DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

ST ITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DlRECTOB

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 218

R-SUPPLY LWESTIGATIONS IN 

ALASKA, 1906-1907

OME AND KOUGAROK REGIONS, SEWARD 

PENINSULA; FAIRBANKS DISTRICT, 

YUKON-TANANA REGION

BY

^RED-F. HENSHAW AND C. C. COVERT

| WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1908
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 218

WATER-SUPPLY INVESTIGATIONS IN 

ALASKA, 1906-1907

NOME AND KOUGAROK REGIONS, SEWARD

PENINSULA; FAIRBANKS DISTRICT,

YUKON-TANANA REGION

BY

FRED F. HENSHAW AND C. C. COVERT

Water Resources Branch, 

Survey,

Beat 3106, Capitol Statior 

City, Okfe.

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1908
CONTENTS.

Page.

Introduction.............................................................. 7

Scope of work. ......................................................... 7

Cooperation............................................................ 8

Explanation of data and methods....................................... 9

The Nome region, by Fred F. Henshaw...................................... 13

Description of area..................................................... 13

Conditions affecting water supply....................................... 15

Gaging stations........................................................ 18

Nome River drainage basin............................................. 18

General description............'..................................... 18

Nome River above Miocene intake................................. 19

Nome River at Pioneer intake and Pioneer ditch.................... 21

Buffalo Creek,..................................................... 22

David Creek....................................................... 22

Dorothy Creek.................................................... 23

Hobson Creek...................................................... 23

The Miocene ditch system.......................................... 24

General description............................................. 24

Jett Creek ditch............................................... 30

Grand Central ditch............................................ 31

David Creek ditch............................................. 32

Seepage measurements on Miocene ditch......................... 33

Miscellaneous measurements.................................... 35

Campion ditch at Black Point...................................... 35

Seward ditch...................................................... 36

Pioneer ditch..................................................... 37

Grand Central River drainage basin..................................... 38

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

North Fork of Grand Central River.................................. 38

West Fork of Grand Central River.................................. 41

Crater Lake outlet...............................................^. 44

Grand Central River below the forks................................ 46

Grand Central River below Nugget Creek........................... 47

Gold Run.......................................................... 48

Thompson Creek.................................................. 49

Nugget and Copper creeks......................................... 49

Jett Creek.........................:............................... 50

Morning Call Creek................................................. 51

Storage possibilities................................................ 52

Salmon Lake........................................................... 53

Kruzgamepa River drainage basin below Salmon Lake................... 54

General description................................................. 54

Kruzgamepa River at outlet of Salmon Lake......................... 55

Crater Creek...................................................... 57

Iron Creek......................................................... 57

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 59

Imuruk Basin drainage................................................ 59

3
4 CONTENTS.

The Nome region Continued. Page.

Sinuk River drainage basin............................................ 60

General description................................................. 60

Upper Sinuk River................................................ 60

Windy Creek...................................................... 61

North Star Creek.................................................. 62

Stewart River..................................................... 63

Slate Creek....................................................... 63

Other Sinuk River drainage........................................ 64

Cripple River drainage basin............................................ 64

General description................................................ 64

Cedric ditch....................................................... 64

General description............................................ 64

Cedric ditch above penstock................................... 65

Penny River drainage basin............................................ 66

General description................................................ 66

Penny River at Sutton intake and Sutton ditch...................... 66

Snake River drainage basin............................................ 68

General description................................................. 68

Snake River above Glacier Creek................................... 68

Flambeau and Eldorado River drainage basins.......................... 69

Solomon River drainage basin........................................... 69

Flow of ditches in Nome region........................................ 70

Available water supply during 1906 and 1907............................ 70

Ditch and pipe lines.................................................... 72

Water-power possibilities.............................................. 76

The Kougarok region, by Fred F. Henshaw................................. 77

Introduction.......................................................... 77

Description of area..................................................... 77

Conditions affecting water supply....................................... 78

Gaging stations........................................................ 79

Kougarok River drainage basin......................................... 79

Description of basin............................................... 79

Kougarok River below Washington Creek........................... 80

Kougarok River at Homestake intake and Homestake ditch.......... 80

Kougarok River above Taylor Creek................................ 82

Kougarok River above Coarse Gold Creek........................... 82

Irving ditch...................................................... 83

Homestake ditch.................................................. 83

Taylor Creek at North Star intake.................................. 84

Taylor Creek at Cascade intake..................................... 85

Taylor Creek at mouth............................................. 86

North Star ditch above siphon..................................... 86

Cascade ditch..................................................... 87

Henry Creek....................................................... 88

Coarse Gold Creek................................................. 88

North Fork........................................................ 89

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 90

Total water supply in 1907......................................... 90

Noxapaga River drainage basin.......................................... 91

Serpentine River drainage basin......................................... 92

Schlitz and Reindeer creeks........................................ 92

Bryan and Dick creeks............................................. 92

Quartz and Bismarck creeks ....................................... 93

American River drainage basin......................................... 93
CONTENTS. 5

The Kougarok region Continued. Page.

Hydraulic developments................................................. 94

Relative run-off of different areas......................................... 95

The Fairhaven precinct, by Fred F. Henshaw.............................. 99

Introduction.......................................................... 99

Fairhaven ditch....................................................... 99

Candle ditch........................................................... 100

Bear Creek ditch...................................................... 100

The Fairbanks district, by C. C. Covert..................................... 101

Description of area..................................................... 101

Conditions affecting water supply....................................... 103

Gaging stations........................................................ 106

Little Chena River drainage basin...................................... 106

General description................................................. 106

Chena Slough at Fairbanks.......................................... 108

Little Chena River above mouth of Elliott Creek.................... 109

Elliott Creek above mouth of Sorrels Creek .......................... 110

Sorrels Creek....................................................... 110

Fish Creek above mouth of Fairbanks Creek.......................... Ill

Bear Creek........................................................ 112

Fairbanks Creek................................................... 112

Miller Creek....................................................... 113

Chatanika River drainage basin......................................... 114

General description................................................. 114

Faith Creek....................................................... 115

McManus Creek.................................................... 116

Chatanika River near junction of Faith and McManus creeks......... 117

Boston Creek...................................................... 118

McKay Creek. ..................................................... 119

Belle Creek....................................................... 119

Crooked Creek..................................................... 119

Kokomo Creek..................................................... 119

Poker Creek.......................................................... 120

Chatanika River below mouth of Poker Creek....................... 121

Cleary Creek....................................................... 122

Little Eldorado Creek............................................. 122

Dome Creek...................................................... 122

Goldstream Creek drainage basin....................................... 123

General description................................................. 123

Goldstream Creek at claim 6 below.................................. 124

Fox Creek........................................................ 125

Beaver Creek drainage basin........................................... 125

General description................................................. 125

Measurements..................................................... 127

Comparative run-off of different areas................................... 128

Development of water supply in the Fairbanks district.................. 129

General conditions..............................................'.. 129

Ditch lines........................................................ 130

Water-power development.......................................... 131

Storage............................................................ 131'

Meteorological records, by Fred F. Henshaw and C. C. Covert................ 133

Introduction.......................................................... 133

Seward Peninsula..................................................... 134

Fairbanks district..................................................... 139

Summary of records since 1902.......................................... 142

Index.................................................................... 151
ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. 

PLATE I. A, Price current meters; B, Measuring Grand Central River......... 10

II. Typical topography, Seward Peninsula............................. 14

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

Creek.......................................................... 16

IV. Map showing location of gaging stations in Nome region............. 18

V. Rock cut around Cape Horn on Miocene ditch...................... 24

VI. A, Upper Grand Central River drainage; B, Mount Osborn, July, 1906 38 

VII. Map showing location of gaging stations and ditches in Kougarok

region......................................................... 78

VIII. A, Intake of Homestake ditch on Kougarok River; B, Homestake

ditch, showing sod work......................................... 80

IX. Map showing location of gaging stations in Fairbanks district........ 106

X. Mining operations on Cleary Creek................................ 122

XI. A, Lower Cleary Creek; B, Gaging station on Fish Creek............ 124

XII. Map of Alaska, showing location of rainfall stations.................. 142

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

Grand Central River below the forks, 1906....................... 17

2. Diagram showing flow of Chatanika River and total of Little Chena

River and its tributaries, 1907.................................... 105

6
WATER-SUPPLY INVESTIGATIONS 

ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Bv FRED F. HENSHAW and C. C. COVERT.

INTRODUCTION.

SCOPE OF WORK.

For a number of years the United States Geological Survey has 

made systematic measurements and studies of the water supply as one 

of the great resources of the country. These data are now available 

for all the more important streams in the United States and are 

extensively used by engineers and others in problems involving 

water power, city water supply, irrigation, and manufacturing.

The development of the important placer-mining,fields of Alaska, 

notably those of Seward Peninsula and the Yukon-Tanana region, is 

intimately associated with the successful utilization of their water 

supplies. A knowledge of the amount of water available in the 

streams would have prevented most of the failures that have been 

made in the past, and will be invaluable in connection with future 

developments.

There is a great tendency in Alaska to push forward the construction 

of ditches without first making sure of the primary requisite of their 

successful operation an adequate water supply. The results of such 

a policy were forcibly shown during last summer in Seward Peninsula, 

in some parts of which a severe drought caused much loss and inconvenience to mining operators. These conditions are apt to occur in 

any portion of Alaska, and too much stress can not be laid on the 

importance of stream-flow data. The low-water period lasts only a 

part of the season and the water supply is usually sufficient at other 

times, but in view of the other unfavorable conditions the shortness 

of the season, the frozen ground, the distance from base of supplies and 

consequent high cost of transportation a reduction of even two or 

three weeks in the working season may mean the difference between 

profit and loss. The cost of the useless machinery and ditches which 

can be seen in some parts of Alaska amounts to hundreds of thousands

7
8 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

of dollars, and most of this could have been saved by a preliminary 

investigation of conditions by a competent engineer.

Hydraulic developments have been carried farthest in the Nome 

region of Seward Peninsula, which has been an important producer of 

placer gold since 1899. Hundreds of miles of mining ditches have 

been built at a great expense. When it was decided in 1906 to 

extend stream-gaging work to Alaska, the Nome region was accordingly selected as the first district to be studied. A reconnaissance 

was made and gaging stations were established by John C. Hoyt in the 

early summer of 1906, and the work was then carried on until the end 

of the season by Fred F. Henshaw. ' During last season the work was 

continued by Mr. Henshaw, assisted by Raymond Richards, and was 

extended into the Kougarok region, north of the Kigluaik Mountains, 

in the central portion of Seward Peninsula. Altogether the parties 

'were in Seward Peninsula from June 11 to October 3, 1906, and from 

June 11 to October 14, 1907.

The collection of stream-flow records was begun in the Fairbanks 

district of the Yukon-Tanana region by C. C. Covert in 1907. The 

work was largely that of reconnaissance, but a few regular stations 

were established.

The work of collecting the data and preparing this report was done 

under the direction of the water resources branch by engineers 

detailed for the purpose. The expenses were paid out of the appropriation for investigating the mineral resources of Alaska, and the 

field work has been under the general supervision of Alfred H. Brooks, 

geologist in charge of Alaskan work.

COOPERATION.

The funds available for the work were inadequate to cover properly 

the large extent of country on which it was desirable to obtain records. 

It was possible to obtain daily gage readings only through the hearty 

cooperation of mining operators, ditch companies, and others. Those 

to whom special acknowledgment is due are named below:

In the Nome region, to the officers and employees of the Miocene 

Ditch Company, Wild Goose Mining and Trading Company, 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 

construction for the National Wood Pipe Company; and to Arthur 

Gibson, George Ashley, William E. Morris, *T. Potter Whittren, Mark 

N. Ailing, and George M. Ashford, civil aad mining engineers, Nome.

In the Kougarok region, to the offksets and employees of the Kougarok Mining and Ditch Company, Tftylot* Creek Ditch Company, 

Pittsburg-Dick Creek Mining Compftfry, Irving Mining Company,
INTRODUCTION. 9

Cascade Mining and Ditch Company, Ottumwa Gold Mining Company, 

and to others for information and accommodations in camp.

In the Fairbanks district, to John Zug, superintendent good roads 

commission; A. D. Gassaway, general manager of the Chatanika 

Ditch Company; Falcon Joslin, president of the Tanana Mines 

Railroad Company; Herman Wobber, Fairbanks Creek; C. D. 

Hutchinson, electrical engineer, Tanana Electric Company, and 

Martin Harris, Chena.

EXPLANATION OF DATA AND METHODS.

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

substantially the same as those previously used for similar work,0 but 

were adapted to the special conditions found in Seward Peninsula.

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.

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

from it the quantity expressed in other terms may be obtained. It 

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

quantity of water flowing per second 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 would 

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

a See Water-Sup, and Irr. Papers Nos. 94, 95, and 201, U. S. Geol. Survey.
10 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

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

California miner's inch is in most common use in the United States 

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." 

This miner's inch corresponds to the so-called "6-inch pressure" 

and is one-fortieth of a second-foot. The inch in most common use 

in Seward Peninsula is the "old California inch," which was the 

standard in that State prior to the passage of the above act and is 

equivalent to 1.2 cubic feet per minute, or one-fiftieth of a secondfoot.

Following is a list of convenient equivalents for use in hydraulic 

computations:

1 second-foot equals 40 California minor's inches (law of March. 23, 1901).

1 second-foot equals 50 "old California" miner's inches (used prior to law of March 

23, 1901).

1 second-foot equals 7.48 United States gallons per second; equals 448.8 gallons per 

minute; equals 646,272 gallons for one day.

1 second-foot for one year covers 1 square mile 1.13] feet, or 13.572 inches deep.

1 second -foot equals about 1 acre-inch per hour.

1 second-foot for one day covers 1 square mile 0.03719 inch deep.

1 second-foot for one day equals 1.983 acre-feet.

100 California miner's inches equal 15.7 United States gallons per second.

100 California miner's inches for one day equal 4.96 acre-feet.

100 United States gallons per minute equal 0.223. second-foot.

100 United States gallons per minute for one day equal 0.442 acre-foot.

1,000,000 United States gallons per day equal 1.55 second-feet.

1,000,000 United States gallons equal 3.07 acre-feet.

1,000,000 cubic feet equal 22.95 acre-feet.

1 acre-foot equals 325,850 gallons.

1 inch deep on 1 square mile equals 2,323,200 cubic feet.

1 inch deep on 1 square mile equals 0.0737 second-foot per year.

1 mile equals 5,280 feet.

1 acre equals 43,560 square feet.

1 acre equals 209 feet square, nearly.

1 cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons.

1 cubic foot of water weighs 62.5 pounds.

1 horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second.

1 horsepower equals 746 watts.

1 horsepower equals 1 second-foot falling 8.80 feet.

1^ horsepower equal about 1 kilowatt.

. n . n . Sec. ft. X fall in feet To calculate water power quickly: - y, =net horsepower on waterwheel realizing 80 per cent of theoretical power.

The determination of the quantity of water flowing past a certain 

section of a stream at a given time is termed a discharge measurement. The quantity is the product of two factors the mean velocity and the area of the cross section. The mean velocity is a function of surface slope, wetted perimeter, roughness of bed, and the 

channel conditions at, above, and below the gaging section. The 

area depends on the contour of the bed and the fluctuations of the
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 218 PL.

A PRICE CURRENT METERS. B. MEASURING GRAND CENTRAL RIVER.
1NTKODUCTION. 11

surface. The two principal ways of measuring the velocity of a 

stream are by floats and current meters.

All current-meter measurements are made by the engineers of the 

Survey, but as float measurements can readily be made by the 

prospector the method is described below.

The floats in common use are the surface, subsurface, and tube 

or rod floats. A corked bottle with a flag in the top and weighted 

at the bottom makes one of the most satisfactory surface floats, 

as it is affected but little by wind. In flood measurements, good 

results can be obtained by observing the velocity of floating cakes of 

ice or debris. In all surface-float measurements the observed velocity 

must be multiplied by 0.85 to 0.90 to reduce the surface velocity to the 

mean velocity. The subsurface and tube or rod floats are intended 

to give directly the mean velocity in the vertical. Tubes give 

excellent results when the channel conditions are good, as in canals.

In measuring velocity by a float, observation is made of the time 

taken by the float to pass over the "run" a selected stretch of 

river from 50 to 200 feet long. In each discharge measurement a 

large number of velocity determinations are made at different points 

across the stream, and from these observations the mean velocity 

for the whole section is determined.

The area used in float measurements is the mean of the areas at 

the two ends of the run and at several intermediate sections.

The essential parts of the current meters in use are (1) a wheel of 

some type so constructed that the impact of flowing water causes it to 

revolve and (2) a device for recording or indicating the number of 

revolutions. The relation between the velocity of the moving water 

and the revolutions of the wheel is determined for each meter. 

This rating is done by drawing the meter through still water for a 

given distance at different speeds and noting the number of revolutions for each run. From these data a rating table is prepared 

which gives the velocity per second for any number of revolutions. 

Many kinds of current meters have been constructed.

The small Price acoustic meter (see PI. I, -4) was used exclusively in 

the work in Alaska. Measurements were made by wading, except 

on Kruzgamepa River, where a cable and car were installed for use 

during high stages.

In making a measurement a tape line is stretched across the stream 

(see PI. I, B] and depth and velocity are measured at regular intervals 

(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 soundings with a graduated rod. The velocities are measured 

by a current meter.

Three methods of measuring the velocity were used. In the first 

the meter is held at the depth of the thread of mean velocity, which 

has been shown by extensive experiments to occur at about 0.6 of the
12 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

total depth. In the second method the mean of the velocities taken 

at 0.2 and 0.8 depth is taken as the mean. In the third method 

the meter is held at mid depth and about 0.1 of the total depth below 

the surface and above the bottom, and one-fourth of the sum of the 

top and bottom and twice the mid depth is used as the mean. This 

method is not adapted to very shallow streams or to those with 

extremely rough beds.

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

actual discharge measurements.
THE NOME REGION.

By FRED F. HENSHAW. 

DESCRIPTION OF AREA.

The area to which the term "Nome region" is applied 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 Seward 

Peninsula. Most of the measurements recorded in this paper were 

made about 20 to 25 miles from the coast, at points where the altitude 

is sufficiently high to make the vratcr available for mining high-level 

placers, but 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 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 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 a 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. A part of the 

waters of the upland also flows southward to Bering Sea through 

Eldorado, Flambeau, Cripple, and Penny rivers. The valleys of all 

of these streams are of about the same type broad and deep in the

13
14 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

upland, with gentle slopes for 300 to 600 feet, then with steeper walls 

which rise to crest lines ranging 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-west depression which separates the upland from the 

mountains to the north is drained in part by streams flowing westward to Sinuk River, which empties into Bering Sea, and in part by 

streams flowing eastward 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 many of them 

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

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

to 3,000 feet on either side of this gravelly bed extend level or gently 

sloping bottom lands, from which the hills rise abruptly. The 

drainage basins are from 4 to 12 miles wide. Most of the tributary 

streams are short and flow in narrow ravines having steep sides. 

Their slope is great, and many of them 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 PL 

III, A.) In the summer this turf carries 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 scattered 

patches of scrub willow and alder, which in the absence of better fuel 

can be used'for firewood. Much of the ground remains frozen within 

2 feet of the surface throughout the year. The soil in the lowlands 

is mostly gravel, overlain with muck, which contains a large percentage of water, and, when it thaws out in summer, becomes very 

soft. Considerable areas are underlain by clear ice. The hills are 

composed largely of schist and limestone rock, mantled with loose 

slide and gravel.

The Nome region has been an important producer of placer gold 

since 1899. During the first two or three years operations were confined largely to the shallower and richer creeks and to the present 

beach. They were carried on by the primitive methods of rocking 

and shoveling in, and the producing creeks themselves usually furnished an adequate sluice head.

During the last five or six seasons the operations have been of two 

widely different kinds, namely, underground and hydraulic mining.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 21S PL. II

TYPICAL TOPOGRAPHY, SEWARD PENINSULA.
CONDITIONS AFFECTING WATER SUPPLY, NOME REGION. 15

The ancient beaches, notably the so-called third beach, have yielded 

the largest production during the last four years. The work is carried 

on underground, by shaft and drift, largely in the winter, the material 

being sluiced with water derived from the melting snow in the spring. 

Owing to the small yardage moved and the high tenor of the gravels, 

the problem of obtaining a water supply for sluicing is relatively unimportant. Pumping by gasoline engine is often resorted to and does 

not materially increase the total cost of mining. In hydraulic mining 

the conditions are radically different. The chief requirements are a 

large body of gravel carrying values and an abundant supply of water 

under a high head.

The stream-gaging work of the Survey in this district has been 

carried on for the purpose of obtaining accurate information in regard 

to its water resources, developed and undeveloped, and their adaptation both for placer mining and power. Most of the work in the 

Nome region in 1907 was done by Raymond Richards, and much 

credit is due him for the careful and thorough manner in which he 

carried it on.

The work has been confined to the comparatively small area from 

which water has been or can be diverted for working the rich placer 

deposits near Nome. The gaging stations were so located that the 

measurements would show the water available in this important area. 

The additional water supply below the points of measurement may 

on many streams have a local value, and all the streams in the vicinity 

of the gold-bearing ground of Seward Peninsula are of more or less 

economic importance, but it was impossible to measure them all on 

account of inadequate funds.

The results obtained in 1906 have been published, but are included 

in this report in order to bring all the records up to date.a

The data obtained give a fair idea of conditions of flow that may 

be expected from other areas in the vicinity, provided allowance is 

made for difference in rainfall, topography, and soil. For this purpose a summary of the flow from different areas has been prepared. 

(Seep. 95.)

CONDITIONS AFFECTING WATER SUPPLY.

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

Peninsula summer rains, melting of accumulated snow, and melting 

of the frozen ground.

Comparatively few data concerning the rainfall are available for 

years prior to 1906, when rainfall records were begun by the Geological Survey in connection with the investigations of stream flow.

"Hoyt, J. C., and Henshaw, F. F., Water supply of Nome region, Seward Peninsula, 1906: WaterSupply and Irrigation Paper No. 196, U. S. Geological Survey. The edition of this paper is completely 

exhausted.
16 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Records were received from three stations in 1906 and from six in 

1907. The daily and monthly rainfall at these points is given on 

pages 136 to 138.

In the opinion of the mining operators at Nome, the season of 1907 

was one of the best for water supply since the settlement of the region, 

whereas 1906 was about the poorest. An examination of the tables 

of rainfall will reveal the fact that this difference must have been due 

less to the greater total rainfall of 1907 than to its more even distribution through the season. A brief statement of climatic conditions 

for the last nine years is given on page 135.

At Salmon Lake the total rainfall from June to September was 

greater in 1906 than in 1907 by nearly 2 inches, but as almost half of 

the total fell in six days during the heavy storms of July 8 to 10 and 

September 19 to 21, the minimum flow was smaller and lasted longer 

than in 1907.

The record of snowfall for the winter of 1906-7 at Nome is the only 

one available. The total (88.7 inches) was abnormally high, and was 

perhaps double that of some other years. The snowfall in the Kigluaik Mountains is probably much larger than that on the coast.

In 1906 most of the snow in this region had melted before the 1st 

of June. Only the drifts in the gulches and along the north sides of 

the hills and the ice banks along the beds of the rivers remained after 

the 15th. The spring of 1907 was much later and the snowfall of the 

previous winter was heavier. On June 15 the ground in the mountains was still largely covered with snow, and the daily fluctuation 

of Nome River, due to the more rapid melting of the snow in the daytime, continued until about July 20.

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

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

into Bering Sea rise in the foothills of the Kigluaik Range. Their 

drainage areas have a southern exposure and the snow on them 

melts early in the season. They are, therefore, dependent for their 

water supply mostly on the summer rains. The cirques in the Kigluaik Mountains are more protected and hold their snow later in the 

season, so that the flow of the streams which rise in them is much 

better sustained.

Some water finds its way into the streams from the melting of the 

frozen ground. The frozen muck and ground ice, which carry a 

large amount of water, are protected with a thick coating of moss, 

through which the heat of summer hardly penetrates, and therefore 

they thaw very little. The gravelly and sandy soils, which often 

thaw to a considerable depth, contain much less water. This source 

of water supply is of minor importance.

In the Nome region there is much ground which becomes thawed 

and takes up the rain as ground storage, especially late in the season.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 218 PL. Ill

A. TUNDRA BETWEEN BEACH AND FOOTHILLS.

U. MIOCENE DITCH AT GLACIER CREEK
CONDITIONS AFFECTING WATER SUPPLY, NOME REGION. 17

The coming of the frosts, however, checks the flow of the ground 

water.

Owing to the steep slopes, the thinness of the surface covering, 

and the shallow depth to which the ground thaws, the water from 

the rains finds its way into the streams in a very short time, and the 

streams .rise and fall very rapidly. (See fig. 1.) During the heavy

Ju;lyl July II JulyZl July 31 AuglO

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

below the forts in 1906.

storm of July 8, 1906, it was noted that although all supply gates of 

the Miocene ditch were closed and the waste gates were open, the 

ditch was running full from the rain water coming in from the slopes 

above. Owing to this lack of ground storage, which is one of the 

important factors in maintaining a well-sustained stream flow in 

warmer climates, the streams depend in great part on the rainfall 

and melting snow for their supply and respond very quickly to an 

increase or decrease in either. If two or three weeks pass with 

hardly any rain, as during the last week in July and the first half of 

August in both 1906 and 1907, the streams will fall rapidly.

A notable feature of many drainage basins is the occurrence of 

limestone springs. These tend to produce a very uniform flow, and 

when the entire flow is from this source, as in the case of Hobson 

Creek, the variation in discharge is small. Other streams deriving 

much of their discharge from springs are Morning Call Creek and 

Grand Central River in the Nome region, North Fork and Budd 

Creek in the Kougarok region, and many creeks in the Solomon and 

Casadepaga regions.

35283 IKK 218 08 2
18 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907. 

GAGING STATIONS.

The following list gives the points in the Nome region at which 

gages were established or discharge measurements made in 1906 and 

1907. The numbers refer to PI. IV.

Gaging stations in Nome region.

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. North Fork of Grand Central River 

at elevation 750 feet.

10. North Pork of Grand Central River 

at elevation ],030 feet.

11. West Fork of Grand Central River at

elevation 860 feet. 

J2. 'West Fork of Grand Central River 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.

46. Nome River at Pioneer intake and 

Pioneer ditch.

47. Miocene ditch at Clara Creek.

48. Rock Creek.

49. Slate Creek.

50. Cedric ditch above penstock.

51. Snake River above Glacier Creek.

52. Solomon River below Johns ('reek.

53. Solomon River below East Fork.

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 ranging from 4 to 6 miles. The elevation at the headwaters 

is between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, and 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 Qsborn
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 218 PL. IV

Points of measurement; 

numbers refer to list in text

X Ram gages; letters refer 

to list in text

MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF GAGING STATIONS IN NOME REGION.
NOME RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 19

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, 330 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 seasons of 1906 and 1907 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 area are given in 

the following pages.

NOME RIVER ABOVE MIOCENE INTAKE.

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

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

feet, a depth of 14 feet, and a mean velocity of 1 foot per second. The 

gage was read twice daily by employees of the Miocene Ditch Company.

The now at this station is affected by four ditches the Campion 

ditch, which diverts water above the station, and the Jett Creek, 

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

the station from areas outside the Nome River basin. In order to 

obtain the natural flow of the river, the mean flow of the 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 Riwr above Miocene intake in 1906-7. 

[Elevation, 575 feel.J

r>Htp Gttse 

-Date - height.

1906. Feet.

July 3 ........................ .00

July 5........................ .45

July 14....................... .40

'Do....................... 82

Do....................... .70

1907.

June 21...................... 1.25

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

on

28

21

54.7

117

21. 4

12107

135

Date.

1907.

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

July 12.......................

July 17..................... .

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

^VuKust 17

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1 25

1 An

.95

.78

.60

.44

.25

.75

.68

.53

.96

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

95

43

37

25

00

48

124

a One-half mile above Dorothy Creek
20 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Daily gage height and discharge of Nome River at Miocene intake, 1906-7. 

[Drainage area, 15 square miles.]

1906.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mean of Campion ditch. .... 

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

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

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

Total ..I..............

Natural flow of Nome River. 

Run-off per square mile. ....

July.

&1

33 M

o«

Ft.

0.00 

.25 

.48 

.31 

.28 

1.31 

1.50 

.85 

.58 

.60 

.50 

.61 

.56 

.49 

.45 

.38 

.26 

.10 

14 

.13 

.36 

.31 

.26 

.18 

.12 

.09 

.06 

04 

02

IP 

 *£ o!

0

S.ft. 

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

ol

a3

51.4

August.

IN!

"i 0

Ft. S.ft. 

0. 02 22 

.00 21 

-.01 21 

-.02 20 

-.04 20 

-.04 20 

+ 09 25 

4- 04 23 

-.02 20 

.00 21 

-(-.26 36 

.34 43 

.28 37 

.10 25 

.04 23 

. 03 22 

. 02 22 

.00 21 

.00 21 

+.38 47 

.41 50 

. 42' 52 

. 87 123 

.53 66 

.48 59 

80 110 

1.14 176 

. 78! 106 

. 72; 96 

.70 92 

.62 79

..... 3 43 .... .

49 0

14.4

as 4

fi

1 q

50.4

3.36

September.

as 5P 

O IP

Ft. 

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 

.60 

.54 

.52 

.52 

.50

1907.

June. July. Aug

,

A&

5|

S.ft. 

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

J.5

«5

64 4

II ±% 3|p|

Ft. ' S.ft.

 --|----- i

!

1 ..

2.14 

1.44 

1.29 

2.12 

1.60 

1.36 

1.26 

1.29 

1.28 

1.66 

1.56 

1.55 

1.38 

1.26 

1.31 

1.20

4. 29 ..... 

4 79

384 

192 

149 

378 

237 

169 

141 

149 

146 

253 

225 

222 

174 

141 

15c 

124

II

O 03

Ft. 

1.19 

1.06 

1.03 

.94 

.94 

1.08 

1.04 

.90 

.84 

.88 

.92 

.78 

.80 

.75 

.65 

.65 

.64 

.64 

.72 

.80 

.94 

.70 

.71 

.69 

.66 

.64 

.56 

.50 

.48 

.52 

.56

0} «*>£?

oj 

_ ^_

S.ft. 

122 

88 

80 

117 

117 

168 

152 

103 

87 

97 

110 

74 

78 

68 

53 

53 

52 

52 

63 

78 

117 

60 

62 

59 

54 

52 

43 

37 

. 35 

39 

43

H>

O 5

Ft. 

0.51 

.49 

48 

.45 

.33 

.33 

.27 

28 

27 

.22 

.22 

.22 

.20 

24 

.20 

.51 

.74 

.70 

.64 

.60 

.52 

.50 

.46 

.46 

.42 

62 

.67 

.60 

62 

.78 

,62

202 77.8

0

m

202

73

85 1

5 5

3 1

4 1

n 9

72.2

13.5 ..... 4 81 

8. 03 5 54

ust.

IP »£? *!

S.ft. 

38 

36 

35 

33 

32 

32 

27 

28 

27 

24 

24 

24 

23 

25 

23 

48 

79 

72 

64 

58 

49 

47 

42 

42 

39 

61 

68 

58 

61 

86 

61

44.1

12.9

57 0

11 8

..... 6.1

fi f,

?4 1

32 9

September.

I as 03 *»0

O 5

Ft. 

0.57 

.50 

.50 

53 

.48 

.46 

41 

44 

92 

1.68 

1.29 

.90 

.79 

.77

. 66 

60 

58 

.58 

50 

51 

32 

42 

43 

.38 

.35

oJ

31 

.32 

.36

 

2. 19 . . . . . 

2 52

1 I i i

V

.££? °|

S.ft. 

54 

47 

47 

50 

45 

42 

38 

40 

113 

320 

204 

109 

88 

85 

86 

66 

58 

56 

56 

47 

48 

31 

39 

39 

35 

33 

31 

30 

31 

34

66.7 

12.5

79.2

9.0 

2 8 

9.0

20.8

58.4 

3.89 

4.34

o Approximate.

NOTE. Discharges for 1907 were computed from three rating curves, covering June 15 to July 3, 

July 4 to August 4, and August 5 to September 30. The channel below the gage was scraped out 

with horses on July 1 to 7 and August 4.
NOME RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 21

Natural daily discharge, in second-feet, of Nome River at Miocene intake, 1907.

Day.

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

r

,j

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

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

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

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

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

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

June.

384

192

149

July.

122

88

80

117

168

108

88

101

112

7(1

03

52

43

Aug.

26

26

25

24

23

23

19

22

22

19

19

18

16

34

03

Sept .

43

38

40

34

99

29

101

307

112

79

74

63

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June.

378

237

169

141

149

14G

253

225

222

174

141

155

124

202

July.

46

53

66

100

49

48

44

39

37

29

20

23

30

33

70 '>

Aug.

57

45

37

29

30

29

28

25

50

50

44

40

75

49

32.9

Sept.

41

43

40

35

22

18

31

30

30

28

27

20

18

38. 4

NOME RIVER AT PIONEER INTAKE AND PIONEER DITCH.

These stations were established to obtain the total discharge of 

Nome River available for the three ditches. Both were located 

about one-fourth mile below the diversion dam of the Pioneer ditch.

Gage heights were obtained for only a short period in August, 

when readings were made by employees of the Pioneer Mining 

Company.

To obtain the natural flow of the river, the discharge of the Seward 

ditch at intake and of the Miocene ditch at Clara Creek has been 

added, and that of the two ditches discharging over Nugget divide 

subtracted. The run-off per square mile thus obtained is slightly 

greater than that of the river at the Miocene intake for the same 

period. The discharge at this station can, therefore, be conservatively estimated at the same rate per square mile as that at the upper 

station.

Discharge meanurement8*of Nome, River at Pioneer intake and Pioneer ditch, 1907.

[Elevation, 330 feet.] 

NOME RIVER.

DateJuly 9.........................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.89 

1.58 

1.13

Discharge.

Sec. ft. 

132 

58 

3

Date. Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.39 

1.49

Discharge.

Sec. ft. 

25 

40

PIONEER DITCH.

July 18... 

July 24... 

August 9.

1.22

1. 35

1.19

18.7 

22.2 

10. S

August 20. 

August 29.

1.41

1.44

24.3

25.0
22 WATER. SUPPLY TN ALASKA, 190f>-1907.

Daily gage-height and discharge of Nome River and diversions at Pioneer intake,

August, 1907.

[Drainage area. 38 square miles.]

Day.

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

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

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

24... ......

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

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

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

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

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

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

31... ..

Nome River.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.40 

1.30 

1.30 

1.25 

1.25 

1.55 

1.60 

1.57 

1.52 

1.75 

1.55

Run -off per square 

mile....... . ...

Discharge.

Sec. ft. 

29 

16 

1C 

12 

12 

52 

02 

55 

47 

95 

52

Pioneer ditch.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. Sec. ft. 

1.43 25.0 

1.40 ] 24.0 

1.42 24.7 

1.42 ! 24.7 

1.48 26.8 

1.48 26.8 

1.40 24.0 

1.38 23.4 

1.30 20.8 

1.39 23.7 

1.36 22.7

40.7 24.2

i

Seward 

ditch.

Sec. ft. 

29.0 

26.9 

27.9 

27.9 

29.0 

29.0 

27.2 

27.2 

27.9 

28.6 

28.6

28.1

Miocene 

ditch.

Sec. ft. 

34.0 

34.0 

34.0 

33.0 

34.6 

35.2 

35.2 

35.2 

35.2 

35.2 

35.2

Total.

Sec. //. 

117 

101 

103 

98 

103 

143 

148 

140 

131 

183 

139

Diverted 

over 

Nugget 

divide.

Sec. ft. 

17.5 

15.5 

14.2 

16.2 

14.9 

14.2 

14.9 

15.6 

16.9 

14.9 

14.9

34.0 128 15.4

i

Net 

total.

Sec. ft. 

100 

86 

89 

82 

88 

129 

133 

124 

114 

168 

124

112 

2. 95

Nome 

River 

at Miocene 

intake.

Sec. ft. 

29 

30 

29 

28 

25 

50 

56 

44 

46 

75 

49

41.9 

2.80

BUFFALO CREEK.

Buffalo Creek rises in a high U-shaped valley on the south side of 

the Kigluaik Mountains, and after a steep descent joins Deep Canyon 

Creek, forming Nome River. Measurements were made as follows:

Discharge measurements on Buffalo Creek in 1906.

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

Secondfeet.

June 28.................................................................... 18.1

July 6...................................................................... 23.3

August 3.................................................................... 9.1

DAVID CREEK.

David Creek is the first large tributary of Nome River below the 

junction of Buffalo and Deep Canyon creeks. Its valley has a northwestward exposure, and holds a considerable amount of snow well 

into the summer.

The discharge of the David Creek lateral of the Miocene ditch (see 

p. 33) is equal to that of the creek at the point of diversion at times 

of low water. This has been compared with the natural flow of Nome 

River for five such periods, as follows:

Comparison of flow of David Creek and Nome River at Miocene intake, 1907.

Date. Nome 

River.

Sec. ft.

31

22

32

34

32

David 

Creek.

Sec. ft.

14.3

10.4

13.8

11.9

11.2

David

Creek

in per 

cent of

Nome

River.

46

47

43

35

35
NOME ftlVEK DRAINAGE BASIN.

The above table shows that the discharge of David Creek was from 

47 to 35 per cent of that of Nome River. The discharge for other 

periods than those given has therefore been taken as 45 per cent of 

that of Nome River for July, 40 per cent for August, and 35 per cent 

for September.

Monthly discharge of David Creek at Miocene intake, 1907. 

[Drainage area,4.3 square miles.

Month.

July...........................................

Discharge in second-feet. Run-off.

Maximum.

76 

30 

107

107

Minimum.

10.9 

8.9 

8.3

8.3

Mean.

32.2 

14.2 

20.7

22.4

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

7.49 

3.30 

4.81

5.20

Depth in 

inches.

8. 64 

3.'80 

5.37

17.81

DOROTHY CREEK.

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

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

as noted on page 35. 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.]

June 16.

Secondfeet. 

. 5.1

July 29.................................................................... 3.0

August 18.................................................................. 2. 9

HOBSON CREEK.

Hobson Creek is one of the most interesting and valuable streams 

in the Nome region. It rises south of Dorothy Creek, flows southward and discharges into Nome River about 18 miles from the seacoast. It is about 4 miles long and very steep. Its only important 

tributary is Manila Creek, which becomes dry at low water. Hobson 

Creek is notable for the large limestone springs from which it receives 

its water. The highest of these springs emerges just above the dam 

at the Miocene ditch crossing. Above them a trench has been dug 

across the stream to solid rock, and no flow was intercepted. Between the dam and the mouth of Manila Creek there are in airy springs, 

none of them very large, but giving an aggregate discharge nearly 

equal to that above the Miocene intake.

At low water the Miocene ditch obtains nearly half its water supply 

from Hobson Creek. Laterals have also been built to the other 

ditches, that to the Seward lying on the east bank and the Pioneer 

branch on the west bank.
24 WATER SUPPLY TN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

The water from Hobson Creek is valuable not only on account of its 

remarkably uniform flow but also on account of its high temperature, 

which prevents the formation of slush ice during cold nights and 

makes it possible to run the ditches somewhat longer than they 

could be with Nome River water alone.

In the opinion of employees of the Miocene Ditch Company the 

extreme range of the discharge of the upper springs is from 8 to 32 

second-feet during the summer season. During the winter they 

probably run somewhat lower, but always remain open.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Ilobson Creek at Miocene intake, 1907. 

[Elevation, 500 feet; drainage area, 2.6 square miles.]

Day. June. July.

1.. ...................... 25.5

2................ ........ 24.9

^.. .............. ........ 23.8

4..... . . ... 22.7

5....... ................ .22.7

6................ ........ 21.1

7 ........................ 19. 6

9 24 5

10............... ........ 22.7

11............... ........ 23.0

12..............J........ 24.0

13 230

14............... ........ 23.0

15............... ........ 19.7

10............... ....... 23.1

17............... ........ 21.4

18............... .... ... 23.2

19............... ........ 22.3

Aug.

20.4

18.7

19.1

19.3

19.2

18.9

19.4

18.2

16.2

16.7

16.4

16.4

16.3

16,9

14.7

14.7

14.3

Sept.

17.3

17.3

17.7

17.3

16.9

16.5

1 7 Q

18.2

20.5

21.9

20.3

20.6

20.6

20.7

20.3

Day.

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

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

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

93

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

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

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

'27...............

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

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

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

June.

25.8

25.0

25.8

9.92

1.11

.Tilly.

22.6

23.0

21.1

22.3

23.5

22.7

24.2

21.8

21.4

20.2

20.9

21.2

22.6

8.69

10.02

Aug.

14.3

15.4

14.7

14.3

16.8

18.3

17.3

17.3

17.3

17.7

17.7

17.7

17.1

6. 58

7.59

Sept.

19.7

18.3

22.3

20.6

19.5

19.3

19 0

19.3

19.7

19.1

7. 35

8.20

id Septe

Discharge measurements of Ilobson Creek below Manila Creek and dirersions, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 5.1 square miles.

Point of measurement. July 2.

Sec. ft. 

24.9

0.0

0.0

49.9

July 9.

Sec. //. 

24.5

5.2

0.0

21.0

50.7

July 19.

Sec . ft. 

22.3

5.2

0.0

17.7

45.2

Aug. 9.

Sec. ft. 

18.1

4.3

0.0

10.7

33.1

Sept. 28.

Sec. ft. 

19.0

4.5

5.8

5.0

34.3

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. Y.) This ditch diverts 

water from upper Glacier Creek, upper Snake River, Nome River and
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 218 PL. V

ROCK CUT AROUND CAPE HORN ON MIOCENE DITCH.
NOME RIVER DRAINAGE BASTN. 25

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 

the ditch 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 feet, giving a fall of 152 feet. This fall varies at different 

points along the ditch, ranging from 3.17 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 Creek, 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 Creek to Ex (this was the upper portion of the first section of 

the main ditch); (2) from Grouse and Cold creeks to flume; (3) from 

upper New Eldorado Creek to Buster Creek (it was originally intended 

to connect this feeder with the main ditch by a siphon across Nome 

River, but in 1907 it was extended to producing ground on Buster 

Creek); (4) the David Creek ditch, which empties into Nome River 

above the intake; (5) the Jett Creek ditch, which takes water from 

Jett and Copper creeks and carries it over the Nugget divide; (6) the 

Grand Central 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 that of 

Nome River about June 26, but before July 1 it was turned out frequently to permit repairs. The ditch was also out of use on account 

of a break from July 8 to 11, inclusive, after which the water ran 

almost continually. The Nome River water was turned out October 

12, and the Hobson Creek water on the morning of the 13th. This 

season was somewhat longer than usual. In 1907 the Hobson Creek 

water was turned in on June 27 and that from Nome River on July 3, 

but the ditch was not run to its full capacity until July 27. All water 

was turned out on October 3. A break occurred just below Hobson
26 WATER SUPPLY TN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Creek on September 10 and all water turned out for thirty-three 

hours; this was practically the only interruption in the flow.

During 1906 two gaging stations were maintained on the ditch 

one at Black Point, about 1 mile below the intake, to determine the 

amount of water diverted from Nome River, and one at the flume, 

which gives practically the total amount delivered at the mines.

In 1907 three additional stations were established at Clara Creek, 

above Hobson Creek, and below Hobson Creek. The difference in 

discharge at the last two gives the flow of the creek (p. 24). The difference between the flow at any of the other stations and that at the 

one below it gives the loss by seepage in that portion of the ditch. 

The Grouse Creek lateral joins the main ditch between Hobson Creek 

and the flume and sometimes causes an increased discharge at the 

flume as compared with that at the creek station. Measurements of 

this lateral are given on page 35. The distances by ditch between stations are as follows: Black Point to Clara Creek, 7.1 miles; Clara 

Creek to Hobson Creek, 4.9 miles; Hobson Creek to the flume, 4.2 

miles; the flume to the Ex, 9.5 miles. Measurements at the Ex are 

given on page 30. The flow of the Glacier Creek lateral about equals 

the seepage below the flume.

The results of measurements at the above-named stations are 

given in the following pages. All the gages were read by employees 

of the Miocene Ditch Company from two to four times a day. Gage 

readings taken after September 30 were unreliable, on account of the 

slush ice that was running, and the discharge for the last few days in 

September may be slightly too large, for the same reason.

Discharge measurements of Miocene ditch at Black Point, 1906-7.

Date.

1900.

July 13......... ............

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

Tulv 97

July29. ............. . ......

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.80

.89

68

.39

1.20

1.30

.85

1.10

Discharge.

Sec. jl. 

31.8

34.1

27.5

25.7

20.0

18.1

48.3

30.7

38.2

Date.

1907. 

July 4........... .... ......

July 17.... ..................

Do...

Gage 

height.

Fed. 

0.51

.57

.79

01

Discharge.

Sec. ft. 

21.8

24.0

29.6

25.1

42.5
NOME RIVET* DRAINAGE BASIN,

Daily gage height and discharge of Miocene ditch at Black Point, 1906-7.

Day.

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

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

8

1906.

height. Gage 

1 «-i

Feet. 

0.70 

.70 

60

.85 

.95

.88 

.85

9... ........'.. ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21.............. '2

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

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

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

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

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

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

&)..............

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

.50 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.20 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

.92

.70 

.70 

.62 

.85 

.95 

.92 

. 75 

.62 

.54 

50

.45

.42

& X

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

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. (> 

22.2 

21 

19.9 

19.2

...... 27. 4

August.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

0.40 

.38 

.35

.34 

.33 

.34

.52 

.48 

.37 

.40 

.81 

.82 

.96 

.60 

.50 

.50 

.45 

.39 

.46 

.86 

1. 12 

1.03 

1.17 

1. 19 

1.20 

1.17 

1.16 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

18.8 

18.5 

18 

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 ..

1

September.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1. 17 

1.04 

1.00 

.98 

.82 

.80 .80' 

.76 

.72 

.66 

.64 

.78 

.80 

.58 

.69 

.92 

1.00 

.96 

1.05 

1.06 

1.22 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20

...... 29. 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.li 

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

35.9

July.

height. Gage 

Feet.

0.52 

.50 

.50 

.45 

.40 

.48 

.48 

.50 

.50 

.50 

.,50 

.50 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.85 

.80 

1.00 

.94 

.94 

.96 

1. 10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

22.3 

21.7 

21.7 

20.4 

19.2 

21.1 

21.1 

21.7 

21.7 

21.7 

21.7 

21.7 

30.7 

30.7 

30.7 

30. 7 

30.7 

30.7 

30.7 

30.7 

30.7 

30.7 

32.2 

32.0 

37.1 

35. 1 

35.1 

35.8 

40.5

28.0

1907.

height. Gage,

Feet. 

1.05 

.98 

.91 

.85 

.80 

.68 

.61 

.04 

.61 

.52 

.52 

.52 

.50 

.55 

.45 

.90 

1.15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.16 

1.16 

1.16 

1.10 

1.08 

1.02 

1.15 

1. 16 

1. Iti 

1. Iti 

1. 15 

1. IS

gust.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

38.8 

36.5 

34.2 

32.2 

30.7 

27.0 

24 P 

25.8 

24.9 

22.3 

22.3 

22.3 

21.7 

23.1 

20.4 

33.8 

42.2 

42.2 

42.2 

42. .6 

42.6 

42.6 

40. 5 

39.8 

37.7 

42.2 

42. ti 

42.6 

42. 0 

42.2 

42.2

September.

-p

.£P '3

s03 

O

Feet. 

1. 15 

1. 15 

1. 15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.15 

1.04 

1.08 

1.10 

.80 

.48 

.98 

1.15 

1.08 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.08 

1. 15 

1.08 

1.15 

1.15 

1.06 

1.00 

1.04 

.98 

.94 

1.02 

1.12

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

42.2 

42.2 

42. 2 

42.2 

42.2 

42.2 

38.4 

39.8 

40. 5 

30.7 

21. 1 

36. 5 

42. 2 

39! 8 

37.1 

37.1 

37.1 

37.1 

39.8 

42.2 

39.8 

42. 2 

42.2 

39.1 

37.1 

38.4 

36.5 

35. 1 

37.7 

41.2

,38.7

Discharge measurements of Miocene ditch at Clara Creek, 1907.

Date.

July 18.................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

..... 0. 50

..... . (iO

i

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

18.2

27.7

Date.

Autrust 29

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.91

go

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

35.2

34 7
28 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 

Daily gage height and discharge of Miocene ditch at Clara Creek, 1907. 

July. August. September.

Day.

I.....

9

3.. ..

4.......

0. .

8.......

9.......

10.....

11.....

12.....

13.......

14.....

15.......

16.......

17.......

bp '3

Q-J

Sp

o

Feet.

0.52

50

.56

.46

.50

.71

.82

.75

S)

c6

,gj

o

«

Sec.-ft.

a 19.0

a 19.0

18.8

19.6

19.9

17.2

18.2

25.0

30.0

26.8

 g

 |°

A

%

O

Feet.

0.89

.84

.80

.78

.66

60

.58

.52

.50

.48

.52

.48

.72

.92

J

a:

fi

Sec.-ft.

33.5

31.0

29.0

28.1

23.1

21.0

20.4

19.6

18.8

18.2

18.2

17.7

18.8

17.7

25.4

35.2

-g

bp '3

A

SP 0

Feet.

0.92

Q9

.92

.92

.92

.91

.89

.88

.92

.69

.70

.88

.95

.95

.94

.91

.91

bp

a

X

a

Sec.-ft.

35.2

35.2

35.2

35.2

35.2

34.6

33.5

33.0

35.2

24.2

24.5

33.0

37.0

36. 4

34.6

34.6

Day.

18.......

19.......

20.......

91

22:::::::

23 .......

24.......

25 .......

26.......

27 .......

28.......

29 .......

! 30.......

31 .......

July.

+i

A

bp 'S

1

o

Feet.

0.82

.79

.79

.81

.82

.80

.80

.80

.82

.88

.88

.83

.89

.92

oiB>

c6

.2

8ec.-ft.

