharge measurements were made using a standard
Price Type A current meter suspended from a boom fixed to the
boat and operated by a B-56 reel. For winter stream gaging, a
Marsh-McBirney current meter was used. The conventional
current meter tend to ice up but the Marsh-McBirney meter has no
moving parts, and thus eliminates this problem. Measurements
were made through the ice at the same location as open-water
measurements.
B. 2 -Streamflow (Partial)
B. 2.1 -Crest-Stage Recorders
Crest-stage recorders were established at ten sites on the
Susitna River, six on the lower river below Devil Canyon,
one in the reach between Devil Creek and Devil Canyon,
and the remaining three on the upper river above Devil
Creek. A crest stage recorder is normally used to
determine the highest stage of the year but in our case was
serviced periodically to determine maximum stages for
separate storms. In addition, the sites were visited
frequently at various flows and the water level surveyed to
define a rating curve for each site as an aid in the
calibration of the HEC-2 Water Surface Profiles Computer
program.
The Crest Stage Recorders consisted of a pipe set vertically
along the riverbank with an opening at the bottom to allow
the inflow of water. The pipe contains a marked wooden
staff and a quantity of powdered cork. When the water
susi13/q B -2
rises during a flood the pipe fills to the level of the flood
crest, the cork is floated to the top, and is left clinging to
the wooden staff at the high-water mark. This mark can
later be surveyed to determine the flood crest. Each
installation consisted of a series of 7-foot pipes staggered
up the bank to cover the full extent of expected flood
crests. A sketch of a typical crest gage is detailed in
Figure 8.2.1.
The stage-discharge rating curves, contained in
Attachment E.2, were constructed using stage data
determined from surveys along with discharge data from the
closest recording station (i.e. Gold Creek or Watana).
These discharge data were multiplied by a factor for each
station based on a drainage area comparison between the
crest-stage recorder site and the recording station site (see
Table 8.2.1}.
8.2.2 -Staff Gages
Staff gages were established for specific reasons at three
sites.
(1) Denali - A gage was installed at the Denali Highway
bridge over the Susitna River and its datum related to
the existing U.S.G.S. recording stream gage. An
observer from a local mining operation visited the
station each day at 0800 during the months of July and
August 1981. This information was used to anticipate
timing of a flood peak for the water quality
hydrograph sampling program. No data from this staff
gage are included in this report as they were used
solely for estimation purposes and are redundant with
the data from the U.S.G.S. gage at the site.
(2) Watana Damsite -A staff gage was painted on a rock
wall at the location of the continuous water quality
monitor. This location was selected 'to provide stage
information for the proposed Watana Dam tailrace.
(3) Devil Canyon - A staff gage was located at the
downstream end of the canyon, about 1 mile upstream
from Portage Creek. It consisted of a weighted rope
marked at one-foot intervals and hung over a short
cliff. Its purpose was to provide stage information on
the tailwater from the proposed Devil Canyon Dam.
susi13/q 8 - 3
B. 3 -Water Quality
Table B. 3.1 lists the dates and hydrologic events of each of the
water quality sampling times.
A complete discussion of equipment, calibration, sampling
techniques and laboratory analysis methods is included in the R&M
Consultants 1981 Water Quality Annual Report (R&M, 1981f).
susi13/q B - 4
B. 4 -Sediment Discharge
A complete description of techniques and equipment has been
presented in the R&M Consultants 1981 Water Quality Annual
Report ( R&M, 1981f).
B. 5 -Climate
Six Meteorological Research, Inc. (MRI), Series 5100 11 Weather
Wizard 11 units were installed in the Upper Susitna basin. These
instruments are continuous-recording and are located at the
following sites:
Site 1 -Susitna Glacier: This site is located near the
confluence of four major glaciers feeding the mainstem of
the Susitna River . It is a fairly high-elevation station,
located at the 4700-foot elevation.
Site 2 -Denali: This site Is considered to represent the
high plateau at the base of the Alaska Range. Data from
this site will extend an existing partial climate record.
Site 3 -Tyone River: The Tyone drainage area is relatively
. large and is characterized by gently rolling or flat terrain
with numerous lakes and poor drainage. Climatic data
within this basin are important for runoff studies.
Site 4 .. Kosina Creek: This station was selected to assist
Alaska Department of Fish and Game caribou studies and
satisfy hydrology data requirements. for the area south of
the Susitna River in the Talkeetna Mountain drainages.
Site 5 Watana Camp: Represents conditions at the
proposed Watana Damsite and impoundment, as well as being
at a convenient location for servicing.
Site 6 -~ Canyon: This site offers a good location for
satisfying transmission fine, environmental and hydrology
requirements for this region. Data have also been obtained
for use in access road and dam construction.
The instrument used for data collection was the MRI Model 5100, a
continuous-recording, digital weather station that monitors
temperature, windspeed and direction, wind gusts, precipitation,
relative humidity and solar radiation. A description of the
parameters recorded is 1ocated on Page 8-7. This system was
purchased because it was felt to offer cost-effective data collection
and reduction. A number of problems were encountered which
resulted in the loss of some data. A summary of the first year•s
experience is presented in Tables 8.5.2 and 8.5.3, describing
susi13/q 8 .. 5
each site's problems and precentage of data recorvery. Problems
of these sorts are fairly common at remote locations and with new
equipment. The actual data are summarized in Attachment E.S.
Climatic stations are located at the following sites. One station
(Watana Camp) has been recording data since April 8, 1980. The
other five stations were installed during July and August 1980.
Descriptions of the sites and their map locations are given below.
Site 1 Susitna Glacier: Station is located in the
headwaters of the Susitna River, adjacent to Susitna
Glacier. The site is on a hillside to the north of the main
glacier, at about the 4,700-foot elevation.
It is located on map Mt. Hayes (C-16).
Map location: NE1.a Sec. 14, R4E, T16S, Fairbanks
Meridian.
Site 2 -Denali: Station is located about a mile east of the
Susitna River on the left bank, near Susitna Lodge. The
site is on a bluff west of the air strip next to the lodge.
It is located on map Healy (A-1).
Map location: SW\ Sec. 13, R1 E, T21S, Fairbanks
Meridian.
Site 3 -Tyone River: Station is located about five miles
east~southeast of the Susitna River on the left bank in the
Tyone River drainage. The site is on a terrace between
the Tyone River and a bluff above it, about 1. 5 miles
(straight fine) downstream from the confluence of Tyone
Creek and Tyone River.
Jt is located on map Talkeetna Mountains (C-1).
Map location: SE"a Sec. 3, R10W, T10N, Copper River
Meridian.
Site 4 -Kosina Creek: Station is located about six miles
south of the Susitna River in the Kosina Creek drainage.
The site is on a bluff about \-mile upstream from the
confluence of Tsisi and Gilbert Creeks and between the two
creeks.
It is located on map Talkeetna Mountains (C-2).
Map location: NW'-a Sec. 16, R8E, T30N, Seward Meridian.
Site 5 -Watana Camp: Station is located about 100 yards NE
of the base camp in a fairly open, gradually sloping area.
No large trees are in the immediate vicinity. The site is
about a mile north of the Susitna River on the right bank,
about midway between Tsusena and Deadman Creeks.
Jt is located on map Talkeetna Mountains (D-4).
Map location: NW"aSec. 27, RSE, T32N, Seward Meridian.
susi13/q B - 6
Site 6 -Devils Canyon: Station is \-mile downstream of the
Devil Canyon damsite on a ridge on the south bank.
It is located on map Talkeetna Mountains (D-5).
Map location: SE\ Sec. 32, R1E, T32N, Seward Meridian.
Seven climate parameters are measured at each station. These
parameters are presently recorded at 15-minute intervals at all
stations, although the Susitna Glacier station initially was setup to
record at 30 minute intervals and was changed in June 1981.
The parameters measured are explained below:
Time
Temperature
Wind speed
Wind direction
Relative humidity
Precipitation
Solar Radiation
Peak wind gust
Battery voltage
susi13/q
Data are recorded at 15 or 30 minute
intervals, with time of day noted for
each record.
