Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 196 Series M, General HydrograpMc Investigations, 21 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR

WATER SUPPLY

NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA, ALASKA

1906

BY

JOHN C. HOYT AND FRED F. HENSHAW

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1907
Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 196 Series M, General Hydrograpbic Investigations, 21 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY

CHARLES I). WALCOTT, DlKECTC

WATER SUPPLY

NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA, ALASKA

Water Resources Branch, 1906 Geological Survey,

Box 31 06, Capitol Station

Oklahoma City, Okla.

BY

JOHN C. HOYT AND FRED F. HENSHAW

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1907
CONTENTS.

Page.

Introduction.............................................................. 5

General description of area................................................ 7

Conditions affecting water supply........................................... 8

Measurements of flow...................................................... 12

Explanation of data and methods of work.............................. 12

Nome River drainage basin ........................................... 13

General description............................................... 13

Nome River above Miocene intake................................. 14

Buffalo Creek.................................................... 15

Dorothy Creek.................................................... 16

The Miocene ditch system.......................................... 16

General description........................................... 16

Miocene ditch at Black Point................................... 17

Miocene ditch at the flume .................................... 18

Jett Creek ditch............................................... 19

Grand Central ditch .......................................... 19

David Creek ditch............................................. 19

Seepage measurements on Miocene ditch ....................... 20

Campion ditch at Black Point...................................... 21

Seward ditch...................................................... 22

Grand Central River drainage basin..................................... 23

General description............................................... 23

Grand Central River (North Fork)................................. 24

Grand Central River (West Fork)................................... 26

Crater Lake outlet................................................. 28

Grand Central River below the forks................................ 29

Grand Central River below Nugget Creek........................... 30

Gold Run........................................................ 31

Thompson Creek.................................................. 31

Nugget and Copper creeks......................................... 32

Jett Creek......................................................... 33

Morning Call Creek............................................... 33

Salmon Lake......................................................... 34

Kruzgamepa (Pilgrim) River drainage basin below Salmon Lake......... 34

General description............................................... 34

Kruzgamepa River at outlet of Salmon Lake ....................... 35

Crater Creek...................................................... 37

Iron Creek....................................................... 37

Imuruk basin drainage.......................'.......................... 38

3
4 CONTENTS.

Measurements of flow Continued. Page.

Sinuk River drainage basin............................................ 38

General description ............................................... 38

Additional water supply for Nome ................................. 38

 Upper Sinuk River ............................................... 40

Windy Creek...................................................... 40

North Star Creek.............................................'..... 41

Stewart River..................................................... 41

Slate Creek....................................................... 41

Other Sinuk River drainage........................................ 42

Cripple River drainage basin.......................................... 42

General description............................................... 42

Cedric ditch..................................................... 42

Penny River drainage basin ........................................... 43

Snake River drainage basin........................................... 43

Flambeau and Eldorado rivers drainage basins.......................... 43

Available water supply during 1906......................................... 44

Water supply available for other years and localities......................... 45

Ditch and pipe lines ...................................................... 47

Water-power possibilities................................................... 51

Notes for investors........................................................ 52

Index.................................................................... 53

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. 

PLATE I. Map showing location of measuring stations........................ 6

II. Typical topography, Seward Peninsula ............................ 8

III. A, Tundra between beach and foothills; B, Miocene ditch, Glacier

Creek......................................................... 10

IV. A, Price current meters; B, Measuring Grand Central River ........ 14

V. Rock cut around Cape Horn on Miocene ditch...................... 16

VI. A, Upper Grand Central River drainage; B, Mount Osborn....... 24

FIG. 1. Diagram showing flow of Nome River above Miocene intake and of

Grand Central River below the forks............................ 11
WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWAR1) 

PENINSULA, ALASKA, 1906.

By JOHN C. HOYT and FRED F. HENSHAW.

HNTTRO DUCTKXN".

The successful operation of a placer deposit depends primarily upon 

the water suppty. Data in regard to this supply are essential to its 

economical development, and lack of such information in regard to 

the flow of streams has often caused financial failure in mining as well 

as in other enterprises which depend on water.

For a number of years the United States Geological Survey has 

made in the United States systematic measurements and studies of 

the water supply as one of the great resources of the country. These 

data are now available for all of the more important streams, and are 

extensively used by engineers and others in problems involving water 

power, city water supply, irrigation, and manufacturing.

During the season of 1906 the Survey extended these investigations 

to Alaska in order that information in regard to water supply may be 

available for the economical development of the placer mines and 

water power of that territory. The field work was carried on from 

June 11 to October 3. The work necessary for the preparation of 

this report was done under the direction of the water-resources branch, 

but the expenses were paid from the appropriation for the investigation of the mineral resources of Alaska.

The limited funds available made it necessary to restrict the investigations to a comparatively limited area. Owing to the rich placers 

and extensive mining in the vicinity of Nome the work was confined 

to streams of that section, special attention being given to the more 

important of those that supply water for working the rich deposits 

back of Nome. The gaging stations were so located (see PI. I and the 

following list) that the measurements should show the water available 

in this important area. The additional supply below the points of 

measurement may in many cases have a local value, as has also the 

water of many of the smaller streams, but it wT as impossible to measure 

them on account of the limited funds. The data obtained, however, 

give a fair idea of the conditions of flow that may be expected at 

points in the vicinity where measurements were made (see pp. 44-47) 

and are also of value in determining the flow that may be expected in 

other parts of this region.
6 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

List of gaging stations.*1

1. Nome River above Miocene intake.

2. Buffalo Creek.

3. Dorothy Creek.

4. Miocene ditch at Black Point.

5. Miocene ditch at flume.

6. Hobson Creek at Miocene ditch crossing.

7. David Creek ditch intake.

8. Seward ditch intake.

9. Grand Central River (north fork) at elevation 750 feet.

10. Grand Central River (north fork) at elevation 1,030 feet.

11. Grand Central River (west fork) at elevation 860 feet.

12. Grand Central River (west fork) at elevation 1,010 feet.

13. Crater Lake outlet.

14. Grand Central River below forks.

15. Grand Central River below Nugget Creek.

16. Gold Run.

17. Thompson Creek.

18. Nugget Creek.

19. Copper Creek.

20. Jett Creek.

21. Morning Call Creek.

22. Kruzgamepa River at outlet of Salmon Lake.

23. Crater Creek.

24. Iron Creek below mouth of Canyon Creek.

25. Iron (Dome) Creek.

26. Eldorado Creek.

27. Discovery Creek.

28. Canyon Creek.

29. Sinuk River.

30. Windy Creek.

31. North Star Creek.

32. Stewart River.

33. Slate Creek.

34. Josie Creek.

35. Irene Creek.

36. Jessie Creek.

37. Upper Oregon Creek.

38. Slate Creek.

39. Aurora Creek.

40. Penny River at elevation 420 feet.

41. Penny River at elevation 120 feet.

42. Eldorado River.

43. Fall Creek.

44. Glacier Creek.

45. Snow Gulch.

The hearty cooperation of the mining and other interests in the 

vicinity of Nome greatly facilitated the work. In this connection 

special acknowledgment is made to the officers and employees of the 

Miocene Ditch Company, Wild Goose Mining and Trading Company,

a Number refers to PI. I.
PL. 196 NO. PAPER WATER-SUPPLY SURVEY GEOLOGICAL S. U. 

measurement; of Points > 

text in list to refer numbers 

gages Ram X 

STATIONS. MEASURING OF LOCATION SHOWING MAP 
GENEEAL DESCRIPTION. <

Cedric Ditch Company, Pioneer Mining Company, Gold Beach Development Company, and the United Ditch Company; to W. L. Leland, of 

the Three Friends Mining Company; to J. E. Styers, superintendent 

of the National Wood Pipe Company; and to Arthur Gibson, George 

Ashley, William E. Morris, J. Potter Whittren, and George M. Ashford, civil and mining engineers, Nome.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF AREA.

The region covered by this investigation is, in a general way, 15 to 

20 miles wide and stretches 40 miles inland from the town of Nome, 

which is situated on the southern coast of the Seward Peninsula. 

While most of the measurements were made about 20 to 25 miles 

from the coast, at points where the altitude is sufficiently high to 

make the water available for mining high-level placers, some trips 

were also made into the adjacent regions to the east and west.

The region embraces three types of topography, which, from south 

to north, are (1) a coastal plain, (2) an upland, and (3) a mountain 

mass.

Bordering the coast line between Cape Nome and Cape Rodney is 

an area of low relief, which stretches back to the foothills with a 

width of from 2 to 5 miles. This lowland, known as the Nome tundra, 

is made up in general of wet moss-covered ground, rising with a gentle 

slope to an elevation of between 200 and 300 feet at the southern 

margin of the upland.

The ridges that constitute the upland trend in a general way north 

and south, rising from about 700 feet near the coast to 2,000 feet 30 

miles inland. These ridges are separated by the broad U-shaped 

valleys of the larger drainage courses. Thirty miles from the coast 

the ridges are united by an east-west ridge, which presents & steep 

escarpment toward a broad depression to the north. This depression 

separates the upland from the Kigluaik Mountains.

The east-west ridge is broken by broad low gaps, a feature of great 

importance to the engineer who contemplates tapping the water 

resources of the Kigluaik Mountains. North of the depression the 

Kigluaik Mountains, locally known as the Sawtooth Range, rise 

abruptly, constituting a rugged east-west mass, sharply dissected, 

with serrated crest line. As these mountains have been the center of 

local glaciation in recent times, their valleys are characterized by 

cirques, which form important sources of water for the district.

Most of the area here 'considered drains southward to Bering Sea 

through Nome and Snake rivers, whose sources lie close to the ridge 

which forms the northern boundary of the upland. Besides these, a 

part of the waters of the upland also flow southward to Bering Sea 

through Eldorado, Flambeau, Cripple, and Penny rivers. The valleys 

of all of these are of about the same type broad and deep in the
8 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

upland, with gentle slopes for 300 to BOO feet, then steeper walled to 

crest lines, which vary from 800 to 1,500 feet in altitude. Their floors 

are usually covered with gravels. Some of the smaller tributaries 

occupy sharply incised trenches and have but a thin coating of gravel 

on their rock floors.

The east and west depression which separates the upland from the 

mountains to the north is drained in part by streams flowing west to 

Sinuk River, which empties into Bering Sea, and in part by streams 

flowing east to Kruzgamepa River, which discharges into Imuruk 

Basin. The streams draining the southern slope of the Kigluaik 

Mountains are all tributary to one or the other of the two systems. 

Many of them head in glacial cirques and flow through steep-walled 

rock-bound valleys, and all have torrential courses.

The general character of all the drainage areas is the same (see 

PI. II). The streams have little slope, except in their extreme upper 

portions, and spread over wide gravelly beds, in which they often 

divide into several channels or disappear in the gravel. The channels 

are also subject to considerable shifting during floods. For from 1,000 

to 3,000 feet on either side of this gravelly'bed extend level or gentlesloping bottom lands, from which the hills rise quite abruptly. The 

drainage basins are from 4 to 12 miles wide. The tributary streams 

are in most cases short and flow in narrow ravines having steep 

sides. Their slope is great, and in many cases they are made up of a 

series of rapids, waterfalls, and pools.

Practically the whole country to an elevation of 1,000 feet is covered with a thick turf, commonly known as "tundra" (see PI. Ill, A). 

On this in the summer there is a rank growth of grass dotted with wild 

flowers of many varieties, and in some areas there is. considerable 

moss. There are no trees with the exception of occasional patches of 

scrub willow and alder, which in the absence of better fuel can be used 

for firewood. Much of the ground within 2 feet of the surface remains 

frozen throughout the year. The soil in the lowlands is mostly gravel, 

overlain with muck, and often contains a large per cent of water, 

which, when it thaws out in the summer time, makes the muck very 

soft. Some considerable areas are underlain by clear ice. The hills 

are composed largely of schist and limestone rock, mantled with loose 

slide and gravel. Thawing often causes serious slides.

CONDITIONS AFFECTING WATER SUPPLY.

Three sources of water supply contribute to the run-off of the 

Seward Peninsula: (1) Summer rains; (2) melting of accumulated 

snow; (3) ground water originating mostly from melting ice.

Of the rainfall there is but little direct data, as few rainfall records 

were kept in this section until the present year, when four rainfall 

stations were established in connection with the hydrographic studies.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 196 PL. II

TYPICAL TOPOGRAPHY OF SEWARD PENINSULA.
CONDITIONS AFFECTING WATEK SUPPLY. 9

The present year was one of drought; therefore the records can not be 

taken as a mean.

The four rain gages were located at Nome, at Salmon Lake, at Claim 

No. 15 Ophir Creek, and at Deering. The gage at Nome was read by 

Mr. Arthur Gibson. It was located on the roof of a house, about 20 

feet above the ground and about 40 feet above sea level. The gage at 

Salmon Lake was placed on the ground at an elevation of about 450 

feet above sea level and was read by Mr. John P. Samuelson. The 

location of the gage at No. 15 Ophir is not known. No records were 

obtained from Deering.

During the month of June there was only a trace of rain on one day 

at Nome, and on three days at Salmon Lake. During the present 

season it was also noted that the country is subject to local showers.

The only previous record knowTn to have been kept at Nome was 

made in 1-900, when the precipitation was 0.60 of an inch from August 

13 to 31 and 7 inches in September.

The following data, compiled from observations by members of the 

Geological Survey and from other sources, throw some light on the 

general weather conditions of Seward Peninsula for the last eight 

years:

1899. July, 4 rainy days; August, 14 rainy days; September, 14 rainy days; recorded 

at Teller.

1900. June to July, inclusive, warm and dry, tundra fires common; August to end of 

September, rain.

1901. June to August, inclusive, cold and foggy with some rain; September to October, inclusive, usually clear and cold with one or two hard rains of few days' 

duration.

1902. June, dry; July. 10 rainy days; August, 6 rainy days; September, 3 rainy days;

recorded at Teller.

Summer warm; little rain, but considerable fog. 

June, dry; rainy days as follows: 10 in July, 10 in August, 10 in September;

temperature moderate. 

Very wet and cold the whole season.

1903

1904

1905.

1906. Very warm and dry; tundra fires common; temperature reached as high as 85°.

The following tables give the mean monthly and the daily precipitation at the various stations during 1906:

Monthly rainfall, in inches, in Nome region, June to September, 1906.

Station.

Nome

Ophir....................................

June. July.

2.38

4.92

0 E7

August.

2.50

3.33

1.91

her.

1.02

3.26

Total, 

June to 

August.

4.88

8.25

Total, 

June to

5.90

11.51

No record.
10 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

Daily rainfall, in inches, at stations near Nome, 1906.

1....................

2. ...................

3....................

4... .................

5. ...................

6....................

7....................

8....................

9....................

10.... ................

11. ...................

12....................

13... .................

16....................

17....................

18

July.

Nome. Salmon 

Lake. Ophir.

i

00.52 

.37

.92 

.14

.04

::::::::::

19 ......

20....................

21....................

22

23....................

24

25. ...................

27....................

28... .................

29....................

30. ...................

31....................

Total..........

0.12 ..........

.35

.35

.10 

.17 

. 2.32

.31

.25

..........

.25

.u8 - - -

'.0427 .35

0.02 

.23 

1.30

.19

.85

.01

.02

.01 

.02

.02

.6i

.01

.60 

.25 

.01

.01

2.38 4.92 3.57

August.

Nome. Salmon 

Lake.

0.07

& .41

Trace.

.80

.22

.04 

.37 

.30 

.14

15

0.17 

.07 

.23

.28

.29

.16

Ophir.

Trace.

0.01 

.05 

.03

.08 

.12

.01

.10

.57

.50

.01

.78 

.23

I

2. 50 3. 33

.31 

.31

.22

.05 

.40 

.32

1.91

September.

Nome.

0.04

Salmon 

Lake.

0.14

.01

.12

.01

.14

.16 

.23

.28 

.04

1.02

.03

- - --

.01 

.28 

1.06 

.99 

.55 

.16 

.03

3.26

a Total, July 1-7. 6 Total, Aug. 6-7. 

NOTE. During June there was no measurable precipitation at any of the stations.

No data as to actual quantity of snowfall are available, but from 

conversation with residents it is believed that the annual snowfall is 

not great, seldom exceeding from 2 to 3 feet. With the exception 

of the drifts which form in the gulches and the ice banks along the 

beds of the rivers practically all snow in the drainage studied melted 

before the first of June; therefore, excepting the streams whose 

sources are in the protected gulches, the snow storage has but little 

effect upon the run-off.

The ground water comes from the melting of the frozen ground, 

which carries a large per cent of water. Its quantity depends, therefore, on the temperature and surface covering and action of rain. 

The thawing of the ground is slow and never reaches any great depth, 

so the rain does not have an opportunity to be taken up as ground 

storage, except late in the season. Early frosts, however, interfere 

with this storage, so that it can be said that practically all the ground 

water comes from melting ice.

With the exception of Sinuk and Nome rivers, which have their 

sources in the Kigluaik, a short distance apart, the streams flowing 

into Bering Sea rise in the low foothills south of the Kigluaik Range. 

Their drainage areas have a direct southern exposure and practically
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 196 PL. Ill

A. TUNDRA BETWEEN BEACH AND FOOTHILLS,

B MIOCENE DITCH, GLACIER CREEK.
CONDITIONS AFFECTING WATEK STTPPLT. 11

all the snow on them is melted by the first of June. They are therefore limited for their water supply to the summer rains and the ground 

water from the melting ground.

The gulches in the Kigluaik are more protected and hold their 

snow much later in the season. There are also occasional summer 

snows in these mountains, so that the streams which rise in them have 

a much better sustained flow.

Owing to the steep slopes, lack of other vegetation than grass, and 

nearness of the frozen ground to the surface, the water from rainfall 

and thawing finds its wa}T into the streams in a very short time. 

Flood flow comes immediately after showers and extreme warm

5ept9 5eptl9 Sept39

FIG. 1 Diagram showing flow of Nome River above Mio3en- intake and of Grand Central River

below the forks.

spells and is usually of short duration, as there is no way in which the 

excess water can be taken up by the ground and stored (see fig. 1). 

In going along the Miocene ditch during the heavy storm of July 8, 

1906, it was noted that although all supply gates were closed and the 

waste gates were open, the ditch was running full from the rain water 

coming in from the drainage above. Owing to this lack of ground 

storage, which is one of the important factors of maintaining a wellsustained stream flow in warmer climates, the streams depend on the 

rainfall and melting ice and respond very quickly to an increase in 

either of these two factors. Therefore, when the rainfall is slight, as 

in the past year and in 1900, the stream flow will be small.