30.0

28.6

28.6

29.5

30.0

29.0

29.0

29.0

30.0

33.0

August, i September.

 4^H

1?'S

A

03

(_,

gbo 'S

=3 A

co -S co bo ^ SO

o 5

Feet.

0.91

Sec.-fl.

34.6

.90 34. 0

. 91 34. 6

.90

.90

.90

.88

.91

.92

.92

33. 0 . 92

30. 5 . 92

33. 5 . 92

34.0

34.0

34.0

33.0

34.6

35.2

35.2

35.2

CO O

Feet.

0.91

.92

.85

.95

.88

.88

.92

.90

.92

.88

.84

35. 2 .88

35. 2 . 88

35. 2 - 92 3K. 2

25.4

1

28.7

0)

?_,

1

o

3

Sec.-ft.

34.6

35.2

31.5

37.0

33.0

33.0

35. 2

. 34! 0

35.2

33.0

31.0

33.0

33.0

33.7

a Estimated from Black Point records. 

Discharge measurements of Miocene ditch above Hobson Creek, 190

Date.

July 9 . . ...................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.88

1.25

.98

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

17.6

25.7

18.8

Date.

September 28 ..........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

...... 1.38

......] 1.36

1 30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

31.7

31.8

Daily gage height and discharge of Miocene ditch above Hobson Creek, 1901

Bay.

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.....

5.......

7. ......

8....... 

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13 .......

14... ...

15.......

16.......

17... ....

July.

+3

 SP '5 

A

1

Feet.

0.80 

.90 

.90 

.90 

.93 

.77 

.89 

.90 

.89 

.85 

.89 

.89 

1 22 

l!l7 

1.21

&

*

A

o

Sec.-ft.

14.7 

17.3 

17.3 

17.3 

18.1 

13.9 

17.0 

17.3 

17.0 

16.0 

17.0 

17.0 

27.7 

25.9 

27.4

August.

+i 

§ 

.§

1

O

Feet. 

1.37 

1.31 

1.30 

1.20 

1.18 

1.04 

.97 

.95 

.99 

.90 

.88 

.86 

.84 

.92 

.80 

1.02 

1.39

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

33.1 

31.0 

30.6 

27.0 

26.3 

21.5 

19.3 

18.7 

1 19.9 

, 17.3 

16.8 

16.3 

15.7 

17.9 

14.7 

20.8 

33.8

Sept

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.35 

1.31 

1.39 

1.42 "i.'s'i"

1.40 

1.40 

1.37 

1.36 

1.36

ember.

. 

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

32.4 

31.0 

33.8 

34.9 

. 0 

32.0 

34.2 

34.2 

33.1 

32.8 

32.8

Day.

18.......

19.......

20.......

21....... 

22....... 

23....... 

24..... .

26.......

28.......

29.......

30.......

31.......

July.

I '3

A

CO

SP

o

Feet. 

1.20 

1.20 

1.16 

1.21 

1.21 

1.23 

1.24 

1.22 

1.22 

1.33 

1.33 

1.28 

1.27 

1.38

o bo

cS 

XJ

s

Sec.-ft. 

27.0 

27.0 

25.6 

27.4 

27.4 

28.1 

28.4 

27.7 

27.7 

31.7 

31.7 

29.9 

29.5 

33.5

23.0

August.

+i

a

s>SP

o

Feet. 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.37 

1.29 

1.30 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38 

1.38

CO

£

tk

5

Sec.-ft. 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.1 

30.2 

30.6 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5

27.4

September.

43 

%

s

a

s> bo

O

Feet. 

1.37 

1.38 

1.35 

1.36 

1.39 

1.29 

1.39 

1.39 

1.39 

1.35 

1.27 

1.30 

1.35

CC

xj

s

Sec -ft. 

33.1 

33.5 

32.4 

33.8 

33.8 

30.2 

33.8 

33.8 

33.8 

32.4 

29. 5 

30.0 

32.4

31.8
NOME EIVEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 29

Discharge measurements of Miocene ditch below Hobson Creek, 1907.

Date Gage ' Dis" ^ale- height, j charge. .

Feet. 

July2.. ...................... 1.60

July 9........................ 2.08

Sec.-fl.

24.8 

39.1 , 46.8 ,

July 24..

Septembe

Date.

--

rZi. ......... .....

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.38 

2.38

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

49.4 

52.0

Daily gage height and discharge of Miocene ditch below Hobson Creek. 1907.

| June.

U'y- Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. Sec.-ft. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

28.................... 1.68 26.7

29.................... 1.64 25.8

31.................... .'........ ..........

July.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.63 

1.60 

1.74 

2.10 

2.10 

2.05 

2.03 

2.09 

2.14 

2.10 

2 10 

2.10 

2.10 

2.10 

2.30 

2.29 

2.31 

2.32

2.31 

2.30 

2 30

2.33 

2.38 

2.38 

2.34 

2.38 

2.46 

2.45 

2.37 

2.38 

2.49

Mean . . 25. 8

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

25.5 

24.9 

28.3 

40.0 

40.0 

38.4 

37.7 

39.7 

41.5 

40.0 

40.0 

40.0 

40.0 

40.0 

47.4 

47.0 

47.8 

48.2 

47.8 

47.4 

47.4 

48.5 

50.4 

50.4 

48.9 

50. 4 

; 53. 5 

53.1 

50.1 

50.4 

54.7

43.8

August. September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.46 

2.36 

2.36 

2.27 

2.25 

2.11 

2.06 

1.98 

2.04 

1.95 

1.89 

1.89 

1.86 

1.93 

1.83 

2.03 

2.33 

2.32 

2.31 

2.31 

2.34 

2.32 

2.30 

2.29 

2.34 

2.39 

2.39 

2.39 

2.40 

2.40 

2.40

Dis- Gage 

charge. height.

Sec.-ft. 

53. 5 

49.7 

49.7 

46.3 

45.5 

40.4 

38.7 

36.0 

38.0 

35.5 

33.0 

33.0 

32.1 

34.3 

31.0 

37.7 

48.5 

48.2 

47.8 

47.8 

48.9 

48.2 

47. 4 

47.0 

48.9 

50.8 

50.8 

50.8 

51.2 

51.2 

51.2

Feet. 

2.40 

2.39 

2.39 

2.40 

2.39 

2.38 

2.34 

2.34 

2.38 

2.45

2. 33 

2.40 

? 37 

2.30 

2.30 

2.30 

2.31 

2.31 

2.34 

2.33 

2.32 

2.33 

2.38 

2.35 

2.37 

2.37 

2.33 

2.35 

2.37

Discharge measurements of Miocene ditch at flume, 1906-7.

Da to Ga&e Dis" J'aT< - height. charge.

1906. Feet. 

July 4................ 0.95

August 2 ..................... .81

September 26................ 1.65

Sec.-ft. 

29.8 

36.5 

28.3 

43.9 

.58.2 

48.5

July 2...

July 3...

July 19..

August 1 

August 2 

Septembe

Date.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

51.2 

50.8 

50. 8 

.51.2 

50.8 

50.4 

48.9 

48.9 

50.4 

53.1 

0 

48. 5 

51.2 

50.1 

47.4 

47.4 

47.4 

47.8 

47.8 

48.9 

48.5 

48.2 

48.5 

50.4 

49.3 

50.1 

50.1 

48. o 

49.3 

50.1

47.9

Gage Disheight. charge.

1907. Feet. 

1 58

1 51

J.. ..................

2.09 

1.63 

2.05 

2.02

Sec.-ft. 

36 

32 

50

33

-1

50
30 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Daily gage height and discharge of Miocene ditch at flume, 1906-7.

Day.

l. .............

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

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

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

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

8 .....

f)

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

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

12 ....

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

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

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

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

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

18 . ......

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

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

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

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

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

24

25

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

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

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

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

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

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

1906.

July.

4-3

&53

<v bo

o3

o

Feet. 

0.98 

.95 

.92 

1.00 

1.08 

1.09 

1.12 

(a) 

(a)

00 

.79 

1.10 

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

&oS

1

5

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

August.

4^>

 g, 

OJ

1

o

Feet. 

0.82 

.81 

.84 

.89 

.90 

.91 

.93 

.98 

.90 

.88 

1.01 

1.13 

1.23 

1.02 

.94 

.92 

.91 

.87 

.86 

1.10 

1.29 

1.28 

1.32 

1.40 

1.44 

1.55 

1.34 

1.46 

1.51 

1.56 

1.50

&

"o2

£

Sfc.-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

September.

4J s

C;

Sib * 

C

Feet. 

1.71 

1.71 

1.70 

1.70 

1.70 

1.69 

1.66 

1.68 

1.63 

1.54 

1.49 

1.46 

1.45 

1.41 

1.40 

1.34 

1.31 

1.47 

1.48 

1.52 

1. 58 

1. 65 

1.61 

1.60 

1.71 

1.63 

1.75 

1.76 

1.79 

1.80

0

»

1

5

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

...... 631.8 ...... 35.2 ...... 48.4

!

1907.

July.

1

o 

a

OJ bo

03

O

Feet. 

1.56 

1.56 

1.56 

1.74 

1.75 

1.75 

1.70 

1.77 

1.80 

1.86 

1.77 

1.80 

1.85 

1.85 

1.92 

1.80 

1.95 

1.95 

1.95 

1.95 

2.00 

2.00 

2.02 

1.99 

2.01 

2.05 

2.08 

2.06 

2.04 

2.00 

2.03

&o3 

O

5

Sec.-ft. 

33.5 

33.5 

33.5 

39.6 

40.0 

40.0 

38.0 

40.8 

42.0 

44.4 

41.0 

42.0 

44.0 

44.0 

46.8 

42.0 

48.0 

48.0 

48.0 

48.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.8 

49.6 

50.4 

52.0 

53.2 

52.4 

51.6 

50.0 

51.2

August.

+s

_6p

,§ 

1

O

Feet. 

2.05 

2.00 

1.92 

1.86 

1.82 

1.78 

1.70 

1.68 

1.69 

1.63 

1.58 

1.56 

1.54 

1.58 

1.50 

1.71 

1.96 

1.95 

1.92 

1.94 

1.95 

1.93 

1.92 

1.92 

1.95 

2.00 

2.04 

2.01 

2.04 

2.06 

2.03

I?

OS

1 

5

Sec.-ft. 

52.0 

50.0 

46.8 

44.4 

42.8 

41.2 

38.0 

37.3 

37.7 

35.6 

34.0 

33.5 

32.9 

34.0 

31.8 

38.4 

48.4 

48.0 

46.8 

47.6 

48.0 

47.2 

46.8 

46.8 

48.0 

50.0 

51.6 

50.4 

51.6 

52.4 

51.2

September.

I 

£

1 O

Feet. 

2.02 

2.00 

2.00 

2.00 

2.00 

2.00 

1.99 

1.98 

2.04 

2.10 

(a) 

1.98 

2.02 

2.12 

2.10 

2.10 

2.10 

2.11 

2.12 

2.10 

2.13 

2.08 

2.04 

2.09 

2.09 

2.08 

2.08 

2.03 

2.03 

2.04

...... 45.1 ...... 44.0 ......

&

3 

1 

5

Sec.-ft. 

50.8 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

49.6 

49.2 

51.6 

54.0 

0 

49.2 

50.8 

54.8 

54.0 

54.0 

54.0 

54.4 

54.8 

54.0 

55.2 

53. 2 

51.6 

53.6 

53. 6 

53.2 

53.2 

51.2 

51.2 

51.6

50.4

a Ditch broken by heavy rains. 

NOTE. About 28 second-feet turned in June 2S, 1907.

''For 28 days, 35.2 second-feet.

Discharge measurements of Miocene ditch below the Ex, 1907.

Date.

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

j

nber 4 .............................................................

Glacier 

branch.

Sec.-ft. 

8.8

27.6

31.5

34.3

Dexter 

branch.

Sec.-ft. 

0.

16.0

13.0

Total.

Sec.-ft. 

8.8

43.6

45. 5

47.3

JETT CREEK DITCH.

The Jett Creek ditch was constructed during 1906 to divert water 

from Jett and Copper creeks over the Nugget divide. In 1906 the 

water was turned in from Copper Creek July 20 and from Jett Creek 

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

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

about 10 second-feet. In 1907 a gage was established below Copper 

Creek and read by A. D. Jett.
NOME RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 31

Discharge measurements on Jctt Creek ditch at outlet, 1906- 1/

Date.

1906. 

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

August 29....................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

T| 94

^ 8

4.6

7.3

9.2

5.3

Date.

Septeml 

July 31.

Do.

Do 

Do.

1906.

XT 14. ...............

1907.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.59 

1.38 

1.21 

.75

Discharge.

Sec. -ft. 

3. !>

8.1 

5.3 

3.6 

0.0

'Daily gage height and discharge of Jctt Creek ditch, 1907.

Day.

4. ......

6. .

8

July.

I

» 

§P

feet.

§>

1

5

Src.-ft.

q

13....... 

14.......

16.......

1.15 

1.35 

1.32 

1.15 

1.20 

1,15

3.0 

5.0 

4.6 

3.0 

3.4 

3.0

August.

I 

£ 

»

SP

o

Feet. 

1.59

1.50 

1.45 

1.40

1 *?^

1

1

£

Sec. -ft.

6.9 

6.2 

5.6 

K n

1.33 1 4.S 

1. 33 4. 8 

1. 25 3- 9

1.25

1.25 

1.25 

1.30 

1.30 

1.30 

1.55 

1.50

3.9

3.9 

4.4 

4.4 

4.4 

7.6

September.

1 o>

» w>

c3 

O

Feet. 

1 50

1.50 

1.50 

1.45 

1.45

1 4\

a! 

tf

c3 

1

£

Sec.-ft. 

6.9 

6.9 

6.9 

6.2 

6.2 

6 2

1.45 i 6.2 

1.50 6.9 

1.60 8.2

1.60 

1.60 

1.60

0 

0 

8.2 

8.2 

8.2

Day. 

18.......

19 .......

9n

21.......

23.......

25. ......

28'.'.'.'.'.".'. 

29. ... .. qr\

31.......

July.

4J

I" 

a)

§?

O

Feet.

1.18 

1.19 

1.30

1.42 

 1.22 

1.22 

1.38

1.40 

1.45 

1.45 

1.42 

1.45 

1.50 

1.59

ai W> i*

a

1

2

Sec.-ft. 

3.2 

3.3

5.9 

3.6 

4.6 

5.4

5.6 

6.2 

6.2 

5.9 

6.2 

6.9 

8.1

4.9

Alljj

+j 

§

,c 

a) M<£

c

Feet. 

1.60 

1.60

1.50 

1.45 

1.45 

1 50

1.50 

1.45 

1.50 

1.55 

1.55 

1.50 

1.50

just.

1

3

1

Scc.-ft. 

8.2 

8.2

September.

-f^

I i 

O 1 1M

Feet. ' Sec.-ft.

6. 9 ......

6.2 

6.2

6.9

6.2 

6.9 

7.6 

7.6

6.9

...... 6.1

GRAND CENTRAL DITCH.

The completed portion of the Grand Central ditch diverted water 

from Nugget Creek at an elevation of 785 feet from June 27 to September 29, 1906, and from July 9 to October 2, 1907. In 1907 a 

gage was installed just below Nugget Creek and read by A. D. Jett. 

The entire flow of the creek was diverted except on September 11 

and 12 and possibly a few other days of high water. For measurements during 1906 see page 50.

Discharge measurements of Grand Central ditch, 1907.

Date.

July9...... ..................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.39

1.28

Discharge, i

Sec. -ft. 

5.4

Date.

July V... ......................

Do.....-.........---..-....

Gage 

height.

Feel. 

1. 18

1 47

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1.27
32 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 190G-J907.

Daily gage heighi and discharge of Grand Central ditch, 1907.

Day.

1. ......

G ......

8

10. ...... 

11.. .....

12.......

13 .......

14.......

16.......

July.

-H

<x> '3

0>be

Fret.

1.45 

1.34 

1.34 

1.38 

1.38 

1.45 

1.35 

1.35

0)s?03

43 

o

p

Sec.-ft.

6.8 

4.4 

4.4 

5.2 

5.2 

6.8 

4.6 

4.6 

3.8

August.

-H

s'Si

43

03be

o

Fed. 

1.34 

1.34 

1.32 

1.32

1.30

1.28

1.28 

1.25 

1.25 

1.28 

1.27 

1.30 

1.30 

1.50 

1.50

1

£

Sec.-ft. 

4.4 

4.4 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

3.6

3.3

2.8 

2.8 

3.3 

3.1 

3.6 

3.6 

8.0 

8.0

September.

I £ 

a

&

feet. 

1.50 

1.50 

1.45 

1.45 

1.45 

1.45 

1.45

1.60 

1.70

'i.'ro'

1.70 

1.70 

1.70 

1.70

03

S?

c3

-

Sec.-ft. 

8.0 

8.0 

6.8 

6.8 

6.8 

6.8 

6.8

10.6 

13.4 

0 

0 

13.4 

13.4 

13.4 

13.4 

13.4

Day.

18....... 

19.......

21.......

99

23.......

24.......

27.......

28.......

29

30.......

31.......

July.

I

03 

A 

03

I

Feet. 

1.40 

1.46 

1.48 

1.65 

1.47 

1.48 

1.46 

1.40 

1.38

1.36 

1.33 

1.32 

1.32 

1.34

&

' 

03 

O

s

Sf.c.-fi. 

5.6 

7.0 

7.5 

12.0 

7.3 

7.5 

7.0 

5.6 

5.2 

4.8 

4.2 

4.0 

4.0 

4.4

August.

-H

be 'S

A

03be

o

Feet. 

1.55 

1.55 

1.60 

1.60 

1.55 

1.50 

1.55 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

1.55 

1.50 

1.50

03

S?

05 si 

o

S

Sec.-ft. 

9.3 

9.3 

10.6 

10.6 

9.3 

8.0 

9.3 

8.0 

8.0 

8.0 

8.0

s.O

8.0

...... 6. 2

September.

-Hi>03 

J3 

03be

03 

O

Feet. 

1.70 

1.60 

1.60 

1.60 

1.55 

1.55 

1.55 

1.50 

1.50

03

B>

03

1

 r-i

ft

Sec.-ft. 

13.4 

10.6 

10.6 

10.6 

9.3 

9.3 

9.3 

8.0 

8.0 

8.0 

8.0 

8.0 

8.0

9.0

DAVID CREEK DITCH.

5*

David Creek enters Nome River from the east a short distance 

below the intake of the Miocene ditch. It has a well-sustained flow 

which is diverted at an elevation of about 590 feet by a ditch that 

discharges into Nome River just above the Miocene intake. In T906 

the water was running in this ditch before gagings were made on Nome 

River. Except during extreme high water, it carried the entire 

flow of David Creek up to its capacity of about 14 second-feet. 

When the ditch was cleaned out in 1907 it was enlarged from 4 feet 

to 5 feet on the bottom, increasing its capacity to nearly 20 secondfeet. The gage was read by employees of the Miocene Ditch Company during August, 1906, and July to September, 1907.

Discharge measurements of David Creek ditch, 1906-7.

-Date- GagC JUt<-- height.

1906. 'Feet. 

July3........................ ..........

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

August 23 ................... 0. 51

Do......'................. .63

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

"3 x,

6.4

7,9

7.6

j Date.

'' 1906. 

! August 29. ...................

! Do........................

!1 1907.

i July 17........................

i July 25........................

! Do........................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.81

.68

.50

79

.83

.69

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

13.7

11.4

8.9

13.7

11.5
NOME EIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 33

Daily gage height and discharge of David Creek ditch, 1906-7. 

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

Day.

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

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

6 ..........

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

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

g

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

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

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

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

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

17..--..-.---.----....

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

19

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

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

92

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

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

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

27

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

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

30

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

1906.

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.35 

.35

!42 

.38 

.37 

.37 

.38 

.40 

.38 

,35 

.34 

.33 

.39

.31 

.29 

.40 

,38 

.50 

.52 

.48 

.54 

.77 

.34

.40 

.41

.78 

.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

1907.

July.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

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 

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

0.50 

.52 

.50 

.60 

.60 

.60 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.70 

,65 

.75 

.75 

.75

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

8.9 

9.1 

8.9 

10.2 

10.2 

10.2 

13.2 

13.2 

13.2 

13.2 

11.6 

10.9 

12.4 

12.4 

12.4

11 3

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.75 

.70 

.80 

.69 

.67 

.62 

.60 

,56 

.56 

.52 

,52 

.52 

,52 

.50 

.50 

.80 

.82 

,80 

.90 

.90 

.95 

.95 

.72 

.70 

.72 

.72 

.75 

.75 

.75 

.75 

.75

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

12.4 

11.6 

13.2 

11.5 

11.2 

10.5 

10.2 

9.6 

9.6 

9.1 

9.1 

9.1 

9.1 

8.9 

8.9 

13.2 

13.5 

13.2 

14.9 

14.9 

15 8 

15.8 

11.9 

11.6 

11.9 

11.9 

12.4 

12.4 

12.4 

12.4 

12,4

.......... 11.8

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.70 

.65 

.80 

.80 

.72 

.70 

.68 

.60 

.60 

.50 

. 55

.90

.99 

.85 

.85 

.73 

.68

.58 

.57 

.54 

.50 

.50 

.45

'

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

11.6 

10.9 

13.2 

13.2 

11.9 

11.6 

11.3 

10.2 

10. 2 

8.9 

9.5 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

14.9 

16.5 

14.0 

14.0 

12.1 

11.3 

10.6 

9.9 

9.8 

9.4 

8.9 

8.9 

8.3

9.0

NOTE. These discharges are believed to represent the total flow of the creek from August 3 to 20, 

1906, and from about July 23 to September 8, and September 19 to 30, 1907.

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 figures obtained 

for the section between points of measurement 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 

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.

35283 IRR 218 08 3
34 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Seepage measurements of Miocene ditch, 1906. 

MAIN DITCH FROM NOME RIVER TO GLACIER CREEK.

Date.

July 3. .........

Do. ........

Do.........

Do. ........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do.........

Do........

Do.'.......

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

September 12. .

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Do........

Point of measurement.

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

Above Hobson .........................................

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

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

Glacier Fork at Ex.. ...................................

JETT CREEK BRANCH.

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

Jett Creek ditch, below junction with Copper Creek

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

36.5

28.3

13.0

13.3

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

"29.6

29.4

6.4

2.5

1.8

4.2

6.0

5.3

Gain.

Scc.-ft.

10.5

.9

14.3

14.4

..........

2.6

Loss.

Scc.-ft.

o 2

2.9

1.9

2.3

.2

2.3

3.2

2.0

.4

.3

2.9

.2

.5

0.7

.3

.4

Estimated.
NOME EIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 35

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The following measurements were made at the points stated during 

the two years:

Miscellaneous measurements of Miocene ditch, 1906-7.

Date.

1906.

1907. 

July 2.... ..........

July 20. ............

Point of measurement.

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

39.5

11.7

3.5

5.8

CAMPION DITCH AT BLACK POINT.

The Campion 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 the bottom 

and 9 feet on top, is 2 feet deep, and has a mean velocity of 2 feet 

per second when running full. The water was turned in at 1 p. m., 

July 6, 1906. The ditch broke near its outlet at 7 a. m., 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.

It ran continuously from July 7 to September 29, 1907, except 

September 23, when the water was turned out on account of slush ice.

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.

Discharge measurements of Campion ditch at Black Point, 1906-7.

Date.

1906. 

July7. ...... .................

July 20.......................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.80

.60

.70

.67

76

1.10

1.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

11.9

8.9

9.7

27.5

12.0

19 6

16.8

Date.

1907. 

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

July 12.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.88

.35

79

1.04

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

9 9

2.7

8

0

1 Q Q
36 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Daily gage height and discharge of Campion ditch. 1906-7. 

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

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19

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

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

23

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1906.

July. August. September.

"Sp '3 

A<£

C

Feet.

0.88

oj

s

Sec.-ft.

14.1

i

.92

.78 

.75 

.82 

.78 

.76 

.72

15.0 

11.9 

11.3 

12.7 

11.9 

11.5 

10.7

12.4 l

tao

1 

 3

C

Feet. 

0.69 

.68 

.65 

.62 

.56 

.61 

.69 

.70 

.73

.77 

1.13 

1.05 

1.09 

1.02 

.92 

.80 

.80 

.78 

.75 

.80 

.76 

1.01 

1.16 

.99

.93 

1.15 

1.16 

1.14 

1.09 

1.00 

.99

6 

JB

Sec.-ft. 

10.1 

10.0 

9.5 

9.0 

8.2 

8.9 

10.1 

10.3 

10.9

11.7 

20.4 

18.2 

19.2 

17.5 

15.0 

12.3 

12.3 

11.9 

11.3 

12.3 

11.5 

17.2 

21.3 

16.8 

15.2 

21.0 

21.3 

20.7 

19.2 

17.0 

16.8

14.4

I

S

M

Feet. 

0.98 

.90 

1.02 

1.04 

1.00 

1.02 

.96 

.96 

1.00 

1.08 

1.07 

1.02 

1.06 

1.02 

.98 

.93 

.92 

.90 

1.10 

.98 

.50 

.60 

.75 

.72 

.91 

.96 

1.02 

.98 

.95 

.94

ojg?cS

Sec.-ft. 

16.5 

14.5 

17.5 

18.0 

17.0 

17.5 

16.0 

16.0 

17.0 

19.0 

18.8 

17.5 

18.5 

17.5 

16.5 

15.2 

15.0 

14.5 

19.5 

16.5 

7.5 

8.7 

11.3 

10.7 

14.8 

16.0 

17.5 

16.5 

15.8 

15.5

15.8

1907.

July.

1

3

OJ

tao

03

Feet.

0.71 

.58 

.80 

.81 

.66 

.52 

.77 

.69 

.66 

.73 

.70 

.95 

.84 

.90 

.94 

.88 

.93 

.89 

.88 

.89 

.83 

.86 

.91 

1.05 

1.07

OJ

|

5

Sec.-ft.

6.8 

5.1 

8.3 

8.5 

6.0 

4.4 

7.8 

6.5 

6.0 

7.1 

6.7 

11.5 

9.1 

10.3 

11.3 

9.9 

11.0 

10.1 

9.9 

10.1 

8.9 

9.5 

10.5 

142 

148

9 0

August.

'3SP

OJ

C

Feet. 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

.99

.95

.92 

.96 

.98 

.90 

-.90 

.94 

.94 

.98 

.89 

1.08 

.99 

1.09 

1.01 

.98 

1.03 

1.04 

1.02 

1.02 

1.00 

1.09 

1.08 

1.06 

1.05 

1.12 

1.08

September.

s, i h OJ

1 1

5 o

Sec.-ft. 

12.8 

12.8 

12.8 

12.5 

11.5 

10.3 

10.8 

11.8 

12.3 

10. 3 

10.3 

11.3 

11.3 

12.3 

10.1 

15.1 

12.5 

15.4 

13.1 

12.3 

13.6 

13.9 

13.4 

13.4 

12.8 

15.4 

15.1 

14.5 

14.2 

16. 3 

15.1

Feet. 

1.10 

1.12 

1.12 

1.10 

1.06 

1.11 

1.08 

1.06 

1.16 

.82 

.65 

.93 

1.00 

.91 

.97 

.92 

.97 

1.01 

1.06 

1.18 

.98 

.99

.98 

.99 

1.06 

1.04 

1.03 

.98

"3

Sec.-ft. 

15.7 

16.3 

16.3 

15.7 

14.5 

16.0 

15.1 

14.5 

17.4 

8.7 

5.9 

11.0 

12.8 

10.5 

12.0 

10.8 

12.0 

13.1 

14.5 

18.0 

12.3 

12.5 

0 

12.2 

12.5 

14.5 

13.9 

13.6 

12.2 

0

...... 12.9 ....... 12.5

SEWARD DITCH.

The 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. A part of the flow of Hobson Creek is diverted 

by a branch ditch.a In 1907 a gage was established near the intake 

and read by the ditch walker.

Measurements to determine the flow and also the seepage of this 

ditch were made as follows:

Seepage measurements of Seward ditch, 1906.

Date.

July 29........

Do. ......

Do........

Do........

Point of measurement.

Above Trout Creek. ....................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

19 7

20.6

4.0

24.6 

22.0

Gain.

Sec.-ft.

0.9

Loss.

Sec.-ft.

2.e

» For measurements of the Hobson Creek branch, see page 24.
NOME RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Other measurements were made at the intake as follows:

Discharge measurements of Seward ditch at intake, 1906-7.

37

August 30.

September

Date.

1906.

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

! Gage 

j height.

Feet.

Discharge. !

Sfc.-ft. 

25

26 

. 132

Date.

July 11..

July 24..

1907.

Gage 

height.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

" Computed from gage reading. 

Daily gage height and discharge of Seward ditch at intake, 1907.

Day.

2.......

July.

"3M

M 

3

c

Feet.

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

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

9

1

SO

ft

Sec.-ft.

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

11 0 fill 20 1

12.......

13... ....

14.......

16.... ..

02 20. 5 

65 21.3 

(55 21. 3 

70 22. 5 

70 22. 5 

70 22. 5

August.

+j 

be

1

Feet. 

0 85 

85

85

74

72

71

72 

74

72

71

78 

77 

71

88

88

§>

%r.

Sec.-ft. 

27.2 

27 2

27.2 

25.4

23.6 

23.0

22.8 

23.0 

23.6 

23.0

22.8 

24.8 

24.5 

22.8 

28.3 

28.3

September.

a Sf

& a

Feet. 

0.90 

89

.89 

89

.88 

,88

.89

.88 

.85 

.81

.82 

.85 

.84 

84 

.84 

.85

OJ M

oj 

J3

P

Sec.-ft. 

29.0 

28.6

28.6

28.3 

28.3

28.6 

28.3 

27.2 

25.8 

0 

26.2 

27.2 

26.9 

26. 9 

20. 9 

27. 2

Dny.

18....... 

19

20.......

22.......

23.......

26.......

27.......

29.......

30.......

July.

4^ 

f.

"3 M

o

SP

6

-FVef. 

0.70 

.75 

.75

. 75 

.75 

. 75 

.80 

.82 

.82 

.88 

.82 

.85

1

1

3

Sec.-ft. 

22.5 

23.8 

23.8

23.8 

23.8 

23.8 

25.4 

26.2 

26.2 

28.3 

26.2 

27 2 

27 2

August.

1 3

s> 

so

6

Feet. 

0.85 

.84 

.84 

.90

.84 

.87 

.87 

.90 

.90 

.85 

.85 

.87 

.89

SQ

OJ

£

1

3

Sec.-ft. 

27.2 

26.9 

26.9 

29.0 

26.9 

27.9 

27.9 

29.0 

29.0 

27.2 

27.2 

27.9 

28.6

98 f.

September.

4J 

§

a

£1 

OJ

Sf

Feet. 

0 85 

82 

82 

78 

78 

80 

80 

80 

80 

80 

75 

74 

75

23 9

»' 

% 

1

3

Sec.-ft. 

27.2 

26.2 

26.2 

24.8 

24.8 

25.4 

25.4 

25. 4 

25.4 

25.4 

23.8 

23.6 

23.8

95 ~

PIONEER DITCH.

The Pioneer ditch, begun in 1905 and completed in 1907, has its 

intake on Nome River just below the mouth of Christian Creek, about 

3 miles below the Seward intake and at an elevation of about 330 feet. 

It has a total length of 38 miles and extends to Anvil Creek. There 

are three siphons, composed of two lines of 30-inch riveted steel 

pipes one 545 feet long across Hobson Creek, one 1,050 feet long 

across Banner Creek, and one 755 feet long across Dexter Creek. 

Several narrow gulches and gullies eroded by waste water from the 

other ditches are crossed by flumes.

Daily gage heights and discharges of the Pioneer ditch at the 

intake and of Nome River are given on page 22.
38 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907. -

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 1,500 to 4,000 

feet. (See PI. VI, A and B.)

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 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 Creek 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.

In order to make the water from this drainage basin available for 

use 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 extend 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 resorvoir, 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.

NORTH FORK OF GRAND CENTRAL RIVER.

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

Mount Osborn, which is surrounded by almost perpendicular moun-
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 218 PL. VI

A. UPPER GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE.

B MOUNT OSBORN, JULY, 1906.
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 39

tains rising from 1,000 to 3,000 feet above the bed of the stream. 

This cirque contains a small glacier, the melting of which maintains 

a very steady flow. The flow is increased by a large spring at an 

elevation of about 860 feet.

Discharge measurements on this stream in 1906 were made at elevations of about 750 feet and 1,030 feet, points which 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.

In 1907 a gaging station was established about 100 yards above 

the junction of the forks to take the place of the one at the ditch 

intake. The increase in flow between the stations is small. The 

gage was read by Cornelius Edmunds.

Daily gage height and discharge of North Fork of Grand Central River near ditch intake,

1906.

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

Bay.

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

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

G... ................. .... ............

9..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9Q

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

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

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

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

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

2S.............. ...........................

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

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

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

Mein

July. August.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Dis- Gage 

charge. height.

Sec.-ft. 

23 

(23)

Feet.

(23)

(25)

\ 0.81

1.10 -67

.85

.90

.76

. 74 i "-i

40

(45) 

«38

pi

a 47

642 

45 

50

..........' 38

4?

28

<i 39 9

,85

.......... 7.39 ..........

. .... 4.<i7 ..........

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

30 

30 

30

32 

32

29

632 

33

31 

33 

32

27 

27

28

28 

"27 

625 

27 

25

27 

(32)

(30) 

(60) 

637 

40 

(40) 

(G7) 

67 

71 

54

48....

September.

Gage , Disheight. charge.

Feet.

0.92

.70

1.5

36.7 '..........

6.80 ..........

7.84 i..........

!

Sec.-ft. 

44 

644 

38 

38 

40 

37 

33 

31 

627 

28 

27 

(26) 

26 

27 

26 

25 

25 

27

be 120

e31. 0 

5.85 

3.92

« Measurements.

b Estimates based on gage readings.

< Not included in mean. 

d 17 days.

f 18 days.

NOTE. These values were obtained 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 discharges are based on the West Fork flow and are in parentheses. From July 

5 to 19 the How did not fall below 40 second-feet. The flow on June 26 was 43 second-ieet.
40 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Discharge measurements of North Fork of Grand Central River at the forks, 1907.

[Elevation 690 feet.]

Date.

July 8........................

July 16.......................

JuLv25........... ...........

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.31

1.19

1.23

1.20

1.11

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

65

4147 ;

45

34

Date.

August 26............. .......

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.07

1 36

1.18

1.44

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

28

70

36

Daily gage height and discharge of North Fork of Grand Central River at the forks, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 6.9 square miles.]

Day.

1.......

2.......

3. ......

4.......

July.

height. Gage Discharge.

Feet. Sec.-ft.

......

7

8.......

9

12.......

1 "3

15. ......

17

1.31

1.25

1.19

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

62 

46 

50 

70 

60 

65 

50 

41 

41 

38 

42

August.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.16 

1.20 

1.15 

1.15 

1.12 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.08 

1.10 

1.10 

1.08 

1.11 

1.05 

1.34 

1.40 

1.35

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

37 

42 

36 

' 36 

33 

31 

31 

31 

31 

29 

31 

31 

29 

32 

27 

68 

81 

70

September.

-t^> a

o> 

a 

s> MoS 

O

Feet. 

1.32 

1.22 

1.14 

1.22 

1.25 

1.16 

1.10 

1.07 

1.50 

2.15 

2.10 

1.68 

1.52 

1.50 

1.49 

1.44 

1.40 

1.37

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

64 

45 

35 

45 

50 

37 

31 

29 

102 

238 

194 

106 

72 

68 

66 

57 

49 

45

Day.

19

July. | August.

height. Gage 

Feet.

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

21.......

22.......

23. ......

25. ......

26. ......

27. ......

28. ......

29. ...... ?n

31 .......

Run - off 

square 

Run-o ff,c 

in inchf

1.22 

1.20 

1.19 

1.14 

1.11 

1.14 

1.16

per

iepth

s . ...

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

50 

60 

80 

51 

50 

46 

45 

42 

41 

35 

32 

35 

37 

48.7

6.30

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.28 

1.34 

1.44 

1.44 

1.41 

1.32 

1.30 

1.37 

1.38 

1.31 

1.74 

1.66 

1.42

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

56 

68 

89 

89 

83 

64 

60 

75 

77 

62 

152 

136 

85 

58 1

September.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.32 

1.30 

1.29 

1.10 

1.18

8.42

9.71

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

39 

36 

35 

21 

25

64.7 

9.38 

8.02

NOTE. Channel conditions were changed during the high water of September 10, and a new rating 

table was used after that date. Discharges for days between July 8 and 25, when the gage was not 

read were obtained by the aid of a hydrograph.

Daily discharge in second-feet of North Fork of Grand Central River at pipe intake, 1906-7. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July.

21

21

21

22

1906.

Aug.

22

22

22

24

24

21

a 23

25

23

25

24

20

20

21

Sept.

31

«31

27

27

28

26

23

22

a 19

20

19

17

18

19

July.

a 42

37

40

56

48

52

40

1907.

Aug.

30

34

29

29

a 27

25

25

25

25

23

23

23

22

24

Sept.

46

32

25

32

36

27

22

21

74

171

140

76

52

49

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

the lower station, as was found on the dates of measurements. This varied from 70 to 90 per cent. 

Gagings on June 20,1906, gave 30 second-feet, and on June 26, 1906, 43 second-feet. The flow from July 5 

to 19, 1906, probably exceeded 35 second-feet.
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 41

Daily discharge in second-feet of North Fork of Grand Central River at pipe intake,

190 6-7 Continued.

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

17.- ...................... . . ..... ... ......

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mean ............. ...........

July.

-----

31

35

30

33

48

37

a 33

34

38

28

32

30.3

13.2

7.86

1906.

Aug.

*>1

20

a 19

20

19

20

27

45

a28

30

30

50

13

40

Vi

27.4

11 9

13.7

Sept.

1 0

18

17

19

22.2

9.65

6.46

July.

33

33

30

34

40

48

64

37

37

a 38

33

9a

26

28

30

39.0

16 9

15.1

1907.

Aug.

61

67

67

48

a 43

54

110

98

43.5

18 9

21.8

Sept.

a 41

35

28

25

18

40.5

20.2

17.3

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

at the lower station, as was found on the dates of measurements. This varied from 70 to 90 per cent. 

Gagings on June 20,1906, gave 30 second-feet, and on June 26,1906,43 second-feet. The flow from July 

5 to 19, 1906, probably exceeded 35 second-feet.

A limestone spring at an elevation of 850 feet discharges into North 

Fork near the proposed ditch intake, and is the largest of a considerable number of springs in the upper Grand Central Valley. The following measurements of the flow of this spring were made in 1907: 

July 10, 3.8 second-feet; September 5, 7.4 second-feet.

WEST FORK OF GRAND CENTRAL RIVER.

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, by limestone springs, 

and by Crater Lake, which lies at an elevation of 973 feet and has an 

area of about 106 acres.

There is considerable glacial drift in the lower part of the basin 

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

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

through the gravel.

Two gaging stations were established on the fork in 1906 at elevations of 1,010 and 860 feet. The lower station is just above the 

outlet to Crater Lake and shows the flow at the proposed ditch intake. 

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 of 1906. As the snow above the pipe intake 

melted away and the flow of the springs between the intakes in-
WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

creased, 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. During 1907 the percentages were almost the same as for the corresponding dates of 1906. 

In 1907 an additional station was established just above the forks, 

where the flow from Crater Lake is included.

Discharge measurements of West Fork of Grand Central River at the forks, 1907.

[Elevation, 690 feet.]

Date.

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

July 16........................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.88

1.77

1.74

1.65

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

107

80

77

50

Date.

August 26. ...................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.61

1.71

1.70

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

61

61

NOTE. These measurements were made by subtracting the flow of North Fork from that of the 

river below the forks, taking both from the rating curves of the two stations, all three gages being read 

at the same time.

Daily gage height and discharge of West Fork of Grand Central River at the forks, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 7.7 square miles.]

Day.

2

3.......

6.......

1. ......

S. ......

9

10.......

13

15.......

16. ......

17.......

19

July.

O'J it

Feet.

. c

» ff

3 d ^fl 

o

Sec.-ft.

\

\

i

!

1

1.93

1.88

1.77

129 

95 

112 

125 

90 

95 

88 

80 

79 

70 

75 

85

August.

®~S 

g^

°1

Feet. 

1.72 

1.71 

1.70 

1.70 

1.65 

1.60 

1.60 

1.62 

1.64 

1.62 

1.62 

1.65 

1.62 

1.65 

1.62 

1.88 

2.00 

1.92 

1.88

d

10 *">

5J

o

Sec.-ft. 

66 

64 

61 

61 

50 

42 

42 

45 

48 

45 

45 

50 

45 

50 

45 

112 

154 

125 

112

September.

§i

o|

Feet. 

1.82 

1.78 

1.63 

1.72 

1.68 

1.68 

1.76 

1.84 

2.07 

2.70 

2.37 

2.12 

1.82 

1.80 

1.80 

1.74 

1.70 

1.67 

1.62

*i

ojj<3

Sec.-ft. 

93 

82 

47 

66 

57 

57 

77 

99 

179 

406 

287 

197 

93 

87 

87 

71 

61 

54 

45

Day.

20

July.

<D+j §p3> o|

Feet.

21

22........

24........

25........

o«

97

28........

29........ 

30........

31........

Mean .... 

Run -off, 

square r 

Run-off, 

in inche

i. 75 

1.75 

1.70 

1.65 

1.60 

1.68 

1.70

per 

nile... 

lepth

SB i bo «!

Sec.-ft. 

100 

140 

90 

80 

76 

74 

74 

61 

50 

42 

57 

61

84.5 

11.0 

9.82

August.

« £

bCi^ U> O'S 

.3

Feet. 

1.78 

1.82 

1.78 

1.72 

1.65 

1.64 

1.63 

1.64 

1.65 

2.32 

2.38 

1.88

<B 

iff

°1

Sec.-ft. 

82 

93 

82 

66 

50 

48 

47 

48 

50 

276 

291 

115

81.0 

10.5 

12.1

September.

§i o«

Feet. 

1.61 

1.59 

1.54 

1.61

oj 

iff

5 !

Sec.-ft. 

44 

41 

34 

44

100 

13.0 

11.1

Discharge measurements of West Fork of Grand Central River at ditch intake, 1906-7.

[Elevation, 860 feet.]

Date.

1906. 

June 19

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.65

1.53

1 20

1.41

1.34

1.12

1.01

Disclj^rge.

Sec.-ft. 

40.4

38

28.6

115

38.1

58

50

30.9

9^23

Date.

1907. 

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

July 16.... ....................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.30

1.18

1.13

1.01

1.18

1.18

1.37

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

69

51

44

32

39

48
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE BASTX.

Daily guyc height and discharge of West Fork of Grand Central River at ditch intake,

1906-7.

[Elevation, 860 feet; drainage area, 5.4 square miles.]

Day.

July.

.£P 'S

0)bo

08 

O

! Feet. 

\. .............

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

4

S,. .............

9

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

12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1.10 

1.00 

1.10 

1.80

1.65 

1.53 

1.75 

1.60 

1.55 

1.45 

1.40 

1.45 

1.40 

1.30 

1.30 

1.35 

1.20 

1.52 

1.41 

1.33 

1.25 

1.25

1.20 

1.15 

1.14

QJ bo

03

"o

Sec.-ft. 

29

28 

22 

28

162

116

80 

144 

103 

90 

70 

61 

70 

61 

47 

47 

54 

36 

83 

63 

51 

42 

42 

39 

36 

32 

31

August.

bo 'S 

x!

bo

a

Feet. 

1.12

1.12

1.15 

1.11

1.02 

1.05 

1.10 

1.08 

1.05

1.01 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

.98 

1.12 

1.20 

1.39 

1.21 

1.16 

1.22 

1.35 

1.30 

1.30 

1.27

QJ bo

c3

x! 

o

5

Sec.-ft. 

30 

30 

30 

34 

34 

30 

32 

29

23

25 

28 

27 

25 

24 

23 

22 

22 

22 

21 

30 

30 

00 

37 

33 

38 

54 

47

44 

44

September. ; July.

1

0)

X! 

a> bo

OS

c

Feet. 

1.27 

1.24 

1.20 

1.12 

1.08 

1.05 

1.05 

1.02 

1.01

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

.98 

.95 

.92 

.92 

.92 

1.00

1.60

a I a

-r * £ 0 & 1

x bo £

5 o 5

Sec.-ft.

44 

40 

36 

30 

27 

25 

25 

23

22 

22 

22 

21 

20 

19 

19 

19 

22

Feet. Sec.-ft.

August.

 ^

x: bo '3 

a 

o> bo

08 

C

Feet.

1.30

1.51

1.18

«103

1.20 

1.13

1.10

69 

65 

107 

110 

65 

68 

60 

54 

51 

45 

50 

60 

70 

100 

65 

58 

54 

54 

45 

42 

34 

28 

41 

45

1.08 

1.06 

1.08 

1.15 

1.15 

1.09 

1.10 

1.10 

1.12 

1.12 

1.07 

1.49 

1.48 

1.38 

1.25 

1.35 

1.40 

1.35 

1.25 

1.20 

1.18 

1.19 

1.20 

1.18 

1.50 

1,48 

1.38

o3 bo

o3 

Pi

Sec. -ft. 

45 

44 

43 

43 

39 

37 

39 

47 

47 

40 

41 

41 

43 

43 

38 

103

60 

43 

56 

63 

56 

43 

37 

35 

36 

37 

35 

98 

82 

CO

September.

4^>

Sibo '8

a

V

 bo

<3

0

Feet. 

1.20 

1.25 

1.10 

i.ii) 

1.15 

1.15 

1.12 

1.10 

1.35 

1.85 

1.75 

1.60 

1.45 

1.40 

1.40 

1.37 

1.32 

1.30 

1.28 

1.28 

1.27 

1.22

a! bo

03 

Xj

3

Sec.-ft. 

41 

47 

31 

3U 

36 

36 

33 

31 

61 

149 

109 

84 

59 

52 

52 

48 

42 

40 

38 

38 

37 

32 

35

I

1 Mean ................

Run-off per square

mile ...............

Run-off. depth in

inches .............

62.0

11.5

11.5

a Not included in mean.

NOTE. Discharges for 1907 have been computed from four rating tables on account o£ the shifting 

channel conditions, and are somewhat uncertain. Discharges for days between July 8 and August 5, 

when the. gage was not read, were obtained by the aid of a hydrograph.
44 WATER SUPPLY TN ALASKA,, 1906-1907.

Daily gage height and discharge of West Fork of Grand Central River at pipe intake,

1906-7.

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

Day.

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

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

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

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

g

1906 (discharge).

July.

Sec.-ft.

a 19

18 

15 

18

9 .... ... ! .

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

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

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

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

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

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

17.--...-.--.-....-...-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Run-off per square

Run - off, depth in

a 45 

72 

52 

45 

32 

27 

32 

27 

20 

20 

23 

«15 

44 

32 

«25 

' 19 

19 

16 

14 

13 

12

27.0 

9.64 

8.96

August.

Sec.-ft. 

12 

12 

12 

14 

14 

ol2 

12 

10 

9 

8 

9 

11 

10 

9 

8 

8 

07.6 

8

(

12 

16 

30 

a 18. 5 

15 

19 

27 

24 

24 

22 

22

13.9 

4.96 

5.72

September.

Sec.-ft. 

22 

19 

16 

12 

9 

9 

8 

8 

«7.3 

7 

7 

7 

7 

6 

6 

6

7

1907.

July.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.27

.......... ........

9.4 

3. 36 

2.25

o.98

Discharge.

Sec.-ft

31 

29 

o47 

48 

29 

30 

26 

24 

22 

20 

22 

26 

31 

44 

29 

26 

24 

24 

<* 19.3 

18 

15

12

18 

20

26.4 

9.43

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.86

.91

.90

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

14 

14 

14 

14 

12 

"11.3

12 

15 

15 

13 

13 

13 

613.7 

14 

12 

52 

35 

19 

14 

18 

20 

18 

14 

12 

a 12 

12

11 

39 

33

26

17.6

6.29

7 9^

September.

Gage 1 Disheight. charge.

Feet.

.88

1.02

Sec.-ft. 

13 

15 

15 

11 

611.5 

11 

12 

13 

20 

74 

54 

40 

28 

25 

25 

623 

17 

13 

' 12 

12 

12 

10 

11

20.5 

7.32 

6.26

a- Measurements.

i> Estimates based on gage readings. 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, 1906, gave 28 second-feet, and on June 26, 26 second-feet.

CRATER LAKE OUTLET.

Crater Lake discharges into West Fork of Grand Central River just 

below the ditch intake 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 

highest one of 1906 is only approximate. Gage heights were taken by 

employees of the Wild Goose Mining and Trading Company.
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 45

Discharge measurements of Crater Lake outlet, 1906-7. 

[Elevation, 925 feet.]

Date.

1906.

June 26....... ...............

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.55

.96

1.10

.90

.98

.80

-Q

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

14.2 , 23.7

13.6

59.0

12.0

21.5

7.1

13.0

5.6

4.3

Date 0aSe mte- height.

1907. i Feet. 

JulyS........................ 1.32

July 16....................... 1.18

July26. ...................... 1.13

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

36.5

21.1

16.7

13.7

10.0

10.6

8.0

7.5

Daily gage height and discharge of Crater Lake outlet, 1906-1 

[Drainage area, 1.8 square miles.]

Day.

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

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

3. . .. .....

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

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

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

9, .............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23

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

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

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

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

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

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

31

Mean...... ..... 

Run-off per sc 

mile

1906.

July.

I

43 

V

SP

O

Feet.

1.00 

1.00 

1.15 

1.65

1. 55 

1.25 

1.45 

1.30 

1.15 

1.10 

1.15 

1.10 

1.05 

1.00 

1.00 

1.05 

.96 

1.06 

1.10 

1.05 

1.02 

1.00

.90

.88 

.88

juare

0> 

60

Dischai

Sec.-ft. 

