Chena River, this relationship was found only during the summer, as it
ended about the first of October when water temperature approached 0°C and
the D.0. concentration reached one of two seasonal high values. Shortly
thereafter, the long gradual winter D.0. depression began and continued
until about March. The second seasonal high D.0. concentration was reached
about spring breakup.

The importance of these seasonal trends is twofold: first the lowest

D.0. concentrations were recorded during the winter; second, the D.0.
depletion was severe. Annual low D.0. concentrations in the Chena River
fell below 1.5 mg/1 (10 percent saturation) during February and March.
These conditions are different in magnitude and timing from the less severe
summer season low of 6.5 mg/1 observed in the Little Miami River.

The Chena River data presented in Figure 2 were collected from a single
station near the mouth and revealed seasonal D.O. patterns at that location.
Data collected from three stations on the Chena‘River are plotted (Figure 3)
to illustrate changes in D.0. concentrations from station to station along
the river. These data reveal the D.0. was found in relatively high con-
centrations at all stations during "freezeup" and "breakup"; that some D.0.
depression is found at all locations during the period between "freezeup"
and "breakup"; and reaeration took effect at virtually the same time at

all stations.

The most important feature of the Chena River data is that stations
located in lower reaches, D.0. depression is more severe than at upper
stations. Data collected at station C-800 located 135 km (85 miles) from
the mouth of the Chena, revealed a minimum D.0. of approximately 7.5 mg/1
(52 percent), while data collected from C-100, 8 km (5 miles) indicate
concentrations as low as 4.5 mg/1 (31 percent). Comparing data collected
from C-100 in 1967-68 to data collected in 1968-69 reveals that depression
is significantly more severe in some years than others.

Also of importance is the timing and magnitude of seasonal discharges of
the Chena River (Figure 4). Although yearly variations are found from
year to year, the largest discharges are generally found during spring-
summer, and the lowest during winter. This generality is also valid for
other streams and rivers in the arctic and subarctic. Larger rivers
usually "breakup" and "freezeup" later than smaller river systems while
those located further north usually "breakup" later and "freezeup" earlier.

Chatanika and Salcha Rivers

The Chatanika and Salcha Rivers were chosen for comparison to determine

if the Chena River was a typical subarctic river or if different D.0.

trends could be detected in other subarctic Alaska systems. Both rivers
are similar to the Chena in that all three are located in subarctic Alaska;
the headwaters originate in the same foothill-mountain system; all are
affected by the same general weather patterns; all are southwesterly flowing
tributaries of the Tanana River; and drainage systems are adjacent and of
the same relative magnitude (approximately 2,000 square miles) (U.S.G.S.,
1969) with similar annual discharge of 1500-1700 CFS (U.S.G.S., 1969).

13


1 | Accession Number QD [Sublet Field & Group

SELECTED WATER RESOURCES ABSTRACTS
INPUT TRANSACTION FORM

Organization
5 rt

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, NERC-
Corvallis, Arctic Environmental Research Laboratory. College, Alaska

6 | Title

Low Winter Dissolved Oxygen in Some Alaskan Rivers

10 Authors) 16 Project Designation
~~ Eldor W. Schallock and
Frederick B. Lotspeich | 21] Nee

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report
number EPA-660/3-74-008, April 1974

22 | Citation

23 Descriptors (Starred First)

Low Dissolved Oxygen, Alaska, Rivers, Winter, Natural Conditions, Seasonal Patterns,
Basin Patterns, Conductivity, Alkalinity, Hydrogen Ion Concentration, Water Temperature,
Water Quality Standards, Yukon River, Sagavanirktok River, Chena River

25 | Mdentitiers (Starred First)

*Alaska, *Rivers, *Low Dissolved Oxygen, Arctic, Subarctic

7 Abstract

27) Water samples collected during the years 1969 through 1972, from 36 selected Alaskan
rivers were analyzed for dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and alkalinity. Dissolved
oxygen (D.0.) ranged from 0.0 to 15.3 ml/1 (106 percent saturation); pH from 6.2 to
8.4; conductivity varied from 105 to 3000 (umho/cm); and alkalinity from 28 to 410
(mg/1). Severe D.0. depletion during winter was found in many river systems large
and small, and located in a range of latitudes (70°N to 61°N). Sufficient data were
collected on the Chena, Chatanika, and Salcha Rivers to reveal annual D.0. trends:
near saturation during spring "breakup" and fall "freezeup" when water temperatures
are near 0°C; somewhat lower D.0. concentrations during warm water summer periods;
and yearly minimum concentrations during the winter (January-March) interval.

Data indicate that D.0. depression begins in October and continues into February. 0.0.
from stations near the mouth of a river were generally depressed more than at upper
stations. The latter trend was observed in the Yukon River which contained 10.5 mg/1
(73 percent saturation) at the Canadian Border but only 1.9 mg/1 (13 percent) near

the mouth. pH gradually decreased in some rivers although alkalinity and conductivity
increased. The depressed winter D.0. concentrations and low winter discharge in many
Alaskan rivers are more severe widespread than present literature indicates

Abstractor Institution

¥ 1960) SEND TO: WATER RESOURCES SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION CENTER
wajloe (REV. JULY 1969) US. CESAR TMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON, B. ¢ 20240

# cro: 1969-a59-339


Discharge permits developed for effluents into streams which exhibit this
low dissolved oxygen phenomenon should only be issued after sufficient
field studies have been coducted to establish the natural conditions in
both summer and winter. This information should include not only dissolved
oxygen measurements, but also other water quality parameters and a survey
of aquatic organism populations. From these data, the level of waste treat-
ment necessary to protect the water quality of the stream can be defined.

30


TABLE 1

GROUPS OF STREAM SYSTEMS THAT ARE LOCATED IN CONGESTED AREAS
AND CODED BY NUMBERS 1 THROUGH 6 ON THE MAP OF ALASKA (FIGURE 1)
Area_1_ Includes
Gerstle River
Johnson River
Robertson River.
Tok River
Chisana River
Gardiner Creek
Area 2 Includes
Donnelly Creek
Ruby Creek
Phelan Creek
Area_3 Includes
Slana River
Chistochina River
Gakona River
Area 4 Includes
Tsina River
Tiekel River

Area_5 Includes

Eagle River

Area 6 Includes

Chickaloon River


LT

DISSOLVED OXYGEN mg/!

13.0

12.0

11.0

10.0

9.0

8.0

70

6.0

5.0

4.0

Ii ‘ a , et
oct Nov DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY
UPPER CHATANIKA (RIVER MILE 95) LOWER CHATANIKA (RIVER MILE 75)

@—®@ 1968-69 O----O 1968 -69

e é 1969 - 70 fo) b 1969 - 70
® @ 970-71 fe} ie} 1970-71

WINTER DISSOLVED OXYGEN FROM TWO STATIONS ON THE CHATANIKA RIVER

FIGURE 5


SECTION
I
Il
Ill
IV
Vv
VI

VII

CONTENTS

CONCLUSIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES

METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Little Miami River

Chena River

Chatanika and Salcha Rivers
Sagavanirktok River

Yukon River

Tanana River

Other Alaskan Rivers

Water Chemistry

Conductivity and Alkalinity

Biological and Management Implications

REFERENCES

iii

PAGE

oOo Oo fF

a]

VW
VW
13
16
19
19
22
25
25
25

31


260

Cm)
nok
8 8

hos/

N
°
-}

-
a
°°

Conductivity (um
go oe
& 8

ry
Nv
°o

100

80

60

120

80

Alkalinity (mg/!)