MEASUREMENTS OF FLOW.

EXPLANATION OF DATA AND METHODS OF WORK.

The methods of carrying on the work and collecting the data were 

substantially the same as those previously used for similar work and
12 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

described in Water-Supply Papers Nos. 94, 95, and 167. They may 

be briefly outlined as follows:

In the consideration of industrial or mining enterprises which use 

the water of streams, it is essential to know the total amount of the 

water flowing in the stream, the daily distribution of the flow, and 

facts in regard to the conditions affecting the flow. Several terms are 

used, such as second-foot, miner's inch, gallons per minute, etc., to 

describe the quantity of water flowing in a stream, the one selected 

depending on the use to be made of the data.

" Second-foot" is in most general use for all classes of work, and 

from it the quantity expressed in other terms maybe obtained.0 It is 

an abbreviation of cubic foot per second and may be defined as the 

quantity of water flowing in a stream 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep at 

the rate of 1 foot per second. It should be noted that it is a rate of 

flow, and to obtain the actual quantity of water it is necessary to multiply it by the time.

"Second-feet per square mile" is the average number of cubic feet 

of water flowing per second from each square mile of area drained, on 

the assumption that the run-off is distributed uniformly, as regards 

both time and area.

" Run-off in inches" is the depth to which the drainage area w^ould 

be covered if all the water flowing from it in a given period were conserved and uniformly distributed on the surface. It is used for comparing run-off with rainfall, which is expressed in depth in inches.

"Acre-foot" is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet, and is the quantity 

required to cover an acre to the depth of 1 foot. It is commonly used 

in connection with storage problems. 

The "miner's inch," the unit used in connection with placer mining, 

also expresses a rate of flow, and is the quantity of water flowing 

through an orifice of a given size, with a given head. The head and 

size of the orifice used in different localities vary, thus making it a 

most indefinite and unsatisfactory unit. Owing to the confusion 

arising from its use, it has been defined by law in several States. The 

California miner's inch is in most common use and was defined by an 

act approved March 23, 1901, as follows: "The standard miner's inch 

of water shall be equivalent or equal to 1^ cubic feet of water per 

minute, measured through any aperture or orifice."

The determination of the quantity of water flowing past a certain 

section of a stream at a given time is called a "discharge measurement," and points where regular measurements are made are called 

"gaging stations." Hydrographic field work consists in measuring

»The miner's inch is generally regarded as one-fortieth or one-fiftieth of a second-foot; therefore, 

to reduce second-feet to miner's inches it is necessary to multiply by either 40 or 50.
METHODS OF MEASUREMENT OF FLOW. 13

the area of the cross section of a stream and the velocity of its current. 

The product of these two factors gives the discharge.

In making a measurement a tapeline is stretched across the stream 

(see PL IV, B} , and depth and velocity are measured at regular intervals (varying from 1 to 5 feet apart, depending on the size of the 

stream). The depths from which the area of the cross section is computed are taken by sounding with a graduated rod. The velocities 

are measured by a current meter (see PI. IV, A). As the velocity 

varies with the depth, observations are taken near the surface, at 

middepth, and near the bottom. The mean of the velocities at these 

poijats gives the mean velocity for that vertical section.

One of the general laws of the flow of streams with permanent cross 

sections is that the discharge varies directly with the stage, or gage 

height, and that it will be the same whenever the stage or gage height 

of the stream is the same. Therefore, in order to determine the daily 

discharge of a stream, a gage on which the fluctuations of the surface 

of the stream may be noted is installed and read daily. As the discharge regularly increases with the stage, it is possible with a few 

discharge measurements taken at various stages to construct a rating 

curve which will give the discharge at all stages. The beds of most of 

the streams measured changed but little during the season and it was 

therefore possible to obtain the daily flow as just stated.

Water to be of use for mining purposes must be available under considerable pressure, or when diversion is necessary it must be taken at 

an elevation high enough to allow it to be carried over the divides. 

The gaging stations, therefore, were so established as to obtain measurements at points whose elevations were sufficient to permit the stream 

to be diverted for use in mining on the ground already prospected. 

Such stations were established on all the important streams in the 

area. At some of the locations it was impossible to secure gage 

readers to take the daily observations of river height, and for these 

stations it is only possible, therefore, to give the flow at the time of the 

actual discharge measurements. The following pages give the results 

of measurements on the various streams:

NOME RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Nome River is formed by the junction of Buffalo and Deep Canyon 

creeks, which have their sources in the Kigluaik Range. It has a 

drainage area of 150 square miles and flows in a general southerly 

direction through a valley having a length of about 40 miles and a 

width varying from 4 to 6 miles. The elevation at the headwaters
14 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

is between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, while the altitude of the ridges that 

bound the valley on the east and west averages 1,000 feet. The 

principal tributaries are David, Sulphur, Darling, Buster, and Osborn 

creeks from the east and Divide, Dorothy, Clara, and Hobson creeks 

from the west.

Nome River is the most important source of water for use in 

hydraulicking the rich placer deposits on the old beach lines back of 

Nome. Four ditches have been built to divert water for mining 

purposes. These systems, with the elevations of their intakes, are 

the Campion, 610 feet; Miocene, 572 feet; Seward, 407 feet; and 

Pioneer, 340 feet.

Any additional water supply that may be obtained in other highlevel streams can best be brought to the mines by way of the valley 

of Nome River. During the season of 1906 the waters of Nugget, Copper, and Jett creeks were diverted over the Nugget divide by branches 

of the Miocene system.

Discharge measurements made in this drainage are given in the 

following pages:

NOME EIVEE ABOVE MIOCENE INTAKE.

This station, elevation about 575 feet, is located between the junction of Buffalo and Deep Canyon creeks and the intake of Miocene 

ditch. At low water the river at this point has a width of about 30 

feet, a depth of 1^ feet, and a mean velocity of 1 foot per second. The 

gage was read twice daily by employees of the Miocene Ditch 

Company.

The flow at this station is affected by four ditches: Campion ditch, 

which diverts water from above the station, and Jett Creek, David 

Creek, and Grand Central ditches, which bring in water above the 

station from outside the area. In order to obtain the natural flow 

of the river, the mean flow of Campion ditch has been added to the 

flow at the gaging station and the flow of the other three ditches 

subtracted.

Discharge measurements of Nome River above Miocene intake in 1906. 

[Elevation, 575 feet.]

Date.

Julys........................

July 14

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.i5

.00

.45

.40

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

39

28

21

54.7

50.5

1 Date.

July 14.......................

August 23 ....................

August 23. ...................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

.82

-.01

.87

.70

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

117

21.4

121

87

One-half mile above Dorothy Creek.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 196 PL. IV

PRICE CURRENT METERS. MEASURING GRAND CENTRAL. RIVER.
NOME RIVEK. 15

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Nome River at Miocene intake, 1906. 

[Drainage area. 15 square miles.]

Day.

1.........................................

Q

4. ........................................

6.........................................

7--....-..-..--....-..--.-.-.---.-.-.-....

8.........................................

Q

10::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 11. ................. ......................

12.........................................

13.........................................

14.........................................

15.... .....................................

17.........................................

18.........................................

19

20.........................................

21.........................................

22.........................................

23..-...-......-.--...-.-.....---.....--...

24.........................................

OX

26.........................................

27.........................................

98

29.........................................

30.........................................

31.-.....-.-....-...-..........--..--......

Total...............................

Jett Creek ditch ..........................

July.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.00 

.25 

.48 

.31 

.28 

1.31 

1.5 

.85 

.58 

.6

!ei

.56 

.49 

.45 

.38 

.26 

.16 

.14 

.13 

.36 

.31 

.26 

.18 

.12 

.09 

.06 

.04 

.02

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

23 

23 

21 

35 

59 

40 

37 

214 

260 

119 

73 

76 

62 

78 

70 

61 

56 

47 

36 

29 

27 

27 

45 

40 

36 

30 

26 

25 

23 

23 

22

56.2

5.2

61.4

aft 

al 

«3

10

51.4

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.02 

.0 

-.01 

-.02 

-.04 

-.04 

+ .09 

+ .04 

-.02 

.0 

+ .26 

.34 

.28 

.10 

.04 

.03 

.02 

.0 

.0 

+ .38 

.41 

.42 

.87 

.53 

.48 

.80 

1.14 

.78 

.72 

.70 

.62

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

22 

21 

21 

20 

20 

20 

25 

23 

20 

21 

36 

43 

37 

25 

23 

22 

22 

21 

21 

47 

50 

52 

123 

66 

59 

110 

176 

106 

96 

92 

79

September.

Gage ' Disheigrit. charge.

Feet. 

0.61 

.57 

.52 

.46 

.42 

.40 

.36 

.36 

.27 

.21 

.18 

.18 

.18 

.15 

. 12 

.10 

.10 

.32 

.70 

1.22 

1.12 

.83 

.82 

.74 

.65 

.6 

.54 

.52 

.52 

.5

....... 49. 0 ..........

14.4

63.4

6 

a3 

a4

13

50.4

3.36

3.87

Sec.-feet. 

78 

72 

65 

57 

52 

49 

45 

39 

37 

32 

30 

30 

30 

28 

26 

25 

25 

41 

92 

194 

172 

115 

114 

99 

84 

76 

68 

65 

65 

62

65.6 

15.8

81.4

07 

«5 

a 5

17

64.4 

4.29 

4.79

a Approximate.

BUFFALO CREEK.

Buffalo Creek rises in a deep canyon on the south side of the Kigluaik Mountains. From this canyon it joins Deep Canyon Creek and 

forms Nome River. Measurements were made as follows:

Discharge measurements on Buffalo Creek in 1906. 

[Elevation, 800 feet; drainage area, 4.4 square miles.]

Date. Discharge.

Tune 28.. 

July 6.... 

August 3.

Sec.-feet. 

18.1 

23.3 

9.1
16 WATER 80PPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

DOKOTHY CEEEK.

Dorothy Creek, which enters Nome River from the southwest, is a 

short, precipitous stream. It receives water from Campion ditch, as 

noted on page 21. The following discharge measurements were made 

above the outlet of the ditch:

Discharge measurements on Dorothy Creek in 1906. 

[Elevation, .500 feet; drainage area, 2.7 square miles.]

Date.

Tune 16... 

July 29.... 

August 18.

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

5.1 

3.0 

2.9

THE MIOCENE DITCH SYSTEM. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

The Miocene ditch system includes 31 miles of main ditch and 

31 miles of lateral feeders and distributing ditches, 8 miles of which are 

under construction (see PI. Ill, B, and PI. V). This ditch diverts 

water from upper Glacier Creek, upper Snake River, Nome River and 

its tributaries, and from the Grand Central River drainage for use on 

claims along lower Glacier, Dexter, and Anvil creeks.

The first section of this system was built in 1901, from upper Glacier 

Creek to Snow Gulch, this being the first ditch in Seward Peninsula. 

In 1902 an extension was made from Ex to Hobson Creek, and in 1903 

it was extended to the head of Nome River, these three sections constituting the main line of the system, with a length of 31 miles. The 

elevation of the intake is 572 feet and that of the lower end 420, giving 

a fall of 152 feet. This fall varies along the ditch from 3.37 to 7 feet 

per mile. There are two siphons, one at Dorothy Creek, 24 inches by 

300 feet, which carries about 40 second-feet, and one at Manila Creek, 

40 inches by 1,000 feet. Below Willow Creek there is a 1,100-foot 

flume. The main ditch has an average width of 8 feet above and 10 

feet below Hobson and a capacity of 60 second-feet. The mean 

flow is about 40 second-feet.

The water is delivered from the end of the ditch on claims along 

Glacier Creek; on Anvil Creek by a tunnel 1,800 feet long and 4 by 6 

feet in cross section, built in 1903 and 1904; and on Dexter Creek by a 

ditch from Ex around the south side of King Mountain.

The lateral feeders, in order up the ditch, are: (1) From upper 

Glacier to Ex (this was the upper portion of the first section of the main 

ditch); (2) Grouse and Cold creeks to flume; (3) Upper New Eldorado to Sparkle Creek (this section is to be connected to the main 

ditch by a siphon across Nome River); (4) David Creek ditch, which 

empties into Nome River above the intake; (5) Jett Creek ditch, 

which runs along the south side of the Nugget divide into Deep Canyon and takes water from Jett and Copper creeks; (6) Grand Central
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 196 PL. V

ROCK CUT AROUND CAPE HORN ON MIOCENE DITCH.
MIOCENE DITCH SYSTEM. 17

ditch, which is under construction (this ditch diverts water from 

Nugget Creek and will tap the headwaters of Grand Central River).

As a rule water can not be turned into ditches in this region before 

July 1, as there is too much frost in the ground. In 1906 the water of 

Hobson Creek was turned into the ditch about June 20 and of Nome 

River about June 26, but before July 1 was turned out frequently to 

permit of repairs. The ditch was also out of use on account of a break 

from July 8 to 11, inclusive, after which date the water ran almost 

continually.

The following pages give the results of measurements on ditches 

in this system.

MIOCENE DITCH AT BLACK POINT.

Measurements of flow were made at this point, about 1 mile below 

the intake, to determine the amount of water diverted from Nome 

River by the Miocene ditch. The gage was read by employees of the 

Miocene Ditch Company.

Discharge measurements of Miocene ditch at Black Point in 1906.

Date.

July 7. ..................

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. Sec.-ft. 

...... 080 31>

......' 89 34.1

.....J 71 27.5

...... 68 25. 7

...... 46 20.6

Date Gage mte' height.

Feet. 

August 2..................... 0.39

! August 11.................... 1.20

August 23. ................... 1. 30

: September 25 ................ 1. 10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

18.1

44.7

48.3

30.7

38.2

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Miocene ditch at Black Point, 1906.

Ju

Dfty- Gage 

height.

1................... ......................

2............... ..........................

3.........................................

4.........................................

8

Feet. 

0.7 

. 7 

.6 

.85 

.95 

.88 

.85

9............................ ......................

10 - - - -

11.........................................

12........................................

13.........................................

14.........................................

15........................................

16.........................................

17.........................................

18.........................................

19

20. ........................................

21.... . ...............................

22...... ..................................

23.........................................

24........................................

25.........................................

26....................................... .

27.........................................

28.... .................................

29......... ................................

30.........................................

31.........................................

.5 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

1.2 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

.92 

.7 

.7 

.62 

.85 

.95 

.92 

.75 

.62 

.54 

.5 

.45 

.42

y.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

27 

27 

24 

31.5 

34.8 

32.4 

31.5 0' 

0 

0 

21 

36.5 

36.5 

36.5 

43.5 

40 

40 

40 

33.7 

27 

27 

24.6 

31.5 

34.8 

33.7 

28.5 

24.6 

22.2 

21 

19.9 

19.2

27.4

August

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. 

0.4 

.38 

.35 

.34 

.33 

.34 

.52 

.48 

.37 

.40 

.81 

.82 

.96 

.6 

. 5 

.5 

.45 

.39 

.46 

.86 

1.12 

1.03 

1.17 

1.19 

1.2 

1.17 

1.16 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2

Sec.-ft.

18.8

18.5 

IS 

17.8 

17.7 

17.8 

21.6 

20.6 

18.3 

18.8 

30.3 

30.6 

35.1 

24 

21 

21 

19.9 

18.6 

20.1 

31.8 

40.7 

37.6 

42.4 

43.2 

43.5 

42.4 

42.1 

43.5 

43.5 

43.5 

43.5

29.2

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.17 

1.04 

1.0 

.98 

.82 

.8 

. 8 

.76 

.72 

.66 

.64 

.78 

.80 

.58 

.69 

.92 

1.0 

.96 

1.05 

1.06 

1.22 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

43.5 

43.5 

43.5 

43.5 

43.5 

43.5 

42.4 

37.9 

36.5 

35.8 

30.6 

30 

30 

28.8 

27.6 

25.8 

25.2 

29.4 

30 

23.4 

26.7 

33.7 

36.5 

35.1 

38.2 

38.6 

44.2 

43.5 

43.5 

43.5

1

35.9

IRR 196 07-
18 WATEE SUPPLY OF NOME BEGION, SEWAED PENINSULA. 

MIOCENE DITCH AT THE FLUME.

This station was established to determine the amount of water 

entering the ditch between the intake at Black Point and the flume. 

This water includes seepage from the bank and the flow of several 

small creeks 10 to 15 second-feet at low water from Hobson Creek 

and a small amount from the branch ditch to Grouse Creek. The 

flume has a grade of 7 feet to the mile, a width of 8 feet, and a height 

of 28 inches. On September 25 a measurement was made to determine its capacity with the water 2 feet deep, when the flow proved to 

be nearly 60 second-feet. This exceeds the safe capacity of the ditch 

in the vicinity of the flume. The gage was read by employees of the 

Miocene Ditch Company.

Discharge measurements of Miocene ditch at flume in 1906.

Date.

Tiilv 4

July 27........................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

 0.95

1.08

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

29.8

36.5

28.3

Date. Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.50

1.85

1.65

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

43.9

58.2

48.5

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Miocene ditch at flume, 1906.

Day.

1.........................................

2.........................................

3.........................................

6.........................................

7.........................................

8.........................................

9.........................................

10.........................................

12.........................................

13.........................................

14.........................................

15.........................................

16.........................................

17.........................................

18.........................................

19.........................................

20.........................................

21........ .......................... .......

22.........................................

23.........................................

24.........................................

25.........................................

26. ........................................

27.........................................

28.........................................

29.........................................

30.........................................

31.........................................

July.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Ft. 

0.98 

.95 

.92 

1.0 

1.08 

1.09 

1.12 

(a)

83

.79 

1.1 

1.26 

1.29 

1.28 

1.39 

1.35 

1.35 

1.28 

1.19 

1.16 

1.11 

1.19 

1.09 

1.26 

1.17 

1.07 

.98 

.95 

.91 

.88

Sec.-ft. 

31.6 

30.8 

29.9 

32.1 

34.3 

34.5 

35.3 

0 

0 

0 

26.4 

34.8 

39.1 

39.9 

39.7 

42.6 

41.6 

41.6 

39.7 

37.2 

36.4 

35.1 

37.2 

34.5 

39.1 

36.7 

34 

31.6 

30.8 

29.7 

28.9

631.8

August.

Gage 

height.

Ft. 