14 

14 

14 

25 

09

59 

33 

50 

37 

25 

21 

25 

21 

17 

14 

14

11

11 

17

a 'i 

s

22.3 

17. 4

August.

i

io3 

0

Feet. 

0.85

"."66"

.95 

.96

.90 

.90 

1.00 

.95 

.90 "[so"

.80 

.79 

.80 

.78 

1.01 

1.01 

1.22 

1.02 

1.00 

1.10 

1.12 

1.10 

1.05 

1.00

<D 

60

Dischai

Sec.-ft.

1 

8 

8 

9 

9 

11 

12 

10 

9 

9 

14 

11 

9

7 

5.5 

5. > 

5.5 

5.5

15 

15 

31 

15 

14 

21 

23 

21 

17 

14 

13

11.8 

6. Sfi

Run-off, depth in 

inches ............. 12. 4 ...... 7. 56

September.

60

43 

ffl Sf o

Feet. 

0.98 

.94 

.90 

.82 

.78 

.78 

.78 

.75 

.73 

.71 

.69 

.68 

.65 

.65 

.61 

.61 

.61 

. 75

......

CO 

60

Dischai

Sec.-ft. 

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

1907.

July.

1

43 

»

§P

0

Feet.

CO 

60

Discha

Sec.-ft.

1.32 

i.~27

"i.'is"

i

1.40 a 46

...... 5.2

2.89

1.93

1.17 

1.13

1.04

36 

28 

31 

36 

26 

30 

26 

22 

22 

20 

22 

26 

30 

40 

30 

24 

22 

21 

18.2 

18 

15 

12 

12.3 

17

24.4 

13.6

12.1

August. September.

I

43 

ffl 60

o3 

O

Feet.

1.04 

1.03 

95 

1.03 

1.02 

1.02 

1.03 

1.02 

1.04 

1.04 

1.01 

1.41 

1.40 

1.30 

1.20 

1.35 

1.40 

1.35 

1.30 

1.35 

.95 

1.36 

1.37 

1.35 

1.45 

1.35 

1.30

<o

60

Discha

Sec.-ft. 

20 

20 

17 

17 

12.3 

11.8 

S.O 

11.8 

11.2 

11.2 

11.8 

11.2 

12.3 

12.3 

10.7 

47 

46 

34 

24 

40 

46 

40 

34 

40 

80 

41 

42 

40 

52 

40 

34

26.0 

14.4

16.6

£ Sf CO 

60

« , «

1 "i

0 3

Feet 

1.03 

1.10 

1.08 

1.15 

.93 

.90 

.85 

.83 

.80 

1.05 

1.90 

1.75 

1.40 

1.40 

1.35 

1.00 

.97 

.95 

.94 

.92 

.82 

.75 

.75

......

Sec.-ft. 

11.8 

,16.0 

14.7 

19.7 

7.4 

6.4 

5.2 

4.8 

4.2 

12.8 

106 

88 

46 

46 

40 

10.2 

8.9 

8.0 

7.7 

7.0 

4.6 

3.5 

3.5

21.0 

11.7 

10.0

o Not included in mean.
46 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER BELOW THE FORKS.

This station was established to obtain the total flow that can be 

diverted over the Nugget divide from the headwaters of Grand Central River. But little water enters the stream between this station and 

the proposed ditch intakes. Gage readings were taken during 1906 

by employees of the Wild Goose Mining and Trading Company. 

Gage readings were discontinued in 1907, but measurements were 

made and the discharge of West Fork obtained by subtracting that of 

North Fork from the total below the junction. The two stations 

above the forks replaced the one below the forks in 1907.

Discharge measurements of Grand Central River'below the forks, 1906-7. 

[Elevation,680 feet.]

Date.

19C6. 

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

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

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

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

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

August 17 ....................

Gage Dis- 

 height. charge.

Feet. Sec.-feet. 

0. 95 63

1.40 180

1.29 140

1.22 129

1.10 101

.89 66

.79 54.4

Date.

1907. 

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

July 16................

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

! Gage 

' height.

1 Feet. 

...... 1.33

......' 1.20

...... 1.19

....... .97

....... 1.06

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

145

121

119

72

89

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

[Drainage area, 14.6 square miles.]

July. August. September.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

9

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

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

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

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

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

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

19

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

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

OK

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

28

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

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

01

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.95

.90

.95

1.05

1.87

1.75

1.70

1.45

1.45

1.42

1.40

1.10

1.05

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.28

1.29

1.18

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.00

.90

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

63

56

63

80

370

325

300

198

198

187

160

180

100

91

100

100

82

143

145

118

100

100

100

82

82

67

h!44

9 Oft

10.27

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.90

.90

.90

.95

.90

.98

.94

.90

.81

.79

.78

1.08

1.02

1.25

1.25

1.15

1.12

Discharge.

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.10

1.00

95

93

80

.75

.72

1.72

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

100

91

82

74

63

>9

54

en

50

47

47

54

3310

c 62.0

4.25

2.84

ot included in mean. 6 28 days. <=18 days.

NOTE. The interpolated discharges 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.
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 47

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER BELOW NUGGET CREEK.

This station was established June 30, 1906, but it was not possible 

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

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

at this point is about 50 feet wide and 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 Hiver 

into Salmon Lake.

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

Date.

June 30.... ....................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.57

.98

.46

Discharge.

Scc.-feet. 

313

148

286

123

Date. Gage | Disheight. ; charge.

i 

leet. \ Sec. -feet. 

1. 10 ! 324

.46 , 121

.36 ' 101

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

[Drainage area, 39 square miles.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

9......---.......--...-....-.-.---........

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

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

13

July.

Gage 

height.

feet. 

0.5 

.45

1.9

1.55

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22

.6

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

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

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

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

28........... ............................. 99

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

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

.5

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

132 

120

750

545

157

132

..........

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

0.5 

.5 

.5 

.4 

.42 

.45 

.4 

.35 

.5 

.55 

.5 

1.5 

.8

L05 

1.5 

1.1 

.95 

.9 

.8

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 

.45 

.42 

4

'.38 

.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

1

6274 

7.03 

6.54

20 days. & 25 days.
48 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

GOLD RUN.

Gold Run enters Grand Central River from the east, about 2 miles 

below the forks. It drains a high cirque which lies between North 

Fork and Fox Creek, has a rapid fall, and terminates in a large gravel 

fan. A glacial lake near the head of its valley affords possibilities 

of storage to regulate the flow. On account of the large flow and 

the concentration of a considerable fall in a short distance, Gold Run 

has greater advantages for a high-head power development than any 

other stream on the south side of the Kigluaik Mountains.

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.

Daily gage height and discharge of Gold Run, 1906-7. 

[Elevation, 800 feet.]

Day.

1906.

July.

M>

0>

Msi 

O

Feet. 

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

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

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

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

5

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

14 

«13 

13 

20

August. , September.

Gage height.

Feet.

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

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

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

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

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

13 '

...... 52

1.21 . a 69

14 4.-)

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

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

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

19

21

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

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

27

.84 

1.00

1.00 

.93

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

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

30

31

40 

38 

42 

24 

20 

22 

23 

a 18. 5 

b30 

' 30 

a 30 

624 

24 

21

20 

19 

18

1.03 

.90 

.89

""si"

.80

";99" 

Tis" 

...... Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

18 

18 

18 

20 

24 

30 

034 

622 

621 

20 

20 

24 

22

20 

18 

617 

6 16. 5 

16 

16 

.15

28 

34 

50

34 

629 

44 

68 

af,1

...... 40 

...... 36

...... 32

i

height. Gage 

Feet. 

o'.95

'".n

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

30 

626 

23 

20 

17 

16

14 

13 

o!2 

12 

12 

11 

11 

11 

10 

10 

12

1907.

July.

height. Gage Discharge.

Feet. Sec.-ft.

1.57 "72 

...... -60

.. ... 80 

.. . . 86

.... 70 

. ... 60 

.... 48 

40 ^42

. . . . i 38 

.....' 42

...... j 48

54

August.

Gage height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

24 

24 

22

22

1.24 ! 622 

19

1.16

1 70

.... ... > 45

40

.............. 35

i 32

...... 32 .. 1 . .18

24

20

1.20 618 ...... 

1 . 2.1 a 23

........ ......! 24

15.3 47.0

16 

18 

18 

15

15

15

a 16 

13 

50 

55 

48 

40 

60 

7-5

September.

Gage height. Discharge.

Feet. Sec.-ft. 

'.'.'.'.'.'. 225

...... 25

...... 30

1.22 620 

16

14 

...... 13

13 

...... 25

...... 120

.. ... 90

......: 70

.. . . 60 

.. . .' 50 

1 38 a26 

.. . . 24 

22 

.. . . 20 

......I 18

j 14 75 ":"" a

70 

60 

66

...... 10

674

76

60 

90 

70 

40

. ... (1 . .

41.1 ......' 32.1

a Measurements.

b Estimates based on gage heights. Other discharges were obtained by plotting a hydrograph passing 

through the known points and following the rise and fall of the other streams in the vicinity, Gagings 

made on June 20, 1906, gave 22 second-feet and on June 25, 24 second-feet.
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 49

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 in height. 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.

Daily gage height and discharge of Thompson Creek, 1906-7.

 

[Elevation, 720 feet; drainage area, 2.5 square miles.]

Day.

0

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

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

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

15...-.....-.-..

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

2109

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

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

2V

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

99

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

July.

height. Gage 

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

11

all 

11 

16

1.20

1.42

1.29

36 

«52

40 

30

28 

23 

19 

16 

16 

18 

613

a 25

617.5 

16 

14 

11 

11 

10

Me in 9n s

Run-off per square 

mile ................

Run-off, depth in

8.20

7 fi9

1906. 1907.

August.

height. Gage 

Feet.

1.39 

1.22

1.11 

1.12

1.40

:§

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

9 

9 

10

10 

11

15 

622.5

614 

a 19 5

11 

11

17 

14 

12 

11 

69.6 

610 

10 

10 

9 

20 

20 

40 

623

28 

30 

28 

625.4 

22 

20

IP ft

6.64 

7 fifi

September.

height. Gage 

Feet.

i.66

1.00

Discharge. height. Gage 

«-i

Sec.-ft. Feet. 

19

14 

12

8 

7

6 

66.2

6 

6 

6

r,

...... 6

7.6

3.04

9.10

uly. August.

Discharge. height. Gage Discharge.

September.

§ &

Jj |

Sec.-ft. Feet. ' Sec.-ft. Feet. Sec.-ft. 

.......... 30 ...... 16

......... 1.24

1.55

1.69

1.45

1.42 

1.47

1.44

<*49 ....

45 .. ...

682 ..... 

87 ..... 

60 ..... 

50 1 24 

40 1 34 

34 ......

6 32 ...... 

30 ...... 

34 ...... 

40 ......

46 ...... 

55 ...... 

44 ...... 

35 '...... 

30 ......

635 , 1^47 

34 ....... 

31 '......

27

23

20 '..

15

ft 13 1 

9 '..

13

13 

13 

13 '..

13 '.. 

ft 13 ' . . 

«20 .. 

15

50 L.

so : i

39 ..

29 '..

40 .. 

46 : .. 

40 '.. 

34 

40

ft9 '..

635

17

16

92

12

.14 09.6

. .. 8

7

. . . 7 

. .. 15 

100 

. .. 80 

50 

50 

42

. . 14

.25 1 12.6 

11 

10

9 

6

."99" ft 5

35 '..............

35

27 ..... 40 '..

«32 ...... 34 '..

34 ...... 30

42.2 ...... 27.0 ..

16.9 ...... 10.8 .. 

15.1 : ...... 12.4 ..

....' 22.8

9.12 

7.80

i Measurements.

6 Estimates based on gage heights. Other discharges were obtained 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.

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.

35283 IRE 218 08 4
50 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

The headwaters of both Nugget and Copper creeks are precipitous 

and are fed by springs in limestone. Measurements were made on 

Nugget Creek at an elevation of 785 feet, at the point where its waters 

are diverted over the Nugget divide by the Grand Central branch of 

the Miocene ditch.

During 1907 the discharge of the creek was measured in the ditch 

about 200 feet below the intake. The results of measurements are 

given on page 31.

The flow of Copper Creek is also tapped by a branch of the Jett 

Creek ditch at an elevation of about 800 feet. The combined monthly 

discharge of Copper and Jett creeks for 1907 is given on page 51.

Discharge measurements of Nugyet and Copper creeks, 1906-7. 

NUGGET ('KEEK. 

[Elevation, 78.5 feet.]

.Dale.

1900.

June 21...................

July I9

1906.

June 19

Julv 12...................

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

Elevation 

of point of 

measurement.

Feet.

700

800

700

700

800

800

Discharge.

Sec. -feet.

1.8

1.6

4.4

.96

0.8

COPPER

3.8

8.7

11.6

11.3

2.4

.8

Date.

1906.

August 29 ................

CREEK.

1906.

1907.

Elevation 

of point of 

measurement.

Feet.

800

Discharge.

Scc.-fcet.

4.4

9.4

Monthly discharge of Nugget Creek at Miocene intake, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 2.1 square miles.]

' Discharge in second-feet.

Month. i Maximum, i Minimum.

Julv 9-31 ..............-.-.......--.---.-..-.. 12. 0 3.8

2.8 

6.8

2.8

Mean.

Run-off.

Sec. -ft. per 

sq. mile.

5. 7 2. 71 

6. 2 2. 95 

11.0 5.24

7.8 3.71

Depth in 

inches.

2.32 

3. 40

5. 85

11.57

NOTE. The maximum for September is estimated. For the daily discharge see page 32.

JETT OKEEK.

Jett Creek enters Grand Central River from the south. It has a 

short drainage basin 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. .31 for measurements on Jett Creek ditch.)
GRAND CENTRAL RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 51

The discharge of this ditch at times of low water is equal to the 

combined discharge of Jett and Copper creeks at the intakes, less a 

small amount of loss by seepage. This has been compared with the 

natural flow of Nome River for four such periods, as follows:

Comparison of flow of Jett Creek ditch and Nome River at Miocene intake, 1907.

Bates.

J uly 26-31 ................................................................

August 19-25. . ...........................................................

Nome 

River.

Sec.-ft. 

30 

22 

32 

34

Jett and 

Copper 

creeks.

Sec.-ft. 

7.0 

5.2 

7.0 

6.4

Creeks 

in per 

cent of 

Nome 

River.

23 

24 

22 

19

The above table shows that the discharge of Jett and Copper 

creeks was from 24 to 19 per cent of that of Nome River.

The combined discharges of the two creeks for other periods than 

those given have therefore been taken as 24 per cent of that of 

Nome River for July, 20 per cent for August, and 16 per cent for 

September, on the assumption that in September the flow was 

checked to a greater extent by cold weather than that of Nome River.

Measurements were made in 1906 to show the amount of water 

available at the diversion.

Date. Discharge. Date. Discharge.

June 19. 

July 2.. 

July 12.

14.9 July 21.

4. 4 ! August 31. 

14.3 September 10.

[Drainage area, 2.25 square miles.]

Month.

Discharge in second-feet. Kun-olT.

Maxnnum. Minimum. Mean.

July........

August....

September.

92 days.

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 those of Copper and Jett creeks, and the snow melts earlier in the
52 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

spring. At low water all the flow disappears in the pervious 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, 1906.

Elevation 

T)«tp ] of point of 

JJdle - measure1 ment.

Feet. 

June 20 ................... 700

June 20. .................. 900

June 24 ................... i 500

I

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

36

24.6

27.3

Date.

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

July 12........... .......

Elevation 

of point of 

measurement.

Feet. 

700

700

900

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

10.0

20.8

0.0

STORAGE POSSIBILITIES.

There are several reservoir sites in the headwaters of Grand Central 

River. The most important of these is Crater Lake, wThich lies in a 

cirque at an elevation of 973 feet. This lake has an area of 106 acres, 

and a dam to raise the water 15 feet would increase the area to about 

160 acres. The outlet could be arranged so as to draw the lake 5 feet' 

below its present level, thus giving a storage capacity of about 2,500 

acre-feet. There is also a small lake at the head of Gold Run. Its 

area has not been measured, but it would probably afford sufficient 

storage to reenforce the low-water flow of that stream considerably^.

Computations have been made to ascertain the storage capacity 

that would be necessary to maintain a given discharge in a proposed 

ditch, taking water either from (1) Gold Run, both forks of Grand 

Central River, and Thompson Creek; (2) the forks of Grand Central 

River and Thompson Creek, without Gold Run; or, (3) Gold Run 

alone, with storage obtained on the lake on that stream. Both 1 and 

2 have been studied for a discharge of 80, 100, and 120 second-feet 

with storage obtained on Crater Lake.

The amount of water that wTould have to be drawn from storageo

during any day is the difference between the discharge of the streams 

tapped and the assumed capacity of the ditch. The sum of these 

deficiencies for any week or month gives the total draft that would 

be made on the reservoirs for that period.

The days of deficient flow during 1906 occurred in four periods and 

those for 1907 in three periods, between which there were periods 

when the discharge of the streams exceeded the capacity of the ditch. 

During such periods of greater flow some of the water could be conserved in one of the lakes already mentioned. The amount thus 

retained would be equal to the excess of the discharge of the streams 

over the ditch capacity until this excess became greater than the dis-
SALMON LAKE. 58

charge into the lake, or until the lake had refilled or contained enough 

water to meet any later demands on it. The amount thus conserved 

during periods of high water, deducted from the total drawn from 

storage, gives the net storage capacity that would be required. The 

unit used in the following statement is 1 second-foot for 1 day, which 

is equal to nearly 2 acre-feet.

Storage capacity required to maintain given discharges, 1906 and 1907. 

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER, THOMPSON CHEEK, AND GOLD RUN.

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

80 

100 

120

July 1 to September 30, 1900.

Total Storage capacity redeficiency, quired.

Sec.-ft. for Sec.-ft. for 

1 day. 1 day. Acre-feet. 

127 123 244 

560 372 738 

1,332 1,002 1,987

July 8 to September 23, 1907.

Total 

deficiency.

Sec.-ft. for 

1 day. 

9 

51 

274

Storage capacity required.

Sec.-ft. for \ 1 day. ! Acre-feet. 

9 18 

51 101 

145 | 288

GRAND CENTRAL RIVER AND THOMPSON CREEK.

80

100

120

413

1,227

2,206

268

925

1,811

532

1,834

3,590

GOLD RUN.

26 ! 

212 i 

607

26

107

320

51

213

635

20

25

30

105

395

079

104

181

206

359

444 880

91

225

410

40

117

217

79

232

430

NOTE. Discharges for Hie latter part of September, 1900, were estimated. 

SALMON LAKE.

Salmon Lake lies at the foot of the Kigluaik Mountains at an elevation 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 west end. A number 

of small streams also enter the lake from botli 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 elevation of 500 feet the 

shortest tunnel line would be between 5 and 6 miles long; and if any
54 WATER SUPPLY TN ALASKA,, 190G-1907.

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 that point 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 suflicient head for hvdraulicking, 

+j O t 

the great Ocost and

difficulty of building so long a tunnel would make the feasibility" of 

the plan very doubtful.

Date.

June 22........

Do. ........

Do. ........

June 24........

Do.........

Do.........

Do. ........

Do.........

June 23. .......

Stream.

Grand Central River below Nugget Creek.

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

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

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

11. ( 07

«4

313

474

425

« Estimated. 

NOTE. The stage of Salmon Lake remained practically constant from June 22 to 24, inclusive.

A measurement on Fox Creek August 16 ; 1906, gave a discharge of 

17.3 second-feet.

KRUZGAMEPA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN BELOW SALMON LAKE. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Kmzgamepa or Pilgrim River, the outlet of Salmon Lake, has a 

larger discharge than any other stream in this section on which 

records have been obtained. For about 12 miles it flows in a valley 

ranging from 6 to 12 miles in width, and then enters the lowlands 

north of the Kigluaik Range, finally discharging into Imuruk 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 intends 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 reservoir thus formed could be used for the
KKUZGAMEPA RTVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 55

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 would 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 Salmon Lake, June 23, 1906. A temporary gage had 

been set and float measurements made during the spring flood by 

J. P. Samuelson.

Discharge measurements were made by wading when the discharge 

was less than 600 second-feet. The high-water measurements were 

made by floats in 1906, and from a cable in 1907.

The gage was read twice daily by J. P. Samuelson and M. Donworth.

Discharge measurements of Kruzgamepa River at outlet of Salmon Lake. 19()(i-7.

- -

1906.

June 23 .........

J une 29 .........

June 30..... .... .

July 9...........

Do..........

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

Septembe 1. ....

Septembe 7. ....

Septembe 17....

Septembe 21. ...

Septembe 23. . . .

Septembe 24. ...

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

183

170

157

412

372

116

148

159

184

164

127

108

336

299

269

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per

sec.

2.32

2.08

2.01

5.43

5. 09

4.73

1.80

2.11

2.33

2 49

2.27

1.95

1.62

4.61

3.76

3. 44

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.22

1.00

93

3.02

2.68

.37

.80

.85

.52

.27

2.38

2.06

1.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

425

353

315

2,340

2,094

1,760

212

209

312

371

458

373

248

175

1,546

1,124 !

925

1907.

June 28.........

Do..........

July 2. ..........

July 4. ..........

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

September 11.

September 12. . .

September 20. . .

Area of 

section.

Sq. ft.

41,-)

367

282

270

248

220 909

149

362

327

162

Mean velocity.

Ft. per

sec.

4.94

4.47

3.62

3.67

3.03

2. 58

2.69

2.04

2. 52

4.20

4.01

2. 21

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.97

2.56

1.88

1.78

1.56

1.30

1.37

. 65

.39

.89

2 52

2. 19

. 76

Discharge

Sec. -ft.

2,050

1,640

1,020

991

751

567

304

232

438

330

1,520

1,310

358

Daily gage height and discharge of Kruzgamepa Eirer at Salmon Lake, 1906. 

[Drainage area, 81 square miles.]

Day.

I.. .

9

I: ....... : '.:..

5. .

(>.

7.

May. June.

Gage Dis- Gage Disheight. charge, height, charge.

Feet. Sec.-ft. Feet. 

.............. 3. 05

................ 3.90

................ 4. 20

........'........ 3.20

....... . . . 2. 45

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

9.

10.

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

Sec.-ft. 

1,780 

2,270 

2,350 

2,520 

2,270 

1,920 

1,220

July.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.82 

72 

.70 

.70 

.80 

1.10 

1.10 

1. 92

'2. 60 

2 20

Aug

Dis- Gage 

charge, height.

Sec.-ft. 

272 

241 

235 

235 

265 

380 

380 

1,030 

2, 130 

1,040 

1.275

Feet. 

0.48 

.42 

.38 

.36 

.38 

.38 

.40 

.40 

.40 

.36 

.35

rust. September.

Dis- Gage 

charge, height.

Sec.-ft. 

239 

221 

209 

203 

209 

209 

215 

215 

215 

203 

200

Feet. 

0.86 

.81 

. 74 

.69 

.65 

.60 

.53 

49 

.46 

.41 

.39

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

387 

364 

336 

316 

300 

280 

256 

242 

233 

218 

212
56 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA,, 1906-1907.

Daily gage height and discharge of Kruzgamepa River at Salmon Lake, 1906 Continued. 

[Drainage area, 81 square miles.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May.

Gage 

he.ght.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec. -ft.

Juno.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Discharge.

See. -ft.

21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Run-off per square

Run-off, depth in

5. 45 

5 00

4.05

I.......

i

3,270 

3,000 

2,430

2,720

33. 0 

5.00

21,000

1.20 

1.25 

1.20 

1.12 

1.10 

1.05 

1.02 

.92

420 

442 

420 

388 

380 

360 

348 

308

Ja2,050 

\ 6383 

/ o25.3 

\ 6 4. 73 

/ a 6. 59 

\ & 1. 41 

Ja28,500 

1 b 0,040

Ju

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.95 

1.85 

1.55 

1.45 

1.25 

1.12 

1.08 

.98 

.90

.82 

.85 

.82 

.85 

.82 

.80 

.72 

.70 

.02 

.55 

.50

}.......

}.......

1 )- -- 

iyDischarge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,005 

985 

768 

702 

582 

511 

490 

441 

405 

309 

382 

309 

382 

309 

300 

328 

320 

288 

202 

245

571 

7.05 

8. 13

35, 100

August. September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0. 35 

.30 

.34 

.36 

.35 

.32 

.30 

.26 

.32 

.39 

.42 

.00 

.71 

.70 

.70 

.90 

1.02 

1.05 

.99 

.94

Dis- Gage 

charge ' height.

Sec.-ft. 

200 

203 

197 

202 

200 

197 

185 

175 

191 

212 

221 

304 

324 

320 

344 

405 

400 

475 

440 

423

259 

3.20 

3.09

! 

........ 15,900

Feet. 

0.37 

.34 

.31 

.30 

.28 

.20 

.27 

.52 

1.34 

2.35 

2.40 

2.11 

1.78 

1.58 

1.38 

1.22 

1.08 

.98 

.88

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

206 

197 

188 

185 

180 

175 

178 

252 

634 

1,410 

1.455 

1,198 

930 

787 

058 

500 

490 

441 

390

450 

5. 03 

0. 28 

27,100

a June 1 to 7. 6 June 23 to 30.

NOTE. The channel changed during the high water of July 9, and a new rating table was used after 

that date. The discharges of May 28 to June 7 are based on measurements which show a low velocity, 

probably caused by backwater.

Daily gage height and discharge of Kruzgamepa River at Salmon Lake, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 81 square miles.]

Day.

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

Gage height.

^H

Feet.

me.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

3

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

7.......-......-.............J...... ........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.30 

2.99 

2.47 

2.72 

3.02 

2.80 

2.32 

2.08 

2.00 

2.08

2,360 

2,040 

1,530 

1,770 

2,070 

1,850 

1,390 

1,180 

1,110 

1,180

July.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.70 

1.58 

1.44 

1.28 

1,20 

i:20 

«1.50

al. 45 

"1.40 

ol.35 

ol 30

"1.25 

al.30 

1.35 

1.26 

1.15 

1.10 

1.02 

1.00 

1.00 

1. 18 

1.18 

1.12 

1.08

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

875 

791 

096 

599 

555 

555 

735 

702 

670 

640 

610 

582 

610 

640 

588 

528 

500 

460 

450 

450 

544 

544 

oil 

490

August.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

0.69 

.05 

.02 

.61 

.00 

.55 

.48 

.45 

.45 

.44 

.44 

.42 

.40 

.40 

.38 

.40 

.09 

.94 

.97 

.90 

.88 

.90 

.89 

.82

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

326 

312 

302 

298 

295 

280 

259 

250 

250 

247 

247 

241 

235 

235 

229 

235 

326 

423 

436 

405 

397 

405 

401 

373

September.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.14 

1.00 

.90 

.82 

. 77 

.73 

62 

.58 

. 71 

1.25 

2.50 

2.20 

1.98 

1.59 

1. 40 

1.20 

1.10 

.98 

.80 

.74 

.72 

.02 

.54 

.54

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

522 

450 

405 

373 

. 354 

340 

302 

289 

334 

582 

1,500 

1,330 

1,090 

798 

670 

588 

500 

441 

389 

344 

337 

302 

277 

277

October.

height. Gage

Discharge.

Feet. Sec.-ft. 

0. 30 205

.23 188 

, 21 182 

. 20 180 

19 ' 178

i

a Estimated.
KRUZGAMEPA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 57

Daily yage height and discharge of Kruzgamepa River at Salmon Lake. 1907 Continued.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Run-off, depth in inches.

June. July. August.

3

!

0

Feet. 

2.22 

2.30 

2.28 

2.12 

1.95 

1.78

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,300 

1,370 

1,350 

1,210 

1,070 

935

1,480 

18.3

10.9 

47, 000

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.05 

1.02 

.98 

.80 

.72 

.02 

.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

475 

400 

441 

305 

337 

302 

295

548 

0.77

7.80 

33,700

height. Gage 

Feet. 

0.78 

.80 

.88 

.84 

.80 

1.18 

1.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

358 

365 

397 

381 

389 

544 

555

335 

4.14

4.77 

20,000

September.

sbo '3

60

03

o

Feet. 

0.50

.48 

.40 

.42 

.38 

.34

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

265 

259 

253 

241 

229 

217

October.

height. Gage 

Feet.

477 

5.89

6.57 

28,400

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

187 

2.31 

.43 

1, 850

NOTE. The datum of the 1907 gage was 0.16 foot higher than that of the 190f> gage. The river began 

to breakup May 22,1907. The discharge increased up to June 15, which was the maximum of the season, 

and was probably as great during the first half of June as during the last half.

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 Grand Central River. (See p. 38.) 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.

Should developments in the vicinity of Nome ever demand it, the 

water of Crater Creek could be diverted over the divide into Eldorado 

River by about 8 miles of ditch and 1.2 miles of siphon across Kruzgamepa River, none of which would be under a pressure of more than 

100 feet.

Discharge measurements of Crater Creelc, 190G-7. 

[Elevation, 5,50 feet.]

Dalp Gage Dis- 

-Ual'e- height, charge.

1906. Feet. Sec. -feet. 

67 

57 

290 

110

39

Date.

June 29. . .

July 15....

September

1907.

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.80 

1.55

1.56

1.60 

2.05

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

217 

131 

141 

89 

185 

245

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
58 WATER SUPPLY TN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

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 cheeks, for use on Discovery, No. 1, and Xo. 2 

claims on Iron Creek.

During 1907 gaging stations were established on Dome Creek 

below the junction of Eldorado and Telegram creeks, and on Iron 

Creek below the mouth of Canyon Creek. The gages were read 

during the low-water period in August by employees of the Gold 

Beach Development Company.

Measurements on Iron Creek and tributaries. 1906.

Date. Stream.

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

...-.do.........................................................

.-...do.........................................................

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

Elevation.

Feet. 

450

425

630

630

7.50

74fl

760

760

Discharge.

Sec>-feef. 

a 17. 1

n 26. 1

6.0

5.0

5.6

1.25

2-3

1.1

« Below Canyon Creek.

Discharge measurements of Dome and Iron creeks. tf)0?.

DOME CHEEK. 

[Elevation, 030 feet.]

Drtte. ! Gage 

height.

Feet. 

............ .....I 0. 41

.................. .48

.................. i .37

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

26

3709

August 1..... 

August 22.... 

September 10.

IKON CREEK BELOW CANYON CHEEK.

|Elevation, 450 feet.]

<* New gage.

2.09 

>1. 50 

"1.38
IMURUK BASIN" DKAUSTAGTE. 59

, 

9

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

9 . . ..

0...................

Dome Creek 

(drainage 

area, 20 

square miles).

Gage height.

Feet. 

0.40 

.39 

.38

.34 

.31 

.30

.24

.22 

.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

25 

24 

23 

22 

20 

18 

17 

15 

14 

13 

12

Iron Creek 

below Canyon Creek 

(drainage 

area, 50 

square miles) .

4^ 

§>

43 

fp

Feet. 

2.10 

2.10 

2. 10 

2. 10 

2.08 

2.08 

2.08 

2.05 

2.02 

2.00 

1.90

Discharge.

52 

52 

52 

52 

50 

50 

50 

47 

43 

41 

33

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dome Creek 

(drainage 

area, 20 

square miles) .

to

£

O

Feet. 

0 22 

26 

26 

28 

55 

70

Run-off per square 

mile .... .

a 

X

Sec.-ft. 

13 

15 

15 

16 

54 

101

Iron Creek 

below Canyon Creek 

(drainage 

area, 50 

square miles').

-t-i a 

1

1

Feet. 

1.90 

1.90 

1.90 

2.00 

2.18 

2.45

24. 5 ......

1.22 ......

.77 ......

^H

a 

1

Sec.-ft. "33 

33 

33 -41 

02 

100

48. 5 

.99

.01

NOTE. -These discharges are very uncertain, as no measurements were obtained covering the low 

stages.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

Slate and Willow creeks are tributaries of Kruzgamepa River from 

the south, 5 or 6 miles below Salmon Lake. Rock Creek is a branch 

of Slate Creek. These streams will be tapped at an elevation of about 

900 feet by a ditch which is being built to work ground on the left bank 

of Iron Creek. Measurements were made at the proposed intakes.

Pass, Smith, and Grand Union creeks rise on the north side of the 

Kigluaik Mountains, north of Grand Central River and Gold Run. 

They are fed by the melting of large banks of snow and have a very 

steep slope. A project is contemplated for bringing their waters to 

Coffee and Dahl creeks by means of a pipe line about 18 miles long 

across the flats of Kruzgamepa and Kuzitrin rivers to Coffee Dome.

Miscellaneous measurements in Kruzgamepa Rirer drainage basin. 1907. 

Date. Stream.

July 29......... Pass Creek.....................................

Elevation. Discharge.

Feet.

620

890

650

900

900

900

Sec.-feet. 

18.1 

40 

12.7

3.3 

11.3

9.0

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.
60 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Measurements on streams tributary to Tmurnlc Basin, 1906.

Date. : Stream.

September 5...

Feet. i Sq. miles. Sec-feet.

1,208 .5 34

1,212 3 10

Do.........I Snow Gulch..... .... .... . ....... .........' 1,212 2 9.7

Fall Creek.

DO.........I Glacier Creek.

Elevation. ". 8 Discharge.

SINUK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Sinuk River rises on the southern slope of the Kigluaik Range, 

adjacent to the headwaters of Grand Central River and Thompson 

and Buffalo creeks. It flows in a southwesterly 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.

During 1906 only a few measurements were made and no daily 

discharge has been computed. A fair estimate of the weekly flow 

is given on page 72. During 1907 more measurements were made 

and additional gage readings obtained.

Three plans by which the water from this drainage basin could 

be brought into the Nome River Valley are outlined in Water-Supply 

Paper No. 196, pages 38-40. The development of such projects 

would be very expensive on account of the rocky nature of the 

ground in the Sinuk drainage basin and the great length of ditch 

required. The Grand Central River and its tributaries, with their 

low-water flow reenforced by storage, will probably furnish as much 

additional water supply as the development of the Nome region will 

require, and at a smaller cost than that at which it could be obtained 

from Sinuk River and Windy Creek. If a large body of ground 

adapted to hydraulic mining should be discovered in the Sinuk Basin 

itself, the river will furnish a good supply of water at a high level.

UPPER SINUK RIVER.

The gagings on the upper Sinuk during 1906 and prior to August, 

1907, were made at an elevation of 770 feet, and show the probable 

water supply which could be diverted into Nome River. During 

August and September, 1907, the gaging station was located about 

1^ miles farther downstream, at an elevation of about 700 feet.
SINUK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Discharge measurements of upper Sinuk Hirer. 1906. 

[Elevation, 770 feet; drainage area, 6.2 square miles.]

61

Date.

July 0........................

July 20.......................

Discharge.

! Sec.-feet. 

...... . .' 33

........ 37

........ 36

Date. Discharge.

Scc.-feet.

23.5

Daily gage height and discharge of upper Sinuk River, 1907. 

[Elevation, 700 feet; drainage area, 8.2 square miles.a]

July. August. September. July. I August. September.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

q

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

670

60

54

40

48

ft 52

46

42

42

60

70

52

40

50

60

f, 

SDcS

O

Feet.

1.28

1 49

Dischargi 1 .

Sec.-ft. 

36

34

29

26

24

25

25

24

24

24

22

100

82

Gage height.

Feet.

i.38

..

1.32

1 48

1 41

o 

M

M

Sec.-ft.', 1

55

d 46

40

5040 i

30

28

60

160

114

90

75 <-65

58

52

46

b 41

35

OJ

Day. M>

o

Sec.-ft. 

20.............. 80

21.............. 100

22.............. 60

24.............. 48

25..... ......... 42

26.............. 38

27 .............. ''36

28.............. 29

29 ............ 24

Run-off per

Run-off, depth

Gage height. Discharge.

Feet. Sec.-ft. 

...... 46

...... 54

...... 54

1.34 d37

...... 34

...... 32

...... 50

...... 62

1.40 c55

...... 80

...... 70

...... 45.0

...... 5. 49

...... 6.33

1 1

.....'. 32

...... 24

1.21 <-7

____ ___ _

...... 53.7

...... 5.36

« Elevation, 770 feet, and drainage area, 6.2 square miles during July. 

6 Measurement at elevation, 770 feet, 

e Measurement at elevation, 700 feet. 

d Computed from gage reading. 

e Estimated; slush ice running.

NOTE. Other discharges were obtained b}- plotting a hydroglaph passing through the known points 

and following the rise and fall of Nome and'Grand Central rivers.

AVINDY 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 West Fork of Grand Central River, from which 

it may be reached by crossing a high divide. The topography is very 

rough, the creek being entirely lost in some places in the large bowlders which form its bed.
62 WATER SUPPLY IK ALASKA, 1906-1907. 

Discharge measurements of Windy Creek, 1906.

Ele\

Dite atpc uale- mea

m

F 

June 21....................

July 20....................

ation 

sure-f Discharge. Date.

3nt.

eet. Sec. -ft. 

1,000 49 Augusts... .............

650 ; 48

Elevation 

at point of 

measurement.

Feet. 

650 

650 

650

Discharge.

Scc.-ft. 

32 

"35 

632

'- Drainage area, 12 square miles. ft Estimated.

Daily gage height and discharge of Windy Creek. 1907. 

[Elevation, 650 feet; drainage area. 12 square miles.]

Day.

1.......

July. August.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.36

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

(i.......

8 . .

9.. .

10.......

11.......

12... ....

13.......

14.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

o iii) a

60 -53 60

cS A <S 

"§ ffl 'o

.2 ^ .2

PCP

Sec -ft Feet Sec -ft 

ol28' .....'. GO' . ....

September.

^ 

S height. Gage 

96 ...... 56 1.15

90 ...... 52 ......

112 ...... 42 ......

120 ...... 34 1.0.">

116 ...... 32

1.36

114 1.01 ft35 

120 ...... 34

130 ...... 34

140 ...... 32

125 1.00 «33 

6128 ...... 33 

105 ...... 33

85 ...... 32 

74 '..... 90 

66 ... .. 125 

70 ...... 100 

80 1.21 ft 88

"i.'os'

"3

P

Sec.-ft. 

72

54 

«43

38

36 

80 

200 

140 

110 

90 

(i 79 

70 

64 

56 

"50 

45

July. Augnst.

Days.

I

20....... .

21....... .

22....... .

24....... .

25.. ..... .

26....... .

27.. .... 1

28....... .

99

30....... .

31. ...... .

Mean 

Run -off 

square m 

Run-off, d( 

in inches

'3 ' £? '£ & <s & 0> f^H QJ 

60 g 60

oca

"eet. Sec.-ft. Feet. 

....100 ......

....130

..... 80

.... 72

.... 68

.... 60

.13 657 

.... 48

.... 40

.... 50

.... 56

.... 91.5

per

ile 7 62

1.14

September.

Discharge. Gage height.

Sec.-ft. 

60

72

42 

40 

68 

80 

&70 

90 

120 

82

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

40 

30

.......

...... 59.2 ......

4.93

?pth

8. 78 5. 68

68.1 

5.68

4.65

n Computed from gage reading. ''Measurements. < Estimated; slush ice running. 

NOTE. Other discharges were obtained in the same manner as those of Sinuk River.

XORTH STAK CREEK.

North Star Creek lies between Sinuk River and Windy Creek, arid 

is a tributary to the latter near its mouth. It is a small stream with 

a steep slope.

Discharge measurements of North Star Creek, 1906. 

[Elevation, 000 feet, drainage area, 2.3 square miles.]

Date.

July 6.................................

July 13. .................... ..........

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

9.8

18 1

16.4

Date.

July 20..................... .........

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

3 9

3.0

2 Q
SIN UK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Daily gage height and discharge oj North Star Creek, 1 

[Elevation, 900 feet; drainage area, 2.3 square miles.]

Day.

0

4.......

11.......

14.......

15.......

17.......

18.......

10.......

July. ' August.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.36

1.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

a 28 

20 

16 

13 

14 

« 10 

14 

13

14 

10 

20

99

Gage height.

Discharge.

Feet. Sec.-ft.

. .. . 8

! !! ! b

.... 5 

. .... 5 

. .... 4

...... 5

QT b .T 3

1 33 r/ 93

17 

14 

12 

10 

13 

17 1.10

15

25

10

a 8. 3

September.

Gage height.

Feet.

0.92

-.-94-

1.08

1.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1 

b 4. 5 

4 

7 

6 

64.8 

4 

4 

4 

40 

30 

20 

14 

(>7.8 

7

6 

6 5. 7

5

Day.

on

21.......

24

oc

27

28.......

2g

Of)

31

Me 

Run-off 

square 

Run-off, (

July.

c £

Feet.

per

lepth

Scc.-ft. 

24 

30 

20 

16 

13 

10 

8

4

,5

August. September.

&"53

.a

* «/.

97

1.13

14.8

0. 43

T.41

Discharge. height. Gage 

Sec.-ft.

7

8 

&5.2

4 

8 

12 

o 9.1

14 

20

10

8.3

" 01

...... 4.16

Feet.

. 75

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

4 

3 

f2. 0

8.0

3.87

3.10

<i Measurements. 6 Computed from gage reading. e Estimated :slush ice running. 

NOTE. Other discharges were obtained in the same manner as those of Sinuk River.

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, 1906. 

[Elevation, 400 feet.]

Date. Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

Ju\y }».... ............................ 72 i

i 

Date. i Discharge.

Julv30....... .......................

Scc.-ft. 

«26 

11.4

a Estimated. 

SLATE CREEK.

Slate Creek is the second tributary to Stewart River from the north. 

The following measurements give approximately the flow that can 

be diverted into Nome River over Divide Creek:

Discharge measurements of Slate Creek, 1906. 

[Elevation, 700 feet; drainage area, 2.1 square miles.]

Date.

July 17................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

6.7

4.4

Date.

July 30....... .......................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

2.8

2.2
64 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907. 

OTHER SINUK RIVER DRAINAGE.

For measurements on Josie, Irene, and Jessie creeks, which are 

small tributaries of Stewart River, see "Cedric ditch."

CRIPPLE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Cripple River enters Bering Sea about 12 miles west of Nome, and 

drains an area of about 88 square rniles. As 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 area.

CEDRIC DITCH.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

The Cedric ditch was built in 1905 to divert water from Josie and 

Jessie creeks (tributary to 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 

(two 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 4 to 8 

feet. The elevation cf 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 syphon 

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, 1906-7.

Stream.

Daisy Swift Creek. ........................

1906. 1907.

July 15-17. July 30-31. August 19. August 31.

Sec.-ft. 

........... .3.0

........... 1.0

........... f>3.2

........... 66.8

............ 4. 0

........... i 4. 8

........... 18. 3

Sec.-ft. Sec.-ft. 

1. 5 1. ]

n 8 n.4 

2. b .() 

2.6 ............

2.0 ............

2.1 ............

11.6 ............

Sec.-ft. 

a'2.0 

"3.0 

a 3.0 

a'3. 5 

3.1 

2.4

17.0

^Estimated.

^Measured below ditch level; only about half this amount is available for the ditch.
CRIPPLE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 65

Seepage measurements on Cedric ditch, 1906.

Date.

30........

Do... ....

Do.......

Do. ......

Do.......

Do.......

Do.......

Point of measurement. Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2.6

1 9

3.9

5.2

4.7

4.5

2.5

Loss.

Sec.-ft.

0.7

.5

.2

2. C

4.2

Distance.

Miles.

2.3

.6

3.7

10.4

Loss per 

mile.

Sec.-ft.

0.3

.4

.25

.3

.4

CEDRIC DITCH ABOVE PENSTOCK.

This station was established to determine the total flow of the ditch. 

The gage was located just above the penstock of the siphon across 

Oregon Creek. Part of the water was used in a giant connected with 

the bottom of the siphon and part was used for hydraulicking about 

one-fourth mile above the siphon.

Discharge measurements of Cedric ditch above penstock, 1907.

Date.

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

Above penstock.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.80 

.78 

.76 

. 10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

10.3 

8.6 

7.9 

0

Discharge 

to upper 

giant.

Scc.-ft. 

3.0 

4.4 

5.0

Daily gage height and discharge of Cedric ditch above penstock, 1907.

Day.

9

10 .......

11.......

12 .......

13.......

14.......

15.......

16.......

17.......

July.

height. Gage 

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

August.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.00 

1.02 

1.02 

1.05 

.95

.88 

.80 

99

.90

.90 

.88 

.90 

.95 

.98 

.98 

1.05 

1.05

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

13.1 

13.5 

13.5. 

14.0 

12.2

10.8 

9.3 

11.6

11.2 

11.2 

10.8 

11.2 

12.2 

12.7 

12.7 

14.0 

14.0

September.

Gage height.

Feet. 

0.95 

.85 

.98 

.88 

.95

.P5 

.98 

.95

1.05 

1.20 

1.25 

1.15 

1.05 

1.02 

1.10 

1.02 

1.05

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

12.2 

10.2 

12.7 

10.8 

12.2

12.2 

12.7 

12.2

14.0 

16.9 

17.8 

16.0 

14.0 

13.5 

15.0 

13.5 

14.0

Day.

18

July.

height. Gage 

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

19 ' 20 1 - - -

21.......

22

23 .......

26.......

27 .......

29

cO .......

31 .......

0.80 

.88 

1.00 

.98 

1.00 

.90 

.88 

1.00 

1.10 

1.05

9.3 

10.8 

13.1 

12.7 

13. 1 

11.2 

10.8 

13.1 

15.0 

14.0

August.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.08 

1.15

1.08 

1.10

1.10 

.95 

.95 

1.05 

1.20 

1.10 

1.05 

1.00 

.85 

.?0

12.3

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

14.6 

16.0

14.6

15.0 

12.2 

12.2 

14.0 

16.9 

15.0 

14.0 

13.1 

10.2 

9.3

19 9

height. Gage^

<rf

Feet. 

1.05

"."65

.68 

.60 

.60 

.62 

.58 

.52 

.50

jmber.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

14.0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

6.6 

7.1 

5.7 

5.7 

6.1 

5.4 

4.5 

4.2

9.6

35283 IRR 218 C
66 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA,, 1906-1907.

PENNY RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Penny River rises about 13 miles from the seacoast and enters 

Bering Sea about 10 miles west of Nome. Its basin lies between 

Snake and Cripple rivers and has a total area of 36 square miles. 

Two ditches have been built by the United Mining Company. The 

Sutton ditch has its intake one-half mile above the mouth of Willow 

Creek and extends about 6 miles to a point near the mouth of Jess 

Creek. The water is used for hydraulieking on the second beach line, 

which lies about 1,200 feet back of the present beach. The Highline 

ditch, uncompleted, has its intake 7 miles above the Sutton ditch and 

will extend to Sunset Creek, a distance of about 11 miles. The water 

is carried across Honey Creek in a pipe line 2,000 feet long.

PENNY RIVER AT SUTTON INTAKE AND SUTTON DITCH.

Gaging stations were established on Sutton ditch and Penny River 

just below the ditch intake, and the sum of the discharges gives the 

natural flow of the river at this point. The gages were read by 

employees of the United Mining Company.

Discharge measurements of Penny River and Sutton ditch at intake, 1906-7. 

PENNY RIVER.

July 4...

Date.

1900.

1 Gage 

height.

Feet.

.... 1.11

I

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

0.2

31

Date.

< 1.907. 

July 4....................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet.

.82

1.30

.99

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

42

SUTTON DITCH.

July 4....

1900.

1907.

1.20

30 

28

July 4..

July 22.

Septemb

1907.

er 1 .............

1.49 ' 

1.11 

1.32

!

44 

25 

38
PENNY RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 67

Daily gage height and discharge of Penny River and Button ditch at intake, 1907.

Day.

July.

River.

bp '3

,£3

1o

Feet.

2 '

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

8

9

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

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

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

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

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

Hi. .............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29

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

1.1 

1.1

1.3 

2.2 

1.0 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.2 

1.4 

1.5 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.5 

1.3

1.3

1.2 

1.4 

1.4 

1.6 

1.5 

1.5 

1.4 

1.5 

1.6

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

71

41 

26 

26

44 

152 

79 

44 

44 

44 

34 

55 

67 

34 

34 

34 

34 

67 

44 

67 

44 

34 

55 

55 

79 

67 

67 

55 

07 

79

Ditch.

Gage height.

Feet.

1.2 

1.2

1.25 

1.2 

1.2 

1.25 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.1 

1.1 

1 1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1 1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

.9 

.8 

.7

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29

32 

29 

29 

32 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

18 

18 

18 

18 

13 

9 

6

...... 23.9

August.

River.

height. Gage 

Feet.

1.6 

1.4 

1.1

1.1 

.8 

.8 

.7 

. 7 

. 7 

.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.1 

.9 

.8 

1.0 

.9 

.8 

.8 

.0 

.3 

.3 

.3 

.2 

.2 

.1

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

85 

85 

85 

85

85 

79 

55 

26 

26 

10 

10 

7 

7 

7 

4 

55 

34 

26 

14 

10 

19 

14 

10 

10 

19 

44 

44 

44 

34 

34 

20

..... '35.3

Ditch.

bo '3

S

<Dw>a

O

Feet.

0.8 

.8 

1.0 

1.0 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2 

1. 25 

1.3 

1.25 

1.25 

1.3 

1.3 

1.5 

1.2 

1.2 

1 2 

1.2 

1.2 

1.2

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

9 

9 

18 

18 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

32 

35 

32 

32 

35 

35 

47 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29

23.8

September.

River.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

.9 

.9 

.9 

.9 

1.0 

2.1 

1.8 

1.6 

1.0 

1.0 

1.8 

1.8 

1.7 

1.3 

1 3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.2 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.0 

.9 

.9 

.8

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

19 

19 

19 

19 

14 

14 

14 

14 

19 

140 

103 

79 

19 

19 

103 

103 

91 

44 

44 

44 

44 

34 

26 

26 

20 

26 

19 

14 

14 

10

3S.9

Ditch.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1 3 

1.3

. 8 

1.3 

1 3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1-3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

0 

0 

9 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35

31.8

Monthly discharge of Penny River at Button intake, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 19 square miles.]

Month.

July..........................................

92 davs. ......... .............................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

181 

88 

175

181

Minimum.

55 

33

45

33

Mean.