60

40

20

©----© c-900

o— C-100 \

7
ocT

1
\
i
1
1
\
\
!
1
\

1

&
4 17 8 2i 4 1 is 82 11-25

Pp

1

t

NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY

Figure 11. Alkalinity & Conductivity From Upper (C-900) & Lower (C-100)

Stations On The Chena River. Data From Frey et al 1970

28


oT
DISSOLVED OXYGEN (mg/l)

A O---0-~-0 RIVER MILE 85, 1967-68

Y \ O—o——0_ RIVER MILE 33, 1967-68
g ) Oe -e- —e© RIVER MILE 5, 1967-68
\ O-——o-——o RIVER MILE 5, 1968-69

7 2 4 7 8 21 4 18 1 15 8 21 8 18 2 16
oct NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY

WINTER DISSOLVED OXYGEN DATA fromTHREE STATIONS on the CHENA RIVER (para FROM FREY ETAL, 1970)

FIGURE 3


°c

WATER TEMPERATURE

DISSOLVED OXYGEN mg/!

14

12

10

14

12

10

oO
-oOo Ss
Pr O~o

/
_Q ; AUGUST
o ., JS
o-
(mouth)

a 4 4. | 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 —
1300 ° 100 £90 + 70 +'° sSsdo ° 300 ‘~~ 100
fon -O--Q AUGUST

~o SL oO ~-6.- +5

oot o-o-
jute

APRIL

5 (O°
fo, (mouth)
$-1300 1100 900 700 500 300 100
1200 1000 800 600 400 200

DISSOLVED OXYGEN & WATER TEMPERATURE DATA from 13 STATIONS
on the SAGAVANIRKTOK RIVER (1969-1970)

FIGURE 7
20


Dissolved oxygen data collected from Chatanika and Salcha Rivers during
the 1968-71 winter field seasons have been plotted in Figure 5 and 6
respectively. Although collected over several years, the data correlate
well and present distinct winter trends. Dissolved oxygen was depressed
‘in both the Chatanika and Salcha Rivers. Data collected from the Chatanika
during January-February 1969, show depression from near 11 mg/1 at the 152
km station to near 7 mg/1 at the 120 km station. Salcha D.0. data collected
during 1968-69 shows similar depression from 10 mg/1 at the 128 km station
to 7 mg/1 at the 2 km station. Also, data collected from both rivers in-
dicates that the D.0. was gradually depressed at each station from October
until January or February.

Dissolved oxygen depression in the Salcha River did not appear to be as
severe as in the Chena. The minimum D.0. concentration near the mouth of
the Salcha was 6.5 mg/1 compared to 1.5 mg/1 near the mouth of the Chena.
A similar comparison from the Chatanika was not possible because a station
was not established near the mouth.

Dissolved oxygen concentrations found in the Chatanika were higher than in
the Chena. Concentrations of near 5.0 mg/1 were found at the station lo-
cated about 120 km from the mouth of the Chatanika. However, since this
station was a considerable distance from the mouth, further depression is
likely to be found in downstream reaches. The similarity of the D.O trends
in these three rivers indicated that these patterns may be found in other
subarctic rivers.

The Chena, Chatanika and Salcha drainages constitute a small percentage
of the total land area of interior Alaska. The seasonal D.0. trends of
these rivers could be different from those of river systems found in sub-
arctic and arctic Alaska, Canada and Russia which may have different
geological and hydrologic characteristics. Dissolved oxygen depression
May be more apparent where causative factors operate more severely or
are virtually nonexistent on other aquatic systems. To investigate these
possibilities, extensive field trips were made to more isolated river
systems.

Sagavanirktok River

The Sagavanirktok River, located on Alaska's North Slope, and among
the most isolated rivers in the State, was chosen for study because of
its location, present oi] exploration activities, and pending extensive
future development. It flows north from the Brooks Range into the
Beaufort Sea near Prudhoe Bay and will be transversed by the proposed
Trans-Alaska 48-inch pipeline. The Sagavanirktok River ranks second

in discharge only to the Colville River of all North Slope river systems.
Near Sagwon, discharges ranged from 2800 CFS to 1990 CFS in the August
16 to 21, 1969, interval (U.S.G.S., 1969). These volumes are somewhat
larger than the average late summer discharges of the Chena, Chatanika
and Salcha Rivers.


Severely depressed D.0. has the potential of affecting large numbers of
several species of fish and other organisms that are directly or indirectly
economically important. It is possible that lethal or other less apparent
but nevertheless significant effects may already be limiting these popula-
tions. Doudoroff and Warren (1957) discuss the importance of adequate
concentrations of D.0. necessary for survival of fishes. The influence of
different oxygen concentrations on the growth rate of juvenile large mouth
bass is described by Steward, et. al., (1967). Other sub-lethal effects,
such as the influence of D.0. on the swimming performance of juvenile
pacific salmon, have been discussed by Davis, et. al, (1963). Differences
in the distribution of two plecopterans are related to dissolved oxygen

by Madsen (1968). Unfortunately, these and other studies were generally
conducted on organisms found in temperate climates at 10 to 20°C. At this
time, no cold climate studies have been conducted to determine how low D.0.
conditions at low temperatures affects endemic organisms. A research
project that examines these areas has been initiated at the Arctic Environ
mental Research Laboratory to fill these needs.

The Alaska State Water Quality Standards (1973) currently classify all
surface waters of the state for “growth and propagation of fish and other
wildlife including waterfowl and fur bearers." The dissolved oxygen
criteria established is “greater than 7 mg/1 for fresh water." As can

be seen from the data gathered in this study, many streams in Alaska under
natural conditions fall below these criteria in winter. The Water Quality
Standards recognize this natural phenomonon and state that “waters may
have natural characteristics which would place them ouside the criteria"
and that the criteria established “apply to man-made alterations to the
waters of the state." The standards also contain a "non-degradation"
clause.

The application of the Water Quality Standards and the administration of
the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System during the critical
winter period in Alaska will not be easy. All discharges into the waters
of the United States are required to be regulated by a permit under the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (ref. PL 92-500).
These permits are developed jointly by the principal State water quality
control department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and are
reviewed by other State and Federal agencies and the public. The develop-
ment of these permits must take into consideration Alaska's complex winter
stream dissolved oxygen phenomenon. Presently there are only a limited
number of discharges into waters which undergo winter dissolved oxygen
depression below the State criteria; however, expected industrial and
municipal expansion in the state will result in many more such discharges.

Discharges occurring in the upper reaches of a river system will require
careful consideration. The receiving water at the point of discharge may
contain ample dissolved oxygen. However, if that river exhibits severe
winter D.0. depression, the downstream areas are the most critically
affected and may reflect and additional D.0. depression caused by upstream
waste discharge.