0.82 

.81 

.84 

.89 

.9 

.91 

.93 

.98 

.9 

.88 

1.01 

1.13 

1.23 

1.02 

.94 

.92 

.91 

.87 

.86 

1.1 

1.29 

1.28 

1.32 

1.4 

1.44 

1.55 

1.34 

1.46 

1.51 

1.56 

1.5

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

27.2 

27 

27.8 

29.1 

29.4 

29.7 

30.2 

31.6 

29.4 

28.9 

32.4 

35.6 

38.3 

32.6 

30.5 

29.9 

29.7 

28.6 

28.3 

34.8 

39.9 

39.7 

40.7 

42.9 

44 

47 

41.3 

44.5 

45.9 

47.3 

45.6

qe o

September.

Gage 

height.

Ft. 

1.71 

1.71 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.69 

1.66 

1.68 

1.63 

1.54 

1.49 

1.46 

1.45 

1.41 

1.4 

1.34 

1.31 

1.47 

1.48 

1.52 

1.58 

1.65 

1.61 

1.6 

1.71 

1.63 

1.75 

1.76 

1.79 

1.8

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

51.5 

51.5 

51.2 

51.2 

51.2 

50.9 

50.1 

50.6 

49.2 

46.7 

45.3 

44.5 

44.2 

43.2 

42.9 

41.3 

40.5 

44.8 

45.1 

46.2 

47.8 

49.8 

48.7 

48.4 

51.5 

49.2 

52.6 

52.9 

53.7 

54

48.4

Ditch broken by heavy rains. fr For 28 days, 35.2 second-feet.
MIOCENE DITCH SYSTEM. 19

JETT CREEK DITCH.

Jett Creek ditch was constructed during 1906 to divert water from 

Jett and Copper creeks over the Nugget divide. The water was 

turned in from Copper Creek on July 20 and from Jett Creek on 

August 18, and was turned out on September 25. The ditch carries 

the total flow of these creeks above the intake up to a maximum of 

about 10 second-feet.

Discharge measurements on Jett Creek ditch at outlet in 1906.

Date.

July 21................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2.4

.8

4.6

7.3

Date. Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

9.2

7.2

5.3

3.9

GRAND CENTRAL DITCH.

The completed portion of the Grand Central ditch diverted water 

from Nugget Creek at an elevation of 785 feet between June 27 and 

September 29. For measurements of the flow in the ditch see p. 33.

DAVID CREEK DITCH.

David Creek flows into Nome River a short distance below the 

intake of Miocene ditch. It has a well-sustained flow, which is 

diverted at an elevation of 590 feet by a ditch leading to and emptying into Nome River just above the Miocene intake. This ditch carries all the flow of David Creek up to 14 second-feet. Its width is 4 

feet on the bottom, 6 feet on the top, and when full it has a depth of 

1J feet and a mean velocity of about 1J feet per second. The water 

was running in this ditch before gagings were made on Nome River 

and was turned out only during extreme high water.

Discharge measurements of David Creek ditch in 1906.

Date.

,Tuly3........................

July 29.......................

August 23....................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.51

.41

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

3.5

6.4

4.4

7.9

Date.

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.49

.63

.81

.68

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

7.6

10.1

13.7

13.7

11.4
20 WATEK SUPPLY OF NOME KEGION, SEWAKD PENINSULA.

Mean daily gage height and discharge of David Creek ditch, 1906. 

[Drainage area at point of diversion, 4.3 square miles.]

Day.

1.... .........................

2..... .................... .

3....... ............... .....

5........... .................

6.............................

8.............................

9.............................

10...........................

11... ......... ...............

12...........................

13......................... .

14.............................

15.............................

17.............................

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.35 

.35 

.35 

.42 

.38 

.37 

.37 

.38 

.4 

.38 

.35 

.34 

33

0.39

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

4.4 

4.4 

4.4 

5.8 

5.0 

4.8 

4.8 

5.0 

5.4 

5.0 

4.4 

4.3 

4.1 

5.2

Day.

18.... .........................

19.............................

20.............................

21..... ........... ....... .

22.............................

23.............................

26.............................

27............ .......... ....

29

30

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

.31 

.29 

.40

38

.50 

.52 

.48 

.54 

.77 

.34 

.4 

.41 

.78 

.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

3.7 

3.3 

5.4 

5.0 

7.5 

7.9 

7.1 

8.3 

13.2 

4.3 

5.4 

5.6 

13.4 

13.8

6.1

SEEPAGE MEASUREMENTS ON MIOCENE DITCH.

Measurements were made at different times at several points along 

the main ditch and also on the Jett Creek branch to determine the loss 

by seepage from the different sections of the ditch. The discharge 

of the branches and principal feeders was found by measuring the 

flow in the ditch above and below them. The results obtained for the 

section between measurements were therefore the resultant of the gain 

from creeks too small to measure and the loss by seepage and leakage. 

The measurements of July 3 to 4 and on July 27 were made at periods 

of extreme low water, and show a much larger loss than those of September 11 to 12, when there was much more water entering. On the 

latter date the ditch was gaining along much of its course. These 

measurements are of value to ditch builders in showing the losses 

which may be expected in ditches in frozen countries.

Seepage measurements of Miocene ditch, 1906. 

MAIN DITCH FROM NOME RIVER TO GLACIER CREEK.

Date.

JulyS.........

Do........

July 4

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

July 27........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Point of measurement.

......do......................... . ..................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

21

15.8

20.5

31.0

28.1

29.8

27.9

28.8

28

25.7

26.2

26.0

23.7

38.0

1.7

39.7

Gain.

Sec.-ft.

10.5

i. 7

.9

143

Loss.

Sec.-ft.

5.2

2.9

1.9

2.3

.2

2.3
CAMPION DITCH. 21

Seepage measurements of Miocent diich, 1906 Continued.

MAIN DITCH FROM NOME RIVER TO GLACIER CREEK Continued.

Date.

July 27........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

July 29........

Do........

Point of measurement.

.....do..................................................

.... .do ..................................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

13.0 iaa

26.3

29.8

30.7

30.3

30

44.4

2.4

46.8

43.9

a. 43

30.3

15.3

45.6

a 29. 6

29.4

6.9

6.4

Gain.

Sec.-ft.

.9

14.4

2.6

Loss.

Sec.-ft. 

3.2

2.0

.4

.3

2.9

.5

JETT CREEK BRANCH.

Do........

Do........

Do........

2.5

1.8

6 0

5.3

0.7

.4

o Estimated. 

CAMPION DITCH AT BLACK POINT.

This ditch diverts water from Buffalo Creek at an elevation of 610 

feet. Its lower end terminates in Dorothy Creek, into which it discharges. The ditch has a width of 6 feet on bottom and 9 feet on top, 

is 2 feet deep, and has a mean velocity of 2 feet per second when ranning full. The water was turned in at 1 p. m. on July 6. The ditch 

broke near its outlet at 7 a. m. on July 8. It was repaired and water 

turned in again on the 19th. All water was turned out from 9.30 p. m. 

August 12 to 2.30 p. m. August 13.

Measurements were taken on the ditch in order to determine the 

natural flow of Nome River below the junction of Buffalo and Deep 

Canyon creeks.
22 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME EEGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

Discharge measurements of Campion ditch at Black Point in 1906.

Date.

July 7.... 

July 20... 

July 21... 

August 2.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.80

.60

.70

.67

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

11.9

8.9

10.2

9.7

Date.

August 23...................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.36

.76

1.10

1.00

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

27.5

12.0

19.6

16.8

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Campion ditch, 1906. 

[Drainage area at point of diversion, 8.2 squaie miles.]

Day.

1............--...---..--.....-..--........

2 ... .....................................

3.... .....................................

5

July.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

C

8

0.88

9

10. .................................................

12. ..................................................

14 . . '..

16................................ .........

18....-.......-...--..-....-.--...--...--..

19

20

2\. ........................................ ..........

22........-.....-..............-...........!..........

23 . . . . .......-..---

Z4.... .....................................

25. ........................................

26. ........................................

27.........................................

28.........................................

29.........................................

30.........................................

31....................... .................

.92

.78 

.75 

.82 

.78 

.76 

.72

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

14.1

15 

11.9 

11.3 

12.7 

11.9 

11.5 

10.7

12.4

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

.69 

.68 

.65 

.62 

.56 

.61 

.69 

. 7 

.73 

.77 

1.13 

1.05 

1.09 

1.02 

.92 

.8 

.8 

.78 

.75 

.8 

.76 

1.01 

1.16 

.99 

.93 

1.15 

1.16 

1.14 

1.09 

1.0 

.99

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

10.1 

10 

9.5 

9 

8.2 

8.9 

10.1 

10.3 

10.9 

11.7 

20.4 

18.2 

19.2 

17.5 

15 

12.3 

12.3 

11.9 

11.3 

12.3 

11.5 

17.2 

21.3 

16.8 

15.2 

21 

21.3 

20.7 

19.2 

17 

16.8

14.4

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.98 

.9 

1.02 

1.04 

1.0 

1.02 

.96 

.96 

1.0 

1.08 

1.07 

1.02 

1.06 

1.02 

.98 

.93 

.92 

.9 

1.1 

.98 

.5 

.6 

.75 

.72 

.91 

.96 

1.02 

.98 

.95 

.94

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

16.5 

145 

17.5 

18 

17 

17.5 

16 

16 

17 

19 

18.8 

17.5 

18.5 

17.5 

16.5 

15.2 

15 

145 

19.5 

16.5 

7.5 

8.7 

11.3 

10.7 

148 

16 

17.5 

16.5 

15.8 

15.5

15.8

SEWARD DITCH.

Seward ditch was built in 1905-6 to take water from Nome River 

just below Dorothy Creek, at an elevation of 407 feet, and convey it 

to Saturday Creek for use along the ancient beach line. Its total 

length is 38 miles. The water is conducted across Hobson and 

Clara creeks by 42-inch continuous stave-pipe siphons having lengths 

of 1,050 and 800 feet, respectively.
GRAND CENTEAL ETVER. 23

Measurements to determine the flow and also the seepage of this 

ditch were made as follows:

Seepage measurements of Seward aitch in 1906.

Date.

July 29........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Point of measurer: ent.

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

19.7

20.6

4.0

24.6 

22.0

Gain.

Sec.-feet.

6.9

Loss.

Sec.-feet.

2.6

Other measurements were made at the intake as follows:

Discharge measurements of Seward ditch at intake in 1906.

Date. I Discharge.

August 18.... 

August 30.... 

September 13.

Sec.-feet.

25

26 

a 32

a Estimated.

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

On account of its elevation and well-sustained flow, Grand Central 

River offers one of the most valuable unused water supplies of Seward 

Peninsula. The drainage area of this stream, which is about 12 miles 

long and 2 miles wide, is almost surrounded by ridges of the Sawtooth 

Range (Kigluaik Mountains), having elevations of from 1,500 to 4,000 

feet (see PL VI, A and 5).

The river is formed near the foot of Mount Osborn, at an elevation of 

about 700 feet, by the junction of North and West forks, and flows in a 

southerly direction into Salmon Lake.

From the forks to Salmon Lake the river has a fall of about 300 

feet, and at high stages spreads over a wide gravelly bed, on either 

side of which there is a little bottom land, from which the mountains 

rise abruptly.

The principal tributaries of Grand Central River below the forks 

are Gold Run and Rainbow creeks from the east, and Thompson, 

Thumit, Nugget, Jett, and Morning Call creeks from the west. These 

tributary streams, with the exception of Nugget Creek, drain short, 

steep-sided gulches. They have considerable fall and are fed from 

melting snow.
24 WATEB SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

In order to use the water from the drainage at Nome it has to be 

diverted over the Nugget divide, which has an elevation of 785 feet. 

One such diversion has been made from Jett Creek and Copper Creek, 

from which water is taken by the Jett Creek ditch into the Miocene 

ditch.

The Miocene Ditch Company is building a ditch which will tap 

West Fork above the mouth of the Crater Lake outlet, and North 

Fork at an elevation of about 850 feet. This ditch will follow down 

the west side of the valley, crossing and tapping Thompson and Thumit creeks, and will pass over the Nugget divide, where it will be 

taken up by the main Miocene ditch and carried to Glacier and Anvil 

creeks.

The Wild Goose Mining and Trading Company has started from 

Crater Lake a 42-inch continuous wood-pipe line, which will extend 

along the south side of the valley over the Nugget divide and down 

Nome valley to Anvil Mountain. The company plans to dam and 

use Crater Lake as a storage reservoir, into which the waters from 

North and West forks will be diverted by lateral pipes. Other laterals 

will carry the water of Gold Run and Thompson Creek into the main 

pipe line. Measurements made in this drainage are shown on the 

following pages.

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER (NORTH FORK).

North Fork of Grand Central River rises in a cirque at the base of 

Mount Osborn, which is surrounded by almost perpendicular mountains rising from 1,000 to 3,000 feet above the bed of the stream. 

This cirque contains the remnant of a small glacier, the melting of 

which maintains a very steady flow. The flow is added to by a large 

spring at an elevation of about 860 feet.

Discharge measurements on this stream were made at elevations of 

about 750 feet and 1,030 feet, which points give the flow at the ditch 

and pipe intakes, respectively. The bed is very rough and it is difficult to obtain satisfactory measuring sections. Gage heights were 

read at the time of the measurements by measuring down from reference points on rocks.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 196 PL. VI

A. UPPER GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE.

B. MOUNT OSBORN.
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER. 25

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Grand Central Rirer (North Fork), 1906. 

[Elevation, 750 feet; drainage area, 5.4 square miles.]

Day.

3

July.

Gage 

heignt.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. ?/i

. .... , (23)

4 '

(23) 

(2,i1

6

7

8

9 ... '

10. .......................................

12

1.10

1 ^

16......................................... ..........

10

19

20. .......................................

21

25. .................................................

24 ......

26. ....-...--..---.-.-.-.....-.-..-.---...

28. .......................................

29. .....................................

30

.95 

.9

a 67

40 

(45) 

a 38

42 

61

642 

45 

50 

38 

42 

518

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.81

.76 

.74

.85

d39.9 ..........

7.39 ...

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

30 

30 

30 

32 

32 

29

632 

33 

31 

33

32

27

27

28 

28 

«27 

625 

27

25

27 

(32) 

(36) 

(60) 

637 

40 

(40) 

(67) 

67

54

48

36.7

6.80 ..........

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.92

.76

..........

i.5

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

44 

644 

38 

38 

40

33 

31

627 

28 

27 

(26) 

26 

27 

26 

25 

25 

27

6cl20

7 84

1

fSi.e s.a5

a Measurements.

6 Estimates based on gage readings.

< Not included in mean. 

d 17 days.

1 18 days.

NOTE. These estimates are made by subtracting the sum of the discharges at the West Fork and 

Crater Lake station from the flow below the forks. For the days for which this method does not give 

consistent results the estimates are based on the West Fork flow and are in parenthesis. From 

July 5 to 19 the flow did not fall below 40 second-feet. The flow on June 26 was 43 second-feet.

Mean daily discharge in second-feet of Grand Central River (North Fork), 1906. 

[Elevation, 1,030 feet; drainage area, 2.3 square miles.]

Day.

1. ....... .........

2. ................

3.................

4. ................

6............. ...

8......... ....... .

10. ................

11.................

12.................

1 0

14.................

15.................

16.................

17.................

18.................

19.................

July.

21

21

21

22

August.

22

22

22

24

24

21

a 23

25

23

25

24

20

21

21

20

<»19

20

19

Septembei.

31

a 31

27

27

28

26

23

22

a 19

20

19

17

1 Q

19

18

18

17

19

Day.

20............ .

21...............

22.............

23..............

24...............

25...... ..... ..

26................

27 ....

28...............

29................

30. ...............

31 ...............

July.

31

35

30

33

48

37

« 33

34

38

28

32

21

630.3

13.2

August.

20

24

27

45

a 28

30

30

50

50

53

40

36

27.4

11.9

13.7

September

c'22.2

9.65

6.46

a Measurements. Other discharges are obtained by taking about the same percentage of the flow at 

elevation 750 feet as was found on the dates of measurements. This varied from 70 to 90 per cent. 

Gagings on June 20 gave 30 second-feet, and on June 26, 43 second-feet. The flow from July 5 to 19 

probably exceeded 35 second-feet. t> 16 days. c 18 days.
26 WATEE SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER (WEST FORK).

West Fork of Grand Central River has its source in Mount Osborn, 

and flows between Mount Osborn and the high ridges which separate 

the Grand Central drainage from the Sinuk drainage. It is fed from 

snow storage for a greater part of the season, and by Crater Lake, 

which lies at an elevation of 973 feet and has an area of about 106 

acres. West Fork did not have as well-sustained flow as North 

Fork, as much of the snow disappeared during the rain of July 4-12, 

and thereby reduced the yield from the higher levels for the rest of 

the summer.

There is considerable glacial drift in the lower part of the area, 

containing several depressions, one having an area of nearly 5 acres. 

These fill with water during a rain and gradually drain off through 

the gravel.

Two gaging stations were established on the fork at elevations of 

1,010 feet and 860 feet. The latter is just above the outlet to Crater 

Lake, and shows the flow at the proposed ditch intake. The conditions for measuring in this section were especially good, and a welldefined rating was obtained. At low water the width of the fork is 

17 feet, depth 2 feet, and mean velocity 1.2 feet per second.

The other station was established to obtain the flow at the proposed 

pipe intake by comparison with the flow at the lower station. The 

flow was about 70 per cent of that at the lower station during the 

earlier part of the season. As the snow above the pipe intake 

melted away and the flow of the springs between the intakes increased, 

this percentage became about 35 for low water and 50 for higher 

stages. The cold weather in September checked the flow at high 

levels and reduced the percentage to 32.

Discharge measurements of Grand Central River (West Fork) in 1906. 

[Elevation, 860 feet.]

Date.

Julyl. ........................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.65

1.53

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

40.4

38

28.6

115

86

Date.

July 22......................

July 24............ ..........

July 25........... ...........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.20

1 41

1.34

1.12

1.01

Discharge.

Sec.-feel. 

38.1

58

50

30. S

23
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER. 27.

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Grand Central River (West Fork), 1906. 

Elevation, 860 feet; drainage area, 54 square miles.].

Day.

9

o

^

U

g

July.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet.

1.1

1:?

1.8

7......................................... -....--.-.

8.....--..----.---.--.-----..-.--.---.-.-- ----------

10......-..--........---..--.....-...-...-.

12..--........-..-....-.--..-.....--.......

1 ^

17.........................................

18.........................................

19

20. .......................................

21.........................................

22..................................... ...

oq

24........................................

25........................................

26....................... ..................

27....... .................................

28........................................

29.........................................

30.......................................

31.........-....--.-....--. ..............

