An initial assessment of suspended sediment transport on rivers in interior Arctic Alaska
Abstract
Rivers of arctic Alaska have hydrologic and sedimentologic regimes that can differ dramatically from those of temperate rivers. Long, severe winters and the presence of permafrost affect the dynamic of rivers that can be frozen for over seven months of the year. In addition, the majority of spring runoff may occur while there is still ice present in the river channel, producing sediment transport patterns and overall sediment yields that can differ from expected values. A lack of data in this region that is temporally or spatially dense, as well as remote and difficult research conditions, compounds the problem of being able to fully assess the suspended sediment regimes of arctic Alaskan rivers. The Anaktuvuk, Itkillik and Chandler Rivers originate in the Brooks Range of Alaska and flow north, joining with the Colville River in the foothills and coastal plain. With an increasing human presence in all three watersheds, it becomes imperative to study these rivers and increase our understanding of sediment transport in the arctic, as well as the unique controls on sediment transport that exist in these northern watersheds. To meet this goal, a field campaign was conducted over two summers, with suspended sediment samples collected at regular intervals on all three rivers. Sampling techniques included automated Isco samplers, depth integrated samplers, and bed sediment distribution measurements as well as numerous discharge measurements for correlation. The results of these measurements will be presented in an effort to characterize the suspended sediment transport on these rivers.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AGUFM.H43F1451L
- Keywords:
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- 0744 CRYOSPHERE / Rivers;
- 1800 HYDROLOGY