29


SECTION VI
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The dissolved oxygen concentration of water at any given time is the

net result of a complex interrelationship of meteorological, geological,
physical, chemical and biological factors. It is not the purpose of this
report to describe in detail the factors that affect the dissolved oxygen
concentrations. The importance of each factor varies from system to
system and from time to time. For example, the factors affecting the D.0.
of the Little Miami in Ohio are significantly different from those of a
typical subarctic river in Alaska. March precipitation, as rain, may
play a significant role in Midwest stream discharge. In subarctic Alaska
discharge, however, such precipitation would normally be snow and would
not significantly affect discharge. The maximum discharge of the Little
Miami River, near Cincinnati, Ohio, would normally be expected during
the February through April period (U.S.G.S., 1970). This coincides with
the period of minimum discharge in the Chena River, near Fairbanks
(U.S.G.S., 1969).

Little Miami_River Near Cincinnati, Ohio

To clearly relate differences in the D.0. seasonal patterns of sub-arctic
rivers and temperate rivers, a further comparison is made between the
Chena River and the Little Miami River. Mr. A. E. Schwer, Jr. (personal
communication, 1972), indicates that, while Little Miami River is within

a densely populated area and "man-made pollution" is present, it does not
adversely affect dissolved oxygen. The Little Miami River drains a 1713
square mile area and has a 6-year discharge average of 1574 CFS near the
mouth (U.S.G.S., 1970). Water temperatures range from a low of approxi-
mately 1°C in January to a high of about 28°C in June (Figure 2). Dissolved
oxygen vary sporadically from approximately 14.5 mg/1 in March to about
6.5 mg/1 in July (Schwer, 1972). Correlation of D.0. with temperature
reveals an inverse relationship that has also been described by MacCrimmon
and Kelso (1970) in the Grand River in southern Ontario. In both rivers,
the D.0. concentrations are at the yearly low during the hot summer months,
increasing gradually toward the annual high near saturation in winter.

Chena River

The drainage area and 21 year average discharge of the Chena River are
similar to the Little Miami. The Chena drains 1980 square miles and its
discharge averages 1520 CFS (U.S.G.S., 1969). Water temperatures range from
0°C in winter to nearly 17°C in July and dissolved oxygen varies from less
than 2 mg/1 (13 percent saturation) to approximately 13 mg/1 (90 percent).
However, the similarity between the rivers ends when correlations are made
between D.0. trends and the annual temperature cycle.

Water temperatures and D.0. concentrations were correlated in an inverse
relationship throughout the year in the Little Miami River. In the

i


Cold climate rivers harbor large populations of economically important
fishes. The relationship of these endemic fishes and their prey
organisms to low D.0. phenomenon is unknown because no cold climate
studies have been conducted. It is possible that these phenomenon already
limit some aquatic populations. It is therefore recommended that studies
be initiated to investigate these possible effects.


9%

pH

84

8.2

8.0

78

7.6

74

7.2

70

6.8

6.6

6.4

6.2

6.0

1040 980 920 860 840 715 635 520

9.
// “S>YUKON RIVER pH AT 12 STATIONS (1971)
N\

RIVER MILE

‘opt

MOUTH

CHENA RIVER pH AT STATION C-300 (DATA FROM FREY ET AL 1970)

1 ! | | 1 !

OcT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR
DATE

Figure 10. Winter pH Data On The Yukon River And The Chena River.

APR

MAY



Dissolved Oxygen (Mg/L)

X----x 23 Feb 1970
o——» 5 Mar1i970

12

11

10

to) ! i I i i | | l

F800 T-700 F600 T500 F400 F300 1-200 1-100

Figure 9. Winter Dissolved Oxygen Data From Eight
Stations On The Tanana River,

23


NUMBER
]

LIST OF TABLES

Groups of Stream Systems that are Coded by Numbers
1 through 6 on the Map of Alaska (Figure 1)

Winter Dissolved Oxygen from Various Rivers in
Alaska

Conductivity, Alkalinity and pH from Various
Rivers in Alaska

PAGE

24

27


NUMBER

i

LIST OF FIGURES

Map of Alaska Showing Locations of Stream Systems
that were Sampled

Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Data from Little
Miami River near Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Chena
River

Winter Dissolved Oxygen Data from Three Stations
on the Chena River

Chena River Mean Monthly! fischarge

Winter Dissolved Oxygen from Two Stations on the
Chatanika River

Winter Dissolved Oxygen from Two Stations on the
Salcha River

Dissolved Oxygen and Water Temperature Data from
13 Stations on the Sagavanirktok River

Mean Monthly Discharge (1970) and Winter Dissolved
Oxygen (1971) Data from the Yukon River

Winter Dissolved Oxygen Data from Eight Stations
on the Tanana River

Winter pH Data on the Yukon River and the Chena
River

Alkalinity and Conductivity from Upper (C-900) and
Lower (C-100) Stations on the Chena River

iv

PAGE

12

14
15

7

18

20

21

23

26

28


eT

co

TEMPERATURE

DISSOLVED OXYGEN mg/!

30
25

20

O—o—0 CHENA RIVER 1968

° © @ @ LITTLE MIAMIRIVER 1969

MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP oct NOV DEC JAN FEB

TEMPERATURE & DISSOLVED OXYGEN DATA FROM THE LITTLE MIAMIRIVER & THE CHENA
RIVER, CHENA DATA FROM FREY ET AL 1970.

FIGURE 2


SECTION II
RECOMMENDATIONS

This study provides new data that establishes the low winter dissolved
oxygen phenomenon as a major consideration in management decisions in-
volving cold climate water resources, Because little information has
been available from northern regions, many management decisions in cold
climates are based on extrapolations made from studies conducted in
temperate climates. It is recommended that future management decisions
in cold regions rely heavily on information generated within the region.

Naturally occurring low dissolved oxygen concentrations are found during
winter in streams and rivers of all sizes located over widespread geo-
graphic areas. From small streams, such as Gardiner Creek, to large
rivers, such as the Yukon River, many aquatic systems in Alaska exhibit
severe D.0. depression. It is recommended that any fresh water aquatic
systems proposed as a receiving water be investigated during the winter
as well as summer to determine the D.0. characteristics before discharge
into the system is permitted.

Natural dissolved oxygen depression generally becomes more severe when
progressing downstream. Thus, a waste discharge located in the upper
watershed, where the D.0. concentration is high, may not be significantly
detrimental at the immediate point of discharge or in the mixing zone.
However, even a small reduction of the D.0. concentration in the upper
areas could result in further depression in downstream reaches. Therefore,
it is recommended that before an effluent discharge into a river system

is permitted, all possible adverse effects be considered in the downstream
reaches.

Winter discharge volumes for arctic and subarctic rivers are the lowest
of the year; this combined with low winter D.0. concentrations, has
serious management implications. The least desirable time to discharge
waste effluents would be during the winter when both D.0. and stream

flow are at annual low levels. The least offensive time would be at
spring breakup when D.0. values are high and discharges are usually at the
yearly maximum. It is recommended that any effluents discharged into
arctic and subarctic rivers receive the best available treatment and
consideration be given to waste discharge timed with both discharge and
D.0. concentration in mind.