Run-off, depth in inches. ............

1.65 

1.53

1.75 

1.6

1.45 

1.4 

1.45 

1.4 

1.3 

1.3 

1.35 

1.2 

1.52

1.41 

1.33 

1.25 

1.25

1,2 

1.15 

1,14

Sec-feet. 

29 

28 

22 

28 

162

116 

86 

144 

103 

90 

70 

61 

70 

61 

47 

47 

54 

36 

83 

63 

51 

42 

42 

39 

36 

32 

31

11.12

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.12

1.12 

1.15 

1.11

1.02 

1.05 

1.1 

1.08 

1.05

1.01 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

.98 

1.12 

1.2 

1.39 

1.21 

1.16 

1.22 

1. 35 

1.3 

1.3 

1.27

T'ischarge.

Sec.-feel. 

30 

30 

30 

34 

34 

30 

32 

29 

26 

23 

25

 Q

27 

25 

24 

23 

22 

22 

22 

21 

30 

36 

60 

37 

33 

38 

54 

47 

47 

44 

44

32.5

6 94

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.27 

1.24 

1.2 

1.12 

1.08 

1.05 

1.05 

1.02 

1.01 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

.98 

.95 

.92 

.92 

.92 

1.0

1.6

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

44 

40 

36 

30 

27 

25 

25 

23 

23 

22 

22 

22 

21 

20 

19 

19 

19 

22

a 103

c25.5 

4.72 

3.16

a Not included in mean. b 27 days. r 18 days.

Mean daily discharge, in second-feet, of Grand Central River (West Fork), 1906. 

[Elevation, 1,010 feet; drainage area, 2.8 square miles.]

Day.

1.................

2.................

3.................

4.................

5

July.

a 19

18 

15

18

6................. .-....,...

7............ ... ..

8

9

10 ....

11.................

12.................

10

14.................

15.................

16.................

17.................

18.................

19.................

a45 

72 

52 

45 

32 

27 

32 

27 

20

August.

12 

12 

12 

14 

14 

al2 

12 

10 

9 

8 

9 

11 

10 

9 

8 

8 

a 7. 6 

8 

8

September.

22 

19 

16 

12 

9 

9 

8 

8 

«7 3 

7 

7 

7 

7 

6 

6 

6 

6 

7

Day.

20-.---.....-.....

21................

22................

23................

24................

25................

26................

27... .............

28................

29................

30...--....--.....

31................

Run-off per 

square mile. ... 

Run-off, depth

July

20 

23

a 15 

44 

32 

«25 

19 

19 

16 

14 

13 

12

027.0 

9.64 

8.96

August. ! September.

7 

12 

16 

30 

a 18. 5 

15 

19 

27 

24 

24 

22 

22

13.9 

4.96 

5.72

c9. 4 

3.30 

2.25

o Measurements. Other discharges are obtained by taking about the same percentage of the flow at 

elevation 860 feet as was found on the dates of measurements. Gagings on June 19 gave 28 second-feet, 

and on June 26, 26 second-feet.

b 25 days.

«18 days.
28 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

CRATER LAKE OUTLET.

Crater Lake discharges into West Fork of Grand Central River just 

below the lower point of measurement on that stream. The lake, 

which lies in a depression of glacial origin, has an elevation of 973 feet 

and an area of 106 acres. Its basin adjoins those of Sinuk River and 

Thompson Creek.

A gaging station was located on the outlet about midway between 

the lake and West Fork. The stream bed is composed of large angular 

rocks and has a fall of nearly 300 feet to the mile. It is hard to make 

measurements on account of the swiftness of the current, and the one 

at high water is only approximate. Gage heights were taken by 

employees of the Wild Goose Mining and Trading Company.

Discharge measurements of Crater Lake outlet in 1906. 

[Elevation, 925 feet.]

Date.

June 19

July 1........................

July 10.......................

July 22.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

.96

DisSec.-feet. 

14.2

23.7

13.6

59

12.0

Date.

July 24.... ...................

August 6.....................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.10

on

.98

80

.73

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

21.5

7.1

13.0

5.6

4.3

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Crater Lake outlet. 1906. 

[Drainage area, 1.8 square miles.]

July. August. September.

Day.

2. ................. . ..... ... ..........

3............ ............. .............

6......... ..... ... .... .. ......... ..

9

10........ .............. ................

11.... .. .......... ......... ............

12. . ...... ............ ........ .......

13.................. ............. ......

15............ ......... .............. ...

17........... ......... ......... .........

18.................... ....................

19

20.........................................

23............... .................. ......

24.................................... ....

25.. .....................................

26................................ ........ .

27.. ............................ ...........

28.........................................

29.........................................

30.........................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

....... .-

1.0

1.0

1.15

1.65

1.55

1.25

1.45

1.3

1.15

1.1

1.15

1.1

1.05

1.0

1.0

1.05

.96

1.06

1.1

1.05

1.02

1.0

.9

.88

.88

Discharge.

Sec.-feet 

14

14

14

25

09

59

33

50

37

25

21

25

21

17

14

14

17

12

18

21

17

15

14

12

9

8

8

622.3

12.4

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.85

.9

.95

.96

9

9

1.0

.95

.9

.8

.8

.79

.8

.78

1.01

1.01

1.22

1.02

1.0

1.1

1.12

1.1

1.05

1.0

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

7

8

8

9

9

11

12

10

9

9

14

11

9

7

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5

15

15

31

15

14

21

23

21

17

14

13

11.8

6.56

7.56

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.98

.94

.9

.82

.78

.78

.78

.75

.73

.71

.09

.68

.05

.65

.61

.01

.61

.75

1.4

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

13

10

9

6

5

5

5

4.5

4.3

4.1

3.9

3.8

3.5

3.5

3.1

3.1

3.1

4.5

a46

c5.2

2.89

1.93

Not included in mean. 627 days. 18 days.
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER. 29

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER BELOW THE FORKS.

This station was established to obtain the total flow from the 

headwaters of Grand Central River and also to ascertain the amount 

that can be diverted over the Nugget divide, as there is but little 

water coming into the stream between the measuring section and 

the proposed pipe and ditch intakes. At ordinary stages the 

river at the measuring point is 50 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and has a 

mean velocity of 1.2 second-feet. Gage readings were taken by 

employees of the Wild Goose Mining and Trading Company.

Discharge measurements of Grand Central River below the forks in 1906. 

[Elevation, 680 feet.]

Date.

July 1 .......................

July 11.......................

July 24.......................

July 24.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.95

1.40 

1.29 

1.22

Discharge.

Sec. feet. 

63 

180 

140 

129

Date.

July 26.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.10 

.89 

.79

Discharge.

Sec. feet. 

101 

66 

54.4

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Grand Central River below the forks, 1906. 

[Drainage area, 14.6 square miles.]

Day.

1........................................

1.. ...................... ................

3........................................

(3

July.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.95 

.9 

.95 

1.05 

1.87

9

13.................................. ....

17........................................

20........................................

22........................................

23........................................

24...... .................................

26........................................

27 ........................................

28........................................

29........................................

30

1.75 

1.7 

1.45

1.45 

1.42

1.4 

1.1 

1.05 

1.1 

1.1 

1.0 

1.28 

1.29 

1.18 

1.1

1.1 

1.0 

1.0 

.9

Discharge.

Sec -feet. 

63 

56 

63 

80 

370

325 

300 

198 

280 

198 

187 

168 

160 

180 

100 

91 

100 

100 

82 

143 

145 

118 

100 

100 

100 

82 

82 

67

6144 

9.86

August.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. 

0.9 

.9 

.9 

.95

.9

.94 

.9

.81 

.79

.78

i.08 

1.02

1.25 

1.25 

1.15 

1.12

10.27 ..........

Sec.-feet. 

67 

67 

67 

74 

74 

67 

79 

73 

67 

65 

66 

68 

65 62 ' 

59 

56 

54 

54

53 

53 

65 

59 

210 

96 

86 

140 

210 

135 

135 

111 

104

85.2

5.84

6.73

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.1 

1.05 

1.0 

.95 

.93

.8

.78 

.75 

.75 

.75 

.72 

.71

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

100 

91 

82 

74 

72 

67 

63 

59 

55 

54 

53 

50 

50 

50 

48 

47 

47 

54

1.72 o310

. ...... I... ..... 1

c62.0 

4.25

2.84

i Not included in mean. b 28 days. ; 18 days.

NOTE. The interpolated discharge of Aug. 21-23 and 26-27 are 40 to 45 per cent of the flow at the station below Nugget Creek. This is about the proportion that holds for higher water. Other interpolations are made by comparison with the West Fork and Crater Lake outlet stations.
30 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER BELOW NUGGET CREEK.

This station was established on June 30, but it was not possible to 

obtain regular gage readings until August 12, after which date the 

gage was read once each day by A. W. Peterson. At low water the 

river at this point is about 50 feet wide, 1 to 2 feet deep, and has a 

mean velocity of about 2 feet per second. It is impossible to obtain 

measurements above gage height 1.2 feet by wading. The estimates 

at this station give practically the total flow of Grand Central River 

into Salmon Lake.

Discharge measurements of Grand Central River below Nugget Creek, 1906.

Jage 

ight.

r?eet.

98

.46

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

313

148

286

123

Date. Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.10

.46

.36

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

324

121

101

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Grand Central River below Nugget Creek, 1906.

[Drainage area, 39 square miles.]

Day.

2

3..................... ...................

4.................. ......................

July. j August.

Gage 

height.

Feel. 

0.5 

.45

8.........................................

g

12.........................................

13..--...--.-............--.......- ......

14................... .....................

16............... ........................

17

i.9

, 1. 55

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

132 

120

Gage 

height.

Feet.

750

545

::::::::::

18.....--.---.---..-.-..--..... .....................

10

20. .......................................

21..................... ............. ....

22. .......................................

23. ......................................

24..................... .................

25. ...................... . . ..... .

26. .......................................

27. ...................... .. ....... .....

28

29

30. ..-.---...-..--.....--.....-..-......-.

31...-......-.--.--..-.--..--..--..-.......

.6 157

..........|..........

5 132

0.5 

.5 

.5 

.4 

.42 

.45 

.4 

.35 

.5 

.55 

.5 

1.5 

.8 

.7 

1.05 

1.5 

1.1 

.95 

.9 

.8

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

132 

132 

132 

109 

114 

120 

109 

100 

132 

144 

132 

520 

220 

187 

310 

520 

330 

272 

255 

220

o210 

5.38

4.00

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.8 

.75 

.65 

.6 

.6 

.55 

.5 

.5 

.45 

.42 

.4 

_ 4

'.28 

.35 

.35 

.3 

.3 

.4 

1.2 

2.6 

2.2 

1.6 

1.6 

1.35 

1.15

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

220 

204 

172 

157 

157 

144 

132 

132 

120 

114 

109 

109 

105 

100 

100 

90 

90 

109 

375 

1,230 

950 

570 

570 

445 

352

6274 

7.03 

6.54

20 days. b 25 days.
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER. 31

GOLD RUN.

Gold Run enters Grand Central River from the east 2 miles below 

the forks. It drains a deep gulch, has a very steep grade, and terminates in a large gravel fan, where its flow sinks and disappears.

In order to determine the quantity of water from this stream available for diversion across the Nugget divide a station was established 

at an elevation of about 800 feet.

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Gold Run, 1906. 

[Elevation, 800 feet.]

Day.

2...... ...................................

6.... . . .................. . .. ......

7.........................................

8.........................................

9.........................................

10.........................................

12.........................................

13................................ ........

14.........................................

15.........................................

16.........................................

17................... .....................

18.........................................

19.........................................

20.........................................

21.........................................

22.........................................

23...... ..................... .. ......

24.........................................

25.............. ..........................

26.........................................

27

July.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. Sec.-feet. 

.......... 14

.......... 13

20

August.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. Sec.-feet. 

.......... 18

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.95

......... 20

-----.--.-.......... .......... 24

...... ......... 30

52

1.21 a69

1. 03 ft 34 

.90 & 22 

.89 ; & 21 

.......... 20

-.-..-.... 20 ..........

.71

..--.--... 24 ..........

22

.......... 45 .......... 20 ..........

40 18

.......... 38

.......... 42

24

.81 b 17 

.8 & 16. 5

. . i 1fi

.......... 20 .......... 16

.......... 22 .......... 15

23 ; - 28

. 84 a 18. 5 

1.0 630 

.......... 30

1.00 a30 

.93 6 24 

24

28......................................... .......... 21

30................................ . ................ 19

31. 18

Mean ........ . c29. 0

.......... 34

.......... 50

.......... 34

.99 & 29

.......... 68

1.13 a 51 

.......... 40

.......... 36

.......... 32

.......... 27. 6

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

30 

626 

23 

20 

17 

16 

15 

14 

13 

a 12 

12 

12 

11 

11 

11 

10 

10 

12

d!5. 3

a Measurements.

6 Estimates based on gage heights. Other estimates were made by plotting a hydrpgraph passing 

through the known points and following the rise and fall of the other streams in the vicinity. Gagings 

made on June 20 gave 22 second-feet and on June 25, 24 serond-feet.

c 25 days.

d 18 days.

THOMPSON CREEK.

Thompson Creek enters Grand Central River from the west about 

2 miles below the forks. It drains a small glacial cirque almost 

wholly surrounded by very steep walls ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 

feet high. Measurements were made at a point with an elevation 

of 720 feet, which gives the amount of water available for diversion 

over the Nugget divide.
32 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

Daily gage height and discharge of Thompson Creek, 1906. 

[Elevation, 720 feet, drainage area, 2.5 square miles.]

Day.

July.

Gage. 

He'ght.

Feet.

3......................................... ..........

4... ..................................... .........

5.... ................. .................. ..........

6......................................... ..........

7............. ........................... .........

8.... ..................................... ..........

9................... ..................... .........

10....------..----.---..----.-.--------..-. .-.------.

11........................................ ..........

13......................................... ..........

14......................................... ..........

15......................................... ..........

16......................................... ..........

17

18.........................................

19

20....--......-..-.....---.-....-.......--.

21.........................................

22.........................................

23.........................................

24.........................................

25.........................................

26.........................................

1.2

1.42 

1.41 

1.29

28. ..................................................

29. ..................................................

30

31.

Dischar°re.

Sec.-feet. 

11 

all 

11 

16

36 

a 52 

40 

30 

24 

28 

23 

19 

16 

16 

18 

613 

21 

a 25 

a 23 

617.5 

16 

14 

11 

11 

10

c20. 5

8.20 

7.62

August.

Gage 

Height.

Feet.

1.39 

1.22 

1.19

1.11 

1.12

1.4

1.44

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

9 

9 

10 

10 

11 

15 

622.5 

614 

a 12. 5 

11 

11 

17 

14 

12 

11 

69.6 

610 

10 

10 

9 

20 

20 

40 

623 

21 

28 

30 

28 

625.4 

22 

20

16.6 

6 64

September.

Gage 

lie ght.

Feet.

.........

1.0 

1.00

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

19 

14 

12

1

fi 

66.2 

«6.2 

6 

6 

6 

5 

5 

5 

5 

6

1

1

7.66 ..........

<*7. 0

a 04

2. 10

a Measurements.

6 Estimates based oil gage heights. Other estimates were made by plotting a hydrograph passing 

through the known points and following the rise and fall of Crater Lake outlet, whose basin adjoins 

that of Thompson Creek and is of a similar character. A measurement on June 25 gave 42 second-feet.

c 25 days.

<* 18 days.

NUGGET AND COPPER CREEKS.

Nugget Creek rises in the divide between Nome River and Grand 

Central River and empties its waters and those of its tributary, 

Copper Creek, into Grand Central River about 2 miles above Salmon 

Lake.

The headwaters of both Nugget and Copper creeks are quite precipitous and are said to be fed by springs in limestone. Measurements were made on Nugget Creek at an elevation of 785 feet at the 

point of the diversion of its waters over the Nugget divide by the 

Grand Central ditch.

The flow of Copper Creek is also tapped by a branch of the Jett 

Creek ditch at an elevation of about 800 feet.
GRAND CENTEAL DRAINAGE. 33

Discharge measurements of Nugget and Copper creeks in 1906.

NUGGET CREEK. 

[Elevation, 785 feet.]

Date.

June 21... ................

June 28.. .................

July 12....................

Elevation 

of point of 

measurement.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

1.8

4.4

.96

6.8

Date.

Elevation 

of point of 

measurement.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

3.0

8.6

6.8

6.1

4.4

COPPER CREEK.

July 12................. .

700

800

700

700

3.8

8.7

11.3

July 21 .................. 800

800

2.4

.8

6.6

2.4

JETT CREEK.

Jett Creek enters Grand Central River from the south. It has a 

short drainage and is made up of a series of falls and rapids. Water 

is diverted over the Nugget divide into Nome River by the Jett Creek 

ditch (see p. 19 for measurements on Jett Creek ditch).

Measurements were made to show the amount of water available at the diversion.

Discharge measurements of Jett Creek in 1906. 

[Elevation, 800 feet.]

Date.

July 2................ ................

July 12....... . ........... ...........

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

14 9

14.3

Date.

July 21................................

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

5.8

8.3

4.2

MORNING CALL CREEK.

Morning Call Creek enters Grand Central River from the south 

near Salmon Lake. The hills to the south are lower and more exposed 

than in the case of Copper and Jett creeks, and the snow melts earlier 

in the spring. At low water all the flow disappears in the previous 

limestone above the point where a ditch intended to cross the Nugget 

divide would have its intake. The water appears again near the 

contact with the schist, at an elevation of about 750 feet.

Discharge measurements of Morning Call Creek in 1906.

Date.

June 20.......................

June 20....... ................

June 24.......................

Elevation of 

point of 

measurement.

Feet. 

700

500

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

24 6

27.3

Date.

July 2........................

Elevation of 

point of 

measurement.

Feet. 

700

900

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

10.0

20.8

0.0

IRR 196 07-
34 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

SALMON LAKE.

Salmon Lake lies at the foot of the Kigluaik Mountains at an elevavation of about 442 feet. It has a water surface area of 1,800 acres 

and a drainage area of 81 square miles. Its principal supply comes 

from Grand Central River, which enters it at its western end. A 

number of small streams also enter the lake from both the north and 

the south, but with the exception of Fox Creek and Jasper Creek these 

are of minor importance. The outlet of the lake is through Kruzgamepa River.