Air temperature at time of recording, in oc.
Average windspeed during preceding
interval, in meters per second.
Average wind direction during
preceding interval, in degrees true,
with 000° being true north and 90°
being east.
Percentage of vapor saturation, in
percent.
Cumulative precitation, in millimeters.
Restarted at zero when total reaches
100 mm or when instrument is turned
off.
Incident intensity at time of recording,
in milliwatts per square centimeter.
Highest 15-second wind speed, in
meters/second, during preceding
interval.
Power supply voltage.
B - 7
8.6 • Freezing Rain and Icing
To determine the amount of 1cmg that might affect transmission
facilities in the Susitna Basin, three systems were used. The first
two systems were both used at the Denali and Watana climate
station sites, and the third was used at Watana only, where AC
power was available. The first method was to instaH a sample
section of transmission line between two upright posts. The cables
were 12-foot lengths of one-inch diameter aluminum (steel core)
transmission line suspended 8 to 10 feet above the ground. As
in-cloud icing caused rime build-up on the cables, its thickness
was to be measured by vernier caliper during visits to the site.
The second method used a horizontal, eight-inch square steel plate
mounted six feet above the ground on a vertical steel pipe. It
was designed to permit measurement of ice that accumulated during
freezing-rain events. The thickness of ice buildup on the plate
would again be measured by vernier caliper during site visits.
The third method to measure amount of atmospheric icing was an
attempt to continuously record the occurrence of icings. The
Rosemount ice detector is a device which senses the presence of
ice (sensitivity = 0. 025") and produces an output signal sultable
for automatic control of de-icing equipment. The unit contains a
built-in heater which automatically de-ices the detector each time
an ice warning signal is produced 1 thus preparing the detector for
another ice-sensing cycle. This device is designed for use as an
automatic control mechanism to de-ice fixed antenna installations.
For our purposes, the unit was connected to a counter which
totaled the number of times that the detector indicated an
occurrence of icing. The counter was then to be read during site
visits.
Each of the three systems had problems associated with data
collection. The first two both require fairly prompt site visits
following the icing events. Since this is not always possible, some
icings may have occurred and gone unrecorded. Ice was never
observed on either the cables or the plates.
It had been planned that the electronic ice detector system would
be able to automatically and accurately record occurrence of icing.
However 1 the detector counts the number of times icings occur but
also records power outages the same as icings*. The unit is
located near Watana Camp and uses AC power from the camp 1 s
generators to operate. These outages occur frequently when the
camp generators are switched off for daily servicing or
changeover. Thus, a number of the recorded counts are due
merely to power interruptions.
* This is a safety feature designed into the device to permit the
de-icing signal to be generated when the power supply is
interrupted.
susi13/q B - 8
As a solution to this probtem, an attempt was made to keep a
count of the number of power interruptions at the camp. The
intent was that these would then be subtracted from the counts
recorded by the detector, with the balance of the counts being the
number of icings occurring. The generator operator was enlisted
to record the timing of each power outage.
Keeping accurate track of the number of power interruptions was a
more difficult task than originally envisioned. Sometimes a
shut-off might not be recorded, or during a shut-off the generator
might kick on and off a few times, thus causing multiple icing
counts to be recorded but not necessarily logged by the operator.
For this reason, the detector results are suspect. However, the
winter of 1980-81 was a dry one, and judging by observation of
the icing cable and ptate, we suspect that little if any icing
actualty did occur during the winter at the observation sites.
This suspicion is supported by discussion with long-term residents
of Watana Camp. When the camp maintenance men and/or cooks
were asked at frequent intervals during visits to the camp, none
ever reported any freezing rain or icing conditions.
Attachment E.6 rs a comparison of ice detector counts and recorded
camp power outages for the period December 5, 1980 to April 17,
1981.
B. 7 -Snow Surveys
The snow course is a permanently marked area where snow
surveys are taken each year. The snow course measurement is
obtained by sampling snow depth and water equivalent at these
locations. Five to ten samples are taken at each location and the
average of these are reported as snow depth and water equivalent
for the area.
In the Susitna Basin 20 snow survey sites were established in
1980. Five of these sites were at the existing climate stations (all
stations except Susitna Glacier). Of the other 15, 12 were located
in the gJaciated mountains at the headwaters of the basin, and 3
along the drainage of Butte Creek. See Map A.2 in Attachment A
for exact locations.
The criteria used for selection of snow course sites were:
(a) The site should represent the snow conditions for the
general area.
(b) The site should be open and large enough so it is not
affected by interception, yet should be protected from high
winds.
susi13/q B - 9
(c) Finally, the site should be accessible throughout the season
{January 1 -May 1).
Due to the large size and the diversity of topographic conditions
within the Susitna Basin, many snow courses were needed to
accurately represent snowfall in the basin. Also, because of the
relative inaccessibility of many of the sites 1 snow depth was found
by aerial survey and snow density and water content were
estimated from other measured sites.
Snow surveys were made monthly utilizing a helicopter and
coordinating the snow survey with servicing of climate stations in
the basin. Depth and water content were measured using an
aluminum snow tube. This tube is cored into the snow. Depth of
snow is read from the graduations on the tube and the tube full of
snow is weighed to determine water content of the snow. Depth
can also be estimated from the aerial markers. These markers are
described Figure 8. 7 .1. Data for all stations are listed in
Attachment E. 7.
During the first season of measurements five of the sites were
found to be poorly located. The problem in each case was wind
carrying away the snow. These markers were removed during the
summer of 1981. Four new sites were also established in locations
where it was felt additional data were needed. Two sites were
added at higher elevations along East Fork Glacier so that an
attempt could be made at correlating elevation to snowpack. Two
sites were also added in the Clearwater Mountains slightly
downstream of the glaciers. This left a total of 19 snow survey
sites for the 1981-82 season.
B .8 -Glacial Observations
In May of 1981, R&M Consultants assisted personnel from the
Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska with the
installation of snow markers, ablation stakes and with the digging
of snow pits. Data were gathered on all major glaciers of the
Upper Susitna Basin with the exception of the Eureka and Oshetna
Glaciers. Study of the Eureka Glacier was limited to visual
observations and aerial photography. The Oshetna Glacier was not
considered a major contributor to the flow or sediment regime of
the Susitna River and therefore was omitted from this study.
R&M conducted the control and velocity surveys on the West Fork
Glacier, West Tributary of Susitna Glacier, Turkey Glacier and
East Tributary of Susitna Glacier. The velocity surveys were
repeated monthly through September to determine ice movement as
an aid in mass balance and glacier dynamics analyses.
susi13/q B -10
A thermocouple string was installed to a depth of 66 feet at an
elevation of 7700 feet on the West Tributary of Susitna Glacier to
determine the thermal regime of the ice.
The snow markers and ablation stake sites on all the glaciers were
visited again in July 1981. The lower-altitude ablation stakes were
found to have fallen over, signifying a total ablation at these
points of more than 3 meters in 3 months. In August the holes
for the velocity stakes had to be drilled deeper; otherwise, they
also would have been lost. The locations of the stakes are shown
in Figure 8.8.1.
The results of this data gathering effort as well as a thorough
description of field procedures and analytical methods are
presented in a report by William Harrison of the Geophysical
J nstitute (Harrison, 1981).
B. 9 -Snow Creep
Snow Creep is the slow movement of a snowpack downhill. It is
most prevalent on slopes of 25-35°. Above this angle the
movement of snow will more likely occur as an avalanche.
In 1973 in Southeast Alaska several transmission line towers
servicing the Snettisham Hydroelectric Project failed for a reason
unknown but theorized to be caused by high winds or snow creep
pushing the base of the towe-r off its base. In 1974 and 1975 the
Corps of Engjneers installed a system to evaluate the amount of
force that snow creep could exert on a transmission line tower
(Meyer, ~978). These tests measured a maximum pressure of
460 lbs/ft with a 71-inch depth of 37%-density snow, but
concluded that snow creep forces did not contribute to the failure
of the tower.
