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MM.MM~MMM~~MMMMMMMKMMWKMMMMM~MKKKKMMMKKMKK**K~*~"~*'UNITED STATES DEPARTMEN'i'.OF THE INl'ERIOR*"'"Oscar L.Chapnan,Secretary
**..BUREAU OF RE~TION"
M1chae~W.Straus,Commissioner
l:.t ",...,.
.AtAsKl.:DIS'IRICT OFFICE'•
J9~ph ~'MOrpn,Dj8~r.ict Manager
USITNA RIVER
~---.,.-------
A Report on Potential,.~
Developnent ot Water Resources in the
Susitna River Basin ot Ala~lai 4
*"***"*"
***.
"**
* * * * -4fo I ~-
'* * ~
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* * *
* UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR *
Oscar L. Chapnan, Se cretary * '-.----*
BmREAU OF RECLAMATION *
Michael w. Straus, Commissioner *
ALASKA DISTRICT OFFICE
Joseph M. Morgan, District Manager
S U SI T NA RIVER BASIN ~---~-----------~
A Report on Potential
Deve lopnen·::. of Water Resources in the
S\1S itna River Basin of Alas ka.
August 1 952
* * * * * * * *
* * * * ·31 * Serial No. * -* ~~~~n~~~~~M~MMMM M MM~~~M M MMM~MM***M~M M M~MHMM~MMM M MMMM M MM~
c.: t\~• 1 .·~<ut • \·,
SUSITNA BAS IN -------------
A Report on the Potential
Development of' Water Resources in the
Susitna River Basin of' Alaska
By THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Oscar Lo Chapman, Secretary
Sponsored By and Prepared Uhder the General Supervision of'
THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Michael w. Straus, Commissioner
ALASKA DISTRICT OFFICE
Joseph M. Morgan, District Manager
August 1952
CONTENTS
DISTRICT MANAGERvS REPORT ·•••
Transmittal ·••
Authority ••
Cooperation and Acknowledgments ·Geographic and Economic Scope •·THE BASIN.••··••••·Climate ••·• ••••
History and Settlement.•••• • •
Communities in the Basin.
Accessibility •· ·
•••
The Land.• ••••• • •
Timber Resources.••••
Mineral Resources •·••••
Water Resources • •·•·••• •••·Fish and Wildlife Resources ·•·Recreational Resources.•••• •RAILBELT ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES ·••Population.• •·• •··•••··Industry.• •• • ••••••••Transportation.• •Construction.·••• •••··Agriculture ••• •• • •·...•·':.·..
iuning and Minerals •• ••
Lumber.·•••••••••• •·•
Commercial Fisheries.•·•••
Recreation and Tourist Trade.·• •
Need for Power.• •·•• • ••• •
Power Supply and Markets.••· ·
·POTENTIAL WATER-RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT • •• • •
FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS.••• • •••
CONCLUSIONS.•••·•
RECOMMENDATIONS.• ••·•·• • ••
CHAPTER I.CHARACTER!J'AND PURPOSE OF THE REPORT •
CHAPTER II.SUSITNA RIVER BASIN.•••CLIMATE.•• •·••••HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT •• •••·THE LAND •••••·•• •••TIMBER RESOURCES ·••••• • • •MINERAL RESOURCES.•• • ••• •WATER RESOURCES.••• •·••••FISH A~~WILDLIFE RESOURCES.•·••·• •··•RECREATION ·••••••••·•· ···
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CHAPTER III.RAILBELT ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.•"•..•..••••
KENAI PENINSULA.•..• • • • • • • • ••• •"......•......
City of Seward.•..•..•...... ....•..............• "..
Western Kenai Peninsula "..• •0 0 ..•....•..•..• • •
vJhittier4 • • • •0'0 .,•• 0 •'0 •0 •0 "0 0 0 ..0 ••
ANCHORAGE AREA • • •..•........• • •......• • • • • • • •
MATANUSKA VALLEY • • • •..•••..• • •••..•..• • ••"
Farm.Lands 0 •0 •.,•0 •••••• • • •0 0 •'11 •• • •
Livestock and Dairying.• •..••••0 •••..• •..••
Agricultural Experiment Station •....•..• •..• • ••..
l-1atanuska Valley Farmers Co-operative ••..••..•••0
FAIRBANKS AREA ....•..• • • •..••• • • • ••• • • • • •
St.J.MIvf...ARY 0 • • 0 0 • • 0 0 •• • •0 0 0 • •II 0 0 • • • •0 •
CHAPTER IV.POWER SUPPLY AND MARKETS .
POWER MARKET AREA.••• ••••••• ••• • ••• • •••
EXISTING POWER PLANTS AND TRANSMISSION LINES ••..• •..•..
POWER FACILITIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION.• •..•......•• • •0
POWER UTILIZATION.• • • • •..• • • ••••••••••••
WHOLESALE POWER RATES.• • • • •..• • • •..• • •.. ..•• •
FUTURE LOAD DEVELOPMENT....•..• • • • ••.. ..••••••..
Residential ..••• • •.. ..• • •..• • • • • • • • • • •
Rural •• • •••0 • • 0 0 ••0 • • • •ell •0 4'"• • •
COmInercial.• •....•..•...... ..••......• •..•.. ..•
l1tn1icipal <III •..•0 ••• •ell ..••0 0 •0 • • • 0 0 0 •
Large ,Industrial.•• • • •.... .. ..• • • • • • • • •..•
Replacement of Fuel-electric Generation ..
Losses 0 • 0 0 0 0 •..0 •()•0 0 •• • 0 • • • •..•0 •
S1..Ul'1nla!j7 •0 0 0 • •••0 ••"••"<.0 •••• • • • •
POWER PL.A.NTS •••(I 0 •0 • • •10 • •0 • • • • 0 0 • •••
TRANS1USSION LINES ..• •.. ..• •..••••..• •..••..•..
LOAD FACTOR.•..•..•..•••••.. ..•..• • " • • • • • •
CHAPTER V.POTENTIAL WATER-RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT.•..• • • •..
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS •..•..• • • • • • • • • • • • • •..•
WATER SUPPLY STUDIES • • •..• • •.. .. ..•• •.. ..•..• " •
Water Resources • • • • •••..• • • • • • • •••..••
Water Rights.• • • • • • • • ••• • •..• " • • • • • •
Reservoir Evaporation and Seepage • • •..• • • • • • • •
Reservoir Sedimentation "....•..• ••• ••• • ••• •
Water utilization • • • • ••..•.. ......• •..•..•..•
Design Flood Studies.0 •..•••••••• •••••••
POTENTIAL POWER DEVELOPMENT.• • • • • ••• • • • • ••• •
Independent Site Development.• • • • • • • ••• ••••
Denali site.• • • • • • ••••• ••••• • • • ••
Maclaren site.• • • • • • •••• • • • •..• • • • •
Vee site .••'0 •Ct 0 • •lit 0 • ••• • • • •(I • •Q
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CHAPTER V"POTENTIAL WATER-RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
POTENTIAL POiNER DEVELOPMENT
Independent Site Development (continued)
Watana site •"""•"".."""""•""•..•."71
Devil Creek site..•••••..• •••••.."..•...73
Devil Canyon site •..•..".."...."..•.... .."""73
Olson site.""..•"•..••..••"•••"•..••74
Gold Creek site ..•"•"..•""••....••.."••75
Tjrone site...........• •.. ..•........"""""....76
Chulitna site ".."•..•.. ...."..••"..".."""77
Partin site ..• •.."""• •..• • •••.."....77
Lucy site •••••••••..••• •"• •..•..78
Tokichitna site •..• • •..• ••• • • • •..•..78
Trapper site.•••••• •..• •....•••..•..••79
Greenstone site •••..• • •..•..••••• • •••80
Granite Gorge site.•..••....•..••..•......••81
Sentinel Rock site........• • • •..• • •..•..•82
Keetna site ..• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •82
Talkeetna site....• • •..• • •••..••••••••83
Sheep River site......•"• • • •..• • • •..••".84
Skwentna No.1 site • ••• •..• •..••• •....••84
Skwentna No.2 site • • • • • •..• • • • • • • •••85
Talachulitna site •..•• • •..•..• • • • •..•...86
Susitna Station site.••..• • •..••• • • • •••87
Other potential sites • • • ••..•..• •..•....88
Ultimate Development •..•• • • • • • • • • • •....88
Susitna River above Gold Creek.• • • •..• • • •88
Chulitna River.• •..• • • • • •..• • •....••••89
Talkeetna River • •..............•......• • •.....89
Skwentna River... ......• " • • •..•..•.... ..•••90
Susitna station site.•......•• • • • • • • • •••90
Initial Development.•....•....••..• • •....• •••91
OTHER POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ••..• • ••..• • • • • •••92
Irrigation ....• •..• • •..•....•..•........• •92
Flood Control.• • • • • • •...." •..• • • • • • •94
Drainage • • • • • •..• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••95
Recreation • • • • • • • • •..•..•..•............95
Fish and Wildlife.• •..•........• •....• • •....96
ALTERNATIVE PO~VER DEVELOPMENT ..•..•........• •....•97
Diesel • " " • " "..• •"• • • • •"•..• • • • •••97
Steam.o • •()•0 0 ••0 ••0 0 •0 •0 • 0 0 • • • • 0 97
I-iy"droo 0 • •0 0 ••0 •I)0 (I 0 •(I ••0 0 0 ••0 o.9S
Rampart site.•......•••..•• • • •........•....98
Cathedral Bluffs site •..•....• • • •..•• • •••98
vlood Canyon site.• •••••••••..• • • • •••99
Chakachamna site.••• ••• • • •......••••...99
Kenai Peninsula sites ""••..••••""• • •••100
ULTIMATE PO'\AJER GRID " •"........"....•.."••••.....100
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CHAPTER VIo FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS 0 ..""0 ""0 •.."0 0
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION 0 0 ....•.."..•......"..•"• •
OTHER AGENCIES.•••...••..•••••• "•" " • • • •
Department of the Interior .."..• """ " • "•" • •
National Park Service .."..• • ".. ......•• " " •
Bureau of Mines • • • "......•..•..• •..••••
Bureau of Land Management • •..•......•..• • • •
Geological Survey ..• •"..•.. ..••"..•.. .. .."
Alaska Railroad .... ....••" • • ".. ....".." • •
Fish and Wildlife Service ..•.." " " " • "0 • " "
Department of Agriculture.•....•• • •......0'•••
Territory of Alaska.• •••..•...." " " "•....•"
CHAPTER VIIo REPORTS OF OTHER AGENCIES " .
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR."....• • • • •..• • • • •..
National Park Service...•.." •..• •0 • " " " ".."
Bureau of Mines.." • " " • • • ••• " " " " " " • " "
Alaska Road Commission • " " "..•""..•..•••0 •
Bureau of Land Management.•.. .. .."""""••..""
Bureau of Indian Affairs • ""• • • •0 •0 ".." ""
Geological Survey." " "..
The Alaska Railroad.• •....••• • " " •..•••••
Fish and Wildlife Service.• • " •..•..• " • " • ""
Alaska Field Committee ........ .. ..".."....""•""
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUPtE ....••....• •...."....•"•
TERRITORY OF ALASKA AGENCIES.• • • • • • • •""•.."•
Alaska Development Board .... ......"..•"• •..•....
Alaska Department of Agriculture • " " " •.." " •.."
Alaska Department of Mines " • • • • •..•.. .... ..•..
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Ei9tures
(Following page listed)
Aerial View of Anchorage • • • • o • • • • • • • • • 36
St~eet Scene -Downtown Anchorage. • • • • • • • 36
Anchorage -1915 ••••••••••••• o • • • • 39
Anchorage-1951, ••••••••••••••••• • 39
A few acres uride~ cultivation •• o • o •• o o • • • 42
Matanuska Valley ~roducts. o • • • • • • • • • • • • 42
Aerial View Down~own Fairba~~s • • • • • • • • • • 44
Aerial View University of Alaska •• o •• o • • • 41~
Aerial View Alaska Railroad Freight
yard -Fairbanks • • • • • • • • • • 46
Aerial View Fairbanks Indus·iirial Area. • • • • • • 46
Denali Dam Site • • • • • • • • o o • • o • • • • • • 6S
Vee Dam Site • .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 70
Watana Dam Site •• o • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 71
Devil Canyon Dam Site (2 views). • • • • • • • • • • 73
Devil Canyon Dam Site. • • • • • • • • • • o • o • • 91
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Maps and Profiles
(Following page listed)
• • • • • • • Frontispiece Susitna River Basin • • • • • • • •
General Map • o • o • , • • • • • •
Climatic Data • • • o o • • o • o o
Federal Generation and Transmission
• 0 • • . .. . 6
24 • • • • 0 • •
Facilities • • • • • • o • o • o • • • • o • • 58
Hydrologic Stations • • • • • • • • • o • • o • • 62
River Profile o o •••••••••• o • • • • • 67
Devil Canyon Dam and Reservoir ••••••• o • • 74
Mineral Deposits in the Railbelt Area •• o • • • 112
Status of Topographic !~pping • • • • • • • • • • 131
Soil Map. • • • • • • • o • • • • • • • o • • • o 164
Tables and Graphs
(On or following page listed)
Summary -Plan of Ultimate Development. • • • • • 15
Climatological Data • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 • • 26
Power Requirements. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 57
Generator Name plate Capacity • • • • • • • • • • 58
Area and Capacity Curves (7 pages). • • • • 0 • • 65
Placer Gold Production. • • • • • 0 • • • • • • • 116
Mineral Production. • • • 0 • • • . • • • • • 0 • 117
Potential Agricultural Land • . • . • • .. 0 " • 0 ·l~7
Agricultura~ Electrical Requirements. • 0 • • • • 154
Potential Agricultural Land .. • 0 • 0 0 • • • 0 • 160
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)
REPORT OF THE
DISTRICT MANAGER
,.
I
G 0 0 t< INL£T
-./'"'.
EXPLANATION
'-...."\...,...
" OTHER PROJ ECTS CONSIDERED ~~
:;:-~,, RESERVOIR SITES
PLA I\ OF DE V ELOPMENT
~;---~&_~'> RCSE'R VOIR S I T E S
1 O AM SITES I
• HYORJ-ELfCTRIC POW ER P L A N TS .
-...._,-BASIN BOUNDARY
OA M SITES
HYDRO-ELE CTRIC POWER PlA NTS
•• I.TO.I. ...
ALASKA
LOCATION MAP
10
SCAL( Or MIL($
20
UNITEO STATES
OEPARTMENT OF THE i NTERIOR
BUREAU OF RECLA M ATION
ALASKA DISTRICT OFFICE
SUSITNA RIVER BASIN
PLAN OF ULTIMATE DEVELOPMENT
AND
OT HER P ROJECTS CONSIDERED
To:
From:
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Alaska District Headquarters
Juneau, Alaska
Commissioner, Washington 25, D. C.
District Manager, Juneau, Alaska
June 15~ 1953
Subject: Reconnaissance Report on Development of Water Resources--
Susitna River Basin--Alaska
Transmittal
1. Herein is a reconnaissance report by the Department of the
Interior on a plan for development of the water resources of the
Susitna River Basin in Alaska. It was sponsored by, and prepared
under, the general supervision of this office.
Authoriti
2e This report is authorized by virtue of Interior Department's
Appropriation Act for the Fiscal year 1953, which provided $250,000
for nengineering and economic investigations, as a basis for legisla-
tion, and for reports thereon to Congress, relating to projects for
the development and utilization of the water resources of Alaska."
Cooperation and Acknowledgments
3. Federal, Territorial, and local agencies gave valuable
assistance in the collection and preparation of basic data neces-
sary to compile this report.
Geographic and Economic Scope
4. This is a report on the potential development of the
natural resources of the Susitna River Basin. The report reveals
that utilization of these resources within the Basin itself is
limited. However, there is an urgent need in contiguous areas
outside the Basin for development of Susitna River Basin resources.
Therefore, it was necessary to extend the geographic and economic
scope of this report beyond the confines of the Basin boundary to
include the Railbelt area, which extends from the seaport of seward
and Kenai Peninsula northward throughout the Anchorage area and
Matanuska Valley, across the Susitna River Basin, and down the north
slope of the Alaska Range to the Fairbanks area.
1
THE BASIN
5. Susitna River Basin is located in South Central Alaska.
Roughly oval shaped, it is 250 miles long and 100 miles ~ide. The
southwest border is in the Mount Torbert-Mount Spurr reg~on; the
northwestern and northern borders are the crestline of the Alaska
Range; the eastern border is the Copper River Plateau; and t.he south-
eastern border is the crestline of the Talkeetna MOuntains. The area
of the Basin is 19,900 square miles.
6. Susitna River heads near the east end of the Alaska Range
in a series of lofty peaks located 200 miles northeast of Anchorage.
The river runs generally southward for 50 miles, then turns sharply
westward for 80 miles, thence southward for 120 miles. Only 25
miles west of the City of An.chorage the river empties into Cook
Inlet, an arm of the Pacific Ocean.
7. The principal tributaries entering the Susitna River from
the east are: Maclaren from the Alaska Range, Tyone from the Copper
River Plateau, and ·ralkeet.na River from the Talkeet,na Motntains.
Principal tributaries from the wast are the Chulitna, which drains
the southeast slopes of the high mountains of th3 Mount McKinley
National Park area; and the Yentna River system, with its fingers
in the Alaska Range to the west.
Cl!_!}lat'l
8. The climate of the Basin is continental. July daily
maximum temperatures average about 70°, with July daily minimum
averaging about 47°. The mean January temperature averages about
8°, with a recorded minimum of -50°.
9. The freeze-up in the Susitna Basin starts early in October
in the highest regions, and by the last of November or the first of
December, the lower reaches of the Susitna River are completely ice-
bound. The rivers free themselves late in April or early in May.
Generally, the snow--except for that on the mountains--has disappeared
by early June.
10. Recorded precipitation in the Basin varies from 14 inches
to 44 inches aiUlually, half of which appears as snow. Heaviest
seasonal snowfall re~orded in the Basin was 232 inches at Talkeetna.
11. The Basin has frequent heavJr rainstorms in the late
summer. These are the direct result of low-pressure systems moving
from the North Pacific Ocean or the Bering Sea into the vicinity of
Bristol Bay or the lower Kuskokwim Valley.
2
History and Settlement
12.The first white man known to visit Cook"Inlet and the
mouth of the Susitna River was Captain James Cook,in the year
l77S.Following Cook 9 s visit~Russians traded tilth Indians near
the mouth of the river.
13.Americans,searching for gold,first entered the Basin in
the late lS80 9 s,.but returned to Cook Inlet after exploring only the
lower reaches of the river.In the early 1S90 9 s,a prospector named
Frank Densmore was the first white man to see Mount McKinley,called
Denali by the Indians,or uHome of the Sun.VI The first scientific
expedition to enter the valley was made by Geological Survey in
lS9S.The party made a reconnaissance of the geology and mapped a
trail along the river to the divide at Broad Pass and down the
northern slope of the Alaska Range into the Tanana Valley..In the
next decade placer gold was found in the Basin and actively mined
in two areas,Valdez Creek and the bed of the Yentna River.
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14.In the meantime,important gold discoveries had been made
in the Fairbanks area and as a result there was considerable agita-
tion for construction of a railroad from tidewater to the new mining
district.On March 14.1914,President vlilson signed a bill to
construct the railroad,which was completed on July 15,1923.Con-
struction of the railroad led to the establishment of such important
cities as Seward and :Anchorage,but in the Basin led to an increase
in permanent population of only about 350 people.
Communities in the Basin
15.There are no large communities in the Basin.Population
of about 400 is distributed chiefly along the Alaska Railroad,which
lies within the Basin from Willow to Broad Passe Talkeetna and
Curry are the largest villages in the Basin along the railroad.The
village of Susitna at the mouth of the Yentna River and the abaJ!l-
doned mining camp of Denali in the upper Basin ar~not situated on
the railroad."Population fluctuates with hUnting,trapping,and
mining seasons,and the volume of construction on the railroad.
Accessibility
16.Before construction of the railroad and airports,access
to the Basin was by means of low-draft boats for about 120 miles up
the Susitna River and for short distances up the tributaries-and
by dog teams in the winter.Horses had very limited use.The
completion of the railroad from Seward to Anchorage and Fairbanks
in 1923 facilitated access to a portion of the Basin,.but no spurs
to the main line lie within the Basin.
3
/) 17. A larger portion of the Basin is ac~ess~ble by ai: than
by rail. There are several short landing str1ps 1n the Bas1n, but ·
facilities are limited; most of the fields are merely rough graded
strips. Talkeetna and Skwent~a are the only fields with airport
lighting and radio communications •. Alaskan rtbush pilots" have
landed and taken off from river bars, but usually only in emer-
gencies. During the winter, land-based ski pla~~~-have_more ~ho~ce
of areas in which tc land. Float planes or ampn1o~an p~anes ~ana
on me.ny cf the lakes or larger streams of the Basin when unfrozen.
Most of the lakes, however, are small and are not strategically
located for persons other than hunters, trappers, or prospectors.
18. There is no all-year road in the Basin. Willow Creek
mines are accessible by motor vehicle from Anchorage, but only
during the summer. A road with limited summer use extends from
the Susitna River at Talkeetna westward to Paters Creek. Outside
of the Basin a road from Cantwell on the Alaska Railroad is no~r
under construction and ultimately will connect with Richardson
Highway at Paxson. This road will cross the headi<iaters of the
Susitna River by bridge near Bt1tte Creek.
The La~
19. The United States Government owns practically the entire
Susitna River Basin. Only 5,000 acres, or four one-hundredths of
1 pere.ent of the entire area of 12,700,000 acres in the Basin are
privately owned. Only 1 percent of the entire Basin is surveyed
land. In this vast domain there is not a single grazing lease or
timber sales contract in existence.
20. The Department of Agriculture estimates there are about
600,000 acres of potential farm land and over 400,000 acres of
grazing land in the Susitna Basin, if climatic conditions do not
prohibit its use. All of this potential agricultural land lies
below 500 feet elevation. No data are available on potential
agricultural land in the Basin above this elevation. Other than
a few household gardens, there is no land under cultivation in the
entire Basin. However there is considerable wildlife in the Basin.
Timber Resourc~
21. Susitna River Basin contains the largest commercial
stand of birch timber in North America, west of the Mississippi
River. Known merchantable birch timber covers more than 150,000
acres. This does not include large areas of birch seen from the
air in the more inaccessible parts of the Basin.
4
22. White spruce in merchantable stands.covers thousands of
acres. The volume and acreage of cottonwood 1s not now knoWl1, but
it is certain to run into many millions of board feet and thousands
of acres.
~neral Resources
23. Due to the relative isolation and inaccessibility of
most of the Susitna River Basin, gold which could be easily carried
out of the w-ilderness, was the only mineral actively sought; although
a variety of other minerals are fu~o~m to occur. Gold has been mined
in the Willow Creek, Yentna-Cache Creek, and Valdez Creek districts.
Occurrences of copper are known around Iron Creek and the West Fork
of the Susitna River. There is a silver prospect on Portage Creek.
There are numerous beds of coal and lignite, some as thick as 10
feet. The Dunkle coa.l mine, located 11 miles west of Colorado station,
is now producing a substantial de.ily tonnage of coal under a 40,000-
ton Government contract. The Basin is promising for construction
materials, such as gravel, shale for Haydite, and clay for Haydite,
and brick. The Basin contains nu."l.lerous mineral prospects; ho1o.rever,
the only production at present is from se~reral small placer gold
operations in the Yentna-Cach Creek district and the Dunkle coal mine.
24. Last, but certainly not the leas~ to be considered, is
petroleum. A large anticline extending from the Alaska Peninsula
through Cook Inlet, across the lower end of the Susitna River Basin,
and into the Nelchina district is regarded by geologists as having
definite oil-bearing possibilities. At the present time, three
major oil companies are exploring the area.
Water Resourcefi
25. The Susitna River is regarded as the fourth largest in
the Territory. The average flow is larger than the virgin flow of
the Colorado River, but smaller than that of the Susquehanna River.
It is about one-third that of the Missouri at St. Louis, one-
eighth of the Columbia, and one-tenth of the Ohio Rivers. No data
are available on underground water supplies. There is no present
utilization of water resources of the Basin, except for isolated
domestic water supply.
Fish and Wildlife R~sourges
26. The Susitna River contributes substantially to Alaska's
fisheries industry. The value of tbe annual salmon pack attribut-
able to the Susitna River salmon run is estimated by the Fish and
Wildlife Service at $2,000~000. The valuable fur animals, big
game, and fisl1 represent the greatest present utilization of the
Basin's natural resources. The Susitna Valley supports the largest
moose herd in Alaska.
5
Recreational Resources
27. Susitna River Basin is a sportsman's paradise. Although
relatively inaccessible, many people fish and hlliit in the upper
reaches of the river. The high mountain scenery is magnificent.
Its deep canyons are spectacular. At Talkeetna, professional
guides are a'tra.ilable fer trips into the best hunting and fishing
areas. The Alaska Railroad operates a very comfortable hotel at
Curry, the principal recreation center in the Basin. On summer
weekends, the railroad operates a fishing excursion, rail motor
coach out of Curry that ~dll accommodate fishermen by stopping to
discharge passengers at any stream between Curry and s~~~t. As
more is known of the Basin, it is certain to have tremendous
recreational value.
28. The Susitna Basin borders the greater Anchorage and
Fairbanks districts which are the most spectacularly developing
areas of the fast-growing Territory. It is the Basin's future
roll of supplying these two vital areas with the large quantities
of inexpensive powe~ they must have for their continued develop-
ment, which turns the spotlight on the Basin today.
29, The recent growth of both the Anchorage and Fairbanks
areas is impressive indeed, but no more impressive than the out-
look for their continued development in the days immediately ahead
and far into the future.
30. Both of these areas are short of power now, and until
this deficiency is made up and additional power supplied for future
needs 1 the growth of these most important areas of the Territory
will be seriously retarded.
31.· The following paragraphs summarize economic activities
of. the entire Railbelt area, including the Kenai Peninsula, the
Anchorage area, Matanuska Valley, the River Basin, and the greater
Fairbanks area: which, taken together, comprise the power market
area to be served by the development of the Basin.
Populatio:q
32. The population of the Railbelt was recorded at 17,345 in
1939 in the quiet unhurried days before World War II. The next
official eolliit in 1950 recorded 59,520 persons in the area--an
6
.Nabesna
KEY MAP
Air Force Bose
Eielson
Air Force
8ase
25 0 25 50
I I I I
SCALE OF MILES
!GENERAL MAP0
Po<
"
X-906-4
_)
increase of 242 percent. After the outbreak of World War II,
large military installations grew up overnight and the small
villages nearby grew so fast they literally burst at the seams.
After the war, people were predicting a mass exodus from the
area--which never occurred. True, there were some population
losses and shifts, but none was extensive. As the importance of
Alaska in the future defense of the country was fully realized, a
large expansion of military establishments started, and promises
to continue for some time into the future.
33. Changes and growth are still so rapid as to make estimates
of present population in the Railbelt area hazardous. However, the
best estimate of the present permanent year-round population is
around 75,500. The major industries of the area are seasonal in
nature. Large numbers of workers come into the Territory in the
spring to provide the labor for these industries, and leave in the
fall. In addition to seasonal labor, the summer population ranks
are swelled by large numbers of tourists and vacationists. The
effect of these seasonal immigrations is to greatly increase the
population during the summer months. It is estimated that the
permanent year-round population of 75,500 may be increased to as
much as 90,000 during the summer.
Industry
34. Major activities in the area are: transportation, con-
struction, agriculture, lumber, commercial fisheries, trapping,
mining, and tourist trade. A large number and variety of service
and distribution businesses serve the needs of these industries,
the requirements of the Military, and the needs of the civilian
population.
35. Every phase of economic activity has been expanding and
will continue to expand; but continued growth is and will continue
to be limited by many factors. Of these, the shortage of electric
energy is a most important one at the present time.
Transportation
36. Anchorage and Fairbanks are the two important transporta-
tion "nerve centers" of Alaska. Both connect with the Alaska
Highway--the vital land link between Alaska and the United States.
The Glenn and Richardson Highways provide road transportation between
Anchorage and Fairbanks and between both cities and the ice-free
7
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ocean ports of Seward and Valdez. A road connecting Cordova ~th
the Richardson Highway, now terminating at Valdez, should be com-
pleted within the next 4 years.
37. The Alaska Railroad provides dependable year-round freight
and passenger service between the ocean ports of Seward and Whittier
through Anchorage to Fairbanks.
38. From Anchorage and Fairbanks a vast airline network fans
out to connect virtually every part of Alaska with every other part,
and with the United States, Canada, and Asiatic nations.
39. The furnishing of transportation services has therefore
been a vital part of the economic gro~~h of the Railbelt area. A
major development in this field which is in prospect is the pro-
vision of year-round port facilities at Anchorage. Another possible
development in the future, if loads justify such a move, is the
electrification of The Alaska Railroad--a conversion which would
require large quantities of-low-cost power.
Construction
40. The rate of construction, both military and nonmilitary,
in the greater Anchorage and Fairbanks areas is phenomenal. Even
Alaskans who travel regularly around the Territory are amazed at
the number of new buildings that have "appeared" since their last
visit.
41. Construction is the leading industry of the Terr.itory,
employing an estimated 33-1/2 percent of the total Territorial
labor force. Anchorage, with 70 listed contracting firms, is the
center of construction activity.
42. Military construction has constituted much the largest
part of total construction in the Territory, particularly in the
Anchorage and Fairbanks areas; and it is conservatively estimated
that it will continue at an annual rate of 75 to 80 million dollars
for at least the next 4 or 5 years. Nonmilitary construction
exceeded an estimated 40 million dollars in 1952 and is expected
to continue at high levels in the years ahead.
43. Although the large bulk of building and construction
materials is imported from the States, an increasing quantity of
certain of these materials, such as building blocks and lumber, is
being produced in Alaska. Many more could and would be supplied
locally if the cost of producing them in the Territory could be
reduced. Inexpensive power would be a boon to the development of
this industry.
8
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Agriculture
44. Agriculture in the Territory is centered in the Matanuska
Valley northeast of Anchorage, and is a growing industry in the
Tanana Valley near Fairbanks. There are only ebout 12,500 acres
of land in the Territory under cultivation at the present time,
90 per~ent of Whieh are in the ¥~tanuska Valley. There are mil-
lions of acres of land in the Territory suitable for farming, but
-the high cost of clearing the land and the short growing season
have discouraged rapid development of agriculture. The Department
of Agriculture has been actively engaged in testing and classifying
soils and determining the crops most adaptable to growing conditions
to further encourage agricultural development in the Territory.
45. Principal crops grown are: potatoes, peas, carrots,
spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, rutabagas, broccoli, beets,
chard, radishes, oats, barley, and wheat. Potatoes are a particul-
larly important money crop. Dairy farming is one of the principal
agricultural pursuits in the Valley. Agricultural products of the
Matanuska Valley are marketed, with minor exceptions, through the
Matanuska Valley Farmers Cooperating Association which does an
annual business of about 3 million dollars.
46. There are thousands of acres of potential agricultural
land in the lower Susitna Basin which may be brought under cultiva-
tion in the years ahead after more suitable lands in Matanuska
Valley and the Kenai Peninsula have been developed. Expanded
agricultural production ~roul.d go far in stabilizing Alaska's econ-
omy and should be encouraged in every way. Isolated experiments
have indicated the possible desirability of providing irrigation to
certain areas to supplement the precipitation during the dry season
for producing maximum yields. Irrigation at costs farmers could
afford might be made available from Susitna Basin power.
Mining and M.i.nerals
47. Alaska has a great variety of minerals. However, the
extent of many deposits is not known.
48. It is well to point out that hydroelectric power which
could be generated in Susitna Basin, could result in development
of the mining industry not only in the Basin but principally
outside the Basin within reach of the ultimate power transmission
grid extending from Fairbanks to Seward.
9
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49. Along the Railbelt are two large coal areas--at
Matanuska, 200 miles from the ocean terminus, and at Healy, in
the Interior. These mines produce chiefly a sub-bituminous coal.
Some high grade anthracite has been found but is not known to
exist in commercial quantities.
50. Other mineral resources are present in the Railbelt.
Copper, gold, antimony, and tungsten are known to occur. Recent
investigations indicate sufficient deposits of minerals suitable
for building materials to support a building materials industry
in the Railbelt.
51. At present, mining is at a relatively low ebb in the
Railbelt of Alaska. A major factor militating against further
development is the unprecedentedly high wages offered on military
projects in the Territory which have prevented most mines from
successfully competing for necessary labor. Few mines can meet
the pay scale offered by contractors on defense projects and still
buy black ink.
52. Modern electric-driven coal mining and coal handling
machinery is a substitute for high-cost mine labor. At the
present time there is insufficient low-cost electric energy to
supply the requirements of mining modernization and mechanization •
Lumber
53. The bulk of Alaska-produced lumber comes from Southeast
Alaska. However, Whittier, located southeast of Anchorage on the
Alaska Railroad, is the site of one of the four largest sawmills
in the Territory. During the past season the Whittier mill cut
a record 13 million board feet of lumber and expects to expand its
facilities and output in the coming season.
54. Large commercial stands of spruce and hemlock are con-
tained in the Chugach National Forest bordering Cook Inlet and
supply a large part of the logs used by the sawmill at Whittier.
In addition to the sawmill, there are attractive opportunities
around Whittier for pole treating plants, and other woodworking
enterprises.
55. In addition to the large spruce and hemlock stands of
the Chugach National Forest, large commercial stands of birch
grow virtually untouched in the Susitna Basin which could contrib-
ute substantially toward satisfying the many varied needs of the
construction industry.
10
56. Dr. Lutz of the Yale School of Forestry, in a study of
Alaska's Interior forests concluded that volumes obtained in our
Interior stands are as good or better than many regions having
large forest industries such as Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
57. The Alaska Development Board and other organizations
interested in the growth of industry and employment in the
Territory state that an abundance of low-cost power could go far
in encouraging the utilization of timber resources in the power
market area.
Commercial Fisheries
58. The Cook Inlet area at the southern end of the Railbelt
is an important contributor to Alaska's foremost productive industry--
commercial fisheries. There are about 21 salmon canneries on Cook
Inlet producing an annual pack of around 278,000 cases valued at
some 7 million dollars. In addition to the canneries, there are
5 fresh-and frozen-salmon distributors.
59. In addition to the processing of salmon, promising
opportunities exist on the Kenai Peninsula for the processing of
crab, shrimp, clams, and halibut fillets.
Recreation and Tourist Trade
60. The tourist trade is an increasingly important business
in the Territory and particularly in the Railbelt area.
61. This year for the first time, Alaska has a full-time
visitors' association which has done much to promote the Territory.
Alaska is now included in Cooks' Tours, and the American Express
Company has indicated its intention of including Alaska in its
tours beginning next season.
62. Parts of the Kenai Peninsula are gaining popularity as
resort areas. Additional facilities for accommodating tourists,
vacationists, and sportsmen are under construction in the Peninsula
and more are contemplated for the immediate future. Roads now under
construction or planned for the next few years will go far in pro-
moting the recreation and tourist attractions of the area.
63. Mount McKinley National Park is a popular attraction for
thousands of visitors each year. It is easily accessible by the
Alaska Railroad and has comfortable accommodations for tourists.
11
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64. Sportsmen come from many parts of the country to enjoy
the fishing and hunting which the Railbelt offers. Further
investigations may indicate that the reservoirs, which will be
a part of the proposed development of the Susitna River, could
be stocked with game fish to further enhance the recreational
attractions.
Need for Power
65. While the preceding discussion outlines the economic
activities that support the Railbelt at the present time and the
areas in which future development is expected, it should not be
inferred that the pattern of economic activity will remain the
same in the future or that the economic activities discussed will
share equally in the utilization of hydropower to be developed in
the Susitna Basino
66. Power is urgently needed, first, to satisfy the exist-
ing military and civilian demand and eliminate the existing power
deficiency; secondly, to permit the continued growth of industries
already started in the area and the resumption of industries which
the availability of inexpensive power could make profitable once
more; and last but not least, to encourage the development of new
industries in the areao
67. Even though the Eklutna project is scheduled for co~
pletion lat~ in 1954, its 30,000 kilowatts of power will be
insufficient to supply the demand. If Eklutna were ready today,
all of its power production would be consumed in this power-hungry
area with the demand still unsatisfied. Moreover, the Eklutna
project will do nothing to satisfy the need for power in the
Fairbanks area.
68. One existing industry which could expand and develop with
the availability of low-cost power is the mining industry. Here
low-cost power to operate machinery, especially in coal mining,
could substitute in part for the high-priced labor which has made
some mining unprofitable in recent years.
69. An abundance of inexpensive electric energywould be of
great value in encouraging the development of new industry in the
area and in strengthening the fortress of national defense.
12
POlver Supply and Markets
70.The Railbelt is the most power-deficient area in the
Northland.Civilian power requirements increased from 10 million
kilowatt-hours in 1940 to more than 100 million kilol'Jatt-hours in
1950.If sufficient energy had been available,probably twice as
much would have been used.It is anticipated that by 1970,if
energy is available at low rates,over 3 billion kilowatt-hours
will be needed,resulting in a minimum peak load of 550,000
kilowatts to be generated by nonmilitary plants.
71.This forecast is,based on continued population increase,
much greater farm loads,civilian supply of a portion of military
power requirements,and greatly expanded industrial development.
The expeoted population inorease is evidenced by present trends
and by the jobs created by present and planned future construction
and industrialization..
72.Commeroial and municipal power requirements increase
proportionately with population.Farm loads will also increase
considerably,not only from development of many new farms,but
also from greater average usage.
73.\fuen defense construction abates,industrial develop-
ments "..rill take up the slack.Industrial load requirements should
approximate 1-3/4 billion kilowatt-hours by 1970.Two factors,
when combined in the past,have always brought about regional
industrialization--vast quantities of untapped natural resources
and large blocks of low-cost power.The resources,as well as
the low-cost power potential,are present in the power market area.
Power development is the key to Alaska~s industrial future.
74.Present power supplies are small and a large percentage
of the internal-combustion generating units are unreliable.With
the exception of the Knik Arm steam plant,slated for initial '
operation in November 1952;the Eklutna hydro plant,scheduled
for 1954;and the Fairbanks municipal plant,no other dependable
nonmilitary power plants exist or are programed.It is incon-
ceivable that any large load requirements can be met with the
assortment of small isolated plants now existing.
75.Economic studies prove that with present costs,low rates
cannot be obtained from steam generation in Alaska,regardless of
plant size.Development of Susitna hydroelectric power,with
initial construction of Devil Canyon project,is the solution.
13
Large blocks of energy could thereby be made available to a power-
deficient area at rates low enough to maintain and forward the
development of the Railbelt 0
,POTENTIAL WATER.-RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
76.The Susitna River Basin is ideally located to supply
energy to the entire Railbelt.Devil Canyon project is a logical
geographical site for initial development to serve the major load
centers of Seware.,Anchorage,and Fairbanks.
77.Field investigations of topography and geology,water
supply studies,and preliminary designs and estimates on which
the ultimate plan of development is based,were of a preliminary
nature.They made it possible,however,to establish a framework
for a comprehensive plan of water-resource development.
78.A total of 25 separate sites were examined and studied
as possible projects for generation of hydroelectric power or for
storage regulation for such projects.Only 12 of these sites were
retained in the comprehensive plan.The remaining sites were
excluded for a variety of reasons,including inundation by more
desirable sites,excessive cost of energy generation,excessive
reservoir sedimentation,and interference with salmon runs.
79.The plan of developing the water-power resources of the
Basin includes 12 major dams.One of these dams would have a power
plant,but would not impound any usable reservoir storage.Another
dam would store water to provide regulated releases for downstream.
power plants;no power would be developed at the site.Power
plants would be constructed at the other 10 dams,which would also
impound water for power releases.