This lake offers an excellent opportunity for a storage reservoir 

for power purposes and mining along Kruzgamepa River. The use 

of its water in the vicinity of Nome is practically prohibited owing to 

its low elevation and the long tunnel which would be necessary to 

bring the water through the Nugget divide into the Nome River 

basin. By raising the water of the lake to an elvation of 500 feet the 

shortest tunnel line would be between 5 and 6 miles long; and if any 

allowance be made for drawing on the storage, water could not be 

brought through to the Nome Valley at an elevation greater than 

about 450 feet. The mouth of the tunnel would be near Dorothy 

Creek, and the loss in grade between there and Nome would bring the 

water so low that it could not be used to any extent for hydraulicking. 

Even if the water could be brought to the vicinity of Nome under a 

sufficient head for hydraulicking, the great cost and difficulty of building so long a tunnel would make the feasibility of the plan very

doubtful.

Measurement of flow in and out of Salmon Lake in 1906.

Stream. Discharge.

Do........

Do........

June 24........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

6 small streams from south ...............................................

Sec.-feet. 

3.4

99

06

11.6

27

«10

a 4

313

474

425

a Estimated. 

NOTE. The stage of Salmon Lake remained practically constnnt June 22-24, inclusive.

A measurement on Fox Creek on August 16 gave a discharge of 

17.3 second-feet.

KRUZGAMEPA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN BELOW SALMON LAKE. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Kruzgamepa, or Pilgrim, River, the outlet of Salmon Lake, has a 

larger discharge than anjT other stream in this section. For about 12 

miles it follows a valley ranging from 6 to 12 miles in width, and
KRUZUAMEPA RIVER. 85

then enters the lowlands north of the Kigluaik Range, and finally 

discharges into Im;:ruk Basin. The principal tributaries are Crater, 

Grouse, and Homestake creeks from the north and Iron Creek from the 

south.

As it leaves Salmon Lake the river flows through a narrow outlet 

having a width of 150 feet at the bottom and 500 feet at the top, 

offering an excellent dam site and location for a hydro-electric power 

plant. Plans for the construction of such a plant have been perfected by the Salmon Lake Power Company, which plans to develop 

3,000 horsepower, to be used on dredges at Nome and Council and 

on Solomon River.

Salmon Lake, at its present level, 442 feet, covers 1,800 acres; if 

raised to a level of 475 feet it would cover 3,600 acres; and at 500 

feet, 4,600 acres. The reservoirs thus formed may be used for the 

storage of the water of the floods caused by the melting snow in 

the spring and the occasional heavy rains in the summer. The 

water thus retained wT ill give a large minimum flow not only in summer but also during the winter months, when the natural run-off 

becomes small.

Kruzgamepa River seldom freezes over before the first of January, 

and it is probable that with proper installation power could be 

developed throughout the year.

KRUZGAMEPA RIVER AT OUTLET OF SALMON LAKE.

A gaging station was established at Leland's camp, about 100 yards 

below the lake. During tho spring flood a temporary gage had been 

set by Mr. John P. Samuelson and read twice a day. Float measurements were also made, which gave a discharge considerably smaller 

than the open-water flow, showing a backwater effect caused by snow 

banks in the channel below. This effect became less as the water fell 

and the snow banks melted.

A new gage was set June 23, with its datum 3 feet below that of the 

temporary gage. The old gage heights were reduced to the datum of 

the new gage by adding 3 feet. A tagged wire stretched across the 

river gave distances from the initial point. Measurements were made 

by wading at low water and up to a gage height of 1.5 feet. At higher 

stages it was impossible to reach the middle of the stream, because of 

the depth and velocity of the water, and float measurements were 

resorted to.

The gage was read twice daily by Mr. John P. Samuelson. The 

natural storage in the lake regulated the flow, making the rise and fall 

very gradual, and the gage readings give the mean height of the lake 

very closely.

A change in channel occurred during the high water of July 8 to 9, 

the soundings showing a scour in the middle of the gaging section of
36 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

about 0.2 foot, and the increase in velocity indicating an even greater 

scour below. No low-water measurements could be obtained after 

the high water of September 21 to 23, but it is believed that no change 

occurred.

Discharge measurements of Kruzgamepa River at outlet of Salmon Lake in 1906.

June 29 ................................................

June 30. ...............................................

Do.. ..............................................

July 10. ..............................................

September 21. ........................................

September 24. ..................... ...................

Area of 

section.

Squarefeet. 

183

170

157

431

412

372

116

148

184

164

127

108

336

269

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.32

2.08

2.01

5.43

5.09

4.73

1.81

1.80

2.33

2.49

2.27

1.95

1.62

4.61

3.76

3.44

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.22

1.00

.93

3.18

3.02

2.68

.38

.37

.70

80

.85

.52

.27

2.38

2.06

1.80

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

425

353

315

2,340

2,094

1,760

212

209

312

371

458

373

248

175

1,546

1,124

925

Mean daily gage height and discharge of Kruzgamepa River at Salmon Lake. 

[Drainage area, 81 square miles.]

1...................

2

May.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

4. .................. ........ ........

5 .. . . .1

8. ...... ............

9

i

10................... ........

11. ............

12...................

13

14................... ........

15............-.--..- ........

16................... ........

17---..........--.... ........

18................... ........

19

20. . .- .....

21...................

22

23................... ........

24................... ........

26................... ........

27

28...................

30...................

31...................

Mean

5.45 

5.0 

4.05 

3.6

Run-off per square 

mile.... .......... ........

Run-off, depth in 

inches. ................. .

Run-off in acrefeet ...............

3,270 

3,000 

2,430 

2,180

2,720 

33.6

5.00 

21,600

June.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. 

3.05 

3.75

3 9

4.2 

3.75 

3.2 

2.45

Sec.-ft. 

1,780 

2,270 

2,350 

2,520 

2,270 

1,920 

1,220

i

i

1.2 

1.25 

1.2 

1.12 

1.1 

1.05 

1.02 

.92

a 2, 050 

25.3

6.59 

28, 500

420 

442 

420 

388 

380 

360 

348 

308

6383 

4.73

1.41 

6,040

July.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. 

0.82

.72

'.1 

.8 

1.1 

1.1 

1.92 

3.05 

2.6 

2.2 

1.95 

1.85 

1.55 

1.45 

1.25 

1.12 

1.08 

.98 

.9 

.82 

.85 

.82 

.85 

.82 

.8 

.72 

. 7 

.62 

.55 

.5

Sec.-ft. 

272 

241 

235 

235 

265 

380 

380 

1,030 

2,130 

1,640 

1,275 

1,065 

985 

768 

702 

582 

511 

490 

441 

405 

369 

382 

369 

382 

369 

360 

328 

320 

288 

262 

245

571 

7.05

8.13

35, 100

August.

Gage Disheight. f charge.

Feet. 

0.48 

.42 

.38 

.36 

.38 

.38 

.4 

.4 

.4 

.36 

.35 

.35 

.36 

.34 

.36 

.35 

.32 

.3 

.26 

.32 

.39 

.42 

.66

'.76 

.9 

1.02 

1.05 

.99 

.94

Sec.-ft. 

239 

221 

209 

203 

209 

209 

215 

215 

215 

203 

200 

200 

203 

197 

202 

200 

197 

185 

175 

191 

212 

221 

304 

324 

320 

344 

405 

460 

475 

446 

423

259 

3.20

3.69

15,900

September.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. 

.86 

.81 

.74 

.69 

.65 

.6 

.53 

.49 

.46 

.41 

.39 

.37 

.34 

.31 

.3 

.28 

.26 

.27 

.52 

1.34 

2.35 

2.4 

2.11 

1.78 

1.58 

1.38 

1.22 

1.08 

.98

QQ 

. OO

Sec.-ft. 

387 

364 

336 

316 

300 

280 

256 

242 

233 

218 

212 

206 

197 

188 

185 

180 

175 

178 

252 

634 

1,410 

1,455 

1,198 

930 

787 

658 

566 

490 

441 

396

456 

5.63 

6.28 

27,100

a June 1 to 7. 6 June 23 to 30.
KBUZGAMEPA RIVER DRAINAGE. 37

CRATER CREEK.

Crater Creek is the first large tributary entering Kruzgamepa River 

from the north. It rises in mountains that reach an elevation of 

nearly 4,000 feet. The topography and general character of its basin 

closely resemble those of the Grand Central River. (See page 23.) 

It drains many small lakes, but none of any considerable size. This 

stream has good possibilities for water-power development. Measurements were made at an elevation of about 550 feet.

Discharge measurements of Crater CreeTc in 1906. 

[Elevation 550 feet.]

Date. Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.45

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

67

57

290

: Date. Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.71

.45

.35

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

110

55

39

IRON CREEK.

Iron Creek rises in an area of limestone and schist hills of no great 

elevation lying between Salmon Lake and the headwaters of Casadepaga and Eldorado rivers. It is formed by the junction of Eldorado 

and Telegram creeks. Its principal tributaries are Discovery and 

Canyon creeks, both from the southwest. The portion of the stream 

above Discovery Creek is sometimes called Dome Creek. Iron 

Creek empties into Kruzgamepa River about 12 miles below Salmon 

Lake.

Several mines are being worked successfully on this stream and its 

tributaries. During 1906 the Gold Beach Development Company 

built a ditch 13 miles long, which diverts water from Eldorado, Discovery, and Canyon creeks, for use on Discovery No. 1 and No. 2 

claims on Iron Creek.

Measurements of Iron Creek and tributaries in 1906.

Date. Stream. Elevation.

Feet.

Iron (Dome) Creek. . ......................................... 630

Eldorado Creek. ......... ................................... 750

.....do........................................................ 750

.....do.................................. ..................... 760

i

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

a 9(i 1

6.0

4.5

fi fi

1.25

2 3

1.3

1.1

"Below Canyon Creek.
38 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA. 

IMURUK BASIN DRAINAGE.

The following measurements were made on streams tributary to 

Imuruk basin to determine their availability and value for waterpower development. They rise on the northerly slope of the northernmost ridge of the Kigluaik Range and" are fed by large banks of 

perpetual snow.

Measurements on streams tributary io Imuruk basin in 1906. 

Date. Stream. Elevation. ^reT^ pischarg'1 -

Feet. Sq. miles. Sec.-feet.

Septembers... Fall Creek........................................ 1,2081 5 34

Do.........I GlacierCreek..................................... 1,212 I 3 10

Do......... 1 Snow Gulch...................................... 1 1,212 2 9.7

SINUK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Sinuk River has its headwaters on the southern slope of the Kigluaik Range, adjacent to those of Grand Central River and Thompson 

and Buffalo creeks. It flows in a southwest direction, entering 

Bering Sea near Cape Rodney. The upper portion of its drainage 

basin is mountainous, the greater part of it having an elevation of 

over 1,000 feet. The upper valley contains a large amount of glacial 

debris and rock slide. Below the mouth of Stewart River, which 

is the principal tributary, the valley widens out and is almost flat. 

The principal tributaries to the upper stream are Windy Creek and 

the outlet of Glacial Lake from the north and Stewart River from 

the south.

Owing to inability to secure a gage reader it was on.\y possible to 

make occasional measurements of streams in this drainage. A sufficient number, however, were made to obtain a fair estimate ol the 

flow. These estimates are given on page 45.

ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY FOR NOME.

Owing to the mountainous character of the drainage basin, which 

insures a well-sustained flow, the upper Sinuk River, with its tributaries, North Star and Windy creeks, offers an attractive additional 

high-level water supply for Nome.

This water can be brought into the Nome River drainage for use 

near Nome in four ways: (1) By high-line ditches. These would run 

either across the Buffalo divide, which has an elevation of 1,01? 

feet, into Hudson Creek; or over the Slate Creek divide, elevation 989 

feet, down to Stewart River, and hence over the Divide Creek divide, 

elevation 722 feet, to Nome River; or over the Silver Creek divide, 

elevation 910 feet, into Stewart River, and hence over the Divide 

Creek divide to Nome River. The feasibility of such high-level
MEASUREMENTS OF SINUK RIVER DRAINAGE. 39

ditches is questionable, as it would be necessary to tap the streams 

near their sources, where the water supply is much less than lower 

down, and ditching for such a plan would be very difficult and expensive on account of the large amount of loose rock that would be 

encountered.

(2) By pipe line, ditch, and tunnel over Divide Creek divide. This 

is the most attractive plan. The most feasible route would start 

from Windy Creek, at an elevation of about 820 feet, just below the 

upper lake, and carry the water by pipe line around the rocky point 

to near North Star Creek, then by ditch across North Star Creek to 

Sinuk River, at an elevation of 770 feet. Taking the water from 

Sinuk River just below the upper lake, the ditch would continue 

down the valley, reaching Silver Creek divide at an elevation of 753 

feet. At this elevation a tunnel about 5,800 feet long would carry 

the water through the divide to Stewart River, where it could be 

taken by ditch over Divide Creek into Nome River.

(3) By pipe line, ditch, and tunnel by Goldbottom Creek. This line 

is the same as in plan (2), as far as the outlet of the tunnel through 

Silver Creek divide. From this point the water would be taken by 

ditch around the head of Stewart River down to Goldbottom Creek, 

and thence over the divide to Miocene flume.

(4) By ditch and siphon. The ditch would follow the north side 

of the ridge between Sinuk and Stewart rivers to its west end. then 

along its south side to near Francisco Creek; thence by siphon across 

Stewart River, and by ditch over the divide into Goldbottom Creek, 

to a point near Miocene flume.

The table below gives the length of ditch, pipe, and tunnel for the 

sections of the three latter routes, together with the elevation of the 

beginning and ending of each section. This was prepared from the 

Grand Central special topographic sheet, published by the United 

States Geological Survey as part of the topographic atlas of the 

United States.

Length of ditch, pipe, and tunnel nectssary to carry water from Simile Hirer to Miocene

fume.

BY TUNNEL ANT) DIVIDE CREEK,.

Section.

Total ...............................

Kind of construction.

/Pipe..........

Ditch ...... . .

....do.........

pitch.........

{Pipe. .........

Length.

Ifiles. 

1.8 

a 4.1 

4.2 

1.1 

0.5 

14.3

29.1 

1.8 

1.1

Fall per 

mile.

Feet. 

15 

4.5

3 

4

3-7

Total 

fall.

Feet. 

27 

18 

17 

7 

26 

86

Elevation 

above sea level.

Intake. Outlet.

Feet. 

820 

793 

770 

753 

746 

562

Feet. 

793 

775 

753 

746 

720 

476

«2.1 mile of ditch may he avoided by carrying the water of Windy Creek in a siphon 3,500 feet long 

across Sinuk River.
40 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

Length of ditch, pipe, and tunnel necessary to carry water from Sinuk River to Miocene

flume Continued.

BY TUNNEL AND GOLDBOTTOM CREEK.

Section. Kind of construction.

/Pipe..........

(Ditch......... 

. ..do.........

Ditch.........

....do.........

Length.

Miles. 

1.8

a 4. 1

4.2 

1.1 

612.4 

9.2

29.9 

1.8 

1.1

Fall per 

mile.

Feet. 

15 

4.5 

4 

6 

4 

4

Total 

fall.

feet. 

27

18 

17

51

37

Elevation 

above sea level.

Intake.

Feet. 

820 

793 

770 

753 

705 

513

Outlet.

Feet. 

793

775 

753 

746 

054 

476

BY DITCH AND SIPHONS ACROSS STEWART RIVER AND GOLDBOTTOM CREEK.

Creek.

Total...............................

/Pipe..........! 1.8

....do......... 20.0

Pine.......... 1.5

Ditch.........! 2.0

....do.. ....... 9.2

/Ditch......... 35.3

IPipe. ......... 3.3

15

4.5

4

35

4

27

18 

80

52

8

37

820

770

690

638

513

793

775

690

638

630

476

a 2.1 miles of ditch may be avoided by carrying the water of Windy Creek in a siphon 3,500 feet long 

across Sinuk River. 

6 6.1 miles of ditch may be replaced by 1.2 miles of siphon across Stewart River.

UPPER SINUK RIVER.

The gagings on the upper Sinuk were made at an elevation of 770 

feet, and show the probable water supply which could be diverted 

from this stream for any of the plans just described.

Discharge measurements of upper Sinuk River in 1906. 

[Elevation, 770 feet; drainage area, 6.2 square miles.]

Date.

June 27 ................................

July 6............ ....................

July 20................................

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

33

37

36

Date. Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

20

23.5

WINDY CREEK.

Windy Creek, the first large tributary of Sinuk River, lies between 

the main ridge of the Kigluaik Mountains and the headwaters of the 

Sinuk. It adjoins the west fork of Grand Central River, from which 

it may be reached by crossing a high divide. The topography is very 

rough, the crcok being entirely lost in some places in the large bowlders which form its bed.
SINUK RIVER DRAINAGE.

Discharge measurements of Windy Creek in 1906.

41

Date.

June 21............. . ..

July 13..............

July 20....................

Elevation 

at point of 

measurement.

1,100

1,100

a 650

650

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

49

17

114

48

Date.

Elevation 

at point of 

measurement.

650

6,50

650

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

32

b35

b32

« Drainage area, 12 square miles. 6 Estimated.

NORTH STAR CREEK.

North Star Creek lies between Sinuk River and Windy Creek, and 

is a tributary to the latter near its mouth. It is a small stream with 

a steep slope.

Discharge measurements of North Star Creek in J906. 

[Elevation, 900 feet; drainage area, 2.3 square miles.]

Date.

June 27 ............. ..... . ..... .

July 6....... .......

July 13................................

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

9.8

18.1

16.4

Date.

July 20........-...-.....---...-...-..

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

3.9

3.0

2.9

STEWART RIVER.

Stewart River lies south of upper Sinuk River, to which it is tributary. It drains an area of limestone and schist hills. The flow is 

small and the stream of minor importance.

Discharge measurements of Stewart River in 1906. 

[Elevation, 400 feet.]

Date.

July 15.............. ..... ..........

July 17 ........-.---.-...--. . - .......

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

72 

49

Date.

July 30...............................

Discharge,.

Sec.-feet. 

a 26 

11.4

a Estimated. 

SLATE CREEK.

Slate Creek is the second tributary to Stewart River from the north. 

The following gives approximate measurements of the flow that can 

be diverted into Nome River over Divide Creek:

Discharge measurements of Slate Creek in 1906. 

[Elevation, 700 feet; drainage area, 2.1 square miles.]

Date.

July 17................................

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

6.7

4.4

Date.

July 30. ..............................

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

2.8

2.2
42 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA. 

OTHER SINUK RIVER DRAINAGE.

For measurements on Josie, Irene, and Jessie creeks, which are 

small tributaries of Stewart River, see below.

CRIPPLE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Cripple River enters Bering Sea about 12 miles west of Nome, after 

draining an area of about 88 square miles.