Even though not judged to be a factor in the Snettisham failures,
snow creep was considered to be a potentially large force in
Alaska. To try to determine the magnitude for the transmission
line servicing the Susitna Project, two installations were set up to
measure snow creep forces. To simulate conditions at the actual
transmission line towers as closely as possible, 24-inch diameter,
3/811 thick tubular steel sections were placed on the chosen slopes.
These sections were allowed to slide over the ground and were
held from sliding downhill by a cable attached to a dynamometer.
The dynamometer measured the force in the cable which was
needed to support the pipe section. If creep of the snowpack did
occur, the force would have been transmitted to the pipe section,
cable and dynamometer where its maximum would have been
recorded by a maximum-recording gauge. (See sketch/
Figure 8.9.1).
susi13/q B -11
The two setups were installed in January of 1981. During setup,
the snowpack was unavoidably disturbed. Partly because of this
and also due to the lack of abundant snow during the winter 1 no
usable snow creep data were collected. Some readings were taken,
however, which indicate the type of base readings that may occur
on the instrument with no snow (due to thermal, wind, or other
stresses).
The 1981 observations are summarized in Attachment E. 9.
8.10 -River Ice Observations
Frazil ice first appeared in 1980 on October 11 and in 1981 on
September 28 in the Susitna River. The ice cover was nearly
complete over the whole river by mid-December though open water
leads did persist in several turbulent reaches throughout the
winter. The presence of a hydrographic survey crew in the Devil
Canyon-Talkeetna reach during the fall of 1980 permitted extensive
observation and photography of the freeze-up processes. Also,
measurements were made at several ice accumulation sites to record
the increase in water level at the upstream ends and to record the
advance of the cover upstream with time.
Mid-winter observations consisted of taking photographs at areas of
interest to record locations of open leads as well as ice cover
characteristics. In addition, ice thicknesses and top-of.-ice
elevations were measured at several locations in February 1981,
notably the crest gage sites.
Break-up on the Susitna was relatively mild in 1981, compared to a
number of the historical records. Abundant spring sunshine and
warm temperatures early on reduced the low-elevation snowpack 1
and a lack of significant precipitation kept the river level fairly
low. Observations again consisted of aerial reconnaissance of the
primary areas of interest and a few on-site measurements of water
stage and velocity.
Freeze-up in 1981 was begun with an early appearance of frazil ice
(September 28 at Gold Creek). Warmer temperatures in October,
however 1 dissipated the frazil and delayed further freeze-up
activity for several weeks. Observations were made periodically
during the fall and early winter, primarily by means of aerial
fixed-wing flights.
The full extent of the ice observation program through spring 1981
breakup is described in a separate R&M report, Ice Observations
(R&M, 1981c). The report details descriptive observations made in
the field and presents climatological, hydrologic, and ice-related
data collected during the period. The dates of field observations
are summarized in the Hydrology Field Observation Log, included
as Appendix C to this report.
susi13/q B -12
B. 11 -Evaporation
A National Weather Service Type A evaporation pan was installed
at the Watana Site on May 7 1 1981. The location chosen was an
open area 200 feet northeast of the camp buildings and near the
Watana Climate Station. Observations of the change in water level
and the minimum-maximum water temperatures during the
preceeding 24 hours were made each morning at 0700.
One problem with this arrangement was the lack of responsible
camp personnel to make the daily observations. Thus, there were
frequent periods when readings were not taken for several days.
This caused a loss of some daily data, but it does not affect the
monthly evaporation totals which are cumulative.
To compute evaporation, precipitation amounts at the site during
the same time period are needed. These were obtained from the
precipitation gage at the weather station nearby.
susi13/q B -13
TABLE 8.2.1
Factors for Relating Recorded Streamflows
to Other Sites, Based on Drainage Area
Station
Deadman Creek
Watana Dam
Devil Creek
Devil Canyon Upper
Portage Creek
Sherman
Section 25
Curry
Chase
Susjtna-Chulitna Conff.
Cross-
Section
Number
URX-101
URX-106.3
URX-121
LRX-62
LRX-35
LRX-28
LRX-24
LRX-9
LRX-4
Discharge Factor
0. 969 x Owatana
1 . 000 x Owatana
1 . 079 x Owatana
0. 933 X Q G • C .
0. 943 X Q G . C •
1. 000 X Q G. C •
1.000 X Q G.C.
1.000 X Q G.C.
1 . 029 X Q G . C •
1 • 029 X Q G. C .
1. Discharges at crest stage recorder sites were estimated
using flows from nearby continuous recorders (Gold Creek
for LRX's , Watana for URX's) multiplied by a factor based
on comparative drainage areas.
2. COG.C. =flow observed at Gold Creek)o
susi13/q B -14
Vee Canyon
6/19/80
8/8/80
9/5/80
9/17/80
10/17/80
Vee Can}!_on
1/13/81
5/20/81
6/18/81
6/30/81
8/2/81
8/3/81
8/3/81
9/15/81
10/7/81
susi13/q
TABLE B.3.1
WATER QUALITY SAMPLING SUMMARY
1980 WATER QUALITY SAMPLING
DATES AND EVENTS
Gold Creek Event
Glacier runoff and snowmelt.
8/8/80 After heavy summer rain.
Low summer discharge.
After heavy rains.
10/14/80 P re-freezeup.
1981 WATER QUALITY SAMPLING
DATES AND EVENTS
Gold Creek Event
1/14/81 Winter, under ice cover.
5/27/81 Breakup.
6/17/81 Glacier runoff and snowmelt.
6/30/81 Heavy rains, hydrograph peak.
7/1/81 Descending limb of hydrograph.
Heavy rain, rising limb of
hydrograph.
8/2/81 Heavy rain, hydrograph peak.
8/3/81 Descending limb of hydrograph.
9/14/81 Late summer, low discharge.
10/8/81 Pre-freezeup.
B • 15
susi6/e7
TABLE B.5.1
OPERATING HISTORY
SUSITNA GLACIER CLIMATE STATION
Prepared May 1981
7/20/80
7/20/80 to 8/12/80
8/12/80 to 8/28/80
8/28/80 to 10/26/80
10/26/80 to 12/4/80
12/4/80
12/4/80 to 2/3/81
2/3/81 to 4/2/81
4/2/81 to 4/22/81
4/22/81 to 4/30/81 .
Installed.
Good record RH very erratic suspect
no-good.
Garbled data.
Good record RH very low suspect no
good.
Garbage on tape due to high voltages
approximately 1% loss.
Voltage limiter added. RH sensor
replaced.
Good record.
Loss of some midday data due to high
voltages approximately 2%.
Missing 20 days of data.
Still erratic garbage on tape,
approximately 3% loss.
B-16
susi6/e1
7/18/80
8/29/80
9/11/80
9/18/80
10/17/80
TABLE 8.5.1 (Continued)
OPERATING HISTORY
DENALI CLIMATE STATION
Prepared May 1981
Installed.
Unit not working.
Unit started working. RH much too
Jow.
Unit stopped again.
Unit started again.
10/17/80 to 10/30/80 Wind speed and gust no good.
Garbage and spacing causing Joss of
approximately 5% of data.
10/30/80 to 12/4/80
12/4/80 to 2/2/81
2/2/81
2/2/81 to 3/19/81
3/19/81
3/19/81 to 4/30/81
No wind speed and wind gusts.
Approximately 2% loss of data to
garbage and spacing.
No wind speed and gusts. R H sti II too
low.
Wind speed, gust, and RH fixed.
Losing some of mid-day readings due
to high battery voltage, approximately
1%.
Solar collector hooked up correctly.
Good data.
susi6/e6
8/27/80
8/30/80
10/17/80
12/5/80
1/9/81
2/11/81
3/4/81
4/1/81
TABLE 8.5.1 (continued)
OPERATING HISTORY
TYONE CLIMATE STATION
Prepared May 1981
Installed.
