DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FRANKLIN K. LANE, Secretary

 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372

ATER-POWER RECONNAISSANCE 

IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA

BY

( C. E. ELLSWORTH AND E. W. DAVENPORT

i

WITH

i SECTION ON SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA

BY 

J. C. HOYT

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIOX 

1915
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FRANKLIN K. LANE, Secretary

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372

A WATER-POWER RECONNAISSANCE 

IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA

BY

C. E. ELLSWOETH AND E. W. DAVENPOET

WITH

A SECTION ON SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA

BY

J. C. HOYT

Recces

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT FEINTING OFFICE

1916
CONTENTS.

Preface, by A. H. Brooks................................................ 1. 9

Introduction.............................................................. 11

Methods of investigation.................................................... 12

Definition of terms................................................_......... 13

Convenient equivalents.................................................... 14

Water-power rights........................................................ 15

Climate.................................................................... 15

General conditions...................................................... 15

Precipitation........................................................... 17

Temperature........................................................... 32

Controller Bay region..........................;............................ 34

General features....................................................... 34

Measuring points....................................................... 35

Bering River drainage basin............................................ 35

General features................................................... 35

Canyon Creek...................................................... 37

Stillwater Creek................................................... 38

General features............................................... 38

Discharge measurements....................................... 38

Katalla River......................................................... 39

Water-power sites.......................................r.............. 39

Copper River drainage basin............................................... 39

General features....................................................... 39

Mineral resources...................................................... 43

Timber............................................................... 44

Gaging stations and measuring points................................... 45

Copper River near Copper Center........................................ 45

Copper River at Miles Glacier............................................ 47

Klutina River basin................................................... 50

General features................................................... 50

Klutina River at Copper Center..................................... 51

Kotsina River basin.................................................... 53

Chitina River basin................................................... 53

General features................................................... 53

Nizina River basin................................................. 55

General features............................................... 55

McCarthy Creek near McCarthy................................. 58

Miscellaneous measurements.................................... 60

Lakina River basin................................................ 60

General features............................................... 60

Miscellaneous measurements.................................... 61

Gilahina River basin.............................................. 61

General features............................................... 61

Miscellaneous measurements.................................... 62

3
4 CONTENTS.

Copper River drainage basin Continued.

Chitina River basin Continued. Page.

Kuskulana River basin............................................ 62

General features............................................... 62

Miscellaneous measurements.................................... 63

Tiekel River basin. ..................................................... 64

General features................................................... 64

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 66

Water-power sites....................................................... 66

McKinley Lake district..................................................... 68

Power Creek basin......................................................... 69

General features....................................................... 69

Power Creek near Cordova............................................. 70

Prince William Sound region............................................... 72

General features....................................................... 72

Mineral resources...................................................... 73

Timber................................................................. 74

Gaging stations and measuring points................................... 74

Orca Bay.............................................................. 75

General features................................................... 75

Humpback Creek near Cordova..................................... 76

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 78

Sheep Bay............................................................ 78

Port Fidalgo.......................................................... 78

Landlocked Bay...................................................... 80

General features. ..............--.............-*.................... 80

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 81

Gladhaugh Creek...................................................... 81

General features................................................... 81

Gladhaugh Creek at elevation 250 feet............................... 82

Gladhaugh Creek at elevation 125 feet............................... 82

Galena Bay........................................................... 83

General features................................................... 83

Bottle Creek....................................................... 83

General features............................................... 83

Bottle Creek at Galena Bay..................................... 84

Duck River....................................................... 85

General features............................................... 85

Duck River at Galena Bay..................................... 87

PortValdez........................................................... 89

General features................................................... 89

Solomon Gulch................................................... 89

Lowe River...................................................... 90

Mineral Creek...................................................... 91

Gold Creek....................................................... 93

General features............................................... 93

Gold Creek near Valdez....................................... 93

Shoup Bay........................................................ 94

General features............................................... 94

Uno Creek at Shoup Bay....................................... 95

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 97

Eaglek Bay........................................................... 97
CONTENTS. 5

Prince William Sound region Continued. page.