Protection of aquatic resources dictates that the D.0. of a stream be
maintained above a specified minimum standard. Currently, the Alaska
State-Federal Water Quality Standards specify minimum D.0. concentrations
of 7 mg/1 in freshwater, but recognize that the natural winter D.0. in
some waters falls below this concentration. Under these conditions the
standard becomes difficult to administer. It is recommended that the
application of the Water Quality Standards and the administration of the
discharge permit system incorporate studies that would evaluate any dis=
charge effects on streams exhibiting low winter dissolved oxygen.

2


8T

DISSOLVED OXYGEN TMg/1

13.0

12.0

10.0

9.0

8.0

10

6.0

O-Q
on

UPPER SALCHA (RIVER MILE 80)
@——® 1968 - 69
LOWER SALCHA (RIVER MILE 1)

O----O 1968 - 69

4
?

‘9

d 1969 - 70

° 1970-71

?

Prom
‘o-- _ 9. 8-

—!

oct

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

WINTER DISSOLVED OXYGEN FROM TWO STATIONS ON THE SALCHA RIVER

FIGURE 6




Limnological data from Alaskan and Canadian arctic-subarctic waters are
limited and winter D.0. data even more limited. Kalff (1968) collected
water chemistry information from Alaskan and Northwestern Canadian waters
and Lamar (1966) examined the chemical character of water in the Cape
Thompson region, but both studies were conducted during the summer and
did not measure D.0. Watson, et. al. (1966) recorded summer D.0. ranges
from 8.6 to 12.6 mg/1 from Ogotoruk Creek near Cape THompson. Morrow
(1971) reports dissolved oxygen and other water chemistry data collected
during summer from Chatanika River drainages. Winter D.0. from surface
and ground water sources have been reported by Kog] (1965) and related

to salmon survival in the Chena River. Data unpublished at present, have
been collected along the proposed Prudhoe Bay to Valdez pipeline route by
EPA personnel (Anonymous 1970). Physical and chemical characteristics of
the Chena River are presented by Frey, et. al. (1970).

Flowing waters in both temperate and arctic-subarctic areas are subjected
to similar environmental features such as reduced water temperatures,
ice and snow cover, and low light incidence and intensity. However,
areas within arctic and subarctic zones have additional features such as
permafrost, stream ice forms, long periods of darkness, and the length
of time that these phenomena persist. One of the more obvious differ-
ences is the length of time that water temperatures remain close to 0°C.
Temperatures in the Little Miami River, near Cincinnati (Schwer, 1972)
reach 0°C in December and generally remain low for short periods of time
accompanied by some ice formations and snow cover. By contrast, arctic
and subarctic waters approach 0°C during September-October and may remain
until June with a sheet of ice and a blanket of snow gradually covering
the entire stream surface in the interim. Since only limited data are
available on physical and chemical characteristics of Alaskan stream
systems, this study was directed toward advancing the knowledge of four
common parameters of water quality. However, the primary focus is on
winter dissolved oxygen because this characteristic alone may have more
effect on aquatic populations than any other single parameter.

Location

The study area extends from the Beaufort Sea near 70°N latitude south

to Prince William Sound near 63°N latitude, and from the Canadian Border
at 141°W longitude west to the Bering Sea, near 165°W longitude. The area
encompasses a wide range of environmental conditions from the Arctic
southerly to the Subarctic and from the interior of Alaska westerly to
the coast. More detailed locations of the rivers and streams that were
sampled are presented in Figure 1 and Table 1.


SECTION III
INTRODUCTION
General

Alaska's freshwater resources total approximately 40 percent (800

million acre feet) of the entire United States water resources (Johnson
and Hartman, 1969) and are considered one of the continent's strategic
resources (Norwood and Cross, 1968). Industry, municipal, and domestic
enterprise presently utilize a small percentage of the total, although
water problems already exist in many areas (U.S. Federal Field Committee,
1971). Wise management of this resource is handicapped by a general

lack of information. By contrast, a great deal of limnological infor-
mation has been gathered from the waters of the contiguous United States.
Because of the availability of these data and lack of Alaskan information,
management of Alaska resources too often has been based on data collected
from temperate climates and extrapolated to subarctic and arctic regions.
An example of such a generalization is that of Huet (1962) who states
that the amount of D.0. in the water is dependent upon the amount of
organic matter, underwater vegetation and most importantly, the water
temperature. Certainly these factors affect the D.0. concentrations,

but the relationship of D.0. to physical, chemical and biological environ-
ment is much more complex than he indicated. No reference is made to
additional factors such as source water, light availability, and ice-
snow cover which play significant roles in high latitudes.

Dissolved oxygen data from ice-covered rivers of the world are limited

and references to low D.0. in these rivers even more limited. Drachev
(1964) speaks of a general oxygen deficit in streams of the U.S.S.R.,

while Hynes (1970) cites one case of natural severe de-oxygenation which
was recorded in the Siberian Ob River, by Mosevich (1947), and by
Mossewitsch (1961). Hynes (1960) states that dissolved oxygen rarely
drops to low concentrations in clean waters but that the lack of oxygen is
of concern in polluted waters. He further states that in unpol luted
waters, very low dissolved oxygen is found under only two conditions:
continuous ice-cover for long periods under rather special conditions,

and excessive autumnal leaf-fall into pools in almost dry streams. He
concludes that freezing over and lack of oxygen is of little importance

to invertebrates because some time is necessary for the total water mass
jin a river to reach 0°C, and because sufficient open water usually remains
to allow replenishment of the small amounts of dissolved oxygen required
for metabolism at 0°C. In some Russian rivers, the minimum level of oxygen
concentration appears in the spring when water temperatures increase allowing
decay of the organic material deposited in the fall (Greze, 1953).

Similar effects of decaying organic material were described in intermittent
middle west U.S. streams by Schneller (1955) and Larimore, et. al. (1959).
Whitten (1972) states that few data exist on low D.0. in natural waters
and that, when found, it is attributable to oxidations of hydrogen sulfide
to sulfate. In general, these cases of low dissolved oxygen concentrations
are regarded as exceptional examples caused by special conditions in
limited areas.



Water Chemistry

Discussion of water chemistry will be limited to presentation of data and
to general trends shown by pH, conductivity and alkalinity, because data
are insufficient to allow more detail. As would be expected, all three
water quality parameters varied with time, from station to station within
a stream system, and from river to river.

Winter pH from one station on the Chena River ranged from 7.7 to 6.2 and
generally decreased during the winter season although abrupt deviations
from the pattern are apparent (Figure 10). pH measured at 12 stations on
the Yukon during March showed that the Yukon became more alkaline from

the Canadian Border (7.3) to the first station below the confluence of the
Yukon and Porcupine Rivers (8.3), at which point the trend reverses (Figure
9). The single pH value of 7.8 from the Porcupine River (Table 3) indicates
that these waters may be exerting an influence toward lower pH in the Yukon.
In general, these pH changes can be related, but not necessarily limited to:
the depression of D.0.; the increase of free carbon dioxide which accumulates
in the absence of photosynthetic activity; and the influence of surface
runoff and ground water.