80.With coordinated operations of projects in the ultimate
plan,the total capacity of the 11 power plants would be 1,249,000
kilowatts.Annual firm energy output would be 6,180,000,000
kilowatt-hours and average annual nonfirm output would be 336,000,000
kilowatt-hours.Total reservoir capacity would be 22,690,000 acre-
feet.Net power storage capacity,after deducting storage to create
power head and required reservation for sediment deposition,would
be 15,890,000 acre-feet.This plan of ultimate water-power develop-
ment is summarized in the accompanying table.
Summary .-Plan of ultimate povrer development
(Based on coordinated operation)
Heiglit-~
of dam Total Povrer Annual energy output
above reservoir plant.~million kw.-hr.)
Site stream stream capacity capacity Average
bed (ft.)(1,000 ac.-ft.)(kw.)Firm nonfirm
I'Denali Susitna 6,700 )205 -Vee Susitna lJ25 2,820 260,000 )
Watana Susitna 440 3,400 310,000 )
Devil Canyon Susitna 500 2,930 390 ,000 )
Olson Susitna 50 7 50,.000 )
f-I Tokichitna Chulitna 2,530 45,000 )\J'l 150
Trapper Talkeetna 250 427 19,000 )
Greenstone Talkeetna 200 62 20,000 )
Granite Gorge Talkeetna 270 55 27,000 )
Keetna Talkeetna 345 720 56,000 )
Skvrentna No.2 Skvrentna 285 670 30,000 )
Ta1achulitna Skvrentna 155 2,370 42,000 )-
Total -22,691 1,.249,000
5,000 200
220 36
600 60
360 40
6,180 336
,.
81.Initial water-resource development in the Basin would
be Devil Canyon project,on the main stem of Susitna River,.12
miles above Gold Creek station on the Alaska Railroad.A 500-foot
dam would permit initial installation of a 195,000-kilowatt power
plant.Annual output would be 970,000,000 kilowatt-hours of firm
energy and 240,000,.000 kilol'mtt-hours of nonfirm during an average
year.
82.With construction of Denali Reservoir to provide regulated
storage releases to Devil Canyon Reservoir;the capacity of Devil
Canyon power plant could be increased to 390,000 kilowatts.Annual
firm output would be 1,850,000,000 kilowatt-hours,.with an average
of 200,000,000 kilowatt-hours of nonfirm output.
83.There are other possibilities of water-resource develop-
ment in the Basin besides the generation of hydroelectric power.
These include irrigation,flood control,drainage,recreation,and
fish and wildlife.Except for one flood-control project,little
detailed study has been given to these potential uses.
84.There is much land in the lower portion of the Susitna
Valley which might be suitable for agriculture.Total annual
precipitation averages about 25 to 30 inches per year,but the
monthly distribution is not conducive to optimum.production.Irri-
gation may be desirable during May,.June,and the first part of
July to assist seed germination and early season plant growth.
Sprinkler irrigation has been tried with"outstanding success in the
Matanuska Valley.It may be a desirable method of application in
the Susitna River Basin.
85.The Corps of Engineers,United States Army,has made a
preliminary study of the need for flood-control projects in the
Basin.They found that floods cause significant damage only near
the town of Talkeetna.High flows in Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers
periodically inundate portions of the town.Additional damage is ._-
caused by erosion of the left bank of Talkeetna River on the north-
west side of town.The Corps has constructed a pole dike to prevent
further erosion.As the town expands,protection against inundation
may become justified.The lack of development in the flood plain
obviates the necessity for flood protection at the present time.
86.The Basin contains extensive areas of poorly drained
land,caused by tight soils and lack of a well-defined system of
surface drainage.Much of this land is probably susceptible to
economical drainage,and the drained areas would probably be
suitable for crop production.Construction of drainage facilities
probably would not be necessary until the supply of well-drained
agricultural land is depleted.
16
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87. Recreation is important to the economy of the ~ailbe~t,
with the many lakes and streams of the Susitna River Bas~n sat~s
fying a large part of the need. Recreation would probably not be
a major aspect of water-resource development in the Basin; however,
it should nevertheless be considered during investigation of
potential projects.
88. The Susitna River contributes substantially to the salmon
industry, one of Alaska's important commercial assets. The average
annual value of the salmon pack produced by the Susitna River is
estimated at $2,000,000. Field investigation has not been suffi-
cient to determine exactly what streams are utilized by spawning
salmon and the intensity of this utilization. Major salmon runs
are unknown on the Susitna River above the Devil Canyon site. In
planning any water-use project in the Basin, consideration must
be given to the fisheries resources, so that there will be no
interference with major salmon runs. Reservoirs in the Basin would
have some harmful and some beneficial effects on wildlife.
FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS
89. In order to attain optimum benefits from development of
the resources of Susitna River Basin, investigations by the inter-
ested agencies must be coordinated throughout the planning stage.
The following paragraphs outline the work which should constitute
the next phases of study.
90. The Bureau of Reclamation has begun detailed investiga-
tion of Devil Canyon project. The work will include complete field
investigations and office studies leading to a report on the engi-
neering and economic feasibility of the project. This work will
cost about $900,000 and could be completed in 3 years if funds are.
made available. Investigation of Denali, Vee, and Watana projects
will follow, in order to have projects ready for construction as
the power requirements increase. Preliminary planning of these
three projects, costing about $1,700,000, is programed for comple-
tion in 1960, if adequate funds are made available.
91. If studies by other agencies show that potential agri-
cultural land in the Basin may require irrigation or drainage,
the Bureau of Reclamation should determine the feasibility of
definite plans for construction of the necessary facilities.
92. The National Park Service, as explained more fully on
pages 108 to 109 of this report, hopes to program studies in the
Susitna River Basin concurrently and cooperatively with the work of
17
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other agencies. The results would.be reports on t~e specific
recreation implications of the De~l Can~on, ~enal1, Vee~ and.
Watana proposals. Special studies, of h1stor1c and preh1stor1c
values that might be lost through flooding of propos7d res:rvoir
areas or other project features, would be made. It 1s bel1eved
probable from preliminary research already accomplished by the
N • 1 11 p '-,... • • .&. • •.Lt. .LL-TT-..!-------'-'----.I"' __ at~ona __ ar:t: ::erv:tce l.n coopera ... l.cn W'"l.".u '-'11'=' utuv~r:;,~uy o
Alaska, that cultural values in the fields of history and pre-
history are significant in the Susitna River Basin.
93. The Bureau of Mines should continue, in cooperation with
the Geological Survey, to investigate the mineral resources of the
Basin, particularly minerals of construction.
94. The Bureau of Land Management should cooperate with the
Alaska Soil Conservation district in performing land classification
and land capability surveys in selected portions of the lower
Susitna Valley.
95. The Geological Survey has accomplished a large part of the
basic mapping program. Topographic maps at the scale of 1:250,000
are now available for the entire Basin and maps at the scale of
1:63,360 have been published or are nearing completion for all of
the Basin east of longitude 150° west, which includes the main
Susitna River Valley and all areas east of the Alaska Railroad.
Construction cost for 11 additional strea~gaging stations to pro-
vide a complete program of surface-water investigations would be
$204,000. Annual operating cost of the complete stream-gaging and
sediment-sampling program would be $44,000. A combined stream-
gaging and sediment-sampling station should be installed near Denali
dam site as soon as possible.
96. The Alaska Railroad has indicated that its Industrial
Development Board will continue to study means of promoting new
industry, new processes, and new population in the area to be
served by Susitna Power.
97· The Fish and Wildlife Service should prepare a river basin
survey report on the fish and wildlife resources. Major interest
would be centered on the location of salmon spawning areas and the
intensity of utilization. This study should be made concurrently
with Bureau of Reclamation investigations of Devil Canyon project.
98. The Agricultural Research Administration and the Alaska
Experiment Station should continue to cooperate in determining
potential agricultural development of the Basin, with special
attention to possible limitations imposed by climate.
99. The Alaska Development Board, a Territorial agency, will
continue to study possible industrial development in the Railbelt.
With the availability of low-cost energy from Susitna River power
plants, the Board will encourage industries to exploit the mineral
resources of the Basin. Knowledge that large industries are ready
18
)
)
and eager to locate in the Railbelt will be an important factor
in determining the economic feasibility of Devil Canyon project
and other future developments.
100. Develonment of the water resources and effective use
of other natural ~esources of the Susitna River Basin are essential
to continued growth of the Railbelt economy. To this end, a
comprehensive development plan is needed to assure full and
nonconflicting use of the water resources of the Basin.
101. The substantiating materials to this report~resent
a plan leading to the ultimate development of the hydropower re-
sources of the Susitna River Basin. This outline, however, is
not a comprehensive plan for the development of the Basin's
water resources. Investigative data are lacking in too many phases
to permit formulation.of ~truly co~~rehensive plan. Further
investigations are needed in all aspects of resource development.
102. Power market studies show that the power requirements
of the Railbelt will continue to exceed by ever-increasing amounts
the combined capacity of all existing and authorized power plants.
103o The costs of energy from the various power projects
throughout this report appear exceedingly high in average rate
. per kilowatt hour. Based on the present high cost of constru-
ction, this can be reasonbly expected. Coupled with the high
cost of construction is the fact that all studies conducted
were based on reconnaissance information and are of necessity,
conservative.
In the future it is reasonable to expect that the
economy of Alaska and the States will continue to move into a
closer equilibrium, and resulting from this, costs for Alaskan
construction will decline. As this trend develops these power
projects will continually become more feasible for development.
National economic conditions resuming normalcy should enable
these public works projects to be constructed at a l~wer cost
'than are presently estimated.
19
RECOMMENDATJ.QN§.
104. It is recommended
(a) That the ultimate plan of development of the
hydropower resources, a~ described in this report and the related
substantiating materials, be approved as a general guide for
further investigations, subject to such modification as may be
found necessary by reason of those further investigations9
(b) That the investigations proposed to be undertaken
by the Department of the Interior and other Federal and Terri-
torial agencies, as summarized in paragraphs 89 through 99 of
this repo~t and presented in more detail in Chapter VI of the
substantiating materials, be performed; and that, where necessary,
authorizations and appropriations necessary to performance of this
work be made by the Congress.
(c) That particular attention be given to the urgency
of investigating Devil Canyon power project; and that appropria-
tions be made to the Bureau of Reclamation by the Congress at
such time and in such amounts that the envestigation will not be
delayed for lack of funds.
19a
SUBSTANTIATING
MATERIALS
)
CHAPl'ER I
CHARACTER AND PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
This report describes the Susitna River Basin~its resources
and potentialities.As more than 99 percent of the Basin area is
public domain under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior,
it is especially proper that this is a departmental report.In the
Department some agencies are responsible for inventory of resources~
while others are primarily concerned with management problems or
development and utilization.Outside the Department~additional
Federal agencies as well as Territorial Government agencies also have
specialized knowledge of~and interests in~the Basin.
This departmental report was sponsored by and prepared under
the general supervision of the Bureau of Reclamation.
Herein for the first time pertinent basic data on the
Susitna River Basin from many agencies are assembled in one report
so that development and utilization problems may be more clearly
defined,examined~and resolved.Only by such critical and coordinated
analysis will a comprehensive plan of basin development evolve that
will result in the most good for the greatest number.
\>lould water-resource development in the Basin conflict with
conservation of recreational resources or fish and wildlife resources?
Would reservoirs inundate land more valuable for its timber resources,
mineral deposits~or agricultural potentialities?
To what extent would the well-being of native tribes be
adversely affected by a more extensive use of the resources?These
and many other problems must be studied and investigated to arrive
at a fully integrated and mutually acceptable program for conserva-
tion,development,and utilization of resources.
When proof was established for a higher priority use of
the water resources at several dam sites the Bureau accepted those
findings.Even though a plan of ultimate development is suggested
herein,proof of priority is lacking in many instances and must be
determined before any ultimate plan can be mutually accepted.Years
of further study may be required.
However,the plan for initial development is believed to
be noncontroversial and should receive immediate attention a.nd
action.
20
eharac.ter and.!::?ryose of the Report
Finally,.the report points to further studies and
investigations that should be initiated by various departmental
agencies to coordinate and integrate the Department 'I s activities
in the Basin.
21
CHAPTER II
S U S I T N A R I V E R B A S I N
GEN~AL DESCRIPTION
The Susitna River Basin, referred to in this report as the
Basin, is located in South Centr~l Alaska. It is a vast, rugged,
virtually uninhabited, irregular oval 250 miles from east to west and
100 miles from north to south. In its 19,900 square miles, more than
60 rivers flow into the Susitna to give the area great potentialities
for hydroelectric development.
In area it is larger than New Hampshire and Vermont combined.
The north and west rims of the oval are walled in by the highest peaks
of the Alaska Range, including the highest mountain on the North
American Continent. MOunt McKinley looks down on this wilderness of
lakes, rivers, mountains, canyons, and meadows that make up the
Susitna Basin.
Virtually the only concession to ·civilization is a ribbon of
steel--the Alaska Railroad--that bisects the Basin in a north-south
direction.
From the windows of the Diesel streamliner train that runs
between Anchorage and Fairbanks, the north and west rims of the water-
shed are a panorama of 1-, 2-, and 3-mile high snow-clad peaks with
ponderous glaciers spilling down their sides.
The mountain walls to the north and west are forbidding, and
the area to the east of the Alaska Railroad is a wilderness that is
legendary in the Territory. Many a trapper, lured by the prospects
of a virgin fur country, has found the region "too tough" for a
second season in its hills.
The Susitna Basin east of the Alaska Railroad is as rugged
a locale for travel and exploration as can be found anywhere in the
North Country. At least 35 rivers and streams fan into the Susitna
from the high plateau country to the east and southeast.
This high plateau country is completelywithout access
roads. Virtually the only trails in the area are game trails. Even
the Indians who lived in the Interior rarely visited the region.
22
)
Susitna River Basin
The Susitna River Basin is separated from the Yukon Plateau
area by the lofty Alaska Range which forms a great arc roughly paral-
leling the shore line of the Gulf of Alaska. (On the south the
dome-like Talkeetna Mountains separate the Basin from the Matanuska
River Basin.) The eastern part of the Susitna Riv~r Basin is not as
clearly defined, the drainage divide being in the marshy muskeg and
lake-dotted Copper River Plateau.
With a total relief of 20,269 feet from the mouth of the
Susitna River to the summit of Mount McKinley, it is readily conceived
that topography of the Basin is rugged and spectacular. The snow-and
ice-capped Alaska Range is a practically unbroken western and northern
boundary to the Basin~ The lowest pass through the range is Broad
Pass on the railroad near elevation 2400.
The main stem of the Susitna River rises in the glaciers on
the south side of Mount Deborah, Mount Hess, and Mount Hayes. These
three peaks are all between 2 and 3 miles higho Mount hess was scaled
for the first time in the summer of 1951.
The large plateau lakes on the east rim of the Basin and the
countless small lakes and ponds of the area drain into the Susitna.
From the point where the glacier-fed streams from the north and the
lake-fed streams from the east and south join, the Susitna River flows
westerly for about 80 miles through deep canyons. It then turns
sharply southward for 120 miles and is joined by a multitude of moun-
tain streams as it flows out over a wide plain, finally emptying into
Cook Inlet--a salt-water body with the second highest tides in the
world.
Ho1~ever, in the 80 miles of westerly flow, where the Susitna
carves its bed in a succession of canyons, is the region of hydro-
electric potential of immediate importance.
CLIMATE
Even though Susitna River Basin is bounded on the south by
an arm of the ocean, the climate of the Basin exhibits the general
characteristics of a subhumid continental climate. The main body of
the Basin is separated from the moderating effects of the Pacific
Ocean by the Chugach Mountains on the southeast and by Kenai Penin-
sula on the south. Records of temperature, precipitation, and other
weather data are entirely lacking for the portion of the Basin east
of the Alaska Railroad and are scanty for the portion west of the
railroad; most of the records are from stations along the railroad.
Most of the following general description is based on these records
and applies primarily to the lower valley area below Gold Creek.
23
Susitna River Basin
The July daily maximum temperatures in the Susitna Valley
average about 700· the highest temperature was 90°, which was recorded
at Caswell, Skwentna, and Talkeetna. The daily minimums in the valley
during July average about 47°, with a mean July temgerature of about
58°. The mean January temperature averages about 8 0 The lowest
temperatures recorded in the Susitna Valley were -50 at Skwentna
and -48° at T~lkeetna and Susitna.
Maximum summer temperatures are rather warm, but the daily
range is great, resulting in a comparatively short growing season.
The frost-free period averages about 74 days between June 12 and
August 25. In occasional years frost occurs every month.
Meager data indicate that the freeze-up of Susitna River
usually occurs about the middle of December and the break-up about
May 1. Smaller rivers and lakes have a slightly shorter period of
open water.
The Susitna Valley receives almost twice as much precipita-
tion as does the Matanuska Valley. The comparatively large amount is
due primarily to the location of the valley in a direct line ~~th
Cook Inlet. No mountain barrier obstructs the flow of moisture
brought into the valley by southwesterly winds, the direction pre-
vailing in most storm situations. Progressing northward, normal
annual precipitation increases from 28 inches at Susitna to 44 inches
at Curry, then decreases to 21 inches at Summit, on the northern border
of the Basin. Puntilla, at the western edge of the Basin, receives
about 14 inches annually. Except for Summit and Puntilla, all weather
stations in the Basin are below 600-foot elevation. It is therefore
difficult to estimate precipitation in the mountain areas. Based on
a short record of runoff of Susitna River at Gold Creek, average
precipitation on the drainage area above this station is estimated
at about 40 inches annually, with probable extremes of about 15 and
70 inches. About 55 percent of the total annual precipitation occurs
from July through October, whereas only 20 percent falls from March
through June.
The highest and most widespread storm rainfall in Susitna
Valley occurs when a low-pressure area is centered in the vicinity of
Bristol Bay or the lower Kusko~~m River Valley. Storms may move into
this area from the Bering Sea or from the North Pacific Ocean. They
may even move into the Gulf of Alaska and then curve, moving west over
the lower Susitna Valley and into the Kuskokwim Valley. Storms located
in the Gulf of Alaska and Cook Inlet generally produce cloudy condi-
tions over the Susitna Valley and occasionally rain occurs, depending
upon the exact position, strength, and movement of the storm.
24
',.
Me /(fNl Ey
,~o.
NOI.
~:/t::~o,:,~:';'d5of w.,o,,,.,aflpgrt"'flM or com::,:i,
'...
CLIMATIC DATA
.... )~
•.
Susitna River Basin
About one-half of the total precipitation in the Susitna
River Basin falls as snow. This results in natural storage of winter
precipitation, with accumulation generally lasting through March. At
Talkeetna, snow is usually about 5 feet deep at that time. The
greatest recorded depth of snow on the ground at Talkeetna was 104
inches; the total snowfall during the same season ~s 167 inches.
Measurable precipitation occurs about 130 days a year at
Susitna Valley stations. It can be expected on more than half the
days in August and September, but on about 5 days during April.
Surface winds, although modified by local terrain, are
generally northerly in all but the three summer months, when the
prevailing wind is from the south.
The accompanying table summarizes some of the more important
climatological data reoorded at stations in the Susitna River Basin.
Data from Anchorage and a Matanuska Valley station are also shown for
comparison •
25
l\) a-.
L ;
0
Climatological Data
Mean temperature
{degrees F.~
Elev. Yrs. of
Station (feet) record Jan.
Anchorage !/ 134 29 12.9
Caswell 290 3 1.5
Curry Y 544 6 12.2
Matanuska
Valley No. 14
!I 150 32 13.1
Punt ill a 1,832 9 5.1
Skwentna 153 11 7-0
Summit 2,401 10 4-5
Susitna y 50 15 12.6
Talkeetna 345 32 8.7
~-11 Not in Susitna River Basin;
shown for comparison.
y Stations not now in operation.
July Annual
57-3 35.2
58.5 31.0
58.7 34-9
57.4 35.1
51.6 26.0
58.3 32.7
52.1 25.9
58.2 35 .. 1
57·9 33.4
Average
annual
precip.
(inches)
14.54
26.05
43.66
15.50
13.50
30.62
20.86
27.97
30.01
Average Average frost-free ~eriod
annual Last temp. First temp.
snowfall Length of 32° of 32°
(inches) (days) in spring in fall
60 115 May 19 Sept. 11
(2./) (2./) CV) (2./)
149 95 May 30 Sept. 2
45 105 May 27 Sept. 9
100 34 July 12 Aug. 15
120 94 M;:~y 29 Aug. 31
124 w 74 irJ Jtllle 11 !z/ Aug. 24
64 w 74 !z/ Ju111e 14 !z/ Aug. 27
127 w 69 !z/ June 13 y Aug. 21
2/ Insufficient data.
!!/ Freezing temperatures have been
recorded in every month in
occasional years.
Susitna River Basin
HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT
Captain James Cook,on his third voyage of discovery in
1778,.was the first white man to visit the body of water in South
Central Alaska that now bears his name.l'iOn June 1,.1778,Captain
Cook anchored the RESOLUTION and the DISCOVERY in waters he called
fTurnagain River~v a tributary of the much larger vCook River.'At
Possession Point,.about 25 miles from the site of Anchorage,the
Captain planted the English flag,claiming possession of all the
land for his British monarch.il'
The early Russians did some exploring in the Cook Inlet
country.Other than their trade with the Indians,.there is little
known of their occasional travels in the hinterland.
The Russians realized that the Susitna Basin was a vast
area..Far to the northwest they could see a tremendous mountain
surpassing any other peak in size.This mass of ice and snow they
named Bulshaia Gora,or I'tBig Momtain ..l'f The Indians called it
Denali,the I'I'Home of the Sm.l'f
The first American of record to see this lofty peak was a
prospector named Frank Densmore.He saw the peak in the early
1890's.W.A.Dickey,another prospector,saw the peak in 1896.He
wrote about the mountain in the Ne,,'f York Sm,.January 24,1897,
calling it Denali;but upon hearing that McKinley had been nominated
for the presidency,he renamed the mountain McKinley.The name
became official at once ..
The Susitna area was only vaguely known when the Eleventh
Census (1890)took first official cognizance of the region.A
trading post and native village were located at Knik outside the
Basin9 s southern rim,and an Indian trail led off to the Copper River
comtry.Once or twice a year natives from the Interior came to the
coast to trade copper and furs for guns,amffimition,whiskey,and
other products of the white manvs civilization.
The first known prospectors to search for gold in the
Susitna Basin started inland from Cook Inlet in the late 18809 s with
a yearfs outfit and supplies.They attempted the upstream navigation'
of the Susitna River.They returned in 3 weeks completely discouraged,
having lost their supplies and nearly their lives.They stated that
"the most beautiful scenery and the richest mines in the world might
be in the Susitna Basin,but that the mosquitoes obscured their vision
and occupied their attention to the exclusion of everything else.l't
27
Susitna River Basin
lrJith the discovery of gold in the Klondike,"the spotlight
of the world was directed on Alaska.In 1898,the United States
Geological Survey sent G.H.Eldridge and a party to explore the
Susitna.tVhile making a reconnaissance of the geology and mineral
deposits of the Susitna country.the party was to map a trail to the
Interior and determine whether a v.ragon road or railroad could be
built to the gold fields.The party traveled up the Susitna River
with Indian guides.They reached what today is Broad Pass,the
divide between the Susitna and the Yukon drainage basins.Here the
guides deserted,fearing for their lives from the Interior Tena
Indians.Eldridge and party continued into the Tanana Valley and
the Yukon watershed.
The Susitna route to the Interior,once established,
described,and mapped,w"as never popular \"dth gold seekers as it was
a far more difficult route than that through Skagway,the White Pass,
and down the Yukon,or via the Valdez trail.
Although the Susitna Basin ''laS ~itough country,Vi a few gold
seekers,who found the Klondike and the more recently discovered
Fairbanks fields overcrowded,roamed the hills and valleys of the
Susitna Basin.By 1908,.two placer areas,Valdez Creek and the bed
of the Yentna River,plus the lode prospects in the lrJ"illow Creek
region,were producing about a quarter-million dollars annually;but
operations grew slo\'fly due to high transportation costs and difficult
terrain.
The Susitna Basin received its breath of life when
President Wilson signed into la'"on }larch 11+,1914,a bill to build
a railroad from the coast of Alaska to Fairbanks in the Interior.
The route approved by President Woodrow Nilson was up the Susitna
River.A large construction camp was established in 1914 on the
shore of Knik Arm,a branch of Cook Inlet,and on July 10,1915,
business lots and home sites were sold in a brand new town called
Anchorage.
The Alaska Railroad,built by equipment that was used in
constructing the Panama Canal,\"las finally pushed through to comple-
tion after 9 years'work.The golden spike was driven by President
Harding on July 15,1923.Passenger service to the Interior has
grown from one train a week to one streamliner a day.Today the
Alaska Railroad is a smooth-running efficient operation with new
Diesel-driven equipment.
Except for a small settlement of traders,trappers,
prospectors,and natives at the junction of the Susitna and Talkeetna
28
Susitna River Basin
· Rivers about halfway up the north-south axis of the Basin, and a
village near the mouth of the Susitna River, there was no permanent
population of record prior to the advent of the Alaska Railroad.
Even today there are only about 400 persons in the entire Basin.
Although there are 17 stations on the Alaska Railroad
within the Basin, most of them are merely section houses with summer
crews of a dozen men dwindling in winter to a straw boss and four or
five trackwalkers. The division point of Curry on the railroad has a
permanent population of 160. The village of Talkeetna, according to
the last census, had 106. Some 20 of these are Civil Aeronautics
Administration personnel and their families at the airfield adjacent
to the town.
The:·only. other nearby village of importance to the Susitna
Basin is 10 miles beyond the north boundary of the Basin. Cantwell
is about 4 miles outside the southeast corner of Mount McKinley
National Park. Cantwell is connected with Mount McKinley National
Park by a gravel road. A highway now under construction from Cantwell
will run eastward 131 miles, cross the upper Susitna River Basin and
end at the Richardson Highway. This will enable tourists to drive
from the States right to Mount McKinley--the highest peak in North
America.
THE LAND
Except for about 5,000 acres, the United States Govern-
ment owns the Susitna River Basin. The Basin area is 12,700,000
acres. The custodial agent of this public domain is the Bureau of
Land Management of the Department of the Interior.
Of the 19,900 ~quare miles in the Basin, only 252 square
miles are surveyed land.
H. H. Bennett and Thomas B. Rice made a reconnaissance
soil survey of the Cook Inlet region for the United States Department
of Agriculture in 1914. Even today, after 38 years have elapsed, no
significant additional data are available on the Basin's soils. How-
ever, in the past several years, technicians of Alaska Agricultural
Experiment Station, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Manage-
ment, and Territorial Department of Agriculture, traveling across the
Basin have had limited opportunity to generally confirm the Bennett
and Rioe report on soils. It is believed, but not wholly confirmed,
that there are over one million acres of potential agricultural land
in Susitna River Basin. Of this area 6DO,OOO acres are considered
potential farm land and over400,000, grazing land.
29
Susitna River Basin
For more detailed data in this report, a complete tabula-
tion of soil classification compiled by Bennett and Rice is sho~~ in
the final chapter "Reports of Other Agencies" under the heading
"Bureau of Land Management." In the same chapter is a soil classifi-
cation map accompanying the Territorial Department of Agriculture
'MOY"\1"\"""+ ... -1""""' ... "'.
Climatological data are available from only a few isolated
stations in the Basin and not adequate to form a positive limited
judgment ,otl/'whe'f;.her this land could be successfully farmed. Very
limited meteorological studies show the growing season to be only
74 days as compared with the more accurately determined 108 days in
adjoining Matanuska Valley and 117 days in the nearby Anchorage area.
~ RESOt~CES
Everyone agrees that the Basin contains extensive and
valuable timber. Nowhere in the States "rest of the Mississippi
River are there comparable stands of commercial birch timber. In
Susitna Basin there are more than 150,000 acres of birch timber.
In addition to birch there are stands of merchantable
cottonwood and "'hite spruce.
No timber stand in the Basin is being commercially utilized
at the present time. The Bureau of Land Management is the agency
responsible for timber surveys, fire protection, and management,
including timber sales contracts. Further details regarding timber
resources of the Basin are in the Bureau of Land Management con-
tributing statement in the final chapter "Reports of Other Agencies."
MINERAL RESOURCES
Little is known of the Basin's mineral resource poten-
tialities. The more accessible areas along the railroad or the
principal streams are likely to have been reasonably well prospected
in past years, while the more inaccessible canyons and hinterlands
probably received but little attention.
Gold has been the only mineral production of any importance.
The three principal gold mining districts are the lode deposits at
Willow Creek and placer deposits at Yentna-Cache Creek and at Valdez
Creek. Past production has been over $23 1 000,000 including minor
amounts of silver.
Copper has been found on Iron Creek and on the West Fork of
Chulitna River.
30
) Susitna River Basin
Coal has been found at many places in the lower Susitna
River Basin.
In the last several years, a few mines have been occasion-
ally operated, but none on a continuous basis over a long period of
'tTO!).YIIe! tJ----.
WATER RESOURCES
The Susitna is a big river. Long-term flow at its mouth
is roughly estimated at 22,500,000 acre-feet in an average year.
This is more water than the Colorado River flow at Hoover Dam•
Although there is no information on occurrence of the
Basin's underground water supplies, the general geology would
indicate large quantities, especially in the southern half of the
Basin.
The only utilization of the water resources, at present,
is for domestic use and for Alaska Railroad locomotives.
FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES
The fish and "tr~rlldlife resources are extensive and very
important.
The Susitna Rive~ salmon run annually accounts for about
$2,000,000 in the Cook Inlet fisheries industry. It is known that
salmon run up the main stem of the river as far as the mouth of
Portage Creek a few miles below Devil Canyon. The utilization of
spawning areas above Devil Canyon needs further investigation. Streams
above Devil Canyon abound with grayling and other nonmigratory fish.
There are many valuable fur animals. In the upper Basin
are large numbers of caribou. The largest moose herd :in Alaska is in
the Basin.
RECREATION
The Alaska Railroad runs fishermen's specials over summer
weekends to certain well-known trout and grayling streams along the
tracks. But in the Railbelt no one needs to go more than a mile
from the tracks to fill his creel.
At Curry, division point on the Alaska Railroad, there is
a good hotel. A ski tow operates on winter weekends and the hotel
gets some patronage from the Anchorage outdoor fans. A military rest
31
)
/)
)
Susitna River Basin
camp at Lake Louise in the extreme southeast corner of the Basin is
in a wilderness area, where ducks and geese abound and caribou and
moose are plentiful.
To the west of Talkeetna, on the trail to Peters Creek,
is a favored vantage point from which to view Mount McKinley.
Perhaps a visitor center could be established here to enable people
to enjoy the mountain on clear days. Trains go back and forth each
day and stops could be arranged between them. Planes stop at
Talkeetna regularly.
32
)
CHAPTER III
RAILBELT ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
The importance of the Susitna River Basin's natural
resources, their development and utilization, is not confined to
the Basin itself. The area affected by the development of the
Basin extends aiong the entire Railbelt from Se1.rard to Fairbanks,
a distance of 473 miles, and is closely associated with the
strengthening of the defenses of the nation against over-the-top
attack by a foreign pot-rer. Moreover, development of Susitna River
hydroelectric projects is basic to the economic awakening and
physical development of the natural resources of the heartland of
Alaska.
KENAI PENINSULA
Town of Seward
Seward is the gateway city and civilian port of entry to
the heartland of Alaska. Its official population in 1950 was 2,053,
an increase of more than 100 percent in the past decade. Estimates
of its present population vary from 3,000 to 3,500.
Seward was established in 1903 as a port of entry for
Central Alaska, and in 1904 construction of a privately owned rail-
road began from Seward northward to Fairbanks. During all of
Seward's 50 years of existence it has varied little from this origi-
nal economic pattern. This ice-free, year-round harbor of Seward on
Kenai Peninsula is now the southern terminal of the Government-owned
Alaska Railroad and the northernmost port of the regular steamship
lines operating between the States and Alaska. A paved highway,
nearing completion, connects Seward lld.th Anchorage, Fairbanks, and
the Alaska Highway.
Local resources, including fish and other sea foods, and
small ore deposits of gold and other metals, have never provided a
livelihood for any substantial number of Seward's inhabitants. A
major part of its income is derived not from the production of goods,
but the rendering of transportation services to other portions of
Alaska--especially Anchorage, Fairbanks, and their respective mili-
tary installations. In 1950 the port of Seward handled 428,953 tons
of freight.
33
J
Railbelt Economic Activities
Seldovia
Seldovia is the commercial fishing center of Kenai
Peninsula. The four small canneries there process salmon, hali-
but, and various kinds of shell fish for the Anchorage market and
export trade. Cold storage plants and a boat harbor are among
other facilities serving the needs of the fishing industry.
A small sawmill in the community, utilizing local timber
stands, provides cut lumber for local needs.
Among the most promising future industrial developments
are two large chrome deposits near Seldovia. These deposits have
been worked in the recent past and the ore stock piled in the harbor.
Recently renewed interest has been expressed in working the deposit
again.
Homer
Located across Kachemak Bay from Seldovia, the town of
Homer, holds promise of being a favorite resort center for hunters
and sports fishermen who come in large numbers to enjoy the excel-
lent hunting and fishing around Kachemak Bay. A large lodge to
accommodate sportsmen and tourists is scheduled for construction
this coming season.
Homer has grown in activity and importance since the
Sterling Highway, terminating at Homer, was connected with the road
around Turnagain Arm to Anchorage in the fall of 1951. Numerous
farms and homesteads have been started recently in the surrounding
area. Potatoes and hardy truck crops, particularly cabbage and
cauliflower, are grown in commercial quantities and trucked to the
Anchorage market. The area is particularly well adapted to dairy
farming but at present the dairy industry is small and serves only
the local market. Cattle and sheep grazing are both promising
agricultural developments.
Homer also contains a small hand cannery, a small saw-
mill and a growing business in the processing of berry products.
Between Homer and Anchor Point are large coal deposits.
Considerable interest has been expressed in these coal deposits in
recent months which may lead to an early mining operation there.
34
)
J
Railbelt Economic Activities
Kenai
Kenai is the fastest growing community on the Peninsula
due to extensive military construction in the surrounding area
renresentin~ exnenditure of ~bout $6;500;000= If propoeed plans
are carried~out: military expenditures for large-seale development
in the area may exceed $100,000,000. The region is currently
experiencing a land boom and the area adjacent to the village of
Kenai and adjacent to military installations is being subdivided.
Land speculators and proprietors of local businesses are picking
up substantial acreage in anticipation of larger and·more important
military expansion.
A large land area around Kenai has been withdrawn and set
aside as the Kenai National Moose Range, protecting the largest
remaining moose herd in Alaska •
. The Kenai River, which empties into Cook Inlet near Kenai,
is one of the most important spawning streams for sockeye salmon
in the Territory.
Whittier
The Port of Whittier, at the northeast corner of Kenai
Peninsula, has been taken over by the Military and closed to move-
ments of civilian cargo and passengers. This port is one of the
military supply lines that must be maintained for the defense of
the Territory.
One of the four largest sawmills in Alaska, producing
about 11-1/2 million board feet of lumber a year, is located at
Whittier.
frosHects for the Future
Prospects are bright for the continued economic develop-
ment of the Kenai Peninsula. The reopening of chrome mining
operations near Seldovia and the large-scale mining of coal
deposits near Anchor Point are both likely possibilities in the
near future and would go far in contributing income and employment
in the region.
35
J
Railbelt Economic Activities
With continued construction of new roads and improvement
of existing roads within the Peninsula and between the Peninsula
and the Anchorage area, substantial increases in the tourist and
resort business and in agricultural activity are certain to occur.
If proposed plans for military installation. near Kenai
are carried out, large-scale construction will continue there for
several years, and contribute substantially to the income of the
area.
ANCHORAGE AREA
Anchorage, Alaska's largest community and fastest-growing
city, boasts of more than 50,000 population within a 10-mile radius
of its post office. Only 20 years ago Anchorage was a quiet little
town of about J,OOO. The main source of employment was the Alaska
Railroad, a little farming, some gold mining, and two small coal
mines in the Matanuska field.
Then came the Matanuska Colony in 1935. Two hundred
families were sent from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan by the
Federal Government to farm in the fertile valley just 50 miles
from Anchorage. This transplanting of 200 families, supported by
"Uncle Sam" until they got on their feet, was an economic boon to
the town of Anchorage.
The aviation industry, spreading its wings from Anchorage
to Fairbanks, to the Kuskokwim country, to Bristol Bay, to Kodiak, to
Seward, and down the coast to Juneau, brought new families and new
incomes to the community of Anchorage.
In 19.39, the darkening clouds of war spread over Alaska.
The Military arrived, set up tents, then built barracks and set out
guns on promontories along the coast.
Soon after Pearl Harbor Day, a quarter-million soldiers,
sailors, and marines were in Alaska. Anchorage had become a mili-
tary encampment and a gigantic war program was underway on three
sides of the town. Fort Richardson was established at an initial
cost of $S5,000,000, and here the unified command of Army-Navy-
Marine Corps was located. The war in the Aleutians was directed
from the Anchorage headquarters.
.36
•
(
'.
Aerial view of Anchorage business district reveals well-planned modern city with
wide streets.
Street scene in heart of downtown Anchorage.
G P0-87-80046
Railbelt Economic Activities
The community of Anchorage was totally unprepared for the
influx of the United States Military. It was unprepared for the
expansion that such a tremendous increase in personnel entailed.
The city experienced growing pains of every variety and expanded
without much order and planning.
When the war retreated from Alaskan shores, everyone
expected that Anchorage would lose a large part of its 10,000
population. But that did not happen.
The Federal Government realized that Alaska was the stra-
tegic keystone for the defense of the continent, and has, since the
close of World War II, poured well over a half-billion dollars into
Alaskan projects.
The location of Anchorage, which made it the hub of Mili-
tary activity in the Territory, contributed to the skyrocketing
growth of the city and the surrounding community.
The pressing need for homes, for wholesale and retail
businesses, for service industries, and for professional services
of all kinds gripped Anchorage with unprecedented suddeness. Tar-
paper shacks went up overnight. Jerry-built flats, trailer courts,
improvised homes, and false-front stores were put together.
But through all the welter of rapid growth, a sense of
permanence took over. Office buildings of steel and concrete were
erected in the downtown area. Hotels, apartments, huge permanent
housing projects started to dot the Anchorage landscape. Sub-
divisions and new suburban communities blossomed. Trunk sewers
were laid. A water system for a large community was installed.
Utilities and a dial telephone system became a part of the muni-
cipal government.
As a civilian community of permanence, Anchorage offers
as much as most cities of the same size in the States--this sur-
prises practically all visitors on their first trip.
Schools, churches, clubs, and residences--just like those
of any American community--are in evidence here. The financial
institutions of Anchorage contain half of the deposits of all
Alaska. About half of all the distribution business of Alaska
centers in Anchorage.
The construction industry is the leading industry of the
Anchorage area and will probably continue to be for the next 10
37
Railbelt Economic Activities
years. More than 70 local Alaskan concerns and Stateside contract-
ing firms are engaged in the field. The foreseeable construction
contracts for the years immediately ahead exceed $100,000,000 yearly
and the annual pay roll is in excess of $40,000,000. It is esti-
mated that slightly more than 50 percent of the entire construction
program is in the immediate Anchorage area.
Is there a solid future to the Anchorage area? Is there
direct evidence that this region is not in for a big recession,
should international relations take a turn for the better?
The best answer available is the conclusion drawn by the
Alaska Development Board after a year-long study of the Anchorage
area.
"Military construction will remain a leading
industry in the Anchorage area--barring the outbreak
of hostilities-for at lea.st the next decade, and
probably longer.