Port Wells district..................................................... 98

General features................................................... 98

Davis Creek....................................................... 99

General features............................................... 99

Davis Creek at Golden......................................... 99

Avery River..................................................... 100

General features............................................... 100

Avery River near Golden.........................r ........... 101

Harrison Lagoon.... .r ............................................. 102

Hobo Bay and Creek. ............................................. 103

General features............................................... 103

Hobo Creek near Golden...................................... 103

Hummer Bay.................................................... 104

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 104

Developed water power. .............................................. 105

General conditions................................................. 105

Cordova........................................................... 105

Orca.............................................................. 106

Landlocked Bay.................................................. 107

Galena Bay....................................................... 107

Port Valdez....................................................... 107

Solomon Gulch.............. I................................ 107

Glacier Creek................................................. 108

Uno Creek.................................................... 109

Water-power sites..................................................... 109

Kenai Peninsula........................................................... 110

General features....................................................... 110

Mineral resources....................................................... Ill

Timber............................................................... 112

Gaging stations and measuring points................................... 113

Lowell Creek.......................................................... 113

Tonsina Creek......................................................... 114

Resurrection River.................................................... 114

Kenai River drainage basin............................................. 114

General features................................................... 114

. Kenai River between Kenai and Skilak lakes........................ 115

Kenai Lake at Roosevelt.......................................... 116

Kenai River at Kenai Dredging Co.'s camp... ..................... 117

Ptarmigan Creek.................................................. 118

Falls Creek........................................................ 119

Grant Creek....................................................... 121

Trail Creek........................................................ 123

Quartz Creek...................................................... 123

Juneau Creek..................................................... 125

Cooper Creek..................................\ ................... 125

Russian River..................................................... 126

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 127

Sixmile Creek drainage basin........................................... 128

General features................................................... 128

Sixmile Creek at Sunrise. ......................................... 129

Mills Creek 2 miles above mouth................................... 130

Miscellaneous measurements........................................ 131
6 CONTENTS.

Kenai Peninsula Continued. Page.

Resurrection Creek drainage basin....................................... 131

Power plant of the Seward Light & Power Co............................. 131

Water-power sites..................................................... 140

Willow Creek district...................................................... 141

General features....................................................... 141

Gaging stations and measuring points................................... 142

Craigie Creek at Gold Bullion mill..................................... 142

Little Susitna River................................................... 145

Archangel Creek...................................................... 146

Fishhook Creek........................................................ 147

Developed water powers................................................ 147

Water-power sites..................................................... 148

Cost of power............................................................. 149

A water-power reconnaissance in southeastern Alaska, 1909, by J. C. Hoyt.... 157

Introduction.......................................................... 157

General topographic features........................................... 157

Geology.............................................................. 159

Climate................................................................ 159

Vegetation............................................................. 162

General conditions of run-off........................................... 162

Industrial conditions................................................... 163

Power possibilities. ..................................................... 165

Index................................................................... 169

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE I. Map showing location of rainfall stations in southern Alaska......... 16

II. Map of Controller Bay region showing location of measuring points.. 34

III. A, Falls on Bering River near outlet of First Berg Lake; B, Solomon

Gulch ......................................................... 36

IV. A, Copper River 1 mile above Copper Center; B, Copper River valley........................................................... 37

V. A, Copper River, looking downstream to head of Abercrombie Rapids;

B, View up Copper River........................................ 42

VI. Map of Copper River basin showing location of gaging stations and

measuring points............................................... 44

VII. A, Klutina River near Copper Center; B, McCarthy Creek......... 50

VIII. A, Canyon on Tsina River about 3J miles above Beaver Dam road 

house; B, View up Tsina River, 4J miles above Beaver Dam road 

house.......................................................... 64

I.. A, View up Power Creek from head of falls; B, Power Creek basin

from Eyak Lake................................................ 65

X. Map of Prince William Sound showing location of gaging stations

and measuring points.......................................... 72

XI. A, Dam site at outlet of Silver Lake; B, Falls on Duck River near

Silver Lake................................................... 84

XII. Port Valdez, looking north....................................... 85

XIII. Falls at Eaglek Bay: A, October 10,1913; B, August 9,1913........ 96
CONTENTS.

PLATE XIV. A, Davis Lake from point near outlet; B, Falls on Davis Creek .

below lake.................................................. 97

XV. A, Falls on Bench Creek; B, Falls on Avery River............... 100

XVI. Map of north-central part of Kenai Peninsula showing location of

gaging stations and measuring points.......................... 112

XVII. A, Lowell Creek at pipe intake; B, Resurrection River, looking

up stream.................................................. 114

XVIII. A, Upper valley of Mills Creek; B, West end of Kenai Lake..... 115

XIX. Map of Willow Creek district showing location of gaging stations

and measuring points....................................... 142

XX. A, Typical coast scene; B, Typical forest view .................. 158

XXI. A, Typical drainage area and stream; B, Hanging basin, showing

outlet with falls at shore line..........................:...... 159

XXII. Hydrograph of Porcupine Creek................................ 162

FIGUKE 1. Diagram showing annual precipitation at Sitka, Alaska, 1843-1912. 18

2. Diagram showing monthly distribution of precipitation in southern

Alaska........................................................ 27

3. Diagram showing discharge, in second-feet per square mile, of Klutina River and McCarthy Creek for 1913........................ 57