78.7 

59.0 

71.1

69.6

Run-off.

Sec.-ft. per 

sq. mile.

4.14 

3.11

3.74

3.66

Depth in 

inches.

4.77 

3.58 

4.17

12.52

NOTE. These values are the sum of the discharges of Sutton ditch and of Penny River below the 

ditch intake.

Discharge measurements of Penny River at Highline intake, 1906-7.

Date.

1906.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

7.8

Per cent 

of Sutton 

intake.

22

Date.

1907.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

15.6

Per cent 

of Sutton 

intake.

28
68 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907. 

SNAKE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

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 Seward Peninsula, notably the claims on Glacier, Anvil, and 

Little creeks. Owing to its slight fall the use of the main stream for 

mining purposes is limited to ground sluicing. All the available water 

from 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.

SNAKE RIVER ABOVE GLACIER CREEK.

A station was established June 25, 1907, just above the mouth of 

Glacier Creek, to determine the discharge of this stream and the relation of the run-off from its drainage basin to that from areas in and 

near the Kigluaik Mountains. The run-off per square mile during the 

period covered by the records was 56 per cent of that of Nome 

River and 38 per cent of that of Kruzgamepa River.

The gage was read by A. II. Clambey.

Discharge measurements of Snake River above Glacier Creek, 1907.

Date. Gage 

height

Feet. 

1.88

1.20

1.13

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

527

168

147

Date. Gage 

height.

Feet.

.8

1.0

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

72

112

Daily gage height, and discharge of Snake River above Glacier Creek, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 69 square miles.]

Day.

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

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

4

June. July.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

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

0

10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

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

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

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

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

17

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

19

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1 35 

1.30 

1.25 

1.18 

1.22 

1.32 

1.50 

1.35 

1.25 

1.25 

1.28 

1.25 

1.20 

1.20 

1.18 

1.10 

1.12 

1.10 

1.18 

1.18 

1.20 

1.18 

1.16 

1.22

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

235 

212 

191 

163 

178 

111 

308 

235 

191 

191 

204 

191 

170 

170 

163 

135 

142 

135 

163 

163 

170 

163 

156 

178

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.05 

1.02 

1.00 

1.00 

.96 

.95 

.96 

.94 

.92 

.92 

.91 

.90 

,98 

.97 

.90 

1.04 

1.10 

1.10 

1.05 

1.00 

1.05 

1.01 

.99 

1.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

120 

111 

105 

105 

94 

91 

94 

89 

83 

83 

80 

77 

99 

97 

77 

117 

135 

135 

120 

105 

120 

108 

102 

105

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.08 

1.05 

1.05 

1.05 

1.04 

1.03 

1.02 

1.08 

1.08 

1.15 

1.90 

1.68 

1 52 

1.47 

1.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

129 

120 

120 

120 

117 

114 

111 

129 

129 

152 

540 

408 

319 

293 

308
FLAMBEAU, ELDORADO, AND SOLOMON DRAINAGE BASINS. 69

Daily gage height and discharge of Snake River above Glacier Creek, 1907 Continued.

June.

Day- Gage Disheight. charge.

i 

Feet. Sec.-ft.

20........... ......................... 1.85 510

27........ ......... .. ............ 1.80 480

29..... . . .......... 1. 45 283

July. August.

Gage 

height.

F et. 

30 

22 

18 

12 

08 

1.08 

1.05

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

Ill 

178 

163 

142 

129 

129 

120

177 

2 5fi

2 95

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.02 

1.08 

1. 10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.08

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

Ill 

129 

135 

135 

135 

135 

129

108 

1.56

1.80

September.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. Sec.-ft.

207

........ 3. 00

........ 1. 67

FLAMBEAU AND ELDORADO RIVER DRAINAGE BASINS.

Flambeau and Eldorado rivers rise near Salmon Lake and flow in a 

southerly direction to Bering Sea near Cape Nome.

The Flambeau Hastings ditch has its intake on the upper fork of 

Flambeau River and is to be built to Hastings Creek, near Cape Nome. 

Another ditch to Hastings Creek is projected, which will divert the 

water to Eldorado River below Venetia Creek, and will have a length 

of over 30 miles. The following measurements were made at the 

proposed intake of this ditch: August 14, 1906, 44 second feet; September 17, 1907, 225 second feet.

SOLOMON RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Solomon River empties into Bering Sea at Solomon, 40 miles east 

of Nome. This stream has been a good producer of gold, and several ditches have been built to utilize its water and that of its tributaries, including the East Fork ditch of the Solomon River Hydraulic 

Company, the Midnight Sun ditch from Big Hurrah Creek, the Brogan 

ditch from the mouth of Johns Creek to East Fork, and a ditch about 

7 miles long on Coal Creek.

A ditch has been started by the Three Friends Mining Company to 

furnish power for its dredge on Solomon River. It will take water 

from the river just below East Fork and extend to a point below the 

mouth of Shovel Creek, where a head of 75 feet will be available.

Discharge measurements in Solomon River drainage basin, 1907.

Date.

Do........

Do...... .

Stream and locality. Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles.

40

10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

43

7.7

50.7

96

17

113
70 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

FLOW OF DITCHES IN NOME REGION.

The following table has been prepared to show in a concise manner the flow of the ditches which take their water supply from Nome 

River and its tributaries, and from near-by streams. It is also of 

value for comparison with the discharge of the streams from which 

the water is taken, to show the percentage of flow that can be delivered by a ditch at the point where it is to be used.

Monthly discharge of ditches in Nome region, 1907.

Ditch.

Miocene .....

Do ......

Do......

Do......

Do......

Do......

Do ......

Do......

Do......

Do ......

Point of measurement.

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

Clara Creek. ...........................

Yearly 

maximum.

Sec.-ft. 

18.0

42.6

37.0

34.9

54.7

55.2

16.5

8.2

13.4

29.0

26.8

35.0

17.8

Days. 

25

29

29

29

31

31

15

20

23

21

20

16

3i

10

July

Sec.-ft. 

9.0

28.0

25.4

23.6

43.8

45.1

11.3 4 '(

5.7

23.9

5.2

20.4

23.9

12.3

August.

Sec.-ft. 

12.9

34.4

28.7

97 4

45.3

44.0

11.8

6.1

6.2

26.2

4.3

22.2

23.8

12.9

September.

Sec.-ft. 

12.5

38.7

33.7

31.8

47.9

50.4

9.0

»6.1

9.0

25.7

4.5

21.8

5.8

31.8

9.6

a- Mean for 14 days.

b Values for Pioneer ditch have been estimated at 85 per cent of those for Seward ditch; this was the 

proportion during the time for which records were obtained on both ditches.

AVAILABLE WATER SUPPLY DURING 1906 AND 1907.

In order to show the amount of water that was available during 

1906 and 1907 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 72. In using this table the following 

points should be noted :

The "Nome River high-level flow" represents the total amount 

of water in that river above the Miocene ditch, including the flow 

of the Campion ditch, David Creek, and Hobson Creek. The flow 

of the springs on Hobson creek has been taken as 14 second-feet 

during 1906 except for the first week in July, when it did not exceed 

10 second-feet.

The "Nome River low-level flow" includes all additional water 

down to Pioneer ditch. The drainage area of Nome River below 

the Miocene and David Creek intakes and above the Pioneer intake 

is 18 square miles. The run-off from this area for the period in 

August, 1907, during which records were kept was at about the same 

rate per square mile as at the Miocene intake. The low-level flow 

has therefore been taken as 1.2 times the natural flow at the Miocene 

intake, where the drainage area is 15 square miles. To this has been
AVAILABLE WATER SUPPLY OF NOME REGION.

added 60 per cent of the discharge of Hobson Creek at the Miocene 

intake, this being approximately the amount entering that stream 

between the Miocene and Pioneer intakes.

"Upper Grand Central River," etc., 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 il Nugget, Copper, and Jett creeks" gives the 

amount that can be brought over the Nugget divide, and for 1906 was 

estimated from the few measurements obtained.

The flow of "Sinuk River, 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. The amount of this flow 

for 1906 wT as obtained by taking 70 per cent of the flow of Grand 

Central River below the forks, this precentage being determined as 

follows:

Comparison of flow of Grand Central River below forks with that of Sinuk, River and its 

tributaries at elevation of 800 feet.

Date.

July 6................. .................

July 20.................................

Sinuk 

River.

Sec.-fl. 

33

37

(75)

36

23.5

(20)

Windy 

Creek.

Sec.-fl. 

22

(35)

30

24

26

North 

Star 

Creek.

Sec.-ft. 

10

18

4

I")"!

Total.

Sec.-fl.

90

177

76

47

Grand 

Central 

"below

forks.

Sec.-fl. 

105

198

67

67

Sinuk, 

Windy, and 

North Star 

in per cent 

of Grand 

Central.

62

89

70

70

The drainage area of Grand Central River lies on the north side of 

a ridge of the Kigluaik Mountains, and the basins of Sinuk River and 

Windy and North Star creeks lie adjacent to it on the south side of 

the same ridge. On the days when measurements of flow were made 

of the streams on both sides of the mountains 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 was 70 per cent of the flow of Grand Central River 

below the forks.

During the season of 1907 gaging stations were maintained on all 

the streams which are summarized below, and their daily discharge 

is given elsewhere.

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 economical construction of a ditch the size will depend largely upon the duration of the
72 WATER SUPPLY IF ALASKA, 1906-1907.

low-water flow. This will probably limit the size in most cases to 

twice the minimum, except for short ditches.

Mean weekly water supply, in second-feet, available for use back of Nome, 1906-1907.

Date.

1906. 

July 1-7..........................

July 8-14................ ........

July 22-28.. ......................

July 29-August 4. ................

August 5-11 ......................

August 12-18. ..................

August 19-25. ....................

September 9-18. ..................

September 19-30. .................

1907. 

July 1-7.. .........................

July 8-14. .........................

July 15-21 .. .......................

July 22-28.. .......................

July 29-August 4 .................

August 12-18 .....................

August 19-25 .....................

September 2-8. ...................

Available 

for use at 

elevation 

220 to 280 

feet.

Nome 

River lowlevel flow.

43

155 

52 

43 

36 

39 

49 

81 

130 

68 

48 

120

72 

155 

36

135 

102 

84 

60 

44 

36 

49 

47 

72 

51 

176 

60 

45

74 

176 

36

Available for use at elevation 400 to 450 feet.

Nome 

River highlevel flow.

45 

144 

58 

49 

42 

45 

53 

84 

128 

73 

53 

118

74 

144 

42

199 

152 

107 

77 

59 

49 

62 

61 

89 

63 

204 

76 

56

96 

204 

49

Upper 

Grand 

Central, 

Thompson, 

and Gold 

Run.

153 

«343 

179 

156 

'101 

108 

91 

138 

202 

101 

68 

250

158 

34i!

68

( 6) 

292 

228 

183 

144 

107 

190 

245 

318 

142 

418 

115 

(6)

216 

418 

107

Nugget, 

Copper, 

and Jett 

creeks.

7 

26 

15 

12 

8 

8 

8 

10 

22 

14 

9 

20

13

26

7

36 

27 

21 

15 

11 

8 

13 

15 

18 

14 

40 

24 

15

20 

40 

8

Sinuk 

River, 

Windy and 

North Star 

creeks.

88 

173 

90 

79 

50 

49 

42 

62 

94 

51 

36 

125

78 

173 

36

152 

172 

143 

105

77 

50 

95 

86 

124 

72 

167 

62 

(6)

109 

172 

50

Total.

324

796 

378 

325 

223 

236 

228 

352 

540 

287 

199 

599

375 

796 

199

522 

745 

583 

440 

335 

250 

409 

454 

621 

342 

1,005 

337 

116

473 

1,005 

116

a Too small, no record of highest water.

6 No record. No water could have been used from Grand Central River the first week in July, on 

account of snow; nor from either Grand Central or Sinuk rivers the last week in September, on 

account of ice. , r

DITCH AND PIPE LINES.

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 Leland, Davidson, and Bliss, from upper Glacier 

Creek to Snow Gulch. This ditch demonstrated the practicability 

of ditch systems in this country and was the beginning of the Miocene 

system.
DITCH AND PIPE LINES, NOME REC4ION. 73

Ditches are usually built so as to follow the contour approximately 

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 are therefore 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 1:1 to H: 1, depending on the material.

The work of constructing a ditch is usually divided into three 

classes team work, pick and shovel work, and 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 }Tields 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 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. The sod in a 

short time 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. 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 or no sediment 

between them. Such ditches 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 become tight.

Canvas is also used as a lining to make a ditch wT ater-tight. Willows wT ith the tops left out, so that they may grow, are utilized in 

embankments with success.
74 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

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 the ice by the 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 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 snowslides. During 1906 two siphons were built 

on the Seward ditch, across Clara and Hobson creeks, continuous 

wood-stave pipes with steel bands being used.

On account of the rapid surface run-off during hard rains, it is 

necessary to have waste gates at short intervals. 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.

Ditch intakes 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. Such a dam is made by cutting a trench across the 

stream bed, extending down to an impervious 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 the 

high cost of help a 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 necesa Laborers receive $5 per day and board; blacksmiths, cooks, etc., $6.
DITCH AND PIPE LINES, NOME EEGION. 75

sary. On many ditches these repairs cost as much as the first 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 $10,000 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 

region. Some of the data given are only approximate, as it was 

necessary to obtain them by inquiry.

Ditches between Cape Xnme and Cape Rodney, Reward Peninsula.

Name. From 

Mioceno Ditch 

Co.: 

Main ditch. . .

Feeding laterals.

Distributing

laterals.

Wild Goose Mining and Trading Co.: 

Seward. .. ....

Pipe line. ....

Pioneer Mining 

Co.: 

South bank . .

North bank..

-»l 

6B

Nome River. . _ 

Ilobson Creek. 

The Ex........

Upper Glacier 

Creek. 

Grouse Creok.. 

Upper New Eldorado Creek. 

David Creek. . .

Jett Creek..... 

Grand Central 

River. 

The Ex........

New Year 

Gulch. 

Kanoma Gulch, 

Glacier Creek

Nome River 

below Dorothy Creek. 

Crater Lake . . . 

Nugget Divide.

Pumping plant. 

No. 3, below 

Little Creek.

No. 2, above 

Anvil Creek. 

No. 4, above 

Anvil Creek. 

Nome River, 

above Clara 

Creek.

Jnder constructir 

eet.

To 

Ilobson Creek. 

The Ex........

Snow Gulch . . .

Flume. ........ 

Buster Creek ..

Nome River 

above main 

intake. 

Nugget Divide. 

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

Cooper Gulch..

New Year 

Gulch, Anvil 

Creek.

Anvil Creek...

Nugget Divide. 

Anvil Mountain. 

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

Pumpingplant.

No. 1, below 

Anvil Creek. 

Moonlight Reservoir. 

Little Creek . . .

n.

Length.

Miles. 

13

14 

4

2

4 

10

1.8

3.5

8

4

4 

''1,800

38

8 

35

3

0.75 

1.25

38

Date 

completed.

1903 

1902 

1901 

1901

Ht07 

1905

1900

(a)

1907 

1904

1900

(a) 

(a)

1902

1902 

1903 

1907

t 

d

Bottom 

width

Feet. 

8 

10

8

Fall 

per 

mile.

Feet. 

4.5 

3.37 

C. 5

5

3.5 

8-10

fl 

8 

c 4x7

10

d 42

d 48

dig

4

5

(i

8

Cross s 

Diame

5. 28

0 

5

3.17 

5.28

3.17

15 

10

5. 3

3.17

ection. 

er in in

Capacity.

Sec.- 

feet. 

40 

55 

55 

0

Elevation. 

^ '^

Feet. 

572 

500 

445

10

G

IS

10

80

10 

40

32

00 

70

fi

0

4-0 

10-12

30 

ches.

742 

590

800 

850

445 

417 

420

408 

903

Feet. 

500 

445 

420 

445

478 

580

785 

785

432 

390 

417

274

320 200
76 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Ditches between Cape Nome and Cape Rodney, Seward Peninsula Continued.

Name.

United Ditch Co.:

Miscellaneous:

Campion..... 

Peninsula 

H y d raulic 

Co. 

North land 

Mining Co. 

Hot Air......

Price and 

Tremper. 

GoldenDawn.

Corson Mining Co.

F 1 a m b o a. u 

Hastings. 

Capt. Peterson. 

CrippleRiver 

Hydraulic 

Mining Co. 

.T o u r d e 11 - 

Cummings.

From To 

Bench

do ' Sunset Creek

Josie Creek... . 

Buffalo........

New Eldorado 

Creek.

Gold bottom 

Creek.

Glacier Creek. .

Twin Mountain Creek. 

Last Chance 

Creek. 

No. 7, Otter 

Creek. 

Head of Flambeau River. 

No. 3, below 

Anvil Creek. . West bank 

CrippleRiver

Buffalo Creek..

Hungry Creek. 

Dorothy Creek. 

Osborn Creek..

Balto Creek. ..

Glacier Creek, 

opposite 

Snow Gulch. 

Opposite 

Snow Gulch. 

Alpha Creek...

Pioneer Gulch..

Hastings Creek

Fox Gulch..... 

BoerCreek.....

Length.

Miles. 

0 

10.5

19 

4 

9

12

0

2.5

10 

4 

1 

29 

2.5

11 

4

Date 

completed.

1905

(")

1905 

1903 

1907

(a) 

1902

(«) 

1903 

1904 

1900

(a)

1906

Bottom 

width.

Feet. 

20-15

7

4-8 

6 

14

8-10 

4

Fall 

per 

mile.

Feet. 

3.12 

4.22

4 

7.5

6

Capacity.

Sec.- 

feet. 

40

25 

28 

50

20

5

20 

18 

3

20

16

,0 

10

Elevation.

Head.

Feet. 

120 

420

870 

610

390

175 

500 

460

1,000

Outlet.

Feet. 

90

790 

580

a Under construction.

WATER-POWER POSSIBILITIES.

Owing to the great value of water in this region for use in working 

the auriferous gravels but little attention has been given to power 

development. In various portions of the peninsula there are, however, excellent power sites whose development is feasible from both 

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 capitalists should be directed to the 

consideration of power possibilities.

Work has been begun at Salmon Lake on the construction of a 

dam. (See p. 54.) The Three Friends Mining Company has started 

a ditch on Solomon River to develop power for its dredge.

Many streams in the Kigluaik Mountains, notably the glacier-fed 

torrents on their northern slope, are available for developments 

under a high head.
THE KOUGAROK REGION.

By FRED F. HKNSHAW. 

INTRODUCTION.

In 1907 the investigation of streams begun the previous year in the 

Nome region was extended to the Kougarok region. Owing to the 

large area that had to be covered and the lack of railroad or other 

transportation facilities only a few regular stations were maintained, 

and on most of the streams only a few discharge measurements were 

made. The work was carried on by the writer, who was in this 

district from July 15 to September 18.

In the present report the name Kougarok region is used to include 

not only most of the Kougarok precinct, but parts of the adjoining 

Port Clarence and Goodhope precincts. The drainage basin of 

Kruzgamepa River, though included in the Kougarok precinct, has 

already been considered with the Nome region, with which it more 

naturally falls.

A summary of the records in this region is combined with one for 

the Nome region (see p. 95), in order to afford a comparison of conditions in the two districts.

DESCRIPTION OF AREA.

The Kougarok region lies northeast of the Kigluaik Mountains, in 

the central portion of Seward Peninsula. It is about 50 miles 

square, embracing the drainage basin of Kougarok River and parts 

of the adjoining basins of Noxapaga, Serpentine, and American 

rivers.

Most of this area is comprised in an upland which represents a 

former level of erosion. The flat-topped ridges of the hills lie at an 

elevation of 1,000 to 1,600 feet. Several mountain masses rise above 

the level of the plateau, notably Kougarok, Midnight, and Baldy 

mountains. Into this plateau the river channels are deeply cut. The 

streams flow in steep canyons, above which one or more levels of 

benches can usually be traced. The rivers drain southward into 

the Kuzitrin, which flows through the broad lowland basin separating this region from the Kigluaik Mountains.

77
78 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

The general slope of the rivers from, source to mouth is more 

uniform than in the Nome region. The fall occurs mostly in riffles 

separated by pools of slack water. The stream beds are narrower 

and have shallower gravel deposits than most of the streams south 

of the mountains. (See PI. VIII, A, p. 80.)

A large portion of the area, probably 40 to 60 per cent, is underlain with frozen muck and ground ice, which was observed in some 

places to have a thickness of 25 to 30 feet. This is covered with 

moss, and unless exposed by stripping never thaws deeper than a 

few inches.

CONDITIONS AFFECTING WATER SUPPLY.

In general the wr ater supply of the Kougarok region comes from 

the same sources as that of the Nome region, namely, summer rains, 

melting of snow, and melting of frozen ground.

The difference in rainfall between this area and that south of the 

mountains is striking. The totals of 2.51 and 2.79 inches for Shelton 

and Taylor, respectivly, are only about one-sixth of the total at 

Grand Central and only one-third to one-half of those of the other 

three rainfall stations. (See p. 137.) The Kougarok region is in a 

measure cut off from the comparatively abundant rainfall of the 

Nome region by the Kigluaik Mountains. This high and steep 

range causes most of the moisture from the southerly winds to be 

precipitated on its southern slope, leaving little to be carried into 

the region farther north. The northerly winds bring heavy clouds 

and fog banks from the Arctic Ocean, but they yield little rain.

In 1907 there was no rain in this region until the middle of July 

and very little until a month later, so that the run-off up to August 1 

came mostly from melting snow. During the three weeks of extremely low water that followed the water must have been derived 

from the melting of the ground and the snow banks that still remained, 

partly from springs, and only to a slight degree from the rainfall.

The ground is all frozen muck, and is so protected by moss that it 

never thaws more than a few inches. There can be no regulation of 

flow by ground storage, therefore, and the rain finds its way into the 

streams immediately after it falls. This effect is more marked here 

than in the Nome region. Thus, on July 24, 1907, the flow of Taylor 

Creek rose from 10 to 186 second-feet in two or three hours, and four 

days later had fallen again to about 13 second-feet.

But little definite information can be obtained in regard to climatic 

conditions in former years in the Kougarok region. The last season 

was one of drought in that region, whereas the water supply south of 

the mountains was plentiful. The most reliable information that 

could be obtained was to the effect that the low-water periods of 1900
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 218 PL. VII

Points of measurement; 

numbers refer to list in text

Rain gages;

letters refer to list in text

Ditches

MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF GAGING STATIONS AND DITCHES IN KOUGAROK REGION,
KOUGAKOK KIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 79

and 1906 were fully as long and as severe as that of 1907. During 

the week of August 10 to 16, 1907, the flow at all the gaging stations 

remained nearly constant, and was probably as low as it would have 

become had the weather continued dry, as practically all the water 

must have come from springs and from the melting snow. Whenever 

there occurs a period of two weeks or more in midsummer without rain, 

the flow is likely to become as small as in 1907.

GAGING STATIONS.

The following is a list of the points in the Kougarok region at which 

gages were established or discharge measurements made in 1907. 

The numbers refer to PI. VII.

1.

Gaging stations in Kottgarok region.

Kougarok River below Washington

Creek, Washington Creek, and Irving ditch. 

Kougarok River at Homestake intake

and Homestake ditch. 

Kougarok River above Taylor Creek. 

Kougarok River above Coarse Gold

Creek.

Homestake ditch at penstock. 

Columbia Creek. 

Macklin Creek. 

Homestake Creek. 

9. Taylor Creek at North Star intake.

10. Taylor Creek at Cascade intake.

11. Taylor Creek at mouth.

12. North Star ditch above siphon.

13. Cascade ditch.

14. Henry Creek at ditch intake.

15. Henry Creek at mouth.

16. Lincoln Creek at ditch level.

17. Lillian Creek.

18. California Creek.

19. Arctic Creek.

20. Arizona Creek.

21. Coarse Gold Creek.

22. North Fork at Northwestern intake.

23. North Fork above Eureka Creek.

24. Eureka Creek.

25. Windy Creek and ditch.

26. Coffee Creek and ditch.

27. Turner Creek at McKays intake.

28. Boulder Creek.

29. Noxapaga River above Goose Creek.

30. Schlitz Creek.

31. Reindeer Creek.

32. Bryan Creek.

33. Quartz Creek.

34. Bismark Creek.

35. Budd Creek spring.

36. Budd Creek below Windy Creek.

KOUGAROK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

Kougarok "River drains a large area lying in the central portion of 

Seward Peninsula and empties into the Kuzitrin about 8 miles above 

Lanes Landing. It rises southeast of Kougarok Mountain and flows 

northward, then eastward, and after making a sharp bend to the 

right flows a little east of south to its mouth. The largest tributaries 

are Taylor Creek and North Fork from the east, and Henry, Coarse 

Gold, and Windy creeks from the west. Of less importance are 

Washington, Columbia, Macklin, Homestake, Goose, California,
80 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Arctic, Arizona, Louisa, Galvin, and Dan creeks, and -Left Fork. 

Quartz Creek, which empties into the river below those named above, 

and its tributaries, Coffee, Dahl, Checkers, Carrie, and Independence 

creeks, have been the most important gold producers of the region, 

but have a very small run-ofT except at times of heavy rain.

KOUGAROK RIVER BELOW WASHINGTON CREEK.

The following measurements were made to determine the wT ater 

supply available for the ditch of the Irving Mining Company, which 

is about 200 feet higher than the Homestake ditch: July 27, 4.5 

second-feet; August 12, 2.2 second-feet; September 9, 122 secondfeet.

KOUGAROK RIVER AT HOMESTAKE INTAKE AND HOMESTAKE DITCH.

These stations are located about 100 yards below the intake of 

Homestake ditch (see PI. VIII, A), and the sum of their discharges 

gives the total flow of the river at this point. The gage was read by 

employees of the Kugarok Mining and Ditch Company.

Discharge measurements of Kougarok River at Homestake intake and Homestake ditch,

1907.

KOUGAROK RIVER.

Date.

July 15. ......................

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

July 20.......................

Gago 

height.

Feet. 

1.24

.1.13

1.08

.92

.90

.92

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

18.0

6.6

2.0

3.1

2.2

3.3

Date.

August 22....................

Gage 

height.

Feet, 

1.64

.89

1.34

2.47

1 98

Discharge.

Sec.-/t. 

82

.5

42

303

153

HOMESTAKE DITCH.

July 15. ......................

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

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

August 12....................

0.51

.45

 .05

.36

.20

 .04

11.6

10.2

.4

8.1

5.7

1.5

August 19....................

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

August 22....................

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

0.28

.27

.62

.44

7.4

7.3

17.6

23.0

12.0
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEV NO. 218 PL. VIII

A. INTAKE OF HOMESTAKE DITCH ON KOUGAROK RIVER.

K. HOMESTAKE DITCH, SHOWING SOD WORK.
KOUGAROK KIVEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 81

Daily gage height and discharge of Kougarok River at Homestake intake and Homestake

ditch, 1907.

Day.

1

July.

River. Ditch.

1

a 

o

%o

Feet.

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

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

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

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

6

o B>

o3 

O

5

Sec.-ft.

+j

.SP '3

o

of

O

Feet.

oi B>

03 

O

5

August.

River. Ditch.

-M a

1o

SP

C3

Sec.-ft. Feet.

i

7..... .. ... .....' .............--------

8. ! - --. -. -.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19

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

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

22.....".........

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

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

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

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

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

1.24

1.08 

1.05 

1.04 

1.00 

1.20 

1.03 

1.00 

.88 

.89

30..............'......

31 -- -

Mean

1

18 

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9 

2.0 

1.6 

.4 

14.0 

1.3 

- .4 

.4 

4 

.4

 \

3.2

6. 3fi 

.40 

.31 

.34 

.62 

.55 

.49 

.42 

.26 

.22 

.21

0 

13.0 

12.0 

10.0 

9.0 

8.0 

9.0 

6.7 

7.4 

15.4 

15.2 

13.2 

11.1 

7.1 

6.2 

5.9 

6.4

0.92 

.90 

.90 

.90 

.89 

.90 

.91 

.91 

.91 

.92 

.92 

.91 

1.40 

1.71 

1.58 

1.17 

1.54 

1.28 

1.22 

1.09 

.96 

.95 

.89

9.2 ......

o B>

S3

ao

5

Sec.-ft. 

0.4 

.4'A

.4 

.4 

.4 

.4 

3.2 

2.2 

2.2 

2.2 

1.7 

2.2 

2.7 

2.7 

2.7 

3.2 

3.2 

2.7 

48 

93 

72 

24 

67 

35 

29 

17 

5.8 

5.0 

.5

13.9

+J

ip

a

G)

bC1

Feet. 

0.25 

.15 

.18 

.32 

.28 

.20 

.16 

.10 

.06 

-.02 

-.03 

-.04 

-.06 

-.06 

-.08 

-.08 

+ .04 

.12 

.28 

.18 

.60 

.61 

.61 

.63 

.58 

.59 

.66 

.62 

.61 

.69 

.57

03be

1

5

Sec.-ft. 

6.8 

4.8 

5.3 

8.5 

7.5 

5.7 

4.9 

3.8 

3.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.7 

1.5 

1.5 

1.2 

1.2 

2.8 

4.2 

7.5 

5.3 

17.0 

17.4 

17.4 

18.2 

16.3 

16.6 

19.4 

17.8 

17.4 

20.6 

16.0

8.9

September.

River. Ditch.

+J 

"§>

'3

CD to

58

o

Feet. 

1.01 

1.15 

1.12 

1.35 

1.57 

1.44 

1.28 

1.16 

1.78 

2.56 

1.86 

1.54 

1.33 

1.17 

1.74 

1.50 

1.22 

1.11 

1.04 

1.10

§r

03 

ft 

O

5

Sec.-ft. 

10.8 

22 

20 

42 

71 

53 

35 

23 

110 

336 

124 

67 

40 

24 

99 

61 

29 

18.9 

13.2 

18. C

W>

a

s>§p C3

Feet. 

0.62 

.66 

.68 

.64 

.58 

.64 

.64 

.65 

.69 

.55 

.62 

.65 

.66 

.66 

.66 

.68 

.69 

.70 

.62 

.30

CD B>

53

a 

S

3

Sec.-ft. 

17.8 

19.4 

20.2 

18.6 

16.3 

18.6 

18.6 

19.0 

20.6 

15.2 

17.8 

19.0 

19.4 

19.4 

19.4 

20.2 

20.6 

21.0 

17.8 

8.0

...... ........ i ...... ........

1

...... i 60.8 18.3

NOTE. Discharges for July 16 to 19 are estimated. All water was carried in the ditch from July 26 to 

August 8, inclusive, except the seepage through the diversion dam, which was estimated. During this 

time about 2 second-feet was turned out of the first waste gate to furnish a sluice head for operators 

who were working in the river bed below.

Monthly discharge of Kougarok River at Homestake intake, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 44 square miles.]

Month.

Discharge in second feet.

Maximum.

29 

110 

351

351

Minimum.

6.3 

3.2

26

3.2

Mean.

12.4 

22.8 

79.1

36.8

Run-off.

Sec.-ft per 

sq. mile.

0.28 

.52 

1.80

.84

Depth in 

inches.

0.18 

.60 

1.34

2.12

NOTE. These values include the discharge of both the river and Homestake ditch, as given in the 

previous table.

35283 IRB 218 08 6
82 WATEK SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

KOUGAROK RIVEE ABOVE TAYLOR CREEK.

The following measurements were made just above the mouth of 

Taylor Creek, to compare the flow of the two forks at their junction, 

and to determine the discharge available for a ditch at this level: 

July 26, 18.5 second-feet; July 29, 8 second-feet; August 10, 5.1 

second-feet.

KOUGAROK RIVER ABOVE COARSE GOLD CREEK.

Between the mouths of Taylor Creek and North Fork, Kougarok 

River has a meandering course, with well-marked benches along 

most of the distance. At the mouth of Coarse Gold Creek it makes 

a bend which brings two points more than 2 miles apart by river within 

560 feet of each other in a straight line. A tunnel through this neck 

would drain the gravels in this stretch of river bed and make them 

accessible for working, and would also render available a considerable 

water power. The difference in level of the water surface at the two 

ends of the tunnel is about 17 feet. An outcrop of rock which crosses 

the river just below the proposed tunnel intake would make a fairly 

good dam site. A gaging station was established at this point July 

15, 1907. The gage wras located just above the rock outcrop mentioned above, where the channel is permanent, and was read by 

William Ellis. The bench mark is a cross on the highest point of a 

rock near the left bank, about 200 feet above the tunnel entrance; 

elevation, 2.18 feet above the datum of the 1907 gage.

The discharge at this station also gives the water supply that would 

be available for a low-line ditch to Dahl Creek. Such a ditch is 

proposed. It will have its intake on Kougarok River below Dreamy 

Gulch and on Henry Creek near the mouth, and will extend to Dahl 

and Coffee creeks, a distance of over 30 miles. Only a small percentage of the water enters the river between these proposed intakes 

and the gaging station.

Discharge measurements of Kougarok River above Coarse Gold Creek, 1907.

T. t Gage 1 DisJ)atl< - height. charge.

Feet. Scc.-ft. 

July 14....................... 1.11 89

July 21 ....................... . 86 , 51

July 23... .................... .74 ! 36

July 30................ ....... .04 33

:

Datp Qage 

1Jatt ' height.

Feet. 

Augusts..................... 0.44

August 23.. .................. 2.22

August 26.................... 1.95

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

19

qoo
KOUGAROK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 83

Daily gage height and discharge of Kougarok Hirer above Coarse Gold Creek, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 250 square miles.]

Day.

July.

Gage height. Discharge.

August.

height. Gage 

! 1 Feet. Sec.-ft. Feet. 

1 ..... . 0 70

2 .......I......!.......

3 . ........

g

8 .......

g

10

11 .......

12

13.......

16.....'..

17.......

18.. ....

1.09 

1.03 

.98 

.90 

.94

86 

75 

67 

54 

60

.63 

.60 

.63 

.60

.50 

.46

00

.38 

38

.37 

.39 

.40 

.40 

.43 

.50 

1.03

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

35

31 

29 

31 

29 

27 

23 

21 

16 

16 

16 

16 

17 

17 

17 

19 

23 

75

September. July.

3P to

| ' |

O P

Feet.

2.15 

2.10 

1.80

3.50

1.80 

2.23

Sec.-fi. 

210 

230

205 

280 

500 

430 

400 

270 

600 

1,240 

550 

350 

270 

478 

600 

380 

270 

200

Day. -f

Feet. 

19....... 0.90

20 ....... .84

21....... .82

22 ....... .82

23....... .75

, 24....... 1.14

25....... 1.58

26....... 1.20

28 ....... .83

30....... .66

31 ....... .72

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

54 

47 

45 

45 

39 

96 

200 

109 

81 

46 

35 

33 

37 

67.2

Run-off per 

square mile . .27 

Run-off, depth 

August.

.SP

1

O

Feet. 

1.12 

1.08 

1.68 

2.25 

2.22 

2.19 

2.22 

1.99

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

92 

84 

229 

490 

472 

454 

472 

341 

280 

240 

210 

360 

190 

141

.56

September.

1 &

I 1

O P

Feet. Sec.-ft.

...... 130

...... 388

...... 1.55

NOTE. Discharges for days when gage was not read were estimated with the aid of a hydrograph.

IRVING DITCH.

The Irving ditch was built in 1906, and has its intake on Kougarok 

River at the mouth of Washington Creek. It extends for 4J miles 

along the north bank of the river to a point opposite the mouth of 

Columbia Creek, where a head of 160 feet is obtained.

The following measurements were made of the discharge of the 

ditch: August 12, 1.8 second-feet; September 9, 12.4 second-feet.

HOMESTAKE DITCH.

The Homestake ditch of the Kugarok Mining and Ditch Company 

was begun in 1905 and completed in 1907. It diverts the water 

from the upper Kougarok, near Mascot Gulch, and extends along the 

left bank of the river to a point opposite the mouth of Homestake 

Creek, having a total length of 7^ miles. The water is carried across 

Macklin Creek in a siphon 843 feet long, of 36 and 34 inch pipe.

Above Macklin Creek the ditch is built into the rocky bluffs of 

close-grained schists and slates for about 1 mile. Below the siphon 

some ground ice was encountered, and also a large amount of loose 

rock mixed with ice and frozen muck, which gave much trouble. 

Nearly half of the length of the ditch had to be lined with sod, some 

parts requiring both sides and bottom of this material. (See PL 

VIII, B.} In 1907 a lateral ditch was built to Macklin Creek. It is 

6,300 feet long and 4 feet wide on the bottom.
84 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-190*7.

The water was used during the latter part of 1906 in the bed of the 

river just above Taylor Creek. A waste ditch was formed by a 

retaining wall built on one side of the channel, but at times this was 

overtopped and the workings flooded. The discharge at such times 

was estimated at 600 to 800 second-feet.

During the season of 1907 the water was used on the John L. bench 

claim, on the right bank of the river below Homestake Creek. A head 

of about 150 feet is available on this claim.

Two stations were maintained on the ditch, at the intake and just 

above the penstock. The discharge at the intake is given on page 81.

The station above the penstock was maintained during the highwater period of 1907, to determine the amount of water used at the 

mine. The gage was read by employees of the Kugarok Mining and 

Ditch Company.

Discharge 'measurements of Homestake ditch above penstock, 1907.

Date.

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

..... 1. 19

..... 1. 49

..... 1. 47

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

9.1 

 15.6 

15.0

T)Hto ' Ga£e I)is~

1 d c - height. charge.

Feet. 

........... 1.60

. ............ 1.74

Sec.-ft. 

18.0 

21.0

Daily gaye height and discharge of Homestake ditch above penstock, 1907.

Day.

August. September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1

Dis- Gage 

charge, height.

Sec.-ft.

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

fi:::::-.v.v::::: : ::::::::i::::::::

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

7

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

9

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feet 

1.76 

1.70 

1.62 

1.75 

1.54 

1.70 

1.70 

1.70 

1.72 

1.52 

1.74

1.76 

1.76 

1.76 

1.74 

1.76

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

21.5 

20.2 

18.4 

21.3 

16.7 

20.2 

20.2 

20.2 

20.6 

16.2 

21.1

21.5

21.5 

21.5 

21.1 

21.5

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27......---..--..

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

OQ

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

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

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

1.34

1.48 

1 54 

1.54 

1.60 

1.60 

1.56 

1.58 

1.58 

1.68

1.70

12.3 

15.4 

16.7 

16.7 

18.0 

18.0 

17.1 

17.6 

17.6 

19.8

20.2

17.2

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.76 

1.68 

1.15

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

21.5 

17.8 

8.4

........

19.6

TAYLOR CREEK AT NORTH STAR INTAKE.

Taylor Creek is the longest tributary of Kougarok River and is 

larger than the main stream at their junction. It rises near the 

headwaters of Noxapaga and Goodhope rivers and flows in a southwesterly direction. Its principal tributaries are Midnight, Solomon, 

Jim, Brown, Rock, and Arizona creeks. Two ditches have been
KOTJGAROK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 85

built on Taylor Creek the North Star, with its intake about 3 miles 

above Solomon Creek, and the Cascade, which takes out water about 

5 miles farther downstream.

The following measurements were made at North Star intake to 

determine the water supply available for the ditch: July 17, 12 secondfeet; July 24, 174 second-feet; August 10,3.8 second-feet; September 

13, 94 second-feet. They indicate a discharge of 75 to 90 per cent of 

that at the Cascade intake; the drainage area is 58 square miles, or 

78 per cent of that at the lower point.

TAYLOE CREEK AT CASCADE INTAKE.

This station was established to determine the total water supply 

of the two ditches on Taylor Creek. It is located about 100 yards 

above the diversion dam of the ditch. During August and September a part of the discharge of the creek was diverted past the 

station in the North Star ditch; the amount of this diversion is 

given on page 87. The gage was read by employees of the Cascade 

Mining and Ditch Company.

Discharge measurements of Taylor Creek at Cascade intake, 1907.

Date. Gage 

height.

Discharge. Date. Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.49

1.95

1.30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

4.

268

91

Daily gage height and discharge of Taylor Creek at Cascade intake, 1907.

Day.

1

July.

height. Gage Discharge.

August.

M

c

5c

Feet. Sec.-ft. Feet Sec.-ft.

... I ........... 7

9

,

10...... ......'.......

17....... 0.67 16

0.49

31

42 

47

50

57

i.

6 

«

4.6 

4.6

2.5 

3.9 

4.6 

5.0 

9.2

September.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1. 12 

1.24

1.25 

1. 55 

1.36

1.00 

1.24 

2.40 

1.80 

1. 45 

1.30 

1. 15 

1 60 

1.30 

1. 15

1

£

Sec.-ft.

67 

87 

72

89 

152 

110

89

50 

87 

430 

220 

129 

98 

72 

164 

98 

72

Dny.

18....... 

19

20.......

21

July. ! August.

height. Gage 

Feet.

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

23.... ..!......

24...... 1.65

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

26 ...... . 93 

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

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

29....... ....- 

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

31

Mean. .

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

20

13 

13 

12 

10

186 _. ....

Gage height.

Feet. 

0.84 

1. 15

o 

oj

1 

5

Sec.-ft. 

32

. 95 44 

1. 60 164 

1. 48 136 

1.38 114 

1.25 89

80 1. 65 

43 .... . 

25 1. 39 

13 . .... 

8 1. 20 

8 1. 65 

8 1.20

178 

147 

116 

98 

80 

178 

80

September.

Gage height.

Feet 

1.00

Discharge.

Sf.c.-ft. 

50 

45 

35

111

NOTE. Discharges for days on which gage was not read were obtained by the aid of a hydrograph.
86 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Monthly discharge of Taylor Creek at Cascade intake, 1907. 

[Drainage area, 74 square miles.]

Month.

July 15-31..............................

ScDtember l-'-^O

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

...... J 186

186

....... 441

....... 441

Minimum.

8 

3.9 

35

3.9

Mean.

29.9 

54.2 

119

67.1

Kun-ofi.

Sec.-ft. per 

sq. mile.

0.40 

.73 

1 61

.91

Depth in 

inches.

0.25 

.84 

1.20

2.29

NOTE. These values include the discharge of both the creek and North Star ditch; for daily discharge of the ditch see page 87.

TAYLOR CREEK AT MOUTH.

The following measurements of Taylor Creek were made near the 

mouth, to compare its discharge with that of Kougarok River above 

the mouth of Taylor Creek and to determine the discharge available for a ditch at this level: July 17, 18 second-feet; July 26, 46 

second-feet; July 29, 9.6 second-feet; August 10, 7.2 second-feet.

NORTH STAR DITCH ABOVE SIPHON.

The North Star ditch of the Taylor Creek Ditch Company was 

begun in 1905 and completed in 1907. It diverts water from Taylor 

Creek about 12 miles above its mouth and about 3 miles above the 

mouth of Solomon Creek. The ditch lies on the left bank for the 

first mile, then crosses the creek in a flume and continues on the 

right bank to a point 7 miles below the intake. Here it crosses 

Taylor Creek in a siphon 2,600 feet long, composed of 40-inch steel 

pipe, riveted throughout, there being no slip joints. The pipe is 

carried across the creek on a suspension bridge about 100 feet long. 

The difference in elevation between the ends of the siphon is 19 feet, 

and the depression at the bottom 150 feet. Below the siphon the 

ditch receives the flow of Rock Creek and continues to Arctic Creek, 

having a total length of 15.2 miles.

Water was turned into the ditch at the intake about August 5, 

but was not run through the siphon until about the 20th. The 

water was used on the Thorson bench, on the left bank of Kougarok 

River, and for stripping on Dreamy Gulch, a small tributary from 

the east.

The station above the siphon was established to determine the 

amount of water diverted past the gage at the Cascade intake. 

The quantity used at the mines includes in addition the discharge 

of Rock Creek. The gage was read by employees of the Taylor Creek 

Ditch Company.
KOUGAROK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 87

Discharge measurements of North Star ditch above siphon, 1907.

Date. height. charge. Date. Gage ! Disheight. I charge.

Feet. Feet. Sec.-ft.

1. 14 ' 7. 0

1. 24 ! 9. 7

........ « 8. 0

a Measured at intake. 

Daily gage height and discharge of North Star ditch above siphon, 1907.

Day..

1

August

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0

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

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

<!:::::::::':::::i:::::::::.::"':

7 ..... ..... 1 . ....

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

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

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

11...... ... .

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

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

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

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

September.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.21 

1. 10 

1.11 

1.10 

1.18 

1.17 

1.18 

1.14 

1. 14 

1.28 

1.30 

1.22

1.23

1.24 

1.30

1.28 

1 2?

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

8.8 

7.5 

0.2 

7. 5 

8.0 

7.8 

8.0 

7.0 

7.0 

11.3 

12.0 

9.2

10.2

9.9 

12.0 

11.3 

9.2

August. September.

1>ay- Gage Dis- Gage Disheight. charge, height, charge.

Feet. Sec.-ft. Feet. Sec-ft. 

18 ....................... 1 ........ 1. 22 9. 2

19 '

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

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

22 .......... 1.04 3. 0 .....

23... ....... .. J 1.09 5.8 ................

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

20............... 1. 14 7.0 ................

29.... ......... 1.18 8.0 ........'........

30............... 1.14 7.0 ................

Mean...... ....... ('0.2 ....... 9.0

1

(Estimated. b Ten days.

CASCADE DITCH.

The Cascade ditch was built in 1906. It diverts water from Taylor 

Creek about 7 miles above its mouth and 110 feet lower than the 

North Star ditch. For the first quarter of a mile the ditch lies on 

the left bank of the creek; it then crosses to the right bank in a flume 

about 60 feet long, and extends within a half a mile of the mouth of 

Taylor Creek, having a total length of 6 \ miles. The flow of the ditch 

was very irregular during 1907, on account of breaks, repairs, and 

interruption of work at the mine. The water was used to run a 

hydraulic elevator in the bed of Taylor Creek. The water supply of 

the ditch was insufficient for this purpose during the first two weeks 

of August, and the pit was flooded on account of insufficient waste-way 

capacity most of the time after August 20.

The following measurements were made of the discharge of the 

ditch :

Discharge measurements of Cascade ditch, 1907.

Date.

August 10...... .. Flume near intake.

August 18... . .. Near penstock.....

August 21 . .. ... .....do.............

Septembers. ..... .....do.............

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

4.5

7.1
WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

HENRY CREEK.

Henry Creek, which enters Kougarok River about 2 miles below 

the mouth of Taylor Creek, is the largest tributary from the west, 

and in dry weather furnishes the steadiest high-level water supply 

in the Kougarok drainage area. Its headwaters lie south of the 

upper Kougarok River and adjoin those of Budd Creek on the west. 

Lincoln Creek, which rises between Henry and Coarse Gold creeks, 

is the most important tributary. Lillian Creek enters from the 

north, about 4 miles from the mouth.

The Henry Creek ditch, which was built by the T. T. Lane Company in 1905 and 1906, extends from Henry Creek about 2 miles 

above the mouth of Lincoln Creek to a point near the mouth of Homestake Creek, and has a total length of 10j miles. An additional 3£ 

miles would divert Lincoln Creek. No water was running in the 

ditch in 1907. It is now the property of the Taylor Creek Ditch 

Company.

Measurements were made at the ditch intakes and also at the 

mouth. The total flow at ditch level on the dates when it was 

measured was about 70 per cent of that at the mouth, and has been 

estimated as the same proportion for days when measurements were 

made only at the mouth.

Discharge measurements of Henry and Lincoln creeks, 1907.

Date.

July 16 ..................--...-.----.-..-.-.---..--..--....-...

July 25.........--.-.....-.........--..-..-..-.-....-..-.--....

July 30 ................-..-.....---.....--...-......--......--.

September 12

Henry 

Creek at 

mouth.

Sec.-ft.

22.0 

9.6 

8.2 

6.8 

12.0 

60 

34 

27 

55 

99

At ditch level.

Henry 

Creek.

Sec.-ft. 

10.0 

7.4

2.7 

5.0

..........

41

Lincoln 

Creek.

Sec.-ft. 

8.2 

8.0

. 2.3 

3.3

42

Total.

Sec.-ft. 

18.2 

15.4 

6.8 

5.7 

5.0 

8.3 

42 

24 

19 

38 

83

The following measurements of Lillian Creek show the amount of 

water it would contribute to the Henry Creek ditch: July 16, 1.0 

second-feet; August 20, 0.6 se"cond-feet; September 12, 6 second-feet.

COARSE GOLD CREEK.

Coarse Gold Creek is one of the larger tributaries of Kougarok 

River. It has a total length of about 16 miles, and flows in a northeasterly direction, entering the river about 25 miles above the mouth. 

The creek is relatively flat in its upper portion, and has a fall of 40 

to 80 feet per mile in the lower 6 miles.
KOUGAROK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 89

The Coarse Gold ditch, constructed in 1907, has its intake about 

5 miles above the mouth, and is built along the south slope of the 

valley, picking up the flow of Jones Gulch and Nugget Gulch. It 

extends about 5 miles to Two-bit Gulch, a small tributary of 

Kougarok River, where a head of nearly 300 feet is obtained. Measurements were made near the mouth of the creek. They show the 

water supply available for the ditch, as practically the whole flow 

is diverted.

Discharge measurements of Coarse Gold Creek near mouth, 1907.

Date.

July 30..... .... ......................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

3.5

3.4

3.0

44

Date. Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

30

22

Io6

NORTH FORK.

North Fork is formed by the junction of French and Alder creeks 

and enters Kougarok River from the east, about a mile below the 

mouth of Coarse Gold Creek. Its principal tributaries are Harris, 

Baldy, Monument, Queen, Magnet, and Eureka creeks. Harris 

Creek is dry during low water for the lower 4 miles, the water flowing 

underground through the limestone which forms its bed. The flow 

of North Fork also is underground for over a mile, and appears again 

as a spring about a mile above Harris Creek.

In 1906 the Northwestern Development Company began a ditch 

which has its intake just below the junction of French and Alder 

creeks, extends along the north bank about 3 miles, and then crosses 

in a siphon to the south bank. Six miles of ditch are completed.

