The Agashashok River and Asik watershed
Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies Active
By Alaska Science Center
May 30, 2017
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 stream and lake hydrology and chemistry.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Return to Water or Landscape Science
Our research focuses on many Alaskan landscapes, primarily the Arctic and Boreal regions. Often our research addresses how catchment hydrology is influenced by permafrost presence and thaw. In boreal settings, we also consider the effects of fire. Both fire and thaw can substantially change hydrologic flow paths and subsequently the delivery of water, sediments, and solutes to streams and lakes. These changes in turn, have broad implications for Alaskan ecosystems and wildlife.
Our research is critical for stakeholders and land managers because it can quantitatively describe the processes underlying observed environmental conditions and change, and provides the fundamental understanding necessary for predicting future conditions.
Projects
- Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thaw (HEAT): Hydrology
- Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)
- Arctic Coastal Plain Studies
- Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies
- Nome Creek Experimental Watershed
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
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.
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...
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.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling
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.
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.
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.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Agashashok River and Asik watershed
The Agashashok River and Asik watershed
Example of thawing landscapes and thermokarst at our field sites
Example of thawing landscapes and thermokarst at our field sites
Example of thawing landscapes and thermokarst at our field sites
Soil tracer applied on burned hillslope
Brian Ebel pours a dye tracer into a pit to observe how water moves through soils on a burned hillslope.
Brian Ebel pours a dye tracer into a pit to observe how water moves through soils on a burned hillslope.
The north fork of the Agashashok River
The north fork of the Agashashok River
The north fork of the Agashashok River
Bedrock peaks in the Agashashok River Watershed
Bedrock peaks in the Agashashok River Watershed
Bedrock peaks in the Agashashok River Watershed
Tributary of the Agashashok River
A tributary of the Agashashok River.
A tributary of the Agashashok River.
The Agashashok River Watershed
The Agashashok River Watershed
Periphyton in a tributary of the Agashashok River
Periphyton in a tributary of the Agashashok River
Periphyton in a tributary of the Agashashok River
A high alpine tributary of the Agashashok River
A high alpine tributary of the Agashashok River.
A high alpine tributary of the Agashashok River.
Collecting water chemistry samples
Ryan collects water chemistry samples during a subsurface tracer experiment while Matt observes.
Ryan collects water chemistry samples during a subsurface tracer experiment while Matt observes.
Meanders on the Agashashok River
Meanders on the Agashashok River
A tributary at the Agashashok River Watershed
A tributary at the arctic-boreal transition in the Agashashok River Watershed
A tributary at the arctic-boreal transition in the Agashashok River Watershed
Wetlands in the Goose Creek Watershed
Wetlands in the Goose Creek watershed.
Wetlands in the Goose Creek watershed.
West Twin Creek catchment with Table Top Mountain
The open black spruce forest of the West Twin Creek catchment with Table Top Mountain in the background
The open black spruce forest of the West Twin Creek catchment with Table Top Mountain in the background
A degrading trough network on the Arctic Coastal Plain
A degrading trough network on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
A degrading trough network on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
Thawing ice wedges create ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain
Thawing ice wedges create ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain. The shape of these ponds influences how their water levels and nutrient concentrations change over the year. These variables in turn influence pond ecosystems and use by waterbirds.
Thawing ice wedges create ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain. The shape of these ponds influences how their water levels and nutrient concentrations change over the year. These variables in turn influence pond ecosystems and use by waterbirds.
Table Top Mountain and the West Twin Creek Catchment
Table Top Mountain and the West Twin Creek catchment.
Table Top Mountain and the West Twin Creek catchment.