Ao yet but little mining has been done in this section, except in the 

vicinity of Oregon and Hungry creeks. Some small ditches have 

been constructed at the headwaters of Cripple River, the principal 

one being the Cedric, which diverts water from the Stewart River 

drainage.

CEDRIC DITCH.

The Cedric ditch was built in 1905 to divert water from Josie and 

Jessie creeks (tributary to the Stewart River) over the divide to the 

Cripple River basin for use on Oregon, Hungry, Trilby, and Nugget 

creeks. After passing the divide it picks up water from upper 

Oregon (2 forks), Slate, and Aurora creeks, which are its principal 

feeders, and from Daisy Swift Creek, Snowshoe Gulch, and three 

other small gulches. It has a total length of about 19 miles and a 

width of from 4 to 8 feet. The elevation of the head is about 870 

feet and of the outlet 790 feet. The capacity of the lower half is 

about 25 second-feet. Water is carried across Oregon Creek near 

the outlet by a siphon 2,970 feet long, of 30-inch riveted steel pipe. 

There are about 6 miles of distributing ditches at the lower end.

The following measurements were made to determine the amount 

of water available for the ditch:

Water available for Cedric ditch in 1906.

Stream. July 15-17.

Sec.-feet. 

3.0

1.0

?> 3. 2

l> 0. 8

4.0

4.8

18.3

July 30-31.

Sec.-feet. 

1.5

a.8

2.6

2.6

2.0

2.1

11.6

August 19.

Sec.-feet. 

1.1

.6

a Estimated.

& Measured below ditch level; only about half this amount is available for the ditch.
MEASUREMENTS OF FLOW. 43

Seepage measurements on Cedric ditch.

Date. Point of measurement. Discharge. Loss. Dis- ' Loss per 

tancc. mile.

July 30......... Below upper Oregon Creek.

'Do......... Above Slate Creek.

Scc.-feet. I Sec.-feet. 

2.6

Miles. \ Sec.-Jeet.

July 31......... Above Aurora Creek

0.7 2.3 "i.'s

.2 

2.0

4.2

2.0

.6

3.7

.25 

.3

10.4

PENNY RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Penny River enters Bering Sea a little east of the mouth oi Cripple 

River, and has a drainage area of 36 square miles. Its waters are 

being used by the United Mining Company on the tundra near the 

old beach, and are diverted by means of two ditches.

The following measurements were made in the Penny River 

drainage:

Date.

August 1.

Point of measurement.

Below intake of high-line ditch.

Do ........ Sutton ditch at intake.

Do........ Penny River below Sutton ditch intake.

Elevation. Discharge.

Feet.

420

120

120

Sec.-feet. 

7.8 

30.0 

6.2

SNAKE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Snake River empties into Bering Sea at Nome. It has a drainage 

area of 110 square miles, which contains some of the richest mining 

ground in the Seward Peninsula, notably the claims on Glacier, Anvil, 

and Little creeks. Owing to the slight fall its use for mining purposes 

is limited to ground sluicing. All the available water from both the 

main stream and its tributaries is being used, and water is diverted 

into this area by the Miocene ditch, the Seward ditch, and the Nome 

River ditch of the Pioneer Mining Company.

FLAMBEAU AND ELDORADO RIVER DRAINAGE BASINS.

These streams rise near Salmon Lake and flow in a southerly direction to Bering Sea near Cape Nome. Because of their minor importance, but one measurement was made upon them. The flow of 

Eldorado River was measured August 14 below the mouth of Venetia 

Creek and found to be 44 second-feet.
44 WATEE SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWAED PENINSULA.

] WATER SUPPLY DURING 19O6.

In order to determine the amount of water that could have been 

used during 1906 for hydraulicking the placers near Nome, the mean 

flow of the streams in each drainage basin has been tabulated by 

weekly periods in the table on page 45. In using this table the following points should be noted:

The "high-level flow of Nome River" represents the total amount 

of water in that river above Miocene ditch, including the flow of 

Campion ditch, David Creek, and Hobson Creek. The flow of the 

springs on the latter creek has been taken as 14 second-feet, except 

for the first week in July, when it did not exceed 10 second-feet.

"Low-level flow, Nome River," includes all additional water down 

to the Pioneer ditch. This has been estimated on basis of drainage 

area as equal to 90 per cent of the naural flow at Miocene intake, plus 

about 3 second-feet at Hobson Creek.

"Grand Central River" includes the station below the forks and 

those on Thompson Creek and Gold Run, and gives the amount that 

can be brought over the Nugget divide.

The mean flow of "Nugget, Copper, and Jett creeks" gives the 

amount that can be brought over the Nugget divide, and was 

estimated from the few measurements obtained.

The flow of "Sinuk River and its tributaries, Windy and North 

 Star creeks," has been estimated for an elevation of 800 feet, which is 

as low as the water can be taken over the divide into Nome River 

(see p. 39).

The amount of this flow was obtained by taking 70 per cent of the 

flow of Grand Central River below the forks, this percentage being 

determined as follows:

Comparison of flow of Grand Central River below forks with that of Sinuk River and 

its tributaries at elevation SOOfeeL

Date.

July 6..................................

July 13.................................

July 90

Sinuk 

TCivor.

Sec.-feet. '33

(75)

36

20

23.5

(20)

Windy 

Creek.

Sec.-feet. 

22

(35)

86

36

24

26

24

North 

Star 

Creek.

Sec.-feet. 

10

18

16

4

3

3

(3)

Total.

See. -feet. 

65

90

177

76

47

52.5

47

Grand 

Central 

below 

forks.

Sec.-feet. 

105

198

100

67

65

Sinuk, 

Windy, and 

North Star 

in per cent 

of Grand 

Central.

62

89

76

70

81

70

The drainage areas of Grand Central River, Sinuk River, and 

Windy and North Star creeks lie adjacent .to each other on the north 

and the south side, respectively, of Kigluaik Mountains. On the 

days when measurements of flow were made of the streams on
AVAILABLE WATEE SUPPLY. 45

both sides of the mountain it was found, as shown in the preceding 

table, that the flow on the south side was from 62 to 89 per cent 

of the flow on the north side. It is, therefore, conservative to say 

that the average combined flow of Sinuk River and Windy and 

North Star creeks will be 70 per cent of the flow of Grand Central 

River below the forks.

The following table should not be taken as indicating the water 

that can be used. This will, of course, be limited by the capacity of 

ditches that can be built economically. In the ecnomical construction of a ditch the size will depend largely upon the duration of the 

low-water flow. This will probably limit the size in most cases to 

twice the minimum, except for short ditches.

Mean iveekly water supply, in second-feel, available for use back of Nome, 1906.

Dates.

July 1-7. ...... .-... -....-......

July 15-21 ......................

July 29- August 4 .......... ....

August 12-18...................

Available 

for use at 

elevation 

250 to 275 

feet.

Nome 

River low

level.

31 

110 

36

29 

22 

26 

34 

58 

94 

48 

33 

86

51

110

22

Available for use at elevation 400 to 450 feet.

Nome 

River high 

level.

45 

144 

58 

49 

42 

45 

53 

84 

128 

73 

53 

118

74

144

42

Upper 

Grand Nugget, 

Central, Copper, 

Thompson, and Jett 

and Gold creeks. 

Run.

153 7 

343 26 

179 15 

156 i 12 

101 8 

108 8 

91 8 

138 10 

202 I 22 

101 14 

68 9 

250 , 20

Sinuk 

River, 

Windy and

North Star 

creeks.

88 

173 

90 

79 

50 

49 

42 

62 

94 

51 

36 

125

158 13 ' 78

343 26 , 173

68 7 36

Total.

324 

796 

378 

325 

223 

236 

228 

352 

540 

287 

199 

599

375

796

199

WATER SUPPLY AVAILABLE FOR OTHER YEARS A1STD

LOCALITIES.

But little definite information in regard to climatic and other conditions at Nome prior to 1900 is known. The climatic conditions of 

that year are described by the old residents as very similar to those 

for 1906, both being dry and warm seasons. The years 1901, 1902, 

1904, and 1905 are described as being wet and cold; 1903 was dry in 

the eastern portion of the peninsula. There were, therefore, two 

years of drought out of a total of seven, and it is probable that similar 

low-water periods will occur every few years.

Notwithstanding the fact that the flow for 1906 was as a whole 

below the normal, there were weeks when it probably reached an
46 WATEE SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA.

absolute summer maximum; for instance, the second week in July. 

The rain storm of July 8 was one of the severest which had been 

known in that section, and owing to the frozen condition of the 

ground practically all this rain ran off within a few days and gave a 

maximum high-water flow to nearly all the streams (see fig. 1). In the 

weeks beginning August 16 and September 18 there was also considerable rain, and these weeks were probably typical of high wT ater. 

The week beginning July 29 probably showed as small a flow as may 

be expected before the cold weather lessens the yield of high levels.

The above-described conditions are due to the fact that the principal source of water supply of this country is the rainfall, which 

appears almost immediately in the streams. Therefore a very severe 

storm, even in a dry season, will give the same conditions of flow as a 

similar storm during a wet season. The above table of weekly flow, 

therefore, can be used as a general criterion for hydraulic development 

in this section.

In order to predict what the flow would be in other areas similar to 

Seward Peninsula the following tables have been prepared, showing 

the absolute daily minimum and the mean monthly flow, in secondfeet per square mile, for the various streams.

These streams have been grouped into two classes: (1) those rising 

in foothills, having southern exposures and but few gulches in which 

snow can be stored; (2) streams rising in mountainous areas with 

northern exposures and many gulches in which snow is stored and 

held during the whole summer.

The minimum and mean flow can be obtained, approximately, by 

multiplying the drainage area of a stream by the flow per square mile 

given in the tables for a stream of similar character.

Minimum daily flow of streams in fieicard Peninsula during 1906. 

STREAMS RISING IX FOOTHILLS.

Stream.

Dorothy Creek

Elevation.

Feet. 

450

400

800

800

590

500

700

120

Date.

Aug. 14

....do...

Aug. 11

July 4

Aug 19

....do...

Aug. 1

Minimum 

flow.

Sec.-feet. 

17.1

44

" 4 2

b . 90

2 9

Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles. 

37

51

2.1

2.7

2.0

36

19

Minimum 

run-off 

per sq. 

mi.

Sec.-feet.

.86

94

.46

.77

1.1

 JO

1 9

a Lowest measurements obtained. The flow was less on certain dates.

b The lowest flow later in the season was 3.0 second-feet, or 1.4 second-feet per square mile, on August 11. 

c The flow of Hobson Creek is from large limestone springs whose catchment area may not co incide 

with the surface watershed.
AVAILABLE WATER SUPPLY. 47

Minimum daily flow of streams in Seward Peninsula during 1906 Continued.

STREAMS RISING IN KIGLUAIK MOUNTAINS.

Stream.

Grand Central River (North Fork). 

Grand Central River (West Fork)..

Grand Central River below the forks.

Grand Central River below Nugget Creek...........

Between station below the forks and station at Nugget Creek..........................................

Crater Lake outlet.

Elevation.

Feet. 

750

850

1)90 

455

Thompson Creek.

Windy Creek.....

North Star Creek. 

Sinuk River......

Buffalo Creek....

Nome River......

925

050

900

770

800

575

Date.

July 1 

Sept. 15

to

Sept. 17 

Sept. 16

to

Sept. 17 

...do...

....do...

(Sept. 15 

to

[Sept.17

(Sept. 16 

to

(Sept. 17 

Aug. 3 

Aug. 10 

Aug. 3

....do... 

Aug. 5

Minimum 

Minimum Drainage' run-off 

flow. area. per sq. 

mi.

Sec-.feet. Sq. miles. Sec. 

23 , 5.4

47

90

43

3.1

32

2.9

20

9.1

20

CKn

442

fSept. 16 { to

[Sept. 17 

Aug. 19

\ to

[Sept. 17

} "

I 175 01 2.U

14.0

39

24.4

1.8

2.5

12

2.3

6.2

4.4

15

-feet. 

4.3

3.5

3.1 

2.3 

1.76 

1.7

2.0

2.7

1.2<i

3.2

2.1

1.3

Mean run-off, in second-feet per square mile, at gaging stations.

Station.

Grand Central River (North Fork), eleGrand Central River (North Fork), eleGrand Central River (West Fork), eleGrand Central River (West Fork), elevation 1,010 feet .......................

Grand Central River below the forks. . . . 

Grand Central River below Nugget

Kruzgamepa River at outlet Salmon

Between Grand Central River below the 

forks and Kruzgamepa River stations.

Drainage 

area.

Sq. mi. 

5 4

W-^ffilla4!

5. 4 103

2.8

1.8

2.5

14.6 

39 

81

66

15

........... 9.64

........... 8. 36

3. 43 2. 71

Aug. 1-31. Sept. 1-30.

6.80 

11.9 

6.02

4.96 

6.56 

6.64

5.84

a 4.42

3.20

2.62

3.36

...........

5.63

4.29

Sept. 1-18

5. 85 

9-65 

4.72

3.36 

2.89 

3.04 

4.25

3.36 

3.05 

2.79

a Approximate.

DITCH AND PIPE LIXES.

In order to bring the water to the gold-producing ground between 

Capes Nome and Rodney at sufficient elevation to be used for hydraulicking and sluicing, nearly 300 miles of ditch and pipe line have 

been constructed and several extensive additional systems are now 

under construction or consideration. The first ditch in this section 

was built in 1901, by W. L. Leland and J. M. Davidson, from upper
48 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME EEGION, SEWAED PENINSULA.

Glacier Creek to Snow Gulch. This ditch demonstrated the practicability of ditch systems in this country and was the beginning of 

the Miocene system.

Ditches are usually built following the approximate contour with 

grades limiting the velocity to about 2 feet per second, which is as 

high as the material in this section will stand without scour. The 

ditches therefore are for the most part on slopes, and are constructed by making a cut from 12 to 18 inches deep to grade at the 

lower bank. This bank is then built up by material from the excavation. The slopes of the banks are from 1 to 1 to 1J to 1, depending on the material.

The work of constructing a ditch is usually divided into three 

classes: (1) Team work; (2) pick and shovel work; and (3) rock 

work.

Teams may be used in handling dry soil that contains only medium 

sized rock. This is the fastest method, and the compacting of the 

lower banks by the horses and scrapers makes it much tighter than 

when the dirt is thrown in loose.

Pick and shovel are used in loose rock, in wet soil, and in frozen 

ground from which the top is removed as it thaws from the surface.

Rock must be blasted, unless it is fissured limestone, which may 

be loosened with the crowbar, or decomposed schist which yields to 

the pick. In building through solid rock, a shelf is blasted out 

about 1 foot below grade and wide enough to carry the ditch and 

the lower bank, which is built of rocks. The bottom and both sides 

are lined with sod about 1 foot thick, and are puddled with clay.

In rock slide the method is similar. A good example of this kind 

of construction was seen on the Grand Central branch of the Miocene 

system. The ditch was built through a pile of large bowlders, 

unmixed with any soil or gravel. A trench was made 1 foot deeper 

and 2 feet wider than the finished ditch. The sides of the trench 

were lined with a slope wall, laid 1 to 1, to a height of 4 or 5 feet. 

The outer slope of the lower bank was also rock wall, laid somewhat 

flatter. The ditch will be lined with sod and will be tight and permanent.

The use of sod is very common and economical, and saves much 

piping and fluming that would otherwise be necessary. This sod 

in a short while settles and knits together, and thus becomes a very 

serviceable bank. It will not cut or wear out, and the older it gets 

the better it becomes. When, however, it becomes evident that 

the bottom of the ditch is cutting and wearing away, sodding 

must be resorted to, and by lining the bottom of the ditch with sod 

the trouble may soon be overcome. In this way a ditch can be made 

over perpetually frozen ground, where otherwise it would be impossible. Much ditch has to be constructed over loose stones with little
DITCH AND PIPE LINES. 49

or no sediment between them. In this case the ditch must be lined 

with sod and all holes must be filled by tamping sod into them as far 

as possible. This being done, it will be found that the water traveling through the ditch will deposit sediment over the sod and that 

after a little while it will 1 ecome tight.

Canvas is also used as a lining to secure water-tightness. Willows 

with the tops left out, so that they may grow, are utilized in embankments with success.

In construction over "glacier," which is the term used for frozen 

muck mixed with ground ice, the ditch is either built wholly on top 

of the sod covering or an excavation is made and lined with sod. 

Ditches over this material are expensive to maintain, owing to the 

thawing of ice by running water.

One of the most interesting pieces of construction over glacier is 

the flume on the Miocene ditch. This flume is 1,100 feet long, and 

has a width of 8 feet and a depth of 28 inches. It was constructed 

in 1901, and is now in practically perfect alignment, both horizontal 

and vertical, and no repairs have been necessary on it. In putting 

in the foundation, trenches were dug 3 or 4 feet deep in the frozen 

ground, which was practically all ice. The excavated material was 

covered to protect it from thawing. A sill was laid in the bottom of 

the trench and the uprights fastened to this sill. The excavated 

material was then replaced in the trenches and froze again into the 

original condition. Sod was carefully placed over the trench. The 

uprights were then sawed off to grade and the flume constructed on 

them.

Inverted siphons are built across deep ravines where their use will 

save expense and reduce loss by seepage. Most of these are of riveted 

steel pipe. Joints are made by lapping the ends from 4 to 6 inches. 

Siphons must be weighted down and protected by rock to prevent 

injury by frost and snow slides. During 1906 two siphons were 

built on the Seward ditch, across Clara and Hobson creeks, using 

continuous wood-stave pipes with steel bands.

On account of the rapid surface run-off during hard rains, it is 

necessary to have frequent waste gates. The most common waste 

gates consist either of a flume as deep as the bottom of the ditch, 

in which the height of the water is regulated by flashboards, or of a 

long weir, laid on the ground surface, which will spill the water when 

it reaches a certain level.

Intakes of ditch consist of a dam or barrier across the stream, 

containing one or more waste gates, and head-gates for regulating the 

flow into the ditch. In order to divert the entire flow of a stream, a 

bed-rock dam must be built to stop the ground flow through the 

gravelly beds. These are made by cutting a trench across the stream

IRR 196 07 4
50 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME EEGION, SEWAED PENINSULA.

bed, extending down to an imperyious stratum, and filling it with sod, 

which is carefully laid and tamped. The dam should be protected 

from erosion with large flat rocks or riprap.

Frozen ground, inadequate facilities for transportation, and high 

cost of help 0 and supplies make ditching very expensive. To the 

first cost of a ditch should be added the cost of maintenance for the 

first three years, during which time extensive repairs are necessary. 