A lower ditch is proposed which will take its water above Eureka 

Creek and will extend to Dahl Creek. Measurements were made to 

show the water available for both ditches.

Discharge measurements of North Fork, 1907.

Date.

At North- | Above Eu- 

, western in- reka Creek 

i take (drain- j (drainage 

j age area, 20 , area, 6<3 

squaremiles). squaremiles).

J uly 22 ....................................................................

\ ugu st 27

Sec.-ft. 

2.5

31

17

a 36

Sec.-ft. 

13.0

9.6

70

122

a Estimated.
90 WATER SUPPLY TN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

Measurements of a number of the smaller streams and ditches in 

the Kougarok drainage are given in the following table. Their 

location is indicated on the map (PI. VII, p. 78). Macklin Creek is 

tapped about 1 mile from the mouth by a branch of the Homestake 

ditch. The Okdurok ditch diverts the flow of Homestake Creek.

The Arizona Creek ditch is 2 miles long and is built to the benches 

of the Kougarok, having an elevation of 185 feet above the river. 

The Windy Creek ditch is 4 miles long and gives a head of 150 feet 

above the creek at Anderson Gulch, where the water is used for 

ground sluicing. The McMonagle, Dolan & McFadden, and Blocker 

& Sayle ditches divert water from Kougarok River between the 

Homestake intake and Macklin Creek, and are used to furnish a 

sluice head for shoveling into boxes.

Miscellaneous measurements in Kougarok River drainage basin, 1907.

CREEKS.

Date.

July 21 ........

August 29 .....

July 12........

September 7. . .

July 22........

August 22. ....

July 13........

July 31........

Stream and locality.

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

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

Eureka, near mouth. .............................................. ......

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

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

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

Discharge.

Sec.-fcet. 

0.6

1.5

3.0

6.2

1.1

.5

19

5.8

1.0

4.0

8.7

5.5

19

20

.13

40

9.0

4.8

3.0

DITCHES.

Do........

Do........

July 31.........

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

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

W indy Creek ditch ..... ..................................................

1.8

1.8

4.1

2.5

4.0

3.0

3.0

2.3

1.8 

1.0

TOTAL WATER SUPPLY IX 1907.

The amount of water that would have been available in 1907 for 

the use of the principal ditches of the Kougarok drainage basin,
KOUGAROK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 91

built and proposed, is summarized by weekly periods in the accompanying table. The following points should be noted:

The flow available "for Dahl Creek at elevation 300 to 350 feet" is 

the quantity that could have been diverted by proposed low-line 

ditches, one taking water from Kougarok River near Dreamy Gulch 

and from Henry Creek near the mouth, the other from North Fork 

above Eureka Creek. These ditches could be combined into one 

below the mouth of North Fork. The water in the North Star and 

Henry Creek ditches could be carried past the intakes and used below 

them, so that the flow available for the low-line ditch as given in the 

table would be reduced by the amount so diverted. Practically none 

of the discharge of Coarse Gold Creek would be available for this 

ditch, as it would be used in the high-level ditch.

The flow available for "upper Kougarok at elevation 600 to 700 

feet" is the sum of the discharges of the five principal forks of the 

river at the ditch intakes. At least 75 per cent of the discharge of 

Taylor Creek is available for the North Star ditch and the remainder 

for the Cascade ditch. The values for Henry and Coarse Gold creeks 

and North Fork were estimated with the aid of hydrographs and are 

only approximate.

Several other streams would furnish some water at high and low 

level, notably Homestake and Rock creeks. At low water this would 

be less than 1 second-foot for any single stream and may be disregarded; at high water it would not be needed.

Mean weekly water supply, in second-feet, of Kougarok River drainage basin, 1907.

lfeet" For upper Kougarok at elevation 600 to 700 feet.

Date- Kougarok 

River.

July 22-28................... 88

July 29-August 4 .......... J 33

August 12-18............... J 26

August 26-September 1 ..... [ 262

September 9-15..... ........ 584

September 10-20..... ... ..._ 228

Mean 190

North 

Fork.

22

22

12

10

13

73

83 

76

117

45

Total.

79

110

45

31

39

401

345

407

701

273

940

701

31

Kougarok 

River.

14

13

6.7

5.4

4.5

60

33

57

133

46

133

4.5

Tavlor 

Creek.

16

53

7.3

9.0

117

117 

100

181

68

67.3

181

5.0

Henry 

Creek.

19

14

7.3

6.3

5.4

28

21 

33

94

33

94

Coarse 

Gold 

Creek.

12

9.6

3.8

3.3

3.9

29

.26 

27

100

25.4

North 

Fork.

r> 2

3.0

1.2

1.0

1.0

30

27 

21

44

17

1 0

Total.

66

93

26

21

24

204

224

552

171

Vf>

21

NOXAPAGA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Noxapaga River is the largest tributary of the Kuzitrin, and 

enters that stream from the north about 15 miles above the mouth 

of the Kougarok. The northwestern portion of its basin resembles 

that of Kougarok River, which it adjoins. An extensive lava flow
92 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

covers the eastern portion, and the southern or lower end lies in the 

lowland area known as the Kuzitrin Flats.

Above the mouth of Goose Creek the river has been crossed by a 

recent lava flow, forming rapids in which there is a descent of 96 feet 

in 2.3 miles. Above the rapids the river has hardly any fall for 

several miles.

During 1907 a ditch was built by the McKay Hydraulic Mining 

Company from Turner Creek, a tributary to the Noxapaga from the 

northwest, to benches on the river above Goose Creek. It has a 

total length of 16 miles, and diverts water from Turner, Boulder, 

Miller, Winona, and several smaller creeks.

Measurements were made in this drainage basin at extreme low 

water and in no wise represent the average flow. The seasonal variation of the smaller streams was probably as great as in the Kougarok 

River basin, and the high-water discharge of the Noxapaga can probably be safely estimated as the same per square mile as that of the

Kougarok.

Discharge measurements in Noxapaga Rirer drainage basin, 1907.

Date. Stream and locality. Drainage 

area

Sq. miles. 

13

340

Discharge.

Sec.-ffft. 

0.7

02

SERPENTINE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Serpentine River drains a large area lying north of the Kougarok. 

Measurements were made of only a few streams in the headwaters.

SCHLITZ AND REINDEER CREEKS.

These creeks rise on the slope of Midnight Mountain, and flow 

northwestward into Serpentine River. A ditch has been started by 

the Kugarok Mining and Ditch Company which will be about 8 miles 

long and will divert the flow of these creeks over a low divide into 

Macklin Creek, where it will be picked up by a branch of the Homestake ditch. Measurements were made near the proposed diversions, as follows: Schlitz Creek, August 11, 0.7 second-feet; September 4, 13 second-feet. Reindeer Creek, August 11, 1.9 second-feet; 

September 3, 13 second-feet.

BRYAN AND DICK CREEKS.

Bryan Creek rises to the east of Kougarok Mountain and flows 

northeastward into Serpentine River. Dick Creek is its principal 

tributary and has shown the best values of all the streams in this
SERPENTINE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 93

drainage basin. A ditch built by the Pittsburg-Dick Creek Mining Company in 1906 and 1907 diverts the water of Bryan Creek 

and extends along the left or north bank of the creek for 6| miles to 

the mouth of Dick Creek, where a head of about 170 feet is available. 

The following measurements were made of Bryan Creek near the 

intake: July 19, 4.2 second-feet; July 27, 6.0 second-feet; July 28, 

6.5 second-feet; September 2, 15.5 second-feet.

QUARTZ AND BISMARCK CREEKS.

Quartz Creek is the name applied to the headwaters of South 

Fork of Serpentine River. It rises west of Kougarok Mountain and 

flows in a northerly direction. Bismarck Creek is a small tributary 

of Quartz Creek. In 1907 the Pittsburg-Dick Creek Mining Company began a ditch which will take water from these creeks and 

carry it over the divide to a small tributary of Bryan Creek, where 

it will be picked up by the Bryan Creek ditch. The Quartz Creek 

ditch is about 350 feet higher than the Bryan Creek ditch and is 

about 8 miles long. Plans are made to extend it to upper Dick 

Creek, giving it a total length of 22 miles. Measurements were 

made about 200 feet lower than the intakes, and not over 75 per cent 

of the discharge at these points would be available for the ditch.

The gage on Quartz Creek was read during the low water of August 

by S. G. Revelas.

The following measurements were made of Bismarck Creek: July 

19, 1.7 second-feet; July 28, 2.0 second feet.

Gage heights and discharges of Quartz Creek, 1907.

Date.

MEASUREMENTS.

July 19..... .............

July 28.......... . ......

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.60

,61

Discharge.

Sec.-leet.

9 0

9.6

9 0

Date.

GAGE READINGS COnt'd.

Ausrust 7

Gage 

height.

Pert. 

0 60

.60

,62

62

.64

Discharge.

Sec-feet. 

9 0

9.0

10.2

11.4

11.4

AMERICAN RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

American River, the north fork of the Agiapuk, drains a large area 

west of the Kougarok basin. Measurements were made only on 

Budd Creek, the tributary on which the most extensive development 

work has been done.

Budd Creek rises northwest of Kougarok Mountain and flows 

southeastward to the mouth of Eldorado Creek, thence southwestward to American River above the forks. The waters of Budd and
94 WATER SUPPLY ITT ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Eldorado creeks sink into the limestone which forms their beds, and 

after flowing from 2 to 4 miles underground appear as springs. 

Windy Creek is a large tributary from the south, on which some 

mining has been done.

In 1907 a ditch was built on the north bank of Budd Creek by the 

Ottumwa Gold Mining Company. It takes its water just below the 

spring and extends to a point below the mouth of Windy Creek, a 

distance of 8 miles. A head of about 160 feet is obtained. A second ditch was built by the same company on Million and Ohio creeks, 

tributaries of Windy Creek.

The following measurements were made August 31, when the water 

was at about as low a stage as it reached during the season, the rains 

beginning later here than in the Kougarok basin: Budd Creek Spring, 

drainage area 58 square miles; discharge, 25 second-feet. Budd 

Creek below Windy Creek, drainage area, 108 square miles; discharge, 

39 second-feet.

HYDRAULIC DEVELOPMENT.

The first discovery of gold on any tributary of Kougarok Kiver 

was made on Harris Creek in 1900. The river and creek claims were 

nearly all staked during the following summer, and values were 

found at many points. The district has continued as a producer 

since that time, but the total output of precious metal has been 

small compared with that of other districts in Seward Peninsula. In 

the lower part of the Kougarok region Dahl Creek has been the largest 

producer. Work on this stream is greatly handicapped by the 

scarcity of water. Dahl Creek has a small area and lies in a region 

of small run-off, so that it is only during the melting of the snow in 

the spring and for a few days after a heavy rain that enough water 

for sluicing can be obtained from the creek.

During 1903 and 1904 the first ditch in the region was built by 

the T. T. Lane Company. It extends from Coffee to Dahl Creek, 

diverting Carrie and Independence creeks along its course. In 1904 

capital began to turn its attention to the upper Kougarok. Three 

large ditches were begun late that year or early in 1905 the Homestake, North Star, and Henry Creek ditches. In 1906, the Cascade, 

Irving, and North Fork ditches were built, and work was continued 

on the other three. In 1907 only one ditch, that on Coarse Gold 

Creek, was built in the Kougarok basin. Several developments 

were carried out on streams in adjacent drainage areas, including 

the McKay ditch from Turner Creek to Noxapaga Kiver, the Bryan 

and Quartz creek ditches, and the Ottumwa ditch on Budd Creek. 

Most of these ditches have been described in the foregoing pages. 

The following tables summarize their principal features. The capacities are approximate in most cases.
RELATIVE RUN-OFF OF DIFFERENT AREAS, SEWARD PENINSULA. 95

Ditches in Kougarok region, Seward Peninsula.

Name.

Kugarok Mining and 

Ditch Co.:

Macklin Branch. . .

Taylor Creek Ditch 

Co.:

Cascade Mining and 

Ditch Co. 

T. T. Lane Co.-

C. F. Merntt and 

others.

Northwestern Development Co.

McKaj Hydraulic Mining Co. 

Pittsburg-Dick Creek 

Mining Co.

Ottumwa Gold Mining Co.

Diverts from 

Kougarok River

Macklin Creek. . 

Reindeer and 

Schlitz creeks. 

Kougarok River

Taylor Creek. . . 

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

Henry Creek.... 

Lincoln Creek... 

Coffee Creek. ...

Arizona Creek. .

Coarse Gold 

Creek.

Windy Creek.. . 

Turner Creek...

| Bryan Creek.... 

IQuartzCreek. . .

fBudd Creek..... 

iMillion Creek. . .

Extends toll omestake 

Creek.

Macklin divide. . 

Columbia Creek.

Arctic Creek.... 

Claim 3. ........

Ilomestake 

Creek. 

Henry Creek intake. 

Dahl Creek ..... 

Benches on river

Two-bit Gulch..

Anderson Gulch 

Goose Creek. . ..

Dick Creek.. ... 

Bryan Creek divide. 

Below Windy 

Creek.

L0 H>

w w

^ft G

1907 

1907

1907

(1907 

\1907 

1907

(a)

W

1904 

1905

1907

(a)

1906 

1907

1907

(a)

1907 

1907

1OJ >-]

Milts. 

7.5

1.2

8

4.4

67 

c8 

0.25

10.25 

3.25 

12.25

(>

4 

10

6.5

8

8

5

0^

£2

0 £

a

Feet.

8

4

5

G

8 

10 

5.5

0

3-5

4

8 

7

4

4-5

0

8

9 

4

I* 

o 

P..2

 < 's "3 

h

Feet. 

3.17-4.22

4.22 

4.22

4.22

3.70 

4.22 

4.22

3.17

3.17

3.17

4.22 

3.17

4.22 

4.22

4.22 

4^22

3.70 

4.22

Capacity.

Sec.-ft. 

25

5 

10

15

40 

40 

12

15

2 

25 

20

8 8-10

15 

20

30

S

Pressure 

obtained.

Feet. 

160

160

200 

110

210

185 

300

150

170 

«350

160

n Under construction.

b Intake to siphon.

c Siphon to Arctic Creek.

rf Proposed.

''Above Bryan Creek ditch.

RELATIVE RUN-OFF OF DIFFERENT AREAS.

In order to afford a comparison of the run-off conditions in different 

areas, especially between those north and south of the Kigluaik 

Mountains, tables have been prepared showing the daily minima 

and monthly means for 1906 and 1907 in second-feet per square 

mile for the drainage areas investigated. The streams have been 

grouped into three classes (1) those running in the foothills, having 

southern exposures and but few gulches in which snow is retained 

into the summer months; (2) streams rising in the mountains, having 

deep valleys and cirques with northern exposures, where snow is 

stored and held during the whole summer, and having a much 

heavier rainfall than streams at lower elevations; (3) streams of the 

Kougarok region. A study of the following tables shows several 

interesting points. In general, the nearer the stream lies to the 

central mountain mass of the Kigluaik Range, the greater is its runoff. The most notable exception to this rule is Hobson Creek. The 

flow of this stream comes from limestone springs, which are believed 

to draw some of their water from areas lying outside the surface
96 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

drainage basin of the creek. North Star Creek, Fox Creek, and 

Nome River have a smaller minimum than adjoining streams whose 

basins have a similar character and elevation. This is probably due 

to their more direct southern exposure.

There is a striking difference, both in minimum and mean, between 

streams south of the mountains and those in the Kougarok region. 

This is due mostly to the small rainfall north of the mountains. 

Budd Creek draws all of its flow at low water from springs and so has 

a much larger minimum than other streams in the vicinity.

These tables may be used to estimate the run-off from other 

streams in Seward Peninsula, but such estimates must be made with 

extreme caution on account of the great difference in run-off in areas 

apparently similar.

The streams are not given in the order in which the descriptions 

appear in the text, but are arranged in general from east to west and 

from higher elevations to lower.

Minimum daily flow of streams in Seward Peninsula, 1906-7'.

STREAMS RISING IN FOOTHILLS.

Stream.

Iron Creek below 

mouth of Canyon 

Creek.

low mouth of Venetia Creek.

tary to Stewart 

River).

Elevation.

Feet. 

450

400

800

800

785

590

500

500

700

120

Drainage 

area.

Sq. 

miles. 

50

51

1.4

.85

2.1

4.3

2.7

2.6

2.1

36

69

19

Date.

Aug. 14.. ... 

Aug. 14. ....

Sept. 10.

Aug. 11.

June 28.

Aug. 19.

Aug. 18.

July 4 ......

Aug. 19.....

1906.

Minimum 

flow.

Sec.-fi. 

17.1

44

a4.2

.8

6.96

3.3

2.9

10.5

2.2

11.4

a36

Minimum 

run-off 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

0.34

.86

3

.94

.46

.77

1.1

c4

1.05

.32

1.9

Date.

Aug. 11-14..

Sept. 23.....

Aug. 10-11 . .

Sept. 30. ....

Aug. 19.....

Aug. 12.....

Aug. 15.....

1907.

Minimum 

flow.

Sec.-ft. 

33

2.9

2.8

8.3

14.3

77

33

Minimum 

run-ofl 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

0.66

1.3

1.3

1.9

5.5

1.1

1.7

« Lowest measurements obtained: the flow was less on certain dates.

6 The lowestflow later in 1906 was 3 second-feet, or 1.4 second-feet per square mile, on August 11. 

e The flow of Hobson Creek is from large limestone springs whose catchment area may not coincide 

with the surface watershed.
EELATIVE EUN-OFF OF DIFFEEENT AEEAS, SEWAED PENTJSTSULA 97

Minimum daily flow of streams in Seward Peninsula, 1906-7 Continued. 

STREAMS RISING IN KIGLUAIK MOUNTAINS.

Stream.

Central River near 

ditch intake.

Central River at 

ditch intake. 

Crater Lake outlet . . 

Thompson Creek .... 

Grand Central River 

below forks. 

Grand Central River

below NuggetCreek.

between station 

below forks and 

station at Nugget 

Creek.

Buffalo Creek. .......

Windy Creek. .......

Elevation.

Feet. 

750

OKfi

925 

720 

690

455

550

800

900

650

Drainage 

area.

Sq.

miles. 

5.4

C A

1.8 

2.5 

14.6

39

81

11

4.4

& 6. 2

2.3

12

Date.

July 1 ......

Sept. 15-17..

Sept. 15-17. . 

Sept. 16-17.. 

Sept. 16-17..

Sept. 16-17..

Sept. 16-17..

/Aug. 19 and

\ Sept. 17. 

Sept. 16-17..

Aug. 16.....

Aug. 3......

Aug. 3......

A npp *?

1906.

Minimum 

flow.

Sec. ft. 

23

19

3.1

5 

47

90

43

} 175

39

17.3

20

9.1

20

2.9

32

Minimum 

run-ofi 

per 

square 

mile.

S'.i.ft. 

4.3

3.5

1.7 

2 

3.1

2.3

1.76

2.16

3.5

1.6

1.3

2.1

3.2

1.26

2.7

Date.

Sept. 22-23. . 

Sept. 22-23. . 

Aug. 15.....

Aug. 15.....

1907.

Minimum 

flow.

Sec. ft.

98

3.5 

5

72

178

16

«22

04

a 32

Minimum 

run-off 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec. ft.

C 0

1.9 

2 

4.9

2.7

a- Minimum in midseason. & 8.2 after August 1, 1907. 

STREAMS IN THE KOUGAROK REGION.

Homestake intake.

above Coarse Gold 

Creek.

cade intake.

mouth.

Eureka Creek.

44

250

74

50

340

13

58

Aug. 13.....

Aug. 9-12...

Aug. H.....

Aug. 13.....

Aug. 15.....

Aug. 16.....

Aug. 15.....

Aug. 21.....

39

16

3.9

6.8

9.6

62

.7

25

0.07

.Ofa

.05

.14

.15

.18

.05

.43

35283 IRK 218 08-
98 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Mean run-off, in second-feet per square mile, at gaging stations, 1906.

Station.

North Fork of Grand Central River:

West Fork of Grand Central River:

Grand Central River below Nugget

Kruzgamepa River at outlet of Salmon

Between. Grand Central River below the

Drainage 

area.

Sq. mi. 

5.4

2.3

5.4

1.8

2.5

81

06

Tniv i si July 1-4 JlllJ 1-31. and n_31

........... 10.3

9 64

...........' 10.8

........... 8. 36

7.05 ...........

i

3.43 , 2.71

I

Aug. 1-31.

6.80

11.9

6.02

4.96

6.56

6.64

5.84

o4.42

3.20

3.36

Sept. 1-30.

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

« Approximate.

Mean run-off, in second-feet per square mile, at gaging stations, 1901 

STREAMS RISING IN FOOTHILLS.

Station. Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles. 

2.25 

2.1 

4.3 

2.6 

09 

19

July 1-31.

7.69 

2.71 

7.49 

8.69 

2.56 

4.14

July 8-31. August.

3.16 

2.95 

3.30 

6.58 

1.56 

3.11

Sept. 1-30.

4.27 

5.24 

4.81 

7.35

3.74

Sept. 1-23.

STREAMS RISING IN KIGLUAIK MOUNTAINS.

North Fork Grand Central 

River:

West Fork Grand Central 

River:

Kruzgamepa River at outlet

Nome River at Miocene intake.

2.3

7. 7 

5.4 

2.8 

1.8 

2.5

81 

15 

o6.2 

2.3 

12

6.77 

4.81 

8.44 

6.43 

7.62

7.06 

16.9

11.0 

11.1 

9.43 

13.6 

16.9

8.42 

18.9

10.5 

9.30 

6.29 

14.4 

10.8

4.14 

2.19 

5.49 

3.61 

4.93

5.89 

3.89

9.38 

20.2

13.0 

9.38 

7.32 

11.7 

9.12

6.55 

3.87 

5.68

«8.2 after August 1. 

STREAMS IN THE KOUGAROK REGION.

Station.

Kougarok River:

Above Coarse Gold Creek 

Taylor Creek at Cascade intal

Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles. 

44 

250 

74

July 15-31.

0.28 

.27 

.40

August.

0.52 

.56 

.73

Sept. 1-20.

1.80 

1.55 

1.61
THE FAIRHAVEN PRECINCT.

By FRED F. HENSHAW. 

INTRODUCTION.

The Fairhaven precinct, comprising a large area in northeastern 

Seward Peninsula, has been a producer of placer gold since 1901 

and promises to be more important in the future. No stream-gaging 

work has been done in this district, and it has not been visited by 

any member of the Geological Survey since 1903. The following 

notes concerning the water supply and the hydraulic developments 

that have been carried on during the last two seasons have been 

compiled from reliable sources.

FAIRHAVEN DITCH.

The Fairhaven ditch was built during 1906 by the Fairhaven 

Water Company. It takes its water supply from Imuruk Lake, 

the source of Kugruk River. A dam about 500 feet long has been 

constructed across the outlet of the lake to conserve the run-off.

The upper section of the ditch is 17 miles long, the first 8 miles of 

which is through a lava formation. The water is dropped into upper 

Pinnell River, and flows down this stream for about 4 miles. The 

lower section takes the water from Pinnell River on its right bank 

and extends for 23 miles to Arizona Creek, where a head of 500 feet 

is obtained. The ditch is 11 feet wide on the bottom and has a 

grade of 5 feet to the mile.

The dam across Imuruk Lake was closed August 16, 1906, and 

remained so until August, 1907, no water being carried in the ditch 

in the meantime. The water surface of the lake rose 26 inches during 

this period. The area of the lake is 30 square miles and that of the 

drainage basin 99 square miles. The run-off was therefore 41,600 

acre-feet, equivalent to 7.9 inches in depth over the entire drainage 

area. This would furnish 58 second-feet for one year, 210 secondfeet for one hundred days, or 263 second-feet for eighty days. The 

snowfall during the winter of 1906-7 was heavier than usual, so that 

the water supply for other years may be less than this.

The above information was furnished by W. R. Hoffman, who had 

charge of the construction of the Fairhaven ditch.

99
100 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

CANDLE DITCH.

The Candle ditch was built during 1907 by the Candle-Alaska 

Hydraulic Gold Mining Company to furnish water for mining on 

Candle Creek. It has a total length of 33.6 miles, a bottom width 

of 9 feet, and a grade of 3.69 feet per mile. The estimated capacity 

is 35 second-feet. It takes its supply from the western tributaries 

of Kiwalik River. The present intake of the ditch is on Glacier 

Creek. The water is carried across Dome Creek in a siphon 2,250 

feet long, composed of 28-inch pipe; across Bonanza Creek in 900 

feet of 32-inch pipe; and across Eldorado Creek in a siphon 12,100 

feet long, composed of equal lengths of 35J, 37^, and 39J inch pipe. 

Eldorado Creek will be tapped with a lateral ditch about 6 miles 

long. An extension 8.1 miles long of 6-foot ditch will be built to 

Gold Run. It will also be possible to divert the flow from the headwaters of First Chance Creek, a tributary of Koyuk River, over a 

low divide into Gold Run.

The fall obtained is 250 feet at the mouth of Candle Creek and 132 

feet at the mouth of Patterson Creek. .The surveyed line crosses 

Candle Creek about 1 mile above the mouth of Willow Creek. Candle 

Creek was nearly dry during 1907, the flow some of the time being less 

than half a second-foot.

The above information was furnished by W. L. Leland.

BEAR CREEK DITCH.

A ditch was built in 1907 on Bear Creek, a tributary of the West 

Fork of Buckland River. It has its intake below the mouth of May 

Creek, and extends along the right bank to Split Creek, diverting 

Eagle, Polar, and other small creeks. The ditch has a length of 

about 6 miles, a bottom width of 6 feet, and a grade of 4 feet to the 

mile. The head obtained at the lower end is about 200 feet.
THE FAIRBANKS DISTRICT.

By C. C. COVERT. 

DESCRIPTION OF AREA.

The area known as the Fairbanks district extends about 60 miles 

to the north of Fairbanks and is from 40 to 50 miles in width. The 

greater part of the region lies in the lower Tanana basin, but a portion to the northwest is directly tributary to the Yukon. Generally 

speaking, it embraces three divisions a low, broad alluvial plain, a 

moderately high plateau, and a mountain mass.

The low, broad plain forms the bottom lands of the lower Tanana 

Valley, which in this section is divided into several parts by the 

Tanana and its slough-like channels. The main slough starts near 

the mouth of Salcha River, about 30 miles above Fairbanks, where 

it diverts a portion of the Tanana waters. Its course is along the 

foothills of the plateau to the north, and it receives Chena River 

about 7 miles above Fairbanks. The plain is swampy in character 

and is well covered with timber along the banks of the streams. In 

the vicinity of Fairbanks it has a general elevation of about 500 feet 

above sea level.

The plateau is drained by streams tributary to Tanana River, 

which flow through rather broad, unsymmetrical valleys, most of 

which extend in a northeast-southwest direction. Their bottom lands 

range in elevation from 500 to over 2,000 feet above sea level, and 

the dividing ridges are in general 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the stream 

beds. That portion of the plateau which comes under discussion in 

this report is drained principally by Little Chena and Chatanika 

rivers. The upper region of these drainage basins is crosscut by a 

zigzag range, which separates the Yukon from the Tanana drainage.

The mountain mass to the north of this plateau forms what might 

be termed the apex of the divide between the Tanana and the Yukon 

drainage basins. It rises to an altitude of 4,000 to 5,000 feet above 

sea level and its corrugated slopes are drained principally by tributaries to Yukon River.

All drainage areas tributary to the Tanana are similar in character. 

The streams have little slope except near their source. Wide, gravelly beds of a shifting nature and tortuous courses keeping to one

101
102 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

side of the valley are marked characteristics. The channels usually 

have rather steep banks that form approaches to broad, level bottom 

lands which extend from 1,000 to 4,000 feet or more before they 

meet the abrupt slopes of the dividing ridges. The drainage basins 

are from 4 to 15 miles wide and are well cut up by small tributary 

streams flowing through deep and narrow ravines.

A large portion of the area is covered with a thick turf known as 

tundra, which is wet, spongy, and mossy and ranges in thickness from 

6 inches to 2 feet. In some localities this is meadow like, producing 

a rank growth of grass and a variety of beautiful wild flowers. Underneath this tundra ground ice is found in many places, particularly 

on the northern slopes, where the soil is scanty and there is little 

timber or other vegetation. The soil of the southern slopes is, for 

the most part, gravelly clay, underlain by a mica schist wilich affords 

suitable ground for ditch construction. When stripped of its mossy 

covering, the sun rapidly thaws it so that the plow and scraper can 

be used to advantage.

Above an altitude of 2,000 to 2,200 feet practically the only vegetation is a scrubby, bushy growth which attains a height of 2 to 4 

feet. In general the country below this altitude is timbered by 

spruce and birch, with scattered patches of tamarack and willow 

along the banks of the smaller streams. The timber increases in 

density and size as the river bottoms are approached. There the 

prevailing growth is spruce, much of which attains diameters of 18 

to 24 inches.

The Fairbanks mining district lies between Little Chena and 

Chatanika rivers. It embraces an area of some 500 square miles 

and extends about 30 miles to the north of Fairbanks, which is situated on Chena Slough nearly 12 miles above its confluence with the 

Tanana. The producing creeks in general rise in a high rocky ridge, 

of which Pedro Dome, with an elevation of about 2,500 feet, is the 

center. At least half of the mines are located at an elevation of over 

800 feet, and 25 per cent over 1,000 feet, above sea level.

The field work during 1907 in the Fairbanks district was carried on 

from June 20 to September 15. Owing to the lack of adequate 

funds the work was largely that of reconnaissance. However, the 

keeping of systematic records on some of the more important streams 

was made possible through the hearty cooperation of people who were 

interested.

After making a careful study of the general topographic conditions 

of the mining district and surrounding country, it was decided to 

establish a few regular stations, at the most convenient points in the 

larger drainage areas, and study the daily run-off, during the open
FAIRBANKS DISTRICT. 103

season from records thus obtained.0 This plan afforded greater 

opportunity for procuring comparative data than that of covering a 

larger territory in a less definite way. In this country without storage, daily records are an important factor, and such records could 

not have been obtained over an extended area. Outside of the producing creeks the country is practically a wilderness, and it is almost 

impossible to get observations, other than those made on the occasional visits of the engineer. No daily or even weekly records in 

such areas could have been assured and the results obtained from 

the occasional measurements would have furnished no comprehensive idea as to the actual daily run-off of the streams throughout the 

open season.

CONDITIONS AFFECTING WATER SUPPLY.

Stream flow in the Fairbanks district is affected by melting of 

accumulated snow and ice, summer rains, and melting of ground ice. 

In this district the break-up begins about the middle of April and the 

rise in the streams commences about the middle of May and continues, intermittently until May 30, or thereabouts, when the maximum discharge occurs. The table on page 109 shows the daily gage 

height of Chena Slough at Fairbanks during the open season of 1907. 

A. D. Gassaway, of the Chatanika Ditch Company, estimated the 

maximum flow of Chatanika River near the mouth of Faith Creek at 

about 1,250 second-feet and stated that this discharge occurred about 

May 30. After that date the flow gradually decreased until the 

minimum stage was reached, about July 10.

The precipitation records kept at Fairbanks since 1905 (see table 

p. 143) show that snowfall in this section amounts to about 40 inches. 

On account of the frozen ground and the steady cold weather, very 

little of this snow runs off before the spring break-up. What run-off 

there is during the winter season, especially in the upper basins, is 

accumulated in the glacial ice formed in the stream beds. This ice 

does not entirely disappear before the middle or last of July.

There are few data regarding rainfall in this section. Records have 

been kept at Fairbanks since 1905 and in connection with the investigations of stream flow the Geological Survey established four 

stations in 1907. The daily and monthly rainfall at these points is 

given in the tables on pages 140 to 141. A comparison of the 1907 

rainfall records throughout Alaska, especially those of the interior, 

\vith records previously obtained will show that the season was a 

comparatively normal one.

"For explanation of data and methods of work see p. 9.
104 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

The melting of frozen ground affords a slight additional supply of 

water to the streams. The frozen muck and ground ice, which carry 

a large percentage of water, are well protected by a thick coat of moss, 

through which it is difficult for the heat of the summer sun to penetrate. As the season advances the imprisoned moisture is liberated 

through the combined influence of abundant sunshine and frequent 

warm rains. This gradual thawing of frozen ground is made noticeable not only by the increase of the daily flow of the streams, but also 

by the condition of the trail and the increased depth to which one 

sinks when traveling over the tundra. On the northern slope and in 

the deep canyons, which are protected from the rays of the sun, the 

frozen ground never thaws more than a few inches, even during July 

and August, when the sun shines nearly twenty-four hours a day.

Owing to the shallow depth to which the ground thaws, the prevailing mossy covering affords the only ground storage for rainfall in 

this country. This covering is filled with seepage from ground thaw 

and consequently any increase in the water supply, through rainfall, 

finds its way to the streams in a very short time over the underground ice and steep slopes of the drainage basins, causing streams 

to rise and fall very rapidly. (See fig. 2.) Because of this lack of 

ground storage the streams depend largely on rainfall for their supply, after the snow and ice have disappeared in the spring break-up. 

May, June, and July are invariably months of slight rainfall in the 

interior (see p. 140) and the streams soon reach a very low stage. Yet 

this is the most important period for the miner. The long hours of 

daylight and the warm weather afford favorable opportunities for 

mining and sluicing, but the abundant supply of water needed for 

this purpose is often lacking.
May3l June/0 JuneSO JuneSO JulylO- JulyZO July 30 Aug9 Aug 19 

FIG. 2. Diagram showing flow of Chatanika River and total flow of Little 
106 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA,, 1906-1907. 

GAGING STATIONS.

The following list gives the points in the Fairbanks district at 

which gages were established or discharge measurements made in 

1907. The numbers refer to PI. IX:

Gaging stations in Fairbanks district.

1. Little Chena River about 2 miles 23. 

above Elliott Creek. j

2. Elliott Creek above mouth of Sorrels 24. 

Creek. 25.

3. Sorrels Creek above mouth. 26.

4. Fish Creek above Fairbanks Creek. 27.

5. Bear Creek near mouth of Tecumseh 28. 

Creek. j 29.

6. Fairbanks Creek. I 30.

7. Miller Creek near mouth. 31.

8. Miller Creek below Heim Creek. 32.

9. Miller Creek above Heim Creek.

10. Charity Creek 1 mile above mouth of 33. 

Hope Creek.

11. Hope Creek near mouth of Zephyr 34. 

Creek. 35.

12. Faith Creek at weir near mouth.

13. McManus Creek above Montana Creek. 36.

14. McManus Creek below Montana Creek. 37.

15. McManus Creek 1 mile below Idaho. 38. 

Ifi. McManus Creek 500 feet above mouth 39. 

of Smith Creek.

17. McManus Creek below mouth of Smith 40. 

Creek.

18. McManus Creek at mouth. 41.

19. Smith Creek below mouth of Pool 42. 

Creek. 43.

20. Smith Creek above mouth of Pool

Creek. 44.

21. Pool Creek above mouth. 45.

22. McManus Creek at weir near mouth.

Chatanika River below Faith and McManus creeks.

Boston Creek, elevation 800 feet. 

McKay Creek, elevation 800 feet. 

Belle Creek, elevation 800 feet. 

Crooked Creek near mouth. 

Kokomo Creek near mouth. 

Poker Creek near mouth. 

Poker Creek near elevation 800 feet. 

Little Poker Creek above mouth. 

Caribou Creek above mouth of Little

Poker Creek. 

Chatanika River below mouth of

Poker Creek. 

Cleary Creek near Cleary. 

Little Eldorado Creek above trail to

Dome.

Dome Creek near Dome. 

Goldstream Creek at claim 6 below. 

Fox Creek near elevation 900 feet. 

Beaver Creek above mouth of East

Branch. 

East Branch Beaver Creek above

mouth.

Nome Creek 1 mile above mouth. 

Bryan-Creek, elevation 1,800 feet. 

Trail Creek about 4 miles above

mouth. '

Brigham Creek 1 mile above mouth. 

Fossil Creek near mouth.

LITTLE CHENA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

The southern slope of the divide between the Chatanika and Chena 

drainage basins, from the headwaters of Smith and Flat creeks to 

Pedro Dome, a distance of about 25 miles, is drained by Little Chena 

River and its tributaries, Elliott and Fish creeks. The drainage basin 

is irregular in shape and has a network of small, ramifying streams 

with steep, precipitous slopes in their upper drainage. The upper 

portion of the main stream is also steep, having a fall of 100 to 150
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 218 PL. IX

numbers refer to list in text 

X Rain gages;

letters refer to list in text
LITTLE CHENA EIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. 107

feet to the mile. This slope decreases rather abruptly to about 18 

feet to the mile in the vicinity of Elliott and Fish creeks.

The general course of the stream above the confluence of Fish Creek 

is through a rather broad, unsymmetricai valley. Below Fish Creek 

the river takes the center of a deep, narrow channel for about 8 miles 

to the point where Anaconda Creek, an important tributary from the 

left, enters. Below this point the valley gradually widens until the 

stream enters the lowlands tributary to Chena River, into which it 

empties 6 or 8 miles above the confluence of Chena Slough. Through 

this slough it discharges its waters into the Tanana near the town of 

Chena.

In the low-water period the stream has a channel width of 30 to 75 

feet and flows from side to side of a broad, gravelly bed ranging from 

100 to 300 feet in width. The channel is defined by steep, alluvial 

banks forming the approach to the heavily timbered bottom lands of 

the river valley which prevail above the confluence of Fish Creek. 

In the high-water stages the broad river bed is filled to its banks 

and often overflows them. During this stage the river seeks numerous smaller channels that surround heavily wooded islands.

The greater part of the drainage basin is well covered with timber, 

that in the uplands, on the slopes and smaller divides, consisting of 

spruce, birch, and poplar, suitable only for fuel and cabin purposes. 

In the lower valleys and creek bottom lands the prevailing growth 

is spruce, much of which is suitable for milling purposes.

The area is invariably covered with the conventional moss, but 

here and there outcroppings of limestone, mica schist, and gravel are 

found on the slopes. In the creek valleys the mossy covering is 

usually underlain with frozen muck and glacial ice. Numerous 

swamp areas occur near the river banks, and these, together with 

the heavy growth of timber, make travel very difficult.

Gaging stations were established on Fish Creek above the mouth 

of Fairbanks Creek, on Elliott Creek above the mouth of Sorrels 

Creek, on Sorrels Creek above its mouth, and on the Little Chena 

about 2 miles above the mouth of Elliott Creek. Much credit is due 

Sherman White, the observer, for his faithful work in making approximately daily observations at each of these stations.

A project is under way to collect the waters from the different 

tributaries, at an elevation of about 900 feet, and to convey the 

supply by ditch line to a point in the lower drainage area, on the 

right bank of the Little Chena, where a fall of nearly 200 feet can 

be obtained. A portion of the water so collected is to be used in 

developing electric power for transmission to the producing creeks, 

and the excess water will be carried by ditch line to Smallwood and 

Nugget creeks and used for mining purposes.
108 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

The following table gives the horsepower (80 per cent efficiency) 

per foot of fall that may be developed at different rates of discharge, 

and shows the number of days on which the discharge and the corresponding horsepower were respectively less than the amounts 

given in the columns for "discharge" and "horsepower."

Discharge and horsepower table for Little Chena River and tributaries, 1907.

Discharge. «

Sec. -ft. 66..........:..........

88.....................

132....................

Horsepower 

(80 per cent 

efficiency) 

perfoot fall.

6

8

12

Days of deficient discharge, Julv 

22 to Sept. 10.

0

7

23

Discharge, a

Sec. -ft. 

154...................

176...................

220...................

Horsepower 

(80 per cent 

efficienc}') 

perfoot fall.

14

16

18

20

Days of deficient discharge, July 

22 to Sept. 10.

35

42

45

48

a This includes the flow of Little Chena, Elliott, Sorrels, and Fish creeks.

Drainage areas of Little Chena River basin.a

Stream and location.

Total Elliott Creek ...................................... ................. ........

Total Fish Creek ...................................................................

Area.

Sq. miles. 

79.0 

3.6 

13.8 

21.0 

3.8 

38 6 

6.0 

23.6 

12.0 

3.6 

39.2 

20.5 

13.0 

16 5 

1.0 

90.2 

30.7 

43.3 

113.2

Total 

area.

Sq. miles. 

79.0

82.6

121.2 

127.2

217.4 

248. 1 

291.4 

404.6

a From reconnaissance map YuJion-Tanana region, Fairbanks quadratic. 

CHENA SLOUGH AT FAIRBANKS.

 Near the mouth of Salcha River a portion of the Tanana waters 

are diverted through a sloughlike channel about 50 miles in length, 

that separates the broad flat lands to the right into two parts. The 

channel receives the drainage of the plateau to the north and about 

midway in its course Chena River enters. Below this point the channel is known as Chena Slough. It affords a passageway for the 

Tanana steamers from its mouth near Chena to Fairbanks, 12 miles 

above, except in times of low water, when the cargoes are transferred 

at Chena to the Tanana Mines Railroad.

A gage fastened to the highway bridge in Fairbanks is read twice 

each da}T during the open season by employees of the Northern Navigation Company.
LITTLE CHENA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 109

Daily gage height, in feet, of Chena Slough near Fairbanks, Alaska, 1907.

Day. Ma

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14.................;....

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

*. June. July.

. . 5. 3 2. 4

. . 5. 2 2. 6

. . 4. 6 2. 8 

. . 4. 0 2. 6

. . 5. 6 2. 2

A Q | O 0

. . 4. 4 ' 2. 2

. . 4. 1 2. 1

. . 4. 1 2. 3

. . 3. 8 2. 9

. . 3. 5 3. 1

Aug.

3.2

0 A

3 9

3.8 

3.8

3 9

4.0

4.0

4.1

4.1

4.1

3.9

3.6

3.6

3.5

Sept.

1.9

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.8

2.0

2.0

3.3

5.3

4.3

Day.

19

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

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

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

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

9^

2(i.................

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

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

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

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

May.

5.8

5.2

4.6

fl

to

June.

3.6

3.1

2.6 

2.1

2.0

2.8

1.5

1.4

1 t;

1.2

1.3

1.5

2.0

July.

3.0

2.9

2.7

2. 6 

2.8

3.1

3.4

3.6

3.3

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.0

Aug.

3.4

3.3

3.1

3.1 

3.1

3.3

3.1

3 0

2.5

2.2

2.1

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.8

Sept.

6.1

6.0

4.8

4.0

3.8

3.9

4.0

......

LITTLE CHENA RIVER ABOVE MOUTH OF ELLIOTT CREEK.

A gaging station was established on Little Chena River about 2 

miles above the mouth of Elliott Creek July 22, 1907. At this point 

the channel is from 30 to 50 feet in width during low and medium 

stages. It has a gravelly bed and is fairly straight for about 100 

feet. A stake graduated to feet and tenths was driven near the left 

side and daily readings were taken.

Discharge measurements of Little Chena River above mouth of Elliott Creek, 1907.

Date.

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

Width.

Feet.

23.5

40.0

33

25

Area of 

section.

Sq.-ft. 

26.6

26.7

42.2

37.2

28.0

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.10

1.05

.73

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

39 7

113

56 7

Daily gage height and discharge of Little Chena River above mouth of Elliott Creek, 1907. 

[Elevation, 800 feet; drainage area, 79 square miles.]

Day.

July. August.

height. Gage 

Discharge.

Feet. Sec.-ft. 

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

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

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

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

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

li

7

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

9..... . ----- ... .

10

11

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

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

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

16....... .....I......

17. ...

18.......

19

1

Gage height.

Feet. 

0.7 

1.3 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.0 

1.05 

1.1 

1.2 

1. 1 

1.0 

.9 

1.0 

.8 

.9 

.8

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

53 

157 

113 

US 

113 

95 

104 

113 

134 

113 

95 

80 

95 

66 

80 

66 

66 

60 

60

September.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.0 

.9 

.9 

.8 

.9 

.95 

.95 

1.0 "i.'o"

-:

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

95 

80 

80 

66 

80 

88 

88 

95 

95 

95

Day.

20

July.

1 S 

a D

§?

o

Feet.

21. .

22. ......

23.......

24.......

25. ......

26. ......

27.......

28. ......

29.......

30.......

Mea 

Run - off

0.60

.60 

.60 

.90 

.80 

.70 

.60 

.60 

.60

'per 

milfi

Run-oft, depth

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

42 

42 

42 

42 

80 

66 

53 

42 

42 

42

August.

Gage height.

Feet.

.1 

.7 

.7 

.7

i.'o"

.9 

.9 "i.'o"

1.0

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

73 

95 

80 

80 

88 

95 

95

September.

Gage height.

Feet.

«49. 3 85. 4

.625 

.23

l.GS ......

tc

5

Sec.-ft.

686.2 

1.09 

.40

« July 22-31. 6 September 1 to 10.
110 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

ELLIOTT CREEK ABOVE MOUTH OF SORRELS CREEK.

Elliott Creek takes the drainage from the southern slope of Twin 

Butte Hills, in the Chatanika divide, and flows in a southerly direction, discharging its waters and those of Sorrels Creek, its tributary, 

into the Little Chena about 4 miles above the mouth of Fish Creek.

The drainage area is steep in its upper reaches and well timbered 

in the creek bottom. The stream flows in a narrow channel, rather 

deeply cut, and the banks are lined with willow and small spruce.

A gaging station was established about half a mile above the 

mouth of Sorrels Creek July 22, 1907, and regular readings were 

taken.

Discharge measurements of Elliott Creek above mouth of Sorrels Creek, 1907.

Date.

July 23.. .....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

9.5

12.0

10.1

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

6.4

9.6

6.98

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.6

1.85

1.615

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

5.1

13.8

7.1

Daily gage height and discharge of Elliott Creek above mouth of Sorrels Creek, 1907. 

[Elevation, 800 feet; drainage area, 13.3 square miles.]

Day.

1.....

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

8.......

9

10.......

11.......

12.......

1 0

14.....

15.......

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

July.

height. Gage oJ

6C3 -3 

2

Feet. Sec.-ft.

August.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.7 

2.1 

2.1

1.8 

i ft

1.8

1.9

1.8

1.8

I 1 7

1.8 

1.8

1.7

1.7

16.5

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

9.0 

23 

23

17.2

12.3 

12.3

12.3

12.3

15.6

12.3

12.3

9 0

12.3 

12.3

9 0

9 0

9.0

7.4

7.4

September.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.8 

1.8 

1.7

1.7

1.7

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

12.3 

12.3 

9.0 

9.0

9.0 

9.0

9.0

9.0

10.0

12.0

Day.

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

30.......

31.......

Mea 

R u n-o fl 

square 

Run-off, c

July. August. September.

height. Gage 

Feet.

1.6 

1.6

1.6

1.7 

1.7 

1.6

1.5

per

lepth

s

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

5.8 

5.8 

5.8 

5.8

9.0 

9.0

5.8

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.6 

1.6

1.6 

1.6 

1.6

1.7

1.7 

1.8

4.1

2.5 1.8

.16

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

5.8 

5.8

5.8 

5.8 

5.8 

7.4

9.0 

9.0 

12.3 

12.3

12.3

12.3

11 0

0 797

Q9

height. Gage 

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

MO.O 

0.724

.27

a July 22 to 31. & September 1 to 10.

SORRELS CREEK.

Sorrels Creek, a tributary to Elliott Creek about 3 miles above its 

mouth, rises in the Chatanika divide, to the west of Flat Creek, and 

flows westward along this divide for about 5 miles, then, by an abrupt 

bend to the left, it takes a southerly course for about 6 miles to
LITTLE CHENA RIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. Ill

Elliott Creek. The stream flows in a narrow irregular channel, 

rather deeply cut, in the mucklike bottom lands, and is well hidden 

from view by the masses of spruce and willow along its banks.

A gaging station was established on this stream about one-half mile 

above its mouth July 23, 1907, and regular readings were taken.

Discharge measurements of Sorrels Creek near mouth, 1907.

Date.

July 23 ......................................................

August 20. ..................................................

Width.

Feet. 

11.0

17.0

12.0

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

9.95

16.8

10.7

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.00

1.40

1.02

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

10.3

28.2

12.0

Daily gage height and discharge of Sorrels Creek near mouth, 1907. 

[Elevation, 800 feet; drainage area, 21 square miles.]

Day.

1

July. August.

Gage height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

4. .....

5.......

7.......

9

10.......

11.......

12.......

1^

14

---

15....... ......L. ...

17....... . ...J.......

18.......

19

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.1 

1.4 

1.4 

1.5 

1.35 

1.3

1.3 

1.4 

1.3 

1.3 

1.2

1.2 

1.2 

1.1 

1.1

Discharge.

aec.-fi. 

14.7 27.8' 

27.8 

32.1 

25.6 

23.4 

23.4

23.4 

27.8 

23.4 

23.4 

19.0

19.0 

19.0 

14.7

14.7 

14.7

10.3

September.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.2 

1.2 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1

1.1

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

19.0 

19.0 

14.7 

14.7 14." 

14."

14.7

14.7 14."

19.0

Day.

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24....... 

25.......

26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

30.......

31 .......

Mea 

Run-o ff 

square 

Run-off d

July.

Gage height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

1 0 10.3

1.0 10.3

1.0 

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.0 .,._

10.3 

10.3

14.7

14.7

10.3

1.0 10.3

8 2

August.

+j a

1o> bo

03

o

Feet. 

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.2

.9 6.0 1.2

per

epth

s.

«10.5

0 500

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

10.3

10.3

10.3

10.3

10.3 

12.5

14.7

14.7

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.0

...... 18. 2

0.867

.19 i.nn

September.

1

8r*

O> 

60

03

O

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

616 

.762 

.28

a. July 22-31. 6 Sept. 1-10. 

FISH CREEK ABOVE MOUTH OF FAIRBANKS CREEK.

Fish Creek rises in the high ridge at the head of Goldstream Creek 

and flows in a northeasterly direction through an irregularly formed 

valley. About 14 miles below its source it makes an abrupt bend to 

the right, flowing around the point of a rather steep divide that separates its drainage from that of the Little Chena, into which it discharges about 2 miles below this bend. Its principal tributaries are 

Solo, Bear, Fairbanks, and Miller creeks, all from the left. These 

streams are rather steep in their upper courses but rapidly lessen in 

slope as Fish Creek Valley is approached. Fish Creek has a tortuous 

course and closely follows the right side of the valley, having a rather 

broad, marshy bottom land on the left.
112 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

A gaging station was established a short distance above Fairbanks 

Creek July 22, 1907 (see Pis. IX; XI, B), and regular readings were 

taken.