4. Hydrograph of Duck River..................................... 86

5. Map of southeastern Alaska....................................... 158

6. Hydrograph of Turner River...................................... 164
PREFACE.

ALFRED H. BROOKS.

by the United States 

the work was confined

A study of the water supply of parts of Alaska has been carried on

Greological Survey for several years. At first 

to Seward Peninsula; later it was extended to

the Yukon-Tanana region. In each of the most important mining 

districts of these two provinces stream gaging records were obtained 

covering three to five vears, and the results have been published in 

summary form.1 It is [unfortunate that the demands of other investigations have not permitted the allotment of additional funds for the 

continuation of this wfork to the end that longer records of stream 

flow might be obtained and other inland districts examined.

This volume is devoted to water investigations in another field. 

The rapid development in the region tributary to Copper River, 

Prince William Sound, and the lower Susitna has led to much search 

for water powers, and for this reason a preliminary examination of 

the province was undertaken in 1913. Measurements of stream 

volumes made during only one season can not, of course, be relied

upon for estimating a

information on the topography of drainage basins, reservoirs, and 

power sites, and incidentally water measurements were made. These 

field data, together with compilations of the Weather Bureau's 

records of precipitation, are here brought together in convenient form

and will, it is believed

will be the first to realize that it must be supplemented by surveys 

and measurements before any water-power project is seriously considered. This, volume

erage flows, but this study has yielded much

serve as a general guide to the engineer, who

will at least serve to show that water powers

available throughout i;he year are not so abundant in this part of 

Alaska as has sometimes been assumed.

The general province here discussed contains valuable mineral 

deposits. In its eastern part lies the Bering River coal field, with its 

high-grade fuels, and slso the Katalla oil field. In the Copper River 

basin and in the Prince William Sound region, to the west, there are

i Henshaw, F. F.', and Parker, 

Water-Supply Paper 314,1912. 

the Yukon-Tanana region: U. S.

. L., Surface water supply of Seward Peninsula: U. S. Geol. Survey 

E Isworth, C. E., and Davenport, B. "W., The surface water supply of 

(tool. Survey Water-Supply Paper 342,1914.

9
10 PBEFACE.

valuable gold and copper deposits. The gold deposits of the Willow 

Creek district of the Kenai Peninsula also lie in the province investigated, and the Matanuska coal field, with its valuable fuels, is close 

at hand. Take it all in all, this is one of the richest mineral districts 

in Alaska and it contains also arable lands. Moreover, it embraces 

two of the most important gateways into inland Alaska the Copper 

River and Susitna valleys. Any power development in this field 

must be undertaken with full recognition of possible competition 

with the mineral fuels noted above. Coal and oil now command 

high prices but when the local fields are opened can doubtless be 

supplied at much lower rates.

This report is essentially the work of Mr. Ellsworth and Mr. Davenport, who deserve great credit for having collected so much information in a single field season in a region which is in large part difficult 

of access. Appended to the main report is a reprint of an article 

by John C. Hoyt on the water powers of southeastern Alaska. There 

is thus brought together all the available information concerning the 

water powers along the Pacific coast of Alaska as far west as Cook 

Inlet. These investigations should be followed by studies of stream 

flow extending through a period of years sufficiently long to afford 

data for accurate generalizations on stream volume. This work will 

be begun as- soon as circumstances permit. For the present it must 

be deferred, as the annual grant of funds must be used for what are 

believed to be more important surveys and investigations.
A WATERSOUTH

RECONNAISSANCE IN 

-CENTRAL ALASKA.

By C. E. EJLLSWORTH and R. W. DAVENPORT.

INTRODUCTION.

This report, which presents the results of the first systematic study

of the water powers of south-central Alaska, has been compiled from

observations made by the writers during the field season beginning 

May 5, 1913, and ending November 25, 1913, supplemented by information obtained fron|i numerous reports and maps prepared by 

other members of the^ Survey and from records furnished by the 

Weather Bureau. [

The areas investigatjed (see PI. I) were the Bering River basin in 

the Controller Bay region; the basin of Lower Copper River and its 

principal tributary, the Chitina; numerous localities in the Prince 

William Sound region; the Willow Creek district; and the eastern 

part of Kenai Peninsula. Most of the larger streams hi the vicinity of commercial centers and mining camps were visited, but this 

report should not be considered a complete inventory of the streams 

on which power may l|e developed within the areas discussed.