Alkalinity and Conductivity

Winter alkalinity and conductivity also vary widely with location and

season. Alkalinity ranged from 28 mg/1 in Kuparuk River to 410 mg/? in the
Gakona River, but most were in the 40 to 150 mg/1 range (Table 3). This is
probably related to concentrations of anions of the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate-
equilibrium. Conductivity (umho/cm) ranged from 130 in the Kuparuk River to
3000 in the Sagavanirktok River at Deadhorse, although most streams were
within the 200-400 range. Parallel seasonal trends are shown by conductivity
and alkalinity data from two stations in the Chena River (Figure 11). Both
parameters reveal some increase during the winter with an abrupt decrease

at spring "breakup" and both show the highest values at the lower stations
until "breakup" when a reversal appears (Frey, et. al., 1970).

Biological and Management Implications

Low D.0. may affect large populations of endemic and anadromous fish whether
occurring in large or small drainages. For example, drainages as small as
Shaw Creek support sizable populations of grayling, and larger watersheds
such as the Chena harbor significant populations of grayling, chum and king
Salmon, with potential for even larger runs of anadromous fish. The
Gulkana-Copper River system supports populations of grayling throughout the
year, as well as salmon in various stages of development. the biota of
these particular lotic systems are not unique; other less known but equally
important rivers support large populations of aquatic biota and contribute
substantially to the total aquatic resources of Alaska.

25


Winter Dissolved Oxygen from Various Rivers in Alaska

TABLE 2

(Single Samples During Field Trip)

March 1969

February 1971

Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved Oxygen

Stream mg/1 % Sat.* | mg/1 % Sat.*
Tanana-Tetlin Junction 5.7 40
Moose Creek ae aan
Shaw Creek 1.3 9
Delta Clearwater (Lodge)! 11.6 10.3 72
Gerstle River 14.0 ooo ---- ---
Johnson River? ---- oo 13.3 92
Robertson River 13.1 91 a ---
Tok River (Tok Cutoff) 10.8 75 sens oo
Chisana River, 67 7.8 54
Gardner Creek? - --- 0.0 0
Guikana River Stated ated 9.0 63
Slana River 8.0 56 7.7 53
Chistochina River4 12.4 86 12.9 90
Gakona River 14.0 97 15.3 106
Copper River 4.6 2.9 21
Tazlina River 11.4 10.9 76
Tsina River - 13.0 90
Tiekel River 12.6 87
Donnelly Creek taatad aed 65
Ruby Creek 8.5 59 aoe
Phelan Creek cece o> 83
Little Nelchina River 12.8 89 ---
Chickaloon River 13.7 95 o>
Matanuska River, Palmer 13.1 91
Matanuska River, below Palmer 12.9 90
Knik River 13.4 93
Eagle River 12.8 89 ---
Kenai River 13.2 92 ited
Porcupine River(near Old Rampart) 10.5 73 os
Colville River(4.8km E of Umiat) 3.4 24 ---
Colville River (at Umiat) 7.5 52 ---
Kuparuk 8.4 58 58

* Calculated at 0°C
Ispring fed
20verflow water
Ssulfurous odor

foverflow water

Sunder 4 m of ice

24


SECTION I
CONCLUSIONS

1. Severe winter D.0. depression may appear in any river located in
Arctic-Subarctic Alaska. This winter phenomenon is the net result of a
complex interaction of many "natural" factors. Data collected during 4
years of investigation and from 36 widely separated Alaskan Rivers
revealed that a wide range of D.0. concentrations were found but that
many rivers contained severely depressed D.0. concentrations.

2. Rivers of all size drainages and surface discharges may undergo
severe natural D.Q. depression. Furthermore, rivers located in widely
separated localities may show D.0. depression.

3. In rivers exhibiting the depressed D.0. phenomenon, two patterns
have been recognized: The D.0. concentration at any one station is
gradually depressed from near saturation in October to severe depletion
in February or March. Also, the D.0. delpetion usually becomes more
severe when proceeding from the headwaters toward the mouth.

4, Annual low D.O. values are usually found during winter in Alaskan
streams while annual Tow D.O. is usually found during summer in temperate
areas such as Cincinnati, Ohio.

5. Annual high D.O. values are usually present during the short spring
breakup and fall freezeup period in arctic and subarctic areas, but
are usually found during winter in temperate areas.

6. An inverse relationship between D.0. and water temperatures is
found only during the warm months of summer in arctic and subarctic areas,
but is usually found throughout the year in temperate areas.

7. Conductivity, alkalinity and pH ranged widely from river to river
and from station to station. Alkalinity and conductivity are generally
higher in winter and are directly correlated in any one river system.
The pH generally decreases when proceeding downstream during the winter.
North Slope rivers tend to be slightly acidic and Interior rivers are
usually slightly to moderately alkaline.


DISCHARGE (CUBIC FEET PER SECOND)

5500

5000

4500

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

O——O 1966
O---O 1969
&—4 1970

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP
CHENA RIVER MEAN MONTHLY DISCHARGE
(DATA FROM U.S.G.S. )

FIGURE 4
15


18.

16,

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

Kog], D. R., 1965. Springs and Ground-water as Factors Affecting Survival
of Chum Salmon Spawn in a Sub-arctic Stream. Masters Thesis. University
of Alaska, College, Alaska. 59 pp.

Lamar, W. L., 1966. "Chemical Character and Sedimentation of the Waters."
In M. J. Wilimovsky and J. N. Wolfe (Ed.), Environment of the Cape

Thompson Region, Alaska. U. S. Atomic Energy Comm., Oak Ridge., pp. 133-148.

Larimore, R. W., et. al., 1959. "Destruction and Re-estab] ishment of
Stream Fish and Invertebrates Affected by Drought." Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.
88, 261-85. es

Lotspeich, F. B., and Schallock, E. W., 1972. Laboratory Evaluation of
an Improved Sampling Procedure for Dissolved Oxygen. Environmental
Protection Agency, Alaska Water Laboratory, College, Alaska. Working
Paper 15. 17 pp.

MacCrimmon, H.R. and Kelso, J.R.M. 1970. Seasonal Variation in Selected
Nutrients of a River System. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 27(5):837-846.

Madsen, B. L., 1968. The Distribution of Nymphs of Brochyptera risi Mort.
and Nemoura flexuosa Aub. (Plecoptera) in Relation to Oxygen. Oikos
19: p. 304-370.

Magnuson, J., and Stuntz, W. E., 1970. "A Siphon Water Sampler for Use
Through the Ice." Limnology and Oceanography, 15:156-158

Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati. Data furnished by
correspondence with Mr. A. E. Schwer, Jr.

Morrow, J. E., 1971. The Effects of Extreme Floods and Placer Mining on
the Basic Productivity of Sub-arctic Streams. Report No. IWR-14, Univer-
sity of Alaska, College, Alaska. 7 pp.