These in many cases equal the first cost of construction. At the end 

of three years ditches are, as a rule, in fairly permanent condition, 

and the cost of maintenance is greatly reduced. Such information 

as could be obtained shows that the cost of a ditch carrying from 

1,000 to 2,000 inches, including the first three years' maintenance, 

is from $5,000 to $8,000 per mile. Owing to dangers from washouts and landslides, it is necessary to have the ditch constantly 

patrolled.

Owing to the frozen condition of the ground, it is not practicable to 

use ditches much before the 1st of July, as the surface does not become 

fully thawed until that time, and during the thawing period the ground 

becomes very soft and there is great danger of damage by washouts.

The following table gives a list of the principal ditches in this section. The data given are in some cases only approximate, as it was 

necessary to obtain them by inquiry.

Ditches between Cape Nome and Cape Rodney, Sfward Peninsula.

Name.

Miocene Ditch 

Co.: 

Main ditch. ..

Feeding laterals.

Distributing 

laterals.

Wild Goose Mining and Trading Co.:

Pipe line. ....

a Laborers rec 

b Under const

Extends

From ' To 

Nome Kivcr. . . 

llobson Greek. 

The Ex. .......

Upper Glacier 

Creek. 

Grouse Creek. . 

Upper New Eldorado Creek. 

David Creek. . .

.lett Creek..... 

Grand Central 

Iliver. 

The Ex........

Kanoma Gulch. 

Glacier Creek.

Nome River 

below Dorothy Creek. 

Crater Lake . . . 

Nugget Divide.

Pumping plant. 

No. 3, below 

Little Creek.

eive $5 per day a 

ruction.

llobson Creek. 

The Ex..

The Ex..

Sparkle Creek. .

Nome River 

above main 

intake. 

Nugget Divide. 

.....do.........

New Year 

Gulch, Anvil 

Creek.

Saturday 

Creek.

Nugget Divide . 

Anvil Mountain. 

.. ...do. ........

Pumping plant . 

id board; blacks

Length.

.Mile.K. 

13

14 

4

9

4 

1.8

3.5 

8

4 

 1.800

38

8 

35

7 

3

miths, en

Completed.

1903 

1902 

1901 

1901

iooti

1904

1906 

(*>

CO

Bot- Fall 

torn per 

width, mile.

Pert. Feet. 

8 4. 5 

10 3. 37

8 6. 5

4 . ...

3. 5 (i 

S-10 ,">-<)

6 3. 3

10 3. 18

e42 15 

e48 10

e IS

Capacity.

Se<:- 

feet. 

40 

55 

55 

(i

4

6 

14

10

80

16

32

60 

70

6

1902 4 5. 3 6

oks, etc., $<i. d Cross secti 

e Diameter i

Elevation.

Head

572 

500 

445

742 

590

80(> 

850

445

408 

963

Outlet.

500 

445 

420 

445

478

785 

785

432

274

jn. 

ti inches.

c Feet.
WATER-POWER POSSIBILITIES. 51

Ditches between Nome and Cape Rodney, Seivard Peninsula Continued.

Name.

Pioneer Mining 

Cov 

South bank . .

North Bank.. 

United Ditch Co.:

Miscellaneous:

Campion. .... 

Nor thwestern Ditch 

Co. 

North land 

Mining Co.

Price and 

T romper. 

Golden Dawn

Corson Mining Co.

Flambeau 

Hastings. 

Capt. Peterson. 

Cripple River 

II y draulic 

Mining Co. 

JourdenCummings.

Extends

From - To 

No. 2, above 

Anvil Creek. 

No. 4, above 

Anvil Creek. 

Nome River, 

above Clara 

Crock.

No. 1, below 

Anvil Creek. 

Moonlight Reservoir. 

Little Creek. . .

Benoh

O shorn Creek..

Goldb ottom 

Creek.

Glacier Creek. .

T w i n Mountain Creek. 

Last Chance 

Creek.

Or»ek. 

Head of Flambeau River. 

No. 3. below 

Anvil. 

West bank 

CrippleRiver.

Buffalo Creek..

Hungry Creek .

Dorothy Creek. 

Hastings 

Beachline.

B alto Creek. . .

Glacier Creek 

opposite 

Snow Gulch. 

Opposite 

Snow Gulch. 

Alpha Creek. ..

Pioneer Gulch..

Hastings Creek 

Little Creek. . .

Boer Creek. . . .

Length.

Miles. 

0.75

1.25 

38

6

19

4 

18

12

6

2.5 

10 

4 

] 

20 

2.5

10

4

Completed.

1902

1903 

1906

1905 

01004

1005 

1903

(a)

1902

(a) 

1903 

1904 

1906

Bot- Fall Catom per pacwidth. mile. ity.

Sec.- 

Feet. Feet. feet. 

5 7 4-6

(i ....... 10-12

8 ' 3 40

20-15 3. 12 100 

7 4.22 .....

4-8 4 25 

U 7.5 28 

....... ....... 20

'-n

....... ....... 10

....... ....... 20

....... ....... 18

....... ....... 3

....... ....... 20

... . . _ .... 10

1900 4 6 20

Elevation.

Head Outlet.

120 00 

420 ......

870 700

(>10 580

390

175 

500 

480

1,000

<' Under construction. 

WATTCK-PO \VEIi P088IBI L1TITCS.

Owing to the great value of water in this section of the country 

for use in the auriferous gravels, but little attention has been given 

to power development. There are, however, a largo number of 

excellent power sites on various portions of the peninsula whose 

development is feasible, both from an engineering and a financial 

standpoint.

The scarcity of fuel makes steam power very expensive, and it is 

probable that much of the future mining, especially along the tundra 

back of Nome and along the larger streams, will be carried on by 

dredging or by some form of elevating in which power will play an 

important part. With this in view the attention of mining men should 

be directed to the consideration of power possibilities. Among those 

which were observed are the Salmon Lake development, which has been 

started; the development at Nugget Divide, by bringing over the water 

from Grand Central River; the developments at Divide Creek and Gold 

Bottom Creek, possible in connection with the diversion of the Sinuk
52 WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION, SEWARD PENINSULA..

water; the Glacier Lake power, and many other powers in the streams 

of the Kigluaik Mountains, notably on the glacier-fed torrents on 

their northerly slope. (See p. 38.)

NOTES FOR INVESTORS.

Present information shows that the total water supply available 

for use in the vicinity of Nome, and probably in other parts of 

Alaska, is limited. Caution, therefore, should be used in extensive 

hydraulic developments.

There is a great tendency in that country to push forward construction and the installation of expensive machinery before making 

a preliminary investigation to determine the feasibility of the project 

from an engineering and from a financial standpoint. A large portion of the ditch and other hydraulic work already constructed in 

this section has been a failure from the first, both on account of insufficient water supply and the lack of mineral ground on which to use 

the supply if it were available, and also in many cases from inefficient 

construction.

Furthermore, there is a great tendency for individuals and companies to undertake the construction and installation of expensive 

plants without employing the services of an engineer. This has 

resulted in total or partial failure, due both to the excessive cost and 

the inefficiency of the plant, where a successful development should 

have been made.

The cost of useless machinery, ditches, etc., which are to be seen 

almost everywhere in this section of the country, amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This condition and the tendency for 

immature development should be noted by all who are looking toward 

this region for investment, and investments should be preceded by a 

thorough investigation by competent engineers.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL

SURVEY.

[Water-Supply Paper Mo, 196.]

The serial publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual 

Reports, (2) Monographs, (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins, (5) Mineral 

Resources, (6) Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, (7) Topographic Atlas of United 

States folios and separate sheets thereof, (8) Geologic Atlas of the United States 

folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7, and 8 are sold at cost of publication; the 

others are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists can be had on application.

Most of the above publications can be obtained or consulted in the following ways:

1. A limited number are delivered to the Director of the Survey, from whom they 

can be obtained, free of charge (except classes 2, 7, and 8), on application.

2. A certain number are delivered to Senators and Representatives in Congress 

for distribution.

3. Other copies are deposited with the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, 

D. C., from whom they can be had at prices slightly above cost.

4. Copies of all Government publications are furnished to the principal public 

libraries in the large cities throughout the United States, where they can be consulted by those interested.

The Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of 

subjects, and the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified 

into the following series: A, Economic geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, Systematic geology and paleontology; D, Petrography and mineralogy; E, Chemistry and 

physios; F, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; H, Forestry; I, Irrigation; J, Water storage; K, Pumping water; L, Quality of water; M, General hydrographic investigations; N, Water power; 0, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic progress reports. 

This paper is the twenty-first in Series M, the complete list of which follows 

(WS=Water-Supply Paper):

SERIES M GENERAL HYDROGRAPHIC INVESTIGATIONS.

WS 56. Methods of stream measurement. 1901. 51 pp., 12 pis.

WS 64. Accuracy of stream measurements, by E. C. Murphy. 1902. 99 pp., 4 pis.

WS 76. Observations on the flow of rivers in the vicinity of New York City, by-H. A. Pressey. 1902.

108pp., 13 pis.

WS 80. The relation of rainfall to run-off, by G. W. Rafter. 1903. 104 pp. 

WS 81. California hydrography, by J. B. Lippincott. 1903. 488 pp., 1 pi. 

WS 88. The Passaic flood of 1902, by G. B. Hollister and M. O. Leighton. 1903. 56 pp., 15 pis. 

WS 91. Natural features and economic development of the Sandusky, Maumee, Muskingum, and

Miami drainage areas in Ohio, by B. H. Flynn and M. S. Flynn. 1904. 130 pp. 

WS 92. The Passaic flood of 1903, by M. O. Leighton. 1904. 48 pp., 7 pis. 

WS 94. Hydrographic manual of the United States Geological Survey, prepared by E. C. Murphy,

J. C. Hoyt, and G. B. Hollister. 1904. 76 pp., 3 pis.

WS 95. Accuracy of stream measurements (second edition), by E. C. Murphy. 1904. 169 pp., 6 pis. 

WS 96. Destructive floods in the United States in 1903, by E. C. Murphy. 1904. 81 pp., 13 pis. 

WS 106. Water resources of the Philadelphia district, by Florence Bascom. 1904. 75 pp., 4 pis. 

WS 109. Hydrography of the Susquehanna River drainage basin, by J. C. Hoyt and R. H. Anderson.

1904. 215 pp., 28 pis.
II SERIES LIST.

WS 116. Water resources near Santa Barbara, California, by J. B. Lippincott. 1904. 99 pp.,8 pis. 

WS 147. Destructive floods in the United States in 1904, by E. C. Murphy and others. 1905. 206 pp.,

18 pis. 

WS 150. Weir experiments, coefficients, and formulas, by R. E. Horton. 1906. 189 pp., 38 pis. (Out

of stock.) 

WS 102. Destructive floods in the United States in 1905, by E. C. Murphy and others. 1906 105 pp.,

4 pis. 

WS 180. Turbine water-wheel tests and power tables, by Robert E. Horton. 1906. 134 pp., 2 pis. (Out

of stock.) 

WS 187. Determination of stream flow during- the frozen season, by H. K. Barrows and Robert E.

Horton. 1907. 93 pp., 1 pi. 

WS 192. The Potomac River basin: Geographic history rainfall and stream flow pollution, typhoid

fever, and character of water relation of soils and forest cover to quality and quantity of

surface water effect of industrial wastes on fishes, by H. X. Parker, Bailey Willis, R. II.

Bolster, W. W. Ashe, and M. C. March. 1907. pp., 10 pis. 

WS 19(i. Water supply of Nome region, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 1906, by J. C. Hoyt and E. F. Henshaw. 1907. 52 pp., 6 pis.

Correspondence f-honld be addressed to

THE DIRECTOR,

UNITED STATES (TEOLOGICAL PURVEY,

WASHINGTON, 1). C. 

MARCH, 1907.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PUBLICATIONS OX ALASKA.

1891.

RUSSELL, I. C. Account of an expedition to the Yukon Valley in 1889. In Eleventh 

Ann. Kept., pt. 1, 1891, pp. 57-58. Extract from Professor Russell's complete report in Bull. Geol. Soc. America, vol. 1, 1890, pp. 99-162. (Out of 

stock.)

 Account of an expedition to the vicinity of Mcunt St. Elias in 1890. In 

Twelfth Ann. Rept., pt. 1, 1891, pp. 59-61. A full report of this expedition was published in Nat. Geog. Mag., vol. 3, 1892, pp. 53-203. (Out of 

stock.)

1892.

DALL, W. H., and HARRIS, G. D. Summary of knowledge of Neocene geology of 

Alaska. In correlation Papers Neocene: Bull. No. 84, 1892, pp. 232-268.

HAYES, C. W. Account of expedition through the Yukon district. In Thirteenth 

Ann. Rept., pt. 1, 1892, pp. 91-94. A complete report was published in 

Nat. Geog. Mag., vol. 4, 1892, pp. 117-162. (Out of stock.)

1893.

RUSSELL, I. C. Second expedition to Mount St. Elias in 1891. In Thirteenth Ann. 

Kept., pt. 2, 1893, pp. 1-91. (Out of stock.)

1896.

DALL, W. H. Report 011 coal and lignite of Alaska In Seventeenth Ann. Rept.,

pt. 1, 1896, pp. 763-906. (Out of stock.) 

REIB, H. F. Glacier Bay and its glaciers. In Sixteenth Ann. Rept., pt. 1, 1896,

pp. 415-461. (Out of stock.) 

WALCOTT, C. D., Director. Account of an investigation of the gold and coal deposits

of southern Alaska. In Seventeenth Ann. Rept., pt. 1, 1896, pp. 56-59.

(Out of stock.)

1897.

WALCOTT, C. D., Director. Account of a reconnaissance of the gold district of the 

Yukon region. In Eighteenth Ann. Rept., pt. 1, 1897, pp. 52-54.

1898.

BECKER, G. F. Reconnaissance of the gold fields of southern Alaska, with some 

notes on general geology. In Eighteenth Ann. Rept., pt. 3, 1898, pp. 1-86.

SPURU, J. E., and GOODKICH, H. B. Geology of the Yukon gold district, Alaska, by 

Josiah Edward Spurr; with an introductory chapter on the history and condition of the district to 1897, by Harold Beach Goodrich, In Eighteenth 

Ann. Rept., pt. 3, 1898, pp. 87-392.

WALCOTT, C. I)., Director. Account of operations in Alaska in 1898. In Nineteenth 

Ann. Rept., pt. 1, 1898, pp. 20, 53, 116-117. (Out-of stock.)

Map of Alaska, showing known gold-bearing rocks, with descriptive text containing 

sketches of the geography, geology, and gold deposits and routes to the 

gold fields. Prepared in accordance wT ith Public Resolution No. 3 of the 

Fifty-fifth Congress, second session, approved January 20, 1898. Printed 

in the engraving and printing division of the United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C , 1898. 44 pp., 1 map. A special publication. 

The data were brought together by S. F. Ernmons, aided by W. H. Dall 

and F. C. Schrader. (Out of stock.)

1899.

WALCOTT, C. D., Director. Account of operations in Alaska in 1898. In Twentieth 

Ann. Rept., pt. 1, 1899, pp. 12,52-53, 97, 126-134. (Out of stock.)

Maps and descriptions of routes of exploration in Alaska in 1898, with general information concerning the Territory. (Ten maps in accompanying envelope.) 

Prepared in accordance with Public Resolution No. 25 of the Fifty-fifth 

Congress, third session, approved March 1, 1899. Printed in the engraving and printing division of the United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C., 1899. 138 pp., 10 maps in accompanying envelope. A 

special publication. Contributors: G. H. Eldridge, Robert Muldrow, 

J. E. Spurr, W. S. Post, W. C. Mendenhall, F. C. Schrader, W. J. Peters, 

A. H. Brooks, and E. C. Barnard. (Out of stock.)
IV PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA.

1900.

BAKER, MARCUS. Alaskan geographic names. In Twenty-first Ann. Rept., pt. 2, 

1900, pp. 487-509.

BROOKS, A. H. A reconnaissance from Pyramid Harbor to Eagle City, Alaska, 

including a description of the copper deposits of the upper White and 

Tanana rivers. In Twenty-first Ann. Rept., pt. 2, 1900, pp. 331-391.

 A reconnaissance in the Tanana and White River basins, Alaska, in 1898. 

In Twentieth Ann. Rept., pt. 7, 1900, pp. 425-494. (Out of stock.)

ELDRIDGE, G. H. A reconnaissance in the Sushitna basin and adjacent territory, 

Alaska, in 1898. In Twentieth Ann. Rept, pt. 7, 1900, pp. 1-29.

GANNETT, HENRY. Altitudes in Alaska. Bull. No. 169, 1900, 13 pp.

MENDENHAI L, W. C. A reconnaissance from Resurrection Bav to the Tanana River, 

Alaska, in 1898. In Twentieth Ann. Rept., pt. 7, 1900, pp. 265-340.

ROHN, OSCAR. A reconnaissance of the Chitina River and the Skolai Mountains, 

Alaska. In Twenty-first Ann. Rept., pt. 2,1900, pp. 303-340. (Outof stock.)

SCHRADER, F. C. A reconnaissance of a part of Prince William Sound and the Copper River district, Alaska, in 1898. In Twentieth Ann. Rept., pt. 7, 1900, 

pp. 341-423. (Out of stock.)

 Preliminary report on a reconnaissance along the Chandlar and Koyukuk 

rivers, Alaska, in 1899. In Twenty-first Ann. Rept., pt. 2,1900, pp. 441-486.

 and BROOKS, A. H. Preliminary report on the Cape Nome gold region, 

Alaska, with maps and illustrations. Washington, Government Printing 

Office, 1900. 56 pp., 3 maps, and 19 pis. A special publication.

SPURR, J. E. A reconnaissance in southwestern Alaska in 1898. In Twentieth Ann. 

Rept., pt. 7, 1900, pp. 31-264.

WALCOTT, C. D., Director. Account of operations in Alaska in 1899. In Twenty-first 

Ann. Rept., pt. 1, 1900, pp. 17-18, 86, 145-149.

1901.

BROOKS, A. H. An occurrence of stream tin in the York region, Alaska. In Mineral Resources of the U. S. for 1900, 1901, pp. 267-271. Published also as 

a separate. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1901, cover and 

pp. 1-5.

 The coal resources of Alaska. In Twenty-second Ann. Rept., pt. 3, 1901, 

pp. 515-571.