Discharge measurements of Fish Creek above mouth of Fairbanks Creek, 1907.

Date.

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

9.5

10.0

14.5

12.7

9.2

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

10.4

12.2

17.5

14.0

9.95

Gage 

height

Feet. 

1.0

1.0

1.5

1.3

1.0

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

23.7 

24.3 

47.8 

37.6 

20.8

Daily gage height and discharge of Fish Creek above mouth of Fairbanks Creek, 1907. 

[Elevation, 925 feet; drainage area, 39 square miles.]

Day.

July.

Gage height.

Feet.

3

4

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

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

8

1

9 !

10.......

11.......

13

14.......

15.......

16 .......

17.......

18.......

19

<

August.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

3.2 

2.4 

1.4 

1.3

1.4 

1.55 

1.3 

1.6 

1.6

1.2 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.0 

1.0

1.0

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

155 

100 

39 

35 

37 

39 

47 

35 

50 

50 

39 

31 

27 

27 

27 

24 

24 

24 

24

September.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

1.1

"i.T 1.1

1.3

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

24 

24 

24 

24 

27 

27 

27 

27 

27 

35

2.6 a 115

Day.

21.......

22.......

23 .......

24.......

25.......

26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

30.......

Me£ 

Run-off 

square 

Run-off, c

July.

height. Gage Discharge.

Feet. Sec.-ft.

1.0

1.0 

1.1 

1.0 

.9 

.9 

.8 

.8

24 

24 

24 

24 

27 

24 

21 

21 

18 

18

tn * 22. F,

per

lepth

s .

.577

.21

August.

height. Gage 

Feet.

1.0 

1.0

1.0 1.1 1.1

1.0 

1.0

"I.~2 

1.1

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

27 

27 

24 

24 

27 

31 

27

September.

height: GageDischarge.

Feet. Sec.-ft.

------ -- 

::=

36. 8 c 9fi fi

944

1.09

...... .682

...... .25

a Not included in mean. 6Julv22 to 31.

BEAR CREEK.

cSopt. 1 to 10.

 Bear Creek rises in the high divide at the head of Goldstream Creek, 

flows eastward through a deep, narrow valley, and empties into Fish 

Creek about one-half mile above the gaging station. Measurements 

were made on this creek below the mouth of Tecumseh Creek as follows: July 20, 8.4 second-feet; August 22, 7 second-feet; drainage 

area, 12 square miles; run-off per square mile, 0.70 and 0.584 secondfoot, respectively.

FAIRBANKS CREEK.

Fairbanks Creek rises on the eastern side of Pedro Dome, opposite 

the headwaters of Cleary Creek, and flows in an easterly direction for 

about 10 miles to Fish Creek. It is separated from Bear Creek on the
LITTLE CHENA KIVHER DRAINAGE BASIN. 113

right l>y a steep, high ridge, rising from 800 to 1,000 feet above the 

stream bed. The valley to the left has a more gradual slope and is 

drained by several small tributaries Moose, Crane, Alder, Walnut, 

and Deep creeks. The stream has rather steep slopes in its upper 

course. Below Moose Creek the average fall is about 75 feet to the 

mile. The stream flows close to the dividing ridge on the east until 

it approaches the broad lowland near Fish Creek. The lower portion 

flows through a narrow, deep-cut channel, thickly lined with willow 

and spruce.

Discovery claim is located near Alder Creek. Mining operations 

are carried on from claim 9 above to claim 13 below. The pay streak 

follows closely to the stream channel down to claim 9 below, where it 

swings to the left limit. Above claim 2 below most of the work is 

by the cpen-cut method. Below this point it is underground by 

drifting. The following measurements were made in 1907, but owing 

to the unfavorable conditions they are approximate only:

Discharge measurements of Fairbanks Creek, 1907.

Date.

July 20. .........................................................................

Elevation.

Feet. 

1,300

i 9Pin

1,375

1,400

Discharge.

Scc.-ft.

2.2

.72

1.3

MILLER CREEK.

Miller Creek rises in the southeasterly slope of Coffee Dome, and 

flows in a southerly direction, emptying into Fish Creek about 2 

miles above its confluence with Little Chena River. It is about 6 

miles long and flows through a narrow valley, draining an area of 16.7 

square miles. The following discharge measurements were made in 

1907:

Discharge measurements of Miller Creek, 1907.

Date.

July 6.......

July 24 ......

Point of measurement.

Near m

.....do.

.....do.

.....do.

Above n

DUth ...........................

Ovation. D SSr Discharge.

Feet. Sq. miles. Sec.-ft.

750 15 7. 0

750 15 7. fi

750 15 8. 0

800 6 4. 9

Run-off

per

square

mile.

Sec.-ft.

0.47

51

.53

80

.80

.82

35283 IRR 218 08-
114 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-11)07. 

CHATANIKA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Chatanika River is formed by the junction of Faith and McManus 

creeks, which drain the high ridge forming the divide between the 

lower Tanana and Yukon basins. The river flows through a long and 

rather narrow valley in a southwesterly direction and is tributary to 

the Tolovana from the east, about 30 miles above the confluence of 

that stream with the Tanana. Its course lies mostly to the western 

side of the valley, which is from one-half mile to 7 miles in width. 

The valley is about 80 miles in length and heavily covered with timber 

below an altitude of 1,800 to 2,000 feet. The river has a drainage 

area of approximately 1,300 square miles above its mouth.

From the junction of Faith and McManus creeks the stream flows 

in a winding course and has a shifting, gravelly bottom. In low and 

medium stages it flows in a series of pools and rapids and has a width 

of 75 to 200 feet, and during the high-water period it often seeks 

several channels and covers a width of 100 to 400 feet. This highwater channel is usually well defined by steep, alluvial banks ranging 

from 8 to 10 feet in height.

Below Poker Creek, a tributary from the right about 40 miles 

downstream from the junction, the valley widens and the bottom 

lands become marshy and swampy. Here, from the left, the Chatanika receives the drainage from Cleary, Eldorado, Dome, Vault, and 

other less important streams from the mining district proper. Below 

these tributaries the valley narrows to a gorgelike channel which it 

follows for about 10 miles. Below this gorge the dividing ridges disappear and the stream meanders through the low, swampy grounds to 

the north of Tanana River. About 10 miles from its mouth Goldstream Creek, its largest tributary, joins it from the left.

The average elevation of the divides in the upper drainage area of 

the Chatanika is between 3,000 and 4,000 feet above sea level, and the 

altitude of the ridges bounding the valley on the east and west is 

about 2,000 feet.

The tributary streams from the right are short and precipitous, 

flowing through V-shaped valleys; those from the left have less precipitous courses and broader valleys, and gradually lose themselves in 

the rather broad expanse of swamplike bottom lands which prevail on 

that side.

The altitude and drainage area of the upper Chatanika has 

attracted the attention of "outside" capital for some time. The 

general topography has seemed suitable for a possible water supply by 

ditch line to the mining district proper, and the favorable slope of 

portions of Faith and McManus creeks has made them attractive to 

the promoter for hydraulicking.
CHATAISTIKA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 115

Several gaging stations were established in this drainage basin 

during 1907. In June A. D. Gassaway, general manager of the 

Chatanika Ditch Company, began the first records of actual stream 

flow in this section by establishing gaging weirs at the mouth of Faith 

and McManus creeks.

Through the courtesy of this company, the records are published on 

page 117 in this report.

FAITH CREEK.

Faith Creek, the right fork of Chatanika Jtiver, has its source in the 

southeasterly slope of the high ridges separating the Beaver and Birch 

Creek drainage basin from that of the Chatanika. Tt lias a rather 

narrow, irregular valley, very steep in its upper course, and drains an 

area of 51 square miles.

The following measurements were made in its upper drainage basin 

July 11, 1907.

Hope Creek near the mouth of Zephyr Creek: Discharge, 7.7 secondfeet; run-off, 0.42 second-foot per square mile.

Charity Creek about 1 mile above the mouth of Hope Creek: Discharge, 5.7 second-feet; run-off, 0.76 second-foot per square mile.

Tn the upper portion of the valley considerable glacial ice remains 

as late as the middle of July, especially in Charity Creek. Below the 

mouth of Deep Creek, a tributary from the right in the lower valley, 

there is a favorable reservoir site and with a moderate-sized dam a 

considerable amount of the flood waters could be stored.

The Chatanika Ditch Company established a gaging weir at the 

mouth of Faith Creek in 1907, and daily records were kept subsequent 

to June 21.

» seromA/fef. rj/J^rnVT* CrccX: of wetr ?;m/' 7/ 

[Klevation, 1,375 feet. Drainage area, .SI square miles.]

Day. June. July.

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

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

4. .... ..

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

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

!)........

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

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

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

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

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

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

32.0 

28.5 

2R. 4 

 24.8 

22.1 

21.6 

22.0 

20.8

20.1 

19.2 

21.0

20.5 

20.1 

21. 0

.... 20.0

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

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

21.7 

35.3

35.0 

62.5

Aug.

30.4 

41.1 

35.9 

34.7 

42.5 

40.0 

87.4 

02.7

52.4 

44.2 

30. 0

35.0 

42.8 

35.0

33.0

34.4 

30.8

30. (i

28.5

Sept. Day.

59.0 

52.5 

50.2 

66.4

i

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

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

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

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

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

2S. ..............

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

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

Mean ..... 

TUm - off per 

square mile . . . 

Itun-off, depth

J Hue.

44.7 

44.7 

42.8 

39.3

38.8 

35.3 

30.5 

34.4 

45.9 

43 6 

36.8

"40. 5 

.705 

32

July.

43.9 

38.6 

31.4 

25.5 

28.8 

26.4 

61.0 

42.0 

28.4 

30.0 

26.7 

25.0

29.2 

.572 

0(1

Aug.

27.8 

20.9 

44.2 

39.4 

49.8 

02.8 

82.0 

09.3 

62.0 

70.5 

72.5 

67.8

47.5 

.932 

1. 07 ........

Sept.

" Tunr 20 to 30. 

These diitu \verc furnished by the Chntanika Ditch Co
116 WATEK SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

MCMANUS CREEK.

McManus Creek, the left fork of Chatanika River, rises in a somewhat lower divide than Faith Creek, though Idaho and Montana 

forks reach well up toward the headwaters of Homestake and Charity 

creeks, of the Faith Creek drainage basin. The main fork and Pool 

and Smith creeks, which are tributary to McManus Creek near its 

mouth, interlock with the headwaters of Birch Creek, a tributary to 

the Yukon and with the West Fork of the Chena, a tributary to the 

Tanana. The streams in the McManus Creek basin are not so precipitous as the tributaries of Faith Creek, and the run-off per square 

mile is less. There are one or two possible reservoir sites in tnis 

basin, but they are not as favorable as those on Faith Creek. The 

drainage area above the mouth of McManus Creek is 80 square miles.

A gaging weir was established near the mouth of McManus Creek 

about June 22, 1907, by the Chatanika Ditch Company and regular 

readings were taken subsequent to that date. The following measurements were made in this drainage basin in 1907:

Discharge measurements in drainage basin of McManus Creek, 1907.

Date.

July 10. ......

Do. ......

July 12.......

Do.......

Do. ......

July 13.......

Do. ......

Do. ......

Do.......

July 14. ......

Do. ......

Do. ......

Do. ......

Do. ......

Point of measurement.

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

Creek.

Creek.

Creek.

Elevation. o

Feet. 

1,375

1,375

1,400

1,375

2,000

1,975

1,800

1,390

1,400

1,400

1, 450

1,450

Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles. 

80

80

42.8

 34

80

8

10

26

42

14

17

14

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

15.6

16.4

10.2

7.8

15.6

1.8

3.8

6.5

621.4

12.4

8.7

5.4

2.4

619.4

Run-off 

per square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

0.195

.205

.243

.229

.192

.162

.380

.250

.296

.256

.323

.172

i Taken from topographic map of Fairbanks quadrangle; approximate only. 

6 Measurement approximate.
CHATANIKA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN, 117

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of McManus Creek at weir near mouth, 1907. 

[Elevation, 1,37,5. Drainage area, 80 square miles.j

1 Day. ' June. July.

1. .............. ........ 21.6

2............... ........ 20.1

3.............. ........ 19

4............... ........ IS. 5

5. ...................... 17.8

6............... ........ 16.1

7...............!........ 17.5

9...... ......'........ 15.8

10....-.....-...-!--.-.... 15.0

11. ......... .....'. ....... 16.1

12..... .........'........ 15

U. .............. ........ 17.8

15............... ........ 18.5

13........... ........ 19

17...... .. .J.. ...... 21.6

IS... ...... J. ....... 34.7

in . .J ...... 40

i

Aug. Sept.

81.2 71.5

80. 8 62. 8

,36. 1 i 57. 8

Ki 9 c7 9

60.6 ........

98.6 1.. ......

84.3 ........

77.8 ........

49.8 ........

45 5

40.0 ........

37.2 ........

42.4 ........

39.0 ........

37.4 ........

.Hay.

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

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

22..... .

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

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

95

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

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

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

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

June.

34.8

34.8

31.2

25

24.3

31.1

26

23.2

« 28. 5

.356

.15

July.

31.6

26

21.2

17.8

21.4

19.1

38.6

29.1

23.9

21.8

16.7

21.4

.268

.31

Aug. Sept.

33. 6 .........

32. 2 .........

68. 7 .........

50. 3 .........

67. 1 .........

102 .........

92. 6 .

91 9

114 .........

94. 1 .........

66. 4 .........

. 830 .........

.96 .........

a June 20 to 30. 

NOTE. These data were furnished by the Chatanika Ditch Company.

CHATANIKA RIVER NEAR JUNCTION OF FAITH AND MCMANUS CREEKS.

A gaging station was established July 16, 1907, on the Chatanika 

about 2,000 feet below the confluence of Faith and McManus creeks, 

and readings were taken twice each da}7 by M. T. Kerrick, an employee of the Chatanika Ditch Company. The drainage area above 

this point is 132 square miles.

Discharge measurements of Chatanika River near junction of Faith and McManus creeks,

1907.

Date. Hydrographer.

....do.........--.......-.-.-.....---.........

Width.

Feet. 

47

56

57

62

Area of 

section.

sg.ft.ffi

68

72

98

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.58

1.80

1.89

2.26

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

51.9

80.5

96.5

188
118 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

[Elevation 1,350 feet; drainage area 132 square miles.]

Day.

July.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

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

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

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

',).... . - -

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

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

12.....

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

14.....

15........

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

17.....

18......... .

1.6o 

1.86

00 

90

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.80 

2.02 

1.86 

1.93 

1.95 

1.95 

2.25 

2.12 

2.05 

2.02 

1.92 

1.85 

1.85 

1.80 

1.80 

1.80 

1.80 

1.78

Dis- , charge.

Sec.-ft. 

80 

122 92 ' 

101 

100 

10(5 I 

186 

147 

128 

122 

101 

88 

88 

80 

80 

80 

80 

78

Day.

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

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

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

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

23

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

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

27. ........ ...--.

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

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

30

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

July.

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. 

1.80

1.75 

1.70 

1.62 

1.60 

1.04 

1.75 

1.85 

1.75 

1.67 

1.65 

1.60 

1.60

Run-off, per square mile. 

Kun-ofE, depth in inches.

Sec.-ft. 

80 

73 

66 

57 

54 

60 

73 

88 

73 

63 

60 

54 

54

a 67 

.508 

.29

August.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.75 

1.75 

1.75 

1.98 

1.92 

2.04 

2 22 

2^25 

2. 15 

2.13 

2.25 

2.25

 

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

73 

73 

73 

111 

101 

122 

177 

180 

154 

147 

180 

186 

186

117 

.887 

1.02

a July 17 to 31.

NOTE. For September: Maximum, 1,770 second-feet; minimum, 110 second-feet; mean, 297 socondfeot.

The following table gives the horsepower (80 per cent efficiency) 

per foot of fall that may be developed at different rates of discharge, 

and shows the number of days on which the discharge and the corresponding horsepower were respectively less than the amounts given 

in the columns for "discharge" and "horsepower."

Discharge and horsepower table for Chatanika River near junction of Faith and Me Manns

creeks, 1907.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

33

44

66

77

88

Horsepower (80 per 

cent efficiency) per

foot fall.

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

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

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

6.. ................. -

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

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

Days of deficient discharge, June

16 to August

31.

13

19

30

40

48

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

99

110

125

143

165

220

Horsepower (80 per 

cent efficiency) per

foot fall.

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

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

11.3.................

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

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

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

Days of deficient discharge, June

16 to August

31.

56

02

03

07

72

NOTE. The discharge from June 16 to 25 is estimated from float measurements: from June 2.r, to July 

17 from discharge over weirs at the mouth of Faith and McManus creeks.

BOSTON CREEK.

Boston Creek rises in the high ridge to the north of the Chatanika, 

to which it is tributary, about 24 miles below Faith Creek. It is 

about 5 miles long and has a total fall of about 2,000 feet. The following measurement was made on this creek August 15, 1907, at an 

elevation of about 800 feet: Discharge, 3.9 second-feet; drainage area, 

().f> square miles; run-off, 0.60 second-foot per square mile.
CHATANIKA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 119 

MCKAY CREEK.

McKay Creek is the first stream to the west of Boston Creek, rises 

in the same divide, and empties into the Chatanika about 1 mile 

farther downstream. It is about 4 miles long and flows through a 

narrow, V-shaped valley. It has a drainage area of 6.7 square miles. 

The following measurement was made on this stream August 15, 1907, 

at an elevation of about 800 feet: Discharge, 3.7 second-feet; drainage area, 6.2 square miles; run-off, 0.602 second-foot per square mile.

BELLE CREEK.

Belle Creek rises in the high divide at the head of Ophir and Poker 

creeks and flows in a southeasterly direction to the Chatanika. The 

stream is about 6 miles long and flows through a deep, narrow valley. 

It drains an area of 11.9 square miles. A measurement was made on 

this stream August 15, 1907, at an elevation of about 800 feet, as 

follows: Discharge, 10 second-feet; drainage area, 11 square miles; 

run-off, 0.91 second-foot per square mile.

CROOKED CREEK.

Crooked Creek rises in the divide at the head of Poker Creek and 

flows in a southeasterly direction nearly parallel to Belle Creek. It 

drains an area of 7.2 square miles. A measurement was made near 

its mouth August 15, 1907, as follows: Discharge, 6.3 second-feet; 

drainage area, 7.2 square miles; run-off, 0.875 second-foot per square 

m ile.

KOKOMO CREEK.

Kokomo Creek, a tributary to Chatanika River from the left about 

28 miles below Faith Creek, rises in the high ridge at the head of Miller 

and Elliot creeks and flows in a northwesterly direction, draining an 

area of 33 square miles above its mouth. Daily readings were taken 

from a reference point in a large stump on the river bank about 1 mile 

above the mouth of the stream.

Discharge measurements of Kokomo V-reek. near mouth, 1907.

Date. heights Discharge.

July 9..... 

August 14.

Feet. Sec.-ft.

-3. 00 13.9

-2. 70 22. 7

a Measured down from nail in stump.
120 WATEB SUPPLY IN. ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Daily gage height and discharge of Kokomo Creek near mouth, 1907. 

[Elevation, 750 feet; drainage, area 26 square miles.]

July. August. July. August.

Day.

2

4- ----.----- ---

S:::::::::::::::

a:::::::::::::::

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

13

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

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

Gage height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

i

-3.0 

3.1 

2.6 

2.8 

2.8 

2.9 

2.9 

2.9 

3.0 

2.8

13.9 

10.9 

25.8 

19.8 

19.8 

16.8 

16.8 

16.8 

13.9 

19.8

Gage height.

Feet. -f-0.9 

-1.2 

2.0 

2.2 

2.4 

2.4

2.3 

2.4 

2.0 

2.2 

2.4 

2.5 

2.6 

2.7

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

112 

68 

43.8 

37.9 

31.8 

31.8

34.8 

31.8 

43.8

31.8 

28.9 

25.8 

22.7

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mean

Gage height.

Feet. 

3.0 

3.0 

3.0 

3.1 

3.2 

3.0 

3.1 

3.0 

3.0 

3.0 

3.1 

3.2 

3.2

Run-off per square mile . . 

Run-off, depth in inches..

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

13.9 

13.9 

13.9 

10.9 

7.9 

13.9 

10.9 

13.9 

13.9 

13.9 

10.9 

7.9 

7.9

a 14 2

.546 

.47

Gage height.

Feet.

........

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

. ........

::::::::

........

641.6 

1.60 

.83

a July 9 to 31. & August 1 to 14.

POKER CREEK.

Poker Creek, with its tributary, Caribou Creek, rises in the high, 

barren ridges about Poker Dome and opposite the headwaters of 

Ophir, Trail, and Washington creeks. It drains an oval-shaped area 

of 40.5 square miles, well covered with timber, and has steep precipitous slopes in its upper course.

The Tariana Electric Company is constructing a ditch line along the 

left bank of Poker Creek, following approximately the 800-foot contour. This ditch line will divert water from Poker, Little Poker, and 

Caribou creeks to a point on the Chatanika where about 80 feet head 

can be obtained. It is proposed to install a power plant at this point, 

to be run by water when available, and by steam at other times.

Discharge measurements in Poker Creek drainage basin, 1907.

Date.

July 27.......

July 30. ......

Do.......

Do. ......

Do.......

Point of measurement.

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

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

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

Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles.

40

40

40

Gage 

height.

 Feet. 

1.09

1.10

1.32

1.33

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

22.3

22.6

36.6

37.8

10.4

3.9

Run-off 

per square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

0.558

.565

.915

.944
CHATANIKA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

CHATANIKA RIVER BELOW MOUTH OF POKER CREEK.

121

A gaging station was established on Chatanika River below Poker 

Creek June 23, 1907. A post gage driven firmly in the ground near 

the log chute of the Cleary Creek Lumber Company's mill was read 

twice each day by J. Fitzsimmons.

Discharge measurements of Chatanika Hirer below mouth of Poker Creek, 1907.

Date.

July 4. .........................................

August 9 .......................................

Width.

Feet. 

............. 88. 5

............. 86. 8

............. 98

Area of 

section.

Sq. ft. 

213

192

302

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.08

.83

1 98

Discharge.

Kec.-ft.

178

669

Daily gage height and discharge of Chatanika River below month of Poker Creek, 1907. 

[Elevation 700 feet; drainage area 456 square miles.]

Bay.

1

J une.

4^ 

%

3 

A

1

O 

Feet.

')

 i,.. ........................... ......

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

8.... .............. .. .].. ... ....

9... ....... . '.

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

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

14

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

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

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

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

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

22

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

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

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

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

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

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

29

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

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

Second-feet per square mile . .

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.05 

1.00 

.90 

.9 

1.0 

1.1 

1.0

250 

250 

250 

250 

232 

216 

192 

192 

216 

250 

216

'-» 228 

.500 

.20

July.

Gage height.

Feet. 

0.9 

.9 

.9

.8 

.8

.8 

.95 

.85 

.80 

.90 

.90

.9 

1.0 

1.05 

1.10 

1.1 

1.2 

1.15 

1.1 

1.1 

.95 

.9 

.9 

1.05 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.0 

.9

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

192 

192 

192 

167 

167 

167 

167 

204 

180 

167 

192 

192 

204 

192 

216 

232 

250 

250 

283 

266 

250 

250 

204 

192 

192 

232 

25C 

250 

250 

216 

192

211 

.463 

.53

August.

Gage height. Discharge.

Feet. 

2.1 

2.6 

2.0 

1.75 

1.75 

1.65 

1.5 

1.75 

1.9 

1.85 

1.6 

1.5 

1.35 

1.4 

1.25 

1.2 

1.1 

1.1 

1.0 

1.1 

1.1 

1.0 

1.15 

1.20 

1.35 

1.55 

1.3 

1.4 

1.55 

1.7 

1.6

Sec.-ft. 

752 

1,160 

680 

530 

530 

480 

405 

530 

620 

590 

455 

405 

342 

363 

300 

283 

250 

250 

216 

250 

250 

216 

266 

283 

342 

430 

321 

363 

430 

505 

455

428 

.939 

1.08

September.

Gage height.

Feet. 

1.45 

1.4 

1.3 

1.3 

1.25 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.45 

1.3 

1.35 

3.6 

4.45 

3.25 

2.85 

4.0 

4.3 

2.35 

2.5 

2.3 

2.35 

2.3 

2.25 

2.15 

2.0 

2.0 

2.0 

2.0 

2.15 

2.35

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

384 

363 

321 

321 

300 

321 

321 

321 

384 

321 

342 

o 2, 160 

a 3, 160 

a 1, 780 

« 1,390 

o2,620 

a 2, 980 

942 

1 060 

901 

942 

901 

860 

788 

680 

680 

680 

680 

788 

942

954 

2.09 

2.33

October.

Gage height.

Feet. 

2.25 

2.0 

1.85 

1 75 

1.70 

1.65 

1.6 

1.45 

1.25 

1.05 

1.45 

1.85 

1.80 

1.75

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

860 

680 

590 

530 

505 

480 

455 

384 

300 

232 

384 

590 

560 

530

c506 

1.11 

.68

a Estimated by extending rating curve. b June 20 to 30. 

NOTE. The river was frozen over after October 14.

October 1 to 14.
122 WATER SUPPLY TN ALASKA,, 1906-1907.

CLEARY CREEK.

Cleary Creek heads to the north of Pedro Dome in a rather low 

saddle which separates its waters from those of Little Eldorado Creek 

and which has an elevation of about 1,800 feet. It flows in a northerly direction for about 3 miles, then, by a gradual curve to the left, 

takes a northwesterly course to Chatanika River, to which it is tributary from the left about 2 miles below Poker Creek.

The creek has an average slope of about 90 feet to the mile through 

the mining section. It is considered the best producer in the camp. 

(See PL X.) The pay streak follows the creek channel closely about 

to claim 15 below. At that point it swings to the left bank, which it 

follows to the Chatanika Flats. (See PL XI, A.)

Cleary Creek has a drainage area of 10.5 square miles above its 

mouth. A measurement made July 4 near Cleary gave a discharge 

of 2.9 second-feet.

LITTLE ELDORADO CREEK.

Little Eldorado Creek rises on the western slope of Pedro Dome and 

drains a rather narrow valley between Dome and Vault creeks. It 

has a steep slope in its upper portion. The average fall of the creek 

through the mining section is 115 feet per mile. It is about 5 miles 

long and drains an area of 13.7 square miles. The creek flows in a 

narrow, rather deep-cut channel, well lined with willows.

The pay streak is on the right bank and is located from claim 7 

above to claim 4 below. Bed rock ranges from 90 to 122 feet below 

the surface, with 10 to 80 feet of gravel. The following measurement 

was made June 26, 1907: Discharge, 0.45 second-foot, elevation, 930 

feet; drainage area, 4 square miles; run-off, 0.112 second-foot per 

square mile.

DOME CREEK.

H

Dome Creek rises in the Chatanika divide, opposite Steamboat and 

Flume creeks, and flows northward into Chatanika River. It is 

about 5 miles long and drains an area of 13.9 square miles. The 

creek has an average grade through the mining section of about 70 

feet to the mile and good values are found in its upper and lower 

courses. Discovery claim is located on the right bank near the town 

of Dome. The creek is being worked on several claims from 7 above 

to 20 below. The pay streak is on the right bank for practically its 

entire length. Bed rock ranges from 40 feet below the surface in the 

upper portion to more than 200 feet below in the Chatanika Flats, 

near the mouth. Very little water flows in the main channel during 

the low-water period, a largo part of the flow being diverted by mimer-
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 218 PL. X

MINING OPERATIONS ON CLEARY CREEK.
GOLDSTREAM CREEK DRAINAGE BASTN. 128

ous small ditches. A measurement, made June 27, 1907, in a ditch 

near claim 2 below, gave an approximate discharge of 0.84 secondfoot,

GOLDSTREAM CREEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Goldstream Creek flows through a long, narrow valley between the 

drainage basin of Chatanika River on the right and the Little Chena 

and Tanana basins on the left. It has a southwesterly direction, 

paralleling Chatanika. River, and drains the central portion of the Fairbanks mining district. The stream flows in a winding course over a 

sandy, shifting bed. The channel is deeply cut in the alluvial soil that 

forms the bottom lands. Its length is about 70 miles and it drains an 

area of 500 square miles. About 40 miles below its source the stream 

leaves the dividing ridges and for the remainder of its course flows in a 

zigzag channel across the soft, mucky flats northwest of Tanana 

River, emptying into the Chatanika from the east.

On either side of the stream is a narrow lowland having a gradual 

slope toward the dividing ridges. This is covered with the conventional moss, and in the lower portion of the vallej^, where it widens, 

has numerous lakes and swamps. The bottom land has been well 

covered with timber, but this has disappeared ! 3 make way for 

railroad and mining enterprises, which make the upper portion of the 

valley a scene of activity. The dividing ridges on either side are 

well timbered with spruce and birch and rise about 1,000 feet above 

the stream bed. About 12 miles below the source, the southern 

ridge has a low saddle over which the Tanana Mines Railroad from 

Fairbanks enters the mining district.

The upper portion of the valley is drained by Pedro and Gilmore 

creeks, which join to form Goldstream Creek near Gilmore, about 

12 miles north of Fairbanks.

Pedro Creek, the right fork of Goldstream Creek, is about 6 miles 

long and has a fall of 100 to 200 feet to the mile in its upper course. 

About 3 miles from its source Twin Creek, a tributary from the 

right, enters. Here, in 1902, gold was first found in the Fairbanks 

district, by Felix Pedro. Below this point the creek has a grade of 

about 80 feet to the mile, which gradually grows less as it approaches 

Goldstream Creek. Along Pedro Creek the pay streak follows the 

stream channel closely and bed rock is from 10 to 30 feet below the 

surface.

On Goldstream Creek the pay streak is along the right bank 

about to claim 10 below and then swings to the left bank, which it follows about to claim 22 below. Farther than this, it has not been
WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

definitely located. The depth to bed rock ranges from 20 to 60 

feet.

Gilmore Creek, the left fork of Goldstream Creek, has shown small 

values and very little work is in progress. The creek has a fairly 

good grade and drains an area of 11.8 square miles.

There are numerous small tributaries to Goldstream Creek from 

either side. Those from the right are Fox, Gold Run, Big Eldorado, 

O'Connor, and Cache creeks. Those from the left are Engineer, 

Butter, Spear, Nugget, Straight, and Alien creeks. Prospecting 

and more or less mining is done on nearly all these creeks. They 

average from 4 to 12 miles in length and drain small areas.

On the upper portion of Goldstream Creek and along Pedro Creek 

several small ditches have been built to divert the water for sluicing. 

The largest one is that owned by the Goldstream Ditch Company. 

The cost of construction was about $6,500. It is about 2 miles in 

length and has a fall of about 7 feet to the mile. It diverts water 

from claim 6 below, along the left bank of Goldstream Creek, supplying several mines at the rate of $2 per hour per sluice head, which 

ranges from 60 to 80 inches of water. A measurement made June 

28, 1907, in the lower end of a flume near the intake to this ditgave a discharge of 10.8 second-feet.

GOLDSTREAM CREEK AT CLAIM 6 BELOW.

On account of the unfavorable condition of the cnannel of Goldstream Creek and the numerous small ditches that divert the flow, 

it was impossible to secure a good location for a gaging station. 

However, a gage was established near the lower line of claim 6 below, 

a short distance above the intake to the Goldstream ditch, June 20, 

1907, and a reading was taken twice each day by John L. Meder. 

The water diverted by a small ditch a short distance above the gaging 

station is not considered in the table of estimates. Several measurements made in this ditch gave an average discharge of 1.5 second-feet.

Discharge measurements of Goldstream Creek at claim 6 below, 1907.

Date.

June 21 ......................................................

June 28. .....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

11.3

12.4

Area of 

section.

Sqfl.

0 1

10.3

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.00

1.31

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

10.8

21.1
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. LOWER CLEARY CREEK.

1?. GAGING STATION ON FISH CREEK.
BEAVER CREEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 125

Daily yayc height and discharge of Goldstream Creek at flaiiu 6 below, 1907. 

[Elevation, 870 feet; drainage area, 28.6 square miles. ]

Day.

June.

Gage height.

Feet.

9

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

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

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

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

9

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

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

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

1 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

20............................. 1.0

22............................. 95

23............................. .8

25 .9

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

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

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

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

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

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

1.05 

.85 

1.3

1.55

1.45

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

July.

height. Gage 

Feet. 

1.3 

1.05 

1.0 

.95 

.8 

.75 

1.15 

1.05

........ 1.0

........ .85

........ 1.6

........ 1. 55

1.5

9.3

4.9

7.8

1.05

95

.9

.95

12. 3 . 95 

6. 4 . 85 

20. 7 . 85

26. 3 .8

o!3. 4 ......

.469

.192

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

20.7 

12.3 

10.8 

9.3 

4.9 

3.6 

15.4

ins

6.4

30.2

13.8

18 9

in e

9 3

7 8

August.

height. Gage

Discharge.

Feet. 

1.55 

1.6 

1.3 

1.15 

1.1 

1.15 

1.4 

1.45

1 35

Sec.-ft. 

30.2 

32.2 

20.7 

15.4 

13.8 

15.4 

24.4

99 5

1.6 32.2

1. 15 15. 4

11 1 ^ S

1.0 10 8

1.25

1.3

1.3

18 9

20.7

90 7

12 3 1 3 ' 90 7

9.3

9.3 

6.4 

6.4

4 9

1. 35 22. 5 

1. 3 20. 7 

1.35 22.5

1 . 45 2fi 3

2. 2 1. 5

13.1 ......

458

28.2

28.2

20.

.699

.53 ...... .81

September.

t "3

Sb

OS

O

Feet. 

1.25 

1.20 

1.20 

1.25 

1.30 

1.2 

1.2 

1.15 ._. .

oi bO

cS |

5

Sec.-ft. F 

18.9 

17.1 

17.1 

18.9 , 20.7 

17.1 

17.1 

15.4

1.15 15.4

1.35 22.5

1.7 36.6

1.5 28. 2

1.8 41.

1 55 30.9

1.45

1.3

1 6

26. 3

20. 7

32.2

1. 55 30. 2

1.45

1.4

1.4 

1.3

1 25

24. 4

24. 4 

20. 7

18.9

1.35 22.5

1.4 24.4

October.

± 

SP Sb

o i-T

eet. Sec.-ft. 

L. 3 20. " 

1. 3 20. 7 

1.4 24.4 

1.3 20.7 

1.3 20." 

1.3 20." 

1.2 17.1

....... 24.

...... .839 ..

.94 ..

... 620.7

.724

.19

iJune 20 to 30. 6 October 1 to 7.

NOTE. These discharges do not include the amount diverted at claim 3 below by a small ditch, carrying from 1 to 1.5 second-feet. The creek was frozen after October 7.

FOX CREEK.

Fox Creek rises in the Chatanika divide opposite Vault Creek. It 

is about 3i miles long and flows southward, through a V-shaped valley, into Goldstream Creek. The following measurement was made 

July 6, 1907: Discharge, 2.0 second-feet; elevation, 900 feet.

BEAVER CREEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A high limestone ridge the White Mountains 50 miles to the 

north of Fairbanks, is perhaps the highest portion of the divide 

between the Yukon and Tanana drainage basins. Beaver Creek,
126 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA,, 1906-1907.

which drains the largest part of this particular portion of the divide, 

has its source far back in the deep canyons of the southern slope. 

There are two branches of Beaver Creek in its upper drainage basin 

that join at about latitude 65° 25' north, and longitude 147° west. 

These two branches drain the highest portion of the mountains. The 

southern branch rises in a high ridge opposite the tributaries of 

Preacher Creek. It has a steep and tortuous course, flowing over a 

rocky bed and through a deep valley. The northern or main branch 

of Beaver Creek drains to the south the central portion of the mountain ridge. The gorgelike valley of the upper portion of this branch 

runs in an east-west direction and forms with the main valley a letter 

T. The course of the northern branch is tortuous and the bed is 

rough and gravelly. In the valley at the junction of these two 

branches some timber is found, and there are also small patches of 

meadow land. From the junction the main stream takes a westerly 

course for about 25 miles, then makes an abrupt bend to the right and 

flows in a northeasterly direction, draining the northern slope of the 

White Mountains. Its course above the "big bend" is through a 

rather broad, parklike valley, over a wide gravelly bed, in a series of 

riffles and pools. This portion of the stream, with its tributaries, 

drains the southern slope of the White Mountains. In many places 

the stream has several channels, forming numerous islands which are 

usually covered with a heavy growth of timber.

Bear and Bryan creeks are the important tributaries from the right. 

High, barren limestone ridges separate these creeks and form deep, 

narrow, gorgelike valleys, through which the streams flow over precipitous, narrow beds.

There is but little timber on the slopes of the mountains except in 

the lower course of the stream, and here the average size is smaller 

than that of the timber in the Chatanika and Little Chena basins.

The southern tributaries of Beaver Creek above the big bend are 

Nome, Ophir, Trail, and W^ickersham creeks, whose upper portions 

drain the dividing ridge to the north of Chatanika River. These 

streams have more gradual slopes than the northern tributaries, and 

flow through rather narrow channels cut deep into the soft, alluvial 

soil of which their bottom lands consist. The ridges separating these 

creeks are at a much lower elevation than those on the northern slope. 

They are covered with timber and the many small streams which 

drain their slopes are fed by numerous springs. The general direction of these streams, with the exception of Nome Creek, is to the 

northwest a course almost opposite to that of the main creek which 

receives their black, tranquil waters.

The upper portion of the Beaver Creek drainage basin is oval in 

shape and rises to an elevation of 1,800 to 4,000 feet. A portion of
BEAVER CREEK DRAINAGE BASIJST. 127

the easterly divide has an altitude of 5,000 feet. About 8 miles below 

the "big bend" Fossil Creek enters Beaver Creek from the right 

through a deep, narrow canyon. It drains a long, narrow valley of 

rather high elevation, and rises on the northern slope of Cache Mountain, which has an elevation of over 4,000 feet and separates the Fossil 

Creek drainage basin from that of Bryan Creek. Fossil Creek flows in 

a northerly direction for 5 or 6 miles, makes a long, easy curve to the 

left, flows around the northern foothills, and finally takes a southwesterly course close to the high limestone ridge that separates it from 

Beaver Creek.

In the upper portion of the Fossil Creek basin, on the right-hand 

side, there is a marked case of stream piracy. A small stream reaches 

into the right-hand part of the basin and takes a portion of the drainage through a gorge of high elevation into Beaver Creek, about 12 

miles below the mouth of Fossil Creek

Victoria Creek, a tributary from the left about 20 miles below 

Fossil Creek, has its source nearly opposite Cache Mountain and is 

separated from Beaver Creek, which it parallels for about 50 miles, 

by a limestone ridge ranging from 1,000 to nearly 3,000 feet above 

the bed of the stream.

Some distance below the mouth of Victoria Creek, Beaver Creek 

changes its course to the left and flows in a northwesterly direction 

through a less mountainous country to the Yukon.

Beaver Creek has every indication of furnishing a good water supply. Its high drainage basin makes its waters desirable for either 

hydraulicking or power development. Although the present location of the mining camps is at a prohibitive distance for ditch lines, 

future developments may make valuable any information concerning the daily flow and run-off in this drainage basin.

MEASUREMENTS.

The following miscellaneous measurements were made in Beaver 

Creek drainage basin:

Date.

Do ......

August 30.... 

Do........

Do. ......

SI ream.

Beaver Creek above East Branch.... 

East Branch Beaver Creek above

Nome Creek near mouth ..............

Approximate 

elevation.

Feel. 

1, 700

1,500

1,300

1,800

1,800 

1,800

1,700

Drainage 

area.

Sq. mi U.K. 

27

48

122 

07

120

Run-off per 

square 

mile.

Scc.-ft. 

1.48 

1.00

1.85

1.12
128 WATEE SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

COMPARATIVE RUN-OFF OF DIFFERENT AREAS.

In order to afford a comparison of the run-off of different drainage 

areas in 1907, the following tables have been prepared, showing the 

minimum daily flow, the monthly means in second-feet per square 

mile, and the mean weekly flow of the drainage areas investigated. 

These tables can be used in estimating the run-off of other streams 

in this section having similar areas. Considerable care should be used 

in making such estimates, on account of local conditions affecting 

the run-off.

Minimum daily flow of streams in Fairbanks district, 1907.

Point of measurement.

Little Chena River above 

Elliott Creek. 

Elliott Creek above SorSorrels Creek above

Fish. Creek above Fairbanks Creek. 

Faith. Creek at mouth . . . McManus Creek at mouth. 

Chatanika River below 

Faith Creek. 

KOkomo Creek near 

mouth. 

Chatanika River below 

Poker Creek.

Elevation.

Feet. 

800

800

800 

925

1,400 

1,400 

1,350

750 

700

Date.

July 22-25,29-31... 

July 31... ........

.:.do .............

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

July 10-12........

July 31...........

July 23,30-31...... 

Julv4-7,10........

Minimum 

flow.

Sec.-ff. 

42

2.5

18 

19.2

15 

54

7.9 

167

Drainage 

area.

Sfi. miles. 

79

13.8

21 

39

51 

80 

132

26 

456

Minimum 

run-off 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

0.53

.18

.28 

.46

.38 

.19 

.41

.30 

.36

Duration of 

record.

From 

July 22

...do.... 

...do....

...do....

June 20 

...do.... 

July 17

July 9 

June 20

To 

Sept. 10

Do.

Do. 

Do.

Sept. 4 

Do. 

Sept. 30

Aug. 14 

Oct. 14

Mean run-off in second-feet per square mile at gaging stations in Fairbanks district, 1907.

Stream.

Chatanika River below

Chatanika River below

Elevation.

Feet. 

800

800

925

1,400

1,400

1,350

700 fi^n

U,U

Drainage area.

Sq. miles. 

79

13.8

21

39

51

80

132

456

28.6

June 

20-30.

6.80

.36

.50

.47

July 

1-31.

6.57

.27

.46 

.46

July 

22-31.

0.62

.43

.50

Aug. 

1-31.

1.08

.80

.87

94

.93

.83

.89

.94 

.70

Sept. 

1-31.

2.18

2.09 

.84

Sept. 

1-10.

1.09

.72

.76

.68

Oct.

61.11

c.72

b October 1-10. c October 1-7.
WATER SUPPLY IN THE FAIRBANKS DISTRICT. 129

Mean weekly water supply, in second-feet, from Little Chena and Chatanika River basins,

1907.

Pate.

June 24-30......................

July 1-7........................

July 8-14.......................

September 23-29. ...............

Available 

for use 

by diversion at 

elevation 

1,350 feet.

Chatanika 

River 

near 

Faith 

Creek.

86 

64 

44 

36 

64 

70 

80 

128 

82 

104 

169 

120 

513 

376 

216

143 

513 

36

Available 

for use 

by 

pumping 

at elevation 700 

feet.

Chatanika 

River 

below 

mouth of 

Poker 

Creek.

Available for use by diversion at elevation 800 

to 925 feet.

Little 

Chena 

River 

above 

Elliott 

Creek.

216 

178 

190 

250 

224 

540 

516 

313 

260 

413 

324 

1,360 

1,480 

737 

655 

415

Elliott

Creek 

above

Creek.

Creek 

above 

mouth.

Fish Total 

Creek in Little 

above Chena 

Fair- drainage 

banks. ' basin.

i

52 

80 

110 

73 

56 

90 

82

7 

12 

12 

10 

6 

11 

9

504 78 

1,480 110 

190 52

10 

12 

6

12 24 95 

18 55 16."> 

24 42 ; ]88 

16 26 ; 125 

10 24 i 96 

18 26 , 145 

15 26 132

16 

24 

10

32 > 136

55 ! 188 

24 | 9o

1

DEVELOPMENT OF WATER SUPPLY IN THE FAIRBANKS DISTRICT. 

GENERAL CONDITIONS.

Since the discovery of gold on Pedro Creek in the Fairbanks district in 1902, considerable attention has been given to this section of 

Alaska, and, with nearly a $9,000,000 output in 1906, renewed interest 

has centered irr this region.

The camp lies at the southern edge of the plateau country, almost 

where it breaks to the alluvial plain. At the present time a large part 

of the area may be spoken of as in a prospective stage of development. Little attention has been given to the development of water 

supply for mining purposes. The work has been carried on either by 

"open cuts" or by "drifting," as best suits the local conditions. The 

upper portions of the creeks usually favor the "open cut" method, 

as the bed rock ranges only from 8 to 20 feet below the surface. In 

the lower reaches, where the pay streak is from 50 to 250 feet underground, with 25 to 200 feet of overburden, "drifting" seems the only 

solution. The work being underground, where protection from severe 

weather is assured, this portion of the camp is active in winter as well 

as in summer. The pay gravel is hoisted to the surface and dumped 

35283 IRR 218 08 9
130 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906~1907.

in large piles, where it awaits the spring break-up for sluicing, when 

high water follows the melting of the accumulated snow. (See PI. X, 

p. 122.)

The future development of this region, as of other mining districts 

in Alaska, depends largely on the economical development of its water 

resources. During July and part of August, 1907, the miners were 

obliged to resort to various schemes to secure sufficient w^ater for 

sluicing. In some instances the water was returned for the second 

and third time to the sluice box by means of the steam pump, entailing extra expense both in fuel and equipment, and on a number of 

the creeks only about half of the mines were in operation.

DITCH LINES.

In general the relation of the mining camp to the surrounding 

country is hot favorable for obtaining an outside water supply by 

gravity. The topography of the country is such that ditch lines 

from the larger drainage areas are not altogether practical. The 

camp lies in three drainage basins or valleys, separated by high 

dividing ridges, and, in order to supply the producing creeks in one 

valley with water by ditch line from another, the ditch must have a 

high elevation, which throws its source so far into the headwaters 

that there is only a small drainage area from which to draw the supply and consequently but little water.

On account of its elevation, the upper Chatanika drainage basin 

has received more attention concerning the water supply by ditch 

line to the mining camps than any other drainage area within a reasonable distance of the Fairbanks district. The supply from this 

stream, however, would have to be conveyed for over 100 miles 

through a ditch line, difficult to construct and maintain, and on 

account of its low head only a small number of producing creeks 

would be benefited.

Numerous surveys and reports have been made favoring the construction of ditch lines from this drainage basin. The first plan proposed a ditch along the left bank of the Chatanika that would deliver 

water to Pedro Dome at an elevation of about 1,800 feet, which 

would be necessary in order to supply water to Goldstream and Fairbanks creeks on the other side of the divide. The intake of such a 

ditch would have an elevation of about 2,000 feet, or 600 feet higher 

than the mouth of Faith and McManus creeks, where records of 

stream flow were kept during the season of 1907. The drainage area 

above this intake would be about 100 square miles, or about 25 per 

cent less than at the point where measurements were made.

During 1907 surveys were made for a proposed ditch, with an 

intake at the junction of Faith and McManus creeks. This ditch
WATER SUPPLY IN THE FAIRBANKS DISTRICT. 131

would deliver water to the camps at an elevation of about 1,200 feet 

much too low to supply water outside of the Chatanika drainage 

basin. The table on page 129 shows the weekly supply that would 

have been available for such a ditch, and the table on page 132 shows 

the number of days of deficient flow without storage and the amount 

of storage necessary to have maintained in the ditch a flow of 75, 100, 

or 125 second-feet.

WATER-POWER DEVELOPMENT.

Water-power development for electric transmission in the Fairbanks 

district seems worthy of consideration. The table on page 118 shows 

the horsepower (80 per cent efficiency) that could have been developed in 1907 from the water supply of the Chatanika at the junction 

of Faith and McManus creeks. This table shows also the duration 

in days for different rates of flow. The table on page 132 shows the 

storage that would have been necessary for the maintenance of a 

daily flow of 100 second-feet, which would furnish 9.1 horsepower 

per foot of fall.

By constructing a ditch for 12 or 15 miles along the Chatanika, 

which would divert water from a point near the junction of Faith and 

McManus creeks, a head of about 400 feet could be obtained. A daily 

flow of 100 second-feet under a 400-foot head would develop 3,640 

horsepower on the turbines. This could easily be transmitted to the 

mining camps, where, by the use of pumps, water from the Chatanika 

could be furnished to the producing creeks along this river. This 

would require less than 50 miles of distributing ditch.

A similar enterprise, mentioned in the description of the Little 

Chena drainage basin (p. 107), would develop sufficient power for 

pumping water to Fairbanks Creek.

This method of utilizing the water supply would dispense with 

many miles of ditch construction and would not only supply the camp 

with water, but also with power for running the hoist, elevating the 

tailings, pumping water from mines, lighting the underground work, 

and, in some localities, running the dredger.

STORAGE.

In this country, where for six months in the year the ground is 

frozen from surface to bed rock 10, 20, 30, and in many places more 

than 200 feet below and the streams are closed by ice, it is perhaps 

more practical to use the daily flow of a stream during the open season 

than to attempt to conserve any excessive run-off; but continuous 

records may develop the fact that storage reservoirs are necessary 

from a commercial standpoint, notwithstanding the obvious difficulties connected with their construction and maintenance.
132 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Computations have been made of the amounts of storage that 

would have been necessary to maintain discharges of 75, 100, and 125 

second-feet in a ditch diverting water from Chatanika River near 

Faith Creek. These are given in the following table, together with 

the number of days of deficient flow for the different capacities:

Storage table for Chatanika River near Faith Creek, 1907.

Capacity 

of ditch.

Sec.-ft.

75

100

Days of 

deficient 

flow.

40

56

125 63

Net storage required.

Sec.-ft. for

1 day.

795

2,100

3,100

Acrc-fl.