Mosevich, N. A., 1947. "Winter Ice Conditions in the Rivers of the Ob-
Irtysh Basin" (Russian). Izv. vses. Inst. ozern rechn. ryb. Khoz. 25,
1-56. 32, 319, 434.

Mossewitsch, N. A., 1961. "Sauerstoffdefizit in den Flussen des West-
sibirischen Tieflandes, Seine Ursachen und Einflusse auf die aquatische
Fauna." Verh. int. Verein. theor. angew. Limnol. 14, 447-50. 319-20.

Norwood, G., and Cross, R. J., 1968. "Alaska Water Resources, A strategic
National Asset." Address to the seminar on the Continental use of Arctic
Flowing Rivers, Washington Water Research Center, Pullman, Washington.

29 pp.

Schallock, E. W., and Lotspeich, F. B., 1974. New Precise Dissolved
Oxygen Sampling Technique for Extremely Cold Environment. Environmental
Protection Agency, Alaska Water Laboratory, College, Alaska.

Manuscript in preparation,

32


28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33,

34.

35.

36.

Scheller, M.V., 1955. "Oxygen Depletion in Salt Creek, Indiana."
Invest. Indiana Lakes and Streams, 4:163-175.

Stewart, N.E., Shumway, D.L., and Doudoroff, P., 1967. “Influence of
Oxygen Concentration on the Growth of Juvenile Largemouth Bass," J. Fish
Res. Board of Canada. 24(3):475-494,

Watson, D.G., Hanson, W.C., Davis, J.J., and Cushing, C.F., 1966.
“Limnology of Tundra Ponds and Ogotoruk Creek," in M.J. Wilimovsky and
J.N. Wolfe (Ed.), Environment of the Cape Thompson Region, Alaska. U.S.
Atomic Energy Comm., Oak Ridge. 1250 pp.

Whitton, B.R., 1972. Environmental Limits of Plants in Flowing Waters.

In Conservation and Productivity of Natural Waters, edited by R.W. Edwards
and D.J. Garrod. Symposium of the Zoological Society of London.

No. 29, p. 3-19.

U.S. Federal Field Committee for Development Planning in Alaska. 1971.
Economic Qutlook for Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska. 392 pp.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1969. District Chief, Water Resources Division,
975 West Third Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1969. Water Resources Data for Alaska. Part I.
Surface Water Records. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Geological Survey, 218
E Street, Skyline Building, Anchorage, Alaska.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1970. Water Resources Data for Alaska. Part I.
Surface Water Records. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Geological Survey, 218
E Street, Skyline Building, Anchorage, Alaska.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1971. Water Resources Data for Alaska. Part I
Surface Water Records. U.S. Dept of the Interior, Geological Survey. 218
E Street, Skyline Building, Anchorage, Alaska.

US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1974 546-219/402 1-3 33


Mean Monthly Discharge (4000 CFS.)

Data From U.S.GS.1970

(MG/L)

Dissolved Oxygen

350 —

300 |

n
a
°
T

xy
9°
°
T

150

100

so }—

1 L | 1 1 1 t 1 i J
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

°
=

144

12

10 LL

° FA a OO (mouth)

1040 980 920 860 840 715 635 520 450 400 80 0
River Mile

Figure 8 Mean Monthly Discharge (1970) And Winter Dissolved
Oxygen (1971) Data From The Yukon River.


ABSTRACT

Water samples collected during the years 1969 through 1972, from 36
selected Alaskan rivers were analyzed for dissolved oxygen, pH,
conductivity and alkalinity. Dissolved oxygen (D.0.) ranged from 0.0

to 15.3 ml/1 (106 percent saturation);. pH from 6.2 to 8.4; conductivity
varied from 105 to 3000 (umho/cm); and alkalinity from 28 to 410 (mg/1).
Severe D.0. depletion during winter was found in many river systems
large and small, and located in a range of latitudes (70°N to 61°N).
Sufficient data were collected on the Chena, Chatanika, and Salcha Rivers
to reveal annual D.O. trends: near saturation during spring “breakup"
and fall "freezeup" when water temperatures are near 0°C; somewhat

lower D.0. concentrations during warm water summer periods; and yearly
minimum concentrations during the winter (January-March) interval.

Data indicate that D.0. depression begins in October and continues into
February. D.0. from stations near the mouth of a river were generally
depressed more than at upper stations. The latter trend was observed
in the Yukon River which contained 10.5 mg/1 (73 percent saturation)

at the Canadian Border but only 1.9 mg/1 (13 percent) near the mouth

pH gradually decreased in some rivers although alkalinity and conduc-
tivity increased. The depressed winter D.0. concentrations and low
winter discharge in many Alaskan rivers are more severe and widespread
than present literature indicates. Winter conditions may already limit
aquatic organisms in some systems.

ii


OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this project were twofold: first, to develop an
accurate and precise dissolved oxygen sampling technique under arctic

and subarctic winter conditions and; second, to accurately determine winter
dissolved oxygen concentrations and to collect pH, conductivity and alka-
linity data from specific Alaskan streams and river systems.

Numerous sampling techniques utilizing electronic devices, spring powered
entrapment tools, and siphon methods (Magnuson and Stuntz, 1970) have
been described, but these techniques do not reliably provide means to
obtain accurate results in the severe winter climates. Electronic devices
may fail because of cold stress on batteries, wires and delicate instrument
packages that were not designed for use in a harsh environment; mechanical
devices may fail because of ice blocked tubes and valves; siphon samplers
are not reliable because of ice formation in tubes. All these techniques
result in air and/or ice-contaminated samples. As a result, a technique
utilizing the immersion of BOD bottles containing nitrogen was developed
and has been described by Schallock and Lotspeich (1974).

The new sampling technique was used to collect water samples, with the
smallest bias possible, to provide an accurate determination of low winter
D.0. concentrations. These precise data were then used to determine the
severity of the D.0. depression. Furthermore, D.0. patterns were developed
and when combined with the pH, conductivity, and alkalinity data, can be
utilized to make recommendations for future water resource management de-
cisions.


In extreme cold temperatures, frozen samples were the most frequent prob-
lem. Exothermic chemical heaters were used to warm the insulated boxes
housing the sample bottles and reagents. However, some samples did freeze
when air temperatures were below minus 20°C if more than a few minutes lapsed
between sampling and return to the heated vehicle. This happened most often
when fixed wing aircraft could only land some distance from suitable sampling
sites.

Success or failure of a winter field trip often depends upon the ice auger.
Efforts to insure starting included keeping the powerhead warm by transporting
it inside the heated vehicle; using starting fluid; and adding deicing solu-
tion to the fuel. The basic ice auger featured a lightweight powerhead (20
Ibs) and removeable auger flites and handles. Modifications included addition
of a Y-shaped handle for use by two men to control severe twisting when hard
ice strata or stream bottom were encountered, and replacement of round shaft
by square shaft ends on auger flites enabled quick alignment and pin placement
when adding or removing flites. Large pins with thumb-sized heads permitted
manipulation while wearing heavy mittens.