* * * * * * * * *
"The House Committee on Appropriations in
approving the second supplemental appropriation bill
for fiscal year 1952, also endorsed for Elmendorf Air
Force base a 25-year construction program, termed
'necessary to provide for the proposed mission' of
the installation. No projection was made for the
Fort Richardson construction program. The Fort, how-
ever, which has been described as one of the nation's
leading military installations, was reported only
20-percent complete as of October 1950.
"Not mentioned previously is another source of
income registering an impact upon the city's economy:
defense and civilian construction projects located in
regions tributary to Anchorage. Activities connected
with the port development at Whittier, communications
station at Kenai, the naval station at Kodiak, radar
installations along the Bering Sea and even Aleutian
Island developments are felt on the Anchorage scene.
The huge defense projects in the Fairbanks area also
bring new dollars to Anchorage business firms. Con-
struction programs of nondefense agencies such as The
Alaska Railroad, Alaska Road Commission, Bureau of
38
Railbelt Economic Activities
Reclamation,Civil Aeronautics Administration,Alaska
Public vlorks Agency,and others constitute another
source of income..While there is no way of measuring '"
actual amoWlts these projects contribute to the economy,
they are believed to be substantial.Many of the
projects are serviced and supplied,in whole or in part,
by Anchorage firms.u
A recent editorial in the Anchorage Daily Times sums up
economic activity as follows:
1fANCHORAGE HAS EVERYTHING.It has grown 52 per
cent in population since the official census of 1950.
Today it is oontinuing the same rapid growth.The
Alaska Development Board predicts it will have a
population of 31,000 by 1956.
''What will all those people do here?
iiThe puzzle is more complicated with the dis-
covery that the predicted growth makes no allowance
for new activities that would offer new sources of
employment.
I?Should anyone of the dozens of potential
industries become a reality,the population fore-
casts would be made obsolete~The growth,instead
of being merely astronomical,would become super-
collosal or something else.
"All this is happening while local residents
still have fresh memories of the sleepy little
village that was Anchorage only a decade ago.The
city was officially 2,277 persons in 1930 and 3,488
in 1940.It was growing at the healthy rate of about
10 per cent a year.
I~Then came the 1940's and the establishment of
the military next door.Nobody knows exactly what
happened but by 1944 estimators said there were
9,000 here.The city council thought it had
problems.
uForecasters said the city would shrink to 6,000
when the war ended.The city planning commission
started laying out projects for a city of 15,000 on
the theory that the plans would allow for some 20
years of growth.
39
(
I
Anchorage,49 days after Government town site land sale held July 10,1915.Highest
price paid for a lot was $1,150.
Same location 36 years later.
GPO-87-8OO16
Railbelt Economic Activities
~tWhile many local residents~including some
members of the commission,thought plans for such a
huge city were silly,the population started to swell•
.I
S?Those who said in 1944 that 15,000 could never
live here were saying in 1950 that 50,000 could never
live here.Today the Alaska Development Board says
more than 50,000 are here and the scoffers are saying
81,000 could never live here.
iiThe record shows that the scoffers have been
consistently wrong.The Chamber of Commerce has been
repeatedly embarrassed with the discovery that its
estimates of population were smaller than those coming
from official quarters.For a time,the Chamber was in
the unusual predicament of having new projects launched
and brought into being faster than its committees could
dream them up.
~tWhere but in Alaska could such unprecedented
situations and developments take place?
HAnchorage has actually blossomed out as a large
city while a segment of the population was twaiting
for the bubble to burst 9 and predicting economic
collapse.
***** *
**
~tGreater Anchorage is destined to become a San
Francisco with the opening of her waterfront to ocean
shipping and the construction of a bridge across Knik
Arm.The city will become a Spokane as the seat of
the Inland Empire v-dth the development of Alaska vs
first Grand Coulee in the Susitna River.
* ** ** *
**
'itA description of this community can be almost
anything,depending on which facets of its variegated
background and economy are given emphasis.
fraut one thing is certain.It all spells oppor-
tunity.There is opportunity for every sort of new
enterprise that can be conceived.The expanding
economy is a big invitation to men of vision.u
40
Railbelt Economic Activities
THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
The Matanuska Valley, north and adjoining the Anchorage
area, is about the size of the state of Rhode Islando
The valley averages 20 miles in width and 60 miles in
length and the valley floor varies from 36 to 400 feet above sea
level.' It is bounded by the Talkeetna MOuntains on the north and
the Chugach MOuntains on the south. The Matanuska River is laden
heavily with silt, which evidently had something to do with the
naming of the valley, as Matanuska is derived from two Indian words
meaning "muddy water."
The three valley towns are Palmer, Wasilla, and Matanuska.
Although the population of the Matanuska Valley has not increased as
spectacularly as the neighboring Anchorage area, the population gains
are substantial and are expected to continue at a steady pace. The
population of the valley was recorded as 1,989 in 1939 and by 1950
had increased to 3,087--an increase of over 50 percent, which is
particularly impressive in the light of the area's principal depend-
ence on farming and coal mining. Palmer, the busy hub of the valley
farm life, has been the main contributor to the increased population.
The most reliable estimates are that the valley's population
will continue to increase at an even more rapid rate and will reach
around 10,000 in 1965. The prospect of low-cost electric power for
industrial development could easily increase the population potential
much beyond the 10,000 estimate.
Highway signboards on the outskirts of Palmer indicate that
local citizens believe "Palmer is the Future Capital of Alaska." In
fact, land has been donated to the city and reserved for that purpose.
The possibility of moving the capital has been spiritedly debated by
the Territorial Legislature in Juneau.
The Matanuska Valley coal field is one of the largest knoh~
in the Territory; and of the several operating mines, the Evans-Jones
is the largest. Matanuska coal is the principal source of supply for
the Anchorage area, including the Alaska Railroad and military instal-
lations. Many coal miners are part-time farmers.
Matanuska Electric Cooperative Association serves the
valley, including the City of Palmer, the coal mines, and the farms.
Roads form a network in the valley and connect with black-
top highways to Anchorage (50 miles from Palmer), to the Richardson
Highway and the Alaska Highway to the States, and to various moun-
tain roads. Nearly every farm has access, within a quarter of a
41
)
Railbelt Economic Activities
mile or less to a graveled road. Railroad transportation is
available at 1 Palmer, Matanuska, and Wasilla. There are airports
at Palmer and Wasilla.
Tourist attractions in the valley are many, and there are
four lodges already established in the valley. On nearly every
Sunday and holiday throughout the year, people may be seen picnick-
ing, fishing, boating, hiking, picture taking, hunting, berry pick-
ing, or mountain climbing. The tourist trade is a profitable business
for the residents of the valley.
Farm Lands
The Matanuska Valley adjoins the Susitna Basin; and, there-
fore, it is pertinent to discuss the agricultural development of the
valley in detail. From a standpoint of future settlement and agri-
cultural development of the lower Susitna River Basin, the experience
of the Matanuska Valley can be most valuable.
The farming area of the Matanuska Valley is about 28,000
acres, or approximately 44 square miles. However, less than one-half
is cleared and in agricultural production.
The Matanuska Valley lies practically as near the Arctic
Circle as does Oslo in Norway and Leningrad in Russia. Practically
all Finland and most of Norway and Sweden lie farther north. The
winters of the valley are not as severe as those of the northern
midwestern states, and not much longer.
Farmers in the valley practice diversified farming,
growing a wide variety of field crops, pasture plants, vegetables,
and berries.
Environmental conditions in the valley are exceptionally
well suited to the gro~~h of canning peas. The quality of the canned
product is excellent, and yields compare favorably with those of the
best pea-canning district in the States.
As far as other vegetables are concerned, there are many
which thrive in the valley climate: radishes, leaf and head lettuce,
both early and late cabbage, cauliflower, parsnips, celery, rutabagas,
turnips, carrots, beets, chard, spinach, peas, rhubarb, and onions.
High yields per acre of all vegetables are the rule.
42
...,.
A few acres typical of the 13,000 acres now under cultivation in Alaska.
Long days of almost constant sunlight result in premium produce.
GPO·87-80046
Railbelt Economic Activities
In the past 12 years, a number o£ varieties of seed and
fiber flax have been grown experimentally. Yields have been high.
The oil content o£ the seed varies from about 30 to 43 percent.
Fall rye is one of the surest cereal crops which can be
grown, Oats and barleys of ar~ variety mature readily, produce good
yields and the grain is plump and well-filled. The average yield of
oats is 45 bushels per acre; hulless barley, 23 bushels; barley, 30
bushels; and winter rye, 20 bushels.
Potatoes are one of the main crops o£ the valley. Average
yield per acre of marketable potatoes is approximately 5 tons, but
yields as high as 18 tons per acre have been grown when irrigated.
Livestock and Dairying
The livestock population has been gradually increasing in
the valley--both in quantity and quality. All classes of poultry,
meat, and dairy animals are represented.
Dairying is one of the chief types of farming in the
¥atanuska Valley. Opportunities for considerable expansion in
dairy farming are indicated by the following reported shipments
of dairy products from the States into Alaska last year:
Milk--condensed, dried---$1 1 100,000
Butter and cheese--------$1,500,000
There are a number of flocks of sheep on valley farms,
most of them crossed Romney-Marsh with a few flocks of Hampshires.
Hogs grow rapidly and produce excellent quality pork,
bacon, and ham. Although corn cannot be produced in the valley,
the use of barley for finishing meat animals and poultry produces
a firm, well-marbled product that compares favorably with the quality
of meat imported from the States.
Although there is a thriving poultry industry in the valley,
the supply of dressed poultry and fresh eggs cannot begin to meet the
demand.
Agricultural Experiment Station
An Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of
Alaska, located in the valley, has done considerable research on
various crops, livestock raising, and fertilizationo It has grown
experimentally approximately 150 varieties and crosses of potatoes.
43
~ilbelt Economic Activities
Matanuska Valley Farmers Co-operating Association
Most of the farm products are marketed through the
Matanuska Valley Farmers Co-operating Association under their
trade mark "Matanuska Maid." The Co-op does an annual business of
$3 .. 000 .. 000. The or£Zanization is owned and controlled by farmers~
. -. . -
The Association operates a garage, machine shop, power
plant, woodworking shop, slaughterhouse, warehouses, creamery,
trading post, and cold-storage and vegetable-storage houses.
Farms and dairy products from the·valley are sold to the
Army and through commercial channels in Anchorage. The supply is
inadequate to meet the demand.
FAIRBANKS AREA
Fairbanks is the largest community in Alaska north of the
City of Anchorage. The "Golden Heart of Alaska," as it is known, is
the northern terminus of the railroad, the end of the Alaska Highway,
and the beginning of air transportation to the back country. It is
the economic center of a 227,000 square-mile trade area. Population
of Fairbanks and surrounding area is unknown and even very difficult
to estimate. In 1950, Bureau of Census counted 5,626 people within
the city limits of Fairbanks, but the official city limits are many
blocks inside the densely populated area. Officials of the Town of
Fairbanks say, "The present population·of Fairbanks and its suburban
area can be safely estimated at 21,000 persons." The local Chamber
of Commerce estimated in October 1951 that the population of the
Town of Fairbanks, its suburban area, and military bases was 34,300._
Until the beginning of World Vlar II, Fairbanks was prin-
cipally a mining town. In 1902 Felix Pedro struck gold on Pedro
Creek, just outside the present Town of Fairbanks. The gold rush
brought thousands of people into the area. In the decade 1910-20,
exhaustion of the best high-grade "pay streaks" resulted in a loss
of one-third of the Fairbanks population. However, the United
States Smelting, Refining, and Mining Company brought large dredges
into the gold fields in 1924, which revitalized the economic activ-
ities in the Fairbanks area. Now there are eight mammoth dredges
in the Fairbanks mining district and several more in nearby areas.
There are many additional operating gold mines throughout northern
Alaska served by Fairbanks.
44
GP0-87-8OO16
(
(
l
Downtown Fairbanks.In center is multimillion-dollar eight story,block square,
Northward Building.
University of Alaska in suburban Fairbanks.One of world's foremost geophysical
institutes,dealing with research in high latitudes.
Railbelt Economic Activities
In recent years"the area 9 s mining activities have been
extended to include other metallic minerals,such as antimony and
tungsten.
The mining of coal at Healy on the Alaska Railroad south
of Fairbanks is a very important industry.Healy River coal deposits
are among the largest in the Territory.These mines supply coal to
the Fairbanks area,including large military installations and the
Alaska Railroad.The Federal Government is investigating the
possibility of using Healy River coal for the production of synthetic
liquid fuels.Recently,the President's Materials Policy Commission
recommended as a national policy u*'**a continuing study of the
economic aspects of producing synthetic liquid fuels from shale and-
coal in relation to security needs and the outlook for future poten-
tial supplies.ft
The Navy has discovered very significant oil and gas fields
about 400 miles north of Fairbanks.Fairbanks residents believe that
eventually the Federal Government will either construct a synthetic
liquid fuel plant at Healy River,or pipe gas and oil from the Arctic
slope to a potential refinery at Fairbanks.
Fairbanks is a very modern city.It is the financial
center of northern Alaska,with bank deposits of over $25,000,,000.-
There are two newspapers,one a daily and the other a l~ekly publica-
tion.Civil Aeronautics Administration has recently completed a new
$5,000,000 commercial airport.
Tourist trade has increased each year since World War II,
and is no,,,,an important business.Regular sightseeing trips are
available to the gold fields"University of Alaska,Tanana River,
across the Arctic Circle to the Yukon,to I-fcKinley National Park on
the railroad,Circle Hot Springs,Yukon River,Kotzebue (the largest
Eskimo community in Alaska),Nome,and other points of interest.
Mount McKinley National Park is very popular,not only
with tourists,but with Alaskans.Located south of Fairbanks,it is
accessible by railroad,but completion of the highway now under con-
struction will make it even more easily reached.Hotel facilities
are very modern,and the meals are excellent.The mountain scenery
is superlative.The trip to the Park is a never-forgotten event.
Near the city of Fairbanks are two of the Military's
strongest bases for defense of the continent.A third base is
100 miles away.
45
Railbelt Economic Activities
Over $150,000~000 has been invested in these bases in the
Fairbanks area in the past 5 years.Another $150,000,000 is pro-
posed for military construction in this area in the next few years.
Fairbanks is in an anomalous position.The combined
impact of military growth and civilian expansion has hit this
frontier mining community so hard that municipal problems have
piled up and pyramided to an unprecedented degree.The city
government and civic organizations are faced with the problems of
an almost overnight expansion from a quiet Alaskan village into a
modern,hustling,bustling city.
Located in the sub-Arctic,with attendant problems of
continental climate and permafrost ground conditions,Fairbanks
has far more acute growing problems and growing pains than any
other modern city under the American flag.
In spite of all its problems,including the difficulties
of building a modern city in the sub-Arctic,Fairbanks is destined
to be a great and growing city.At present:)it is drawing people
from the States in unprecedented numbers.Even in the month of
January 1952,with the temperature at times hitting 50 0 below zero,
more than 2,000 persons arrived in Fairbanks-over the Alaska Highl'1B.y
in their own cars,via the Alaska Railroad,and by airplane from the
States.
HThe rush is onff is the expression one hears in Fairbanks.
Building of permanent housing projects,apartment houses,and business
structures,paving of streets and roads,opening up of a dozen real
estate subdivisions--all are outward evidences of permanent gro't'rth.
Rural electrification is giving the spark of .life to farm
and suburban living.The demand for power extends a hundred miles
down the Alaska Highway from Fairbanks.It fans out in a veritaole-
spider web from the city.As fast as electrical energy can be fur-
nished,the rural areas are being populated.
Civic organizations declare that Fairbanks will be a com-
munity of 50,000 in the next decade.The military installations
around Fairbanks will be the permanent nouter defensesu of the conti-
nent from attack across or over the top of the Arctic Ice Cap.
Fairbanks will be the hub of a road system that will reach
the extremities of the Territory within a few years.These roads
will be very important as they will be the mea..."lS of bringing minerals
and metals out of the hinterland.
46
New Alaska Railroad freight yard in Fairbanks.
GPO-87-S00l6
Fairbanks industrial area.Fairbanks Exploration Company's 9,OOO-kilowatt steam
power plant in center.1 _
Railbelt Economic Activities
Fairbanks has numerous attributes for permanent growth.
Not the least of them is the University of Alaska. Hardly 30 years
old, this land-grant institution has an outstanding school of mines;
a progressive school of agriculture, with jurisdiction over three
agricultural experiment stations; and an internationally famous
geophysical institute. The Arctic Institute of Health, planned for
the immediate future, will add to the prestige and renown of the
University. The Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit is headquartered
at the University and the first two graduate degrees granted at the
University were in Wildlife Management.
The Tanana Valley near Fairbanks is the northernmost region
of agricultural development in Alaska, at the present time. The
growing season for tender plants, such as potatoes, averages 105 days.
For plants such as grains and grasses, planted on south slopes, the
average is 123 days. Rainfall is only about 7 inches in the months
of May, June, July, August, and September, with the highest amount in
August. Irrigation is badly needed.
Although the farming is diversified, potatoes, hay, and
grain are the most important crops. Up to $150 per ton is made on
commercial grades of potatoes, and some acres yield from 8 to 12
tons. Practically all the vegetables which can be grown in the
Northern States--cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, beets,
radishes, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, lettuce, peas, broccoli,
parsnips, and rhubarb--produce a good yield and quality in the
Tanana Valley. Cabbage grows especially large, some up to 30
pounds.
There is just one commercial dairy in the Tanana Valley,
although some farmers have a few cows for their own use.
Thousands of day-old chicks are shipped in by airplane
during the spring and summer months, and later sold as fryers in
the local markets.
The principal markets for the crops grown in the Tanana
Valley are: the to~~ of Fairbanks, the two air bases near Fairbanks
and another air base 100 miles away. Produce is also shipped to '
communities down river, delivered by airplane to outlying small
towns and.to mining communities, and sent out by trucks to various
construction and mining camps in the vicinity.
47
Railbelt Economic Activities
SUMMARY
This chapter has outlined the historical and present
economic development of the major centers of activity in the
Railbelt. Initial cause of activity was gold mining, primarily
in the Fairbanks area. This resulted in construction of transpor-
tation facilities to serve the gold-producing areas. Coal mining
has also become an important industry.
Fishing, farming, and lumbering are other activities
which expanded from small beginnings to their present important
status. Construction of military and civilian facilities and
buildings probably employs more people than any other existing
industry in the Railbelt. With increase in population resulting
from other economic development, recreation and tourist trade have
also become important sources of income.
These activities are only a suggestion of the potential
future development which may take place in the Railbelt if large
quantities of low-cost power are made available. The next chapter
briefly discusses the extent of this potential activity with particu-
lar emphasis on future requirements for power from Susitna River
plants.
48
J
_)
CHAPTER IV
POWER SUPPLY AND MARKETS
An abundant supply of low-cost electric energy from the
Susitna River Basin projects could go far in improving the area's
economy and promoting higher standards of living. Hydroelectric
energy will constitute a particularly important incentive to the
growth of manufacturing industries utilizing the Railbelt's varied
mineral resources and increased output of agricultural products.
The hydroelectric projects of the Basin are also expected to con-
tribute electric power for irrigation and farming purposes and to
serve the Railbelt's homes and commercial establishments.
An estimate of the combined electric power requirements
for all these uses is essential in order to determine the electric
facilities to be installed at the river projects in the Basin. This
report therefore gives thorough consideration to the subject of
future electric power requirements in a region which includes vir-
tually all of the Susitna River Basin and the densely populated
adjacent areas. For simplification, the region covered by this
survey will be referred to as the Railbelt, or, simply, the power
market area.
POWER MARKET AREA
The drainage basin of the Susitna River system contains
appraxima~ 400 people. The power supply problem has been relatively
small, as this commodity has been but one of many considered difficult
to provide in this sparsely settled area. On the other hand, Fairbanks
to the north and Anchorage to the south have become fast-growing popu-
lation centers. Before Wor~War II these cities were important points
on the Alaska Railroad from the port of Seward to the rich gold-mining
district around Fairbanks. These centers, swelled by post-war defense
construction, have become extremely short of power. These critically
power-short adjacent areas are included in the power market area
because the Susitna River plants are a logical source of hydroelectric
power for them.
The Railbelt is generally thought of as the area adjacent
to the railroad from Seward to Fairbanks. It is possible to transmit
power from the Susitna River to every point on the railroad and to
many points at considerable distance from the railroad, depending on
the individual economies of the local service. For the purpose of
49
Power Supply and Markets
this report most potential loads up to 100 miles on either side of
the railroad will be considered within the power market area. The
area is approximately one-tenth the total area of the Territory or
about 50,000 square miles. Within this area is concentrated nearly
one-half of the Territorial population! exclusive of military
personnel.
EXISTING PO~~ PLANTS AND TRANSMISSION LINES
' --
The abundant potential water-power resources of Alaska
total more than 8fOOO,OOO kilowatts of installed hydroelectric
capacity. Of this amount approximately 1,500,000 kilowatts are
in the Susitna River Basin. In all of Alaska the installed hydro-
electric capacity is 27,758 kilowatts. Only 3,380 kilowatts of
this capacity are located in the power market area contiguous to
the Susitna River Basin.
The principal existing hydroelectric plant is the 2,000-
kilowatt Eklutna plant of the Anchorage Public Utilities. Annual
generation from the plant is about 16,000,000 kilo~~tt-hours. This
plant will be acquired by the Bureau of Reclamation and its firm
water supply diverted through the new Eklutna plant of the Bureau
of Reclamation.
Fuel electric plants in the market area in 1951 totaled
49,636 kilowatts of installed capacity. Of this amount 14,500
kilowatts of steam and 11,700 kilowatts of internal combustion
served military needs; and 13,850 kilowatts of steam and 9,586
kilowatts of internal combustion were for public supply. The
total fuel generation for 1951, exclusive of military production,
is estimated at more than 15,000,000 kilowatt-hours. Diesel fuel
for internal-combustion engines and fuel oil for steam electric
generation is transported from California by tanker and then by
rail. Coal is supplied by rail from the Matanuska and Healy coal
fields located adjacent to the railroad.
The sole transmission line in the area consists of 27
miles of 33,000-volt line which delivers power from the existing
Eklutna plant to the City of Anchorage. This line and plant will
be acquired by the Bureau of Reclamation. The line will later be
salvaged as it will not be needed after the new Eklutna plant,
including a 115,000-volt transmission line, is in operation.
Two private power enterprises of importance operate in
the power market area. The Fairbanks Exploration Company operates
a 9,500-kilowatt steam generating plant in Fairbanks for supplying
50
rower Supply.and lYIarkets
power to its summer gold dredging operations.The Golden Valley
Electric Association is negotiating to purchase this plant to pro-
vide a firm power supply for its members in the association~s service
areas around Fairbanks.The association would continue to supply
power to the mining company for its dredging operations.
"
The other private utility,the Inlet Power and Light
Company,operates about 2,SOO kilowatts of miscellaneous Diesel
generating equipment near Anchorage.The distribution system of the
company may be purchased by the city of Anchorage or the Chugach
Electric Association.
A third private utility may become a reality if plans
materialize at Kenai to utilize equipment which is now idle in the
Northern Commercial steam plant in Fairbanks.This utility would
furnish pO'\'16r for I.nonmilitary use near the new military communica-
tion center.
The Fairbanks MUnicipal Utilities System commenced
operating its new 3,SOO-kilowatt steam power and heating plant
early in 1952.Electrical energy and heat are furnished to
customers within the e~ty of Fairbanks.
•iI
In addition to the 2,000-kilowatt Eklutna hydroelectric
plant,the Anchorage Public Utilities operates the stern half'of
the tanker nSaekett 9 S Harboru with a capacity,limited by its
beach location,of about 3,500 kilowatts,and a number of Diesel
generating units.In all probability;none of the generating equip-
ment now operated by the City of Anchorage will be used as firm
power sources after adequate amounts of hydropower are available.
The city of Seward operates Diesel generating equipment
to furnish all ~ower needs for that seaport area.
A number of small power systems are in operation along
the Railbelt on which specific data are"not available.Among the
more"important ones are those at Nenana,Curry,Talkeetna,Moose
Pass,and Homer.
POWER FACILITIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The first major plant for supplying power for pnblic
consumption in the area is the Bureau of Reclamation 9 s 30,000-
kilowatt Eklutna hydroelectric project under construction near
Anchorage.It is scheduled for initial operation in the spring of
1954 with an annual firm production of 143,000,000 kilowatt-hours.
51
J
Power SupplY and Markets
The Alaska Railroad and the Chugach Electric Association
are jointly constructing the 9,500-kilowatt Knik Arm steam heat and
power plant, scheduled for completion in the late fall.of 1952.
Already completed in conjunct~on with the steam plan~ ~s a ~,700-
kilowatt Diesel plant. The D~esel plant was placed ~n ser~ce early
in 1951. The Knik Arm plant will be operated by the Bureau of
Reclamation and will later be integrated with the Eklutna project.
Firm generation from this plant will be approximately 42,000,000
kilowatt-hours annually. Heat will be furnished for the buildings
and shops of the Alaska Railroad and the large Alaska Native Service
hospital.
POVJER UTILIZATION
In 1950 approximately 100,000,000 kilowatt-hours of
electrical energy were utilized within the market area exclusive
of military needs. The majority of this energy was consumed by
residential and commercial customers, while a relatively small
amount went to medjum and small industrial customers. The total
use of power grew rapidly with the post-war military construction
boom. In 1940 the estimated area use was less than 10,000,000
kilowatt-hours.
Lack of generating capacity has been the predominant
factor restricting more widespread use of electrical energy by
individual customers. In recent years many customers in suburban
areas have encountered long delays in obtaining service. Frequent
brownouts are imposed due to inability to meet winter peaks. Daily
reminders to conserve electricity are carried in all papers serving
the area. In addition the power rates have remained very high. In
spite of these deterrents, many homes and apartments are equipped
with major electrical appliances. The amount of power per resi-
.dential customer used in 1950 in Fairbanks and Anchorage was
approximately 2,400 kilowatt-hours annually as compared to l,S30
kilowatt-hours, the national average.
I
In commercial and industrial fields electrical power is
utilized in labor saving devices. The cost of power is low co~
pared with labor. Large amounts of power are being used in mili-
tary and civilian construction activities. This is a high summer-
time load which helps to raise the load factor. Most industrial
applications are, at present, relatively small.
WHOLESALE POWER RATES
Rates for wholesale power are high, being restrictive in
nature rather than promotional. All production is sold as firm
52
Power SupplY and Markets
power without reserve capacity and, at times, without sufficient
capacity to meet peaks. Existing wholesale rates of 6 cents per
kilowatt-hour in Fairbanks and 2-1/2 cents per kilowatt-hour in
Anchorage are for energy when and if available, and reflect
apprcxi~~tely the actual cost of production by fuel generating
plants in those terminal cities.
FUTURE LOAD DEVELOPMENT
An accurate forecast of the markets for energy from
potential power developments of the Basin is extremely difficult.
The two factors, an adequate source of depend9ble power and low
electric rates, will permit increased use in all fields; but it
is uncertain to what degree consumption will increase.
Large blocks of low-cost electric power in the area will
undoubtedly attract industries to develop the natural resources of
the Railbelt. The importance of low-cost power to commercial life,
mining, and industrial and agricultural development, is a proven
fact not requiring further demonstration.
The very large defense construction activity all along
the railroad is the present impetus behind the rapid growth of
all populated areas in the Railbelt. B.1 chain reaction a very
large civilian building program is under way. Substantial private
financing from within the Territory and the States has provided
the capital to build large apartment buildings and mass housing
developments. Still more capital is ready for exploration and
development of local natural resources into industries that will
provide permanent, year-round employment to a large number of
workers.
The more likely early industries are those which would
supply products needed for local consumption at a lower cost than
for imported goods. Many small industries are already supplying
building materials and food products. It is believed that many
others will be ready to replace military construction activities
as those permanent installations are completed.
The scope of this report permits only a tentative estimate
of future power loads, based on a combination of the projection of
current trends in population and the components of potential future
loads. These preliminary estimates indicate that the power loads
will grow rapidly and suggest the proportions that these can be. expected
to attain in 20 to 30 years. Careful consideration of many factors
points out a need for at least 3 billion kilowatt-hours by 1970.
53
Power Supply and Markets
It is anticipated that detailed studies of power markets, to be
conducted in the future as each individual power project is investi-
gated, will further justify anticipation of a load of this proportion.
The gold rush days of Alaska are over and homes are as
modern as those found in the States. Because of the extreme winter
climate many requirements of modern Alaskan homes are even more
rigid. Regardless of the isolation and high cost of transportation,
Alaskan homes are being equipped with all modern electrical appli-
ances.
For the fully electrified home of the future, the esti-
mated power requirements would approach 30,000 kilowatt-hours
annually. The largest use, at present, in Alaska is at Ketchikan,
which is outside the power market area, where the average residen-
tial consumption in 1950 was 5,450 kilowatt-hours. This high
consumption, involving some house heating, is stimulated by low
electric rates which averaged l.S6 cents per kilowatt-hour.
With an abundance of power available at low rates it is
expected that house heating saturation will reach 50 percent in all
of the Railbelt by 1970, resulting in an average residential use of
at least 10,000 kilowatt-hours annually. Applied to the 260,000
estimated population in the market area by 1970, use of this amount
would yield a total of 635,000,000 kilowatt-hours per year.
Rural
A good manY successful farms have been in operation in
Alaska for many years. The operators of these farms have learned
the potentialities and understand most of the limitations imposed
by the climate and soil. In the principal farming areas--Matanuska
Valley around Palmer, Tanana Valley around Fairbanks, and scattered
coastal areas along the Kenai Peninsula--agriculture consists chiefly
of dairying and the production of potatoes and vegetables on a small
scale.
Although a limited export trade in a few agricultural
specialties may develop, farmers will need to depend primarily on
local markets. This means they will need to produce the variety of
products required by the people living in Alaska who are engaged
in mining, fishing, forestry, hunting, transportation, communica-
tions, and future large industries. The rapidly expanding tourist
trade will also be an important factor when facilities become
54
:)
Power SupplY and Markets
available. An auxiliary type of agriculture will probably develop
to service these industries and activities. The primary cash crop,
potatoes, was expanded sufficiently to take ca~e of.most ?f Alaska 9 s
post-war civilian needs. Mixed livestock far~ng W1th da~ry cattle,
hntr~ 1"\,...,,, +-""'",. sh .. ~~n, ~oats, and beef' cattle is imnortant in the ---o-, r--....... tl' ----... ~ ... -Matanuska Valley. If Alaskan agriculture is to continue and expand,
livestock must occupy a greater part in farming operations in the
future. A steady expansion in the acreage of cleared land is essen-
tial for the production of feed and for soil-improving crops.
A rough estimate by the United States Department of
Agriculture of the acreage urgently needing detailed soil study
and mapping is as follows: Matanuska Valley, 90,000 acres;
Tanana Valley, 60,000 acres; western Kenai, 35,000 acres; and
near Anchorage, 7,000 acres. In addition, some schematic soil
classification and mapping will be necessary on which to base
preliminary judgment as to the suitability of other areas and
to guide future detailed surveys.
Most present farms in the Tanana and Matanuska Valleys
are electrified. Many new farms will be created by land clearing
and drainage and sprinkler irrigation. To help meet the growing
demands for agricultural products it is conservatively estimated
that the farms in the Railbelt will number between 3,800 and 4,000
by 1970. Part of the prospective market for power will be due to
more users, although the larger part lies in a greater average
demand. Total requirement for all farms in 1970 would approximate
66,000,000 kilowatt-hourso
Commercial
Wholesale establishments, retail stores, office buildings,
and small industries are increasing in number and size with popula-
tion. A large per-capita increase in power used for these purposes
seems in prospect. At the estimated rate of population growth, with
a reasonable increased use per capita, the total requirement in 1970
would be 254,000,000 kilowatt-hours.
Municipal
Fairbanks and Anchorage are already as modern as most
communities of comparable size in the States. Civic improvement
plans include the most progressive programs of street lighting.
It is conservatively estimated that over 2,000,000 kilowatt-hours
will be needed for such purposes by 1970, including pumping of
municipal water supplies.
55
Power SupplY and Market~
Large Industrial
All modern industry depends entirely on transportation
for movement of raw materials, labor, and finished products. The
Alaska Railroad was the lifeline to early development of the Ter-
itory and will continue to be a major implement to industrializa-
tion of the Railbelt.
For many years officials of the Railroad have discussed
the need for electrification of their system. The nature of the
mountain terrain that has to be negotiated by the freight and
passenger trains, plus the amount of rolling stock that needs to
be allocated to transporting their own fuel, plus the increasing
costs of that fuel, should lead to serious consideration of the
potentially abundant hydroelectric power midway along the Railbelto
Lower operating expenses might assist in recouping the
investment in new rolling stock and facilities; and conservation
of fuel would also be a desirable aspect. Such electrification
should be completed on the major portion of the approximately
540 miles of rail line by 1970.
Within Anchorage and Fairbanks and their suburbs exten-
sive systems of electrically operated trolley coaches may be
expected to replace the present motor coaches. Such systems would
grow in proportion with the population and would be substantial
users of energy.
Much of the future electrical energy is necessary for the
sound and diversified growth of industry in the area. Great new
industries will be based on the broad range of mineral resources
of the Railbelt. These minerals fall into categories of fuels,
chemicals, building materials and aggregates, precious metals and
metals of industrial utility.
Gold has been the principal metal mined in Alaska and
will continue to require significant amounts of electrical energy.
A potential industry which might be a major claimant for
power is the production of synthetic fuels from coal, requiring
between 75,000 and 140,000 kilowatts of power at high load factor.
~efining of petroleum products to 'be piped from the Naval Petroleum
Reserve appears to be an alternative solution to the problem of
furnishing much-needed fuel products from local resources. Here
again large amounts of power would be consumed.
56
Power SupplY and Markets
Due to the remote location of Alaska from the source of
virtually all supplies and equipment used in the Territory, there
is a wide field of opportunities which can be developed for private
enterprise, for wide employment, and for the beneficial and profit-
able uses of power and resources. New industries will stimulate
still other opportunities.
The volume of industry needed for the Railbelt by 1970,
if it is to continue to progress and prosper as a semi-independent
region, will require no less than 1,732,000,000 kilowatt-hours
annually.
Replacement of Fuel-Electric Generation
Fuel heating and generating plants now existing, under
construction and planned for operation by 1955 for military needs,
will produce an estimated 320,000,000 kilowatt-hours annually.
Measures to conserve fuel will encourage displacement of a greater
and greater part of fuel-generated power. Such displacement should
ultimately increase the hydroelectric power load by at least
169,000,000 kilowatt-hours annually.
Losses
Power from Susitna River plants would have to be trans-
mitted long distances to distribution centers, since very little of
the power would be used in the Basin proper. Total distribution
and transmission losses would total approximately 297,000,000
kilowatt-hours on the loads of 1970.
Summary
The total annual power requirements of 3 billion kilowatt-
hours are summarized by the component elements in the tabulation
below.
lype of load
Residential
Farm
Commercial
Municipal
Large industrial
Military
Losses
Total
Million kilowatt-hours
57
~5
66
254
2
1,732
169
297
3,155
G PO·Ri~l\OOt;7
(J)
a::
::Jo
J:
l-
I-«
3:o
...J
~
z
o
..J
..J
2
,.----POWER REQUIREMENT /L
-
-BY GLASS OF USE /
-4800 ACTUAL a ESTIMATED FUTURE /
/I--&IV--/,'i:r
-~~/"
-4000 TOTAL POTENTIAL ,<::><v //"
ENERGY REQUIREMENT <vc,/V-J ~/\':vV--/A~v/-
//V~~~
!""-3200 J Vv<y'
!--//1/'v-ACTUAL ESTIMATED FUTURE //,'i:r--
-of-.JJ-/~~--:::>c,
-2400 J I /
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/'"Vi -r--800 /./V _1--1--'-
!--./"I--M\L\i~R.'{...../V--...-,../!--I-"'"-I--'---f..--t-I-~--"/v:-~--I--OTHER----e----.---r -./.--I""
1940 44 48 52 56 60 64
GALE NDA RYE ARS
68 72 76 80
Power Supply and Markets.
The accompanying chart,npower Requirement by Class of Use,it shows
the projection of historical loads from 1940 to 1980.
POWER PLANTS
Potential power development described in this report,
together vdth those existing and under construction~have adequate
capacity to meet the load'requirement of 3 billion kilowatt-hours
by 1970.Existing plants,excluding the miscellaneous hydro,
Diesel,and steam generating capacity which will be later removed
from service,can produce 57 f 000.9 000 kilowatt-hours annually.
Plants under construction primarily to furnish power for civilian
needs will generate about 185,000,000 kilowatt-hours,and total
aggregate potential of the Susitna River Basin is 6,180,000,000
kilowatt-hours.The total annual production available would be
6,.422,OaO,000 kilowatt-hours.The potential installations,it is
assumed,would be made only as required by load grovrth.
The Devil Canyon project,with an ultimate installed
capacity of 390,000 kilowatts,is the most logical initial develop-
ment.This plant should be ready for operation by 1955 to 1960,
with a..'Yl initial capacity of 195,000 kilowatts.~vith construction
of Denali Reservoir to provide additional storage regulation and
with periodic installation of generators,the plant would be
adequate to handle load growth of the Railbelt until about 1967.
This is illustrated in the chart,~iGenerator Nameplate Capacity.U
TRANSMISSION LINES
High-capacity transmission lines will be required in order
to deliver power from plants of the Susitna River to load centers.
The pO\'ier to be generated at Devil Canyon will require a minimum
of one 230~kilovolt line north to Fairbanks,a distance;of abou~
lS5 miles,and one 230-kilovolt line south to P.nchorage,a distance
of about 160 miles.The latter distance might be shortened by
30 miles by selection of a shorter route to a point across Knik Arm
north of Anchorage.Submarine cables would be used across the Arm.
The precise pattern which the backbone transmission system ultimately
takes and the capacities of its lines and substations will depend
on the trend of industrial development following the current defense
construction program.
The accompanYing map indicates the approximate location of
the 230-kilovolt line and a network of feeder transmission lines
and substations to represent the manner in '\'V'hich the system must be
developed to deliver power to potential wholesale customers.....,..
58
GPO-Si-sorm
(DEVIL CANYON)
SUSITNA
HYDRO
Knik Arm Steam
Ek lutna Hydro
Fairbonks Exploration Steam.
Fairbanks Municipol Steom.
o
t-
O'>
10
<.D
0'>
o
<.D
~.
CALENDAR YEARS
10
10
0'>
o
10
0'>
Existing Miscellaneous
Generation
GENERATOR NAMEPLATE CAPACITY
(EXCLUSIVE OF MILITARY)
DECEMBER PEAK LOAD REQUIREMENT-t4b7W>'?177'/t77:::l'77'Y771
80
160
480
320
400
240
·~·'.1·:·:::~·t::":To;-:-.
o
oo
lJ)
l-
I-
<t
3=
o
...l
::.::
"' 0
0
:8 ~
2
(J
<.:>
POWER PlANTS
HYO~O
FUEL
SUBSTATIONS
TRANSMISSION L I NES
LE G END
UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
* • .L
PROPOSE 0 • J.
ARCTIC OCEAN
KEY MAP
25 0 50
SCALE OF M I LES
FEDERAL GENERA TIDN
AND TRANSMISSION FACILITIES,
PROPOSED AND UNDER CONSTRUCTION
(EXCLUDING MILITARY)
X-905-5
~wer Supply and Markets
Location,voltage and capacity of these,including the system on
the Kenai Peninsula,will depend on the location and character of
loads and other considerations.The marketing of power on a low-
cost basis is dependent upon some such network of lines being made
available at least coincident with the demands for power.
