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Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling Active

By Alaska Science Center May 30, 2017

This project aims to improve our understanding of the role of wetlands in controlling streamflow in southcentral Alaska using a groundwater – surface water flow model that can recreate the dynamic interactions between streams and wetlands.

Return to Water or Landscape Science >> Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is a highly-populated area of southcentral Alaska. Development in this area is reducing the number of wetlands, but little is known about the impacts on the hydrology of this region. This project aims to improve our understanding of the role of wetlands in controlling streamflow in southcentral Alaska using a groundwater – surface water flow model that can recreate the dynamic interactions between streams and wetlands.

 

Wetlands in the Goose Creek Watershed
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.
Wetlands in the Goose Creek Watershed(Credit: Josh Koch, USGS. Public domain.)

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
The Agashashok River Watershed

Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies

Catchment hydrology focuses on the movement of water and solutes from landscapes to waterbodies. Our research addresses questions such as: Where is the stream water coming from? How long did it take to get here? What solutes, nutrients, and/or contaminants did the water pick up along the way? Because streams and lakes gather water and solutes, we can learn about the entire watershed by studying...
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies

Catchment hydrology focuses on the movement of water and solutes from landscapes to waterbodies. Our research addresses questions such as: Where is the stream water coming from? How long did it take to get here? What solutes, nutrients, and/or contaminants did the water pick up along the way? Because streams and lakes gather water and solutes, we can learn about the entire watershed by studying...
Learn More
link
The "From Icefield to Ocean Poster" depicts the important linkages between glaciers and the ocean.

Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies

This project is an extension of the long-term Wolverine Glacier Benchmark Glacier project and is improving our understanding of solutes and nutrients in glacier basins, and how they fuel downstream ecosystems.
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies

This project is an extension of the long-term Wolverine Glacier Benchmark Glacier project and is improving our understanding of solutes and nutrients in glacier basins, and how they fuel downstream ecosystems.
Learn More
link
Thawing ice wedges create ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain

Arctic Coastal Plain Studies

The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) is a large region of low-lying, lake-rich land on the North Slope of Alaska. This region is underlain by thick ground ice, which is susceptible to erosion and thaw. These physical changes are likely to alter ecosystems by changing the availability of habitats and food resources upon which wildlife depends. Our studies on the ACP aim to understand the link between...
By
Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
link

Arctic Coastal Plain Studies

The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) is a large region of low-lying, lake-rich land on the North Slope of Alaska. This region is underlain by thick ground ice, which is susceptible to erosion and thaw. These physical changes are likely to alter ecosystems by changing the availability of habitats and food resources upon which wildlife depends. Our studies on the ACP aim to understand the link between...
Learn More
link
Example of thawing landscapes and thermokarst at our field sites

Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)

ABoVE: Vulnerability of inland waters and the aquatic carbon cycle to changing permafrost and climate across boreal northwestern North America. Carbon released from thawing permafrost may fuel terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems or contribute to greenhouse gas emission, leading to a potential warming feedback and further thaw.
By
Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
link

Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)

ABoVE: Vulnerability of inland waters and the aquatic carbon cycle to changing permafrost and climate across boreal northwestern North America. Carbon released from thawing permafrost may fuel terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems or contribute to greenhouse gas emission, leading to a potential warming feedback and further thaw.
Learn More
link
Table Top Mountain and the West Twin Creek catchment

Nome Creek Experimental Watershed

The Nome Creek Experimental Watershed (NCEW) has been the site of multiple studies focused on understanding hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem changes related to permafrost thaw and fire in the boreal forest.
By
Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
link

Nome Creek Experimental Watershed

The Nome Creek Experimental Watershed (NCEW) has been the site of multiple studies focused on understanding hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem changes related to permafrost thaw and fire in the boreal forest.
Learn More
link
The north fork of the Agashashok River

Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology

The Arctic is warming at higher rates than much of the rest of the world. For Alaska, this results in changes in hydrology and ecosystems – permafrost is thawing, changing landscapes and releasing nutrients to soils and streams.
By
Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
link

Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology

The Arctic is warming at higher rates than much of the rest of the world. For Alaska, this results in changes in hydrology and ecosystems – permafrost is thawing, changing landscapes and releasing nutrients to soils and streams.
Learn More

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

Wetlands in the Goose Creek Watershed
link

Below are publications associated with this project.

Shallow groundwater in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska—Conceptualization and simulation of flow

The Matanuska-Susitna Valley is in the Upper Cook Inlet Basin and is currently undergoing rapid population growth outside of municipal water and sewer service areas. In response to concerns about the effects of increasing water use on future groundwater availability, a study was initiated between the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey. The goals of the study were
Authors
Colin P. Kikuchi
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center
  • Overview

    This project aims to improve our understanding of the role of wetlands in controlling streamflow in southcentral Alaska using a groundwater – surface water flow model that can recreate the dynamic interactions between streams and wetlands.