10


EPA-660/3-74-008
April 1974

LOW WINTER DISSOLVED OXYGEN
IN SOME ALASKAN RIVERS

by

Eldor W. Schallock
Frederick B. Lotspeich
Arctic Environmental Research Laboratory
College, Alaska

Project 21ARX
Program Element 1BA021

National Environmental Research Center
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Corvallis, Oregon 97330

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.8. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.O, 20402 - Price 85 cents


10,

i.

12.

14,

REFERENCES

Alaska State Water Quality Standards 1973. Title 18 Environmental Conser-
vation. Chapter 70. Water Quality Standards. 18 AAC 70.010-110. Juneau,
Alaska

American Public Health Association Inc. 1971. Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Waste Water. 13th Edition. American Public
HeaTth Assoc. Inc., 1740, New York, N.Y. 874 pp.

Anonymous, 1970. Water Quality Data on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Route.
Alaska Operations Office, Federal Water Quality Administration. (Now Envir-
onmental Protection Agency) Anchorage, Alaska

Davis, G. E., Foster, J., Warren, C. E. and Doudoroff, P., 1963. The
Influence of Oxygen Concentration on the Swimming Performance of Juvenile
Pacific Salmon at Various Temperatures. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 92: 111-124

Doudoroff, P., and Warren, C. E., 1957. “Biological Indices of Water Pol-
lution, with Special Reference to Fish Populations," In Biological Prob-
lems_in Water Pollution, Transactions of the 1956 Seminar, C. M. Tarzwell,
(editor). R.A. Taft Engineering Center, U.S. Department of Health, Edu-
cation and Welfare., 272 pp.

Drachev, S. M., 1964. The Oxygen Regime and Process of Self Purification
in Reservoirs with Retarded Discharge. Advances in Water Pollution Re-
search, The MacMilTan Company, New York.

Frey, P. J., 1969. Ecological Changes in the Chena River. U.S. Dept. of
the Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control Admin., Northwest Region.
Alaska Water Laboratory, College, Alaska. 41 pp.

Frey, P.J., Mueller, E.W., and Berry, E.C., 1970. The Chena River,

A Study of a Subarctic Stream. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Federal Water
Quality Admin., Alaska Water Laboratory, College, Alaska. 96 pp.

Gordon, R. C., 1972. Winter Survival of Fecal Indicator Bacteria ina
Subarctic Alaskan River. Environmental Protection Agency, Alaska Water

Laboratory, College, Alaska. 41 pp.

Greze, I. I., 1953. "“Hydrobiology of the Lower Part of the River Angara”
(Russian) Trudy vses. gidrobiol. Obshch. 5, 203-11.

Hynes, H. B. N., 1960. The Biology of Polluted Waters. Liverpool
University Press.

Hynes, H. B. N., 1970. The Ecology of Running Waters. University of
Toronto Press. 555 pp.

Huet, M., 1962. “Water Quality Criteria for Fish Life." In Biological
Problems in Water Pollution, Third Seminar. U. S. Dept. of Health, Edu-

cation and Welfare.

Kalff, J., 1968. "Some Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Arctic
Freshwater in Alaska and Northwestern Canada." J.Fish. Res. Bd. Canada,
24:2576-2587

31


Dissolved oxygen data from the summer reveal high concentrations with
smal] differences along the length of the river (Figure 7). In addition,
comparing D.0. data to temperature data from June and August reveals the
same, although smaller, inverse relationship between D.0. and temperature
than was observed in the Chena River. Further comparison of these summer
data to the limited winter data supports the hypothesis that D.0. is more
depressed at lower stations; the similarity of other patterns shown by the
Sagavanirktok River and the Chena River indicates the possibility that
this also exists.

Yukon River

The Yukon River, with its rich historical past, large fishing industry,
outstanding waterfowl resource, high annual discharge, and international
importance, is one of the most important rivers in North America. The
headwaters originate in Canada and the lower 1000 miles transverse the
entire state of Alaska from east to west. The Yukon annually discharges
a total volume near 124,300,000 acre feet and an average daily volume of
171,600 CFS at Ruby, Alaska (U.S.G.S., 1969). It was therefore important
to examine the winter D.0. trends present in this larger river system.

Two field trips were taken to the Yukon River during March 1971. A total
of 14 samples were collected from 12 stations extending over 1664 km (1040
miles) between Eagle, near the Canadian border, and Alakanuk, near the
mouth. The upper seven stations were sampled in early March and the lower
seven stations were sampled in late March; the two intermediate stations
near the Ray River, 1044 km (river mile 715), and the village of Tanana,
1016 km (river mile 635) were sampled both trips to provide overlap and
continuity.

In the Yukon, as in other rivers studied, dissolved oxygen concentrations
decrease when proceeding downstream (Figure 8). Water collected at the
upper-most station at Eagle (1664 km) contained 10.5 mg/1 (73 percent
saturation) while water at Alakanuk near the mouth contained 1.9 mg/1 (13
percent saturation). Some minor irregularities exist in the general trend
but the only major anomaly was found at Ruby, 832 km (river mile 520).
Here the sample was collected from an area of the river where no current
could be detected; whereas, all others were collected from areas with de-
tectable current. It is probable that the Yukon River also undergoes
gradual D.0. depression during the winter and that the D.0. concentration
gradually recovers in spring, in a manner similar to the Chena River.

Since the spring rise in D.0. concentration is related to "breakup",

this phenomenon in the Yukon River probably occurs later than in the
Chena River.

Tanana_ River

The Tanana River is very important to interior Alaska. It drains 25,600
square miles and in doing so discharges 17,600,000 acre feet per year

19


RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES

Research reports of the Office of Research and
Monitoring, Environmental Protection Agency, have
been grouped into five series. These five broad
categories were established to facilitate further
development and application of environmental
technology. Elimination of traditional grouping
was consciously planned to foster technology
transfer and a maximum interface in related
fields. The five series are:

1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research

4. Environmental Monitoring

5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies

This report has been assigned to the ECOLOGICAL
RESEARCH series. This series describes research
on the effects of pollution on humans, plant and
animal species, and materials. Problems are
assessed for their long- and short-term
influences. Investigations include formaticn,
transport, and pathway studies to determine the
fate of pollutants and their effects. This work
provides the technical basis for setting standards
to minimize undesirable changes in living
organisms in the aquatic, terrestrial and
atmospheric environments.