Requests for pOl-fer have already motivated two Rural
Electrification Administration cooperatives to prepare justifica-
tion for transmission lines into newly developed areas.The Golden
Valley Electric Association plans to extend service to Big Delta,
nearly 100 miles southeast of Fairbanks;and the Chugach Electric
Association has surveyed for a line to furnish power to the Girdwood-
Portage-Whittier area approximately 50 miles southeast of Anchorage.
LOAD FACTOR
Electric rates in common use on Bureau projects are closely
related to load factor--the ratio of average load to maximum demand.
A lower unit cost of power results where the customer maintains a
higher load factor.This is appropriate because the installed
capacity required to furnish high load-factor service is less than
is required for low load factor.
The load factor for the Anchorage Public utilities,the
largest operating system in the power market area,averages about
53 percent.With the tremendous increase in industrial loads in
the future,many with 'very high load factor,it is estimated that
a steady improvement will result in a 55-percent factor by 1960
and 65 percent by 1970.
59
/)
CHAPTER V
POTENTIAL WATER-RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
It is obvious that some effort must be made to provide
genera:t.ing equipment which will supply the future powe:t• requil:"ements
discussed in Chapter IV. The portion of the total load shown as
"Large industrial" would develop only if large amounts of relatively
low-eost energy were available. Provision of lol<r-cost power would
be a strong inducement to attract large industrial plants to the
Railbelt. Much of the total power market, however, will be expand-
ing and in urgent need of an adequate power supply.
Susitna River Basin is ideally located to supply energy to
the entire Railbelt. Gold Creek station on the Alaska Railroad is
about equi-distant from the ends of the railroad at Seward and
Eielson. Devil Canyon project, on the main stem of the Susitna River
12 miles aboye Gold Creek, is a logical site for initial development
to supply the major load centers of Anchorage and Fairbanks.
This chapter briefly describes the field investigations of
the Susitna River Basin, basic water supply data and studies, and
the potential development of the water-power resources of the Basin.
A short discussion of other possible water-resource developments is
also included. Alternative sources of electric power are also
examined,
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
Field inves~igations of Susitna River Basin have been made
during several summers. Each site discussed has been visited on the
ground. Topography of each site was examined, and at most si-tes a
profile was taken of the best apparent dam axis. The surface geology
at each dam site was studied to determine the adequacy of the founda-
tion and abutments for various types of dams. Possible seepage from
the reservoir and around the dam was also studied as far as possible
from observation of ground surfaces. Reconnaissance was made for
sources of suitable construction materials.
A few available large-scale maps were used to augment the
meager engineering data. General reports on the geology of the Basin
supplemented the field examination.
Engineering and geological data were the basis for rough
esti~tes of construction costs at most of the sites, With the excep-
tion of Devil Canyon and Denali, these cost estimated are not included
in the report. They were used to estimate energy cost.
60
)
Potential Water-Resource Development
Until more accurate data are available, elevations, stream
widths dam heights crest lengths, and reservoir capacities for most
' ' · t• D t sites should be considered as only reasonable approX1ma 1ons. a a
for sites on the main stem of the Susitna River, from and including
Devil Canyon site to the headwaters, are much more comprehensive than
fer other-sites in the Basin.
WATER SUPPLY STUDIES
Water Resources
The source of all runoff of Susitna River and its tribu-
taries is precipitation which falls, or has fallen in the past, within
the drainage Basin. Recorded precipitation varies from an annual
average of 14 inches at Puntilla to 44 inches at Curry. All climato-
logical stations are at relatively low elevations. Average annual
precipitation over the entire Basin is estimated at 45 inches. Annual
variation of precipitation is not large; minimum annual precipitation
at Talkeetna is about 45 percent of maximum.
Three major factors affect the monthly distribution of
runoff in the Basin: (1) monthly distribution of precipitation;
(2) proportion of total precipitation 'II>Thich falls as snow; and
(3) large areas of glaciers in the Basin. This combination of :fac-
tors tends to produce a relatively high, uniform discharge from May
through September and low runoff during the ~dnter. About one-half
the total precipitation :falls as snow from October through April.
In late April, snow at lower elevations begins to melt. High dis-
charge from snow melt continues through July, when all but the very
highest snow has disappeared.
By this time, ho't<Tever, warm summer temperatures have begun
to have their effect on the many glaciers in the Basin. Little is
known about the characteristics of glacier melt. Maximum runoff
from these ice masses probably occurs during July and August, r.rhen
temperatures are highest. Runoff :from glacier melt is augmented and
sustained by the increase in precipitation :from July through October,
with a maximum in September. Runoff begins to decrease in October,
when precipitation :falls as snow at the higher elevations, From
November through April, little surface runoff occurs, and the small
stream flow consists primarily of outflow :from ground water.
Summer temperatures influence the amount of annual runoff
as well as the monthly distribution. An unusually warm summer
61
Egtential Water-Resource Development
could cause glacier melt far in excess of the increase in volume
of glaciers and ice fields resulting from precipitation which fell
during the preceding winter.Conversely,during an unusually cool
summer glacier melt could be less than the addition to ice volume
caused by precipitation.The correlation between annual precipita-
tion and corresponding annual runoff is therefore unfavorably
affected.
The above brief description of runoff characteristics of
the Susitna River and its tributaries is based on analysis of only
2 years of runoff record at one stream-gaging station in the Basin.
The Geological Survey has measured the runoff of the Susitna River
at Gold Creek since August 1949.Provisional records through
September 1951 were made available for these studies.These records
are summarized in the following table:
Runoff of Susitna River at Gold Creek
In 1.000 acre-feet (by water years)
(Drainage area:6,240 square miles)
l2b2.l22Q 122l
October----3S5 227
November-----154 77
Dec·ember----SS 6S
January-------63 59
February-----44 46
March------45 44
April------52 96
May---------707 S65
June--------1,172 1,243
July-------1,390 1,376
August-------1,505 1,219 1,207
September----932 494 1,2S6
--Total---2,437 5,S14 6,576
All estimates of runoff of the various streams in the
Basin were derived from this short record.Runoff records of
streams in nearby basins are too short to extend the record at
Gold Creek by correlation.Several comparisons were made betvleen
runoff at Gold Creek and precipitation at several stations in the
Susitna River Basin and in nearby basins.No entirely satisfactory
correlation was obtained,owing to the many factors other than
total precipitation which affect and control the amount of runoff.
The best comparison was with precipitation at Talkeetna.Annual
62
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LOCATION MAP
HYDROLOGIC
STATIONS
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A Slream-gaging 8 sedimenl-sampllng station {in operation}I (
•ClImatologIcal statIons {In operatIon}~~.l
[J ClImatologIcal statIons {not in operatIon},.!.~'-~
MOUNT
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INLET
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.'.;:;.'1;;'.~."..........~""~L...:"<'"'\l ",--/""',~)J,';I
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~ntial Water-Resource Development
runoff of the Susitna River at Gold Creek was extended back to
1922,the beginning of precipitation record at Talkeetna.Because
of the Basin topography and the normal storm pattern,annual runoff
at Gold Greek and at all dam sites in the Basin above that point
was adjusted to slightly increase the departure from average.
Ma.:rimum annual runoff was increased from 136 percent of average to
150 percent;minimum was decreased from 66 to 50 percent.Unad-
justed figures were used for all other stations.
Average annual runoff at the various dam sites in the
Basin was estimated from the 30-year average at Gold Creek,using
unit runoff in acre-feet per square mile as the comparison~In
adjusting unit runoff at Gold Creek to the other locations,con-
sideration was given to normal precipitation at the nearest Weather
Bureau stations,storm paths,and average altitude.Unit runoff
was estimated for relatively homogeneous subareas,and total run-
off for the subareas v~s combined to give total average annual
runoff at the dam sites.This average runoff was then reduced
15 percent to adjust for the scantiness of the hydrologic data on
which the estimate was based.Percentages of average annual runoff
were applied to obtain estimated annual runoff for each year at
each dam site.
MOnthly distribution of annual runoff was estimated from
the short records at Gold Creek and of streams in nearby basins.
Trends were established for glacial and nonglacial streams,and
the estimates reflected the observed differences.The same distrib-
ution was used for all years at any one site.
The critical period for reservoir and power plant opera-
tion depends primarily on annual variation in runoff at the site.
It also depends on the amount of active reservoir capacity at the
site and at upstream sites.The critical period is,therefore,
not the same for all sites.For a single project with a small
reservoir and no upstream storage,the critical period may be only
the 1 year of minimum runoff.For a project with a large reservoir
and substantial upstream regulation,the critical period would be
about 17 years long.
Estimated runoff at any site for any individual'year may
be far from the actual runoff which occurred in that year,owing
to the lack of basic hydrologic and meteorologic data.Runoff
during a critical period shows with reasona~le accuracy what run-
off might be expeeted during a conservative,typical,dry'cycle.
Many more records,both in length of time and in location,are
very much needed to provide accurate basic data for hydrologic
studies of surface-water resources.
63
Potential Water-Resource.Development
Extent of the ground-water resources of the Basin is
unknown.Because of the large amount of unpermeable glacial till
in the Basin above Gold Creek,there is little possibility of
developing and using ground water in this area.In the rest of
the Basin there is greater probability of ground-water storage
reservoirs.Extensive investigation will be required to evaluate
the potentialities of ground-water development.This study should
be made when use of ground water in the Basin appears desirable.
Water Rights
Man has made ver"'J little use of the water resources of
the Basin.The only known c6nsumptive uses are:domestic use at
the few places of habitation,and use by the steam locomotives
and shops 6f the Alaska Railroad.Most of these diversions are
from small,relatively clear tributaries.Nonconsumptive uses
include fish wheels and diversions for placer mining.Most mining
diversions have been abandoned.Present major use is for hydraulic
monitors in the Peters Creek area.
No Federal or Territorial laws govern appropriation'of
water in Alaska.Common law,as expressed in court decisions,'
recognizes principles of priority,beneficial use,highest use,
and negotiability.None of the present uses has been established
as rights by court decree.However,because of the small amount
of water involved,such recognition would have little adverse effect
on any development discussed in this report.Water rights required
for future projects,when they are proposed for development,should
be evidenced by filing with the United States Commissioner of the
appropriate recording district.
Reservoir Evaporation and Seepage
No allowance was made for evaporation from reservoir'
surfaces.Fragmentary records of evaporation in the Matanuska
Valley and near Fairbanks indicate that evaporation losses from
reservoirs would be about I percent of average annual runoff.
Because inaccuracies in runoff are expected to far exceed this
proportion,evaporation losses were not evaluated in the reservoir
operation studies.
No allo1~nce was made for seepage from reservoirs.
Seepage from a reservoir would be unavailable for power generation
at that site but could be used for generation at downstream sites,
subject to seepage from those downstream reservoirs.Character
of material at the dam-site foundations and in the reservoir basins
64
Potential Water-Resource Development
indicates seepage losses are expected to be small at most of the
sites.One exception is Susitna Station site,near the mouth of
the river,where seepage might be large and difficult to control.
Study of seepage losses will be a necessary part of each site
investigation.
Reservoir Sedimentation
Deposition of sediment in reservoirs is expected to be a
problem which could be solved.Records of suspended sediment load
carried by Susitna River past the Gold Creek gaging station are
now being obtained by the Geological"Survey.Records for I year
show a total suspended load of 5,600~OOO tons.This figure was
the basis for estimating total loads,including suspended load and
bed load.
The greater portion of the sediment load probably con-
sists of outwash from the many glaciers in the Basin.other
sediment load was asstuned to be negligible by comparison.In the
absence of other data,sediment outflow from glaciers was assumed
to be proportional to estimated contributing glacier area.The
recorded sediment load passing Gold Creek was adjusted by adding
estimated deposition in the stream bed between the glaciers and
the measuring station.The resulting total was used to estimate
sediment outflow from other glaciers in the Basin.From these
figures,estimates were made of sediment deposition in the various
reservoirs during a IOO-year period.Adjustment was made for esti-
mated deposition between glacier and reservoir,either in the stream
channel or in upstream reservoirs.Space reserved for sediment
deposition ''laS distributed throughout the depth of the reservoir in
general accordance with data obtained from reservoir sedimentation
surveys in the Western States.Additional field data and office
study will be required to make a final determination of the space
which should be reserved for sediment deposition at each reservoir
site.
Water Utilization
Theoretical reservoir and power plant operation studies
were made for most individual sites included in the plan of ultimate
development,as well as for many of those which were rejected.
Stream runoff previously estimated was used in these studies.Reser-
voir"capacity curves were based on the best topographic maps avail-
able,which inmost cases were inadequate.Reservoir releases were
made only for power production.These releases would not only be
sufficient to maintain the existing fishery development,but would
65
AREA IN THOUSANDS OF ACRES
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DRAINAGE AREA 1,240 SQ.MI.
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ZERO AREA ELEV.2390 ':I:
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS 0 F ACRE-FEET
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.1470':1:
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
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AREA IN THOUSANDS OF ACRES
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CAPACITY IN THOUSANDS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.870':t
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AREA IN THOUSANDS OF ACRES
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.40'±
SUSITNA STATION
AREA a CAPACITY CURVES
CAPACITy----
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AREA IN THOUSANDSOF ACRES
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CAPACITY IN THOUSANDS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.2305'±
MACLAREN
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AREA IN THOUSANDS OF ACRtS
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CAPACITY IN THOUSANDS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO CAPACITY ELEV.2358'±
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CAPACITY IN THOUSANDS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.500'±
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.1410'±
TRAPPER
.02 .04 .06 .08 .10 .12 .14 .16
CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.1210'±
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'CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.940'±
GRANITE GORGE
1200
AREA IN THOUSANDS OF ACRES
14000 2 4 6 8 10 12 1.4 16
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.690'±
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.605'.:I;
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.485'.:I;
TOKICHITNA
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CAPACITY IN MILLION S OF ACRE-FEET
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CAPACITY IN MILL!ONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.9IS'±
LUCY
AREA a CAPACITY CURVES
CAPACITY---
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AREA IN THOUSANDS OF ACRES
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
.05 .10 .15 .20 .25 .30 .35
CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.825 ':i:;
SKWENTNA NO.1
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.535'±
SKWENTNA NO.2
AREA IN THOUSANDS OF ACRES
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CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ZERO AREA ELEV.290':i:;
TALACHULITNA
AREA a CAPACITY CURVES
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~otential Water-Resource Development
probably benefit fish life.Potential multiple-purpose operation
has not been studied in sufficient detail to determine the condi-
tions under which releases should be made for other uses.
Annual firm energy output was distributed equally to
each month.Energy output calculated in operation studies 1-'laS
reduced 5 percent to allow for possible inaccuracies in reservoir
capacity,sediment deposition,runoff foreoasts,and plan of opera-
tion.Unadjusted energy output and a plant factor of 60 peroent
were used to determine power plant oapacities.
Theoretical operation studies were first made for each
reservoir and power plant separately,assuming there was no up-
stream use or regulation.Each study covered the critical period
of operation,considering"reservoir inflo't'l and active storage
capacity.For most sites,several operation studies were performed
with various active reservoir capacities.;At each site,cost of
energy calculated for various dam heights,together with evaluation
of other data,resulted in an approximate economic dam height.
These preliminary studies indicated that some sites should be ex-
cluded from the plan of ultimate development at least for the
present time,because of high cost of energy.
Coordinated operation studies were then made for the
remaining reservoirs and power plants,where t't'lO or more potential
projects were on one stream,or an independent section of a stream.
Combinations of reservoirs were varied to obtain maximum output feY.'
minimum cost.One of these coordinated studies was of the proposed
initial development of Devil Canyon Reservoir and power plant with
the upstream supplemental storage of Denali Reservoir.These
coordinated operation studies may not have resulted in the maximum
possible feasible output for the various combinations of reservoirs.
other criteria or plans of operation might increase the energy ol1t-
put of the system.However,the results are reasonably accurate,
and potential output should equal or exceed the figures whioh are
sho'Wl1.
Design Flood Studies
Envelope curves were prepared for use in estimating
spillway design floods and diversion requirements during construc-
tion.Maximum recorded peak discharges of all Interior Alaska
streams were used to define the basic curve.The period of record
on all of these streams,except one,is 5 years or less.This
period is too short to provide a satisfactory estimate of peak
floods.Therefore,results of the inflow design flood study for
66
Potential ~a~er-Resource Develo~ent
Eklutna project,Alaska,were used to adjust the basic curve to
obtain conservative estimates of inflow design floods and diversion
requirements during construction at each dam site.Spillway design
floods were assumed equal to inflow design floods read from the
curve..No attempt was made to route floods through reservoirs or
to correct for flood regulation which might be available at
previously construct.~ed upstream reservoirs.
POTENTIAL POl'iER DEVELOPMENT
The first portion of this section includes a discussion
of potential development at each site with no upstream development
or regulation;,The geology and engineering features of each site
are described,and the potential energy output and approximate
energy cost are listed where applicable.Some sites were eliminated
from further consideration solely on the basis of the field exami-
nation.These sites are mentioned and the reason for their
rejection is discussed..A complete discussion is included for
those sites which were rejected from the plan of ultimate develop-
ment on the basis of detailed studies.
The second portion of this section discusses the plan of
ultimate development.Included is the combination of projects on
each stream or independent section of a stream which should produce
the largest output for the least cost.Many possible combinations
of projects ~ere not studied in detail.As power needs expand in
the Railbelt,much more study can be given to programing the
expansion of generating facilities.
The Basin contains many sites where hydropower installa-
tions of about 5,000 kilowatts or less would be possible.These
are so numerous that no attempt was made to examine or list them.
The projects which have been studied include all the major power
sites in the Basin.
Independent Site Development
The main stem of the Susitna River heads in two large
glaciers on the south slope of the Alaska Range,2S4 miles from
its mouth at Cook Inlet.The river flows south for several miles
in a broad,braided channel with a low gradient.
Btttte Creek Site.--At river mile 262,above the mouth of
Butte Creek,this site offers the first favorable topography for
a dam.The stream bed narrows to ;00 feet and the banks rise
100 feet above the water..HovTever.'l glacial silts on the right
67
J
Potential Water-Resource Development
abutment are very fluid and are unsuitable for a dam foundation. This
removal would be very expensive. This site was rejected in favor of
the Denali site, which has a better foundation for a dam and a larger
reservoir capacity. Denali Reservoir would inundate Butte Creek site.
Denali Site.--Below Butte Creek the river returns to its
broad, low-gradient channel, which it maintains to river mile 251.
Here the stream bed narrows and the abutments become more pronounced.
Denali dam site, named for an abandoned gold town formerly situated
in the reservoir basin, is located at mile 248.
The abutments at this site are made ~p primarily of
glacial till, a heterogeneous mixture of clay, silt, sand, and
gravel. The site may afford a good foundation for an earth dam.
The topography of the site is such that water seeping around the
abutments would follow a rather long path of percolation to reach
the channel downstream. An extensive geologie investigation pro-
gram, including extensive sampling of undisturbed materials and
adequate percolation tests, would be necessary to prove that there
are no extremely soft clays or silts nor pervious layers of sand or
gravel in the abutments. Permafrost conditions, if present in the
foundation, will cause some construction difficulties.
Earth materials for the dam would probably be borrowed
selectively, and processed from glacial till adjacent to the site.
An extensive investigation program to locate suitable materials ~ould
be necessary prior to construction~ Riprap for the faces of the dam
could be obtained from Denali Peak, 15 miles northeast. A veneer of
clean gravel appears to be located on the left bank from the stream
bed to a height of 300 feet. This deposit, though probably not deep,
would provide satisfactory aggregate for concrete structures, as well
as additional pervious material for the dam.
Denali Dam would be limited to a height of about 205 feet
by the topography of the left abutment. A gated spillway channel
would be constructed several hundred feet west of the dam. Water
passing over the spillway would enter existing lakes and return
through natural drainage to the main stream a few miles below the dam.
The main function of Denali Reservoir would be to provide
regulated releases as required for power generation at downstream
plants. A large active reservoir capacity would be needed for
hold-over storage as well as for annual regulation. Preliminary
reservoir operation studies indicate that there might be periods
68
Looking upstream at Denali dam site and reservoir area.
)
Potential Water-Resource Development
of several month during which th~re woUld be no releases, o~
reservoir heads would be low. The~~fore; no power pla~t has beeh
A+ •1 A "'-...:I' -..;-t..+ ..,-..:1~-""+-""',..o4 ~.0. ..... ~~ n+ .... ~~ ~ e..; te ~-fore \.ol.Gv:l~e~..€Y. SvUu.~as .l.U.J..5J..LV .J..,LJ,U...L.VQ\.1'~ th~t~;v~;;livp~~;; ;lant would be desirable. Outlet works would
be constructed to release water for downstream use.
The reservoir formed by Denali Dam would be 29 miles
long extending almost to the headwater glaciers. Total reservoir
capa~ity would be 6,700,000 acre-feet. A large portion of the
glacial outwash which is now deposited in the flat stream channel
below the glaci~rs, would settle in the upper end of the reservoir.
One million acre-feet of reservoir space should be reserved for
estimated sediment deposition over a 100-year period.
Data for Denali site are as follows:
Type of dam: Earth
Height above stream bed: 205 ft.
Crest length: 1,900 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 2,390 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 2,390 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 2,590 ft.
Power storage capacity: 5,700,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff; 1,650,000 ac.-ft.
Estimated dam cost: $80,000,000
(Power plant installation not anticipated.)
Maclaren Site.--Maclaren River, which heads at Maclaren
Glacier, joins 5usitna River 12 miles below Denali dam site. Six
miles below the confluence, at river mile 230, bedrock outcrops
are seen in the stream channel for the first time. The very
resistant granitic rock would be an excellent foundation for a
dam. The rock bluffs are about 15 feet high and are covered with
glacial till and a veneer of fluvial-glacial sands and gravels.
The abutments extend out from the stream on a rather flat slope.
A dam at the Maclaren site would be an earth and concrete
structure not more than 100 feet high. The concrete river section
would be used for an overflow spillway.
Total reservoir capacity would be 210,000 acre-feet, of
which at least 52,000 acre-feet should be reserved for sediment
deposition. The net storage capacity would provide only slight
regulation of inflow below Denali Dam. Using releases from Danali
Reservoir, output of a power plant might be coordinated with other
Susitna River power operations. However, present plans consider
flooding his dam site with water impounded by a high dam at a
_)
Potential Water-Resource Development
downstream site. Should plans for this high dam be abandoned in
favor of a lower structure, further consideration should be given
to possible development of the Maclaren site.
Pertinent data for this site are as follows:
Type of dam: Combination earth and concrete
Height above stream bed: 100 ft.
Crest length: 2,300 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 2,305 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 2,395 ft.
Average annual runoff: 2,910,000 ac.-ft.
This site was not included in plan of ultimate development.
Vee Site.--Below ¥~claren dam site, the river valley is
U-shaped, with low banks composed of glacial till. The stream
gradient increases below the mouth of Tyone River, and rock outcrops
appear. About 9 miles below the mouth of Oshetna River, the river
enters a 2-mile rock canyon.
Vee dam site, which takes its name from the V-shaped
cross section of the canyon, is located about midway in this canyon
at river mile 200. The hard granite walls extend 500 feet above
the stream bed and wQuld provide a sound foundation for any type of
dam. A rather large fault located upstream is not expected to
cross the dam site. The rock next to this fault is very complex,
being folded, extensively metamorphosed, and intruded by dark-
colored dikes.
The major investigation and construction problems at
this site would be connected with a saddle along the extension of
the left abutment. Low point in the saddle is 350 feet above the
river bed. Depth of the sand which appears on the surface and
depth to bedrock are unknown. Extensive geologic investigation
would be necessary to determine depth to bedrock, character of the
bedrock, and rates of percolation through the overburden material
under various reservoir heads. For a high dam in the canyon sec-
tion, a large earth dam would probably be required in the saddle,
with a positive cut-off to bedrock. For a main dam less than
350 feet high, possibly no construction work would be necessary at
the saddle.
Hard, dense, and durable natural concrete aggregate is read-
ily accessible 1 mile downstream from the dam site. Suitable earth
materials for construction of an earth dike in the saddle could
70
Looking upstream at Vee dam site and reservoir area.
Potential Power-Resource Development
likely be found both upstream and downstream from the saddle.
Impervious material could be obtained by selective borrowing from
the glacial till just south of the saddle.
"
Preliminary stttdies,assuming,conservative geological
conditions in the saddle,indicate that the economical height of a
dam at the Vee site would be about 425 feet.Canyon topography is
favorable for a much higher dam,but the cost of the saddle dike
might become a larger portion"of the total when conditions'at .
the saddle become known,the economic height should be reanalyzed.
The height is limited to about 480 feet by the divide between
Susitna River Basin and Copper River Basin in the Lake Louise
area at the head of Tyone River.The dam would be a concrete
arch-gravity structure with the power plant located at the toe.
An over.;f'low spillway could terminate in a ski-jump bucket on top
of the powerhouse.
The reservoir would extend to the mouth of Maclaren"
River,a distance of 36 miles.Total capacity would be 2,820,000
acre-feet.Reservoir operation studies of Vee Reservoir were made
only with upstream regulation at Denali Reservoir.Sediment
deposition in Vee Reservoir would be small under this condition.
If the project were constructed without upstream regulation,an
estimated 400,000 acre-feet of space should be reserved for
sedimentation.
Data for"the Vee site are listed below.No data are
given for the dike,as too little is known of the subsurface
conditions.
Type of dam:Concrete,arch-gravity
Height above stream bed:425 ft.
Crest length:1,400 ft.
Stream bed elevation:1,915 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation:2,175 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation:ie,330 ft.
Power storage capacity:2,150,000 ac.-ft.
(with no reservation
for sediment deposition)
Average annual runoff:4,420,000 ac.-ft.
Development for coordinated operation with other Susitna
River power plants is discussed later in this chapter.
Watana Site.--Downstream from Vee dam site the river
channel changes from a narrow,steep-walled canyon to a generally
71
""do·23
~
Looking upstream at Watana dam site and reservoir area.
I'
Potential Water-Resource Development
broad, U-shape. This topography continues for about 35 miles, with
a slight narrowing at Watana dam site at river mile 165.
The rock at this site is sound, hard, coarse-grained
granite. The $ite appear8 exeellent from a geologic standpoint,
and no foundation deficiencies were observed. Hard, dense, and
durable concrete aggregate is available in the form of stream
gravels both upstream and downstream from the site.
The steep, rugged canyon is not considered suitable for
construction of an earth dam, although one could possibly be built.
If Watana site were considered for an earth dam, extensive explora-
tion for embankment materials would be necessary. Impervious mate-
rials might be found in the reworked glacial till on the slopes
above the abutments. Pervious and semipervious materials could
probably be found in gravel bars in the stream channel.
Watana site is suitable for either a straight•gravity
or an arch-gravity dam. A dam of either type ~ould have a gated
overflow spillway. The power plant would be located at the toe
of the dam near the right abutment. The river could be diverted
through the dam during construction, as the canyon is more than
400 feet wide at the bottom. ·
Total reservoir capacity would be 3,400,000 acre-feet.
The reservoir would extend upstream 33 miles almost to Vee site.
Reservoir operation studies of Watana Reservoir were made only
with upstream regulation. If the project were constructed without
upstream regulation, an estimated 400,000 acre-feet of space should
be reserved for sediment deposition.
Pertinent data for the Watana site are summarized below:
Type of dam: Concrete, straight-gravity
or arch-gravity
Height above stream bed: 440 ft.
Crest length: 1,650 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 1,470 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 1,740 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 1,900 ft.
Power storage capacity: 2,340,000 ac.-ft.
(with no reservation
for sediment deposition)
Average annual runoff: 5,410,000 ac.-ft.
72
:j-
'~
Potential Water-Resource Development
Development for coordinated operation with other Susitna
River power plants is discussed later in this chapter.
Devil Creek Site.--Downstream from Watana dam site the
canyon presents many possible sites. Devil Greek site, at river
mile 143 just below the mouth of Devil Creek, has a minimum width
at river level. This site is favorable for a low dam but becomes
very wide as the height increases. The right abutment would
restrict the height of a dam to about 350 feet, which would back
water up to Watana site. The canyon walls are sound, granitic
rock and are suitable for a concrete dam.
Construction of a dam at this site would eliminate a
high dam at the Devil Canyon site 9 miles downstream, as the
difference in elevation is only 150 feet. Preliminary studies
show that the site further downstream is better for development
than either the upper site or a combination of the two. There-
fore, Devil Creek site has been excluded from the plan of
ultimate development.
Devil Canyon Site.--several miles below Devil Creek site,
the Susitna River enters a narrow, steep-walled section known as
Devil Canyon. Located at river mile 134, this site has been
selected for initial development in the Susitna River Basin.
The Canyon walls rise more than 500 feet above river
level. The rock at this site consists of a very hard, tough,
metamorphosed, argillitic rock, which has been intruded by granitic
dikes. The dam site appears to be excellent from a geologic stand-
point. A fault zone one-half mile upstream does not directly cross
the dam site. Investigation must determine whether or not there
are offshoots of this fault. Special care would be required at the
intake of the diversion tunnel, which will be close to the fault.
Considerable exploration would be requirec to determine foundation
conditions at the spillway site in a emall saddle on the left abut-
ment. Suitable natural concrete aggregate is located in sufficient
quantity just upstream from the dam site.
Devil Canyon Dam would be a concrete, arch-gravity
structure. Economic studies indicate that the dam should be about
500 feet high. The crest would be about 1,100 feet long. The
stream channel is 150 feet wide.
The spillway would be located in a slight depression in
the extension of the left abutment. It would be a concrete,
73
Looking downstream toward Devil Canyon dam site.
GPO·87-8OO16
•
(
....'
Looking upstream toward Devil Canyon dam site.Concrete aggregate on flat just
upstream of site.
GP0-87·8OOt6
Potential Water-Resource Development
straight-gravity,overflow section with control gates.Spills
would discharge into a downstream side canyon,which would return
the water to Susitna River.
The powerhouse would extend along the right bank of the
river,starting at the toe of the dam.A temporary diversion
tunnel would be driven through the right abutment.The penstock
intake would be above the diversion tunnel and connected to it
through an inclined shaft.The shaft would be concrete-lined and
have an inner metal liner which would continue through the diver-
sion tunnel,terminating with feeder lines into the power plant.
The diversion tunnel would be plugged with concrete above its
connection with the inclined shaft.A gatehouse structure located
downstream from the penstock intake would regulate inflow to the
penstock.
Devil Canyon Reservoir vrould be 25 miles long,extending
almost to t'latana dam site.Total capacity would be 2,930,000 acre-
feet.With no upstream'regulation,400,000 acre-feet of space
should be reserved for sediment deposition.
Data for Devil Canyon site,without benefit of any storage
at upstream reservoirs,are as follows:
Type of dam:Concrete,arCh-gravity
Height above stream bed:500 ft.
Crest length:1,100 ft.
Stream bed elevation:925 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation:1,205 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation:1,417 ft.
Power storage capacity:1,950,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff:6,OSO,000 ac.-ft.
Power Plant capacity:232,000 kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm:1,150,000,000 kwo-hr.
Average nonfirm:180,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate energy cost at site:
Less than 10 mills per kw.-hr.
A larger development for coordinated operation with other
Susitna River power plants is discussed later in this chapter.
Olson Site.--In the next 3 miles below Devil Canyon dam
site,the Susitna River falls about 55 feet.At river mile 131,
just below the mouth of Portage Creek,Olson dam.site is the last
74
."
GULF
OF
ALASK.A
SCALE or MILES
VICINITY MAP
INDEX MAP
'0I ,
DEVIL CANYON DAM AND RESERVOIR'000
1/00
140...
.00
'200
1300
RIVER MILES ABOVE t.lOUTH
LEGEND
EX'STING AIVERS
PROPOSED RESERVOIR--F
SCALE OF MILts
CONTOUR UlTEA'I.lL 200'
o,
AND DAM
\<-MOll:W$.EI /4/7,,,,,
'\ExistinG ground
..,.~-surfoct,,,,,
\\,
wort'Surface £/925•.\-_.J
.......!==/
Auumtd el(cQvo,lon IInt-;:'..
- -_....
£/f;stlng gro:;;'-ct-l I I :"rur £1 ,j8r
sur 'OCt .-,.-
~A,sumtct ••eo~o'ion lin,
AREA IN THOUSANDS OF ACRES
1800°
,~•'0 "'0 "40
~
'",-----
W --
>-----0m ---•
~1400
W .,.........
W /'~
Z "
Z ,,
0 ,
~,/CAPACITY•AREA ------------->1000 r;DRAINAGE AREA,5,830 so.MI.w
~ZERO AREA ELEVATION 92.5'1
w
0 ,,4 ,• •
CAPACITY IN MILLIONS OF ACRE-FEET
ARE A -CAPACITY CURVE S
-rrosh,oc.
:•.30'COllerelt and,l'"'stfifi/-llned shoft
~]':30'D,a stefll
I ···condult
'..50'ConC/f11l/-lin,d
/Jlvtttrsion flln",,1;--7--:--'~-~4~___:~-"--~-~0~~';4-_7."~~'~,,------;,~,-C,~0-.:..;.~-~._---:!-_L_-"-_--'-_---.JC-_L_..L.._J'oo
100'ST"T'O~S 2 0
UPSTREAM ELEVATION OF SPILLWAY
W '400>
0
~•"00
~w
w 1200
~
~1100
0
~,000 -<>w
~'00w
.",•
~
vi '500 -'"'...
::E ""...
RESERVOIR MAP
~j"Ir::-
'.
140
~100o /
N
SplH ..oy crest E'/381
'..00---------
DEVIL CANYON
DAM SITE
PLAN :i
0 "'0 '00 ,'/,,,
SCALE 0'FE [J
SUSITNA...
'-------------'!lOO _
--------------______________-1300
ItOO _
________.roo _
___________'OOO-----....!.:':"
!o..
"
7-25-52 785-906-7
Potential Water-Resource Development
constricted canyon on~the main stream.The rounded abutments are
hard,sound graywacke,which would provide a good foundation for a
low,concrete dam.
The dam would be a straight-gravity structure and would
raise the water surface 50 feet.The i'later depth"is limited to
this amount because of Devil Canyon site upstream,which is a more
desirable site for a high dam.The spillwdY would be a gated over-
flow section and would occupy most of the crest length.The power
plant would be located on the right bank adjacent to the toe of the
dam.The penstock would be installed in the temporary diversion
tunnel.
The dam would impound only 6.600 acre-feet of water.Back-
i'iater i'fould extend nearl;9'to Devil Canyon dam site.Because of the
lack of storage capacity,no independent study i'iaS made for this
power plant.
Data pertinent to the Olson site are as follows:
Type of dam:Concrete,straight-gravity
Height above stream bed:60 ft.
Crest length:400 ft.
Stream bed elevation:870 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation:920 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation:920 ft.
Power storage capacity:
Average annual runoff:6 t 310,000 ac.-ft.
"
Development for coordinated operation with other Susitna
River power plants is discussed later in this chapter.
Gold Creek Site.--Gold Creek dam site is at river mile 123
in a broad section comparable to many sites in the Missouri River
Basin.The abutments are rock.Depth to bedrock below the stream "
bed is unknown;bO:r'ings for the Gold Creek bridge 3 miles downstream,
indicate that it is more than 70 feet.Foundation exploration and
preparation would be a major problem in constructing an earth dam
at this site.A cut-off to bedrock might be very deep.An earth
filter might obviate extending the dam or a cut-off to bedrock.
Suitable embankment materials might be difficult to obtain.Per-
vious and semipervious materials could be obtained in the river
bed.Selective bOrrOi'1 from the glacial till on the plateaus above
the river would provide impervious material for the core of a dam.
75
Potential ~vater-Resource Development
An earth dam 1.35 feet high at the Gold Creek site'would
back water up to Olson dam site.The dam would be almost 4,900
feet long at the crest.A spillway and a pOlier plant could be
constructed below the dam along either abutment.
Future investigation of this site should include a study
of possible power development by diversion from Chulitna River,
\-Thich is more than .300 feet above Susitna River at the Gold Creek
site.Water could be diverted through a 5.4-mile tunnel into
Indian River and thence through a 1.9-mile tunnel into Gold Creek
Reservoir.This plan \'IOuld be complicated bY lack of adequate
reservoir capacity on Chulitna River after allowances for silt
deposition.
Gold Creek site was not included in the plan of ultimate
development because of the uncertain foundation conditions and
probable excessive cost of an adequate structure.
Tyone Site.--'!'yone River is the uppermost tributary of
the Susitna River which contains a dam and reservoir site.The
stream'drains part of th~plateau between the Susitna and Copper
Rivers,which is made up largely of glacial till and outwash
materials.The dam site is located at the outlet of a series of
three large lakes.~The glacial till"at the dam site should be
adequate to support a low,earth dam,although subsurface investi-
gations would be required to determine the character of the over-
burden on the abutments.Suitable material for earth embankment
could be found vdthin the glacial deposits.
An earth dam only .3 5 feet high has been considered because
available topography is inadequate to establish the exact elevation
of the divide to Copper River drainage.The dam would have gated,
concrete outlet works and would impound 700,000 acre-feet.There
are no glaciers above the dam site,and the sedimentation problem
would be minor.
The purpose of '!'yone Reservoir would be to regulate
release of water to downstream power plants.There would be no
power plant at the dam.However,Denali Reservoir would provide
enough regulation to eliminate the need for '!'yone Reservoir.This
site was considered as an alternate to Denali.The following table
summarizes data for '!'yone site:
Type of dam:Combination earth and concrete
Height above stream bed:.3 5 ft.
Crest length:500 ft.
76
Potential Water-Resource Development
Stream bed elevation:2,358 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation:2,358 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation:2,385 ft.
Power storage capacity:700,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff:222,000 ac.-ft.
This site was not included in plan of ultimate development.
Chulitna Site.--Chulitna River drains the southern slope
of the Alaska Range in Mount McKinley National Park and flows south
to join'Susitna River near the town of Talkeetna.The Basin con-
tains2,620 square miles,of which an estimated 3.30 square miles
are covered by glaciers.,
Chulitna dam site is the farthest upstream.site,located
54 miles above the mouth of Chulitna River.Foundation conditions
are definitely'inferior.The foundation rock is primarily a soft,
"leak argillite,with an intrusion of greenstone.The site would
probably be adequate for an earth dam,but suitable embankment
materials might be hard to locate near the site.
Topography is adapted to construction of an earth dam
190 feet high.Such a dam would have a gated spillway along the
left abutment.The 108,000 acre-feet of active reservoir capacity
would be almost filled with sediment over a 100-year periOd.This
site was not included in the plan of ultimate development,owing
to this lack of power storage capacity,the poor foundation condi-
tions,and the scarcity of suitable earth materials.
Partin Site.--Partin dam.site is located 51 miles upstream.
from the mouth of Chulitna River.The rock is relatively sound
argillite.A subsurface exploration program.should prove the
foundation conditions adequate for a concrete gravity dam.or for
an earth d.am.It might be difficult to locate suitable earth
materials,especially impervious embankment material.
A concrete dam.140 feet high could be built at this site.
A dam.this high would inundate'the Chulitna site.The total reser-
voir capacity would be only 85,000 acre-feet,which would be
entirely filled with sediment before the expiration of 100 years.
This site was,therefore,not included in the plan of ultimate
development.
Partin site would be the point of possible diversion
from Chulitna River to Susitna River as discussed under Gold
Creek Site.
77
,potential Water-Resource Development
~
Lucy 5ite.--Lucy dam site,on the Chulitna River 44 miles
above its mouth,is in sound granite which would be adequate for
any type of concrete dam.Sufficient concrete aggregate is avail-
able in the gravel bars adjacent to the site.