 , RICHARDSON, G. B., and COLLIER, A. J. A reconnaissance of the Cape Nome 

and adjacent gold fields of Seward Peninsula, Alaska, in 1900. In a special 

publication entitled " Reconnaissances in the Cape Nome and Norton Bay 

regions, Alaska, in 1900." Washington, Government Printing Office, 1901, 

pp. 1-180.

MENDENHALL, W. C. A reconnaissance in the Norton Bay region, Alaska, in 1900. 

In a special publication entitled "Reconnaissances in the Cape Nome and 

Norton Bay regions, Alaska, in 1900." Washington, Government Printing 

Office, 1901, pp. 181-218.

SCHRADER, F. C., and SPENCER, A. C. The geology and mineral resources of a portion of the Copper River district, Alaska. A special publication. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1901, pp. 1-94.

WALCOTT, C. IX, Director. Account of operations in Alaska in 1900. In Twenty-second 

Ann. Rept., pt. 1,1901, pp. 35, 95-99, 144,166-170.

1902.

BROOKS, A. H. Preliminary report on the Ketchikan mining district, Alaska, with 

an introductory sketch of the geology of southeastern Alaska. Prof. 

Paper No. 1, 1902, pp. 1-120.

COLLIER, A. J. A reconnaissance of the northwestern portion of Seward Peninsula, 

Alaska. Prof. Paper No. 2, 1902, pp. 1-70.

MENDENHALL, W. C. A reconnaissance from Fort Hamlin to Kotzebue Sound, 

Alaska, by way of Ball, Kanuti, Alien, and Kowak rivers. Prof. Paper 

No. 10, 1902, pp. 1-68.

WALCOTT, C. D., Director. Account of operations in Alaska in 1901. In Twentythird Ann. Rept., 1902, pp. 20, 21,57, 71-82, 161.

1903.

BAKER, MARCUS. Geographic dictionary of Alaska. Bull. No. 187, 1902, pp. 1-446. 

BROOKS, A. H. Placer gold mining in Alaska in 1902. In Bull. No. 213, 1903, pp. 

41-48. (Outof stock.)

 Stream tin in Alaska. In Bull. No. 213, 1903, pp. 92-93. (Out of stock.)
PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA. V

COLLIER A. J. Coal resources of the Yukon basin, Alaska. In Bull. No. 213, 1903, 

pp. 276-283. (Out of stock.)

 The coal resources of the Yukon, Alaska. Bull. No. 218, 1903, pp. 1-71.

 The Glenn Creek gold mining district, Alaska. In Bull. No. 213, 1903, pp.

49-56. (Out of stock.) 

MENDENHALL, W. C. The Chistochina gold field, Alaska. In Bull. No. 213, 1903,

pp. 71-75. (Out of stock.)

 and SCHRADER, F. C. Copper deposits of Mount Wrangell region, Alaska. 

In Bull. No. 213, 1903, pp. 141-148. (Out of stock.)

 The mineral resources of the Mount Wrangell district, Alaska. Prof. Paper 

No. 15, 1903, pp. 1-71.

WALCOTT, C. D., Director. Account of operations in Alaska in 1902. In Twentyfourth Ann. Kept., 1903, pp. 78-107, 167, 256.

1904.

BROOKS, A. H. Placer gold mining in Alaska in 1903. In Bull. No. 225, 1904, pp.

43-59. 

COLLIER, A. J. Tin deposits of the York region, Alaska. In Bull. No. 225, 1904,

pp. 154-167.

 Tin deposits of the York region, Alaska. Bull. No. 229.

MARTIN, G. C. Petroleum fields of Alaska and the Bering River coal field. In Bull. 

No. 225, 1904, pp. 365-382.

MOFFIT, F. H. The Kotzebue placer gold field of Seward Peninsula, Alaska. In 

Bull. No. 225, 1904, pp. 74-80.

PRINDLE, L. M. Gold placers of the Fairbanks district, Alaska. In Bull. No. 225, 

1904, pp. 64-73.

SCHRADER, F. C., and PETERS, W. J. A reconnaissance in northern Alaska, across 

the Rocky Mountains, along the Koyukuk, John, Anaktuvuk, and Colville rivers, and the Arctic coast to Cape Lisburne, in 1901. Prof. Paper 

No. 20, 1904, pp. 1-139.

SPENCER, A. C. The Juneau gold belt, Alaska. In Bull. No. 225, 1904, pp. 28-42.

WALCOTT, C. I)., Director. Account of operations in Alaska in 1903-4. In Twentyfifth Ann. Kept. U. S. Geol. Survey, 1904, pp. 68-85, 346, 348, 352, 354.

WRIGHT, C. W. The Porcupine placer mining district, Alaska. In Bull. No. 225, 

1904, pp. 60-63.

 The Porcupine placer district, Alaska. Bull. No. 236, 1904, pp. 1-35.

1905.

BROOKS, A. H. Administrative report. In Report on progress of investigations of 

mineral resources of Alaska in 1904: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 259,1905, 

pp.13-17.

 Placer mining in Alaska in 1904. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 18-31. 

COLLIER, A. J. Gold fields of the Cape Lisburne region. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 

172-185.

 Gold mine on Unalaska Island. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 102-103.

 Recent developments of Alaskan tin deposits. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp.

120-127. 

MARTIN, G. C. Bering River coal field. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 140-150.

 Cape Yaktag placers. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 88-89.

 Gold deposits of the Shumagin Islands. In Bull. No. 259,1905, pp. 100-101.

 Notes on the petroleum fields of Alaska. In Bull. No. 259,1905, pp. 128-139.

 The petroleum fields of the Pacific coast of Alaska, with an account of the 

Bering River coal deposits. Bull. No. 250, 1905, pp. 1-64.

MENDENHALL, W. C. Geology of the central Copper River region, Alaska. Prof. 

Paper No. 41, 1905,'pp. 1-133.

MOFFIT, F. H. Gold placers of Turnagain Arm, Cook Inlet. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, 

pp. 90-99.

 The Fairhaven gold placers of Seward Peninsula. Bull. No. 247, pp. 1-85. 

PRINDLE, L. M. The gold placers of the Fortymile, Birch Creek, and Fairbanks 

regions. Bull. No. 251, 1905, pp. 1-89.

 and HKSS, F. L. Rampart placer region. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 104-

119. 

PURINGTON, C. W. Methods and costs of gravel and placer mining in Alaska. Bull.

No. 263, 1905, pp. 1-362. Also in Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 32-46. 

SPENCER, A. C. The Treadwell ore deposits. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 69-87. 

STONE, R. W. Resources of southwestern Alaska. In Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp.

151-171.
VI PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA.

WALCOTT, C. D., Director. Account of operations in Alaska in 1904. In Twentysixth Ann. Kept, 1905, pp. 73-80.

WEIGHT F. E. and C. W. Economic developments in southeastern Alaska. In 

Bull. No. 259, 1905, pp. 47-68.

1906.

BAKER, M., and McCoRMiCK, J. C. Geographic dictionary of Alaska, second edition. 

Bull. No. 299, 1906, 690 pp.

BROOKS, A. H. The geography and geology of Alaska, a summary of existing knowledge, with a section on climate, by Cleveland Abbe, jr., and a topographic 

map and description thereof, by R. U. Goode. Prof. Paper No. 45, 1906, 

pp. 1-327.

 The mining industry in 1905. In Bull. No. 284, 1906, pp. 4-9.

 Railway routes. In Bull. No. 284, 1906, pp. 10-17.

COLLIER, A. J. Geology and coal resources of Cape Lisburne region, Alaska. Bull.

No. 278, 1906, pp. 1-54. 

GRANT, U. S. Copperand other mineral resources of Prince William Sound. In Bull.

No. 284. 1906, pp. 78-87.

HESS, F. L. The York tin region. In Bull. No. 284, 1906, pp. 145-157. 

MARTIN, G. C. Markets for Alaska coal. In Bull. No. 284, 1906, pp. 18-27.

 Distribution and character of the Bering River coal. In Bull. No. 284, 1906, 

pp. 65-76.

 Preliminary statement on the Matanuska coal field. In Bull. No. 284, 1906, 

pp. 88-100.

 Reconnaissance of the Matanuska coal field, Alaska, in 1905. Bull. No. 289,

1906, pp. 1-36. 

MOFFIT, F. H., and STONE, R. W. Mineral resources of the Kenai Peninsula; Gold

fields of the Turnagain Arm region, by F. H. Moffit, pp. 1-52; Coal fields

of the Kachemak Bay region, by R. W. Stone, pp. 53-73. In Bull. No.

277, pp. 1-80.

MOPFIT, F. H. Gold mining on Seward Peninsula. In Bull. No. 284, pp. 132-141. 

PAIGE, Sidney. The Herendeen Bay coal field. In Bull. No. 284, pp. 101-108. 

PRINDLE, L. M., and HESS, F. L. The Rampart gold placer region, Alaska. Bull.

No. 280, pp. 1-54. 

PRINDLE, L. M. Yukon placer fields. In Bull. No. 284, pp. 109-127.

 The Yukon-Tanana region, Alaska; description of Circle quadrangle. Bull.

No. 295, 27 pp. 1 pi. 

SPENCER, A. C., and WRIGHT, C. W. The Juneau gold belt, Alaska, by A. C. Spencer,

pp. 1-137; and a Reconnaissance of Admiralty Island, Alaska, by C. W.

Wright, pp. 138-154. In Bull. No. 287, 1906, pp. 1-161. 

STONE, R. W. Reconnaissance from Circle to Fort Hamlin. In Bull. No. 284, pp.

128-131.

TARR, R. S. The Yakutat Bay region. In Bull. No. 284, pp. 61-64. 

WRIGHT, C. W. Nonmetallic deposits of southeastern Alaska. In Bull. No. 284,

pp. 55-60. 

WRIGHT, F. E. and C. W. Lode mining in southeastern Alaska. In Bull. No. 284,

pp. 30-53.

1907.

HOYT, J. C., and HENSHAW, F. F. Water-supply of Nome region, Seward Peninsula, 

Alaska. Water-Supply Paper No. 196, 1907, pp. 1-52.

PAPERS ON ALASKA IN PREPARATION.

BROOKS, A. H., and PRINDLE, L. M. An exploration in the Mount McKinley region. 

COLLIER, A. J., HESS, F. L., and BROOKS, A. H. The gold placers of a part of the

Seward Peninsula, Alaska. 

WRIGHT, F. E. and C. W. Mineral resources of the Wrangell and Ketchikan mining

districts, Alaska. 

MOFFIT, F. H., HESS, E. L., and SMITH, P. S. Geology of thearea represented on the

Nome and Grand Central Special maps.

PAIGE, S., and KNOPF, A. Geology of the Matanuska and Talkeetna basins. 

PRINDLE, L. M. The Yukon-Tanana region, Alaska; description of the Fairbanks

and Rampart quadrangles. 

GRANT, U. S. The geology and mineral resources of the Prince William Sound

region. 

TARR, R. S. Geologic reconnaissance of the Yakutat Bay region.
PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA. VII

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS OF ALASKA.

The following maps are for sale at 5 cents a copy, or $3 per hundred:

Casadepaga Special, Seward Peninsula; scale, 1:62500. T. G. Gerdine.

Forty mile quadrangle; scale, 1:250000. E. C. Barnard.

Grand Central Special, Seward Peninsula; scale, 1:62500. T. G. Gerdine.

Juneau Special quadrangle; scale, 1:62500. W. J. Peters.

Nome Special. Seward Peninsula; scale, 1: 62500. T. G. Gerdine.

Solomon Special, Seward Peninsula; scale, 1:62500. T. G. Gerdine.

The following maps are included as illustrations of published reports, but have not

been issued separately. They can be obtained only by scouring the report.

Alaska, topographic map of; scale, 1:2500000. Preliminary edition. Contained in 

"The geography and geology of Alaska, a summary of existing knowledge, etc." 

Prof. Paper No. 45. R. U. Goode.

Cape Nome and adjacent gold fields; scale, 1:250000. Contained in a special publication of the Tnited States Geological Survey, entitled "Reconnaissances in the 

Cape Nome and Norton Bay regions, Alaska," 1900. Washington. Government Printing Office, 1901. E. C. Barnard.

Chitina and lower Copper River region; scale, 1: 250000. Contained in a special publication of the United States Geological Survey, entitled "The geology and mineral resources of a portion of the Copper River district, Alaska." Washington. 

Government Printing Office, 190L T. G. Gerdine and D. C. Witherspoon.

Circle quadrangle,Yukon-Tanana region; scale, 1:250000. Contained in "TheYukonTanana region, Alaska; description of Circle quadrangle." Bull. No. 295. 

i). C. Witherspoon.

Cook Inlet, head of, to the Tanana via Matanuska and Delta rivers, also part of 

Kenai Peninsula; scale, 1: 625000. Contained in "A reconnaissance from Resurrection Bav to Tanana River, Alaska, in 1898." Twentieth Ann. Rept., pt. 7, 

1900, pp. 265-340. W. C. Mendenhall.

Cook Inlet, region from head of, to Kuskokwim River and down the Kuskokwim to 

Bering Sea, Bristol Bay, and a part of Alask'a Peninsula; scale, 1: 625000. Published in sections in "A reconnaissance in southwestern Alaska, in 1898." 

Twentieth Ann. Rept., pt. 7, 1900, pp. 31-264. W. S. Post.

Cook Inlet placer fields; scale 1: 250000. Contained in " Mineral Resources of Kenai 

Peninsula, Alaska." Bull. No. 277. E. G. Hamilton.

Copper and upper Chistochina rivers; scale, 1:250000. Contained in "Geology of 

the central Copper River region, Alaska." Prof. Paper No. 41. T. G. Gerdine.

Copper, Nabesna, and Chisana rivers, headwaters of; scale, 1: 250000. Contained 

in "Geology of the central Copper River region, Alaska." Prof. Paper No. 41. 

D. C. Witherspoon.

Copper River region; scale, 1:376000. Contained in "A reconnaissance of a part 

of Prince William Sound and the Copper River district, Alaska, in 1898." 

Twentieth Ann. Rept., pt. 7, 1900, pp. 341-423. P. G. Lowe, Emil Mahlo, and 

F. C. Schrader. (Out of stock.)

Fairbanks and Birch Creek districts, reconnaissance maps of; scale, 1:250000. Contained in "The gold placers of the Fortymile, Birch Creek, and Fairbanks 

regions." Bull. No. 251, 1905. T. G. Gerdine.

Fort Yukon to Kotzebue Sound, reconnaissance map of; scale, 1:625000. Contained 

in "Reconnaissance from Fort Hamlin to Kotzebue Sound, Alaska, by way of 

Dall, Kanuti, Alien, and Kowak rivers." Prof. Paper No. 10, 1902. D. L. 

Reaburn.

Koyukuk River to mouth of Colville River, including John River; scale, 1:625000. 

Contained in " A reconnaissance in northern Alaska across the Rocky Mountains, 

along Koyukuk, John, Anaktuvuk, and Colville rivers, and the Arctic coast to 

Cape Lisburne, in 1901." Prof. Paper No. 20. W. J. Peters.

Koyukuk and Chandlar rivers, portions of; scale, 1:625000. Contained in "Preliminary report of a reconnaissance along the Chandlar and Koyukuk rivers, 

Alaska, in 1899." Twenty-first Ann. Rept., pt. 2, 1900. T. G. Gerdine.

Lynn canal, routes from, via headwaters of White and Tanana rivers to Eagle City; 

scale, 1:625000. Contained in "A reconnaissance from Pyramid Harbor to 

Eagle City, Alaska." Twenty-first Ann. Rept., pt. 2, 1900, pp. 331-391. W. J. 

Peters.

Mount McKinley region; scale, 1:625000. Contained in "The geography and geology of Alaska, a summary <?f existing knowledge, etc." Prof. Paper No. 45. 

D. L. Reaburn.
VIII PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA.

Norton Bay region; scale, 1:625000. Contained in a special publication of the United 

States Geological Survey, entitled " Eeconnaissances in the Cape Nome and Norton Bay regions, Alaska, in 1900." Washington. Government Printing Office, 

1901. "W. J. Peters.

Porcupine placer region; scale, 1 inch=3J miles. Contained in "The Porcupine 

placer district, Alaska." Bull. No. 236. C. W. Wright.

Prince AVilliam Sound, sketch map of; scale 1:376000. Contained in a special publication of the United States Geological Survey, entitled "The geology and mineral resources of a portion of the Copper Eiver district, Alaska." Washington. 

Government Printing Office, 1901. Emil Mahlo and F. C. Schrader.

Seward Peninsula, northeastern portion of, topographic reconnaissance of; scale, 

1:250000. Contained in "The Fairhaven gold placers, Seward Peninsula, 

Alaska." Bull. No. 247, 1905. D. C. Witherspoon.

Seward Peninsula, northwestern part of; scale, 1:250000. Contained in "A reconnaissance of the northwestern portion of Seward Peninsula, Alaska." Prof. 

Paper No. 2, 1902. T. G. Gerdine.

Sushitna Eiver and adjacent territory; scale, 1:625000. Contained in "A reconnaissance in the Sushitna basin and adjacent territory, Alaska, in 1898." 

Twentieth Ann. Eept., pt. 7, 1900, pp. 1-29. Eobert Muldrow.

Tanana and White rivers, portions of; scale, 1:625000. Contained in "A reconnaissance in the Tanana and White Eiver basins, Alaska, in 1898." Twentieth 

Ann. Eept., pt. 7, 1900, pp. 425-494. W. J. Peters.

York region; scale, 1:250000. Contained in "The tin deposits of the York region, 

Alaska." Bull. No. 229. T. G. Gerdine.

York and Kugruk regions, sketch maps of. Contained in a special publication 

of the United States Geological Survey, entitled " Eeconnaissances in Cape Nome 

and Norton Bay regions, Alaska, in 1900." Washington. Government Printing 

Office, 1901. A. H. Brooks.

Yukon-Tanana region, reconnaissance map of; scale, 1:625000. Contained in "The 

gold placers of the Fortymile, Birch Creek, and Fairbanks regions, Alaska.'' Bull. 

No. 251. T. G. Gerdine.

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS OF ALASKA IN PREPARATION.

Berner's Bay Special; scale, 1:62500. E. B. Oliver. 

Controller Bay region Special; scale, 1:62500. E. G. Hamilton. 

Fairbanks quadrangle; scale, 1:250000. D. C. Witherspoon. 

Eampart quadrangle; scale, 1:250000. D. C. Witherspoon.

Eeconnaissance map of Matanuska Eiver region; scale, 1:250000. T. G. Gerdine 

and R. H. Sargent.

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