Instrument stopped working. Faulty electronic
chips
Monitor replaced -data erratic.
New monitor installed but did not operate till 1/9.
Monitor warmed up and started working. Slightly
erratic.
Monitor stopped workfng.
Monitor replaced. Solar very high.
Solar connection repaired. Data looks good.
susi6/e5
TABLE 8.5.1 (continued)
OPERATING HISTORY
KOSINA CREEK CLIMATE STATION
Prepared May 1981
8/25/80
10/17/80
1/8/81 to 1/15/81
1/15/81
1/16/81
2/3/81 to 3/6/81
3/6/81 to 3/25/81
3/25/81 to 4/1/81
4/1/81 to 4/5/81
4/5/81 to 4/30/81
Installed.
Worked good until this date. Monitor
replaced and then lots of garbage and
spacing errors introduced. Useless
without cleanup program but with
cleanup program most of it becomes
useful and losses occur mostly in
temperature and wind speed, about 35%,
and about 5% of the rest of the
parameters. Data would not file 10/17 -
10/29.
No data. W.W. removed 1/8.
New W.W. installed. Recorded well for
2 days.
W. W. stopped working due either to
recorder releasing tape or loose screws
on display module.
Record good.
Garbage loss of about 5%. Reason
unknown.
Good data.
5% loss of data.
Total loss of data.
R-lq
susi6/e3
TABLE B .5.1 (continued)
OPERATING HISTORY
WATANA CLIMATE STATION
Prepared May 1981
3/13/80
4/8/80
4/28/80
5/8/80
5/28/80
6/13/80
6/19/80
6/21/80
6/21/80 to 7/30/80
7/30/80 to 8/14/80
8/14/80 to 8/28/80
8/28/80 to 10/2/80
10/2/80 to 10/17/80
10/17/80 to 10/30/80
10/30/80
10/30/80 to 12/5/80
12/5/80 to 2/2/81
I nsta/led.
First tape retrieved no data because
head bar not depressed.
Second data tape retrieved, processed
by MR I, record good.
Lighting strikes -time lag of 9 hours
introduced.
New unit installed in place of Demo
unit.
Tape removed -unit left off until
6/19/80 because of blown fuse.
New fuse. New tape.
Time messed up between 6/21 and 6/25.
Good Record .
No record. Faulty solar panel drained
battery.
All garbage. Improper type cassette
installed.
Some garbage causing loss after
cleanup of approximately 2% of
temperature and wind speed data.
No record. Electrical malfunction in w.w.
Good record.
Solar radiation became very high
today -N.G.
Record okay except for solar. New
power supply installed.
Good record. Solar still bad.
susi6/e4
2/2/81
2/2/81 to 2/13/81
2/13/81
2/13/81 to 2/26/81
2/26/81
2/26/81 to 3/6/81
3/6/81 to 3/16/81
3/16/81 to 4/29/81
TABLE B .5.1 (continued)
OPERATING HISTORY
WATANA CLIMATE STATION
Prepared May 1981
(CONTINUED)
New solar sensor.
Good record.
High voltages causing loss of some
data.
Loss of about SO% of data.
Power at station found turned off.
Data looks good.
Slight losses of data.
Good data.
susi6/e2
TABLE B.5.1 (continued)
OPERATING HiSTORY
DEVIL CANYON CLIMATE STATION
Prepared May 1981
7/17/80
7/17/80 to 7/23/80
7/23/80 to 8/13/80
8/13/80 to 10/1/80
10/1/80 to 10/4/80
10/4/80
10/4/80 to 10/12/80
10/12/80
10/13/80
10/12/80 to 10/16/80
10/16/80 to 10/30/80
10/30/80 to 12/3/80
12/3/80 to 1/12/80
1/12/80 to 2/25/81
3/16/81
3/16/81 to 4/30/81
Installed.
Some errors mostly in spacing.
Data good.
No data. Recorder did not advance.
New unit installed 10/1.
Good data.
Some garbled data.
Good data.
Some spacing problems.
Solar suddenly gets very high.
Good data, except for solar.
Possible 2% loss due to spacing when
voltage got too high. Solar very high.
Solar too high throughout. RH looks
bad throughout. 50% okay the rest too
high.
Voltage regulator battery installed.
Looks good. Solar all bad. R H seems
high.
Changed solar panel connection.
Data good. Unlikely RH readings
occur periodically throughout the
record.
Ta.ble; B.5.2 R&~ COtiSUL T ANT, INC, SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
PERCCNTAGE OF USABLE (llOIJRLY DATA) FOR ~EATHER ~IZARD STATION 10: &10 NAME GLACIER
MONTH TEMP ws WD RH PRl.CIP, SOLAR PK•GUST BATTERY .DEW POINT
----····-···--~----·--------~----··---~---··-··--·-·--···---·----------------~-~--·--·---··-------··-···-~-·-----·---
JULY , 1980 91,5 91,5 91,5 o.o 91,5 91,5 91,5 91,5 o.o
AUGUST ,19110 49,& 49,7 . 49,7 o.o 49,7 49.7 49,7 4q,7 o.o
SEPTEMBER ,1980 99,9 99,9 99,9 o,o 99,9 99,9 too.o 99,9 o.o
OCTOBER r1980 93,0 94,2 98,9 0,0 .t 98,8 99,7 98,3 o.o
NOVEMBER ,1980 94,0 94,9 98,3 o.o o.o 99,7 100,0. 97,8 o.o
DECEMBER ,1981 99,9 99,9 99,9 79,0 o.o 99,9 100,0 99,9 79,0
JANUARY ,1981 99,9 99,9 9&,0 90,9 o.o 100,0 100,0 100,0 90.7
FEBRUARY ,1981 9&,4 9(),6 52,4 63,2 o.o 98.5 99,9 98,2 61.0
MI\RCH ,1981 89,9 87,0 91,7 .79,0 o.o 93,8 98,3 92,3 73.1
APRIL ,1981 28,3 27,4 29,4 17,5 31,0 30,0 31,7 30,1 15.1
tJj
·J
MAY ,1981 99,b 99,b 99,5 88,8 99,5 99,& 99,7 qq,o 88,8
N JUNE ,1961 100,0 100,0 100,0 84,9 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 84,9 w.