Southern Alaska is generally understood to afford-many opportunities for large waters-power development. Its water powers are 

sometimes spoken of as " unlimited," a term which, of course, is 

never literally correct £is applied to water powers and which is not at 

all applicable to the area covered by this report. The coastal regions 

of south-central Alaska are, however, particularly favored with many 

small undeveloped water powers having capacities of less than 200 

or 300 horsepower, and there are perhaps a few sites where plants of 

1,000 or 2,000 or possibly as much as 5,000 horsepower could be 

operated throughout tie year.

It is impracticable to estimate even approximately the power that 

could be continuously developed on many of the streams investigated, for no previous records of flow have been kept on streams in 

this region, and the data obtained during this reconnaissance represent only that part oj' the year when the streams are at or above 

their average stage. Even during that period daily records were

11
12 WATEE POWEE IN SOUTH-CENTBAL ALASKA.

obtained on only a few streams. It would be necessary to make 

daily observations for a year at least in order to estimate with reasonable accuracy the mean yearly discharge. Another reason, of nearly 

equal importance, is the lack of information regarding the capacity 

of the various reservoir sites. If water power is to be developed 

continuously throughout the year, the value of storage reservoirs 

in which the excess flow in the summer and fall can be conserved for 

use during the winter can not be too strongly emphasized.

Willing assistance and information were given to the writers by 

many residents of the country during the progress of the field work, 

and it is regretted that individual recognition can not be accorded. 

For gage readings and special services particular acknowledgment is 

due to G. L. Banta; the Copper River & Northwestern Railway; 

W. A. Dickey, manager Three Man Mining Co., of Landlocked Bay; 

Ellamar Mining Co.; Gold Bullion Mining Co.; Free Gold Mining Co.; 

S. M. Graff, manager Seward Light & Power Co.; Charles G. Hubbard, manager Kenai Dredging Co.; Kennicott Mines Co.; A. R. 

Ohman; C. I. Olsen; Herman Schmesar; and L. W. Storm, mining 

engineer, Valdez.

METHODS OF INVESTIGATION.

The two controlling features of a stream basin with respect to its 

water power capacity are (1) the run-off and its variation throughout 

the year and (2) the head under which the water can be utilized at the 

wheels. A third feature, however, that will frequently determine the 

practicability of the project on Alaska streams is the storage capacity 

that can be created above the point of diversion.

To determine the run-off, measurements of discharge were made 

by a current meter, and where practicable gages were installed from 

which the elevation of the water surface was read at various intervals 

of time depending on the proximity of the observer. After measurements of discharge are made at different gage heights, the discharge 

at any gage height can be estimated by plotting the measurements 

on cross-section paper, with discharges as abscissas and gage heights 

as ordinates, and then drawing a curve through the plotted points. 

A rating table is then prepared showing the discharge for various 

gage heights, the reliability of which depends on the accuracy of 

discharge measurements and gage readings, and also on the permanency of the stream channel. Where gage readings are not 

available the discharge is, of course, unknown except at the time 

of the engineer's visit, when discharge measurements were made. 

Such measurements are called miscellaneous and should be used 

with care in estimating the flow at other times, because of the rapid 

fluctuation that is characteristic of the streams. As previously
DEFINITION OF TEEMS. 13

mentioned, the records do not cover the low-water season which occurs 

from the late fall until about the first of May.

The head in feet obtainable at the various sites was determined 

either by aneroid barometer or from the following topographic maps:

Controller Bay region, scale 1:62,500, contour interval 50 feet. 

Chitina (reconnaissance), scale 1:250,000, contour interval 200 feet. Published in 

Bulletin 374.

Nizina district, scale 1:62,500, contour interval 50 feet. Published in Bulletin 448. 

Valdez Bay and vicinity, scale 1:62,500, contour interval 50 feet. 

Ellamar and vicinity, scale 1:62,500, contour interval 100 feet. 

Kenai Peninsula (Reconnaissance), scale 1:250,000, contour interval 200 feet. 

"Willow Creek district, scale 1:62,500, contour interval 100 feet.

It was entirely beyond the scope of this reconnaissance to determine 

the capacity of the reservoir sites. Lakes that might furnish natural 

storage were measured on existing maps wherever possible, and the 

areas of lakes situated in unsurveyed districts were estimated merely 

by inspection and, of course, statements based on such methods 

can be considered only roughly approximate. No attempt was 

made to estimate the capacity of reservoirs that would be created 

by the construction of dams.

In the course of the reconnaissance the topography and rock formation at the outlet of lakes and other basins where it might be desirable

to create storage reservoirs were hastily examined with reference 

to the possibilities of constructing dams. Distances were measured 

by pacing where the sites were easily accessible; where not, they were 

estimated. Elevations were either determined by hand level, aneroid 

barometer, or by estimation.