A dam built to maximum canyon height would be 200 feet
high.Total reservoir capacity would be 131,000 acre-feet,of
which 100,000 acre-feet should be /reserved for estimated sediment
deposition.The st4).all remaining active storage capacity would
permit operation of only a 6,5OO-kilowatt power plant.This small
plant would not justif,y construction of~a dam 200 feet high with
a length of 700 feet and was,therefore,not included in the plan
of ultimate development.
Tokichitna Site.--Tokichitna dam site is on Chulitna
River'15 miles above its mouth.The site was named for Tokichitna
River,the first major tributary above the dam site.It is the
only site on Chulitna River included in the plan of ultimate
development.
The foundation rock is primarily graywacke,interbedded
with lesser amounts of argillite.The rock is hard and appears to
be sound.The foundation would probably be adequate for either an
earth or concrete dam.Large quantities of'suitable concrete
aggregate are available in the river gravels just upstream from the
dam site.
The dam would be limited by the right abutment to a
height of'150 feet.It would be a straight-gravity concrete
structure,with a spillway located high on the left abutment.The
power plant would be centrally located along the toe of the dam.
A temporary tunnel to divert water during construction could best
be located through the right abutment.
Total capacitY1~!the reservoir would be 2,530,000 acre-
feet.The extensive area 'of glaciers above the dam site would
necessitate a large reservation for sediment deposition,estimated
at 1,300,000 acre-feet.The reservoir would extend 13 miles up
the Chulitna River and 32 miles above the mouth of the Tokichitna
River.
Data pertaining to the Tokichitna site are listed below:
Type of dam:Concrete,stra.~ght-gravity
Height above stream bed:150 ft.
Crest length:650 ft.
78
Eotential Water-Re,source Deve2oEmen~
Stream bed elevation:485 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation:565 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation:625 ft.
Power storage capacity:1,060,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual rtmotf:3.670,.000 ac.-ft.
Power plant capacity:45,000 lew.
Annual energy output:
Firm:220"OOOtOOO kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm:36,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate energy cost at site:Less than 10
mills per kw.-hr.
Trapper Site.-'The Talkeetna River heads in the #
Talkeetna Mountains and flows westerly to the Susitna.River,which
it joins near the town of Talkeetna,.a short distance below the
mouth of Chulitna River.There are several small glaciers at
the headwaters.
,Trapper dam.site.the up~nnost site on Talkeetna
River,is"41 miles above its mouth.The rock is extremely
shattered,soft greenstone;even the best rock observed could be
scratched by a knife blade.The site has undoubtedly been
affected by a fault which crosses the lett abutment and the river
section.This fault is evidenced upstream by an iron-stained,
extremely contorted schist in an extensively metamorphosed zone.
This zone would affect the design and construction of a dam at
this site.An extensive,as well as intensive,subsurface exp1ora...;
tion program would be necessary'to determine the relation of the
metamorphosed zone to the river section.The foundation is believed
adequate only tor an eart:.h or rock-fill dam.Considerable difficulty
might be enc~tered in locating h1pervious materials for an earth
da.DJ...Suitable rock was not found,although turther investigation
mght prove its presence within an economic distance •..
The dam would be 250 feet high,with a concrete spillway
located along the right abutment.A temporary diversion tunnel
through the right abutment would be finally used for the penstock
tunnel.The power plant would be located on the right bank below
the dam;it would probably require a piling foundation.
The reservoir would be about 9 miles long.Total capacity
would be 427,000 acre-feet,ot which 40,000 acre-feet should be
reserved for sediment deposition.
79
0
Potential~ter-Resource Development
Data for the Trapper site are summarized as follows:
Type of dam: Earth or rook-fill.
Height above stream bed: 250 ft.
Crest length~ 2,500 ft~
Stream bed elevation: 1,410 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 1,550 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 1,650 ft.
Power storage capacity: 305,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff: 900,000 ac,-ft.
Power plant capacity: 20,000 kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm: 97,000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm: 16,000,000 l{W.-hr.
Approximate ener~J cost at site: 20 to 25 mills
per kw.-hr.
Development for coordinated operation ~dth other
Talkeetna River power plants is discussed later in this chapter.
Greenstone Site.--Greenstone dam site is 35 miles above
the mouth of Talkeetna River. As the name implies, the rock is
hard, sound greenstone, li-Lth granitic intrusions. The foundation
would be adeq~te for a concrete dam. Suitable natural aggregate
in sufficient quantities could be found in the gravel bars one-
half mile upstream from the dam site,
A 200-foot dam at this site would back water almost to
Trapper dam site. The dam would be of concrete, either arch or
gravity, ~~th a power plant located on the downstream toe. A
spillway tunnel would be located in the right abutment.
The reservoir would have a total capacity of only 62,000
acre-feet. If Trapper Reservoir were not in operation, 40,000
acre-feet of space should be reserved for sediment deposition.
This would leave such a small power storage capacity that no
individually operated power plant would be feasible.
Data for Greenstone site are as follows:
Type of dam: Concrete, arch or gravity
Height above stream bed: 200 ft.
Crest length: 700 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 1,210 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 1,330 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 1,400 ft.
80
)
)
Potential Water-Resource Development
Power storage capacity: 43,000 ac.-ft.
(with no reservation for
sediment deposition.)
1.000.000 ac.-ft. , ,
Development for coordinated operation with other
Talkeetna River power plants is discussed later in his chapter.
Granite Gorge Site.--This site is on Talkeetna River 30
miles above its mouth. The name is descriptive of the dam site.
The rock is hard, massive granite and the foundation would be
excellent for a concrete dam. Suitable aggregate in the form of
stream gravels is located in sufficient quantity within 1 mi~e
upstream from the dam site.
The dam vrould be a concrete structure, either arch or
gravity, 270 feet high. The spillway would be located in the right
abutment and would discharge into an existing lake, from which it
would flow through natural channels to the river downstream from
the dam. The power plant would be located on the downstream toe
of the dam.
The river gradient in this section is very steep and the
reservoir would be only 5 miles long, extending to Greenstone dam
site. Total storage capacity would be 55,000 acre-feet. An esti-
mated 40,000 acre-feet should be reserved for sediment deposition
if no upstream reservoirs were built. The net power storage capac-
ity would be too small to warrant independent development of this
site.
Summarized data for Granite Gorge site follow:
Type of dam: Concrete, arch or gravity
Height above stream bed: 270 ft.
Crest length: 550 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 940 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 1,105 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 1,200 ft.
Power storage capacity: 38,000 ac.-ft.
(with no reservation for
sediment deposition.)
Average annual runoff: 1,030,000 ac.-ft.
Development for coordinated operationwith other
Talkeetna River power plants is discussed later in this chapter.
81
_J
Potential Water-Resource Development
Sentinel Rock Site.--Just upstream from Iron Creek and
28 miles above its mouth, Talkeetna River is constricted by ver-
tical cliffs to a width of 100 feet. These abutments rise to a
height of 80 feet and then flatten out in a broad section. The
rock is hard. massive ~ra~ite. which is more resi~tant to erosion
than is the surrounding green~tone which it has intruded. The
foundation is excellent for a dam.
Economic dam height studies indicated that Keetna Dam,
9 miles downstream, should be built to such a height that it would
back water above this site. Therefore, Sentinel Rock site was not
included in the plan of ultimate development.
Keetna Site.--Keetna dam site is about 2 miles below the
confluence of Talkeetna River and Disappointment Creek. The rock
is hard, sound graywacke, and the foundation appears adequate toe
a concrete dam. Suitable concrete aggregate is readily available
from the gravel bars adjacent to the site.
If Keetna site were developed with no other reservoirs
upstream, the economic dam height would be about 445 feet. The dam
.would be a straight-gravity, concrete structure, with a spillway
along the right abutment. The power plant would be located on the
downstream toe.
The reservoir formed by a 445-foot dam would inundate not
only Sentinel Rock site but also Granite Gorge site. It would extend
13 miles upstream and would store a total of 1,290,000 acre-feet.
About 90,000 acre-feet of this space should be reserved for sediment
deposition.
Data pertaining to Keetna site for independent development
are summarized below:
Type of dam: Concrete, straight-gravity
Height above stream bed: 445 ft.
Crest length: 1,690 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 605 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 855 ft. ,
Maximum reservoir elevation: 1,040 ft.
Power storage capacity: 880,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff: 1,550,000 ac.-ft.
Power plant capacity: 71,000 kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm: 350,000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm: 40,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate energy cost at site: 15 to 20 mills
per kw.-hr.
82
.)
)
Potential Water-Resource Development
Development for coordinated operation with other
Talkeetna River power plants is discussed later in this chapter.
Talkeetna Site.--Talkeetna site is located at the con-
fluence of Talkeetna and Sheep Rivers. where a dam would back water
up both streams. The valley is 3,800-feet wide at this site. One
abutment is hard, sound granite and the other is hard graywacke.
The relationship of the contact under the river section would have
to be determined in connection with possible reservoir leakage.
Depth to bedrock is very great. An extensive subsurface geologic
investigation program with water testing would be necessary to
determine the depth and character of the alluvial material in the
river bed. An extensive earth-materials investigation program
would also be required to locate sufficient suitable earth embank-
ment for a large dam. Natural concrete aggregate for appurtenant
structures is readily available in the immediate vicinity4
The site is adapted to an earth dam 200 feet high. The
reservoir would have a total capacity of 680,000 acre-feet, of
which 80,000 acre-feet should be reserved for sediment deposition
if no reservoirs are in operation upstream~
Data pertaining to independent development of Talkeetna
site are listed below. Coordinated operation with upstream reser-
voirs is discussed under Ultimate Development.
Type of dam: Earth
Height above stream bed: 200 ft.
Crest length: 4,S50 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 500 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 610 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 690 ft.
Power storage capacity: 400,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff: 2,200,000 ac.-ft.
Power plant capacity: 25,000 kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm: 125,000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm: 25,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate energy cost at site: more than 30
mills per
kw.-hr.
This site was not included in the plan of ultimate
development because of the high estimated cost of energy.
/) Potential Water-Resource Development
Sheep River Site.--This dam site is on Sheep River 1.3
miles above its confluence with Talkeetna River. The river cuts
through a narrow, vertical-walled canyon section about 100 feet
deep. Above the canyon, the abutment slopes are rather flat, and
the section becomes large. The site is sound, massive granite and
should prove excellent in all geologic respects. Sufficient quanti-
ties of suitable concrete aggregate are available from gravel bars
within 1 mile of the site.
The dam would be a gravity concrete structure .300 feet
high with a power plant at the toe. Total reservoir capacity would
be .348,000 acre-fe.et, but 20,000 acre-feet of this space should be
reserved for sediment deposition.
Sheep River site was not included in the plan of ultimate
development because of the high estimated cost of energy.
Skwentna No. 1 Site.--The Yentna River, largest tributary
of the Susitna, joins the latter stream 24 miles above its mouth.
The two main tributaries of the Yentna are Kahiltna River from the
north and Skwentna River from the west. The only potential power
sites l'trere found on the Skwentna River.
Skwentna No. 1 dam site is located 53 miles above the
mouth of Sk\'trentna River. The foundation rock is a relatively hard,
fine~grained graywacke within an area made geologically complex by
contorted shales and associated intrusions. A geologic investiga-
tion should determine what problems might be caused by the relation-
ship of the rock at the dam site to the surrounding inferior rock.
Natural concrete aggregate is readily available in large quantities.
Earth embankment material could probably be located within an eco-
nomic distance. .
A dam at this site would be limited to a height of 185
feet. Total reservoir capacity would be 172,000 acre-feet. An
estimated 70,000 acre-feet of this space could be reserved for
sediment deposition. Power Plant capacity would be about 5,500
kilowatts. Energy output would be so small and energy cost so
high that the project was not included in the plan of ultimate
development.
Pertinent data for Skwentna No. 1 site are listed below:
Type of dam: Earth or concrete
Height above stream bed: 185 ft •.
Crest length: 600 ft.
)
)
Potential Water-Resource Development
Stream bed elevation: S25 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 930 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 1,000 ft.
Power storage capacity: 75,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff: 730,000 ac.-£t.
Power plant capacity: 5,500 kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm: 27,000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm: 9,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate energy cost at site: More than 30
mills per
kw.-hr.
This site was not included in plan of ultimate development.
Skwentna No. 2 Site.--This site is 42 miles above the
mouth of the Skwentna River. The foundation consists of relatively
hard, sound graywacke with some associated argillites. This rock
is suitable for an earth dam and is believed adequate for certain
types of concrete dams. Considerable investigation might be neces-
sary to locate fine material for the core of an earth dam. Natural
concrete aggregate is readily available in the river bottom.
The dam would be a concrete structure, 285 feet high,
with a gated overflow spillway adjacent to the left abutment. The
power plant would be located on the downstream toe at the right
bank. The reservoir would extend 11 miles upstream and would have
a total capacity of 670,000 acre-feet. With no upstream reservoirs,
80,000 acre-feet of space should be reserved for sediment dep~sition.
Future studies might prove the desirability of an earth
dam at this site, provided suitable materials could be located
nearby. Ho"V~rever, fluid silts within the channel are very unstable
and would hamper the use of heavy equipment needed to construct an
earth dam.
Data for this site are as follows:
type of dam: Concrete, straight-gravity
Height above stream bed: 285 ft.
Crest length: 950 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 535 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 690 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 810 ft.
Power storage capacity: 390,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff: 1,300,000 ac.-ft.
85
)
P-otential Water-Resource Development
Power plant capacity: 30,000 kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm: 150,000,000 :kl-r. -hr.
Average nonfirm: 25,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate ener~tv cost at site: 25 to 30 mills
----per kw.-hr.
Talachulitna Site.--Talachulitna dam site is a constric-
tion in the Skwentna River 13 miles above its confluence with Yentna
River. The Talachulitna River joins the Skwentna about 2 miles above
the site. The river has cut a channel through a resistant, dense,
hard greenstone. The foundation is suitable for construction of a
low concrete or earth dam, or a combination of both. Geologic
investigations would be required to determine the location and char-
acter of bedrock on the extensions of each abutment. Adequate
quantities of natural concrete aggregate are available within a
mile of the site. Suitable impervious material would be difficult
to locate. An earth ma.terials exploration program should be started
early in the geologic investigation.
The dam '\Arould be a combination earth and concrete structure
155 feet high. The concrete section "'~uld be placed in the main
river channel and would have a gated overflow spillway adjacent to
the left abutment. The power plant would be located at the downstream
toe on the right abutment. The total crest length would be about
2,000 feet. The concrete section would be 300 feet long at the base
and 500 feet long at the crest.
The reservoir would be 17 miles long and ~d store
2,370,000 acre-feet. Reservation for sediment deposition should
be at least 600,000 acre-feet, if no reservoirs are built upstream.
Data for Talachulitna site are as follows:
Type of dam: Combination earth and concrete
Height above stream bed: 155 ft.
Crest length: 2,000 ft.
Stream bed elevation: 290 ft.
Minimum reservoir elevation: 375 ft.
Maximum reservoir elevation: 437 ft.
Power storage capacity: 1,250,000 ac.-ft.
Average annual runoff: 2,470,000 ac.-ft.
Power plant capacity: 3S,OOO kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm: 190,000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm: 20,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate energy cost at site: 10 to 15 mills
per kw.-hr.
S6
Potential Water-Resource Development
Susitna Station Site.--The stream channel and valley of
the Susitna River from Gold Creek to the mouth are very wide~At
river mile 22,about 2 miles below the mouth of Yentna River,the
river banks converge and steepen slightly.The topography here is
suitable for an earth dam 100"feet high.The site is named for
the nearby village of Susitna,a station for the river boats \'Ihich
formerly plied the river.
This site would require a great deal of geologic investi-
gation before a dam should be designed or constructed.The major
problem \'1Ould be possible seepage from the reservoir.Depth to
bedrock in the stream channel is probably more than 500 feet.
This great depth would preclude a cut-off to bedrock.The fluvial-
glacial sediments might so reduce the rate of percolation that
seepage loss from the reservoir would not be excessive.Extensive
percolation testing of the substrata upstream and downstream from
the dam site and in the reservoir rim would be necessary to deter-
mine whether or not piping might take place under potential reser-
voir heads.The abutments would require special investigation as
they appear to be very inferior.An extensive investigation
program would be necessary to prove the geologic feasibility of
the Susitna Station site.
The river is about 1.900 feet wide at this site.A
laO-foot dam would have a crest length of about 5,600 feet.A
saddle some distance from the left bank either \rould require a
low dike or could be used for a spillway.The reservoir would
have a total capacity of 2,600~OOO acre-feet and would extend
about 30 miles up both the 5usitna and Yentna Rivers.If there
were no upstream reservoirs,all this capacity would probably be
filled with sediment in less than 100 years.
The major problem at this site vlould be the possible
impairment of the important salmon -run up the Susitna River.
The Susitna produces about 30 percent of the Cook Inlet salmon
pack.If a dam were built at the Susitna Station site,adequate
provision \-lould have to be made to permit the adult salmon to pass
upstream to spawn and to permit the fingerlings to return to the
ocean.Although this might not be an insurmountable problem,fur-
ther consideration of this site is definitely inadvisable at the
present time.It is not inclUded in the plan of ultimate develop-
ment.
Potential output at the site with upstream/reservoirs in
operation is discussed under Ultimate Development.
Potential Water-Resource Develo~ent
Other Potential Siteso--Thorough aerial reconnaissance
of the entire Susitna River Basin vlaS made to locate all major
power sites.All those which were found are discussed in this
report.Two of the necessary three elements were found at many
other locationso An adequate water supply and a large reservoir
capacity were found at many sites,.particularly on the Yentna
River and its tributaries;however ~no dam sites were found at
these locations.Suitable dam sites can be found on some smaller
tributaries;but these streams are too steep to have good reservoir
basins,and the 1qater supply is deficient.
Ultimate Development
Construction and coordinated operation of several power
plants on one stream or independent section of a stream would
result in a greater energy output than the sum of the output of the
individual plants.This would be possible for two reasons:
(1)upstream storage would increase the regulated flol'f at down-
stream plants;and (2)if runoff is not as fully regulated at some
plants as at others,output of the plants can be adjusted in
accordance with the partially regulated flow.Coordinated opera-
tion would result in the plan of ultimate development discussed in
the follo1iing paragraphs.
Susitna River above Gold Creek.--Ultimate development of
the Susitna River above Gold Creek would probably include the
following major features:
Denali Dam and Reservoir
Vee Dam,ReservoirJ and power plant
"lrlatana Dam,neservoir,and power plant
Devil Canyon,Dam,Reservoir,.and power plant
Olson Dam and power plant
The dams would have the same dimensions as those described
under Independent Site Development.Power storage capacities in the
reservoir ,'[ould also be the same ~except for Devil Canyon Reservoir.
Under ultimate operation with upstream reservoirs,no space would be
reserved in Devil Canyon Reservoir for sediment depositiono Power
storage capacity would be increased to 2,100,.000 acre-feet.
Results of coordinated operation of these five projects
are as follows:
Power plant capacity:
Vee:260,000 kw.
\illatana:310,000 kw.
Devil Canyon:390,000 kvf.
Olson:50,000 kw.
88
Potential Water-Resource Develo~ent
Annual system energy output:
Firm:5,,000,000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm:200,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate system energy cost at sites:7.5 to
10 mills per kw.-hr.
Chulitna River.--Tokichitna Dam,.Reservoir,.and power
plant constitute the only project on Chulitna River which is
included i..n the plan of ultimate development..No coordinated
operation is possible on this stream.
Talkeetna River.--Potential projects on Talkeetna River
are well-suited to coordinated operation..Ultimate development on
this stream would probably comprise the following major features:
Trapper Dam,Reservoir,and pOvrer plant
Greenstone Dam,Reservoir,and power plant
Granite Gorge Dam,Reservoir,and power plant
Keetna Dam,.Reservoir,.and pO'twr plant
Size of dams and power storage capacity at the three
upper sites would be the same as for independent development.
Keetna Dam,.however,would be reduced to a height of 345 feet,so
that Granite Gorge site would not be inundated.Crest length
would be 1,250 feet and minimum rese~!oir elevation 805.The
reservoir vrould have a net povrer storage capacity of 510,000
acre-feet.
Results of the coordinated operation are as follows:
Power plant capacity:
Trapper:19,000 kw.
Greenstone:20,.000 b/.
Granite Gorge:27,000 b/.
Keetna:56,.000.kw.
Annual system energy output:
Firm:600,.000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm:60,000,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate system energy cost at sites:
15 to 20 mills per kw.-hr.
other combinations of plants on Talkeetna River were also
considered.An operation study was made of Talkeetna project,with
only a lOO-foot dam,using regulated discharge from Keetna Reservoir
in the coordinated study.The small increase in system energy out-
put would not justify the cost of such a large structure.A coordi-
nated operation study was also made eliminating Granite Gorge
Potential Water-Resource Development-
project and .leaving Keetna Dam at the 445-foot height used in the
independent study"This study indicated a firm system output of
590,000,000 kilowatt-hours,only slightly less than was obtained
in the four-plant operation"Unit cost of energy was higher,.so
the combination \-laS rejected.
Skwentna River.--Operation of the two potential projects
on Skwentna River could be coordinated to increase slightly the
firm energy output.The size of the dams and the power storage
capacity of the reservoirs would be the same as for independent
site development..Results of the coordinated operation study are
as follows:
PO'ltler plant capacity:
Skwentna No.2:30,000 kw.
Talachulitna:42,000 kw.
Annual system energy output:
Firm:360,000,000 kwe-hr ..
Average no:nfirm:40,.000,000 kwe-hr"
Approximate s,ystem energy cost at sites:
15 to 20 mills per kwe-hr.
Susitna Station Site ..--iAlith the ultimate development of
upstream reservoirs to trap most of the silt discharged by head-
water glaciers,production of po\-rer would be possible at the
Susitna Station site..Yentna River and its northern tributary,
the Kahiltna,would be the only major glacial streams with no
storage regulation.An estimated 640,000 acre-feet of space should
be reserved for sediment deposition.
The problem of salmon runs at this site is discussed
under Independent Site Development"This problem 'ltlould be as
important at Susitna Station with other reservoirs upstream as
without them"For this reason,the site "laS not included in the
pLm of ultimate development"HO't'lever,the followi..l1g data
summarize potential development with a 100-foot dam ..
Type of dam:Earth
Height above stream bed:100 ft"
Crest length:5,600 ft"
Stream bed elevation:40 ft"
Minimum reservoir elevation:100 ft ..
Maximum reservoir elevation:130 fte
Power storage capacity:1,500,000 ac ..-ft.
Average annual runoff:22,500,000 aCe-ft.
90
Potential Water-Resource Development
Power plant capacity:190,000 kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm:950,000,000 k1~.-hr.
Average nonfirm:300 t OOO,000 kw.-hr.
Approximate energy cost at site:
Less than 10 mills per kw ..-hr.
This site is not included in plan of ultimate development.
Initial Development
The initial development considered for Susitna River Basin
would be the Devil Canyon project.The dam and reservoir would be
the same as were described under Independent Site Development.The
maximum potential'capacity of the pOlrer plant as a separate develop-
ment would be 232,000 kilowatts.Ultimate capacity 1'lith upstream
regulation would be 390,000 kilowatts.The pOlrerhouse would be
initially constructed with space for six units to allow for
expansion to the ultimate capacity of the power plant.Initial
installation would consist of three 65,000-kilowatt units,for a
total capacity of 195,000 kilowatts.This initial capacity was
determined by the power market requirements derived in chapter IV.
As the power load requires additional generation,a fourth 65,000-
kilowatt unit could be installed,.although the water supply is
adequate for only 232,000 kilowatts of firm output.
Construction of Denali Reservoir could be considered as
stage B of the initial development.The additional storage regula-
tion would make it possible to almost double the capacity and out-
put of Devil Canyon po1'rer plant.Even if construction of Denali
Dam l~S deferred for decades,there would be sufficient storage in
Devil Canyon for sediment accumulation.After construction of
Denali Dam no additional storage space would need to be reserved
in Devil Canyon Reservoir,as almost all the sediment would be
trapped in Denali Reservoir.Water supply at Devil Canyon would
support a 370,000-kilol~tt plant at a 60-percent plant factor.
H01'rever,the installation would probably consist of the ultimate
capacity of 390,000 kilowatts,comprising six 65,000-kilowatt
units.
Variable data for Devil Canyon site for the two stages
of initial development are listed below:
Stage At Devil Canyon
Power storage capacity:1,950,000 ac.-ft~
Pow"er plant capacity:195,000 kw.
91
""do;Looking downstream at Devil Canyon dam site.
)
_)
Potential Water-Reso~ce Developmeni
Annual Energy output:
Firm: 970,000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm: 240,000,000 kw.-hr.
The estimated cost ~r stage A development is approximately
$250.000.000. This cost includes a power house structure of sufficient
size-to allow installation of additional generators under the phase B
development.
Ap,roximate energy cost at the site including all annual
cost would be about 9.0 mills per k\'1.-hr.
Stage B. Devil Canyon with Denali
Power storage capacity: 2,100,000 ac.-ft.
Power plant capacity: 390,000 kw.
Annual energy output:
Firm: 1,850,000,000 kw.-hr.
Average nonfirm: 200,000,000 kw.-hr.
The total estimated cost to complete stage B is approximately
$378,000,000. Energy cost at the site, including all annual expense
for both. the Denali and Devil Canyon Projects would be about 8.0 mills
per kw.-hr.
All mill costs are based on a repajmrrent period of 50 years
with interest and amortization at 2-~ percent.
O~HER POTENTIAL DE\~LOPMEN!
The previous discussion has been concerned solely with
the development of the hydroelectric power potential. This feature
appears to be the best development f.'or utilizing the water resources
of the Basin, particulary in the near future. Hydroelectric develop-
ment, however, does not preclude other uses of the same water resources.
Much thought, but little detailed study, has been given
to potential development other than for pov1er and one flood control
project. Other problems and possibilities are discussed below.
Irrigation
Existing commercial agricultural d3velopment in the Basin
is negligible. Primary causes of this are the very recent rise of a
large market in the Anchorage area and the closer proximity to this
market of the producing lands of Matanuska Valley. The land in the
Susitna River Basin, which might be suitable for agriculture, lies
in the lower portion of the southern end of the valley. Much work
must be done to determine the suitability of the soils and climate
of this area for agricultural production. The department of Agri-
culture is now actively engaged in making these studies.
92
Po~ential lr,Jater-Resource Developmeni
None of these potential agricultural lands may be
classified as arid on the basis of total annual precipitation,
which averages between 25 and 30 inches per year.However~the
monthly distribution of this precipitation is not conducive to
optimum production.Rainfall from the first of l'1ay to the middle
of July is usually not sufficient to meet plant requirements.
The growing season is short and it would be desirable that seed
germination and early season plant growth not be retarded because
of lack of water.Soil moisture content i'1Ould normally be high
in the spring as a result of snO"l melt.HOi'leVer,this amount
plus the meager rainfall could not be counted on to meet the
requirements for early season plant grm'Vth.After the middle of ~
July rainfall gradually increases and would normally be sufficient
to mature crops.In occasional years deficiencies occur even
during this portion of the season.
Any indicated need for irrigation water will be entirely
on a theoretical basis until further studies and experiments are
made.It may be found that certain crops and some types of soil
would benefit and produce more abundantly if furnished supple-
mental water by irrigation.If irrigation is found to be eco-
nomically desirable to increase yields or improve quality of crops,
the water resources of the Basin can provide a plentiful supply.
The major problem wottld be the best method of application~
Sprinkler irrigation has been tried w'ith outstanding
success at a feii farms in the Matanuska Valley.There are
undoubtedly many places in the Basin where the advantages of this
type of irrigation would make its use desirable.vJhere irrigable
land is in,small isolated tracts,interspersed i'lith stre~s and
lakes,sprinkler irrigation would probably be indicated,using
the nearby i~ter supply and avoiding long distribution laterals.
This would be especially true if the land were rolling and could
not or should not be leveled for surface irrigation.
Future field investigation may disclose that there are
large areas within the Basin,or to which water could be diverted
from the Basin,which would require irrigation and would be adapt-
able to surface distribution through canals and laterals.Sprinklers
supplied from the distribution system might also be used.
Studies of the need for irrigation and of the benefit to
be obtained from it are currently being made by the Department of
Agriculture.If the results of these studies are favorable,the
Bureau of Reclamation should begin studies and field investigations
to determine the engineering and economic feasibility of a definite
irrigation plan.
93
Potential Water-Resource Development
Flood Control
The Alaska District,Corps of Engineers~has prepared
an interim:'report ent itled nCook Inlet a...'1.d Tributaries,!!dated
January 20,1950.The report is a survey of the rivers and harbors
of the Cook Inlet area and includes a discussion of water-resource
development of the Susitna River Basin.Flood control is one of the
problems described.The following paragraphs are selected quota-
tions from this report.
iiInu.l'ldation of portions of the town of Talkeetna
occurs periodically as a result of high flows in Susitna
and Talkeetna Rivers.The area which is flooded is
located on the left bank of the Talkeetna River,just
upstream from its confluence with Susitna River.In
June 1942,overbank flow from the Talkeetna inundated
part of the town east of the railroad and extended
to the lower end of the airfield.
liAdditional damage is caused by erosion of the
left bank of the Talkeetna River on the northwest
side of the tcwn.The flO'\.'1'is diverted against the
approaches of the railroad bridge and the left bank
of the river immediately d.ovrrlstream by an island
which has been formed upstream from the bridge.The
railroad prevents destruction of the bridge approaches
by periodically dumping riprap.The bank below the
bridge has receded nearly 400 feet since 1917,and
during the 1949 flood was cut back as much as 100 feet
in places.Several small cabins have been destroyed.
Some cutting also has taken place along the left bank
of the Susitna River about one-half mile below the
town.ii
Since the completion of its report,the Corps of Engineers
constructed a dike of poles bound together by cables to prevent
further erosion by Talkeetna River.This dike was so placed to
encourage deposition of sediment behind the dike.The results are
very satisfactory.
Complete protection of the town against inundation,either
from flood flows in the Talkeetna River or from backwater from the
Susitna River,would require a levee on three sides of the town and
pumping facilities to avoid ponding.The cost of such protection
was found to be many times the possible benefits.As further devel-
opment of the area occurs,additional flood protection may become
warranted and economically justified.
94
?otential Water-Resource Development
The report by the Corps of Engineers further states,
regarding the flood problem in the Susitna River Basin:
liThe lack of development in the flood plains
obviates the necessity;for flood protection at the
present time.However,the potential hazards arising
from floods are present in many locations.Proper
planning of developments can prevent the necessity
for expensive flood protection works in the future.
Every effort should be made to inform the persons
responsible for improvements of the dangers of
inundation from infrequent floods as well as from
bank erosion.Vi
Drainage
The Susitna River Basin contains extensive areas of
poorly drained lando This is caused by lack of well-defined system
of surface drainage or unusually tight soils which do not permit
subsurface drainage o
The largest poorly drained area is the broad lower valley
of the Susitna River below Talkeetna.Others are:(1)the area
between the mouth of Butte Creek and the mouth of;Mac1aren River;
and (2)the largest part of the Tyone River Basin,which drains
part;of the plateau between Copper River and Susitna River.How-
ever,the last two areas are of little importance,as the climate
is not suitable to agriculture even if the land were drained and
soils were otherl.·Jise satisfactory.
The poorly drained land in the lower valley lies in large
tracts interspersed with large areas of better-drained land.Much
of this area is probably adaptable to economica;L drainage,.and the
drained land would undoubtedly be suitable for crop product ion0
As long as there is sufficient well-drained potential agricultural
land which could be developed at less cost than could the poorly
drained land,.construction of drainage facilities would not be
necessary.Detailed investigation of drainage problems will probably
not be needed for many years.
Recreation
Recreation is a major factor in the economy of the
Railbelt.The many lakes and streams of the Susitna River Basin
are important in satisfying the recreational needs of both residents
and touristso Recreational facilities at potential reservoirs
95
Potential Water-~source Development
would be isolated and difficult of access,but no more so than
some of the lakes which are used now.Reservoirs operated for
power purposes would normally be at minimum stage for each.year
at the end of April,with water-surface elevations increaslng to
maximum at the end of August or September.Construction of
recreational facilities should be considered during the investi-
gation of potential projects.However,recreation is not now
considered to be a major aspect of water-resource development in
the Basin.
Fish and Wildlife
The fisheries resource of the Susitna River Basin is of
such economic importance that it must be protected and,if possible,
expanded.It must be given full consideration in connection ,vith all
plans for development of the water resources.
Field investigation has not been sufficient to accurately
locate the spawning grounds of salmon,the most important fish in
the Basin.However,major salmon runs are unknown on the Susitna
River above Gold Creek.Power releases from these reservoirs would
be adequate to maintain life of nonmigrating fish,and will be
regulated to prevent damage to salmon spawn.
If dams are considered for construction on streams which
are used by migratory fish,full consideration must be given to the
fisheries resource.Satisfactory fish ladders or other means of
bypass should be provided so that there will be no appreciable
interference with salmon runs.Extensive investigation will be
necessary to discover the location of all salmon spawning areas and
to determine the most successful means of assuring their continued
propagation.
Consideration should be given to stocking the potential
reservoirs with game fish.The dead storage reserved for power
head and the operation of the reservoirs for power generation might
be favorable for a good game fish resource.If game fish were to
be placed in a reservoir with no power plant,an adequate dead
storage pool for maintenance of fish life would be required.This
would be a positive development of water resources for the benefit
of fisheries.
life.
The Susitna River Basin abounds with many forms of wild-
The Fish and Wildlife Service states that some of the
96
Potential Water-Resource Development
reservoirs considered as part of the plan of ultimate development
might act as barriers to seasonal migrations of caribou.They
would also inundate the habitat of some fur-bearing animals.How-
evert there are vast caribou grounds in addition to those which
would be flooded.The reservoirs would create additional shore
line suitable for aquatic~fur-beariDg mammals.The net effect
of these reservoirs on the wildlife of the Basin would probably be
very smalL
ALTERNATIVE POWER DEVELOPMENT
Other means of supplying electric power to the Railbelt
are available in addition to the developme!1t of the hydropOT'lGr
resources of the Susitna River Basin.These other possibilities
include generation of electric power at Diesel plants,steam plants,
and hydro plants in nearby river basins.None of these are considered
competitive with Susitna River Basin hydropower in supplying the needs
of the Railbelt.
Diesel
Electric energy generated by Diesel engines is comparatively
expensive,costing about 30 mills per kilowatt-hour in the Fairbanks
area.For this reason Diesel-electric plants normally are used where
the loads are small and the larger and cheaper steam or hydro plants
are not adaptable.Because of the excessive cost and the small size
of units,Diesel plants would not be suitable to supply the large
requirements for low-cost power in the Railbelt.
Steam
Several steam electric plants are now supplying a major
portion of the power used,both civilian and military,.in the Railbel.t.
Plants of much larger capacity would be required to supply the futur-3
load.Studies of the cost of constructing and operating a plant of
100,000-kilowatt capacity indicate that the cost of generation,'
including fixed charges,would be about L5 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Such plants could be built near the load centers and thus eliminate
a long transmission system.Even this saving,however,would not
enable a steam plant to compete on a cost basis with hydropower
generated at plants on the main stem of the Susitna River.'
Another important reason for not using thermal-electric
plants is a desire to conserve nonrenewable oil,coal,and natural
gas resources.Generation of power by water is a nonconsumptive
process,which uses no fueL Although larger fuel supplies are
97
Potential Water-Resource Development
being made'available through new discoveries and new methods of
extraction,there is an ever-increasing need for fuel conservation.
Larger quantities of fuel are needed than ever before.New and
different uses are being found for coal~oil~and gas--the most
common fuels for steam plants.There is no limit to the nonfuel
uses which may be found.It is therefore desirable to conserve
these resources as much as possible through the use of hydropower,
particularly where the cost is not prohibitive.For this reason,
several hydro plants are included in the plan of ultimate develop-
ment for the Susitna River Basin,even though they indicate a cost
per kilowatt-hour of energy which would exceed that of steam plants.
HYdro
There are many potential projects in nearby basins which
could generate hydroelectric power to supply the requirements of
the Railbelt.Some of these projects are large enough and are so
situated that they could possibly serve the entire Railbelt.Others
are so small or are so located that they could serve only a portion
of the power market area.The most important of these alternative
projects are described below.
Rampart Project .--Rampart dam site is located on the
Yukon River about 100 air line miles northwest of Fairbanks.The
foundation rock is sound,.hard granite,and the site is suitable for
a straight-gravity concrete dam up to 450 feet high.However,the
vast storage provided by the extensive Yukon Flats upstream from the
site would limit the height of the dam.A dam 290 feet high would
have a crest length of 2,.500 feet.Active storage capacity would
be about 130,000,000 acre-feet.Estimated installed capacity of a
power plant would be 1,.500,000 kilowatts.
Power from the Rampart site could not be supplied to
areas south of the Yukon-Tanana Valley because of the long trans-
mission distance.The capacity and output are much larger than
would be needed for loads at Fairbanks in the foreseeable future.
Because of these factors and the barrier to navigation on the
Yukon,the project was not considered.
Cathedral Bluffs Site.--Cathedral Bluffs dam site is
located on the Tanana River,179 miles southeast of Fairbanks via
the Alaska Highway.The site is suitable for an earth dam 185 feet
high.The reservoir would inundate the villages of Tanacross and
Mansfield and several miles of the Alaska Highway.A pOlier plant
at this site would have an estimated installed capacity of at least
100,000 kilowatts.
98
Potential Water-Resource Development
The major unknown factor at this site is the depth of
cut-off necessary in the river bed to prevent percolation from.the
reservoir.Using conservative assumptions for this itE!lm,the
estimated cost of energy would be between 10 and 15 mills per
kilowatt-hour.Because this cost would be more than for Devil
Canyon power,and because of excessive transmission distance to
Anchorage,.the site was eliminated.Cathedral Bluffs project,
however,.is a good potential site for future development.
Wood Canyon Site.-Wood Canyon dam site is on Copper River
below the mouth of Chitina River,.about 260 highway miles east of
Anchorage.At this point Copper River flows for several miles
through a narro'Vl,steep-walled canyon.A concrete dam 600 feet high
would have a crest length of about 1,700 feet.The regulated flow
provided by the reservoir would operate a pOl'TElr plant with an esti-
mated installed capacity of 1,200,000 kilowatts.
Large blocks of low-cost energy could be generated at
this site,which might attract an electrochemical or electrometal-
lurgioal industry.Transmission distances to Anchorage and Fairbanks
would be great.Furthermore,the site is not suited to stage con-
struction.A large portion of the investment in the dam would bring
in no returns 1.ll1til the Railbelt load would require the full power
plant capacity.
The most serious drawback to this development,however,
would be interference with the important Copper River salmon r1.ll1o
Careful study would have to be made of means to assure continued
salmon propagation before any definite plans were made.
Chakachamna Siteo--Chakachamna Lake,S5 air line miles
due west of Anchorage,~&15 miles long and averages 2 miles wideo
The lake.dammed by Barrier Glacier and its terminal moraine,.would
provide the reservoir storage for any development on Chakachatna
River.
Two alternative developments are possible.The first
't'[ould require three dams,with appurtenant power plants,on
Chakachatna River.The first dam would be about 6i miles below
the lake outlet and would back water into Chakachamna Lake 0 The
second dam would be 12 miles and the third l4i miles below the lake
outlet 0 Total installed capacity of the three power plants would
be about 370,000 kilowatts.An alternative scheme to use the present
storagE!l capacity of Chakachamna Lake would require a draw-down
tunnel,diverting to a downstream powE!lr plant.By using an 11.2-
mile tunnel and 1.S miles of penstock,about S70 feet of total power
99
Potential Water-Resource Development- -
head could be obtained.Installed power plant capacity would be
about l60~000 kilowatt?