JULY ,1981 1oo.o ·100,0 100,0 96,6 100,0 100.0 100,0 100,0 Qb,b
··-···----~--------·----····----····-·---·--·-~-·-·-·-···----····-----·-·····---·····------·-----··-····-·-~---··--·· TOTAL 8b,7 86,5 83,9 44,6 37,0 88,3 89;1 88,0 43.7
Ta,ble;. B. 5. 2: (pqntinued)
R&M CONSULTANT e INC. SUSI TIM HYDFIOELE.ChHc PROJECT
PERCfNTAGt: OF USABLE (HOURLY DATA) fOR WE.ATiiEH WlZAf~D STATION ID: 620 WI AMI-: I .DENALI
~ION Ttl ltHP I'IS !10 RH PHECIP. sod1R PK-GUST HATTERY DElli PO!NT
•••~-----~--~~-~••••••-•••••••~-~-••••••••••••••••·~---~--~-----~••••---~--~·••••••••••••••••••••••••R••••~m••-••••••
JULY ,1980 100.0 100.0 100.0 92.9 100.0 1oo.o 100.0 100.0 92.9
AUGUST ,1980 92.7 '12.7 92.7' ' 83.2 . '92. 7 92.7 '92.7 92.7 83.2
SEPT HillER r1980 22.'l O.i) 22.5 o.o 22.5 22.5 o.o 22.5 o.o
OCTOBER ,1980 111>.9 o.o 4b.9 o.o o.o 4b.fl n.o 4b.b o.o
NOVHIOER ,19tlO 99.9 o.o !00.0 o.o o.o 99.7 o.o 99.b o.o
OECE~ItJEH r1 981 lliO.O o.o 100.0 o.o o.o !00.0 o.o 100.0 o.o
JANUARY r19bl 100.0 o.o 100.0 o.o o.o 100.0 o.o 100.0 o.o
FEBRUARY t1 981 99.9 911.2 99.Cil 77.7 o.o 99.& 91.1.1 99.b 77.7
foiAHCH r1981 99.2 99.1 99.2 89.2 o.o 99.2 99.2 qq.2 89.2
APRIL r1 981 99.4 99.q 99.4 87.2 o.o 99.11 99.7 99.4 87.2
;
j
~lAY ,1981 100.0 100.0 100.0 ·. 94,5 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 91.1.5
J
"' JUNf;, ,J 9bl 100.0 100.0 100.0 9&.7 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 96.7
;
JULY 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 rl91J1 100.0 100.0 100.0
I
. ··~ --~--------------~-----------~-.---~-R·----~-~----------------~--~-------.M·-~-----~-·---------------------------·-·-M-TOrAL ti7.9 ~5.0 87.'1 49.9 32.1 87.8 5'5.1 87.R 49.9
Table; B~5. 2
Continued R&M CONSIJLTANT, INC. SUSITNA tiYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
PE~LE~TAGE OF USABLE (HOURLY DATA) FOR WEATIIlH WIZAHO STATION JO: blO f.4AME 1 TYONE
1'>1lltHII ~10 RH PR(CIP. SUL.AR PK-GUST flA l TERY Ot~J POINT
~----·---~••••••••••~••••••••••M·----------~----~-------------~-------·-----------•••••••••••••••••••-•••••••••••••••
AUGUST 1 1960
SEPTl'·1BER , 1 1}811
OC1Ufll:.R d9BO
NOVEt-IBER , 1980
DEC£Mtlt.:R , 19tH
JANUARY tl9Hl
F£131WARY ,1981
MARCH ,19~1
APRIL ,1 '11:11
HAY ,191:11
JUNE ,19d1
b9.5
o.o o.o
'
25.3 lS.O
95.0 95.7
14.2 111.2
57.1 Sb.9
57.9 . 37.9
lO.O.il 100.0
10u.o 1oo.o
100.0 100.0
o.o
95.3
37.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
o.o
7.3
o.o
10.8
2tt.5
52.o
b8.1
o.o
o.o
o.o
o.o
o.o
o.o
u.o
o.o
100.0
too.o
o.o
25.3
lq.,?.
37.n
100.0
too.o
o.o
2&.2
:58.2
59.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
o.o
25.4
·37.b
100.0
100.0
10().0
34.3
o.o
b.1
22.5
o.o
10.8
Zb.S
'52.b
b8.7
73.1
62.1
------···-·-~-----------·----"·-·---·--·~---·-----~----~-~-------------~----------------·-·~------·------~-----------TOTAL 27.7 21.5 53.3 27.5
Table: B.5.2 (continued)
R&M CONSULTANT, INC. SIJSITNA HYDROELECT~'!C PROJECT
PERCENTAGE OF USABLE OHJIJRL Y OAT A) FOR WEATHF:R WIZAHO STAllON lDi 640 N'liME I KOSIIIIA STATION
MONTH TEMP r1s WD RH PRECIP. SOLAR PK~GUST SAT TERY O~W POiNT
-·---~----------------·---------·-------------~---·-··-------·-·····-··--~~~----~~----~~·~~··-·-----·······-···--··--·
AUGUST ,J 980 100.0 100w0 100.0 90.2 . 100.0 100.0 1011.0 100.0 90.2
SEPTEMBER ,1980 100.0 100.0 100.0 80.1 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 80.1
6CT0Bf::R ,1 980 86.8 88.8 92.5 87 .s o.o 92•3 92.7 92.3 81 .9
NOVEMBER 11980 95.b 95.4 100.0 98.2 o.o 100.0 100.0 100.0 93.8
DECEMBER ,1981 97.0 97.o 100.0 99.1 o.o 100.0 100.0 100.0 96.1
JANUARY ,1981 l8.9 28.5 29.0 28.8 o.o 29.0 29.2 29.0 ZR.b
FEBRUARY ,1981 91.2 91.2 91.2 87.1 o.o 91.2 91.4 9 l. 2 87.1
MARCH ,. 981 53.9 54.6 54.3 53.1 o.o 54.4 SS.b 51.8 51 .b
APRIL ,1981 1b.O 1b.O 15.7 14.7 o.o 14.2 ib.1 1b.O 14.7
MAY ,1981 llS.o llS.o 115.0 44.0 115.0 39.0 115.3 ll~.o 44.0
Jj JUri f. ,1981 b4.b b4.6 b4.b I . 60.8 611.b b2.2 b4o9 bll.b bOoB v
" JULY ,1981 100.0 100.0 100.0 95.1 100.0 100.0 1.oo.o 100.0 9~.1
·---------·--------·-·---·----------------·--------------------·---------·--··--~---····-·--··---------·-------~--~-~ TOTAL o8.6 b6.8 o9.9 65.9 23.2 68.9 70.2 h9.9 64.'5
Table; B~~.2 (continued)
R&~l COtJSlJL T AIH, HIC. SUS ITt~ A H'l'lll~llEt EC flU r. PROJECT
P[Hr:f.IIT /\fit llF IJSA11Lf.. (ttlliJRLV DATA) FOR VII:: A HiEI~ ~11 ZIIIHI STATION ID: b~O tUME I ~lA TANA STATION
11(HI Ttl 1 f.I~P •·:s 1•10 Hli P~l'CIP. SflLh.R PKMGusr BA'fH.RV DE'I'i POINT
~----~·-----------------------~--------------------------------~--------~----------·--·~-----------------·--·--------
APIHL ,19!10 99.8 99.8 99.8 93.3 99.fl 99.8 100.0 . 99.8 93.3
~AV ,1980 Qfl.7 911.7 116.7 90.1 Q8.7 911.7 ·98. 7 ··98. 7 . 90 .I
. Juri£ ,191\(1 oq.7 bQ.b h9.7 b l. 5 511.2 &9.9 &9.9 . h9.9 bl.4
JULY , I Cl~O Qb.l 9b.l 9b ol 91.0 9b.l 9&.1 '9&.1 . 9b ·' 91.0
AlHiiiS T t1 91\(1 Z.2 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.3 I 2.4 2.3 z.o
SlP T E'lllf.R , 1 Ql:\1.) 511.2 'l8.2 56.3 55·'' 58.3 511.3 ~8.b 511.3 55.3
OC TLHII:.R , I Q8!l lib·'' 4o.4 llb.ll 114.1 4h.4 2.0 4&.4 llb.4 411.1
NOVE~111t'.R tlQijl) 100.0 too.o 1oo.o 94.9 · 10o.n o.o 1oo.o 100.0 911.9
l>ECP1Rt.R , I Qlll \t)O.o aoo.o 100.0 Q9.5 1oo.o o.o too.o 100.0 99.5
JAI-IliAR"f , I qi\J 11)0.0 1oo.o 100.0 98.0 100.0 o.o too.o too.o 96.0
tp ft.IHWARV ,141\l '51!..7 52.7 52.7 41. 1 52.7 4b 0 b 53.0 r;z.7 41.1
11.>
~ 14AHCH ,1961 9b 0 b 9&.6 9b.A 94.2 9b.b Clb.ll 97.0 . 9&. 0 911.1
APRIL ,1<11:\J tno.o 100.0 1oo.o 95.3 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 95.3
·~lAY ,1'1ill 11!0. 0 too.o 10o.o 94.8 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 94.8
JUNE. r 1CIIl1 1(1 0. 0 . too.o 100.0 95.b 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 95.b
JULY ,J'ltll tuo.o 1oo.o 100.0 90.9 1(10.0 10o.o 100.0 JOO.O 90.9
-------~·~--------------------------------------------~---·-------··----·-------------------·--------------··--------hlTAL ~ l. 2 81.3 1:11.3 7&.7 8•)· 2 57.11 61.4 61.2 1&.b
Table; B~5,2 (pontinued}
R&'l CONSULTANT, INC;. SIJSITNA H'I'Df.IO(U:CTR c PROJECT
Pt.I\LE.t;J AGE OF lJSABLt: (HUlJJ.ILY DATA) F'IJH VilA Till: H ~:X l 11IW STilT UN JD: bbO NAMf. O~Vll CIINVOII! r ,.,
~lUNTH 1 t ~;p I';S ~;D Rtl PRECIP. SOLAr~ PK-I:LJST HAfH:RY DfW POINT
------·------"·---~--~--------------~------------------~"·~-~-------~-------------~·-~--~--~----·--------------------
JULY 1 1 9/h) 100.0 too.o 1~0.0 72.0 1oo.o lOO.O 100.0 100.0 7i:!.O
AUGUST 1 19fl0 41.7 111.7 . 41.7 26.8 41.7 41.7 lj 1 • 7 4t.7 2/i.R
Sf.PTEilblR 1 19Bll o.o o.o o.o o.o o.o . u. 0 o.o o.o o.o
UC TObE.H 1191lU 91l.d 98.8 9il.8 711. q o.o 3'l.7 98.9 911.6 711.9
I·WVHlbi:.R 1191l0 1ll(I.O ll2.b 82.b 90.3 o.o o.o ton.o !Oil.O 90.3
l>E.ClHIH.H ,19b1 liJu.o IUO.O 100.0 89.2 o.o o • .o Joo.o 100.0 89.2
JMIUAIO d ?Ill 100.0 lt1 U.O lOO.n 6b.7 o.u o.o 100.() 100.0 R.b.1
FE.BRUAF:Y 1 l'~!Jl 100.0 27.8 21!.3 93.3 o.o lZ.b too.o 100.0 93.3
1·1ARCI1 1 1 9/il Q<J. b 9'1.b 100.0 69.4 o.o 99.9 100.0 9q.7 89.0
Af'R!L 1 19111 1(• 0. 0 100.0 100.0 90.1 100.0 100.0 too.o lOO.O <IO.l
~1A Y ,t<Hil 11 1 0.0 100.0 100.0 75.3 100.0 100.0 100.0 lllO.O 75.3
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flush fit with cap
-+ t
30°
Section A -A'
FLOW ..