Statement of other physical features of the basins, such as forests, 

glaciers, general! topography, and soil covering in this report, are 

based either on ifield observations by the writers or on information 

obtained from reports and maps prepared by other members of the 

Survey.

i DEFINITION OF TERMS.

The volume of water flowing in a stream the "run-off" or "discharge" is expressed in various terms, each of which has become 

associated with a certain class of work. These terms may be divided 

into two groups (1) those which represent a rate of flow, as secondfeet, gallons per minute, miner's inches, and discharge in second-feet 

per square mile,j and (2) those which represent the actual quantity 

of water, as run-bif in depth in inches and acre-feet. The units used 

in this report are second-feet, second-feet per square mile, run-off 

depth in inches and acre-feet. They may be defined as follows:

"Second-foot" is an abbreviation for cubic foot per second and is 

the unit for the rate of discharge of water flowing in a stream 1 foot
14 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

wide, 1 foot deep, at a rate of 1 foot per second. It is generally used 

as a fundamental unit from which others are computed by the use 

of the factors given in the following table of equivalents.

"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 

both as regards time and area.

' 'Run-off, depth 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 usually expressed in 

depth in inches.

An' 'acre-foot" is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet and is"the quantity 

required to cover an acre to the depth of 1 foot. The term is commonly used in connection with storage for irrigation work.

In the tables, "accuracy" shows the probable reliability of the 

record of the mean monthly flow. "A" indicating that the record 

is probably accurate within 5 per cent; ' 'B," within 10 per cent; ' 'C," 

within 15 per cent; "D," within 25 per cent. Special conditions are 

covered by footnotes.

CONVENIENT EQUIVALENTS.

The following is a list of convenient equivalents for use in hydraulic 

computation:

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

1 second-foot equals 38.4 Colorado miner's inches. 

1 second-foot equals 40 Arizona miner's inches.

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

minute; equals 646,317 gallons per day.

1 second-foot for one year covers 1 square mile 1.131 feet or 13.572 inches deep. 

1 second-foot for one year equals 31,536,000 cubic feet. 

1 second-foot for one day equals 86,400 cubic feet. 

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

1 acre-foot equals 325,850 gallons. 

1 foot equals 0.3048 meter. 

1 mile equals 1.60935 kilometers. 

1 mile equals 5,280 feet. 

1 acre equals 43,560 square feet. 

1 acre equals 209 feet square, nearly. 

1 cubic foot of water weighs 62.5 pounds.

1 foot head of water equals 0.434 pounds per square inch pressure. 

1 horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second. 

1 horsepower equals 746 watts. 

1 horsepower equals 1 second-foot falling 8.80 feet. 

1J horsepower equals about 1 kilowatt.

m i i *. x 11 Sec.-ft. X fall in feet ,, To calculate water power quickly: W~^7~~~~~~~=net horsepower on water

wheel realizing 70 per cent of theoretical power.
CLIMATE. 15 

WATER-POWER RIGHTS.

Water-power sites on public lands in Alaska within the national 

forests are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture; 

those outside the national forests are under the jurisdiction of the 

Department of the Interior. An act of Congress approved February 

15, 1901 (31 Stat., 790), provides for permits for rights of way for 

power plants and transmission lines on the public lands. Regulations concerning the acquisition of rights of way under this act have 

been issued by both the above departments and can be obtained on 

application. On the ground of the inapplicability of general land 

laws to lands in Alaska, a question as to this act was submitted to the 

Department of Justice, and on June 29, 1915, the Attorney General 

decided that this act is applicable to Alaska. In national forests in 

Alaska, it has been possible to provide for water-power development 

through special-use permits under the act of June 4, 1897 (30 Stat., 

11), which authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate the 

occupancy and use of national forests.

It is believed that the only rights to the use of either land or water 

for the development of water power in Alaska have been acquired 

by special-use permits issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, by the 

posting of a notice of appropriation at the points of diversion and 

use, or by squatting. In the event of conflicting claims it is presumed that the relative rights of the claimants could be established 

in court.

CLIMATE.

GENERAL CONDITIONS.

The diversity of the climate of Alaska in its different parts and the 

consequent widely varying accounts thereof have given rise to much 

popular misconception. As a basis for the true conception it is necessary to comprehend the extent of the Territory and the many 

physical influences to which it is subject. The Territory (not including the Aleutian Islands) is limited in longitude by meridians 130° 

west and 168° west and in latitude by parallels 54° 40' north and 

71° 30' north. Its southern shores are washed by the warm waters 

of the Pacific and its northern by the cold waters of the Arctic, which 

are open to navigation but a small part of the year.