1,570

4,158

6,138

This table covers the period from June 16 to September 1. During 

this time there were days when the discharge of the streams exceeded 

the capacity of the proposed ditches. This excess would have been 

stored in the reservoirs. The periods of deficient flow for the different ditches occurred as follows: For a capacity of 75 second-feet, 

from June 20 to July 17 and from August 11 to 12; for a capacity of 

100 second-feet, June 18 to August 1 and August 12 to 21; for a 

capacity of 125 second-feet, from June 15 to August 6 and August 

9 to 24.

It would have been necessary to conserve the entire amount of 

flow for the larger ditch previous to June 15 and 90 per cent of the 

storage for the 100-second-feet ditch previous to June 15. After 

July 30 the daily discharge of the streams would have taken care of 

the smaller ditch.

For the satisfactory development of water supply for either ditch 

lines or power purposes it is necessary to have a thorough knowledge 

of the flow of the streams from which the projects are to receive their 

supply and an understanding of the conditions affecting that flow. 

The success of any such project is measured largely by the information which enables the engineer to design his work in accordance 

with the maximum efficiency of the available water supply, and this 

can be determined with greater accuracy by the aid of long-continued 

records.

In some of the older mining camps of Alaska the results of failure 

to investigate the water supply and the necessity for its use before 

constructing a ditch line can be seen in the almost dry ditch bottoms 

at times of greatest demand for water and the lack of productive 

ground on which to use the supply when it is obtainable.

If the work set forth in the foregoing pages aids in developing the 

water supply in the Fairbanks district and points out to the prospector 

and engineer the value of first investigating the water supply and its 

use before building a ditch, this report, in a measure, will have served 

its purpose.
METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS.

By FRED F. HENSHAW and ('. 0. COVERT. 

INTRODUCTION.

The United States is divided by the Appalachian and Rocky 

Mountain systems into three distinct geographic provinces. Rainfall records show that the precipitation is greatest on the slopes 

toward the coast lines, and also that it is heaviest on the higher 

slope. Brooks a shows that similar geographic divisions are present 

in Alaska, except that the general direction is east and west, instead 

of north and south as in- the States, the highest range lying to the 

south.

Abbe b in his report on climatic conditions in Alaska show's clearly 

that the heaviest precipitation occurs on the southern coastal slope. 

Abbe's tables also show a marked difference between the rainfall of 

the coast and that of the interior. The southern portion of Alaska 

is characterized by its dense forests, steeply graded but small drainage areas, and heavy precipitation. In contrast to these conditions 

the interior has larger drainage basins, more numerous flat and broad 

areas, less timber, and less precipitation. In SewT ard Peninsula the 

country is characterized by barren conditions, gradual slope to one 

minor mountain range, and a comparatively medium rainfall, with 

considerable local variation.

One of the important facts brought out by the stream-gaging work 

in Alaska during the last two years is the direct relation existing 

between rainfall and run-off during the open season. This is graphically illustrated by figs. 1 and 2 in this report.

It will be seen from a study of the foregoing pages that the maximum discharge of streams usually occurs in May and June, that the 

minimum flow comes in July and the early part of August, and that 

during the latter part of August and September the discharge fluctuates, but in the aggregate increases up to the freeze-up, which occurs 

in October. A study of the available rainfall records shows that this 

distribution of flow is the direct result of climatic conditions. The 

winter is a season of slight precipitation. This comes in the form of 

snow, which accumulates up to about the middle of April, when the 

increasing sunshine has its effect and the general break-up begins.

a Brooks, A. II., Geography and geology of Alaska; Prof. Paper U. S. Geol. Survey No. 45,1900, PI. II. 

6 Abbe, Cleveland, jr., Prof. Paper U. S. Geol. Survey No. 45, 1906, pp. 189-200.

133
134 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

The discharge resulting from the break-up reaches its maximum in 

May. April, June, and July are usually the months of least precipitation. After the high water caused by the spring break-up has 

disappeared, there is little additional supply to the streams, owing 

to the frozen condition of the ground and the slight rainfall. Consequently the streams rapidly reach a point of low discharge. The 

rainfall records also show that during August and September there 

is a gradual increase in the amount of precipitation. This, together 

with the effect of temperature on the frozen ground, is the primary 

cause of the increased flow of streams at this period.

All of this information has an important bearing on the development of.the country. Mention has been made elsewhere in this 

report of the importance of an adequate water supply in the development of placer mines, but placer mining is not the only natural 

resource of Alaska which affords promising fields for development. 

Notwithstanding the fact that in the interior the ground is frozen the 

greater part of the year, during the summer, when it is thawed to a 

slight depth, the soil produces a luxuriant growth of vegetation, 

particularly in the lower Tanana basin. It is possible to raise many 

kinds of vegetables and small fruits, as well as hay and grain, and 

already agricultural pursuits are being followed more or less near 

the large towns. With the high prices for vegetables and general 

produce, the truck gardener in 1906 and 1907 found this occupation 

almost as lucrative as mining. It is obvious that in the agricultural 

development of any portion of this country it is important to know 

the length of the growing season, the amount of precipitation, and 

the number of sunshiny days which may be expected.

As meteorological records play so important a part in the development of Alaska, it is gratifying to note the number of places at which 

they are kept. The importance of the continuity of these records can 

not be too strongly impressed on the observers. For a number of 

years the Weather Bureau and the Signal Corps of the- Army have 

kept records which cover most of the country in a general way.

During 1906 and 1907 the Geological Survey collected a considerable amount of climatological data in the Nome and Kougarok regions 

of Seward Peninsula and in the Fairbanks district. The daily records 

for these stations and the monthly summaries for all stations since 

1902 are given in the following pages. All records up to 1902 are 

taken from Abbe's report, to which previous reference has been made.

SEWARD PENINSULA.

When stream-gaging work was begun in Seward Peninsula in the 

spring of 1906, it was thought advisable to obtain records of rainfall at 

several points distributed so as to cover in a general way the whole of 

the peninsula. Four rain gages were installed, the stations selected
METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS SEWARD PENINSULA. 135

being Nome, on the southern coast; Salmon Lake, about 40 miles inland 

and south of Kigluaik Mountains; claim 15, Ophir Creek, near Council 

in the eastern portion of the peninsula; and Deering, on the coast of 

Kotzebue Sound to the north. No records were obtained from Deering, and therefore all the data procured here were for the area south 

of the mountains, where there are no striking differences in climate. 

In 1907 the scope of the observations was broadened, and an attempt 

was made to establish a line of rainfall stations from coast to coast of 

the peninsula across the Kigluaik Mountains. Additional rain gages 

were installed at Black Point, near the head of Nome River; at the 

forks of Grand Central River, in the heart of the mountains; and at 

Shelton and Taylor, north of the mountains. No records were obtained on the northern coast. The location of these stations is shown 

on Pis. IV, VII, and XII, and other information in regard to them is 

given in the following table:

Seward Peninsula rainfall stations.

Station.

Salmon Lake. . . 

Ophir..........

Black Point. . . . 

Grand Central 

Shelton ........

Taylor.........

Letter 

on Pis. 

IV, VII, 

and XII.

A 

B

0 

D 

E 

P 

(]

Latitude.

64° 30' 

64° 54'

64° 59' 

fi4° 51' 

64° 58' 

65° 13' 

65° 42'

Longitude.

165° 24' 

164° 56'

163° 39' 

165° 16' 

165° 14' 

164° 48' 

164° 48'

Elevation.

Above 

sea level.

Feet. 

 10 

445

200 

575 

690 

60 

550

Above 

ground.

Feet.

20 

2

2 

2 

o

o

Observer.

J. P. Samuelsonand 

M. Donworth. 

C. Arnold. ..........

F. F. Miller.........

*ornelus Edmunds 

Lars Gunderson . . . . 

A. E. Edgtvet......

Date 

established.

June 14,1906 

June 26,1906

July 1,1900 

June 23, 1907 

July 10,1907 

July 12,1907 

July 18,1907

The records for 1907 show a striking difference between the Kigluaik 

region and the country south of the mountains. The totals for the 

three months July to September at Shelton and Taylor are only 2.51 

and 2.79 inches, respectively. These are less than one-half the total 

at Nome, about one-third that at Black Point and Salmon Lake, and 

only one-sixth the amount at Grand Central. This deficiency is 

probably due to the fact that the heaviest rains are accompanied by 

southerly winds which loose most of their moisture by the time they 

have passed the mountains. The largest percentage of rain accompanied by winds from the south was 76 per cent at Black Point; the 

smallest, 35 per cent at Taylor. The whole region is subject to 

local showers, many of which are heavy in one valley and not felt in 

the next. The rain from a general storm is often very unequally 

distributed.

The following statement gives briefly the climatic conditions existing in this area during the years 1899-1907:

1899. July, four rainy days; August, fourteen rainy days; September, fourteen 

rainy days; recorded at Teller.

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

1901. June to August, inclusive, cold and foggy with some rain; September and 

October, usually clear and cold with one or two hard rains of a few days' duration.
136 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

1902. June, dry; July, ten rainy days; August, six rainy days; September, three 

rainy days; recorded at Teller.

1903. Summer warm; little rain, but considerable fog.

1904. June, dry; rainy days as follows: Ten in July, ten in August, ten in September; temperature moderate.

1905. Very wet and cold the whole season.

1906. Very warm and dry; tundra fires common; maximum temperature 85°.

1907. A heavy snowfall and a late spring; rainfall not excessive, but water supply of 

Nome region good on account of its even distribution throughout the season.

The records of rainfall, snowfall, temperature, and other weather 

elements observed in Seward Peninsula are given below:

Monthly rainfall, in inches, in Seward Peninsula, 1906-7.

Station.

1906.

1907.

June.

Trace

1.31

2.62

(a)

(a)

(a)

July.

2

O

4.9

'3 C

2.0

1.9

1.7

3.6

.71

August.

2.50

3.33

1.91

2.68

2.85

3. 65

7.19

1.33

.96

September.

1.02

3.26

(a)

1.41

3.26

2.26

5.06

.47

Total, 

June to 

August.

4.88

8.25

6.07

7.41

7.75

Total, 

June to 

September.

5.90

11.51

7.48

10.67

10.01

Total, 

July to 

September.

5.90

11.51

6.17

8.05

7.70

2.51

2 79

« No record. 

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

July.

Day.

Nome.

1

Salmon 

Lake.

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

'^.... ................ ..........\ 0. 12

4.................... ..........1 .35

5 - 3fi

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

7.................... a 0.52

8.................... .37

10.................... i .14

11

.10 

.17 

2.32 

.31 

.25

Ophir.

August. September.

Nome. *Sr °Phir- Nome.

0.02 

.23 

1.30 

.19

SK

13 .02

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

15

.35 .01 

.02

16.. .... . .- - .02

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

18 .01

19. ........ .. .. . '_....._..._...

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

01

22

.25 I -6i

. . . .01

23.................... .08

24.................... .27 .35

26

27

28

29 '

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

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

2.38 4.92

.60 

.25 

.01

.01

3.57

6.07

6-. 41

Trace.

0.17 

.07 

.23

.28

.29

.10

.10

.80

.22

.04

.37

.30 

.14

2.50

.57

.50

.01 

.78 

.23

3.33

Trace. 6. 04

0 01

Salmon 

Lake.

0.14

.05 .......... ..........

.03 ....................

.08 ..........

.12

.01

.01

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

.......... .01

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

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

.31 .23 

.31 .28 

.......... .04

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

.05 ...........

.40 ..........

.32 ..........

.03

.6i

.28 

1.06 

.99 

.55 

.16 

.03

..........

..........

1.91 1.02 j 3.26

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

NOTE. During June there was no measurable precipitation at any of the stations.
METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS SEWARD PENINSULA. 137

Daily rainfall and snowfall, in inches, at Nome, 1906-7.

Day.

2

3..........

October.

Rain.a

........

November.

Rain.a

0.20

December.

Rain. 1 Snow.

1----I--"

10..........

11..........

12..........

14..........

15..........

16..........

17..........

18. .........

19

20..........

21..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

26. .........

.13

! 0.17 2.0

!

1

riQ

i

.23 .

28..........'........

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

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

.93

.24

.08

.38

........ i .30

.32 1.91

\ ^

2.8

1.0 

Tr. .......

January. February.

Rain. Snow. Rain.

0.13

.40

1.2

3.6

.95 6.0

.23 1.0

.07 

.26 

.28

.32

5.0

A K.

5.3 

4.0

Snow.

March.

Rain. Snow.

0.52 , 4.2

.13 i 1.1

.36 3.0

.87

i

7.5

April.

Rain.

.57 5.5 

.09 1.0

0 A

0 flfi

.30 

.41

.04 

.15

20. 8 2. 64 25.2 1.46

4.5 

3.0 

3.0

.5 

2.3

13.9

.75 

.08

.......

.......

3.37

5.7

.8

28.8

........

0.03 

.07

. . .

........

May.

Rain.

0.05 

.03 

.39 

.08 

.12

.09 

.04

.04 

.04 

.24

::::::::::::::::

................

.10 ' 1.12

i Most ofthe precipitation in October and November was in the form of snow; snowfall not measured. 

Daily rainfall, in inches, at stations in Seward Peninsula, 1907.

Day.

l....... ...

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

3....... .

4....... ...

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

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

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

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

11.......

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

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

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

15....... ...

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

17..........

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

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

20........... >!

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

23....... ...

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

25....... ...

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

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

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

29.

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

31....... .

Nome.

0.05

.08

.08

.31

.06

.21

.02

.03

.20 

.27

1.31

June.

Black 

Point.

« 0.07

o.ll

a. 26

a. 06

a 21

.02

.08

.22

.69

2.62

Salmon 

Lake.

.63

.36

.20 

.34

.......

2.31

Nome.

0.03

.30

.01

.03

.02

.07

.01

.06

.04

.04

2.08

Black 

Point.

.35

.14

.02

.05

.04

.02

.04

.28

.16

1.94

Jul

Salmon 

Lake.

.10

.10

.12

.10

.10

.26

.lo

.12

1.79

yGrand 

Central.

a. 14

a 24

6.12

6.10

6.07

6.13

6.11

6.07

6.12

6.40

6.58

6.17

.08

3.61

Shelton.

Tr.

.01

.01

.01

.06

.0,3

.53

.04

......

.71

Taylor.

Tr.

Tr.

29

"Tr."

.12

.03

.66

Nome.

0.19

.11

.04

.38

.07

.01

.22

.06

.01

.11

.02

.20

.07

.05

.07

2.68

August.

Black 

Point.

.01

.09

.04

.10

.56

.50

.15

.02

.06

.22

.03 

.30

.22

.06

.10

2.85

Salmon 

Lake.

40

17

.10

.].->

.12

3. 05

a Estimated by comparison of stations.

6 July 10 to 16 total was 0.66; July 17 to 25 total was 1.49; these wen.- distributed in proportion to rainfall at Black Point and Salmon Lake. 

c Total June 1 to 16.
138 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Daily rainfall, In inches, at stations in Seward Peninsula, 1907 Continued.

Day.

o

9.. ........

12. .........

13..........

14..........

15... .......

Hi.. ........

18 ..........

19.. ........

21. .........

22

27 ..........

28... .......

29. .........

30..........

31..........

August Continued.

Grand 

Central.

0.20 

.09 

.05

.02

.02

.08 

.10

.70 

.83 

.40 

.02

.48 

.12

.02

.20 

.14 

.50 

.20 

.07

1.90 

1.03

.02

7.19

Shelton.

0.01 

.15 

.05

.01 

.10 

.03 

09 

.11 

.13 

.05 

.07

.03

.12 

.03 

.20

.07

.08

1.33

Taylor.

0.09

September.

Nome.

0.14 

.02

, 10

Tr.

.03 

.07 

Tr. 

Tr. 

.15 

.13

22 

01

.07 

.17 

.01 

.08

.04 

.06

Black 

Point.

.06

.16

.14

.20 

.36 

1.40 

.33 

.07

.07 

.22

Salmon 

Lake.

0.34

.10

.10 

.45 

.35

.60

.17

Grand Central.

0.05

.04

32 

.04

.07

.11 

1.36 

1.96 

.66 

.03

Shelton.

0.01

.02

.01

.01

.20 

.12

.05 ........

.08 ........

.03 .04

.01 i

.07 

.02 

.08 

.03

Tr. 

05

.02

.06

.01

.05 

06 .15

Tr. .... ...................

.96 1.41 f 3.26

.03 .06

i Tr

fl,05

a.21

.04

2.26 |. 5.06 .47

October.

Taylor. 1 Nome.

0.03 

.01

Tr. 

.33 

Tr

.06

.01 

.27

.28

.01

Tr

Tr

Tr.

1.17

November.

Nome.

0.04

0.02

.04

.05

.05

.16

.01

01

.06

Daily mean temperature (°F.) at Nome, 1906-7.

Day.

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

3.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 2 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10M::::::::":::::

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mean .....

Dec.

2.0 

2.0 

-2.0

-2.0

5.0 

1.0

-5.0

-3.0

6.0 

3.5 

3.0

17.0

23.0 

16.5

8..)

3.5

-4^0

-1.0 

10.0

20.0

18.0

8.5

7.0

19.0 

20.0

25.5

6.8

Jan.

23.5

29.5 

14.0 

2.5. 5

15.5

25.0 

24.5

11.5

- 8.0

20.5

25.0 

24.0 

18.5

16.0

- .5

- 7.5

-20.0

6.0

11.5 

11.5

23.0 

21.5

23.5

14.0

13.5

10.5

4.5

.0

11.9

Feb.

8.5

-1.0 

- 5.5 -2.0

-11.5

- 13. 5

-1.5

-10.0

- 15. 0

-14.0

-25.0 

-20.5 

 19 5

-27.5

-22.0 

-18.5

-22.5

-22.5 

-18.0

-1.5 

12.5

25.0

24.5

17.5

6.5

 7.6

Mar.

9.5

1.5 

20.5 

24.0

23.0

20.5 

28.5

26.0

25.5 

29.5

29. 0

21.5 

7.0 

-4.5

-5.0

-4.0 

15.0

18.5

-9.0 

- 15. 5 

-17.0

-13.5 

16.0

10.0

-8.0

-10.0

-14.5

-18.5 

-19.5

 6.6

5.6

Apr.

- 0.5

15.0 

13.5 

12 5

13.0

- 0.5 

.0 -2.0

10.0 

3.0

15.0

26.0 

33. 5 

29 0

17.5

13.5

7.0

o n

18.5 

24.0

33.0 

33.0

35. .5

37. 5

37.0

34.0

36.0

19.0

May.

37.5

37.0 

40.0 

37.5

35.5

33.5

38.5

43.0

43.5

26.0

20. 5 

22.5 

28.0

26.0

25. 5 

30.0

31.0

32.0 

36.0

43.5 

39.0

36.5

34.0

29.5

34.5

36.0 

40. 5

38.5

34.3

June.

41.0

45. 0 

42.5 

44.0

41.0

46.0 

41.0

38.0

52.0

48.0

51.0 

57. 5 

50. 5

42.0

42.5 

43.5

45.0

42.0 

45. 0

A-i r\

52.5 

52.5

49.0

47.0

42. 5

41.5

44.0 

45.5

45.5

July

45. 5

48. 5 

14.5 

46.0

49.0

50.0 

46.5

51. 5

Xf\ ft

57.5

49.0 

49.5

52.0

51. 5 

49 0

46.5

49. 5 

49.0

54.0

51.0

52.0

47.0

51.5

57.5

50.0

Aug.

54.0

54.5 

54.5 

54. 0

48.0

44.0 

52.0

58.0

50.5 

50.0

54. 5

57,5 

59.5 

56.0

50. 5

48.5

51.0

54.0 

53. 0

42.0

40.0

45.5

45.5

44.0

47.0 

45.5

41.0

49.8

Sept.

40.5

41.0 

37.0 

41.5

42.0

38.5 

41.0

44.5

46.5

47 ^

46.5

42.0 

39.5

45.5

38.0

36.0

36.5

35. 5 

43.5

36.0 

37.5

39.0

45.5

42.0

45.0

4o. 0 

42.0

41.1

Oct.

40.0

33.0 

25. 5 

26.5

25.5

26.0 

32. 5

33.0

24.0 

22.0

26.0

26.0 

19.0 

21.0

23.0

23.5 

26.5

23.0

20.0 

27.0

25.0 

29.0

34.0

29.5

21.5

19.5

9.5

7.0

24.5

Nov.

11.5

13.0 

3.5 

C. 0

8.5

6.0 

2.5

-30

-0.5

0 K

19.0 

29.5

33.5

23.0

19.5

1O C

9.5 

14.0 

6.5

2.5

-3.0

-4.5

-4.5

1.5

.5 ? ";

9.5
METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS FAIRBANKS DISTRICT.

Daily barometer, in inches, at Nome, 1906-7.

139

Day.

9

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

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

&'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'.

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

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

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

13. ..............

14...............

15......... .....

16. .............. 

17...............

18. ..............

19

20...............

21...............

22........ ......

23. ..............

24..............:

25...............

20...............

27

28.......... ..... 

99

30... ...........

31...............

Mean .....

Dec.

30.85

30.89

31.00

30.78

30.43

30.40 

30.79

30.43

30.33

29.99 

30.03

30.24

30 12

29.75 

29.73

29 86

30.10

30.35

30.40

30.27

99 57

29.38

29.16

29.77

30.24

30.24

29.87

29.84

30.17

Jan.

29.97

29 gg

28.95

29.31

29.97

29.89 

30.43

OfJ 01

30.60

30.47 

30.40

30.37

30.20

30.28 

30.51

29 98

29 26

29 97

29.84

30.56

30.73

30.78

30.74

30.72

30.72 

30.61

30.48

30.62

30.24

Feb.

30.64

30.64

30.58

30.50

30.24

29.96 

30.23

29.90

29.79 

99 49

29.60

29.79

30.20 

30.18

30.39

30.37

30.43

30.27

29.95

29.92

29.29

29.07

29.21

29.58

30.02

30.02

Mar.

30.04

29.67

29.46

29.66

29.38

30.04

29.69 

30.21

29.87

30.15

30.50

30.35

30.14 

99 14

99 46

29.96

29.80

30.13

30.54

30.10

29.10

29.74

30.39

30.44

30.66

30.32

30.26

30.01

Apr.

30.12

30.22

29.77

29.60

29.70

29.82

29.93 

29.86

29.85

30.05

29.93

29.75 

29.75

29.85

30.03

30.27 

30.48

30.36

30.00

30.06

30.42

30.33

30.17

29.96

29.91

29.73

29.95

30.06 

30.28

30.00

30.01

May.

30.10

30.25

30.18

29.77

29.75

29.87 

29.80

29.78

29.70

29.72

29.82

30.16

30.40 

30.51

30.50

30.32

30.12

30.08

30.00

29.93

30.00

30.08

30.10

30.20

29.91

29.80

30.03

June.

29.92

29.83

29.75

29.75

29.87

29.85 

29.82

29.82

29.75

29.86 

30.00

29 86

29.88

29.99 

29.93

99 gg

30.12

29.96

29.82

29.86

29 90

29.83

30.00

30.28

30.29

30.18

29.91

July.

30.00

30.00

29.85

29.71

29.71

29.66

29.94 

30.02

29.76

29.85

30.21 

30.18

30.10

29.80

29.90 

29.94

29.90

29 91

29.55

29.67

29 80

29.83

29.83

29.90

29.90

29.96 

30.00

29.96

29.75

29.88

Aug.

29.84

29.68

29.74

29.88

30.04

30.14

29.95 

30.00

29 97

29 85

29.86

29.84 

29.72

29 89

29.98

29.74 

29.68

29.76

29. 66

 -W.22

29.32

29.58

29.77

29.66

29.79

29.67

29.81

29.64 

29 70

29.23

29.59

29.75

Sept.

29.83

29.93

29.90

29.90

29.95

29.88

29.77 

30.17

30.29

29 95

29.95

30.44 

30.32

30.09

30.11

30.10 

29.97

29 78

99 9Q

29.15

29.68

29 94

29.93

29.49

29.55

29.42

29.28 

29.56

29.70

29.64

Oct.

29.40

29.44

29.45

29.55

29.76

29.77

29.67 

29.69

30.04

99 95

29.92

30.05 

30.15

30.20

30.16

30.06 

29.89

29 77

29.35

29.20

29.27

29.68

29 74

29.44

29.44

29. 48

29.76

29.78 

29 77

30.00

30.15

29.74

Nov.

29.93

29.75

29.74

29. 7.6

29.63

29.42

29.78 

30.03

29.87

29 98

30.32

29.98 

29.66

29.57

29.40

29.50 

29.30

99 31

29.48

29.34

29.35

29.2?

29.45

29.64

29.68

29.78

29.60

29.42 

29 75

29.87

29.65

Summary o/ meteorological observations at Nome, December, 1906, to November, 1907.

Total precipitation, rain, and melted snow.......................... inches.. 18.30

Total snowfall ......................................................do.... 91. 9

Maximum temperature...............................................,° F.. 69

Minimum temperature. ..................................................° F.. 32

Mean daily maximum temperature....................................° F.. 30.7

Mean daily minimum temperature.......................................° F.. 17. 7

Mean of means of maximum and minimum temperature................° F.. 24. 2

Mean barometer...................................................inches.. 29.92

Number of clear days....................................................... 152

Number of partly cloudy days............................................... 50

Number of cloudy days.................................................... 163

FAIRBANKS DISTRICT.

In connection with.the stream-flow investigations begun in the Fairbanks district in 1907, it was considered advisable to establish a few 

rainfall stations at different places in the territory covered. Four 

rain gages were installed at the places listed in the following table. 

All records are kept by voluntary observers.
140 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Rainfall stations near Fairbanks.

Station.

Summit Road 

House.

Poker Creek... 

Faith Creek . . .

Letter 

on Pis. 

IX and 

XII.

G

H 

K 

L

Latitude.

65° 02'

65° 05' 

65° 08'

65° 17'

Longitude.

147° 26'

147° 26' 

147° 28' 

146° 23'

Elevation.

A£r! Above 

level" ground.

Feet. 

2,310

1,000 

750 

1,400

Feet. 

3

4 

5 

4

Observer.

M. T. Kerrick................

Date established.

July 3. 

June 25.

July 1.

a Approximate.

The records kept at these stations, together with those being 

obtained by the United States Weather Bureau at Fairbanks, Central, and Circle, give a general idea of the rainfall distribution from 

Fairbanks on the Tanana to Circle on the Yukon, 150 miles to the 

northwest.

Mean monthly precipitation at stations in Yukon- Tanana region, 1902-1907.

Station.

Central. ...........

Fairbanks..... . 

Fort Egbart... . 

Fort Gibbon... . 

Kechumstuk... 

North Fork.... . 

Rampart...... . Dawson. .......

fl

o3

Hj

0.80 

1,05 

1.99 

1.01

.54 

46

.90 

1.01

4PH

0.24 

.29 

.58 

.39 

.49 

.11

39

.26

.67

03 &

1.31 

.52 

.93 

1.37 

.46 

12

fH 

ft<!

0.70

.67 

.11 

.18 

.10

.22

.18 40

.67 

.46

.03 

54

>>

o3

S

0.73 

.83 

.36 

.66 

.50 

1.24

OJ

fl

Hj

3.56 

.54 

1.26 

1.23 

.74 

LSI

1. 66 9 33

.42 

.97

1.04

.86

j>> "3 

1-1

3.11 

1.77 

2.16 

1.98 

2.80 

1 87

2.04

1.85

S1 

<!

1.85 

2.33 

1. 98 

L73 

3.04 

1 77

2.66 

1.77

ft si

CO

0.52 

1.69 

1.56 

1.95 

1.05 

1.20 i m

1.60 

1.82

+2 

o 

O

0.70 

1.15 

1.37 

1.93 

.85 

.62 . _

_

0

K

0.80 

.30 

.92 

.72 

.52

99

. 421 . 52

.821 1.19 

1.60' 1.12

i

i «

0.35 

.51

.88 

.38 

.50 

.21

?fl

.33 

1.10

o3ffl

>H

14.67 

11.65 

14.10 

13.53 

11.59 

9.55

12.58

11.96 

13.77

Length 

of 

record.

Yrs. Mos. 

1 7 

1 22 

1 18 

...... 37 

1, 33 

21 18 

1 13 

1 17 

5 18

NOTE. Values for the different months are averages of all observations for that month. In the 

column headed "Year" is given the total of these averages. Amounts given for the winter months, 

October to March, represent melted snow, and as a rule are taken as one-tenth of the snowfall.

Purington a publishes a summary of the rainfall data previous to 

1903 as compiled by Cleveland Abbe, jr. These tables show not 

only the marked variation in rainfall along the coast, but the variations between the rainfall of the coast and that of the interior.

A record for thirteen years and eleven months at Juneau shows a 

yearly average of 93.1 inches, and one for fifty-two months at Eagle 

gives an average of 11.4 inches. A similar table compiled from 

records obtained subsequent to 1902, at stations in the interior, gives 

a range from 9.55 inches at Kechumstuk to 14.67 inches at Central. 

This table also shows that the heaviest precipitation occurs during the 

period from June to September, inclusive, and that the months of 

April and May are usually months of least precipitation. For the 

source of the data in this table see pages 142 to 149, inclusive, in this 

report.

The following tables show the daily and monthly rainfall at stations 

near Fairbanks:

a Purington, C. W., Methods and costs of gravel and placer mining in Alaska: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 2t>3, 1905, page 48.
METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS FAIRBANKS DISTRICT. 141

Daily rainfall, in inches, at stations near Fairbanks, 1907.

Ja 

a

Day.

1.. ........ 0

 >

4..........'

«::::::::::!

9 ... ....

10..........

12 .......... ....

13 ..............

18.......... ...

19 .......... ....

20 .......... ...

21 ..........

23 ..........

24 ..........

2o ..............

20 .......... ....

27 ..............

28

29 .......... ....

30 ..............

31 ..............

Total. b3 

Snowfall ... 33

?y" Far " March' APr

Fairbanks.

05

22 ........ 0.05 .....

16 ........ ...... ......

35 ......... .04 .....

.20 .....................

....[ .07 . 17 L....

) .17 .05 ......... ........ ........ ........

il. May. June. July.

1 Fair~ iClearv ' Fair" banks. v learj ' banks.

........... .09 ........

.. ....... .11 ........

...:........ .07 I........

0.15 ........!........

........... .15 '........

........... .05 '........

.06 ................

30 07

............ .80 .....

.... ......... .10 !.....

.02 ........1....... ......

............ .20 .....

. . . . ' .08 .............

.30 6. 86 62.42 1 6. 

.0 ( 8-6 24.2 ,

August.

Day. : Sum- I Fair- i mit ,.,, _ i Pok 

banks. Road Uear> ' Cret 

House.

2 ..........

3 ..............

4.......... ....

6 ...

8 ...

9 . .

10 ...

11 .......... ...

12 ..............

13.......... ....

14.......... ....

15..........

16.......... ....

17... ..... ..

18..........

19.......... ....

20 .............

21.......... ...

09

23 .............

24..........

25 .......... '

26.......... |.. .

27.......... |...

28. .........i...

29 .......... i

30 .............

31 .............

Total.; 1 

Snowfall ... ....

a Drifting.

.13 .27 . 04 0.

. 01 I .42 .............

.11 | .46

09

.09 ........

(

. 05 j .04 .10

.... .20 .11

.18 .13 .09 

.12 .03 .13

26 i

.13 .13 .22

.81 3.27 2.88 1.

........... .18 1. .......

........... i .10 ........

.......! .02 L.......

....... I........!. ....... 1

1

................... 0.01

.......' .23 .41

.13 i .30 .42

.01 ................

' !

03 .35 1.47 f.84 

30 ........ ................

.35 

.01

.02 

.05

.01 

.19

.09

. 14

.01

.25 

.18 

.05

Summit 

Road 

House.

0.30

.06

.50 

.12 

.22

.30

.05 

.24 

.03 

.24 

.13

Cleary.

.30 

09

.47

.09 

.32

.19 

.20 

.01 

.15

.22 

.15 

.02

.12

.13

. 27

Faith 

Creek.

0.02

.04

........

.03 

.14

.03 

.05 

.28 

.11 

.01 

.35

. 13

.23

.12 .31

.06 

.12 ........

1.51 2.71

September.

er , Faith Fair- r)oo , Poker 

k. ! Creek, banks. led - Creek.

0. 49 ........................

...i .19 ................ Tr.

. . . ' .20 0. 18 0. 08

03 03 14

0.10

05 i .11 ................ ........

24 .15 ........ i .12

.15 .18 1 .11

33 .10 .02 ! .22 

05 .02 .05 ........

........... .23 ........

........... .71 i .21

.01 ........ .80 ........

.01 

.02 

.01 

Tr.

.63 

.88

01 ' 04 97

.70 

. 10

01 ........ ........ ........ ........

07 .01 .........................

........... .15 .15 .40 

. 13

02 .13 . 16 .52 . 27

13 ........ .37 .23

04 i .15 .01 ;................

.15

15 ! .36 ........ I........I........

...j .03 ........ ........1........

02 , .09 ! 15 | .54 .35 ........

...1 .13 .50 .39 ........

.30

2.55

October.

Fairbanks.

0.02

Tr.

Tr

.10 

.20 

.05 

.09 

.23 

.50 

.25

.03

.20

Poker 

Creek.

1.87

November.

Poker 

Creek.

Tr. 

0 05

.30 

.10

. 17 

.30 

.20 

.10

Tr.

.13

0.08

.10

.03

......... .\.. ....

t

1

|

i

.30

.47

.20

.15

40 3.00 3.58 3.82 j 3.70 

....... .... 1

" 1 !

b2. 44 

24.4

i> Taken as 10 per cent of the snowfall. <"

1.70 

24.0

.04

.25 

3.30

June 25 to 30.
142 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA,, 1906-1907.

SUMMARY OF RECORDS SINCE 1902.

All meteorological records obtained at stations in Alaska up to 1902 

have been compiled by Abbe. a The following tables complete the 

record of precipitation to 1907, inclusive. The values for 1903 to 1905 

for Weather Bureau stations have been taken from the annual report 

of the Chief of the Weather Bureau. Those for 1906 and 1907 were 

obtained from the original records through the courtesy of the Bureau 

officials. The snowfall is given only for 1906 and 1907. For these 

years the amount of rainfall and melted snow is given in the first line 

and the snowfall in the second line.

Most of the amounts given for the winter season in the previous 

years represent melted snow, and many of them have been taken as 

one-tenth of the observed snowfall. The water equivalent of snowfall varies considerably, and in general is probably somewhat less than 

this proportion in Alaska. In many parts of Alaska the snowfall is 

accompanied by wind and piles up in the form of drifts in sheltered 

places. This renders the accurate measurement of the quantity of 

snow very difficult, and many of these records can therefore be regarded as only approximate. The locations of all rainfall stations 

are given on PL XII.

Summary of records of precipitation at stations in Alaska.b

D. BLACK POINT.

[Latitude, 64° 51'; longitude, 165° 10'.J

Year. pr. May. June. July. , Aug. j Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Annual

1907 2. 02 1. 94 2. 85 , 3. 26

1. CENTRAL. 

[Latitude, 05° 33'; longitude, 145° 49'.]

1906

1907........

JO. 56

f 1 04

|10 0

0.00 

1.0

.42

4.0

0 05 

1.4

2.57

24.0

0.47

.93

8.0

0.86 

2.0

.57

1.5

4.91

2.21

4.82

1.40

1.85 0.52 0. 70 0. 80 

7 n s (i

1 .

1

0.35 15. 95 

34.2

H. CLEARY. 

[Latitude, 05° 05'; longitude, 147° 26'.]

1907.

2. CHISTOCHINA. 

[Latitude, 62° 36'; longitude, 144° 44'.]

1904........

1905........

1906........

6.05

( .26

{ 2.5

/ 2.80

\28. 0

0.02

.60

6.0 

.20

2.0

0.08

.30

3.0 

.80

8.0

0.00

Tr.

6.48

.00

Tr.

0.90

.81

1.50

3. i<)

1.78

2 CO

0.40

3.20

1.48

2.2i

2.01

3.11

2.07

5.0

1.68

1.0 

1.34

6.0

.......i 0.20

0.03 .75

.50 j 1.80

13.49

35. £

\28.0 2.0 8.0 !............................... 5.0 6.0 ............

__ __ ___ ________ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____________

« Abbe, Cleveland, jr., Prof. Paper U. S. Geol. Survey No. 45, 1906, pp. 189-200. 

b Numbers and letters refer to PI. XII,
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Lettered stations established by U.S.G.S. 

Numbered stations by Weather Bureau 

Numbers and letters refer to lists in 

text

MAP OF ALASKA, SHOWING LOCATION OF RAINFALL STATIONS.
SUMMARY OF METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS SINCE 1902. 143

Summary of records of precipitation at stations in Alaska Continued.

3. CIRCLE. 

[Latitude, 65° 50': longitude, 144° 4'.]

Year.

1906........

1907........

Jan.

 j

f 1.02 

\ 8. 5

Feb.

0.57

7.8

Mar. Apr.

0.28 

3.25

May.

0. 15 0. 29

June. July. Aug.

1.36 2.79

Sept.

1.73

Oct. Nov. Dec. Annual.

.............. ! 0. 75 .........

....... ...... 9.5 .........

.63 1.........

8.2

4. COAL HARBOR, UNGA ISLAND.

[Latitude, 55° 20'; longitude, 160° 38'.]

1903........

1QD4

1905........

1906........

1907........

3.90 

2.00

[ 2.33 

) 5.8 

f 5.65 

\ 3.5

7.32 

0.12

5.43 

1.9 

0.20 

1.2

1.90 

0.66

6.46 

4.2 

1.43 

Tr.

2.26 

1.89

"Tr." 

7.99 

12.75

2.77 

1.83

3.27 

Tr.

4.59

2.05 

1.23

1.01

i. 88

3.66 

4.22

3.18

4.71

3.64 

4.17 

2.20

4.28

4.90

5.29 

3.73

3.42

5.84

2.52 

2.07 

3.03 

4.44

2.52

2.82 

9.25 

3.52 

7 3

5.83 .......

4.69 

2.00 

4.64

2.87

9 *>^

42. 52 

26.74 

64.36

5. COPPER CENTER. 

[Latitude, 61° 58'; longitude, 145° 20'.]

1903........ 

^904

1905........ 

1906........

0. 05

.67 

.29 

f 1.14 

J17.2

0.05 

.22 

1.01

.19 

2.8 

.60 

6.G

0.40 

Tr. 

.20 

.69 

9.2 

.30 

3.0

Tr. 

0.24 

Tr. 

.36 

3.0

0.60 

.92 

.48 

.43 

Tr. 

.36

1.38 

1.11 

.50 

1.19

1.14

0.99 

1.80 

1.35 

2.14

.97

1.16 

2.09

.72 

.69

.71

1.34 

.73 

1.94 

.37

.25

1.71 

.48 

.97 

.84

1.35 

11.5

0.20 

.36 

.94 

.99 

8.5 

.80 

8.0

0.75 

.68 

.97 

.35 

6.0 

.35

3.5

8.63 

9.30 

9.37 

9.38 

46.7

.........

fi. FAIRBANKS. 

[Latitude, 64° 50'; longitude, 147° 44'.]

1905........

1906........

1907........

f 0 9^

1 9.1

f 1.75

\17.5 

( 3.30

0.50

5.0

.37

3.7

.86

8 6

.33

3.3

2.42

2.0

.10

1.0 

.03 

30

0.36

"":35"

1.05

'i."47"

I

2.82 , 1.50

LSI LSI"

0.86

.25

"3! 58"

.30

0.6 

2.44

1.10

1.20

12.0

.65

6.5 

.35

! 2.00 .........

0.60 .........

1.15 10.63

.59 | 18.71

r n 1 QQ Q

1907.

L. FAITH CREEK.

[Latitude, 65° 17': longitude, 146° 23'.]

1905.

1906.

1907.

7. FORT EGBERT. 

[Latitude, 64° 45'; longitude, 141° 10'.]

0.58

"f......

\......

f 1 45

I 2.0

0.81

1.0

.21

2.0

0.54

11.0

0.12

.15

1.38

QQ

.55

0.57 

1 95

1.89

2.40

2.54

1.48

0.97

1 98

2.97

.01

1 45

"2." 96"

1.71

4.6

1.12

13.0

8.5

.40

4.0

1.0
144 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Summary of records of precipitation at stations in Alaska Continued.

8. FORT GIBBON. 

[Latitude. 65° 12': longitude, 152°.1

Year.

1904........ 

1905........

1906........

Jan.

0.37

.08 07

/ L26 

1l2 6

Feb.

0.73

. 55 

.47

.20

. 2:°..

Mar.

1.14

.35

Tr.

.30

3.0 

.53

Apr. ' May.

0.23 0.16

. 09 . 22 

...... .84

Tr. 1.00

'.'.'.'.'.'. '".30

J une.

0.38

.33 

1.50

J uly.

1.76

1.95 

4.90

'2. 58"

Aug.

3.80 

3.02

' 2~3i

Sept.

0.48

.35

"2." 32'

Oct.

0.22

.39

(f.50

a 5.0 

1.22

Nov.

0.33

.07 

1.10

.99

9.9 

^03

Dec.

0.70 

.18

.27

2.7

Annual.

8.88

a October 7 to 31. 

!). FORT LISCFM. 

[Latitude. 61° 27' 30": longitude, 146° 27' 34".J

1903........ 10.42 13. 

1904........ 6.80' . 

1905........ 3.63 5.

1906........ $f "£

1907.. ...... Up «£

1906........ ....... 0. 

f 2. 08

j

60 4.72 3.87 2.23 

52 .10 4.50 .68 

73 7.17 2.96 7.02 

83 7.54 4.20 1.36 

5 103.2 31.6 .5 

14 6.04 .82 4.05

3.24 4.29 6.44 8.62 6.62 5.62 9.61 

2.26 5.61 12.45 7.96 9.16 2.20 3.99 

3.83 3.49 9.85 ....... 6.06 10.37 7.75 

4.01 7.12 8.46 4.11 8.61 7.50 6.75 

.......................... .5 57. 5 63. 5

2.83 ! 11.25 10.61 11.98 16.77 7.94 7.13

79.28 

56. 23

""74." 02 

367. 9 

91.31 

276.0

10. FORT YUKON. 

[Latitude, 66° 34'; longitude, 145° 18'.]

)9 , 0. 34 0. 35 0.77 . 1 . 70 1 . 30 0. 2fi f). 38

93 0.80 3.08 4.60

K. (

[Latitude, 64

! i

2.40 1.67 ....... ....... ....... ....... .......

|

RAND CENTRAL.

3 58'; longitude, 165° 14'. J

...... 3.61 7.19 5.06 .....................

11. HOLY CROSS MISSION. 

[Latitude, f>2° 16': longitude, 159° 50'. |

78 1.26 0.39 0.22 I 1.52 1.97 3.22 2.47 0.11 ! 0.90 1.02 

r>5 4.49 ............ 2.95 3.73 5.39 3.56 .38 .511.......

 -

;

12. JUNEAU. 

[Latitude, 58° 19'; longitude, 134° 28'.]

1903........ 11.31 

1904........ ....... 

1905........ 2.83

1906........ | 4- 35

f to

1907........ I -*8

7.29 "3." 6s"

8 OQ

3.09 

5.'90

.56

Tr.

2 74

3.74

7.84 

4.96

3.03

2.0

6.74 

6.50 

1.58

1.44 

10.40 

2.96

1.34

2.26 

8.15 

1.93

3.58

5.45 

4.04

7.85

3.21

6.88

6.94 

9.20

3.68

9.34

12.74

12.30

3.0

8.36 

15.49

12.27

7.0

4.58

8.5

8.89 

10.32

2.17
SUMMARY OF METEOEOLOGICAL KECOKDS SINCE 1902. 145

Summary of records of precipitation at stations in Alaska Continued.

KATALLA. 

[Latitude, 60° 11'; longitude, 144° 31'.]

Year.

1907........

Jan.

\.'.".'.'.

Feb. Mar. Apr.

7.70 

2.0

May.

4.85

June.

8.29

July.

14.95

Aug.

11.41

Sept.

12.34

Oct.

25. 62 

1 95

1 Nov. ' Dee. Annual.

12. 44 ................

13. KENAI. 

[Latitude, (K)° 32'; longitude, 151° 19'.]

1904........

1905........

1906........

1907........

.46

.29

f .30

/ .68

I 5.0

2.18

.29

99

.10 

1.0

.61

.02

.57

1.24 

10 2

.67

8.8

.34

.46

.17

3

f»

.04

Tr.

Tr.

.84

.29

1.24

.87

.84

.57

2.31

2.44

1.06

4.41

5.49

3.78

3.50

6.26

2.95

4.01

.78

1.41

10.00

1.71

2.92

1.74 

Tr.

1.66

2.7

0.78

.48

2.16

.39

0.18

.66

1.41

1.16 

10.0

14.78

18.51

14.73

'>7 (T

14. KECHUMSTUK. 

[Latitude, 64° 07'; longitude, 142° 20'.]

1904........

1905........

1906........

1907........

0.90

f .36 

t 4.0

f .12

\ 2.0

0.10

.05 

.5

.20

0.05

.06 

1.0

.27 

4.0

0.40

.27 

5.0

Tr.

1.80

.20

1.69

1.30 

12.0

0.83

1.58

1.61

2.03

2.23

.40

3.25

1.60

0.94

1.48

2.51

2.14

0.64

2.16

.51

.49 

2.0

0.30

1.18

.31 

4.3

.72

0.03

.36

.29

.40 

4.0

0. 23

.20

.20

0 f)

9.01

11.11

1 0 ')

15. KILLISNOO. 

[Latitude, 57° 22'; longitude, 134° 29'.]

1903........ 

1904........ 

1905 ........

1906........

1907........

4.0.5 

4.30 

1.90

/ 6.90 

\31.0

1 1.40

114.0

2.4" 

1.25 

2.80

2.70 

1.5

9.55

31.5

0.20 

1.20 

2.60

.90

1.70

7.0

6.15 

1.35 

2.20

5.15

1.35

2.55 

1.75

1.25

1.60

0.75 

3.35 

1.20

2.85

3.85

1. 15 

4.60 

1.60

3.80

3.05

2.30 

2.30 

4.30

4.90

4.65

3.10 

7.70

4.70

6.85

12. 45 

8.20 

4.10

8.40

8.57

3.65 

9.20 

8.40

9.55 

4.0

5. 00 

8. 55 

7. 75

2.50 

10.0

43. 75 

53. 75

53. 60 

46 5

16. LORING (FORKNAM HATCHERY.) 

[Latitude, 55° 36'; longitude, 131° 37'.]

1904........

1905........

1906........

1907........

5.18

(21. 66 

) IQ <;

f .53

\15.0

13.19

6.08

13.03 

19.2

16.53

8.56

4.98

11.65

24. 52

7.76

9.46

5.59

4.30

9 68 7 97

. 84 5. 26

10. 09 4 99

5 23 3. 73

i

1.15

12.71

15. 21

9.75

20.20

14.07

17.28

10.14

26.01

17.94

20.49

20.09

28.49

21.57

24.55 

1.0

20.01

25.92

8.41 

7.5

161. 24

164. 45 

31.2

17. MINE HARBOR. 

[Latitude, 55° 45'; longitude, 160° 40'.]

1903........ 

1904........

2.36 

3.00

6.61 

.49

1. 00 2. 25 

. 29 1. 42

2.59 

.81

1.01 

1.30

'i" 79" 2.51

4.78

5.10 3.97 2.60 5.92

.35283 IRR 218 08
146 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Summary of records of precipitation at stations in Alaska Continued.

A. NOME. 

[Latitude, 64° 30'; longitude, 165° 24'.]

Year.

1907........

Jan. Feb.

f...... ......

\.. ..........

f 2. 64 1. 46

Mar. Apr. May. June. July.

.................. Tr. 2.38

?. 37 0. 10 1. 12 1. 31 2. 08

Aug.

2.50

2.68

Sept.

1.02

1.41

Oct.

0.93

.16

Nov. Dec.

0. 32 1. 91

........ 20.8

.06 ].......

I

Annual.

18. NORTH FORK. 

[Latitude, 64° 30'; longitude, 142° 10'.]

1

1006.. .....J[ Jjo

1907 -- ------ \15.5

0. 30 

5.0

.28

3.0

0.10 

1.0

.27

3.0

0.80

8

fv

Tr.

1.98

1.34

4.0

2.74

1.92

2.69

1.57

1.91

1.01

3.19

! 1.86 '....... 0.50

.72 0. 42 i . 55

2. 00 1. 40 . 20

5.0 '12.0 , 2.0

1 1

0.20

.38 

4.5

12.59 

33.2

.........

19. NUSHAGAK.

[Latitude, 58° 56'; longitude, 158° 24'.]

1904.

1905.

... ......................... 2. 29 4. 52 4. 16

1.45 0.40 040 2.51 2.75 3.84 ..............

Tr. 0.56

1906.

(". OPHIR CREEK (CLAIM 15). 

[Latitude, 64''59'; longitude, 163° 39'.]

...... ...... Tr. 3.57 1.91 ......

20. ORCA. 

[Latitude, 60° 35'; longitude, 145° 40'.]

1903........ 16.71 1660

1904 1 1 6't

1905 ........ 8. 20

lono LJUl). ....... |ja6:5 (76_ 0

1907....... .[jf

11.56

.94

' 8.48 

100.0

0 72 1 3- rWi

12.51 

5.34 

39 0 

2.15 

25.0

9.10 

7.54 

17.0

10. 48 6. 51 4. 42 

...... ......

10.75 16 67

9. 12

12. 99 '

....... .......

17.70 

91 76

13.24 

Q.fifi

15. 57 29. 64 

....... 17.08 

3 0

29.15 13.16 

17.0

23.44 

19.05

12.81 

8.56

21. PETERSBURG. 

[Latitude, 56° 49'; longitude, 132° 56'.]

1904........!...

1905........ i.......

1

9 ''0 ° 33 12. 89 13.89

22. POINT BARROW. 

(Latitude, 71° 17'; longitude, 156° 40'.]

1903 ........

1904........ Tr. . 37 0.40 0.30 ......

Xr.

K. POKER CREEK.

[Latitude, 65° 08'; longitude, 147° 28'.]

1906...... . -" ........... 1. 40

!