v.-in intake
holes
Crest Stage Recorder .. (typical}
Source: Discharge measurements at gaging stations, Techniques of Water -Resources
Investigations. USGS, 1968, p. 28.
Figure B.2.1
B-29
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B-30
a.a .1
R&M CONSUI..TANTS, INC,
0 snow stake
l::. velocity marker
® lost $take
tp
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N
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
TABLE. B .. a.(.
Description of Snow Creep Station Installations
Site Name: Devils Canyon
Site Number: 0940
Date of Installation: February 25, 1981
Installation Crew: J. Coffin, C. Schoch, R. Butera
Site,.. specific Information
1 . Location: SW \i, Sec. 32, T331\1, R 'IE, Seward Meridian
2. U.S.G.S. Map: Talkeetna Mountains (D-5)
3. !:levation of Site: 1,500 ft. (from map)
4. Slope Aspect: Northeast
5. Slope Angle: 29°
6. Snow Depth @ Time of Installation: 20+ inches
7. Air Temperature @ Time of Installation: 32°F
8. Soil Material: Thick tundra, frozen
9. Shelter .. Distance (see sketch); 15 ft. (approx.)
10. Cylinder Distance (see sketch): 65 ft. (approx.)
11. Maximum Pretensioning Force Used: 1000 lbs.
12. Final Dynamometer Reading @ Time of Installation: 470 lbs.
13. Dynamometer Installed: W.C. Dillon Co., 2000-lo. (pound)
Capacity, 5 11 dial S/N 10576
14. Notes:
susit4/g2
Pilot burner did not funtion property at time of
installation. Thus, it was not connected until the
next visit to the station, March 15, 1981.
B-33
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
TABLE. 8.9.2
Description of Snow Creep Station Installations
Site Name: Watana
Site Number: 0920
Date of Installation: February 26, 1981
Installation Crew: J. Coffin, C. Schoch, R. Butera
Site-Specific Information
1. Location: NW '!a, Sec. 30, T33N, RSE, Seward Meridian
2. U.S.G.S. Map: Talkeetna Mountains (D-4)
3. Elevation of Site: 3,200 ft. (from map)
. 4. Slope Aspect: Southwest
5. Slope Angle: 35°
6. Snow Depth @ Time of Installation: 24-30 inches
7. Air Temperature @ Time of Installation: 30°F
8. Soil Material: Broken rock and tundra, all frozen
9. Shelter Distance (see sketch): 20ft. (approx.)
10. Cylinder Distance (see sketch) : 90 ft. (approx.)
11. Maximum Pretensioning Force Used: 900 lbs.
12. Final Dynamometer Reading @ Time of Installation: 440 lbs.
13. Dynamometer Installed: W.C. Dillon Co., 2000-lb. (pound)
Capacity, 5 11 dial, 5/N 10575
14. Notes: Pilot burner did not funtion properly at time of
installation. Thus 1 it was not connected until the
next visit to the station, March 16, 1981.
susit4/g1
B-34
ATTACHMENT C
FIELD OBSERVATION LOG
s11/d3
R&M FIELD DATA COLLECTION LOG AS OF DECEMBER 15, 1981
susi6/g Page 1
Status As of: December 15, 1981
Parameter
Measured
(1) River Stage*
(2) River
Discharge
(3) River Crest
Stage*
(Susitna River)
Station location
Susitna River near
Watana Damsite
Susitna River near
Watana Damsite
(a) Susitna-Chulitna
Confluence (LRX-4)
(b) Chase (LRX~9)
(c) Curry (LRX-24)
(d) Section 25
(LRX-28)
(e) Sherman (LRX-35)
(f) Portage Creek
(LRX-62)
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3,03 -Hydrology Field Observation Log
Type of
Instrument Used
Scientific lnstr. Co.
Manometer "
Stevens Water level
Recorder
Date of Observation
Installation Frequency
6/20/80 Continuous
Teledyne-Gurley N/A Unscheduled
Price Current Meter
Marsh-McBirney
Flow Meter
Crest-stage recorder
Crest-stage recorder
Crest-stage recorder
Crest-stage recorder
Crest-stage recorder
Crest-stage recorder
6/26/80 Unscheduled
7/31/80 Unscheduled
6/26/80 Unscheduled
6/26/80 Unscheduled
6/26/80 Unscheduled
6/25/80 Unscheduled
Dates of Type of
Observation Observation
7/10-12/1/80 Scheduled
4/15/81-12/2/81
8/20/80 Event
8/21/80 Event
9/3/80 Event
9/18/80 Event
10/20/80 Event
4/01/81 Event
5/24/81 Event
6/2/81 Event
7/3/81 Event
7/31/80 Event
7/27/81
8/31/81
11/2/81
12/2/80 Event
7/27/81
11/2/81
7/31/80 Event
7/27/81
8/31/81
11/2/81
7/31/80 Event
7/27/81
8/31/81
11/2/81
7/31/80 Event
7/27/81
8/31/81
11/2/81
9/6/80 Event
11/11/80
7/27/81
11/2/81
Comments
Instrument functioning
normally.
Stage-discharge rating
curve and table have been
prepared from field meat ~-e
ments.