Meteorologic observations in Alaska were undertaken to a limited 

extent by the Russians. Since the purchase of the Territory by the 

United States, observations have been made by the United States 

Army, the Signal Service, regular Weather Bureau observers, and 

voluntary observers under the supervision of the Weather Bureau and 

United States Geological Survey. As the Territory has become more 

thickly settled, the means for obtaining data have increased until at
16 WATEE POWER IN SOUTH-CENTEAL ALASKA.

the present time the results of a large amount of climatic observations may be found at the United States Weather Bureau, where most 

of the original records are filed. The records prior to 1878 have been 

summarized by Dall and Baker 1 and by C. A. Schott.2 Abbe 3 has 

treated on the climate of Alaska in a comprehensive manner and has 

included the records from 1867 to the end of 1902. Henshaw and 

Parker 4 have summarized the meteorologic data of Seward Peninsula 

to 1910 and the authors 5 that of the Yukon-Tanana region to 1912.

Abbe, in the report to which reference is made above., divides 

Alaska into eight climatic provinces, as follows: Pacific coast, Alaska 

Peninsula, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea islands, Arctic coast, the 

interior, and the Copper River Plateau. The boundaries between 

these provinces do not seem everywhere well defined, and it is probable that as more information becomes available the classification 

may need revision. The area treated in this report is included in the 

Pacific coast and Copper River Plateau provinces. Precipitation 

data are also given for stations on the Alaska Peninsula and the 

Aleutian Islands.

The Pacific coast province comprises the area extending from 

Dixon Entrance to Kodiak Island and includes all the islands and the 

region lying between the ocean and the first range of mountain along 

the coast from Cross Sound to the beginning of the Alaska Peninsula. 

Data at hand seem to indicate that the so-called Copper River Plateau 

province comprises the area bounded on the south by the Chugach 

Mountains and on the north by the Alaska Range and Nutzotin 

Mountains. The boundaries of these two provinces are by no means 

closely defined at all places.

The stations for which data are given in this report are listed in the 

following table, together with reference numbers by which they may 

be found on Plate I, their latitude and longitude, and the limiting 

dates and length of the record.

1 Dall, W. H., and Baker, M., Pacific Coast Pilot, Coast and islands of Alaska, Appendix 1, Meteorology 

and Bibliography, 2d series, Washington, 1879.

2 Schott, Charles A., Tables, distribution, and variations of the atmospheric temperature in the United 

States, etc.: Smithsonian Contrib. Knowl., vol. 21, No. 277, pp. 10,11,124, Washington, 1876. Tables and 

results of the precipitation of rain and snow in the United States, etc.: Idem, vol. 24, No. 353, pp. 11,113, 

2d edition, Washington, 1881.

s Brooks, A. H., Geography and geology of Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 45, pp. 133-200,1906.

* Henshaw, F. F., and Parker, G. L., U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 314, pp. 15-32,1913.

5 Ellsworth, C. E., and Davenport, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 342, pp. 18-41,1915.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUP

166 162 158 154 150 146 142 138 134 174 178

a. rV, I ^>r \ i M 

+^\~\^^

\&f/ix* :r7^

«',D ¥\° V)

1915 

MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF RAINFALL STATIONS IN SOUTHERN ALASKA.
CLIMATE. 17 

Location and length of record of Weather Bureau stations in southern Alaska.

No. PLI.on

29 

d 

5 

21 

18 

27 

17 

12 

28 

14 

8 

11 

23 

2 

7 

10 

24 

3 

1 

13 

26 

19 

6 

9 

20 

16 

22 

25 

15 

4

Station.

Copper Center. . .......

Katalla. . .........

Kenai.................

Kf|)isnno ,

Kodiak ...............

Seward................

Sitka......... .........

Tiekel....... ..........

Ugashik...............

Latitude.

52 15 

52 12 

56 10 

61 47 

62 35 

55 20 

61 58 

60 32 

53 53 

61 05 

58 19 

60 17 

60 32 

55 21 

57 22 

59 23 

57 48 

55 36 

55 08 

60 23 

58 57 

60 06 

57 03 

59 28 

60 53 

61 19 

61 03 

57 35 

61 07 

56 28

Longitude."

174 15 

165 55 

133 28 

148 30 

144 41 

160 38 

145 20 

145 46 

166 32 

146 20 

134 28 

144 32 

151 19 

131 39 

134 29 

135 54 

152 25 

131 38 

131 35 

146 40 

158 21 

149 27 

135 19 

135 20 

149 26 

145 21 

151 10 

157 50 

146 16 

132 20

Length of record.

Limiting dates.

May, 1879.......

June. 1882....... 

April. 1908......

March, 1910..... 