3.70 1.70 0.25
SUMMAEY OF METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS SINCE 1902. 147

Summary of records of precipitation at stations in Alaska Continued.

23. RAMPART. 

[Latitude, 65° 30'; longitude, 150° 15'.]

Year. ' i

1906........ |

1907........ L

an. Feb.

0. 63 0. 08 

7.2 i 2.0

1. 17 . 44

2.0 ! 4.5

1

Mar.

6. i7

-I O

1.17 

12.8

Apr.

0.04

.02

oc

May.

0.40

.44

June. Ju'y.

1.33 1.99

.15 j 1.86

1.64 2.29

Aug.

2.19

2.40

3.38

Sept.

1.70

.59

2.52

Oct.

1.20

.61

.65

Nov.

1.43

.95 

10.2

.55

Dec.

0.33

.33

3

K

Annual.

8.21

OK o

B. SALMON LAKE. 

[Latitude, 64° 54'; longitude, 164° 56'.]

1906 .--..... 

1907

 j Tr. 4.92

1.79

3.33 3.26 0.81 1.56

18.0

F. SHELTOX. 

[Latitude, 65° 13'; longitude, 164° 48'.]

1904 ........

1905........

1906 ..... . .

i

[Latitude 57

6.61 

10.36 

3.82 

f 7. 25 

1 8.3

8.68 2.57 4.25 3.65 

.43 3.04 3.39 3.80 

4.78 4.21 7.52 2.44 

1.89 1.58 10.64 3.46 

... . 6. 0 . . ........

0.71 1.33

24. SITKA. 

0 03'; longitude 135°

0.90 

3.22 

2.25 

3.34

2.85 

5.95 

2.83 

7.45

3.90 

3.74 

7.38 

4.66

0.47

19'.]

5.80 

13.27 

8.80 

5.78

14.52 

10.38 

7.03 

15.22

\

6.50 

8.78 

11.37 

15.59

14. 97 75. 20 

a 13 74. 49 

11. 21 73. 64 

6. 61 83. 47 

1. 0 15. 3

25. SKAGWAY. 

[Latitude, 59° 28'; longitude, 135° 20'.]

1903........ 2.08

1905........ .......

1906........ / - 

1907.. ......{ 'T4r6

1.44

Tr.

1.14

1. 16

A or:

Tr.

0.43

.33

1.14

.57 

Tr.

Tr.

0.48

2.31

1 27

3.55 

1.08

1.10

.84

1.11

.37 

99

0.56

. 10

2.63

0.02

1.07

.16

2.11

2.08

.18

2.14

2.26 

1 98

1.41

2.80

2.67

1.30

9.99

5.35

2.17

5.58

1.60

6.28

3.25

6.47 

4 23

10.0

3.35

2.21

.33 

3.0

24. 54

3.6

26. SUMMIT. 

[Latitude, 62° 55'; longitude, 143° 48'.]

1906........ 1 1.19

1 1.80

118. 0 -

0.46 

5.0

.10

2.0

1.04

.70

7.0

1.26 

13.0

.40

1.02

5

f»

.80

4. 25

2.15

......

« 0.03 0.12 0.07

1.40

14.0

0.74 

14.0

0.49

o August 19 to 31.

G. SUMMIT ROADHOUSE.

[Latitude, 65° 02', longitude, 147° 26' ]

1907........

l

i

2.71 3.27
148 WATER SUPPLY IN ALASKA, 1906-1907.

Summary of records of precipitation at stations in Alaska Continued.

27. SUNRISE. 

[Latitude, 60° 54'; longitude, 149° 35'.]

Year.

1904........

1905........

1906........

1907........

Jan.

1.69

2.12

/ 2.18 

i°.n 7

f 2. 05 

\ 7.5

Feb.

0.13

1.93

.29 

3.7

1.93 

29.0

Mar.

0.28

1.64

3.63

00 Q

Apr.

5.08

3.41

1.17

o c

1.41 

2 0

May.

1.01

.84

2.35

1.30

June.

1.36

.69

2.46

.74

July.

1.05

1.40

1.84

4.62

Aug.

5.02

4.46

3.70

2.29

Sept.

2.33

1.86

1.54

4.45

Oct.

9.35

4.36

6.67 

5.0

6.03 

14.2

Nov.

2.37

9.47

3.87 

15.0

7.32 

31.4

Dec.

8.31

8.48

2.30

oc c

6.78 19 7

Annual.

37.98

32.00

28. TANANA CROSSING. 

[Latitude, 63° 24'; longitude, 143° 24'.]

1904........

1905 ........

1906 ........

6.24

.30

0.08

.00

0.18

Tr.

0.00

0.76

. 14

0.78

.37

0.89

2.95

1.06 0.15

1.40 .60

0.90

G. TAYLOR. 

[Latitude, 65° 42'; longitude, 164° 48'.]

Qfl7 0.66 0.96 1.17

29. TEIKHELL. 

[Latitude, 61° 23'; longitude, 145° 18'.]

1904

1905

1906........

1907........

0.98

f 2.50 

\25.0

{

VI

i <;

0.49

.20 

2.0

1.81

21.4

0.05

1.31

1.87 

26.2

.56

9.0

0.75

.04

.58 

5.5

.07

Tr.

Tr.

.25 

Tr

.80

0.79

.80

1.39

.68

1.53

1.05

2.70

8.20

2.00

1.02

.72

2.00

1.21

1.41

.62 

1.5

1.20

2.82

1.48

2.90 

11.0

0.90

4.90

3.52 

35.8

2.95

2.34

.36 

6.2

15. 82

17.61 

113.2

30. TYONEK. 

[Latitude, 61° 03'; longitude, 151° 10'.]

1903

1904........

1905........

1906........

1QH7

1.95

1.07

f .65

f 1.96

3.91

.26

.49

7.0

0.45

1.32

L66

oo. u

1.01

.77

20.0 

.24

0.69

.39

1.59

1.27

1.00

2.86

2.62

2.96

6.39

5.69

2.95

3.05

2.76

.92

1.67

5.76

1.15

3.19

3.48

4.7

0.64

3.10

1.04

0.53

i.24

1.38

14.0

22.99

31. UDAKTA (DUTCH HARBOR). 

[Latitude, 53° 54'; Longitude, 166° 32'.]

1Qf)K

1906........

1907........

f 3.09

f 8.76

1- --

9.46

2.49

12.19

2.93

3.07

2.97

6.82

5.39

4.69 ! 1.73

1. 14 3. 56

1.27 2.11

i

3.39

3.10

3.25

3.46

2.29

5.00

7.91

7.79

1.0

13.78

5.38

8.28

5.76 63.77 

4.0

32. WOODY ISLAND (KODIAK ISLAND). 

[Latitude, 57° 40'; longitude, 152° 25'.]

1903........

1904

1905........

1906........

1907........

4.74

3.63

4 80

1 2.50

\13.0

f 1.00 

\ 2.0

8.10

4.90

8.60

4.00

0. 39 4. 61

Tr. 3. 68

9 RA 1 7C\

o en Q en

7. 0 ......

Tr. . 61 

Tr. ......

,

4.92

3.35

5.10

6.30

7.80

2.26

3.10

5.20

4.38

1.36

2.10

3.50

4.79

4.89

1.50

3.70

7.95

4.63

1.80

6.70

9.00

6.27

4.84

7.50

5.10

Tr.

8.70

3.30

5.20

8.00

3.20

3.5

7.70 

4.5

8.29

3.24

2.42

6.5 

5.5

65.54

56.21 

38.0
SUMMARY OF METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS SINCE 1902. 149

Summary of records of precipitation at stations in Alaska Continued.

33. DAWSON.« 

[Latitude, 64° 05'; longitude, 139° 28'.]

Year.

1901 ........ 

1902........

1903........

1904........

1905........

1906........

1907....--..

Jan.

"\.n

.50

.82

.23

1.26

1.53

Feb.

'6."20'

1.35

.32

1.30

.51

.34

Mar.

0.60

.20

40

.22

.88

Apr.

"6." 56'

.60

.57

.94

.42

.23

May.

6.46

.39

.96

.97

2.00

1.06

June.

0.94 

.86

.50

1.71

.25

.92

.85

July.

1.32 

3.32

1.11

2.14

1.93

1.20

1.93

Aug.

1.64 

2.38

1.47

1.66

2.51

1.46

1.28

Sept.

1.17 

1.17

2.41

1.01

3.52

2.34

Oct.

2.25 

.92

1.25

.36

1.84

.47

4.09

Nov.

1.10 

1.10

.45

.80

.24

1 X^

2.60

Dec.

1.55 

.80

.65

1 4^

1.24

93

Annual.

.........

13.01

12.00

15.37

34. WHITE HORSE.a 

[Latitude, 60° 46'; longitude, 135°.]

1905........

1906........

1907........

1.72

.55

.55

0.00

.75

.52

0.18

1.45

0.10

.20

0.15

.07

.27

0.20

1.78

3 03

3.30

3.33

5.10

0.92

1.39

1 63

2.10

.50

.86

1.50

.30

.26

1.20

1.10

.90

0.30

.20

11.67

35. ATLIN.a 

[Latitude, 59° 45'; longitude, 133° 46'.]

1905........ .......

1906........ 1.37

1907..... ... .99

0.72 Tr.

0.09

0.25

.34

1.74

.32

1.62

.42

0.71

1.48

1.06

.78

0.48

1.45

.82

2.55

.51

0.76

.88

a These data were furnished by the Canadian Meteorological Service.
INDEX.

A. Pago.

Abbe, Cleveland, jr., on climatic conditions in Alaska ___- 133 

on rainfall records in AIaska___ 142 

Acre-foot, definition of_______ 0

American River drainage basin, description of _________ 93-94

Arctic Creek, discharge of_______ 90 

Arizona Creek and ditch, discharge

of___________________ 90

Arizona Creek ditch, description and

discharge of ___________ 90

Atlin, rainfall records at_________ 149

Aurora Creek, discharge of________ 04

B.

Bear Creek, description and discharge of ___________ 112

Bear Creek ditch, description of __ 100

Beaver Creek drainage basin, description of _________ 125-127

miscellaneous measurements in_ 127

Belle Creek, description and discharge of __________ 119

Bismarck Creek, description and discharge of __________ 93

Black Point, Campion ditch at 3.1-36, 70 

Miocene ditch at_______ 26-27. 70 

rainfall records at ____ 137, 138, 142

Blocker and Sayle ditch, description and discharge of___ 90

Boston Creek, description and discharge of __________ 113

Boulder Creek, discharge of_____ 92

Brigham Cr<=ek, discharge of______ 127

Brooks, A. H., on climatic provinces

of Alaska ___________ 133 

administrative work of _______ 8

Dryan Creek (BeaVer Creek drainage) above East Branch, 

discharge of ___ ___ 127

Bryan Creek (Serpentine River

drainage), discharge of___ 92-93

Budd Creek, description and discharge of ___________ 93-94

Buffalo Creek, description and discharge _____________ 22

C.

California Creek, discharge of____ 90

Campion ditch, description of__ 35

discharge of, at Black Point- 35-3(5, 70

Page.

Cjindle ditch, description and discharge of __________ 100

Canyon Creek, discharge of________ 58

Caribou Creek, discharge of________ 120

Cascade ditch, description and discharge of ___________ $7

Cascade intake, Taylor Creek at,

discharge of __________ 85-8<i

Cedric ditch, description of_____ -_ 01

discharge of, above penstock ___ 05, 70 

seepage from, measurements of__ 4>5 

watnr available for__ ________ 05

Central, rainfall records at__ .__ 140.142 

Charity Creek above mouth of Hope

Creek, discharge - ___ 115 

Chatanika River, description and

discharge of _________ 121 

discharge of, diagram showing 105 

near Faith Creek, storage table

for________________ 132 

near junction of Faith and McManus creeks, description 

and discharge of____ 11 7-1 IS 

discharge and horsepower table for_____________ 118 

Chatanika River drainage basin, description of_________ 114-115

stream measurements in______ 115-123

Chena Slough at Fairbanks, description and discharge of__ 118-109 

Chistochina, rainfall records at____ 142

Circle, rainfall records at___ ___ 140, 143 

Clara Creek, Miocene ditch at__ 27-28, 70 

Cleary, rainfall records at _ 140, 141, 142 

Cleary Creek, description and discharge of____-_______ 122

Climatic conditions on Sewavd Peninsula ___________ 1.34-139 

Coal Harbor, T'nga Island, rainfall

records at____________ 143

Coarse Gold Creek, description and

discharge of ________ 8,8-89 

Kougarok River above, description and discharge___ __ 82-83 

Coarse Gold ditch, description of___ 89 

Coffee Creek, discharge of_ _____ 90

Columbia Creek, discharge of _____ 90

Cooperation, acknowledgment of____ 8-9

Copper Center, rainfall records at_ 143 

Copper Creek, description and discharge of_ _ __ - 40-50 

Copper and .Tett creeks, combined

discharge of ____ ._. ">!

151
152 INDEX.

JMgO.

Copper, Nugget, and Jett creeks, water available from, for hydraulicking placers __ 71, 72

Copper Creek branch of Miocene

ditch, discharge of__ 35

Covert, C. C.; The Fairbanks district___________ 101-132 

work by__________ 8

Covert, C. C., and Fred F. Henshaw ;

" Introduction " to report- 7-12 

Meteorological records __ 133-149

Crater Creek, description and discharge of_____ _ 57

Crater Lake, storage capacity of 52

Crater Lake outlet, discharge of 44-45

Cripple River drainage basin, description of_______ 64

discharge measurements in 64-65

Crooked Creek, description and discharge of____ 119

Current meters, use of____ 11

D.

Dahl Creek, water available for, at 

elevation of 300 to 350 

feet_______________ 91 

Daisy Swift Creek, discharge of___ 64 

Data and methods, explanation of__ 9-12 

David Creek, description and discharge of, at Miocene ditch 

intake______________ 22-23 

discharge of, compared with that 

of Nome River at Miocene 

ditch intake _________ 22-23 

David Creek ditch, description and

discharge of_______ 32-33, 70 

Dawson, rainfall records at_____ 149 

Deep Creek, reservoir site near____ 115

Dick Creek, discharge of_______ 92-93 

Discharge measurements, methods of

making_____________ 10-12 

Discovery Creek, discharge of____ 58

Ditch and pipe lines, Nome region_ 72-76 

Fairbanks district________ 130-131 

Kougarok region___ _ _ 94-95 

Dolan and McFadden ditch, discharge of___________ 90 

Dome Creek (Chatanika drainage), 

description and discharge 

of______________ 122-123 

Dome Creek (Kruzgamepa drainage),

discharge of ________ 58, 59

Dorothy Creek, description and discharge of_________- 23

Dorothy Creek siphon, Miocene ditch

above ____________ 35

E.

East Branch Beaver Creek, above

mouth, discharge of___ 127 

Eldorado Creek, discharge of_____ 58 

Eldoradb and Flambeau River drainage basins, description of_ 69

Page.

Klliott Creek, description of______ 110 

discharge of, above mouth of Sorrels Creek __________ 110 

Little Chena River, above mouth

of________________ 109 

Equivalents, list of___________ 10 

Eureka Creek, discharge of______ 90

F.

Fairbanks, Chena Slough at______ 109 

rainfall records at_____ 140, 141, 143 

Fairbanks Creek, description and discharge of__________ 112-113 

Fish Creek above mouth of__ 111-112 

Fairbanks district, comparative runoff of different areas in__ 128 

ditch lines in, surveys for__ 130 131 

gaging stations in, list of____ 106 

rainfall records in________ 139-141 

topography and drainage of__ 101 103 

water storage in__________ 131-132 

water supply of, conditions affecting___________ 103-104 

development of________ 129-130 

measurements of ______ 106-128 

water-power possibilities in____ 131 

Fairhaven ditch, description of___ 99 

Fairhaven precinct, water supply

of_______________ 99-100 

Faith Creek, description and discharge of___________ 115 

Faith Creek Camp, rainfall records

at___________ 140, 141, 143 

Faith and McManus creeks, junction of, Chatanika River 

near___________ 117-118 

Fall Creek, discharge of_______ GO 

Fish Creek above mouth of Fairbanks Creek, description 

and discharge of____ 111-112 

Flambeau and Eldorado River drainage basins, description of_ 69 

Float measurements, methods of

making_____________ 11 

Fort Egbert, rainfall records at_ 140, 143 

Fort Gibbon, rainfall records at_ 140, 144 

Fort Liscum, rainfall records at___ 144 

Fort Yukon, rainfall records at___ 144 

Fossil Creek, discharge of ______ 127 

Fox Creek, description and discharge

of______________1__ 125

Gages, installation and use of____ 12 

Gaging stations, in Fairbanks district______________ 106 

in Kougarok region-_______ 79 

in Nome region__.________ 18 

Glacier Creek, discharge of_ __ 60 

Snake River above__________ 68-<>9 

Gold Run, description and discharge

of_______________ 48 

lake at head of, storage capacity

of____________-___ 52
158

Gold Run, storage capacity required 

to maintain given discharges of __________ ."> ">

Gold Run, Grand Central River, and 

Thompson Creek, storage 

capacity required to maintain given discharges of__ ."3

Gold Run, Thompson Creek, and upper Grand Central River, 

water available from, for 

hydraulicking placers ____ 71, 72

Goldstream Creek at claim (' below, 

description and discharge 

of_______________ 124-125

Goldstream Creek drainage basin, description of_________ 123

Goose Creek, Noxapaga River ,ibove_ 92

Grand Central, rainfall records at__ 137,

138, 144

Grand Central ditch, description and

discharge of _______ 31-32, 70

Grand Central River, discharge of,

below Nugget Creek____ 47

discharge of, below the forks___ 46

diagram showing__________ 17

Grand Central River drainage basin,

description of_______ 38 

storage posibilities in ________ 152-53

stream measurements in______ 39-52

Grand Central River, North Pork of, 

description and discharge 

of ____ __________ 38-41

Grand Central River, Thompson 

Creek, and Gold Run, 

storage capacity required 

to maintain given discharges of ___________ 53

Grand Central River, upper, water 

available from, for hydraulicking placers _____ 71, 72

Grand Central River, West Pork, description and discharge of 41-44

Grand TTnion Creek, discharge of___ 59

Grouse Creek branch of Miocene

ditch, discharge of______ 35

II.

Harris Creek, discharge of_________ 90

Henry Creek, description and discharge of ___________ 88 

Henry Creek ditch, description of___ 88 

Henry and Lincoln creeks, discharge

of_________________ 88 

Ilenshaw, Fred P. : The Fairhaven

precinct____________ 99-100 

The Kougarok region_________- 77-98

The Nome region______________ 13 76

work by _ ___ ___ __ 8 

Ilenshaw, P. P., and C. C. Covert,

" Introduction " to report- 7-12 

Meteorological records ______ 133-149

Ilenshaw, Fred F., and J. C. Hoyt, 

on water supply of Nome 

region ____ __ ______ 15

Page.

llobson Creek, description and discharge of____________ 23-24 

discharge of, at Miocene ditch

intake _____________ 24 

below Manila Creek and diversions ___________ 24

limestone springs in basin of___ 23 

Miocene ditch near _______ 28-29, 70 

llobson Creek branch of Pioneer

ditch, discharge of_____ 70 

Hobson Creek branch of Seward

ditch, discharge of____ 70 

Holy Cross Mission, rainfall records

at _____ __________ 144 

Ilomestake Creek, discharge of ____ 90

Ilomestake ditch, description and

discharge of______ 80,83-81 

Homestake ditch intake, Kougarok

River at____________ 80-S1 

Hope Creek, discharge of, near

mouth of Zephyr Creek__. 115 

Charity Creek above mouth of__ 115 

Iloyt, J. C., work by___________ 8 

Hoyt, J. C., and Ilenshaw, Fred F.. 

on water supply of Nome 

region-_____________ 15

Hydraulic mining, methods of____ 14-15

Imuruk Basin drainage, streams

tributary to, discharge of_ 59-60

Irene Creek, discharge of______ 64

Iron Creek, description and discharge of__________ 57-58, 59

Iron Creek and tributaries, discharge of____________ 58-59

Irving ditch, description and discharge of____________ 83

J.

Jessie Creek, discharge of_____ 64

.Tett Creek, description and discharge of___________ 50-51

.Tett and Copper creeks, combined

discharge of _________ 51

.Tett, Copper, and Nugget creeks, 

water available from, for 

hydraulicking placers __ 71, 72

.Tett Creek ditch, description and discharge of _________ 30-31, 70 

discharge of, compared with that 

of Nome River at Miocene 

intake _____________ 51

.Tosie Creek, discharge of___ 64

.Timeau, rainfall records at_____ 144

K.

Katalla, rainfall records at__ 145 

Kechumstuk, rainfall records at 140, 145 

Kenai, rainfall records at_ 145 

Killisnoo, rainfall records at__ __ 145 

Kokomo Creek, description and discharge of__________ 119-120
154 INDEX.

Page. I 

Kougarok region, gaging stations

in _____________ 79-94

hydraulic development in ____ 94 

topography and drainage of___ 77-78 

water supply of____________ 77 95

conditions affecting ______ 78-79 

Kougarok River, description and 

discharge of, above Coarse 

Gold Creek __________ 82-83 

description and discharge of,

above Taylor Creek____ 82 

at Homestake ditch intake__ 80-81 

discharge of, below Washington

Creek______________ 80 

Kougarok River drainage basin, description of__________ 79-80 

ditches in, water available for,

in 1907____________ 90-91 

mean weekly water supply of, in

1907_______________ 91 

miscellaneous discharge measurements in _______- 90 

Kruzgamepa River, discharge of, at

Salmon Lake_________ 55-57 

Kruzgamepa River drainage basin,

description of ___ 54-55 

discharge measurements in____ 55-59

Lillian Creek, discharge of_____ 88

Limestone springs, effect of, on runoff________________ 17

Lincoln Creek, description of_____ 88

Lincoln and Henry creeks, discharge

of________________ 88

Little Chena River, description and 

discharge of, above mouth 

of Elliott Creek ______ 109

Little Chena River and tributaries, 

discharge of, diagram 

showing__________ 105 

discharge and horsepower table

for______________ 108

Little Chena River drainage basin,

description of ______ 106-108 

drainage areas of_________ 108

Little Eldorado Creek, description

and discharge of____ 122

Little Poker Creek, discharge of__ 120

Loring (Forknam hatchery), rainfall

records at __________ 145

M.

McKay Creek, description and discharge of___________ 119

Macklin branch of Homestake ditch,

discharge of _______ 90

Macklin Creek, discharge of_____ 90

McManus Creek, description and discharge of__________ 116-117

McManus and Faith creeks, junction

of, Chatanika River near_ 117-118

McMonagle ditch, discharge of___ 90

Meteorological records_______ 133-149

Page.

Methods and data, explanation of__ 9-12 

Miller Creek, description and discharge of___________ 113 

Mine Harbor, rainfall records at___ 145 

Miner's inch, definition of______ 9-10 

Miocene ditch, discharge of, above

Dorothy Creek siphon __ 35 

discharge of, above and below

Hobson Creek_____ 28-29, 70

above Snow Gulch_______ 35

below the Ex__________ 30

at Black Point_______ 26-27, 70

at Clara Creek_______ 27-28, 70

at flume____________ 29-30, 70

at miscellaneous points___ 35

Copper Creek branch of______ 35

David Creek branch of______ 22, 70

Grand Central branch of______ 70

Grouse Creek branch of_-____ 35

.Tett Creek branch of________ 70

seepage measurements on____ 33-34

Miocene ditch flume, construction of,

over glacier_______ 74 

Miocene ditch intake, David Creek

at ________________ 22-23

Hobson Creek at ________ 24

Nome River at_______ 17,19-21,51

Nugget Creek at, discharge of__ 50

Miocene ditch system, description of_ 24-26

Morning Call Creek, description and

discharge of -_________ 51 52

N.

Nome, barometric records at____ 139

rainfall records at__________ 136,

137, 138, 139, 146

snowfall at________ ____ 16 

temperature records at______ 138

Nome Creek (Fairbanks district),

discharge of ________ 127

Nome region, climatic conditons in_ 16, 135

ditches in, discharge of-______ 70

list of________________ 75-76 

gaging stations in__________ 18-69 

limestone springs in__ ___ 17 

pipe lines and ditches in_____ 72-76 

placer mining in ___________ 14-15

rainfall in__________15-16, 136, 138 

snowfall in _____________ 16

topography and drainage of___ 13 14 

water-power possibilities in__ 76 

water supply of, conditions affecting__________i____ 15-17 

Nome River, discharge of, above

Miocene ditch intake__ 19-21 

at Miocene ditch intake, discharge 

of, compared with that 

of David Creek______ 22 

discharge of, compared 

with that ol Jett Creek 

ditch_____________ 51 

discharge of, diagram 

showing _____-_-___ 17

at Pioneer intake---__ - 21-22
TNDEX. 155

Page.

Nome River, water available from,

for hydraulicking placers-_ 70, 7'2

Nome River drainage basin, description of ____________ 18-19 

ditches in _____________ 19,75-76 

gaging stations in_________ 19-37

North Fork, rainfall records at__ 140, 146

North Fork of Grand Central River. 

See Grand Central River, 

North Fork.

North Fork [of Kougarok River], description and discharge of_ 89

North Star Creek, description and

discharge of _________ 62-63

North Star and Windy creeks and 

Sinuk River, water available from, for hydraulicking placers ______ 71, 72

North Star ditch above the siphon, 

description and discharge 

of________________ 86

North Star intake, Taylor Creek at__ 84-85

Noxapaga River above Goose Creek,

discharge of _________ 92

Noxapaga River drainage basin, description of__________ 91-92 

miscellaneous measurements in_ 92

Nngget Creek, description and discharge of____________ 40-50 

Grand Central River below____ 47

Nugget, Copper, and Jett creeks, 

water available from, for 

hydraulicking placers ____ 71, 72

Nushagak, rainfall records at__-_ 146

O.

Okdurok ditch, discharge o. _ 90 

Ophir Creek (claim 15), rainfall records at____________ 136,146 

Orca, rainfall records at_ - 146

P.

Pass Creek, discharge of__ _ _ 59 

Pedro Creek, description of_____ 123 

Penny River at Sutton ditch intake,

discharge___________ 66-67 

Penny River drainage basin, description of_____-__ 66 

Petersburg, rainfall records at- 146 

Pilgrim River. See Kruzgamepa

River.

Pioneer ditch, description of 37 

discharge of, at Hobson Creek

branch ____ _ __ 70

at Nome River intake____ 21-22. 70

Pioneer ditch intake, Nome River at_ 21-22

Pipe lines and ditches-_ __ 72-75,

94-95, 130-131

Placer mining, in Fairbanks region- 102, 129

in Kougarok region__ 94

in Nome region _____ 14-15, 70-72

Point Barrow, rainfall records at__ 146

Poker Creek, Chatanika River below

mouth of____ _ 121

Page.

Poker Creek, description and discharge of __________ 120 

rainfall record at __ 140, 141, 146, 147

Precipitation records in Alaska, summary of__________ - 142-149

Price current meter, view of, plate

showing_________ 10

I'urington, C. W., on rainfall data of

Alaska____________ 140

Q.

Quartz Creek, description and discharge of __________ 93

R.

Rainfall records in Alaska, summary of___________ 142-149 

Rampart, rainfall records at-___ 140, 147 

Reindeer Creek, discharge of____ 92 

Richards, Raymond, work by_____ 8, 15 

i Rock Creek, discharge of_________ 59

' Run-off in inches, definition of___ 9

Salmon Lake, description of______ 53-54 

flow into and out of, measurements of ___________ 54 

Kruzgamepa River at, discharge

of__________________, 55-57 

rainfall records at__ 16, 136, 137, 138 

storage capacity of_______ 53-54 

Schlitz Creek, discharge of__-__ 92 

Second-feet per square mile, definition of ____________ 9 

Second-foot, definition of______ 9

Seepage, from Cedric ditch______ 65 

from Miocene ditch_________ 33-34 

from Seward ditch_________ 36 

Serpentine River drainage basin,

measurements in _____ 92-93 

Seward ditch, description and discharge of __________ 36-37 

discharge of, at Nome River intake ______________ 70 

Hobson Creek branch of_____ 70

seepage from ____________ 36

Seward Peninsula, climatic conditions in __________ 134-139 

relative run-off in different

areas of ___________ 95-98 

water-supply investigations in_ 13-100 

Shelton, rainfall records at__ 137, 138, 147 

Sinuk River drainage basin, description of _____ 60

discharge measurements in ____ 60-64

Sinuk River, upper, discharge of_ 60-61 

Sinuk River, Windy and North Star 

creeks, water available 

from, for hydraulicking 

placers ___________ 71, 72 

Sitka, rainfall records at__ 147 

Skagway, rainfall records at_ __ 147 

Slate Creek (Cripple River drainage), discharge of 64
156 INDEX.

Page.

Slate Creek (Kruzgamepa River

drainage), discharge of__ 50 

Slate Creek (Sinuk River drainage), description and discharge of_______, _- 6:? 

Smith Creek, discharge of_______ r>9

Snake River above Glacier Creek.

discharge of _________ OS-09 

Snake River drainage basin, description of _________ OS 

Snow Gulch, discharge of____ __ <><>

Solomon River drainage basin, description of _____ __ 09

miscellaneous measurements in__ 09 

Sorrels Creek, description and discharge of _________ 110-111 

EHiott Creek above mouth of__ 110 

Springs, stream flow derived from__ 17 

Stewart River, description and discharge of _ _________ 01?

Storage possibilities, on Grand Central River headwaters__ 52-53 

Storage reservoirs, Fairbanks district_____________ 131-132 

Summit, rainfall records at______ 147

Summit Roadhouse, rainfall records

at____________ 140,141,147 

Sunrise, rainfall records at__ _ 148 

Sutton ditch at intake, discharge of_ 70 

Sutton ditch intake, Penny River

at ____ __________ 60-67

T.

Tanana Crossing, rainfall records at_ 148 

Taylor, rainfall records at__ 137, 138, 148 

Taylor Creek, description and discharge of, at North Star 

intake _____________ 84-85 

discharge of, at Cascade intake_ 85-80 

at mouth______________ 80 

Kougarok River above 82 

Teikhell, rainfall records at______ 148 

Thompson Creek, description and discharge of___________ 49 

Thompson Creek, Gold Run, and 

Grand Central River, storage capacity required to 

maintain given discharges 

of________________ 53

Page.

Thompson Creek, Gold Run, and upper Grand Central River, 

water available from, for 

hydraulicking placers-__ 71, 72

Trail Creek, discharge of_______ 127

Turner Creek at McKay intake, discharge of________ 92

Tjonek, rainfall records at______ 148

U.

T'dakta (Dutch Harbor), rainfall

records at_________ 148

Upper Oregon Creek, discharge of__ 64

Velocity, methods of measuring __ 11-12 

W.

Washington Creek, discharge of _ _ 

Kougarok River below, discharge

Water-power possibilities, in Fairbanks district __ ____

in Nome region _ __ _ _ __ _ __

White Horse, rainfall records at __ 

Willow Creek, discharge of _ __ _ _

Windy Creek, description and discharge of ___ _____ 61

Windy Creek ditch, discharge of_ _ _

Windy and North Star creeks and

Sinuk River, water available from, for hydraulicking placers l___ _ _ _ __

Woody Island (Kodiak Island), rainfall records at _______

Y.

Yukon-Tanaua region, rainfall records in_____________ 

See also Fairbanks district.

Xephyr Creek, Hope Creek near 

mouth of, discharge of __

90

80

131

76

149

59

02, 90

90

71,72

148

140

115
RECENT SURVEY PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA.

[Arranged geographically. A complete list can be had on application.]

All of these publication? 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 certain maps), 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 throughout the United States, where they can be consulted by those interested.

GENERAL.

The geography and geology of Alaska, a summary of existing knowledge, by A. H.

Brooks, with a section on climate by Cleveland Abbe, jr., and a topographic map

and description thereof, by R. U. Goode. Professional Paper No. 45, 1906, 327 pp. 

Placer mining in Alaska in 1904, by A. H. Brooks. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905, pp.

18-31.

The mining industry in 1905, by A. H. Brooks. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp. 4-9. 

The mining industry in 1906, by A. H. Brooks. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp. 19-39. 

Railway routes, by A. H. Brooks. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp. 10-17. 

Administrative report, by A. H. Brooks. In Report on progress of investigations of

mineral resources of Alaska in 1904: Bulletin No. 259, 1905, pp. 13-17. 

Administrative report, by A. H. Brooks. In Report on progress of investigations of

mineral resources of Alaska in 1905: Bulletin No. 284,1906, pp. 1-3. 

Administrative report, by A. H. Brooks. In Report on progress of investigations of

mineral resources of Alaska in 1906: Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp. 11-18. 

Notes on the petroleum fields of Alaska, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905,

pp. 128-139. 

The petroleum fields of the Pacific coast of Alaska, with an account of the Bering River

coal deposits, by G. C. Martin. Bulletin No. 250, 1905, 64 pp. 

Markets for Alaska coal, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp. 18-29. 

The Alaska coal fields, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907. pp. 40^6. 

Methods and costs of gravel and placer mining in Alaska, by C. "W. Purington. Bulletin

No. 263, 1905, 362 pp. (Out of stock; can be purchased from Superintendent of

Documents, Washington, D. C., for 35 cents.) Abstract in Biilletin No. 259, 1905,

pp. 32-46. 

Geographic dictionary of Alaska, by Marcus Baker, second edition by J. C. McCormick. Bulletin No. 299, 1906, 690 pp. 

Administrative report, by A. H. Brooks. In Report on progress of investigations of

mineral resources of Alaska in 1907. Bulletin No. 345, pp. 5-17. 

The distribution of mineral resources in Alaska, by A. H. Brooks. In Report on

progress of investigations of mineral resources of Alaska in 1907. Bulletin No.

345, pp. 18-29.

The mining industry in 1907, by A. H. Brooks. In Report on progress of investigations of mineral resources of Alaska in 1907. Bulletin 345, pp. 30-53. 

Prospecting and mining gold placers in Alaska, by J. P. Hutchins. In Bulletin

No. 345, 1908, pp. 54-77. 

Water-supply investigations in Alaska in 1906-7, by F. F. Henshawand C. C. Covert.

Water-Supply Paper No. 218, 1908, 156 pp.

Topographic maps.

Alaska, topographic map of; scale, 1: 2500000. Preliminary edition by R. U. Goode.

Contained in Professional Paper No. 45. Not published separately. 

Map of Alaska showing distribution of mineral resources; scale, 1:5000000; by A. H.

Brooks. Contained in Bulletin 345 (in pocket). 

Map of Alaska; scale, 1:5000000; by Alfred H. Brooks.
II RECENT SURVEY PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA.

In preparation.

Methods and costs of gravel and placer mining in Alaska, by C. W. Purington. Second 

edition.

SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA.

Preliminary report on the Ketchikan mining district, Alaska, with an introductory

sketch of the geology of southeastern Alaska, by Alfred H. Brooks. Professional

Paper No. 1, 1902, 120 pi>.

The Porcupine placer district, "Alaska, by C. W. Wright. Bulletin No. 236, 1904, 35 pp. 

The Treadwell ore deposits, by A. C. Spencer. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905, pp. 69-87. 

Economic developments in southeastern Alaska, by F. E. and C. W. Wright. In

Bulletin No. 259, 1905, pp. 47-68. 

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. Bulletin No. 287,

1906, 161 pp. 

Lode mining in southeastern Alaska, by F. E. and C. W. Wright. In Bulletin No.

284, 1906, pp. 30-53. 

Nonmetallic deposits of southeastern Alaska, by C. W. Wright. In Bulletin No. 284,

1906, pp. 54-60.

The Yakutat Bay region, by R. S. Tarr. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp. 61-64. 

Lode mining in southeastern Alaska, by C. W. Wright. In Bulletin No. 314 r 1907,

pp. 47-72. 

Nonmetalliferous mineral resources of southeastern Alaska, by C. W. Wright. In

Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp. 73-81.

Reconnaissance on the Pacific coast from Yakutat to Alsek River, by Eliot Blackwelder. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp. 82-88. 

Lode mining in southeastern Alaska in 1907, by C. W. Wright. In Bulletin No. 345,

1908, pp. 78-97. 

The building stones and materials of southeastern Alaska, by C. W. Wright. In

Bulletin No. 345, 1908, pp. 116-126. 

Copper deposits on Kasaan Peninsula. Prince of Wales Island, by C. W. Wright and

Sidney Paige. " In Bulletin No. 345, 1908, pp. 98-115.

Topographic maps.

Juneau Special quadrangle; scale, 1:62500; by W. J. Peters. For sale at 5 cents each

or $3 per hundred. 

Topographic map of the Juneau gold belt, Alaska. Contained in Bulletin 287, Plate

XXXVI, 1906. Not issued separately.

In* preparation.

Physiography and glacial geology of the Yakutat Bay region, Alaska, by R. S. Tarr,

with a chapter on the bed-rock geology by R. S. Tarr and B. S. Butler. 

The Ketchikan and Wrangell mining districts, Alaska, by F. E. and C. W. Wright. 

Berners Bay Special map; scale, 1:62500; by R. B. Oliver. (In press.) 

Kasaan Peninsula Special map; scale, 1:62500; by D. C. Witherspoon and J. W. Bagley.

CONTROLLER BAY, PRINCE WILLIAM SOUNL>, ANL> COPPER RIVER

REGIONS.

The mineral resources of the Mount Wrangell district, Alaska, by W. C. Mendenhall. 

Professional Paper No. 15, 1903, 71 pp. Contains general map of Prince William 

Sound and Copper River region; scale, 12 miles = 1 inch. (Out of stock; can be 

purchased from Superintendent of Documents for 30 cents.)

Bering River coal field, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905, pp. 140-150.

Cape Yaktag placers, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905, pp. 88-89.

Notes on the petroleum fields of Alaska, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905, 

pp. 128-139. Abstract from Bulletin No. 250.

The petroleum fields of the Pacific coast of Alaska, with an account of the Bering River 

coal deposits, by G. C. Martin. Bulletin No. 250, 1905, 64 pp.

Geology of the central Copper River region, Alaska, by W. C. Mendenhall. Professional Paper No. 41, 1905, 133 pp.

Copper and other mineral resources of Prince William Sound, by IT. S. Grant. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp. 78-87.

Distribution and character of the Bering River coal, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 

284, 1906, pp. 65-76.
RECENT SURVEY PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA. Ill

Petroleum at Controller Bay, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907,. pp. 89-103. 

Geology and mineral resources of Controller Bay region, by G. C. Martin. Bulletin

No. 335, 1908, 141 pp. 

Notes on copper prospects of Prince William Sound, by F. H. Moffit. In Bulletin

No. 345, 1908, pp. 176-178. 

Mineral resources of the Kotsina and Chitina valleys, Copper River region, by F. H.

Moffit and A. G. Maddren. In Bulletin No. 345, 1908, pp. 127-175.

Topographic maps.

Map of Mount Wrangell; scale, 12 miles = 1 inch. Contained in Professional Paper

No. 15. Not issued separately. 

Copper and upper Chistochina rivers; scale, 1:250000; by T. G. Gerdine. Contained

in Professional Paper No. 41. Not issued separately. 

Copper, Nabesna, and Chisana rivers, headwaters of; scale, 1:250000. D. C. Witherspoon. Contained in Professional Paper No. 41. Not issued separately. 

Controller Bay region Special map; scale, 1:62500; by E. G. Hamilton. For sale at 35

cents a copy or $21.00 per hundred. 

General map of Alaska coast region from Yakutat Bay to Prince William Sound; scale,

1:1200000; compiled by G. C. Martin. Contained in Bulletin No. 335.

In preparation.

The Kotsina-Chitina copper region, by F. H. Moffit.

Chitina quadrangle map; scale, 1:250000; by T. G. Gerdine and D. C. Witherspoon.

COOK INLET AND SUSITNA REGION.

The petroleum fields of the Pacific coast of Alaska, with an account of the Bering River

coal deposits, by G. C. Martin. Bulletin No. 250, 1905, 64 pp. 

Coal resources of southwestern Alaska, by R. \V. Stone. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905,

pp. 151-171. 

Gold placers of Turnagain Arm, Cook Inlet, by F. H. Moffit. In Bulletin No. 259,

1905, pp. 90-99. 

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. Bulletin No. 277, 1906, 80 pp. 

Preliminary statement on the Matanuska coal field, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No.

284, 1906, pp. 88-100.

A reconnaissance of the Matanuska coal field, Alaska, in 1905, by G. C. Martin. Bulletin No. 289, 1906, 36 pp. (Out of stock; can be purchased of Superintendent of

Documents for 25 cents.) 

Reconnaissance in the Matanuska and Talkeetna basins, by S. Paige and A. Knopf.

In Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp. 104-125. 

Geologic reconnaissance in the Matanuska and Talkeetna basins, Alaska, by S. Paige

and A. Knopf. Bulletin No. 327, 1907, 71 pp.

Topographic maps.

Kenai Peninsula, northern portion; scale, 1:250000; by E. G. Hamilton. Contained 

in Bulletin No. 277. Not published separately.

Reconnaissance map of Matanuska and Talkeetna region; scale, 1:250000; by T. G. 

Gerdine and R. H. Sargent. Contained in Bulletin No. 327. Not published 

separately.

Mount McKinley region; scale, 1:625000; by D. L. Reaburn. Contained in Professional Paper No. 45. Not published separately.

ALASKA PENINSULA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS.

Gold mine on Unalaska Island, by A. J. Collier. In Bulletin No. 259,1905, pp. 102-103. 

Gold deposits of the Shumagin Islands, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905,

pp. 100-101. 

Notes on the petroleum fields of Alaska, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905,

pp. 128-139. Abstract from Bulletin No. 250. 

The petroleum fields of the Pacific coast of Alaska, with an account of the Bering River

coal deposits, by G. C. Martin. In Bulletin No. 250, 1905, 64 pp. 

Coal resources of southwestern Alaska, by R. W. Stone. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905,

pp. 151-171. 

The Herendeen Bay coal field, by Sidney Paige. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp.

101-108.
IV RECENT SUKVEY PUBLICATIONS ON ALASKA.

YUKON BASIN.

The coal resources of the Yukon, Alaska, by A. J. Collier. Bulletin No. 218, 1903,

71pp. 

The gold placers of the Fortymile, Birch Creek, and Fairbanks regions, by L. M. Prindle. Bulletin No. 251, 1905, 89 pp.

Yukon placer fields, by L. M. Prindle. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp. 109-131. 

Reconnaissance from Circle to Fort Hamlin, by R. W. Stone. In Bulletin No. 284,

1906, pp. 128-131. 

The Yukon-Tanana region, Alaska; description of the Circle quadrangle, by L. M.

Prindle. Bulletin No. 295, 1906, 27 pp. 

The Bonnifield and Kantishna regions, by L. M. Prindle. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907,

pp. 205-226. 

The Circle Precinct, Alaska, by Alfred H. Brooks. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp.

187-204.

The Yukon-Tanana region, Alaska; description of the Fairbanks and Rampart quadrangles, by L. M. Prindle, F. L. Hess, and C. C. Covert. Bulletin No. 337, 1908,

102 pp. 

Occurrence of gold in the Yukon-Tanana region, by L. M. Prindle. In Bulletin No.

345, 1908, pp. 179-186. 

The Fortymile gold placer district, by L. M. Prindle. In Bulletin No. 345, 1908,

pp. 187-197. 

Water supply of the Fairbanks district in 1907, by C. C. Covert. In Bulletin No. 345,

1908, pp. 198-205.

Topographic maps.

Fortymile quadrangle; scale, 1:250000; by E. C. Barnard. For sale at 5 cents a copy

or $3 per hundred. 

Yukon-Tanana region, reconnaissance map of; scale, 1:625000; by T. G. Gcrdine.

Contained in Bulletin No. 251, 1905. Not published separately. 

Fairbanks and Birch Creek districts, reconnaissance maps of; scale, 1:250000; by T. G.

Gerdine. Contained in Bulletin No. 251, 1905. Not issued separately. 

Circle quadrangle, Yukon-Tanana region; scale, 1:250000; by D. C. Witherspoon.

Contained in Bulletin No. 295. Not issued separately.

In preparation.

Water-supply investigations in Alaska, 1906 and 1907, by F. F. Henshaw and C. C.

Covert. Water-Supply Paper No. 218, 1908, 156 pp. 

Fairbanks quadrangle map; scale, 1:250000; by D. C. Witherspoon. Contained in

Bulletin No. 337, 1908. 

Rampart quadrangle map; scale, 1:250000; by D. C. Witherspoon. Contained in

Bulletin No. 337, 1908. 

Fairbanks Special map; scale, 1:62500: by T. G. Gerdine and R. H. Sargent.

SEWARD PENINSULA.

A reconnaissance of the Cape Nome and adjacent gold fields of Seward Peninsula,

Alaska, in 1900, by A. H. Brooks, G. B. Richardson, and A. J. Collier. In a

special pxiblication entitled ''Reconnaissances in the Cape Nome and Norton Bay

regions, Alaska, in 1900," 1901, 180 pp. 

A reconnaissance in the Norton Bay region, Alaska, in 1900, by W. C. Mendenhall.

In a special publication entitled "Reconnaissances in the Cape Nome and Norton

Bay regions, Alaska, in 1900." 

A reconnaissance of the northwestern portion of Seward Peninsula, Alaska, by A. J.

Collier. Professional Paper No. 2, 1902, 70 pp. 

The tin deposits of the York region, Alaska, by A. J. Collier. Bulletin No. 229, 1904,

61pp. 

Recent developments of Alaskan tin deposits, by A. J. Collier. In Bulletin No. 259,

1905, pp. 120-127. 

The Fairhaven gold placers of Seward Peninsula, by F. H. Moffit. Bulletin No. 247,

1905, 85 pp.

The York tin region, by F. L. Hess. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp. 145-157. 

Gold mining on Seward Peninsula, by F. H. Moffit. In Bulletin No. 284, 1906, pp,

132-141. 

The Kougarok region, by A. H. Brooks. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp. 164-181.
RECENT SURVEY PTBLICATIONS ON ALASKA. V

Water supply of Nome region, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 1906, by J. C. Hoyt and

F. F. Henshaw. Water-Supply Paper No. 196, 1907, 52 pp. (Out of stock; can

be purchased of Superintendent of Documents for 15 cents.) 

Water supply of the Nome region, Seward Peninsula, 1906, by J. C. Hoyt and F. F.

Henshaw. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp. 182-186.

The Nome region, by F. H. Moffit. In Bulletin No. 314, 1907, pp. 126-145. 

Gold fields of the Solomon and Niukluk river basins, by P. S. Smith. In Bulletin

No. 314, 1907, pp. 146-156. 

Geology and mineral resources of Iron Creek, by P. S. Smith. In Bulletin No. 314,

1907, pp. 157-163. 

The gold placers of parts of Seward Peninsula, Alaska, including the Nome, Council,

Kougarok, Port Clarence, and Goodhope precincts, by A. J. Collier, F. L. Hess,

P. S. Smith, and A. H. Brooks. Bulletin No. 328, 1908, 343 pp. 

Investigation of the mineral deposits of Seward Peninsula, by P. S. Smith. In

Bulletin No. 345, 1908, pp. 200-250. 

The Seward Peninsula tin deposits, by Adolph Knopf. In Bulletin No. 345, 1908,

pp. 251-267. 

Mineral deposits of the Lost River and Brooks Mountain regions, Seward Peninsula,

by Adolph Knopf. In Bulletin No. 345, 1908, pp. 268-271. 

Water supply of the Nome and Kougarok regions, Seward Peninsula, in 1906-7, by

F. F. Henshaw. In Bulletin No. 345, 1908, pp. 272-285.

Topographic maps.

The following maps are for sale at 5 cents a copy, or $3 per hundred: 

Casadepaga Quadrangle, Seward Peninsula; scale, 1:62500; by T. G. Gerdine. 

Grand Central Special, Seward Peninsula; scale, 1:62500; by T. G. Gerdine. 

Nome Special, Seward Peninsula; scale, 1:62500; by T. G. Gerdine. 

Solomon Quadrangle, Seward Peninsula; scale, 1:62500; by T. G. Gerdine.

The following maps are for sale at 25 cents a copy, or $15 per hundred: 

Seward Peninsula, northeastern portion of, topographic reconnaissance of; scale,

1:250000; by T. G. Gerdine. 

Seward Peninsula, northwestern portion of, topographic reconnaissance of; scale,

1:250000; by T. G. Gerdine.

Seward Peninsula, southern portion of, topographic reconnaissance of; scale, 

1:250000; by T. G. Gerdine.

In preparation.

Water-supply investigations in Alaska, 1906 and 1907, by F. F. Henshaw and C. C.

Covert. Water-Supply Paper No. 218, 1908, pp. 156. 

Geology of the area represented on the Nome and Grand Central Special maps, by

F/H. Moffit, F. L. Hess, and P. S. Smith. 

Geology of the area represented on the Solomon and Casadepaga Special maps, by

P. S. Smith. 

The Seward Peninsula tin deposits, by A. Knopf.

NORTHERN ALASKA.

A reconnaissance from Fort Hamlin to Kotzebue Sound, Alaska, by way of Ball, 

Kanuti, Alien, and Kowak rivers, by W. C. Mendenhall. Professional Papir 

No. 10, 1902, 68 pp.

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, by F. C. Schrader and W. J. Peters. Professional Paper No. 20,1904,139 pp. 

(Out of stock; can be purchased of Superintendent of Documents for 40 cents.)

Coal fields of the Cape Lisburne region, by A. J. Collier. In Bulletin No. 259, 1905, 

pp. 172-185.

Geology and coal resources of Cape Lisburne region, Alaska, by A. J. Collier. Bulletin No. 278, 1906, 54 pp.

Topographic maps.

Fort Yukon to Kotzebue Sound, reconnaissance map of; scale, 1:1200000; by D. L.

Reaburn. Contained in Professional Paper No. 10. Not published separately. 

Koyukuk River to mouth of Colville River, including John River; scale, 1:1200000;

by W. J. Peters. Contained in Professional Paper No. 20. (Out of stock.) Not

published separately.

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