TransJ!lission dista,l'lCe to .Anchorage ,rould be about 100
miles over extensive areas of muskeg and swampy terrain.The
transmission system would be a major item of cost.Fairbanks is
too far away to be served by Chakachamna project.Power could
be supplied only to the Anchorage area and to Kenai Peninsula"
Energy would cost about 15 to 20 mills per kilowatt-
hour.The project was rejected because of the high energy cost
and because of its inability to serve the entire Railbelt.It
should be considered only as a possible future power source.
Ken~i Peninsula Sites.--Several potential power projects
on Kenai Peninsula have been investigated in considerable detail by
the Corps of Engineers and discussed in its report entitled i?Cook
Inlet and Tributaries.Vi Two of these projects,.Cooper Lake and
Crescent Lake,.ShOl-Ted an estimated energy cost of less than 1 cent
per kilowatt-hour.These two projects,however,.could not supply
the ultimate pm-rer load of Kenai Peninsula.Low-cost power from
the Susitna River Basin would be preferable to enable the supply to
keep pace with the demand.However,.it might be desirable to build
one small pla.'t'lt on Kenai Peninsula.to supply the initial local
power demand and to provide line regulation which would be necessary
with the ultimate use of Susitna River power.
ULTIMATE POlrJER GRID
As the Territory continues to grow in population and
economic development,increasing amounts of energy will be required.
The geographic pattern of this load growth is difficult to predict.
It is probable,.however,that a large portion of the increased
power demand will be supplied by some or all of the hydro plants
outside Susitna River Basin which have just been described.
Power plants on the Susitna River would be centrally
located vdth respect to this ultimate development"The transmission
lines required to serve the Railbelt with power from Devil Canyon
project could easily be expanded into a transmission system inter-
connecting all these projects to serve interior Alaska.Devil
Canyon project is an ideal beginning for the ultimate power grid.
100
CHAPTER VI
FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS
The Susitna River Basin is an area which possesses great
potential wealth in its water~mineral,land~and \'uldlife resources.
Some data have been obtained about the mineral resources in localized
areas.There is a dearth of information regarding the water,land,
and wildlife resources of the Basin.Most of the known facts about
the hydropower,agriculture,recreation,and wildlife potentialities
are summarized or mentioned in this report.
Minerals and fisheries are the only resources of the Basin
which have been exploited to any great extent.Hm..;ever,.even the
fishing has been carried on in Cook Inlet with no accurate knowledge
of the part played by the Susitna River and its tributaries.It
would be possible for future independent development of one resource
or one aspect of a single resource to irrevocably prevent adequate
development of another resource.It is of utmost importance,there-
fore,.that all resource development in the Basin be coordinated to
produce the maximum benefit.
In order to attain this end,coordination must begin with
and carry through the planning stage.A beginning has been made
with this cooperative basin survey report.The following paragraphs
outline certain work which should constitute the next phase of
investigations or study for the various agencies.Continued coordina-
tion of these studies will ensure optimum benefits from development
of the Basin.
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
The next item of study by the Bureau of Reclamation will be
a detailed investigation of Devil Canyon project.This work is now
in progress with the construction of an access road during the summer
and early fall of 1952.This road will extend from Gold Creek sta-
tion on the Alaska Railroad to Devil Canyon dam site.It lrill facili-
tate transportation of men,equipment,and supplies to the site.
Actual investigation of the project will begin in July 1953.
The field investigations,office studies,and preparation of the
report will take about 3 years and will cost about $900,000.This
work will include the following features:topographic surveys;
foundation exploration,including extensive diamond drilling;search
101
Future Investigations
for suitable construction materials;water supply studies~including
theoretical operations of reservoir and power plant;estimate of
maximum probable flood;preliminary design and cost estimates of all
project features;studies of transmission line requirements;power
market surveys;and economic studies.The project report will dis-
cuss all these items,.will state conclusions regarding the feasi-
bility of the project,and will make recommendations regarding its
construction.
The next project to be investigated by the Bureau of
Reclama.tion will probably be Denali Dam and Reservoir.Estimates of
future power requirements indicate that additional generating capacity
will be needed soon after Devil Canyon project is completed.Denali
project will provide supplemental storage for Devil Canyon project
and thus double the output of the power plant.Investigations of
Denali project will include the same items as listed for Devil Canyon
project.The field and office studies will cost about $200,000.
They will begin in July 1955 and the report will be completed within
2 years.
Power market studies outlined in this report indicate a
further increase in energy requirements.which must be supplied by
more generating facilities.Investigation oT Vee and Watana projects
will fellow soon after the study of Devil Canyon and Denali projects.
Preliminary planning will take 3 years for each project.Work will
begin on Vee project in July 1956 and on Watana project in July 1957.
Investigations costs will be about $900~OOO and $600,000,respectively.
Investigations of other projects in the Basin have not been
definitely programed.Output of Devil Canyon,Vee,and Watana power
plants will supply the energy demand of the Railbelt for many years.
As the load continues to increase and the location of maximum use
becomes more apparent,other projects can be investigated which will
most adequately fulfill the needs.These may include other projects
in Susitna River Basin or some of those projects outside the Basin
which were not considered for initial or proximate development.
Other investigative work will probably be done by the
Bureau of Reclamation in the field of irrigation and drainage.
Studies now in progress and proposed by the Bureau of Land Management
and by agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture are
"expected to reveal the suitability for crop production of large areas
of land in the Susitna River Basin.Some of this land will probably
require irrigation or drainage.In this event,the Bureau of
Reclamation should undertake field investigations and other necessary
studies to determine the engineering and economic feasibility of
102
~ure Investigations
definite plans for irrigation or drainage.
OTHER AGENCIES
Investigative studies by other agencies should be carried
on concurrently with those of the Bureau of Reclamation.This is
especially true of those aspects which are directly concerned with
use or development of water resources,.so that maximum benefits can
be obtained through coordinated planning.
Department of the Interior
The National Park Service has for.mulated a program of
river basin studies and special archeological work in Alaslca for the
6-year period 1954-59.Total cost for this period is estimated at
$440 t ooO.At least $50,.000 should be spent for the first year of
work in the Susitna River Basin.A total of about $100,000 should
be spent over a 3-year period to produce an adequate report on
recreational possibilities of the Basin.The recreational interests
of the National Park Service and the wildlife interests of the Fish
and Wildlife Service are closely allied in this Basin.These aspects
should be studied cooperatively.
The Bureau of YJ.nes should continue,.in cooperation with
the Geological Survey,to investigate the mineral resources of the
Basin,particularly minerals of construction.Most of these are now
imported at high cost.If they were to be made available locally,.
building costs could be reduced,to the benefit of the entire
Railbelt.This will be a continuing il1vestigation and no specific
cost has been estimated.
The Bureau of Land Management plans to perform land classi-
fication and land capability surveys in selected portions of the lower
Susitna River Basin during the period 1955-57.This work will be done
Ll1 cooperation with the Alaska Soil Conservation district.The Bureau
of Land Management will also study the possibilities creating a SUb-
stantial wood product industry to utilize the extensive commerical
stands of birch timber in the Basin.The Bureau should also cooperate
with the National Park Service and the Fish and vJildlife Service in
planning the best use of public lands for recreational purposes.
The Geological Survey has completed most of the field work
for topographic mapping of the Basin.The work remaining is largely
compilation of maps.The Survey had planned a river survey of the
Susitna River,.starting in 1953,.at an estimated cost of $161,.000.
However,.it now proposes to postpone this work until after completion
of the quadrangles on a scale of 1:63,360.Completion scale of these
10J
Future Investigations
quadrangles will be 1:20,000."t"Jith a small amount of additional
work,these maps will probably supply adequate information for
preliminary estimates of reservoir capacity and for classification
of lands having power-site value.'
The Survey will continue to investigate the mineral
resources of the Basin in cooperation with the Bureau of Mines.
Stream gaging and sediment sampling are two very important
aspects of future planning which are the responsibility of the
Geological Survey.A complete program of surface-water investigation
would involve the installation of at least 11 additional stream-gaging
stations and some additional construction at the existing station at
Gold Creek.Total estimated construction cost is $204tOOO~and esti-
mated annual operating cost for the 12 stations is $24,000.Cost of
the ultimate program to determine sediment loads of the Susitna River
and its major tributaries is expected to be about $20,000 annually"
A combined stream-gaging and sediment-sampling station
should be installed on Susitna River in the vicinity of Denali dam
site as soon as construction of the Paxson-McKinley Park highway has
progressed far enough to facilitate access.Data gathered at this
site should cover as long a period as possible to increase the
accuracy of the hydrologic studies of Denali project.Estimated
installation cost of this station is $15 t OOO and annual operation
cost would be about $4,000.
The Alaska Railroad has indicated that its Industrial
Development Board will continue to study means of promoting new
industryt ne,,;processes,.and new population in the area to be served
by Susitna power.
The Fish and Nildlife Service will play an important part
in the investigation and development of the Susitna River Basin.It
is now expanding the small program which has been carried on the past
few years to determine the location of salmon spawning areas and the
intensity of utilization.The Bureau of Reclamation is bearing a
small portion of this cost,with a transfer of $5,000 for fiscal
year 1953.Increased appropriations should be made directly to the
Fish and Wildlife Service in order that it may complete an adequate
river basin survey within the next few years.This study should be
made concurrently with Bureau of Reclamation investigations of Devil
Canyon project.
104
Future Investigations
Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Research Administration and the Alaska
Experiment Station should continue to cooperate with the Alaska
Soil Conservation district and the Bureau of Land Management in
determi..l1ing potential agricultural development of the Basin.A
study of possible limitations imposed by climate should be an impor-
tant aspect of this work.
!.~rritory of Alaska
The Alaska Development Board has recently made an extensive
study of the Anchorage area,which will be pUblished in the near
future.In addition to this comprehensive trork,they have made
continuing investigations of the potentialities for industrial devel-
opment throughout the Territory.These studies and investigations
clearly indicate that certain types of industrial processes could be
started and continued profitably in the Railbelt as well as other
parts of the Territory if other high costs of production could be
compensated for by low-cost power.
The Board is actively promoting the various opportunities
which the Railbelt offers and encouraging industrial development.
Future activities of the Board should L~clude a more detailed L~vesti=
gation of the specific industries which could profitably compete t~th
Stateside interests if low-cost power were made available.Insofar as
possible~definite commitments should be secured from those companies
which have evinced interest in locating in the area.
105
CHAPTER VII
REPORTS
OF
OTHER AGENCIES
106
DEPARTMENT----------o F AGENCIES--------
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
REGION IV
SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA
A PRELIMINARY STATEMENT REGARDING
RECREATION RESOURCES OF THE
SUSITNA RIVER BASIN
The knowledge of the National Park Service regarding the
Susitna basin is in generalities.It must be improved by specific
field investigations before opinion can be expressed as to the
basin's recreation resources.
A comprehensive river basin recreation reconnaissance
should'be made ~dth special reference to the water-control pro-
posals,but at this time there are no funds whatever in sight for
such an undertaking.
In the Alaska.Field Committee Six-Year Program Report for
1952 a total of $265,00e is estimated for'river basin studies during
the period 1954 to 1~59,inclusive.'Also,for special archeological
work in river basins,a sum of $175,000 is estimated for the same
period.
If,pursuant to these'estimates,the Congress provides
funds for the work contemplated,it is probable that the National
Park Service would desire to enlist the aid of the University of
Alaska and other highly qualified institutions for assist~nce with
special field studies of the history,archeology,biology;and other
cultural resources of the basin"Lqv-out plans for physical improve-
ments that might be justifiable on recreation grounds'(if any)such
as roads or trails,air strips,lookout points,camps,docks,vaca-
tion'home sites,museums or observatories,and other interpretive
aids,would be prepared by the Service.These would show graphically
what could or should be done in the basin to conserve all of its
cultural resources.
If a program of the magnitude outlined above is not
undertaken,the results will be piecemeal,inadequate,and lacking
in comprehension or consistency.
Of the total amount estimated,as explained above,for
river basin studies and special archeological work ($440,000 over
107
Reports of Other Agencies
a 6-year period for all Alaska)at least $50,000 should be set up
for the first year of work in the Susitna basin alone.Varying
amounts would be needed thereafter,totaling probably $100,000 over
a 3-year period,in order to produce a satisfactory report commen-
surate with the scope and scale of the Bureau of Reclamation
concept.
However,the Susitna basin is of such growing importance'
that even ~r.ithout specific factual information as called for above,
the obvious or circumstantial evidence of the basinis value is
highly convincing,and it can be discussed accordingly with some
degree of realism.
Bisected by the Alaska.Railroad,the basin contains a
Raitb~it division offering a dozen small rail-side communities
'I;~hich are well known to recreationists.People travel by train'to
whatever station or place along the railroad they want to reach,
and work back from there on foot on their hunting and fishing-and
sightseeing trips.The large number of landing strips,lakes,and
rivers providing access by land or float plane make the most remote
and inaccessible parts of the basin relatively well known to
thousands of local residents,and many visitors from o~tside.
Hunting and fishing are the main pursuits.Reservoirs;in addition
to the natural landing places,"tould mean more plane traffic.
,
Curry,an attractive railroad village half way to Mount
McKinley National Park,is an appealing recreation center..One of
the finest distant views of Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range is
obtained from the vicinity of this station.There are fishing and
hm1ting opportunities in the Curry region.Winter activities are
growing in popularity near the station.The comfortable railroad
hotel at Curry is a major attraction.
In the upper reaches of the basin,the alpine scenery is
superlative even by Alaska standards.The National Park Service
should have a more than usual interest in the basin since a portion
of Mount McKinley National Park lies within it.Ilfuch of the'park
setting,including some of the most dramatic park approaches,is
within the Susitna basin.
The route of the Denali Highway,from Paxson to Cantwell
and McKinley Park,crosses the upper Susitna Valley.'The Denali
Reservoir,as indicated at this time in planning data,occupies
a location over which the highway is planned to cross.Obviously
an adjustment will have to be made in this situation.Since the
highway location was made with the park in mind,close attention
to the best scenic routing was exercised,as well as to good
drainage,permafrost,and other factors.If it should not be
easy to obtain satisfactory alternate locations to accommodate
both the highway and the reservoir,confliction of desires may
result.
108
Reports of Other Agencies
The upper Susitna region,along this Denali Highway route,
provides good fishing and hunting,and the high mountain and glacier
scenery is magnificent.When the highway is completed a large area
will become accessible to motorists and,unless strong wildlife con-
servation enforcement measures are provided,the game and fish will
disappear.
Natural lakes in this upper portion,which are easily
reached from the Denali Highway route or by float plane,obviate
justification for the Denali Reservoir on ground that in itself it
would contribute to recreation.This viewpoint holds generally
with respect to all of the proposed reservoirs throughout the basin.
In short,they are not needed for recreation.This is not meant as
an argument by the Park Service against the water controls proposed.
The Service is aware that industrialization in the mining,agricul-
ture,bUilding materials,and perhaps other fields is expanding in
the Railb:.e 1 t,and that the Susitna hydroelectric proposals are
further evidence of gro'Vith which apparently is bound to occur.The
need is to provide funds from recreation,including wildlife
conservation,so that recreation can keep pace with other objectives.
All of the recreation or cultural values of the basin are more or
less perishable.
The Railbelt already is an industrial corridor linking
Interior Alaska with the coa.stal regions.It is one of the richest
natural resource securities tole have in i...i.land Alaska.tAlith an
electric power potential as great as is indicated in the Susitna
basin (exceeding 2 billion kilowatt-hours annually,from the'
potential plant at Devil Canyon,15 miles east of Gold Creek,
alone),the continued modernization of facilities of all kinds,
including the cities,the railroad,and others,appears to be a
wise objective for recreation as well as other enterprises.At
this time there is no knowledge of the amount of power recre~tion
will use in the areas to be served by Susitna basin power.
Obviously it will be substantial.
In'conclusion,insofar as the National Park Service would
be concerned,there appears to be no objection in principle to the
reclamation scheme.Final judgment is reserved,however,subject
to the gathering of information by the Service,and the working out
of further details by all concerned.The interests of the Park
Service,and the Fish and Wildlife Service,are closely alined in
this basin,and should be explored cooperatively if that could be
arranged.
109
BUREAU OF MINES
REGION I
JUNEAU,ALASKA
MINING INDUSTRY
in the
SUSITNA RIVER BASIN and ALASKA RAILBELT
INTRODUCTION
HYdroelectric power generated from the Susitna River basin
development t~ll be available for distribution to mineral industries
in the so-called Railbelt,which includes areas adjacent to the
Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Fairbanks.Long-range plans
include transmission lines to outlying districts such as the Seward
Peninsula and Prince William Sound areas when demand justifies con-
struction of the additional facilities.
Mineral wealth,especially gold,is locally abundant in
the Railbelt and adjacent areas;it has played a major role in the
economy of the region since the discovery of the gold placers near
Fairbanks in 1902.The Alaska Railroad was built to connect the
thriving mining camps of the Fairbanks and Yukon River regions with
ocean transportation at Seward.Completed in 1923,the railroad
has greatly assisted the mining indust.ry through dependable s6!"t!ice
and a reduction of freight rates.The development of a dependable
supply of low-cost power will have a similar beneficial effect on
present and potential mineral industries.
The current (1949-52)military construction program in
the Railbelt has resulted in an artificial change in economic con-
ditions tihich has displaced the mining industry from the paramount
position it formerly held.Construction of military plant and
housing facilities,a large influx of both military and civilian
personnel,and the rapid growth of connected service industries
have economically outranked mineral production.
However,mining still employs many men and is the principal
support of numerous communities throughout the entire region.
Although much of the Territory is t'lholly unexplored or inadequately
developed,the indicated and potential reserves of commercially and
strategically important minerals are known to be large.These
reserves are increasing in importance in direct ratio to the rate
of exhaustion of more accessible deposits.
Because of the nature of the country,mineral resources
have always been and will continue to be the basis of a stable
economy in the inland regions;they are the principal inland
110
Reports of 9ther Agencies
natural resource.Normal conditions'and the orderly,long-range
development of transportation,power,and processing facilities
will result in greatly increased activity in mining and related
industries.
MINERAL PRODUCTION
Gold Production
Although now in decline,gold (largely from placers)
has been the principal mineral product of the Railbelt.The total
production of placer gold from the RaUbelt and adjacent areas is
given by region in table 1;location of the placer districts is
shown on figure 1,aMineral Deposits in the Railbelt Area.vv
Total Mineral Production
Gold'still is the most valuable mineral product;but·
coal,antimony,tungsten,and nonmetallic minerals used as
building materials are becoming increasingly important.Total
mineral production for the area is given in table 2,vVMineral
production from the area served by the Ala.ska Railroad up to and
including 1949.iV
MINING
Gold
All significant lode-gold mining operations in the Railbelt
have been suspended because of unfavorable economic conditions.
Several mines in the Willow Creek district are maintaining facilities
and/or are doing development on a small scale.In the major gold
placer fields,only the lower cost operations are still in production.
During 1951,five dredges were operating in the Fairbanks area and
one at Livengood.Several small hydraulic placer mines continued to
't'fork at reduced scale.All of the operations use steam or oil-
generated power.
Known placer reserves are extensive and the potential
production of both placer and lode gold from undeveloped areas in
the Railbelt can be expected to support a large gold mining industry
under favorable economic conditions.
Coal
The fuel requirements of the rapidly increasing number
of military and civilian heat installations are currently exceeding
coal production capacity;additional mines,processing plants,and
III
Reports of Other Agencies
transportation facilities must be provided to maintain military
efficiency.As an indication of this increase,production since
1940 is given as follows:
Production
Year Shor~tons
1940 173,970
1945 297,644
1950 395,000
1951 475,000
Coal-bearing formations are widely distributed throughout
the Rai1belt,(figure 1)and coal reserves are known to be large.
The coal,all of which is Tertiary in age,ranges in rank from
lignite to high volatile C bituminous--depending on the degree of
deformation of the enclosing formations.
Two principal coal fields,Healy and Matanuska,have been
mapped by the Geological Survey and partly investigated by the
Bureau of Mines.This work is being continued by both agencieso
The Matanuska field is the principal source of coal for
the Anchorage area.This coal is classified as high volatile B and
C bituminous~Although of the same age a.s the lower-rank coals of
the Railbelt,the quality of the Matanuska deposits'has been enhanced
by pressure and movement.vJhile improving the coal,these forces
have introduced mining and treatment problems ~lhich require addi-
tiona.l processing equipment.
At present,(March 1952)the Evan Jones Coal Company has
the only large underground operation in the iYIatanuska ·field.A
stripping operation at Houston'supplies some coal of sub-bituminous
C rank to the Anchorage market,but the reserves available for this
type of mining are limited.Active preparations to reopen the
Buffalo mine are in progress;other inactive leases are being con-
sidered as possible producers if the demand for coal continues to
increase as presently indicated.
The coal requirements of the extensive military and
civilian installations in the Fairbanks area are currently supplied
by two strip mines and one underground operation in the Healy'field.
The coals from this field are mainly sub-bituminous B in rank,
although some beds are sub-bituminous C;reserves are known to be
large.Comparatively low heat content and poor storage qualities
are characteristic of all Healy field coal beds presently being
mined.Investigations by the Bureau of Mines indicate that the
coals can be upgraded and their storage qualities improved by low
112
1490
LEGEND
5~ANTIMONY
A ARGILLITE..CLAY
M COAL
X GOLD(Small Area Or Mine)
~GOLD PLACER
Qj GYPSUM
C0 LIMESTONE
W PERLITE•SHALE
(iJ
FAIRBANKS DISTRICT
CARIBOU MINE
LIBERTY BELL MINE
GOLDEN ZONE MINE
VALDEZ CREEK DISTRICT
SLATE CREEK
PETERS CREEK
CACHE CREEK
MILLS CREEK -TWIN CREEK
LUCKY SHOT
INDEPENDENCE
MABEL
SNOWBIRD
HOLMGREN
CROW CREEK
RESURRECTION CREEK
HIRSHEY
GILPATRICK
PORCUPINE CREEK
GILMORE OOME
HEALY SHALE
HEALY CREEK COAL
HEALY PERLITE
STAMPEDE ANTIMONY
FOGGY PASS LIMESTONE
CANTWELL -WI NDY SHALE
W.E.DUNKLE COAL
BROAD PASS COAL
INDIAN·RIVER ARGILLITE
HOUSTON COAL
MOOSE CREEK COAL
EVAN JONES COAL
MILE 67 SHALE
CHICKALOON COAL
MILE 16 SHALE
CLAY PRODUCTS,INC.
POTTER LIMESTONE
AMERICAN ROOFING PRODUCTS
SHEEP MOUNTAIN GYPSUM
SHEEP MOUNTAIN CLAY
1470
FIG.MINERAL DEPOSITS IN THE RAIL BELT AREA
Reports of Other Agencies
temperature carbonization and briqueting.utilization of these
processes would require additional equipment and a corresponding
increase in po~rer requirements.
Investigations by the Bureau of Mines also have indicated
that the 10w-ran..1{coals of the F.ailbelt can be used for production
of synthetic gasoline and oils by the process of hydrogenation.
Preliminary cost estimates indicate that the process cannot compete
"lith imported liquid fuels under present conditions.A 10,000-
barrel-per-day hydrogenation plant (smallest efficient unit)is
estimated to require 70,000 kilowatts 1/of electric po\'rer.
A.."'ltimonl
High-grade antimony ore is being produced from the Stampede
mine which is situated on the Stampede River,west of Healy,Alaska.
This mine and another prospect on Slate Creek (in the same area)were
investigated by the Bureau of Mines and the Geological Survey in 1942.
Both deposits contain indicated and inferred reserves of considerable
importance.High mining and transportation costs have handicapped
mining and retarded exploration and development of the deposits.
Tungsten
Tungsten deposits in the GUmore Dome and adjacent areas
nAA.'l"Ji'Ai'l"hAnln:::WA'l"P.in,rA~t.iP'At.Ar1 hv t.h""'R",...""I:l"('If'Mh"\",,~?/'!)'nr1---------------"----------0-----v -----------------:::::.t _.-
Geological Survey during World War II.The Stepovich mine on Gilmore
Dome was operated during the war and delivered 2,1$4 units of W03 to
the Metals Reserve stock pile at Fairbanks.Operations were suspended
when metal prices declined.As the result of a substantial Defense
Minerals Exploration Administration loan.the Stepovich deposits will
be extensively explored during the 1952-53 field seasons..A long-
term mining and milling operation and an important production of
highly critical tungsten is expected to result from this ,..,ork.
The granitic-metamorphic contact zone,in which the
Gilmore Dome deposits occur,extends over a considerable area which
has not been thoroughly prospected.Indications of tungsten have
been found at numerous places,but have not been explored or .:
developed.-.
1!Ford,Bacon,and Davis,The Synthetic Liquid Fuel Potential of
Alaska Survey Area:Corps of Engineers,Department of the Arrrry,
October 31,1950.'
g,!Thorne,Robert L.and others,Tungsten Deposits in'Alaska:United
States Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 4174,1948.
113
Reports of Other Agencies
Successful operation of the Gilmore Dame deposits will
stimulate additional prospecting which may well develop a new
major tungsten producing district.
COPEer
Although Alaska has produced a large amount of copper,
principally from the fabulous Kennicott mines,production of this
metal from the Railbelt proper has been negligible.There are no
copper mines operating in Alaska at the present time.
The Prince William Sound district would be under the
remote influence of the proposed power development when and if
distribution facilities were extended to the Seward Peninsula.
This district contains numerous copper deposits y some
of which have supported profitable operations in the past.The
known larger deposits are comparatively low in copper content,but
the metal occurs associated with sulfide minerals which contain up
to 50-percent sulfur..
The rapid increase in sulfur consumption and the exhaustion
of readily available deposits of native sulfur have resulted in a
world shortage of vital concern.The deficiency is being made up
partly by recovering sulfur or sulfur products from fumes resulting
from the smelting of sulfide minera.ls.Smelter facilities for such
recovery are being constantly increased.
Investigations by the Bureau of JlIines and the Geological
Survey have proven several deposits which are presently marginal in
copper value but which contain large tonnages of recoverable sulfur.
Opportunities are favorable for the development of additional large
reserves;this work will be continued by the Bureau of Mines as
conditions permit.
The deposits so far examined are suitable for large-scale
mining operations in which a high degree of mechanization would be
prerequisite for economical recovery.Under favorable economic
conditions,local smelting and sulfur recovery might be possible.
Cheap,dependable power would be an important cost factor in mining,
milling,and smelting operations.
yMoffit,Fred H.and Fellows,Robert F.,Copper Deposits of the
Prince liilliam'Sound District,Alaska:Geological Survey
Bulletin 963-B,1950.
114
ReEorts of Other Agencies
Minerals of Construction
With the exception of sand and gravel,the use of native
nonmetallic minerals for construction purposes has been negligible.
Natural aggregates are plentiful throughout most of the Railbelt
area and usually are available locally for construction and road
building programs..Other nonmetallic materials such as cement,
clay products,and mineral insulating materials are imported at
high costo Because of the greatly expanded military and civilian
construction programs,the establishment of a local construction
materials industry should reduce building costs and benefit both
the stability and economy of the Railbelt.
To investigate this possibility,the Bureau of Mines in
cooperation with the Geological Survey has conducted an extensive
survey of numerous deposits which might be suitable for the manu-
facture of construction materials"The survey has included examina-
tion,mapping and sampling of the deposits and laborator;y~test work
to determine the physical properties and suitability of the various
materials.
Specific investigations have included the raw materials
and products as follows:
Raw Material
Clay
Shale
Clay (Haydite)
Shale (Haydite)
Argillite (Haydite)
Perlite
Clay,shale,limestone,
argillite,and conglomerate
Limestone,shale,and gypsum
Product
Brick and clay products
Lightweight concrete
aggregate
Mineral wool
Cement
Location of deposits which preliminary tests have shown to be
favorable for use is shown in figure 1.
The survey has indicated that raw materials suitable for
the manufacture of cement,lightweight aggregate (Haydite),and
clay products are available in quantity at various locations
throughout the Railbelt.Laboratory and field investigations of
these materials are continuing and vlill be expanded to include
mineral wool and perlite.
115
Table I ..-Placer gold production from the arl~a served by the Alaska Railroad up to and including 1949
··· ···Up to and ······Districts ·Region ·Including 1936 :1937-1949 ·Up to and·•·(U.S.GoS.·(incl..):Including 1949·:·Bull.907)···· ······:·:··Valdez ereek,Willow ···:···Creek,and Yentna-····•·Cache Creek----:Cook Inlet-Susitna-..:$3,730,600 ·l/$1,860,000 ·l/$5,590,600··Moose Pass-Hope and ······•·
I-'Turnagain Arm-····•···I-'Girdwood-----:;.----:Kenai Peninsula----.:2,213,200 :l/56,000 ·l/2,269,2000'-·Bonnifield-Nenana,
Fairbanks,Hot
Springs,Kantishna,:· ···Rampart,and ·· · ·····Tolovana--.......•-.....:Yukon River Basin-.:120,244,200 :l/58,500,000 ·l/178.1744,200·············.·Total ····$126,188,000 ·$60,416,000 ·$186,604,000·····-----_..~--~··
I!Placer silver includedo
Table 2 ..-Mineral production from the area served by the Alaska Railroad up to and including.1949
"····Up to and ····Including 1936 :1937-1949·Commodity ·(U.S ..G.S ..·(incl.)···Bull.907)···"·
Gold::
Placers---------------------------------:
Lodes ?:!--------------------.------------:
$126;188,000
12,517,300
····:!/$60,416 ,000:y 13,925,000
········
Up to and
Including 1949
!/$186,604,000
JJ 26,442 ,300
I-'
I-'
-..,J
Subtotal :
Silver (mainly from alloys with gold)--------:
Coal---------:..-----------;..---.-----:..-----:
Miscellaneous,including lead,antimony,:
tungsten,copper 21,and other products-----:
•·
138,705,300
845,000
9,835,000
225,000
··:1/Y 74,341,000
:(!:JI)
:21,651,000··:y 468,000··
··:1/2/213,046,300
-845,000
31,486,000··693,000··
Total ··
f~149,610,300
····:
$96,460,000
····$246,070,.300
!/Includes placer silver.
ynoes not include production from Princ1s William Sound and Nuka Bay districts ..
yIncludes lode silver,copper,lead,and zinc.
yIncluded with gold ..21Doe s not include production from PrinCt9 William Sound district.
§jAnti.mony only;all other miscellaneous included with lode gold ..
ALASKA ROAD COMMISSION
JUNEAU,ALASKA
RELATION OF PROPOSED
SUSITNA RIVER BASIN
TO FUTURE HIGHWAY PLANNING
None of our existing roads ~r.ill be affected by the
construction of any of the 20 dams sho\in in the Bureau of
Reclamation preliminary over-all plan for development'of the
Susitna River basin for hydroelectric power"However,the loca-
tion planned for the Paxson-McKinley Park road nO'i'1 under construc-
tion will need to be materially revised in the vicinity of the
Susitna River,if the proposed Denali Dam is constructed at the
site sho't'm on the Bureau of Reclamation plan.The 200-foot dam
proposed for the Denali site would create a reservoir extending ,
from the dam site at about 2 miles below the 63 0 parallel upstream,
a distance of approximately 40 miles,to within a short distance
of the face of the'two glaciers at the headwaters of the Susitna
River"'The United States Geological Survey map of this area,1951
edition,dra'i'm with 200-foot contour intervals,indicates that the
minimum width of this reservoir would be about 2 miles"The line as
planned for the Paxson-lvIcKinley Park road crosses the Susitna
approximately 20 miles upstream from the proposed Denali dam site"
If the Susitna River basin project is approved and adopted,
the Bureau of ReclamationYs tentative plans call for the Denali Dam
to be the second one constructed.The storage created by this dam
is needed to provide uninterrupted production of power at the hydro-
electric plant at the Devil Canyon Dam,which is the first one
planned for construction.
From a study of'the United States Geological Survey maps
of the upper Susitna area;it is estimated that a route for the
Paxson-HcKinley Park road,'which would cross the Susitna at the site
of the proposed Denali Dam,would be from 15 to 20 miles longer than
the route originally choseno The survey line for this latter route
has been completed from the west to the Susitna River,and aerial
survey is nO'tv being made from the Susitna eastward.There is an
investment of approximately $40,000 in these surveys for the section
of road which would be abandoned if it becomes necessary to revise
the location of this route.
With not even a reconnaissance as a guide,it is not
possible to obtain a very accurate comparison of the cost per mile
for the route by way of the proposed dam with that for the line
which is now in the planning stage;but the United States Geological
Survey maps indicate that for the former there would be many miles
of canyon location with probable-sidehill construction that would be
118
Reports of Other Agencies
very costly to build and maintain.The contour interval on the
United States Geological Survey map is 200 feet.With only this as
a basis for an estimate of the increased cost of the road,if we
were forced to relocate our proposed line to cross at the Denali
dam site,the estimate is'only a little better than a guess 0 HOli-
ever,on the basis of $50,000 a mile for 37 miles on the proposed
line;as against $60,000 a mile for 55 miles for the relocated
line,the increased cost is $1,450,000.This assumes the bridge'
cost at each location to be the same.When the dam is completed,
the bridge can be salvaged for another location and the road can
cross on top of the dam.
With the construction of the Paxson-McKinley Park road
ready to be pushed eastward from the Brush.1{ana Creek,which stream
is only between 3 and 4 miles from the point where the relocated
line w'ould quite probably depart from the surveyed line,the Alaska
Road Commission will soon be in the position of being forced to
decide whether the prospect of the development of the Susitna River
basin receiving Congressional approval is enough in the realm of
probability to warrant revisi~g the location of the road to the
much more costly but poorer line.It is believed that construction
on this road should be concentrated on the Paxson end and on the
Cantwell to McKinley Park section until the po'Vler development plan
for this basin'is somewhat more crystalized than at the present
time 0 However,the dam which affects the location of Paxson-
McKinley Park road is reputed to be the second one i..'1 the scheme,
so it might become a reality in the not-too-distant future.The
storage capacity of the reservoir is enormous.If less capacity
would suffice for the estimated future power needs of Alaska,it
is suggested that a dam site near the proposed bridge site on the
origi~ally planned line for the road be considered by the Bureau
of Reclamation.It is reported that this latter site had been
rejected because the reconnaissance indicated poor foundation
material on the west bank.It is suggested'that before this loca-
tion is definitely rejected for this reason,some drilling be done
to determine the depth of the quicksand visible at the surface.If
the poor material extends no great depth,it can probably be exca-
vated for far less money than is involved in relocation of the line
for the road.The increased cost resulting from this'road line
relocation does not end with the cost of construction,but continues
to increase \~th the added expense each motorist has to make for the
added 15 or 20 miles of distance to travel and with the extra length
of road which will have to be maintained.
Any other dam sites shown on the Susitna River basin
hydroelectric power development plan will have no direct effect on
any of the proposed roads on the Alaska Road Commission plans for
development of new roads during the next 6 years.It is very
119
Reports of Other Agencies
unlikely that development of this river basin for pol'rer "rill have
any appreciable indirect bearing on the highwa.y program in Alaska
before the end of the 6.::.year planning period..However,looking
further into the future,production of cheap hydroelectric power
should reflect in the increased development of the econo~of
Alaska.and in its growth in population,provided there are natu-
ra.l resources awaiting cheap power for economical development.,
Extension and improvement of the highway system of Ala.ska mIl go
hand-in-hand mth its grm'lth and economic development.If the
Susitna River basin is a feasible one,its adoption should indi-
rectly have a profound ~ffect on the future highway program for
Alaska.
120
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
REGION VII
ANCHORAGE ~ALASKA
COMMENTS OF THE BUREAU OF LAND ¥l1\.NAGEMENT
ON
BUREAU OF RECL.I\MATION9 S PROPOSED PLAN
FOR WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
IN THE SUSITNA BASIN
It is axiomatic that land and water are inseparable in
their use..In the Susitna basin the Bureau of Reclamation has
pioneered a way to bring them into a relationship in which each
makes the other more useful..The general plan of water-resources
development recommended in the report provides mainly for the con-
struction of hydroelectric projects,and should render substantial
benefits to agricultural and industrial interests and also lead
the over-all development of South Central Alaska ..
Nearly all of the land in the Susitna basin is vacant,.
unappt'opriated,and unreserved..Of the total land area of 12,700,000
acres,approximately 6,580 acres are reserved for pUblic use purposes
and barely 5,000 acres are patented or entered land..There are a few
settlement claims scattered throughout the area 1-ihich may eventually
be surveyed and patented..None of the land is presently embraced in
grazing leases or timber sale contracts.Only 155,255 acres in the
1'ihole basin are surveyed'land.In the area there is an undetermined
number of mining claims~the validity of most of which has not been
tested.
The agricultural Research Administration has estimated
that there are about 600,000 acres of potential fam land and over
422,000 acres of grazing land in the Susitna basin on its high and
low benches and inadequately drained plains below an elevation of
500 feet,if climatic conditions do not prohibit its use (table 1).
As seen from the table,there is a large acreage physi-
cally capable of being tilled or grazed from the standpoint of
soils alone.The limiting physical factor in any agricultural
development of portions of the Susitna basin is anticipated to be
deficiencies in climate.Limited meteorological studies show the
growing season to be comparatively short--generally about 70 days
as compared with 100 days in the Matanuska Valley,115 days in the
Anchorage area,and 70 to 100 days on the Kenai Peninsula ..
Possibly the very large lake created at the confluence of
the Yentna and Susitna Rivers by the dam projected at Susitna will
have a significant affect on lengthening the growing season on
121
Reports of Other Agencies
agricultural lands in the lower portion of the basin.Fortunately,
most of the potential farm land i.l1·the basin lies in close proximity
to the proposed reservoir.If not,important agricultural develop-
ment in the Susitna basin even under greater population pressure and
more favorable economic conditions is unlikely.
~vith further development of the Matanuska Valley'and
Kenai Peninsula agriceultural areas in the innnediate future,there
would clearly be no call to increase the presently very small
amount of land in agricultural use in the Susitna basin.There
are very definite limits to the agricultural market'in Alaska and
hence to the possibility of expanding farm .land use,unless new
uses providing industrial outlets are developed..It is predicted,
based upon factors now apparent,that there will be no economic
demand that warrants extension of agriculture to nel<f lands in the
Susitna basin unless population in South Central Alaska reaches
over 500,000 people.
At present,the development of new areas would be gen-
erally successful only to the extent such areas possess advantages
over others already in agricultural use and could take markets away
from older areas when the present market deficit is adequately
supplied.lvbere existing demands could be adequately supplied from
areas already being developed,of comparable or superior productivity,
additional land in new'areas should be put to use only if there is a
large new demand which cannot be supplied from them ..
At the present time,there are only about 12,500 acres
under cultivation in Alaska producing primarily vegetable and
forage crops..Based'on an estimated 115,000 civilian and military
population in Alaska,exclusive of the panhandle and the native
population who normally use only small quantities of farm products,
about 31,000 acres could be in production of products adapted to
Alaskan climatic conditions if this market were fully supplied from
South Central Alaska--except for beef and cheese products,for
l'1hich there is considered to be an economic feasibility limitation
at present..If the'latter products could be produced economically
also,a total of 75,900 acres could be in production.Several
times this quantity of agricultural land,as shovm by Soil
Conservation Service land capability surveys and Bureau of Land
Management reconnaissance land classification surveys in Western
Kenai Peninsula,the Matanuska Valley,and the Fairbanks area,is
available,including lands both within and outside of present farm
and homestead areas,to provide for this food deficit..In the
future,however,as the economy of this part of the Territory
continues to develop,population greatly increases,and the better
lands in these areas are developed,further expansion in the cul-
tivated acreage might best take place in the southern Railbelt areas
122
Reports of Other ARencies
of the Susitna basin and on lands adjacent thereto in the agriculturally
promising Pittman to Houston area where concentric farm development
around the present agricultural development in the Matanuska Valley is
expected to eventually occur.