August, 1904.... 

December, 1893.. 

August, 1902.... 

October, 1899.... 

September, 1878. 

January, 1901... 

July, 1881.......

April, 1907......

November, 1882. 

June, 1902.......

March, 1908..... 

April, 1869......

March, 1904..... 

November, 1891 

May, 1883.......

August, 1881.... 

February, 1908.. 

May, 1842.......

January, 1883... 

October, 1903... 

March, 1904.....

November, 1898. 

January, 1884... 

October, 1909. . .

August, 1886.... 

Apra,1886...... 

December, 1913. 

August, 1911... 

October, 1907 

October, 1909 

November, 1913 

December, 1913. 

December, 1912. 

December, 1913. 

November, 1913 

September, 1908 

March, 1908.... 

December. 1913. 

December, 1910. 

December, 1913. 

November, 1913 

November, 1913

Tnlv ISftd

August, 1884... 

July, 1905......

October, 1913... 

December, 1913. 

August. 1913.... 

November, 1913. 

September, 1907 

April, 1909.....

December, 1885. 

December, 1913. 

January, 1909...

Years.*

3 

3 

4 

0 

1 

12 

9 

4 

8 

11 

12 

0 

9 

0 

16 

4 

12 

7 

2 

0 

2 

3 

42 

8 

7 

2 

5 

2 

4 

0

i

14 

11 

19 

18 

21 

34 

25 

74 

65 

22 

96 

18 

36 

32 

111 

16 

140 

32 

9 

16 

35 

31 

123 

95 

36 

19 

44 

0 

3 

51

« West except on Bering Island, which lies outside the area mapped.

6 Complete records.

c Months of scattered records.

<* Lies outside of the area mapped.

e Records at Udatka and Unalaska combined under Dutch Harbor.

The longest record is that at Sitka, where observations were begun 

by the Russian Government in March, 1842, and continued until 

October, 1867. The observatory was on the eastern end of the low, 

flat Japonski Island. The United States Government has continued 

the observations since October, 1867, with occasional lapses.

In this report only those aspects of the climate will be considered 

that bear directly on the water supply. Of those, precipitation and 

temperature and the agencies which they include are the most 

important.

PRECIPITATION.

The discharge of streams depends primarily on precipitation, for 

all water on the earth's surface originally fell as rain or snow. The 

proportion of the rainfall which passes down the stream, and the 

sensitiveness of the stream fluctuations to the effect of rainfall depend 

on other factors. The steep slopes and impervious soil of much of 

the region along the coast makes this sensitiveness unusually great, 

and a knowledge of the precipitation along the Alaska coast there97891° WSP 372 15 2
WATEE POWEE SOUTH-CENTEAL ALASKA.

fore becomes especially valuable in the absence of actual measurements or as an aid in interpreting stream flow data already obtained. 

Most of the important data concerning the precipitation along the 

Alaska coast are summarized in the following tables, which show the 

mean monthly precipitation at the various stations, the monthly precipitation at many of these stations since 1900, and the daily precipitation at representative stations for 1913. The annual precipitation 

at Sitka for the years of complete record is shown graphically in 

figure 1, and the mean monthly precipitation at all the stations is

'01

£100:

o :

z 

o :

5! I

ui at 

a.

o- -

M :AN AMNUAl PRE ;IPITATION

r

O CM

ps UJ «* W W V !£ £? £? CO (0 00 00 00 0) 0) O0>

FIGTJBE 1. Diagram showing annual precipitation at Sitka, Alaska, 1843-1912.

shown in figure 2. In all these records snowfall is supposed to have 

been reduced to its equivalent rainfall.

Mean monthly precipitation at Weather Bureau stations in southern Alaska.

Station.

Bering Island. .....

Chistochina. .......

Copper Center.....

Dutch Harbor. .... 

Fort Liscum.......

Katalla.. ..........

Killisnoo.... ......

Loring.. ...........

Sitka..............

GTrajrnroTTTiekel. ...... ......

Jan.

9.05

.70 

8.54

.84

.16

3.72

.57 

9.86

10.02 

7.01

11.88

.66

12.48

4.75

1 9^

5.09

8.26 

12.59

27.07

2.91

2.01

7.65

1.68

2.44

1.28

1.68

1.44

4.16

5.68

Feb.

6.47

1.59 

6.59

2.47

.27

4.22

.46 

9 23

6.81 

5.08

1 Q4

.70

7 Srt

2.14

1.24

4

CA

9.97 

10.48

9.15

1.15

4 Q9

6.58

9 Q1

2.70

.84

04

.50

6.03

8.11

Mar.

