Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling
Science Center Objects
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
(Credit: Josh Koch, USGS. Public domain.)
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...
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Date published: May 30, 2017Status: ActiveWolverine 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.
Contacts: Shad O'Neel, Ph.D., Louis Sass, III, Joshua C Koch, Ph.D., Sara Sawicki, Jennifer Witter, Jason GeckAttribution: Region 11: Alaska, Alaska Science Center -
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Attribution: Region 11: Alaska, Alaska Science Center -
Date published: May 30, 2017Status: ActiveArctic 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.
Contacts: Rob Striegl, Michelle Walvoord, Burke Minsley, Kimberly Wickland, Brian A Ebel, Joshua C Koch, Ph.D., Bruce Wiley, Torre Jorgenson, Dave Butman, Rob SpencerAttribution: Region 11: Alaska, Alaska Science Center -
Date published: April 18, 2017Status: ActiveNome 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.
Contacts: Joshua C Koch, Ph.D., Ryan Toohey, Ph.D., Paul F Schuster, Burke Minsley, Kimberly Wickland, Rob Striegl, Matthew Reeves, Dana Brown, Kathy KelseyAttribution: Region 11: Alaska, Alaska Science Center -
Date published: April 12, 2017Status: ActiveHydro-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.
Attribution: Region 11: Alaska, Alaska Science Center
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...
Kikuchi, Colin P.
Wetlands in the Goose Creek Watershed
Wetlands in the Goose Creek watershed.