    Return to Water or Landscape Science >> Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies

    The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is a highly-populated area of southcentral Alaska. Development in this area is reducing the number of wetlands, but little is known about the impacts on the hydrology of this region. This project aims to improve our understanding of the role of wetlands in controlling streamflow in southcentral Alaska using a groundwater – surface water flow model that can recreate the dynamic interactions between streams and wetlands.

     

    Wetlands in the Goose Creek Watershed
    Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.
    Wetlands in the Goose Creek Watershed(Credit: Josh Koch, USGS. Public domain.)
  • Science

    Below are other science projects associated with this project.

    link
    The Agashashok River Watershed

    Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies

    Catchment hydrology focuses on the movement of water and solutes from landscapes to waterbodies. Our research addresses questions such as: Where is the stream water coming from? How long did it take to get here? What solutes, nutrients, and/or contaminants did the water pick up along the way? Because streams and lakes gather water and solutes, we can learn about the entire watershed by studying...
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies

    Catchment hydrology focuses on the movement of water and solutes from landscapes to waterbodies. Our research addresses questions such as: Where is the stream water coming from? How long did it take to get here? What solutes, nutrients, and/or contaminants did the water pick up along the way? Because streams and lakes gather water and solutes, we can learn about the entire watershed by studying...
    Learn More
    link
    The "From Icefield to Ocean Poster" depicts the important linkages between glaciers and the ocean.

    Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies

    This project is an extension of the long-term Wolverine Glacier Benchmark Glacier project and is improving our understanding of solutes and nutrients in glacier basins, and how they fuel downstream ecosystems.
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies

    This project is an extension of the long-term Wolverine Glacier Benchmark Glacier project and is improving our understanding of solutes and nutrients in glacier basins, and how they fuel downstream ecosystems.
    Learn More
    link
    Thawing ice wedges create ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain

    Arctic Coastal Plain Studies

    The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) is a large region of low-lying, lake-rich land on the North Slope of Alaska. This region is underlain by thick ground ice, which is susceptible to erosion and thaw. These physical changes are likely to alter ecosystems by changing the availability of habitats and food resources upon which wildlife depends. Our studies on the ACP aim to understand the link between...
    By
    Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
    link

    Arctic Coastal Plain Studies

    The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) is a large region of low-lying, lake-rich land on the North Slope of Alaska. This region is underlain by thick ground ice, which is susceptible to erosion and thaw. These physical changes are likely to alter ecosystems by changing the availability of habitats and food resources upon which wildlife depends. Our studies on the ACP aim to understand the link between...
    Learn More
    link
    Example of thawing landscapes and thermokarst at our field sites

    Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)

    ABoVE: Vulnerability of inland waters and the aquatic carbon cycle to changing permafrost and climate across boreal northwestern North America. Carbon released from thawing permafrost may fuel terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems or contribute to greenhouse gas emission, leading to a potential warming feedback and further thaw.
    By
    Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
    link

    Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)

    ABoVE: Vulnerability of inland waters and the aquatic carbon cycle to changing permafrost and climate across boreal northwestern North America. Carbon released from thawing permafrost may fuel terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems or contribute to greenhouse gas emission, leading to a potential warming feedback and further thaw.
    Learn More
    link
    Table Top Mountain and the West Twin Creek catchment

    Nome Creek Experimental Watershed

    The Nome Creek Experimental Watershed (NCEW) has been the site of multiple studies focused on understanding hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem changes related to permafrost thaw and fire in the boreal forest.
    By
    Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
    link

    Nome Creek Experimental Watershed

    The Nome Creek Experimental Watershed (NCEW) has been the site of multiple studies focused on understanding hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem changes related to permafrost thaw and fire in the boreal forest.
    Learn More
    link
    The north fork of the Agashashok River

    Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology

    The Arctic is warming at higher rates than much of the rest of the world. For Alaska, this results in changes in hydrology and ecosystems – permafrost is thawing, changing landscapes and releasing nutrients to soils and streams.
    By
    Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
    link

    Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology

    The Arctic is warming at higher rates than much of the rest of the world. For Alaska, this results in changes in hydrology and ecosystems – permafrost is thawing, changing landscapes and releasing nutrients to soils and streams.
    Learn More
  • Multimedia

    Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

    Wetlands in the Goose Creek Watershed
    link
  • Publications

    Below are publications associated with this project.

    Shallow groundwater in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska—Conceptualization and simulation of flow

    The Matanuska-Susitna Valley is in the Upper Cook Inlet Basin and is currently undergoing rapid population growth outside of municipal water and sewer service areas. In response to concerns about the effects of increasing water use on future groundwater availability, a study was initiated between the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey. The goals of the study were
    Authors
    Colin P. Kikuchi
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center