TABLE 3

Conductivity, alkalinity, and pH from Various Rivers in Alaska
(February 1971)

Stream Cond. pH. Alkalinity
(umoh/cm) (mg/1)
Tanana-Tetlin Junction 350 - 148
Tanana, below Nenana - - -
Moose Creek 240 6.6 134
Shaw Creek 230 7.8 100
Delta Clearwater (Lodge) ! 290 - 14
Gerstle River - - -
Johnson River? 400 - 120
Robertson River - - -
Tok River (Tok cutoff) 450 - 135
Chisana River 310 - 135
Gardiner Creek? 410 - 224
Gulkana River (Summit Lake) 105 7.4 46
Slana River 350 7.6 120
Chistochina River* 350 7.9 127
Gakona River >800 7.4 410
Copper River >800 7.1 310
Tazlina River 210 7.9 64
Tsina River 180 8.3 62
Tiekel River 140 8.0 44
Porcupine River (near old Rampart) 650** 7.8 160
Colville River (3 miles E of Umiat)> 1160 6.8 280
Colville River (at Umiat) 520 6.8 110
Sagavanirktok River (Sagwon) 1700 6.9 >400
Sagavanirktok River (Deadhorse)/ 3000 6.4 >400
Kuparuk® 130 6.4 28

** Data from 1969 (field kit measurements for alkalinity)

Ispring fed 5Under 12 foot of ice
2overflow water 6slight organic odor
3sulfurous odor 7Collected in May
4overflow water 8some open water

27


(U.S.G.S., 1971) while becoming the largest tributary to the Yukon River.
Situated in this drainage are the communities of Fairbanks, Nenana, Tanana,
North Pole, Eielson, Delta and Tok. These communities may already affect
some of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the
Tanana and it is expected that continued growth and further development
will place even more demands upon this river system.

The D.O. pattern of the Tanana River was similar to that of the Yukon
River. Data presented in Figure 9 revealed that D.0. concentrations were
gradually and consistently depressed when proceeding downstream. The D.O.
at station T-800, near the confluence with the Chena River, was about 10
mg/1 while the concentration at station T-100, near the confluence with
the Yukon River, was near 6.0 mg/1. Comparison of data from samples col-
lected on February 23, at each station, to those collected on March 5, at
the same respective stations, revealed that D.0. concentrations had in-
creased at each station. It is probable that D.0. concentrations had been
more severely depressed earlier in the winter.

Other Alaskan Rivers

Winter dissolved oxygen data from additional rivers in Alaska were
collected during field trips timed to coincide with anticipated winter
D.0. depression. Sample sites were located where the road crossed the
river or where it was convenient and safe to land the aircraft with no
concern given to whether the station was close to the mouth or contained
open water in the area. Consequently, some sample sites were located on
upper or open water reaches of a river where severe depression would not
normally be expected. :

As anticipated, D.0. concentrations ranged widely from 0.0 mg/1 to 15.3
mg/1 (Table 2). No pattern is readily apparent from these data since
low D.0. was found under a variety of conditions. Data from streams with
small discharges (near 20 CFS) such as Moose, Gardiner, and Shaw Creeks,
reveal D.0. concentrations of less than 2.0 mg/1. Furthermore, rivers
with larger discharges (summer discharges greater than 1000 CFS) such as
the Colville and Copper Rivers, may contain depressed D.0. concentrations
as low as 3.4 mg/1 (24 percent saturation).

Rivers from different geographic locations such as the North Slope of
Alaska flowing north (Sagavanirktok, Colville, Kuparuk); rivers of in-
terior Alaska draining southwest (Yukon, Chena, Chatanika); rivers drain-

ing south (Gulkana, Copper); all contain depressed D.0. concentrations
(Table 2).

Limited data from some rivers, such as the Kenai, Eagle, Knik, Matanuska,
and Chickaloon, located south of the Alaska Range show that rivers near
Anchorage contained D.0. concentrations near 13 mg/1 (90 percent satura-
tion). The Tiekel and Tsina Rivers near Valdez show similar winter D.0.
concentrations. However, these data are not sufficient to conclude that
these rivers do not undergo D.0. depression. In summary, many rivers,
large and small, located from 70°N to 61°N latitudes, may contain waters
with depressed D.0. during winters.

22


ARCTIC OCEAN

POINT
BARROW
am BEAUFORT SEA
PRUDHOE
S COLVILLE R £

KYPARUK’

SAGAVANIRKTOK &

ae PORCUPINE §

HATANIKA R.
CHENA R,

SALCHA TC

FAIRBANKS —“ZGoscR maw ca

YUKON R.
DELTA CLEARWATER ®

a,

yuan y:

LITTLE NANA R.

we cet
‘
MATANUSKA R
“a ANCHO 5
Win

ic) VALDEZ

A COPPER &
> Ste

Cc og

KENATR

FIGURE 4

‘
ie MAP OF ALASKA SHOWING LOCATIONS a».
myst *

OF STREAM SYSTEMS THAT WERE
SAMPLED (REFER TO TABLE 1 FOR GROUPS OF
STREAM SYSTEMS CODED BY NUMBERS 1 - 6)

:
miles,


SECTION V
METHODS

Sampling for dissolved oxygen was achieved by using three sampling
techniques. Initially, the Van Dorn bottle technique was the standard
against which the other two field techniques were compared. This Van Dorn
technique was retained as long as possible but was finally abandoned be-
cause of ice formation on all surfaces and apertures during cold tempera-
tures. When used in air temperatures as cold as 40°C, the cold bottle was
immediately covered with ice when submerged in the 0°C water. The ice
problem prevented using the sampler more than once unless the ice was

melted after each submersion. The other two methods use a standard BOD
bottle as the sample container. One method consisted of immersing an air-
filled BOD bottle in the stream and allowing the water to flow into the
container with turbulent mixing during displacement of air. It became
apparent that this mixing of air and water caused biased D.0. concentrations.
The second method was an attempt to alleviate this problem by introducing
nitrogen into the BOD bottle through a tube extended to the bottom.
Schallock and Lotspeich (1974) further describe this technique and relate
that samples collected using the nitrogren displacement technique were as
much as 0.5 mg/1 lower than those samples collected using air-filled bottles.
A laboratory study of the nitrogen technique has been conducted and published
by Lotspeich and Schallock (1972). All D.0. samples were analyzed using the
azide modification of the Winkler Method (Standard Methods, American Public
Health Association, 1966, pp 477-81).

Temperature, pH, conductivity and alkalinity were measured as soon as
possible after collection, Whenever possible, samples were collected and
quickly transported to the heated interior of a truck or aircraft where
reliable instruments were used to analyze samples. Conductivity measure-
ments were made using a Beckman Model RB3-338 bridge with an epoxy dip

cell with a cel] constant of 0.2. pH was measured with a Model 401 Orion
specific ion meter. Alkalinity was measured by substituting methyl purple
for the methyl] orange indicator and then following the procedures specified
in Standard Methods (American Public Health Association, 1966, pp 50-51).

In addition to error introduced by the sample procedures, other problems
causing sample contamination were encountered. Floating ice could enter
the sample bottle during submersion or when returning the bottle to the
surface, thus affecting subsequent analysis. These errors were avoided
wherever possible by cleaning the ice out of the auger hole or by putting
the stopper in the neck while the bottle was submerged.

Thick ice also caused sampling problems. Unbiased sampling requires that
the water sample be collected from flowing water which carries away any
water aerated or agitated by the ice auger. Samples collected from the dis-
turbed area could range as much as 2 mg/l higher than samples collected from
undisturbed water (EPA, unpublished data). In areas where the ice thickness
exceeded approximately 2 feet, an extension tool was used to hold the BOD
bottle firmly and to transport it downward through the hole into the undis-
turbed water. A more detailed description of the device is provided by
Gordon (1972).