Very little of the land to be inundated by the projected
dam reservoirs has any value for agricultural or other forms of
settlement and development.From the standpoint of a future agricul-
tural land utilization program in the basin it is important that any
settlement be restricted as far as possible to the most suitable lands
and that on such lands settlement conditions be made as favorable as
possible to the success of various forms of enterprise.
The Bureau of Land Management in cooperation with the
Alaska Soil Conservation district plans during the period 1955 to
1957 to conduct land classification and land capability surveys for
various purposes in selected portions of the Railbelt in the 10\'ler
Susitna basin and adjacent Houston to Pittman areas in advance of
settlement.These s~veys will assist to program and guide settle-
ment onto lands suitable for various forms of development.Unfortun-
ately?however,experience has sho"JIl that only a very small percent
of the homesteads in Alaskaie.developed into permanent farms.
The need for the development of Susitna "mter resources
for power is considered to be urgent and pressing while the need for
conversion of land resources into farms and ranches in the Susitna
basin is still in the future.'rhe stimulus to commercial and
industrial developments in South Central Alaska given by abundant
and cheap power'and the almost certain attendant growth of urban
population will,however,increase the requirements for agricultural
products and hasten the time when some of the lands should be brought
;~to production.
It may be possible to build up part-time farming in parts
of the basin by creating regular forest employment.'At the present
time,work in harvesting wood crops is insignificant,but there are
possibilities of utilizing the Talkeetna and possibly other birch
stands as they become accessible by transportation developments for
birch veneer,flooring,and other wood product industries.
The Susitna River basin sustains the largest stand of
commercial birch timber west of the Mississippi River.Large stands
of merchantable cottonwood and aspen also occur in relatively pure
stands.Merchantable white spruce is found intermingled "lith the
birch as well as in small areas of pure stands.Today,the birch
and cottonwood have not been exploited because high freight rates
and'labor costs have prohibited competition "lith the States.Some-
day,ho't'1ever,the timber situated in the Susitna Valley vIill afford
123
Reports of Other Agencies
a thriving,permanent,year.-:.long industry.When,depends upon
the demand for birch lumber,the supply of which is becoming
scarce as the birch stands in the United States are being depleted
faster than they are growing.
There are large stands of mature and overmature birch
ready for exploitation,but there are also found large areas of
young even-age birch.There have been so many burns in past years
that all-age stands have been created.This will assure a constant
supply of timber in the future.The age and geographic distribu-
tion of the birch stands are favorable for the beginning of sustained-
yield management units.
Most of the birch timber is found on the benches and ridges
above the streams \-lhere it \-lould be safe from the 'I,\ra.ter impounded by
dam construction;this is not true of some of the cottonwood stands.
The timber is found in large stands which can be generally
defined by geographical locations.
10 Knik Birch Stand.--This timber is known locally as
the Knik Birch Stand~It is located on the northwest side of Knik
Arm.It embraces 63,000 acres of mature merchantable birch timber'
with a gross volume of 89,000,000 board feet.In addition to this,
there is'a birch-spruce type area of over 6,000 acres which carries
about 29,000,000 board feet.Some cottonwood occurs i~t~is area,
but the total volume is less than 3,000,000 board feet.
2.Talkeetna Birch Stand.--This stand of timber is
situated about 6 miles east of the Alaska Railroad and roughly 90
miles north of ft~chorage.It parallels the railroad for many miles.
It covers an area'of approximately 80,000 acres which supports an
estimated 100,000,000 board feet of merchantable birch timber.
l.fany millions of board feet are found in smaller adjoining stands
which are inaccessible today and about which little is known as to
quality and volume.
3.Shell Hills Stand.--This little-known birch stand is
about 75 miles northwest of Anchorage on the low hills between the
forks of the Yentna and Skwentna Rivers.Only a general aerial
reconnaissance has been made of the area thus far.It is known
that the area supports a good body of timber which is today
inaccessible.
4.Peter Hills Stand.--This,too,is a little-known
birch stand.It is situated at the foot of the Peter Hills 20 to
30 miles west of Talkeetna.It is now thought of as a potential
birch supply after the other more accessible stands have been
exploited.
124
Reports of Other Agencies
5.Susitna Cottonwood Stands.--Very good stands of
cottonwood are to be found along the Susitna River from close to
its mouth to Talkeetna.Some of these stands are quite extensive.
The tributaries of the lower Susitna Valley also afford quite
extensive stands.The volume and acreage is not definitely known,
but it is certain that it runs into many millions of feet and
thousands of acres.
6.General Spruce Stands.--There are thousands of acres
of white spruce scattered over the Susitna basin which 'trill furnish
a substantial amount of lumber when harvested in conjunction with
the birch and cottonwood stands.
Outdoor recreation is rapidly winning a place as an
important form of land use-in the Territory.lAJith new road con-
struction the Alaskan,too,has acquired mobility and frequently
answers the ucall of j;,he wild.It Tourist business promises to
become one of Alaskavs major industries.The use of the land for
this purpose is not only a distinct social-benefit,but it is also
important economically.The Susitna basin,tributary to an area of
comparatively dense population and high per capita wealth,is in a
favorable position to benefit from the demands of a rather huge
recreational market.
The Department of the Interior has large responsibilities
for conserving natural recreational attraction and providi~g some •
facilities for the enjoyment of them.Mount McKinley National Park,
l'Jhich lies partly within the northern portion of the basin,was
established by an act of Congress in-19l7.Nancy Lake,\'J'hich lies
on the southeast margin of the basin,is already a prime recrea-
tional center.The Bureau of Land Management has 96 cabin sites
under lease there under the Small Tract Act and has set aside
sizeable area for public recreational purposes.This is only a
good beginning.The shore line of other attractive lakes and on
some of the clear-water streams along the railroad will be classified
and surveyed into cabin tracts and reserved in part for public use
as demand develops.
The forests which serve as a background to almost all
recreational activity--to many it is the direct attraction--must be
properly managed and saved from further devastation by adequate
fire-control measures,because of its enhancement of scenic values,
'trildlife population,and stream and lake enjoyment.If properly
protected there is no doubt that large areas of wilderness in the
Susitna.basin,unsuitable for more intensive use,vJill become
increasingly valuable as a recreational resource.It is in the
interest of the majority of the people that a.dequate provisions be
made soon for public recreation areas.Such areas are of several
125
Reports of Other A~encies
types--wilderness preserves;natural areas,roadside areas along
the Paxson to Cant't'lell road,camp sites,community parks,and game
preserves 0 In a'large'measure,the final determination of the
necessary number,size,and distribution of all types of recreation
areas must await a more complete analysis of public demand for
various types of recreation and the lands available.
Some'of the small communities along the railroad may be
suddenly faced,upon completion of high priority power projects,
with urgent problems of growth deriving from new industrial estab-
lishments attracted by cheap power and undeveloped mineral and
forest resources.The Bureau of Land Management intends 1v1thin a
few'years to inventory and classif-y lands for present and future
use,'and disposal in and about these communities,and if there be
need,design and survey adequate town sites for them.
Public lands in the Susitna basin will no doubt continue
to supply gold;and other mineral deposits may come i.."lto'more
significant use with Government subsidization of mining,improved
transportation,and power development.The Bureau of Land'Management,
charged as it is 'rlith the disposal of all mineral deposits,has a
large responsibility in expediting the development of the mineral
lands.
126
Table l.--Estinutte of potential agricultural 'land 1..11 Susitna basin
below 500 feet,but without regard to the limitations of ~liw~te
(Source:Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station)
Land Category
High benches JJ
L01'l benches ?J
Unarained plains 2/
Total
High benches
Low benches
Undrained plains
Total
Potential Farm Land (a)
Percent Extensive Intensive GRAZING
of Total Use (b)Use (c)LAND (d)
Thousands of acres
21 -82 - - --94 - -48
45 348 410 201
34 19 96 173
100 449 600 422
Percent of land categoI'Y-20 - - --23 - - -12
32 41 23
3 15 27
23 31 22
TOTAL
408
872
-640
1,920 (e)
!/High benches and mOlliitain slopes,a large proportion of which
are steep,rough,and broken.Small acreages suitable for cultivation
are scattered and disconnected.'Grazing is the most intensive use to
which a large acreage can be put,and even this grazing land will not
be used unless winter feed can be grown elsewhere in the basin.Most
of the land in this category 1'Till be left in the forest.
?JLow benches,rolling glaciated land forms,and elevated
terraces and plains.These areas are linear in nature,following
the river courses and separating large areas of undrai..11ed lando
2/Low undrained plains (tundra,muskeg,marshes,and swamps)
make up the largest contiguous areas which occupy the center of the
basin.Within this land class are inclusions of rolling hills and
elevated land that may be broken and'farmedo When population pressures
warrant extensive drainage operation,some of the present wet soils
1'Till be cultivated.
(a)Land that can be tilled.Climatic limitations may prohibit
its use.
(b)Land that can be immediately cleared and tilled without
reclamation practices.
(c)Includes acreages listed in the column on the left,plus
additional acres that can be cultivated after drainageo
127
Reports of Other Agencies
(d)Summer range areas,*exclusive of acreages listed in the
colunms on the left,can be used only if supplementary
winter feed is produced l~thin the basin.
(e)Total agricultural area of basin west of 1500 and below
elevation of 500 feet.
SOURCES:
Bennett and Rice,Reconnaissance soil survey of the Cook Inlet
Region;United States Department of Agriculture,1914.
Several map series~United States ~ologica1 Survey,1920-1945.
Gasser,Information for prospective settlers:Alaska Department
of Agriculture,194B.
Unassembled notes and observations of technicians d'Qring Railbelt
travel:Alaska,Agricultural Experiment Station,194$-1952.
NOTE:
There is only a negligible amount of land east of the longitude
1500 North in the Susitna basin which lies below an elevation
of 500 feet.
128
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
ALASKA NATIVE SERVICE
JUNEAU,AL..4.SKA '
REPORT RELATIVE TO DEVELOPMENT OF HYDROELECTRIC POl.vER,
SUSITNA RIVER BASIN~BY BUREAU OF RECLAMATION~INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
In accordance with action taken by'the Alaska Field
Committee at their meeting held in Anchorage,October 18 and 19,1951,
this office has reviewed the plans of the Bureau of Reclamation for
the development of hydroelectric power in Susitna River basin and I
would like to report to the Bureau of Reclamation that this investiga-
tion disclosed that their proposed hydroelectric power development in
that area will not adversely affect any program of the Alaska Native
Service..There are no knOI>tn natives living in the area who i-dll be
required to move because of this development.In other w"ords,the
proposed development will not flood or in any manner disturb any
native village in the Susitna River basin..
On the other hand,the hydroelectric development program's
objective is to develop power for use in the Alaska Railbelt which
will undOUbtedly bring industrial development into that area.'A
number of natives reside in the Alaska Railbelt area.HOl'ieVer,they
as a whole'gain their'livelihood through employment in the labor
market and,therefore,it is fair to assume that any development of
hydroelectric power would increase their employment possibilities~
Therefore,the development should improve rather than hinder their
potential employment ..
UndOUbtedly some of the natives living in that area do
gain a portion of their livelihood in trapping and fishing..It is
assumed,however,in this report that the development of hydroelectric
power in the Susitna River basin will not seriously affect the fishing
or fur-bearing industries.
In view of the foregoing,the Alaska Native Service inter-
poses no objection,but on the other hand,endorses the development
of hydroelectric pOi'ler in the Susitna River basin.We believe that
such a project will benefit all the people,including the native
population residing in that area.
129
ALASKA PUBLIC WORKS
JUNEAU,ALASKA
The District Office,Alaska Public Works,Office of
Territories,Department of the Interior,has long recognized the
need for further and detailed study on hydroelectric possibilities
in the Railbelt area of Alaskao
A study of the various electric generating plants now
under operation and construction by numerous federal and municipal
agencies,and the rapid expansion of distribution systems indicates
an urgent need for a coordinated long-range plan and systemo,
The need for'a power-transmission grid,especially in
Anchorage and vicinity,has existed for several years and each
year the need becomes progressively more acuteo
Studies to date by Alaslr..a.Public Works have disclosed
that deep wells are feasible and consequently a solution to the
problem of obtaining ample potable water for water distribution
systems in the Railbelt area,all of which will require low-cost
electrical energy for pumping purposeso
130
)
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
WASHINGTON, D. C.
STATEMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ACTIVITY IN SUSITNA RIVER
BASIN AS REQUESTED BY BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING
The expanded topographic mapping program oi the Ge?logical
Survey in Alaska during the past several years has resulted ~n the
publication of complete coverage of the Susitna River Basin at the
scale of 1:250 000. Large scale mapping for publication at the scale
of one mile to'the inch (1:63,360) has been published or is nearing
completion for most of the area in the Railbelt. This accelerated
mapping program is a major part of the activity of the.Geolog~c~l
Survey in the Susitna Basin to date. It has resulted ~n.pro~d~ng
many basic maps which are essential for the use of agenc~es ~nvolved
in planning for the development of the resources of the Basin. The
areas for which published maps are available and our current opera-
tions are shown on the map, "Status of Topographic Mapping."
During late 1948 and early 1949, the Geological Survey was
apprised of the proposed Bureau of Reclamation studies in the Susitna
Basin and of the attending need for topographic maps. The area empha-
sized at that time was the portion of the Basin above Gold Creek.
Immediate plans were made to obtain vertical, single-lens
aerial photography of the area, as required for photogrammetric mapping.
Aerial photography in Alaska is a difficult operation because of ·
adverse weather conditions. Fortunately, the photographic project in
the summer of 1949 was highly successful and almost complete coverage
of the Susitna Basin above Gold Creek was obtained. A small amount of
additional Basin coverage 'li'ras obtained during 1950 and 1951.
With aerial photography available, field survey operations
which had begun on the transportation routes fringing the Susitna
Basin were extended during the 1950 and 1951 summer seasons to cover
the entire Basin area above Gold Creek. Operations were successfully
facilitated by the use of all possible rapid and advanced methods of
surveying, including the establishment of vertical control by vertical
angles, precise barometric altimetry, and air-borne radar altimetry,
shoran control of photography and air transportation. Helicopters
were a special boon and allowed substantial savings in time by pro-
viding a means of transporting men and equipment from base camps to
mountain crests and other isolated areas difficult of access by any
other means.
The field work described above and results of subsequent map
compilation, and field and photographic plans for 1952 and later years,
are outlined below as related to the indicated tentative reservoir
areas in the Susitna Basin.
131
GPO-S,-S066i
OF T
SCALE
/
I'OCTOBER
~~~.
MAPS PUBLISHED
MAPPING IN PROGRESS
COMPLE TED IN 1953
IUU'lV··
NOTE:
THE ENT E AREArSCOVEREDBY
...,'n\,vl PUBLISHED TOP06RAPHIC
I
l
(RECONNAISSANCE MAPS
'-~AT THE SCALE OF
)
)
J
1.
2.
Reports of Other Agencies
Mapping at 1:63,360 Scale (covers entire Basin east of the
Alaska Railroad which is practicaiiy all of the area east
of longitude 150° West)
Chulitna River at Coal Creek and Copeland Creek
Talkeetna and Sheep Rivers
Maps of these areas have already been compiled.
Most have been published and publication of the
remainder is expected in the near future.
Susitna River above Gold Creek, including the
headwaters.
All maps have been controlled and are ready for
compilation. Compilation is scheduled for completion
by January 1953.
Chulitna River at Coffee River
Susitna River at Deshka River
Yentna River
Skwentna River
All quadrangle mapping in the area west of
longitude 150° West, comprising about 8,000 square
miles, is dependent upon the securing of aerial
photography.
Mapping at 1~250,000 Scale
The entire Susitna River Basin is covered by
published maps of the 1:250,000 scale series. Quad-
rangle names are as follows:
Mount Hayes
Gulkana
Healy
Talkeetna Mountains
Tyonek
Talkeetna
Mount McKinley
Anchorage
The mapping in the Susitna River Basin has been
entirely financed from funds directly appropriated to
the Geological Survey for topographic mapping. The
magnitude of future operations ~dll depend upon the
availability of funds.
GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES
Topography
The drainage basin of the Susitna River comprises three
topographic divisions; from west to east, the southeastern slope of
the Alaska Range from MOunt Spurr on the south to Mount Hayes on the
northeast; the Susitna Lowland, and most of the Talkeetna Mountains.
This area, about 180 miles long and 150 miles wide, is drained by
the Susitna River and its tributaries.
132
Reports of Other Agencie~
Throughout that part of the Alaska Range that forms the
western,northl<lestern,and northern wall of the Susitna drainage
basin,the range is extremely rugged and deeply glaciated.Most
of this part of the-range is 7,000 feet to 9~000 feet L~elevation.
Seen from the south,the crestline presents an uneven aspect,with
the range low on the whole,dominated by three high mountain masses.
These are the Mount Spurr-Mount Gerdine group in the extreme south
and culminating in Mount Gerdine (12;600 feet);the Mount l~cKinley
gronp at the great bend in the range,culminating in Mount McKinley
(20,2.30 feet)and Foraker (17,2S0 feet);the lv!ount Hayes group cul-
minating in Mount Hayes (1.3,740 feet).Most of the streams rising
in higher parts of-the range head in glaciers.The mountains
around Mount Spurr,Mount McKinley and Mount Hayes support long
glaciers,some of which extend 20 to .30 miles from their source to
the edge of the plains bordering the range.Glaciers on the south
side of the range are much larger than those on the north side as
this side receives the most precipitation.,
At its widest part,about 50 miles north of the Susitna
River,the Susitna lowland is 70 miles lride~It narrows rapidly
northward,and beyond the latitude of Curry,the lowland continues
as the Broad Pass depression about 10 miles wide.The surface of
the Susitna lowland is largely mantled by deposits of glacial and
glaciofluvial origin,formed during Pleistocene time when a vast
ice sheet covered this area.Its topography,though minor in
relief,is diversified.The northern part has-a great system of
parallel north-south ridges,10 to 50 feet high,and looks as
though it had been furrowed by a great plough.'Between the Susitna
Valley and the Matanuska Valley is a broad,low,medial moraine,
extending southwest from the corner of the Talkeetna Mountains.
This is hilly country with relief np to 200 feet and nUl1l.erous lakes.
A few high hills and low mountains,composed of granite,rise in the
center of the Susitna lowland just north of Cook Inlet.The most
important of these is Mount Susitna,J-4-,397 feet high.
'file Susitna lowland and its extension,the Broad Pass-
depression,are bordered on the east by the Talkeetna Mountains,
a rudely circular,very rugged mountain mass.Most of the area of
these mountains drains into the Susitna River and its tributaries.
The Talkeetna Mountains are approximately 100 miles across in a
north-south direction and SOto-90 miles across in an east-west
direction.They are 7,000 to S,OOO feet-in elevation in the southern
part just north of the-Natanuska Valley,and around the headwaters
of the Talkeetna River,but summit elevations are less to the north.
North of the Susitna River felv elevations exceed 6,000 feet.After
the headwater tributaries that rise from glaciers on the south
slopes of Mount Deborah and Mount Hayes unite near Denali,the
Susitna River flows southward about 40 miles and there abruptly ,
turns westward to cross the Talkeetna Mountains by a deep,narrolv,
stream-cut gorge,to enter the Susitna lowlands between Curry and
Talkeetna.
133
Reports of Other Agencies
The Talkeetna Mountains are strongly glaciated and
extensive glaciers still exist in the highlands of the southern part
of the range.
Geologic Setting
•t
The geology of the area drained by the Susitna River and
its tributaries has been known in a general way for many years.A
report by So R.Capps,~iGeolOgjr of the Alaska'Railroad Region H
(United States Geological Survey'Bulletin 907,1940),is the most
recent and comprehensive summary,although it covers only part of
this large drainage basin.
.For purposes of discussion of the geographic distribution
of rocks,the region can be broken'down into four areas:the
southern flank of the Alaska Range,the Talkeetna Mountains,the
broad Imvland of the lower Susitna River,and a flat lake-dotted
area in the headwater region of the Susitna River.
The southern flank of the Alaska Range is underlain
primari~by a northeasterly trending belt of'folded'and faulted
Mesozoic sedimentary rocks,largely argillite,slate,and argil-
laceous sandstone,with some interbedded limestone and volcanic
material.Locally,older rocks of'Paleozoic age are present.This
belt of sedimentary rocks also underlies that portion of the
Talkeetna Mountains north of the Susitna River.Scattered granitic
intrusives of probable late J~sozoic age are vrldely distributed
throughout the sedimentary sequence.
The southern portion of the Talkeetna Mountains is
essentially a batholithic mass of quartz diorite and associated
intrusive rocks.These rocks are probably related to the intru-
sive rocks of the southern flank of the Alaska Range.Basic
lavas,tuffs,and greenstone of pre-Cretaceous age which cover
the northern portion of the batholith are especially l'1ell
exposed throughout the length of the Talkeetna.River.The
batholith is flanked on the south by late !{esozoic and Tertiary
sedimentary rocks,predominantly sandstone,shale,arkose,and
conglomerate,which contain the coal measures of the Matanuska
River Valley.
The broad lowland of the lower Susitna,Yentna,and
Kahiltna Rivers is largely covered by unconsolidated Quarternary
deposits.Along the margins of this broad covered area Tertiary
sedimentary rocks occur.These are main~shales and sandstones
with lesser ~ounts of conglomerate.Locally they are coal
bearing.Similar Tertiary rocks probably underlie the greater part
of the covered area.
134
Reports of Other Ag~ncies
The lake-dotted area in the headwater region of the
Susitna.River is also largely covered by Quaternary deposits.
Scattered outcrops of undifferentiated Paleozoic sedimentary rocks
occur withi..'1 this area.Basi.c lavas,tuffs,greenstones,and
granitic intrusives similar to those of the Talkeetna Mountains
farther west crop out on the margins of this covered area.
Mineral Resources
Although parts of the Susitna.basin have not been
examined geologically,and much of it in only a reconnaissance
manner,a variety of minerals are known to occur in the area.Pro-
duction has come mainly from deposits of gold ..
Gold,,--Gold has been mined'in three main areas in the
Susitna basin,Willo,,;Creek district,Yentna district,and Valdez
Creek district.
The Willow Creek district is a small but important lode-
gold mining district along the southern border of the Talkeetna
Mountains.To date,the district has produced about 5 percent of
Alaskafs lode-gold output.Productive gold quartz veins occupy
shear zones in quartz diorite i~thin an area about S miles long in
a nearly easterly direction and about 4 miles wide.The ore is
essentially a free-milling,gold quartz are containing small amounts
of sulfides and tellurides.All mines in the 1rfillO\'l Creek district
are small,and most minable veins have been exploited only to shalloi'J'
depths.Yet the veins in this district are similar mineralogically
and structurally to 'leins of other districts where mining has been
carried out for several thousand feet in depth.Larger-scale opera-
tions are needed to exploit the v/1110i'1 Creek type of veins most
successfully.The geologic setting of the Willow Creek veins is
favorable to successful lode mining but this is temporarily over-
balanced by unfavorable economic conditions.
Practically all of the gold mined in the Yentna district
has come from placer deposits,mainly within the basins of Cache
Creek and PeterVs Creek and from the area of Mills Creek and Ti'dn
Creek.l{lning began in the Cache and Peter 9 s Creek area in 1905
and has continued to the present time.'Although gold quartz veins
have been found in slate and graywacke,associated with granitic
intrusives in the area,little or no lode gold has been produced~
The placer deposits so far mined,include present stream gravels,
terrace gravels,morainal material,and basal Tertiary conglomerate.
Concentration of the gold seems to have occurred through erosion of
the Mesozoic sediments with their gold quartz veins and deposition
as basal Tertiary sediments.These in turn have been eroded and
135
Reports of Other Agencies
the gold in large part transferred to more recent gravels.Whereas,
most of the production has come from present stream gravels and low
terraces,all of the above occurrences have yielded gold concentrates.
The Valdez Creek mining district near the headwaters of
the Susitna River is primarily a placer area,essentially all of
its production being from this source.Lodes have been prospected
in the area,chiefly for gold;but little or no gold has been pro-
duced from them.Placer mining began in recent stream gravels but
soon revealed the main sourM of gold WB.S an old buried stream
channel,the Tammany Channel,which was being eroded by Valdez
Creek.Although most of the production has come from Tammany
Channel near Denali,other old gold-bearing channels are known.
The district has never been a large producer and there has been
little activity of late.It is likely that interest in the district
will increase when it becomes more accessible after completion of
the McKinley-Paxson ~oad which will make the district more accessi-
ble from the railroad and accessible from the Richardson Highway.
Placer and lode gold have been produced at a few other
places in the Susitna basin,but production has been small.
Copper.--Occurrences of copper in the Susitna basin are
knoMJ.principally in two areas--Iron Creek and near the West Fork
of the Chulitna,River.
Iron Creek is a tributary of the Talkeetna River in the
western part of the Talkeetna Mountains;The copper prospects all
occur in a belt of andesite greenstones,some of which are amygdular
lava flows and some are coarser-grained rocks that are probably
intrusives.Many of the copper prospects show abundant copper car-
bonates and bornite near the surface as oxidation products;but
beneath a shallow zone only a few feet-thick the original'minerals
are pyrite,arsenopyrite,chalcopyrite,specular hematite,and
quartz.The ores occur as vein fillings along shear zones or re-
placement deposits in the sheared greenstone.Development work was
carried out mainly between 1910 and 1917 and consisted of trenches
and open cuts.Locally there are bodies of nearly pure copper sul-
fides,but no large ore bodies of this type have been developed.
Most of the ore is of moderate richness.No active prospecting or
development work has been done in the Iron Creek district in recent
years,and most of the claims have been abandoned.
About $miles west of Colorado on the Alaska Railroad,
carboniferous rocks are mineralized to some degree within a belt
about $miles wide and 2 miles long that crosses the West Fork of
the Chulitna River.The rocks are intruded by small stocks and
dikes of dioritic composition.The lodes are related to the
intrusions and are of three kinds:(1)disseminated deposits
136
ReE9rts of Other Agencies
mainly in the intrusive rocks;(2)replacement deposits along
bedding in calcareous rocks;(3)tabular and lenticular lodes with
conspicuous vein quartz along fissures ~~d shear zones.The area
contains numerous prospects but no productive mines,except for
some past production a.t the Golden Zone rrd.t.i6o 1-fost ~of tIle lcd.as
are valued mainly for their gold and silver content,although they'
contain also notable quantities of arsenic and several carry copper,
lead,and zinc.One is valued solely for its copper,another for
its silver and lead.Gold occurs in the gravel of several of the
creeks,but no valuable deposits have been found.
Coal.--Tertiary rocks of terrestrial origin are believed
to underlie the mantle of stream and glacial deposits over most of
the Susitna 10'Vlland.Parts of the sequence where exposed along the
borders of the lowland are kno'Nn to contain beds of sub-bituminous
coal and lignite.Coal beds :may be present under a considerable
part of the lowland.
From time to time a small amount of sub-bituminous coal'
has been mined from beds a few feet thick near Houston.Currently,
strip mining is practiced.
Near Costello Creek,about 11 miles by road northwest of
Colorado on the Alaska Railroad,a local basin of Tertiary rocks
of about 7 square miles contains several beds of sub-bituminous
coal;the'thickest is 9 feet.Mining has been carried on inter-
mittently,on a small scale,for a number of years.
At the time the railroad 'VlaS constructed through the area
a small amount of lignite was mined at Broad Pass and sold to the
Alaska Railroad.Here the coal-bearing formation contains at least
two,probably several,lignite beds.The thickest known bed is
10 feet thick.
1110st of the coal produced in the Railbelt has long been
mined from two fields outside of the Susitna basin,the Nenana coal
field on the north flan.l.c of the Alaska Hange and the 1Alishbone Hill
coal field near Palmer just east of the southern part of the Susitna
Hiver basin.In the Nenana field,large reserves of coal are known,
some of which can be produced by strip mining.In the valley of
Healy Creek,the number of coal beds ranges from 30 to 32 and the
beds range in thickness from less than a foot to more than 55 feet.
The coal in the irfishbone Hill coal field is distinctive
from the kno~n coal in the Susitna lowland and from the coal in the
Nenana in that it is bituminous in rank.Coal occurs 'in numerous
beds,some of which are as much as 6 feet thick.
137
·Reports of Other Agencies
In summary of the mineral resources,it can be stated
that the Susitna basin contains probable large reserves of sub-
bituminous coal in the Susitna lowland,an important lode-gold
area;the lrfillow Creek district;and significant placer gold
deposits ~i the Yentna and Valdez'Creek districts"Prospects of
other metals such as copper,zinc,and lead are known,but,based
on development 'ttfOrk to date,are not particularly promising"The
area is'promising for construction materials,gravel,shale for
Haydite,clay for Haydite,and brick.Present information indicates
that the kno~n and'potential mineral resources of the Susitna basin
are mainly of gold,coal,and construction materials"It should be
kept in mind,however;that parts of the Susitna basin have not been
examined geologically;'large areas have been examined in a recon-
naissance fashion only;and parts of it are difficult of access,
particularly with respect to commercial production"
The more important references on the geology and mineral
resources of the Susitna basin are listed below.
References
Barnes,F"F",and Byers,F.M.,Jr",Geology and Coal Resources of'
the Eastern Part of the Lower Matanuska Valley Coal Field,
Alaska:United States Geological Survey,(mimeographed),
1945.
Barnes,F"F",Wahrhaftig,Clyde,Hickcox,C"A.,Freedman,Jacob,
and Hopkins,D"M",Coal Investigations in South Central
Alaska,1944-46:United States Geological Survey Bulletin
963-E,1951,pp"137-213"
Capps,S.R",Geology of the Alaska Railroad Region:United States
Geological Survey Bulletin 907,1940,pp"1-201"
--'Mineral Resources of the Western Talkeetna Mountains:
United States Geological Survey Bulletin 692-D,1919,
ppo 187-205.
Mineral Resources of the Upper Chulitna'Region:United
States Geological Survey Bulletin 692-D,1919,pp"207-232.
__,..The Yentna District:United States Geological Survey
Bulletin 534,1913,pp.1-75.
Mertie,J.Bo,Jr 0,Platinum-bearing Gold Placers of the Kahiltna'
Valley:United States Geological Survey Bulletin 692-D,
1919,ppo 233-264.
138
Reports of Other Agencies
Moffit,F"H.,The Broad Pass'Region:United States Geological
Survey Bulletin 608,1915,SO pp ..,
Payne,T..G.,and Hopkins,D.M.,Geology and Coal Resources of'the
Western Part of the Lower Matanuska Valley Coal Field,'
Alaska:United states Geological Survey,(mimeographed),
1944.
Ray,J.C..,The Willow Creek Gold-lode District,A1aska~United
States Geological Survey Bulletin 849-C,1933,pp ..165-229.
Ray,R.G.Preliminary Report on the Geology and Ore Deposits of
the Willow Creek Mining l:>istrict,Southern Alaska:United
States Geological Survey,(mimeographed),1951.
Ross,C.P..,Mineral Deposits Nea.r the if/est Fork of the Chulitna
River;Alaska:United States Geologica.l Survey Bulletin
849-E,1933,pp.289-333.
--'The Valdez Mining District,Alaska:United States
Geological Survey Bulletin 894-H,1933,pp.425-468.
,.
Tuck,Ralph,The Curry District;Alaska:United States Geological
Survey Bulletin 857-C,1933,pp.99-140.,,
Wahrhaftig,Clyde,Coal Deposits of the Costello Creek Basin,.
Alaska:United States Geological Survey,(mimeographed),
1944.
139
Reports of Other A~encies
WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATION
The Geological Survey is currently furnishing available
stream-flow information to the Burea.u of Reclamation.This consists
essentiall;>r of data for Susitna River at Gold Creek a..nd data on
streams in adjacent basins 0 Data on the sediment load of the
Susitna River at Gold Creek is also being supplied.
A large amount of additional water-resources investiga-
tion is prerequisite to a more detailed study of water utilization
in the Susitna River basin.This work should include the establish-
ment of additional stream-gaging and sediment-sampling stations.
It is possible that some study will eventually be necessary of the
ground-water resources of the basin.The'magnitude of this ground-
water investigation is unknown at present,and no estimate has been
made of its cost.
Surface-Water Investigations
Investigation of the initial development of the main stem
of the Susitna River would require the installation of tt'10 more
gaging stations and some additional construction at the existing
station.The estimated total cost of this work is $34,000.Annual
operation cost of these three stations,including office computa-
tions and administrative overhead,would be about $6,000.
A minimum of nine additional stream-gaging statio~s should
be established ultimately to provide an inventory of the surface-
water resources which would be adequate for a water utilization
study of the main stem of the Susitna River and its major tribu-
taries.No program is suggested for this work,as it should be
coordinated with future investigations of the water-resource
developments.The individual stations should be established well
in advance of each project investigation to insure a sufficient
length of run-off record.'The estimated cost of constructing these
nine stations is $170,000,over half of which is for a station near
the mouth of the Susitna River.Estimated annual operating cost of
these stations is $18,000.
The above estimates are rough and tentative.Only a
detailed examination of the site of each gaging station would make
possible a reasonably accurate estimate of cost.Operation of
gaging stations at some sites may be too expensive to be practicable,
owing primarily to difficult access and transportation.
Sediment Investigations
A minimum program of sediment sampling is proposed in
order to determine the magnitude of the sediment problem in the
140
Reports of Other Agencies
Susitna River basin.This minimum program is based on the operation
of three index stations located at the sites of three stre~gaging
stations.One of these sediment-sampling stations is nOli'in opera-
tion at Gold Creek.Miscellaneous measurements of sediment
discharge should be made at each of the other proposed stream-gaging
stations.
The cost of the sediment-sampling program depends to a
large extent on the frequency of the miscellaneous measurements.
The initial progt'am should include,in addition to the index station
nO'VT in operation,miscellaneous observations at t~IO sites •.Cost of
the initial program is estimated to range from $4,000 to $5,000
annually.The ultimate program to determine sediment loads of the
main stem and its major tributaries is expected to cost from $15,000
to $22,000,depending on the number of miscella.neous measurements
made at each site.The cost of equipping the two additional index
stations is estimated at $3,500.
RIVER SURVEY
The Geological Survey had planned a survey of the'Susitna
River starting in 1953.This,however,is a very difficult,expen-
sive undertaking.Such a survey in an inaccessible region would
require the use of helicopters,a very expensive procedure.The
cost is estimated at $161,000.
During the past summer the Survey completed field work
for topographic mapping of this area.The publication scale ~dll
be 1:63,360 with 100-foot contour interval.The compilation scale
will be roughly,1:20,000.It is believed that 'tdth a small amount
of additional 't'lork this map ~dll supply information for a prelimi-
nary estimate of storage avaj.lable and 'idll furnish a sufficiently
accurate map for the classification of the lands having pOi'ler-site
value.
A fairly accurate determination of the water_surface
elevation at dam sites,dam-site surveys,and geologic examinations
is needed.A study of the completed ma,ps may indicate other infor-
mation will be desirable.This work will require the use of
helicopters.An attempt 't'1ill be made to obtain a rough check on
the water-surface elevations at dam sites during the next field
season unless this information is obtained by the Bureau of
Reclamation which has greater resources.It is doubted that dam-site
surveys will be made until helicopters become available at a lower
rental.
The river surveys could not be undertaken before the 1953
field season because of the need for advance planning.The
Geological Survey could not finance any such project from its present
141
Reports of Other Agencies
appropriation.If funds were provided by-transfer from the Bureau
of Reclamation or by direct appropriation,the work would be carried
out in conjunction with the topographic mapping program.The prin-.
cipal cost would be for vertical control~The estimated cost does
not :include any special dam-site surveys,but one or two of these
could probably be made using our regular appropriation.The cost
could probably be cut considerably if the 5-foot contour crossings
on the river surface were eliminated.
It is proposed that this river survey be postponed until
the mile-to-the-inch quadrangles now being made are completed for
this area.Supplemental contours in selected areas and one or two
dam-site surveys can then be added.
142
THE ALASKA RAILROAD
ANCHORAGE,ALASKA
The Alaska Railroad looks upon the proposed Susitna
hydroelectric development as one of the potentially important
factors in the Territory of Alaska.Its completion can be the
beginning of a new cycle of population growth in the Railbelt
region.
Developments particularly noteltmrthy during the past two
decades clearly point to the commanding position of electrical
energy in the growth of industry and population.The rules that
apply to the economies of liVing in the Union,and particularly
so the Pacific Northwest,also apply to Alaska.
-Just as low-cost,dependable transportation to the
Interior,as supplied by the Alaska Railroad,has made possible
rapid progress in-the Tanana and Yukon Valleys,so will an abun-
dance of low-cost,large-volume electrical energy carry forward
progress through the next stage of growth and development in the
Northland.
It is virtually an impossibility for the Alaska Railroad
to predict in exact figures what will happen to industry,to com-
munities,to population,to homesteading and farming,to mineral
development--in short,to every phase associated 'with the term
Viopening up the country.i1 But we do knOltT that wherever dependable
transportation is associated with an important supply of energy,
growth and development take place on an ever-expanding scale.
It is said there are mineral occurrences along the
Alaska Railroad which will have their first opportunity for profit-
able exploitation with the advent of abundant,cheap power.tve
know of industrial possibilities in the Railbelt that await-
electrical energy and population.Agricultural development,
possibly-on a vast scale,may be in the immediate offing if
abundant,cheap power makes irrigation and economical farm admin-
istration possible.
We have talked of a cement plant for a number of years.
The development of the Susitna hydro project may have an important
bearing on the realization of that cement plant.
All Alaskans are aware that the tourist industry is a
major potential of the Territory.A prerequisite to catering to
the public on a satisfactory and profitable scale is the existence
of an abundance of cheap electrical energy.
The direct benefit to the Alaska Railroad of building the
Susitna hydro project would come in two stages.First would be the
143
Re~orts of Other Agencies
transportation of a large tonnage of'construction material for the
dam,power plant,transmission lines,and ancillary materials.
Second would be the tonnage that would develop as a result of
hydroelectric power bringing the adjacent Railbelt into a secondary
stage of development.
We again must turn to the history of the Pacific Northw'est
to appreciate what can happen in the Railbelt as a result of an
occurrence of large-scale,inexpensive energy.Industrial growth
is certain to start and to expand.Population ''lill be attracted
both by the presence of electrical energy and by budC\.ing industry•.
Each will be a reactor on the other,tending to heighten the cycle
of growth and productivity until they reach their economic limits.
You may be sure the Alaska Railroad will give every
assistance possible to the realization of the Susitna hydroelectric
project,and the efficient transportation of material and personnel.
The Alaska Railroad will assist through its Industrial Development
Board in the study and promotion of new industry,new processes,
and new population in the area served by Susitna power.lve will
make it a part of our management plan of operation to assign certain
key employees to a continuing study of ways of industrial and physi-
cal growth in the Railbelt in close associatio~~dth Susitna hydro
power.
144
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
JUNEAU t ALASKA
SUSITNA RIVER BASIN REPORT
In accordance with the procedure outlined at the
January 1952 meeting of the Alaska Field Committee,the Fish and
Wildlife Service submits the following statement as its prelimi-
nary report on the proposed plan of the Bureau of Reclamation for
hydroelectric development of the Susitna River basin.This report
is based on engineering information made available to this Service
prior to June 1,1952.
The Susitna drains approximately 19,300 square miles of
virtually uninhabited land lying in South Central Alaska.~This
area is bordered on the south by the waters~of Cook Inlet,on the
east by the Chugach and Talkeetna "Mountains,and on the "lest and
north by the Alaska Mountain Range.Principal tributaries to the
Susitna~head in high mountain glaciers and are fast-flowing
streams,extremely turbulent in the rugged headwater reaches.The
Alaska Railroad,which bisects the Susitna basin,provides the only
overland means of transportation and has effected a concentration
of the meager population in a belt along the railroad.Economic
activities,primarily related to the commercial salmon fishery,are
centered in the Cook Inlet area.Placer gold,lode gold,tungsten,
and coal are mined in the basin but only in small quantities,while
other minerals present have received little attention.Portions of
the lower basin suited for agriculture have not been developed.