Observations are made at
recorder following flood
events. Water surface
elevations are recorded
periodically at most of
the crest gage sites.
susi6/g Page 2
Status As of: December 15 1 1981
Parameter
Measured Station Location
(3) River Crest (g) Devil Canyon
Stage* Upper
(Susitna River)
(Continued)
(h) Devil Creek
(URX-121)
(i) Watana Dam
(URX-106.3)
? (j) Deadman Creek
\,)
(URX-101)
(4) River Stage (a) Devil Canyon
(Susitna River)
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 -H}::drolo9}:: Field Observation
Type of Date of Observation
Instrument Used installation Freguenc}::
Crest-stage recorder 6/25/80 Unscheduled
Crest-stage recorder 5/24/80 Unscheduled
Crest-stage recorder 7/30/80 Unscheduled
10/01/80
Crest-stage recorder 7/30/80 Unscheduled
Staff Gauge 3/25/81 Unscheduled
Lo9
Dates of
Observation
7/31/80
5/24/81
5/31/81
7/31/81
9/3/81
9/17/81
7/81/81
9/3/81
11/2/81
7/28/81
9/3/81
11/2/81
7/28/81
9/3/81
11/2/81
3/30/81
4/14/81
5/1/81
5/8/81
5/14/81
5/24/81
5/31/81
6/2/81
6/6/81
7/27/81
7/31/81
8/5/81
8/6/81
8/10/81
8/12/81
9/3/81
9/4/81
9/17/81
Type of
Observation
Event
Event
Event
Event
Event
Comments
Observations are made
periodically by field
personnel.
susi6/g Page 3
Status As of: December 15, 1981
Parameter
Measu'"ed
(4) River Stage
(Susitna River)
(Continued)
0 (5)Water
I Quality (1,2)* w
Station location
(b) Watana Damsite
(c) Denali Bridge
(a) Susitna River
near Watana Damsite
(b) Susitna River
near Cantwell
(Vee Canyon Site)
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 -Hydrology Field Observation Log
Type of
Instrument Used
Staff Gauge
Staff Gauge
Martek Water
Quality Data
logger
VWR pH Meter
YSI DO Meter
YSI S-C-T Meter
Van Dorn Sampler
Imhoff Cones
Date of
Installation
4/16/81
5/31/81
10/23/80
N/A
Observation
Freguency
Unscheduled
Daily
Continuous
Summer: monthly
Winter: 2-3 months
Dates of
Observation
5/7/81
5/21/81 '
6/1/81 •
6/3/81 !
6/9/81 I
6/10/81
7/28/81'
8/5/81
8/12/81
i
10/23/80-
4/16/81,
5/21/81-
7/2/81,.
8/5/81-
Present
6/19/80
8/8/80
9/5/80
9/17/80
10/17/80
1/13/81'
5/20/81
6/30/81
Type of
Observation
Event
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Sched/Event
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Sched/Event
Comments
Daily observations by
personnel of the Denali
Mining Company.
Damage to cable caused loss
of all but temperature
data for period to 1/2/81 .
Instrument repaired and
factory -calibrated in
7/81. Appears to be func-
tioning normally at present.
D.O. sensor not working
properly from 10/? /81 to
11/3/81.
Spring break-up.
Summer high-flow period
(sampled by helicopter).
Summer low-flow period.
Right after heavy rainstorm
(post-peak).
During river freeze-up.
Winter through-ice sampling.
After ice breakup, spring.
Summer hydrograph -falling
limb.
susi6/g Page 4
Status As of: December 15, 1981
Parameter
Measured
(5) Water
Quality (1, 2)*
(Continued)
(6) Suspended
Sediment
Discharge
Station Location
(b) Susitna River
near. Cantwell
(Vee Canyon Site)
(c) Susitna River at
Gold Creek
(a) Susitna River
near Cantwell
(Vee Canyon Site)
SUS!TNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 • Hydrology Field Observation log
Type of
Instrument Used
Same as at Vee
Canyon
Point-integrating
Suspended Sediment
Sampler
Date of
Installation
N/A
N/A
Observation
Frequency
Summer: monthly
Winter: 2·3 months
Summer: monthly
Winter: 2-3 months
Dates of
Observation
8/2/81
8/3/81
8/3/81
9/15/81
10/7/81
8/8/80
10/14/80
1/14/81
5/27/81
6/30/81
7/1/81
8/2/81
8/3/81
9/14/81
9/17/81
10/8/81.
9/5/80
9/17/80
10/18/80'
1/13/80
5/20/81
Type of
Observation
Event
Event
Event
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Comments
Summer hydrograph
rising limb.
Summer hydrograph -peak.
Summer hydrograph -
falling limb.
Summer low-flow period.
During river freeze-up . ......,_
Summer high·flow period
(sampled by helicopter).
During river freeze-up.
Scheduled Winter through-ice sampling.
Scheduled After ice break-up, spring.
(Sampled same day by USGS).
Sched/Event Summer hydrograph -peak.
Sched/Event Summer hydrograph -
falling limb.
Event Summer hydrograph -peak.
Event Summer hydrograph -
falling limb.
Scheduled Summer low-flow period . .--.....,
Scheduled Samples taken for qualit) -
control check of laboratory.
Scheduled During river freeze-up.
Scheduled Summer low-flow period.
Sched/Event Right after heavy rainstorm
(post-peak).
Scheduled During river freeze-up.
Scheduled Winter through-ice sampling.
Scheduled After ice break-up, spring.
?
Ul
susi6/g Page 5
Status As of: December 15, 1981
Parameter
Measured
(6) Suspended
Sediment
Discharge
(7) Climate (3)*
Station Location
(a) Susitna River
near Cantwell
(Vee Canyon Site)
(b) Susitna River at
Gold Creek
(a) Watana Camp
(b) Devil Canyon
(c) Kosina Creek
(d) Tyone River
(e) Denali (Susitna
Lodge)
(f) Susitna Glacier
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 -Hydrology Field Observation Log
Type of
Instrument Used
Same as at Vee
Canyon
Date of
Installation
N/A
Observation
Frequency
Summer: monthly
Winter: 2-3 months
Dates of
Observation
6/30/81.
8/2/81
8/3/81
8/3/81
9/15/81
10/16/so
1/14/81
5/27/81
6/30/81
7/1/81 .
8/2/81
8/3/81 ..
9/14/81,
Type of
Observation Comments
Sched/Event Summer hydrograph -falling
limb.
Event Summer hydrograph -
rising limb.
Event Summer hydrograph peak.
Event Summer hydrograph -
falling limb.
Scheduled Summer low-flow period. ----;
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Sched/Event
Sched/Event
Event
Event
Scheduled
During river freeze-up.
Winter through-ice sampling.
After ice break-up, spring.
Summer hydrograph -peak.
Summer hydrograph -
falling limb.
Summer hydrograph -peak.
Summer hydrograph -
falling limb.
Summer low-flow period.
MR I Weather Wizard 3/13/80 Continuous (15-min.) 4/8/80-Present Scheduled **
(WW)
MRI Weather Wizard 7/17/80 Continuous (15-min.) 7/17/80-Present Scheduled **
MRI Weather Wizard 8/25/80 Continuous (15-min.) 8/25/80-Present Scheduled **
MRI Weather Wizard 8/27/80 Continuous (15-min.) 8/27/80-Present Scheduled **
MRI Weather Wizard 7/18/80 Continuous(15-min.) 7/18/80-Present Scheduled **
MRI Weather Wl;zard 7/20/80 Continuous 7/20/80-Present Scheduled **
(15-min. or 30-min.)
** Occasional gaps in data records due to mechanical or electronic malfunctions or other field problems. Dat,a summaries prepared by MRI for
period to 7/I/81. Summaries for more recent data are being prepared by R&M.
susi6/g Page 6
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 -Hydrology Field Observation Log
Status As of: December 15, 1981
Parameter
Measured
(8) Snow Density
and Depth ( 4 )*
Station Location
(a) West Fork Glacier
Snow Course
(b) Susitna Glacier
Snow Course
Type of
Instrument Used
Carpenter Machine
Works Snow
Sampling Kit
Aerial Snow Markers
Same as at West
Fork
(c) East Fork Glacier Same as West
Snow Course Fork
Date of Observation
Installation Frequency
8/26/80, Winter: monthly
8/81
8/28/80,
9/4/80,
8/81
9/4/80,
8/81
Winter: monthly
Winter: monthly
(d) Butte Creek Pass Aerial Snow Markers 9/11/80 Winter: monthly
(9) Ice Buildup
during
Precipitation*
(a) Watana Camp
(b) Denali
(Susitna Lodge)
(10) In-Cloud (a) Watana Camp
Icing (Ice Buildup
on Transmission
Line)*
Steel Plate
Steel Plate
Short Section of
Transmission Line
11/80
11/80
9/10/80,
10/16/80
Unscheduled
Unscheduled
Unscheduled
Dates of
Observation
01/07/81
2/2-2/3/81
3/6/81
4/2/81
4/30/81
1/7/81
2/2-2/3/81
3/6/81
4/2/81
4/30/81
1/7/81
2/2-2/3/81
3/6/81
4/2/81
4/30/81
2/2/81
3/6/81
4/1/81
4/30/81
Type of
Observation Comments
I
Scheduled Three aerial markers on and
around the glacier.