A stream winding through polygonal ground on the Arctic Coastal Plain
A stream winding through polygonal ground on the Arctic Coastal Plain
A stream winding through polygonal ground on the Arctic Coastal Plain
- Overview
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 stream and lake hydrology and chemistry.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsA conceptual model of effect of permafrost on catchment hydrology – permafrost may restrict deep flow, leading to quick drainage of aquifers. As permafrost thaws, altered flowpaths (from red to blue) affect water residence times and solute loads, with implications for the stream ecosystem.(Credit: Kim Wickland, USGS. Public domain.) Return to Water or Landscape Science
Our research focuses on many Alaskan landscapes, primarily the Arctic and Boreal regions. Often our research addresses how catchment hydrology is influenced by permafrost presence and thaw. In boreal settings, we also consider the effects of fire. Both fire and thaw can substantially change hydrologic flow paths and subsequently the delivery of water, sediments, and solutes to streams and lakes. These changes in turn, have broad implications for Alaskan ecosystems and wildlife.
Our research is critical for stakeholders and land managers because it can quantitatively describe the processes underlying observed environmental conditions and change, and provides the fundamental understanding necessary for predicting future conditions.
Projects
- Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thaw (HEAT): Hydrology
- Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)
- Arctic Coastal Plain Studies
- Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies
- Nome Creek Experimental Watershed
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
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.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...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.Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling
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.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.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. - Data
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Agashashok River and Asik watershedThe Agashashok River and Asik watershed
The Agashashok River and Asik watershed
Example of thawing landscapes and thermokarst at our field sitesExample of thawing landscapes and thermokarst at our field sites
Example of thawing landscapes and thermokarst at our field sites
Soil tracer applied on burned hillslopeBrian Ebel pours a dye tracer into a pit to observe how water moves through soils on a burned hillslope.
Brian Ebel pours a dye tracer into a pit to observe how water moves through soils on a burned hillslope.
The north fork of the Agashashok RiverThe north fork of the Agashashok River
The north fork of the Agashashok River
Bedrock peaks in the Agashashok River WatershedBedrock peaks in the Agashashok River Watershed
Bedrock peaks in the Agashashok River Watershed
Tributary of the Agashashok RiverA tributary of the Agashashok River.
A tributary of the Agashashok River.
The Agashashok River WatershedThe Agashashok River Watershed
Periphyton in a tributary of the Agashashok RiverPeriphyton in a tributary of the Agashashok River
Periphyton in a tributary of the Agashashok River
A high alpine tributary of the Agashashok RiverA high alpine tributary of the Agashashok River.
A high alpine tributary of the Agashashok River.
Collecting water chemistry samplesRyan collects water chemistry samples during a subsurface tracer experiment while Matt observes.
Ryan collects water chemistry samples during a subsurface tracer experiment while Matt observes.
Meanders on the Agashashok RiverMeanders on the Agashashok River
A tributary at the Agashashok River WatershedA tributary at the arctic-boreal transition in the Agashashok River Watershed
A tributary at the arctic-boreal transition in the Agashashok River Watershed
Wetlands in the Goose Creek WatershedWetlands in the Goose Creek watershed.
Wetlands in the Goose Creek watershed.
West Twin Creek catchment with Table Top MountainThe open black spruce forest of the West Twin Creek catchment with Table Top Mountain in the background
The open black spruce forest of the West Twin Creek catchment with Table Top Mountain in the background
A degrading trough network on the Arctic Coastal PlainA degrading trough network on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
A degrading trough network on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
Thawing ice wedges create ponds on the Arctic Coastal PlainThawing ice wedges create ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain. The shape of these ponds influences how their water levels and nutrient concentrations change over the year. These variables in turn influence pond ecosystems and use by waterbirds.
Thawing ice wedges create ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain. The shape of these ponds influences how their water levels and nutrient concentrations change over the year. These variables in turn influence pond ecosystems and use by waterbirds.
Table Top Mountain and the West Twin Creek CatchmentTable Top Mountain and the West Twin Creek catchment.
Table Top Mountain and the West Twin Creek catchment.
A stream winding through polygonal ground on the Arctic Coastal PlainA stream winding through polygonal ground on the Arctic Coastal Plain
A stream winding through polygonal ground on the Arctic Coastal Plain
- Publications
- Web Tools