Climatic and geographic conditions determine to a large
degree the distribution of vegetation in the basin..Forests inter-
spersed with low muskeg vegetation cover the lower parts of the basin
while the higher benches are covered by timber interspersed with
occasional glades of redtop grass.l.fuuntain slopes are oCCUI1ied by
a dense growth of trees'up to an elevation of apprOXimately 2,500 feet;
above this,scattered thickets of alders and willol~in lvidespread
meadows of luxuriant redtop grass predominate up to the higher eleva-
tions which are practically devoid of vegetation.
The climate of the basin is characterized by long cold
winters,and short moderate stumners..The upper portion of the basin
receives little precipitation while the lower portion being under the
influence of the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean experiences frequent
cloudy days with gentle rains during the summer and fairly heavy snow-
fall during the winter.Talkeetna has an annual mean temperature of
33.3 0 and an average annual precipitation of'30.7 inches.
II;-'"
During the months of l1ay,June,July,August',~and September,
stream-discharge rates are high as a result of rainfall,snow melt,
145
Reports of Other Agencies,
and,during the latter part of the summer,run-aff.'from the many
glaciers~The severe winters,when temperatures seldom rise above
freezing,reduce these high,silt-laden flows to low discharges of
clear water.
The proposed plan of development presently considers 19
potential dam sites distributed throughout the basin on the main stem
of the Susitna River and its major tributaries;power production is
the single purpose.Only one project,Devil Canyon,to be located
on the Susitna River approximately"three miles above the confluence
of Portage Creek and the main stem,is under active consideration for
construction in the immediate future.In the long-range plan for
extending full hydroelectric development to the basin,the Bureau of
Reclamation has proposed five dams on the"main stem in addition to"
Devil Canyon,three on the Sktwntna River,three on Chulitna River,
one on Tyone River,and six in Talkeetna River watershed.
Such an extensive development c6uld have profound affects
on the economy of the Territory of Alaska,as ''lell as that of the
Susitna River basin.Susitna River contributes substantially to '
Alaska'ls primary commercial asset,the fisheries industry.In 1951,
Cook Inlet had 21 salmon canneries and 5 fresh-salmon and frozen-
Salmon operators and produced well over 10 percent of the total
Alaska pack and 60 percent of the Alaska king salmon pack.From 1941
through 1950 Cook Inlet annually produced approximately 6 percent of
the total salmon p~ck of the Territory.'The average annu~l case
production was 137,320 cases of teds;50,394 of pinks;30,771 of
chums;31,034 of silvers;~nd 28,772 of kings.This average annual
pack is worth about $7,000,000.
Of the Cook Inlet pack,it is estimated that the Susitna
River produces about 60 percent of the kings;20 percent of the reds;
30 percent of the chums;20 percent of the silvers;"and 10 percent of
the pinks;having an average annual value of $2,000,000.
During the past four years aerial and ground surveys have
been conducted in the basin to determine those i'laters utilized by
spawning salmon and the intensity of this utilization.These studies
will be continued.Complete coverage of all lakes and streams 6f the
basin h~s as yet not been realized.Salmon are presently knOi>ffi,
h0i1ever,to run up the main stem of the Susitna River as far as its
confluence ,'lith Portage Creek,a short distance dOi'ffistream from the
proposed Devil Creek Dam,and are known to utilize all main tributaries
dOi'ffistream from the mouth of Portage Creek.llfuether salmon do or do
not run farther up the main stem has not definitely been determined.
Besides being recognized as one of the pre-eminent salmon
streams of the Cook Inlet region,the Susitna drainage,like Alaska
146
Reports of Other Agencies
in general,is noted for its fishing,hunting,and related
recreation.The surface of the possible~utilizationand enjoyment
of these natural renewable resources has,however,barely been
scratched because of the inaccessibility of the major portion of
the watershed.The area along and adjacent to the Railbelt has
thus far carried the greatest burden of the ever-increasing fishing
and hunting pressure.Recently the use of airplanes has opened up
remote areas to recreationists.Daily flights are now made into the
basin by commercial air services from Anchorage,Fairbanks,Palmer,
and Talkeetna to accommodate the increasing number of anglers.The
completion of the McKinley Park-Paxson highway will further increase
sportsman utilization by providing easy access by automobile to the
upper portion of the basin.It is apparent that recreation in the
basin will play an increasingly important role in economy of the
Susitna River basin;hOi~ver,specific information concerning present
and potential utilization of fish and it.lldlife of the area is not
available.
In view of the fact that benefits presently being realized
from the Susitna basin are derived mainly from its spawning streams,
its unusual endowment of fish and wildlife prized by sportsmen,its
valuable fur animals,and its recreational potential provided by the
intangibles of unspoiled wilderness;any plans for water development
within this watershed must proceed with caution if the economy of
the basin,as well as the Territory,is not to be disrupted.The
inadequacy of the basic knowledge concerning these resources and the
uncertainty of the tentative proposal for development,however,pre-
clude an accurate appraisal at this time of the effects on fish and
wildlife of all project structures.Available engineering informa-
tion,while it may indicate the direct and obvious effects of blocking
spawning runs of salmon,does not permit an evaluation of the influence
of combined operation of'two or more features on downstream areas.It
is impossible,therefore,for the Fish and vfildlife Service to give
even tacit approval to any of the proposed features.
In addition to the threat to the fishery industry,certain
reservoirs created will act as barriers to the seasonal migrations of
the important Nelchina ca,ribou herd.The herd is restricted to a
definite range within the region and does not make long migrations
as is typical of the more northern herds.This,together with the
fact that the Nelchina area is reasonably close to the center of
population within Alaska,makes the caribou accessible to hunters.
Hunting restrictions and predator control within the Susitna basin
have~resulted in a considerable increase in caribou numbers since
1948,with the result that the herd is nO'Vl a very valuable wildlife
resource.
Although detailed analysis cannot be made at this time,it
is evident that all'dams which would bar known salmon runs should be
147
Reports of Other Agencies
abandoned.Further,this Service believes that further investigation
of project features above known spawning areas should be deferred
until additional studies by the Fish and 1rfildlife Service enable a
more satisfactory delineation of the area used by salmon.Should
these studies indicate that certain features of the proposed project
may be built without great sacrifice to fish and wildlife,or to
other interests,which must be considered in any comprehensive plan
of development;then planning for these features should be resumed
in close cooperation with all interested agencies so that the proposed
structures and operations may be modified to provide greatest over-all
benefits without significant sacrifice.
In vie~of increased interest in the development of Alaskavs
natural resources,the Fish and 1rlildlife Service recommends that until
such time as satisfactory means and measures may be developed that
clearly indicate the feasibility of maintaining the salmon industry
at its present or greater level concurrently with water-development
projects,no further consideration be given to water-development
proposals adverse to the welfare of salmon~spawning runs.The devel-
opment of other sources of potential power,namely coal and natural
gas,having less harmful effects on fish and wildlife,should be
fully explored before serious consideration is given to hydroelectric
production inimical to fish and wildlife resources of the Territory.
This Service cannot condone any proposal which might ultimately
resu1t~in the piecemeal destruction of the fishery resources of
Alaska,nor does it believe in the destruction of one naturally
renewable resource of k-nown worth to favor the development of another
of potentially unknown value.
On the basis of presently available information and in
regard to current ptoject plans of the Bureau of Reclamation for the
Susitna River basin,the Fish and \vildlife Service recommends that:
1.The following listed potential dams and
reservoirs be eliminated from development
plans:
Susitna River:Susitna.Station
TaL1{eetna River:Keetna
Bearpaw
Granite Gorge
Greenstone
Trapper
Chulitna River:Tokichitna.
Skwentna River:Talachulitna
148
Reports of Other Agencies
2.Further investigation of all other
project features be deferred pending
delineation of salmon spawning areas
and a determination of the Affects the
reservoirs will have on the wildlife
habitat and migration of caribou by
the Fish and Wildlife.
149
Reports of Other Agencies
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
ALASKA FIELD COHMIT'2EE
JlJN.EAU,ALASKA
COMMENTS OF ALASKA FIELD COMMITTEE CHAIRMl\.N ON B"CREAU OF RECLAMATIONvS
PROPOSED SUSI'I'NA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The Susitna basin is a virtllB.lly uninhabited wilderness
area bisected by the Alaska Railroad line and facilities and con-
taining a handful of inoperative gold-mini:r.g developments and one
small coal ope ration0 The benefits presently being realized from
the ·ba.sin are derived from its spawning streams which provide over
one-half of the Cook Inlet king salmon pack and contribute impor-
tantly to the pack of other species,the sanctuary and range which
protect and perpetuate important varieties and supplies of big
game for the hunter and support the fur bearers Which contribute
to the income of the basinis few human residents,the streams and
lakes which lure the sports fisherman,and the intangibles of un-
spoiled wilderness which form an important part of Alaskavs
bountiful recreational and cultural wealtho The Susitna basin is
also an area of further potentialso Virgin stands of birch and
cottonwood of unmeasured commercial value and indications of varied
mineral resources are found within the boundaries of the basin.Of
greatest interest to the power-hungry Railbelt extending from
Anchorage to Fairbanks,however,are the impressive hydroelectric
po~rer potentialso
Briefly,this is the picture of the Susitna basin which
may be pieced together from the contributions made to this study by
the member agencies of the DepartmentVs Alaska Field Committee o In
addition,the comments indicate need for the immediate collection
of further basic data and a carefully coordinated approach to the
development of the basinis potentials.
The lack of basic data is painfully evident in the con-
tributors'inability to talk on their-subjects in anything but broad
generalities 0 The Alaska Road Commission is unable to discuss ade-'
quately its'road relocation problems due to the lack of proper maps,
for example,and the Fish and Wildlife Service is unable to estimate
the affect of dam construction upon salmon runs and of impoundments
upon wildlife resources due to a complete lack of basic investigations.
Similar evidence can be picked up in other commentso Although all
agree that development is desirable,the question of how much and what
form of development is warranted constantly arises as a direct result
of this lack of a sound indication of the resources of the basin and
of the limitations as well as potentials of their development.Only
with more basic data than is presently available can final ans~r be
made to such doubting comments as,iiproduction of cheap hydroelectric
po~rer should reflect in the increased development of the economy of
150
Reports of Other Agencies
Alaska and in its groi'rth in population,provided there are natural
resources awaiting cheap power for economical development ri and,in
another report,??power is essential to development but there must
also be the basic resources to developori
The need for a coordinated approach to the planning of
any development of the basin can be deduced readily from the stated
and inherent conflicts between present and proposed programs.The
basin is important and of'value to the Territoryts basic economy
today because of its fish,wildlife,and recreation resources,all
of which are generally in varying degrees incompatible with water-
development programs of any magnitude.If we are to avoid the
experience of the dog who lost'his bone by attempting to take the
~?bonei?from his own reflection,we must candidly and without com-
promise of the facts examine the nature of the competition between
elements of the present pattern of resource utilization and the
proposed new pattern for the basino A coordinated study of these
problems i'rill undoubtedly reveal large areas of apparent conflict
between the development and conservation phases of present and
proposed programs which could be reconciled by compromise and
mutual program modification.The Fish and Wildlife Service and
the National Park Service have both expressed the hope that we
will draw upon Stateside experience and through careful planning
be able to industrialize Alaska with a minimum of detriment to the
resources upon which'the present basic economy rests.There will
be areas of conflict,however,which cannot be reconciled and a
choice will have to be made as to which element must be sacrificed
in the interest of producing the greatest net benefit 0 This re-
quires a careful and objective evaluation and weighing of the
competing elements in order to determine wisely which has the
greatest potentials and should have priority of consideration.
Again,the essential is a coordinated approach in which all elements
will have an equal opportunity to be studied and evaluated without
special bias or prejudice.
In summary,there is an urgent need that funds and per-
sonnel be made available to provide adequate basic data,maps,
economic studies,and resource investigations at a rate in keeping
with the progress of the Bureau of Reclamation's proposed engineering
planning.The results of these investigations should then serve as
the basis for the preparation of a sound and fully integrated plan
for the conservation and development of all resources of the basin
and its tributary areas.Both the investigations and planning phases
call for a complete coordina.tion and integration of effort in order
that the ma:r..imum net benefits might be derived from the development
of the S'O.sitna River basin.Although the situations are not entirely
parallel,the Nissouri Basin Field Committee 9 s approach to the develop-
ment of the Wind River basin might well serve as a model for a truly
coordinated Department of the Interior attack on the problems of the
Susitna River basin.
151
ReRorts'of Other Agencies
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE---------------------
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON,D.C.
and the
ALASKA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
OFFICE OF THE I>nECTOR
PALMER,ALASKA
PRESENT USE AND ESTIMATED ELECTRICAL POWER
REQUIREMENTS IN THE MATANUSKA,
TANANA,AND SUSITNA VALLEYS
The Bureau of Reclamation has made a survey of water flow
and possible power sites on the Big Susitna River.Information
gathered by their engineers indicates that a number of power sites
are available with a total generating capacity of well over
1,000,000 kilowatts of firm power.
The Bureau of Reclamation has let contracts for driving
a 4!-mile tunnel.through the Chugach Mountains from about 60 feet
below the surface of Eklutna Lake to a location near Goat Creek on
the Palmer-Anchorage highway.The contracts call for construction
of'a penstock and power plant with a gross generating capacity of
3D,000 kilowatts.
Demands for power now indicate that upon completion of
the Eklutna project there will be as great a shortage of power as
there is at present.
The Bureau asked for all the information possible on
potential uses of power in the ~futanuska Valley with estimates on
the potential for the Susitna Valley.Since no land capability
survey has been made on the Susitna Valley the data has been
estimated.The following data,l?Estimate of Agricultural
Electrical Requirements,Yi for the Matanuska,Tanana,and Susitna
Valleys wa"s compiled by Dr.Allan H.l.fick,AES,Soils Science
Department,and by Mr.C.Ivan Branton,Department of Agriculture
Engineer.They have consulted freely with engineers and others
and have been conservative in their estimates.
It is the unanimous concensus that if Central Alaska is to
develop agriculturally and industrially there must be electric power
in adequate amounts and at low rates.
152
Reports of Other Agencies
It is planned to construct the first dam in Devil Canyon
above Talkeetnao 'The first power installation would generate
appro:xima.tely 400,000 kiloi'lattso Other developments would be made
as future demand increasedo Power lines would at present cover
the Matanuska Valley-Anchorage area,the Kenai Peninsula,and
would be extended into the Tanana Valleyo As settlement developed
lines would be extended to the Susitna Valley and possibly along
the Glenn Highway to the Copper River countryo
153
Reports of Other Agencies
ESTIMATE OF AGRICULTURAL ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
The table below summarizes the present electrical usage
of the major agricultural areas in Central Alaska and sets forth an
estimate of future requirements.Current values are based on annual
reports of cooperative distribution companies,adjusted to reflect
actual consumption on the farm..Project requirements are calculated
from Edison Institute reports on the progress of rural electrifica-
tion in those parts of the United States where relatively inexpensive
electrical power became available in the late 19.30'is.
Item Matanuska Tanana
Valley Valley
Susitna
Valleyc
;;
200
850
300
650
900
0.2
.350
700
300
600
1.0
In 1951 (from cooperative records)
Farmsa----------------------Number 46.3 .31
Average consumption per month--Kwh 200 125
Average price per kilowatt----Cents 6.07 9000 b
Annual MEA sales--------¥dllion Kwh 4.0
Estimated total annual farm
consumption-----------Million K~nl 0.9
Projected future requirementsd
Farms-----------------------Number 900 100
Average consumption per month
vdth adoption of full
electrificatione
Minimum--------------------Kwh
l~imum-----------.--------Kwh
With adoption of above,plus
electrically powered drying
equipment and s¥pplemental
heating devices -------------Kwh
Projected annual requirements
Minimum-------------Million Kwh
Maximum-------------Million Kwh
Accompanying annual industrial
requirementsg---------Million Kwh
Total estimated annual agricultural
requirements----------Million Kwh
Grand total Million Kwh
a Definition vague,but is assumed to reflect present customer status.
b Estimate only.
c No farms at present.Assumed that 200 farms might develop after p0l-Ter and
communications become available,with about the same power requirements as
in the Matanuska Valley.
d A date cannot be supplied here.With'present rate of development stepped
up by removal of present restrictions,and supplemented by more readily
available capital,this level might be reached within 10 years.
e Edison Institute values used as a base.
f Assuming that transmission and peak load problems can be solved and that
pOl'16r ,,?ecomes available at a cost comparable to 3/4¢or l¢under the presentecononucstructure.
g Creameries and other food processing and storage plants.
154
Reports of Other Agencies
Present use of power on Alaskan farms
The latest report by the ~~tanuska Electric Association
shows the 1951 farm consumption at almost exactly 200 kilo~mtt
hours per month.It is interesting to note that the monthly use
has increased from about 119 kilo~tt-hours per month in 194B.
This is an increase of 6B percent in a period of 3 years.One
might labor under the impression that this increase'in the rate
of consumption on farms is abnormally high;however,experience
in other areas does not prove that this is so.The following data
~s accumulated by a survey made by the Portland General Electric
Company of 50 typical farms in the Willamette Valley,Oregon.
In 1931 the average monthly consumption of electricity
was 115 kilowatt-hours.In 1935 it ~s 265 kilowatt-hours and in
1939 it ~s 462 kilo~tt-hours per month per farm.Farm rates in
this area in 1939 were approx:Ll!l.ately 1 cent per kilowatt-hour on
the low step.Probably the average cost per kilo~tt-ho'O.r ~s
2 cents or in that neighborhood..In the area just cited,there
was approximately a 200-percent increase in the use of electrical
power between 1931 and 1935;and there ~s a 75-percent increase in
the use of electrical power between 1935 and 1939.These data are
more than 12 years old and at that time the farm use ~s over
460 kilo~tt-hours per month.The following electrical rat~sched-
ule was being used by the Portland General Electric Company in the
Salem area about 1945:
First 50 kilowatts:5 cents per kilo~tt
Second 50 kilo~tts:3 cents per kilowatt
Next 100 kilowatt-hours:1 1/2 cents
Next 100 kilo~tt-hours:1 cent
Allover 300 kilowatt-hours:3/4 cent per kilowatt-
hour
Data from the magazine "Electricity on the Farm,n show
the average annual consumption of electricity for Wisconsin and for
the United States as a whole..For Wisconsin the farm use of electric-
ity increased from approximately lOB kilowatt-hours per month in
1941 to 290 kilowatt-hours per month in 1950.This is almost 300-
percent increase in 9 years.From the chart presented it seems
that the national average has only doubled in the same perioa,going
from approximately 100 kilowatt-hours per month to approximately
200 kilo~tt-hours per month.Since the chart shown includes the
entire nation,it may be well to point out the cost for electricity
in the East on an over-all farm use basis was approximately 3 ..lB
cents per kilowatt-hour in 1950;however,in the West the cost per
kilowatt-hour ~s approximately 1.19 cents.In this connection the
farm use in the ~'lest was approximately 400 kilowatt-hours per month.
155
Re~orts of Other Agencies
Considering the high labor costs in this area it is
possible that the farm.usage could be boosted to a point where it
would average from 500 to 600 kilowatt-hours per month"This might
require some effort on the part of the Extension Service in educa-
tion as to pr,ofitable uses of electricity;however,there are
several potential uses of.electricity which would meet with wider
'acceptance than they do in the ·States.As an example:consider
the use of electrically heated hotbeds.~vith the price of such
vegetables as tomatoes and cucumbers at high levels,it 1'fould be
economical to use electrically heated hot-beds for the production
of these high-cost vegetables..Electrical heating of greenhouse
benches would also be practical..Greenhouse operations would
ultimately require some form.of soil sterilization.Electrical
power is the most convenient for sterilizlllg soil in greenhouse
operations.
Another use which would have great potential value to
vegetable producers in Alaska would be in maintaining root cellars
at a proper temperature.As an example,a root cellar for the
storage of cabbage or carrots should be held at approximately 300 •
An underground cellar could be held at this temperature at very
little cost using electricity.Potato storages which need to be
held in the vicinity of 40 0 F.would also offer a practical and
profitable manner of using electricity"For large heating loads
electricity would still probably not be practical even at 3/4 cent
per kilowatt-hour.At 3/4 cent per kilov.ra.tt-hour it would cost
$2.20 per million BTU for electrical energy compared to 34 cents
per million BTU for coal at $10 a ton,and $1.30 per million BTU
for fuel oil at 20 cents a gallon.Electricity does pay for its
higher cost when by the use of it some operation can be made auto-
matic eliminating labor cost or supervision effort.
Power required for domestic heatins
It is doubtful in this severe climate whether the price
of electricity will ever be low enough to be used as a major source
of heat.As an example,it would require approximately 30 to 35
kilov.ra.tts of heating equipment for an average house (i..."1sulated with
2 inches of commercial insulation).
Power required for drying hay and grain
,For the operation of fans in the process of drying hay or
grain,a person might estimate a consumption of 3,000 kilowatt-hours
over a 3 months'l period.As a source of heat for drying the grain,
electricity at 3/4 cent per kilov.ra.tt-hour would probably be too
expensive.A problem which must be faced in the utilization of
electricity in large amounts such as heating applications is that the
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Reports of Other Agencies
size of the transformer and of the power distribution lines serving
the installation must be largeo Existing power lines distributing
power to farms would not carry such loads.Farmers would probably
not be willing to pay the extra cost required to rebuild the
existing distribution system in order to make use of these large
blocks of power.
The greatest amount of load building can be doneJby such
applications as domestic water heating,electrical cooking,adequate
lighting,and the use of an electric motor wherever one can be used.
When Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams were being planned
on the Columbia River,it was the consensus of opinion of many
people that the dams were larger than would ever be needed and that
it was kind of a waste of Government money to build these facilities 0
At the present time,in the Northwest there is a power shortage and
both of these dams are in operation although not yet to full capac-
ity,as there is a delay in the production of generating equipment.
There is no longer any doubt in anyone 9 s mind in the Northwest but
that the entire generating capacity of both dams would be utilized
almost 100 percent as soon as facilities are availableo The entire
agricultural economy of Alaska would be greatly benefited by reduced
electrical power rates which can come only by increased generating
capacity0
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Reports of Other Agencies
SOIL SCIENCE SECTION
An estimate of potential farm.land
The Susitna basin is bounded on the west by Mount Susitna,
on the east by the Talkeetna Range and meridian 1500 •On the south
it opens on Cook Inlet.The basin is roughly oval in shape with the
long axis extending some 90 miles north and south.Its east-west
width averages 30 miles.An arm extends westi'1ard from the main
basin to a distance of 25 or 30 miles up the Yentna and Skwentna
Valleys.'The total land area below an elevation of 500 feet is
roughly 3,000 square miles.
In aqy estimate of agricultural potential climate'must
receive as much'consideration as soil characteristics.For the
purpose at hand,it is emphasized that limited meteorological
studies show the grOl.ri.ng season in this area to be relatively
short--somewhere within the range of 78 to 90 days.Rainfall is
somewhat greater than in the 1'1atanuska region.Comparable climatic
regions elsewhere in the world have never supported much more than
a bare subsistence for farm populations.Agricultural development
of the Susitna basin under existing economic conditions is therefore
unlikely.When economic population pressures become great enough
to justify expansion of Alaska 9 s agriculture outside of the present
focal regions,it still will remain a matter of some conjecture as
to the desirability of developing the Susitna basin.
The limiting factor in the development of this region is
therefore anticipated to be deficiencies in climate rather than in
soils.Map reconnaissance and observations along the Railbelt
reveal that considerable areas of good soil may be found in the
Susitna basin.A rough classification includes 3 land categories,
briefly described as follows:
1.High benches and mountain'slopes",a large
proportion of which are steep,rough,and
broken.Small acreages suitable for cultiva-
tion are scattered and disconnected.Grazing
is the most intensive use to which a large
acreage can be put,and even this grazing
land lqill not be used unless winter feed can
be grown elseitmere in the basin.Most of
the land in this category will be left in
forest.
2.Low benches,rolling glaciated land forms,
and elevated terraces and plains.These areas
are linear in nature,following the river
courses and separating large areas of undrained
land.A major part of the cultivable land falls
in this category.
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Reports of Other Agencies..
3.Low undrained plains (tundra,muskeg,
marshes,and swamps)make up the largest
contiguous areas which occupy the center
of the basino Within this land class are
inclusions of rolling hills and elevated
land that may be broken and farmedo When
population pressures warrant extensive
drainage operations,some of the present
wet soils will be cultivated.
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Reports of Other Agencies
Estimate of potential agricultural land
idthout regard t~tations'of clima.te
Land Percent POTENTIAL FARMLAND(b)GRAZING
Category (a)of Total Extensive Intensive LAND (e)TOTAL
use (c)use (d)
Thousands of acres
High benches 21 S2 94 4$40$
Low benches 45 .34$410 201 $72
Undrained plains .34 19 96 17.3 '640
Total 449 449 600 422 1,920(f)
Percent of land ca.tegory
High benches 20 2.3 12
Low benches .32 41 2.3
Undrained plains .3 15 27
Total 2.3 .31 22
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
As described on p.1.
Land that can be tilled.Climate limitations may prohibit its
use.
Land that can be immediately cleared and tilled without
reclamation practices.
Includes acreages listed in the column on the left plus
additional acres that can be cultivated after drainageo
Summer range exclusive of acreages listed in the columns
on the left;can be used if supplementary i'linter feed is
produced within the basin.
Total area of basin west of 1500 and below elevation of
500 feet.
SOURCES:
Bennett &Rice;Reconnaissance soil survey of the Cook
Inlet region,United States Department of Agriculture
1914
Several map series,United States Geological Survey,1920-
1945-
Gasser,Information for prospective settlers,Alaska
Department of Agriculture,194$
Unassembled notes'and observations of technicians during -
Railbelt travel,Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station,
1948-1952.
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Reports of Other Agencies
TERRITORY OF
ALASKA DEVELOPMENT BOARD
JUNEAU 1/ALASKA
The Alaska Development Board,an official agency of the
Territorial Government,is pleased to learn that the Bureau of
Reclamation currently is engaged in studying hydroelectric power
production possibilities in the Susitna River basin.Development
of large,low-cost hydroelectric potentials of the basin is certain
to shape the industrial destiny of the heartland of Alaska.
We now are in the final stages of completing a comprehen-
sive economic study of the Greater Anchorage area.One of the
purposes of the study is to determine immediate and future possi-
bilities for the establishment of basic industry which would utilize
natural resources occurring in the region.Successful attainment
of that objective is a must if this vitally important section of
Alaska is to continue to grow and prosper following completion of
various defense construction projects.
Our survey demonstrates beyond doubt that the Greater
Anchorage area,including its hinterland along the Railbelt from
Se'4ard to Fairbanks,has a prosperous future in store if certain
incentives are provided.The foremost among those incentives is
the availability of an abundant supply of low-cost hydroelectric
power.Lack of low-cost pm'fer to heat the crucibles and turn the
wheels of industry today constitutes the principal obstacle
blocking industrialization of the area.
If the great birch stands adjacent to AnChorage and
Talkeetna'are to be converted into veneer,plywood,flooring,
furniture,and other products Alaska and the nation wants,low-cost
power must be made available.If other timber stands are to be
utilized,low-cost power must be obtainable.If the region'ls
metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources are to be brought into
production,low-cost power first must be present.So it is with
other natural resources found within the area.
So much emphasis is given the need for large quantities of
low-cost electric energy for several reasons.First,the cost of
electric power can in large measure offset other operating costs
which are higher in Alaska than elsewhere.Second,large quantities
of extremely low-cost power are necessary for certain enterprises
such as the electrochemical and electrometallurgical industries.
It already has been demonstrated that cost and availability of power
is an important factor in determining plant location of the latter
industries.
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Reports of Other Agencies
Our investigations show the current power shorta.ge in the
region will be even more acute in 1955 than it is today--even though
your Eklutna project is developed to its full potential by that time"
Few kilowatts will be available to encourage establishment of new
industry.
The nation?s military chieftans repeatedly have asserted
that a strong economy is an asset to Alaska?s defense.The impor-
tance of basic industry in the defense picture has been emphasized
again and again"But far beyond the benefits of a sound economy
are the contributions this region of Alaska could make to the
United States in terms of "have not~t materialso
For the preceding reasons,we strongly urge the Bureau of
Reclamation to do everything within its'means to speed completion
of its Susitna basin studies.Moreover,we urge the Bureau to seek
authorization for development of one or more of the Susitna hydro-
electric pO\4Br sites immediately upon completion of its investiga-
tions,providing engineering studies show construction to be feasible,
with costs being comparable to other projectso
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Reports of Other Agencies
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FAIRBANKS,ALASKA
PROBLEMS OF LAND RECLAMATION
IN THE SUSITNA RIVER VALLEY AREA
Since the year of 1914 illhen Henry H.Bennett and
Thomas D.Rice made their reconnaissance survey of the Susitna
River Valley,it has been recognized that the area held great
agricultural potentialities.In the Alaska Experimental Station
reports as early as 1898 are found accounts of pioneer farmers and
gardeners in this area.These records furnish evidence to the fac~
that the land is very productive and is well adapted to the produc-
tion of all cool-weather crops.
This valley contains over 100,000 acres of potential farm
and grass lands.(Soil map by Bennett and Rice attached.)The
ability of this area to produce an abundance of grass is evidenced
by the rank groillth in the areas not covered with timber.There are
several small farms and family gardens in this area which furnish
evidence of the productivity of the soil.
Climate of the Susitna Valley
'The average temperature recorded from May to October,
inclusive,at the Susitna and Talkeetna Stations was 49.680
0 .
f This compares very favorably with the Matanuska Valley which has
an average summer temperature of 43086 0 &Qr.the same'period.;:..:;"<.>.
The average rainfall in the Susitna area for May to September,
inclusive,is 14.4 inches as compared to 11 ..6 inches in the Matanuska
Valley..The frost-free period of the Susitna Valley weather sta.tions
has not'been as long as for the other agricultural areas.This,
hOliever,is influenced very materially by the fact that only small
areas are aleared and many of these areas lack proper air drainage
to prevent summer frosts.The average frost-free period of the
Susitna Valley Stations is 00 days,while the average for the
Matanuska Valley is 108 days,and for the Tanana Valley is 96 days.
IvIost scientists feel that this condition will be alleviated to a
great extent by clearing large areas.
Soils
'The soils of the lower Susitna Valley are a mixture of
silt-loam,fine sands,and peat.The greater part of this area
requires clearing prior to cultivation.There are also very large
areas of marsh and muskeg lands.This land is swampy in nature;
and,if the surface covering is broken so that aerobic bacterial
action starts,the peat decomposes..The soil then becomes much
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Reports of Other Agencies
warmer and the blanket of ice melts from under the moss insulation.
Past experiences have shown that these areas are very productive
when properly drained..In most cases,drainage of these areas will
be less costly than clearing of timbered land and the soil promises
to be more productive.
It is a well-known fact that all cool-weather crops which
grow well in the :f.fa.tanuska-Tanana Valleys will thrive in the Susitna
area and yields on small-scale operations have been equally as high ..
The inaccessibility to markets in the early years prevented any
appreciable agricultural development in this area.
Native Grasses
In the burnt-over areas,several varieties of native red-
top grasses (calamogrostis)are most prevalent.These grasses make
dense growths from 5-to 6 feet tall in many areas.With the proper
clearing of the land,there is every reason to believe that many
tame grasses may be successful..
Settlement Problems
In order that any appreciable areas may be developed from
a profitable agricultural standpoint,considerable study and research
is needed.Research should be conducted to discover economical
methods of clearing lands for cultivation,pasture,and nreadows.
There is also necessity for irrigation studies to be mad~especially
where the production of vegetable crops will be stressed.Roads
should be constructed and trading centers should be laid out..In
most instances,assistance will be required in financing farm opera-
tions..With the prevailing increase in population in Alaska,very
little difficulty in marketing is expected,especially where farmers
organize and sell their products through cooperative marketing
organizations.
To give the greatest assurance of success,settlers should
not be invited or permitted into this area until some of these
problems are solved.Considering this area from physiological and
climatological standpoints as well as the proximity to existing
markets,this area offers as great possibilities for future agri-
cultural development as any other area in Alaska.
164
0
0
)
SOIL MAP OF
SUSITNA VALLEY
By
Henry H. Bennett and
Thomas D. Rice
62°---
D
D !
LEGEND
Mainly Knik Loam , Low to moder-D
ote l y high benches,ridges a hill-
ocks . Prevailingly smooth surface,
well drained. D
Mainly K ni k Loom, high bench phase.
High benches, portly rolling .
Well drained.
Ma i nly K nik Loom,shallow phase.
Low benches, mostly flat . Good.
to excessive drainage.
}/.
+ I
l
Mainly Knik Fine Sandy Loom.
Low benches, mostly flat . Good
to ex cess fve dro inage.
Mainly Susitna Soils. Flat
stream bottoms. Drainage poor
to good or excessive, portly
overflowed .
Mainly Muskeg .
Low flat, treeless marsh.
0
p..
C)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Reconnaissance Soil Survey MoP, 1914
Reports of Other Agencies
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF MINES
JUNEAU,ALASKA
Since the mining of construction materials will help
create new local power-consuming industries in addition to the
mining operations themselves,it seems logical to consider the
deposits of industrial minerals first.
A deposit of gypsum that may come into production is at
Sheep Mountain,112 miles from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway.
There are approximately 311,000 indicated tons of gypsiferous rock
containing 25-to 50-percent gypsum and 348,000 additional tons
inferred in this deposit.Also in the near vicinity is a deposit
of clay that would be quite suitable for brick making or ceramic
work.More clay of a lower grade is at Chickaloon which would
probably be satisfactory for brick making.
At mile 67 on the Glenn Highway is a formation of shale
that could be used for the production of lightweight aggregate for
concrete.Preliminary tests of the material have proved very
satisfactory.Another deposit of the same shale exists at mile 16
of the Matanuska branch of the Alaska Railroad.
A deposit of marl exists near vJasilla,which may be mined
soon,and it is reported that perlite also exists there.
There are large deposits of pumice and pumicite in the
Katmai National Monument that may be ldthin reach of power lines
from the Susitna basin.This pumice has been used for lightweight
concrete aggregate for a few years now;and as a result of recent
legislation by Congress,the production will probably increase.
The mineral is also suitable for the making of pozzolan for
pozzolan-portland cement.
Other cement materials and clay can be mine9.in the near
vicinity of Anchorage.Limestone and argillite are mined at the
Potter quarry,the latter mineral being also suitable for the manu-
facture of rock wool.Numerous shales and argillites exist that
can be used for the making of Haydite,a particular type of light-
weight aggregate.Sand and gravel can be obtained almost everywhere
in this part of the country.Clay '\'lhich is suitable for brick
making can be obtained from two pits near Anchorage.
Toward the upper end of the Railbelt,the Cantwell-Windy
area is the most promising for the future mining of construction
materials.There are deposits at Windy Creek'and Foggy Pass of
limestone which is suitable for cement making,the limestone at
Foggy Pass being particularly good.The criterion for cement
165
Reports of Other Agencies
making is the magnesia content--the limestone may contain no more
than 3.3 percent.Shale which will supply the argillaceous
component for cement is also plentiful in this area.
Near Healy is a'good grade of clay which ,,1111 probably
be quarried in the future,and also a deposit of perlite which
would be va.luable for the making of a lightweight aggregate.
On the "I'lest Fork of the Chulitna River are more deposits
of suitable limestone and shale.
Coal mining production in both the Matanuska and Healy
River fields will increase with the st-eadily increasing demand in
Anchorage and Fairbanks and nearby military installations.The
coal mines will be in the market for cheaper po't'ler,of course;but
on the other hand if a large amount of cheap power should become
available to the above cities and installations,the demand for
coal would decrease;and as a result coal mining would decrease
rather than expand.So it seems reasonable to assume that poten-
tial coal mine power consumption should not be estimated on the
basis of expected coal production increase •.
,In the Fairbanks area,the United States Smelting,
Refining,and l~ning Company 9 s large-scale gold placer operations
are entirely electric,the energy being furnished by their steam
~enera.ting plant.They have a'total of eight electric dredges
(five in operation at present),one large'electric dragline,and a
large number of electrically driven pumps,the total operating
load of 't'lhich is huge.If po't'ler were to be made available to this'
company at a cheaper rate than they can generate it in their plant,
they would undoubtedly be happy to purchase it.
There are many small placer operations in the Fairbanks
area as 't'/eil as in the Nenana,Talkeetna,and other districts that
could be reached by power'lines.They would probably all use power
to illuminate their camps,but whether they would immediately go
to the expense of turning over their Diesel pumping units for
electrically driven units is questionable.New placer operations
starting up would probably purcr18.se the electrical equipment,however.
Should lode-gold mining again become profitable in Alaska;
the Willow Creek district will most assuredly be back in production,
and no doubt a good share of the mines would install electrical
equipment rather than Diesel if cheap power were available.The
Willow Creek gold deposits'are mesothermal veins on the border of
a quartz diorite intrusion,and so far have been mined at relatively
shallow depths--mostly stopping from above the main adits.It is
believed that ore of the above character will be found at greater
depths,'t'lhich would indicate that the ore reserves are good.This
166
i
Repo:ts ~f Other Agencies
district was producing at the rate of about $1,$00,000 per year in
1941.Other lode-gold properties that may start producing again
when the economic picture changes are located in the Nenana,
Talkeetna,and Fairbanks districts.
An interesting silver prospect is located on Portage
Creek,9 miles east of the Chulitna Station of the Alaska Railroad.
It is in a brecciated slate formation,and arsenopyrite,chalco-
pyrite,galena,and pyrite are associated with the pyrargYrite.
The Anchorage and lower Railbelt'areas do not have many
possibilities for future base metal mining,but most of the remainder
of the area within a reasonable distance of the Susitna basin shows
good promise.The lower Railbelt possibilities include small copper
deposits on Iron Creek,tributary to the Talkeetna River;another
on 1'roose Creek,tributary to the Matanuska River;and others on
tributaries to'the Susitna River.There is an antimony showing on
Antimony Creek,tributary to the east 'fork of the Chulitna River.
In the Lake Illiamna country there are some very promising copper
deposits 0
Base metal prospects are very favorable in the district
around Mount McKinley.An antimony mine is operating on Stampede
Creek at present and another good antimony deposit is located on
nearby Slate Creek.
A large lead-zinc deposit is located near Mount Eielson,
30 miles east of Mount McKinley,where an intrusion has sent a
multitude of dikes'and sills into associated sediments and deposited
sphalerite,galena,chalcopyrite,and pyrite.
Many antimony deposits of promise and a few good sheelite
deposits exist in the Fairbanks area.The best known sheelite
deposit in the area is on Gilmore Dome and is scheduled to go into
production shortly with the help of Defense Minerals Administration
financing.
Last;but certainly not least,to be considered is the
possibility of the production of oiL A large anticline extending
from the Alaska Peninsula through Cook Inlet and into the Nelchina
district is regarded by petroleum geologists as having definite
oil-bearing possibilities.The present oil well drilling program
at Katalla.will probably attract more oil venture capital to the
Territory,and the Cook Inlet structure would be the next logical
location for oil exploration.Should oil be discovered there,
there would be an immediate'need for power for more drilling,for
pumping and relaying plants,and refineries.Further,a pipe line
is contemplated from the Point Barrow oil field to Fairbanks,
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Reports of Other Agencies
which,if realiz~d,would call for power for the relaying or
booster stations,refineries,et~ceterao The changes which would
accompany the discovery and actual production of oil in the
Territory are many 0
168