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Three aerial markers on and
around the glacier (thre!'--.Qf
original six markers mo" 'to
better locations in 8/81).
Five aerial markers on and
around the glacier (including
two additional markers
placed on the ice in 8/81).
One aerial marker in
vicinity of Butte Creek
Pass (two of original three
markers removed and used
elsewhere).
Same dates as Event Measurements to be made-._
during or immediately a1
freezing rain. No observed
freezing rain to date.
any winter trip
to Watana Camp
Same dates as
Denali climate
station runs
Event
Same dates as Event
any winter trip
to Watana Camp
Same as at Watana Camp.
Measurements to be made
during or immediately after
icing conditions. No in-
cloud icing has been
observed to date.
susi6/g Page 7
Status As of: December 15, 1981
Parameter
Mea!7ured
(10) In-Cloud
Icing (Ice Buildup
on Transmission
Line)*
(11) Snow Creep*
(12) Ice
Thickness and
Competence*
Station Location
(b) Denali (Susitna
Lodge)
(a) Watana Camp
(b) Devil Canyon
Susitna River and
Tributaries (5)
(13) Extent of Ice Susitna River
Cover, Locations
of Ice Jams*
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 -Hydrology Field Observation Log
Type of
Instrument Used
Short Section of
Transmission Line
Dillon Dynamometer
Section of Trans-
mission Line Tower
Dillon Dynamometer
Section of Trans-
mission Line Tower
Ice Auger
Measuring Tape
SLR Camera
Date of Observation
Installation Frequency
9/11/80, Unscheduled
10/20/80
2/26/81 Winter: monthly
2/25/81 Winter: monthly
N/A Winter
N/A Daily or weekly
during Freeze-up
and Break-up
Dates of
Observation
Same dates as
Denali climate
station runs
3/6/81, i
3/16/81
4/1/81
10/2/81
11/3/81
12/2/81
3/5/81
3/16/81
3/31/81
10/2/81
11/3/81
12/3/81
2/27/81
4/1/81'
Type of
Observation
Event
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
10/80 Event
11/80,' 12/80
1/81, 2/81
3/81 t 4/81
5/81
10/2/811 10/6/81,
10/29/81, 11/6/81,
11/18/811 12/14/81'
Comments
Same as at Watana Camp.
Installed on a north-facing
slope about 2 miles west of
Tsusena Butte.
Installed on a north-facing
slope near the Devil
canyon climate station.
Ice thickness surveys were
conducted at all CSR
locations, except at Section
25 and the Susitna-Chulitna
confluence. See parameter
(3). ~
Adjacent to Watana Stre& ...
gauge and in conjunction
with through-ice discharge
measurements.
Black & white aerial photos
taken 11/14/80, 12/5/80,
4/27/81, 5/6/81.
7
CXl
susi6/g Page 8
Status As of: December 15, 1981
Parameter
Measured
(14) Glacial
Composition and
Movement (6)
(15) Evaporation
(16) Icing
Detector*
(17) Bedload
Transport*
Station Location
Susitna Glacier, West
Fork Glacier, Turkey
Glacier, West Fork
Susit~a Glacier
Watana Camp
Watana Camp
(a) Susitna River
@ Gold Creek
(b) Talkeetna River
near Talkeetna
(c) Chulitna River
near Talkeetna
(d) Susitna River
near Sunshine
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 ~ Hydrology Field Observation Log
Type of
Instrument Used
Survey Equipment
SLR Camera
Aerial Photography
Monel, Class A
Standard Weather
Bureau Evaporation
Pan
Rosemount Ice
Detector with
electronic counter
Helley-Smith
Sampler
Helley-Smith
Sampler
Hefley-Smith
Sampler
Helley-Smith
Sampler
Date of
Installation
5/17-
5/18/81
5/30/81
5/7/81
12/5/80
Observation
Frequency
Monthly through
July, August,
September
Daily,, May-Sept.
Continuous
Unscheduled
Unscheduled
Unscheduled
Unscheduled
Dates of
Observation
5/81
7/30/81
8/11/81
9/2/81
1/7/81
2/3/81
3/6/81.
3/31/81
4/30/81
6/1/81
7/22/81
8/26/81
9/28/81
7/21/81
8/25/81
9/29/81
7/22/81
8/25/81
9/29/81
7/22/81
8/26/81
9/30/81
Type of
Observation
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Event
Event
Event
Event
Comments
Velocity points, camera
mounts and thermocouple
were installed. Horizontal
control net establish and
initial survey conducted.
Extensive snow depth and
density studies through-
out glacier network were~
conducted.
Daily observations recorded
by camp personnel.
Any interruption of AC power
is recorded as one count.
Counter observed during site
visits. No significant amount
of icing has been recorded to
date.
***
***
***
***
Bedload sampling done jointly and in cooperation with the USGS. The July trip was done at a relatively high flow level, the August
one at an intermediate of Susitna River flow level, and the September trip at a relatively low flow.
?
1.0
susi6/g Page 9
Status As of: December 15, 1981
Parameter
Measured
(18) Sequential
Aerial Photography
of Susitna River*
Station Location
N/A
SUSITNA HYDRO"ELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 -Hydrology Field Observation Log
Type of
Instrument Used
Olympus OM-2
Camera (35-mm film)
Date of
Installation
Observation
Frequency
Unscheduled
Dates of
Observation
11/14/80
12/5/80
4/27/81
5/6/81
8/24/81
10/19/81
Type of
Observation
Event
Event
Event
Event
Event
Event
Comments
Freeze-up, Delta Island to
Watana Creek.
Freeze-up, Cook Inlet to
Watana Creek.
Break-up, Bell Island to
Watana Creek.
Break-up, Bell Island to
Curry.
Medium flow. Cook Inlet
to Devil Canyon, for
Vegetation Studies.
Low flow, Cook Inlet to
Talkeetna Confluences, for
Morphology Studies.
susi6/g Page 10
!:!Qlli:
SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Subtask 3.03 -Hydrology Field Observation Log
*
(1)
AI') asterisk after a parameter in column one (1) indicates that the entry for that parameter has been altered from the last log's entry.
WQ parameters measured by the continuous water quality monitor: water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH-, and oxidation -
reduction potential.
(2) WQ parameters measured in the field: dissolved oxygen, water temperature, conductivity, pH, alkalinity, settleable solids, and free carbon
dioxide.
(3) Climate parameters measured at each station: air temperature, average wind speed, wind direction, peak wind gust, relative humidity,
precipitation, and solar radiation. Snowfall amounts will be measured in heated precipitation bucket at Watana only. Prior to 4/30/81, data
were recorded at thirty (30) minute intervals at the Susitna Glacier station and at fifteen (15) minute intervals at all the other stations.
Since that date, a 15-minute interval has been used at all stations.
(4) Dates of in'stallation refer to aerial snow survey markers. The actual snow courses are located at one of the markers at each of the three
glaciers. There is no snow course at Butte Creek Pass, only an aerial marker. Snow surveys are conducted concurrently at all the climate
monitor locations, with the exception of the Susitna Glacier Station, where the snow course is at a more suitable location nearby.
(5) Several sites along the main stem of the Susitna and a few sites on the larger tributaries are to be observed.
(6) Dates of installation refer to snow survey markers.
(7) Last log prepared was as of 10/2/81.