5.22

.91 

7.63

.59

.39

3.61

.17

8.82

5.74 

6.00

4 fiQ

4

KA

.75

2 Qfi

1 ^19

3.73

10.05

7 TO

18.02

2.53

q 04

* 77

1.67

1.78

95

01

1.04

5 4Q

2.89

Apr.

6.66

1.13 

8.32

.02

0

a ^fi

.07 9 80

5.80 

3.58 

4.70

7 71!

.47

11 99

3 on

EC

3.96

13.07 

6.83

1ft Q9

1 49

3 7ft

5

KA

1.39

2.74

.36

98

1.14

2 91

4.11

May.

.96 

5.57

.01

.16

3 46

.39

9 84

5.42 

4.12

5

0-1

6 Oft

QE

9 fin

7^1

5.77

8.67

7 qo

1ft 09

2

AK

3

eq

4.10

79 1 95

Qfi

46

1 VI

3 Rf\

3 CO

June.

5.63

1.69

.55

1.07

2

KK

.86

3.60 

2.45

3 7Q

6.26

09

5.34

2.19

.89

4

AK.

6.43

3 1ft

4

10

2 1ft

I

oq

3.40

94

09

1.05

1.14

1.75

3 qq

July.

5.28

2.46 

5.37

1.92

9 Aft

3.31

1.56

6 Oft

2.80 

5.03 

4.75

H Qft

2.31

8

QQ

3.45

3

KK

7.54

9 93

3 7ft

2 RA

4.29

1 99

2 nn

3

07

3 no

2 on

3 79

3

KK

Aug.

5.67

2.09 

6.38

.61

1.82

3.78

1.12 

11.69

3.26 

7.83 

6.86

9 67

3.61

13.05

d 91

1 Q9

4 QQ

8.41

8 1 9

14.14

4 59

5

QO

7.05

2

QQ

1.44

E 04

3

EO

4 ^9

2 Q7

Sept.

9.02

2.50

7 9O

1.46

2

AC\

4.74

1.13 

19 91

7.70 

9.29 

10.36

15.36

3.06

1A EO

ft RC

3 no

* 71

17.03

8 94

22 96

4.82

7 1C

10.09

0 f\Q

3.34

1.11

3.43

S

CO

9 08

M QO

Oct.

10.32

2.60 

16.99

.07

1.51

4.80

.96 

20.21

10.89 

9.06

9 CO

25.62

2 ft0.

24.80

3

0f\

7 99.

21.03

1 E 70

21.50

1 93

8 ft9

11.84

4

q-i

4.67

2

A(\

3

OO

2 7ft

5

EQ

8 no

Nov.

n TO

2.96 

12.18

IM

.26

5 91

.70 

11.47

8.74 

6.01 

7.55

12.44

1.07

5.64

2 99

6.74

20.94

U oq

10.51

2

OQ

7 P»4

9 33

4.10

4

Qft

3

1 1

1.26

1 49

2 Aft

12.92

Dec.

7.77

1.62 

17.18

.05

Q9

4 91

.75 

13.97

8.33 

8.36 

7.00

11.48

.87

19.36

5 19

6.76

16.05

16.81

1.20

8

-iq

8

70

3

C1

4 91

1

00

1 91

1 ft9

8 QQ

10.41

Annual.

89.23

21.21 

106.18

8.62

H Kfi

49.27

8.74 

137.77

79.11

73.82

7E. 74

126.54

n

OQ

Eft Q7

19 46

147. 45

 too en

ion 1 1

31.08

CO 7Q

84.42

97 9^

34.15

18.02

93 91

24.44
CLIMATE. 

Mean monthly precipitation at stations in southern Alaska since 1900.

19,

Station.

Chiekaloon. . .

Coal Harbor..

tor.

Dutch Harbor.

FortLiscum.

Juneau.......

Year.

1908

1909

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913

1910 

1911

1904

1905 

1906 

1907

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906

1907

1908

1909 

1902

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907

1908

1QDQ

1910

1911 

1912 

1913

1904

1905 

1906

1QO.7

1908

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910

1911 

1912

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913

1901 

1902 

1903

lOfti

IQfK

1906

1907 

1908

Jan.

8.35 

10.15 

5.25 

10.40

""."84

.05 

.26

3.93 

6.54 

3.90 

2.00 

.17 

2.33

5.65

6.06

.05 

.67 

.29 

1.14

.45 

.70

1.25 

.10 

.20

.83

16.17

12.02 

16.74

11.69

8.20 

10.63

3.26

13.24

"8." 89 

4.91 

10.00 

2.68

3.09 

8.76 

8.01 

5.30 

7.29

6.88 

4.20

9.40 

9.94 

10.42 

6.80 

3.63 

12.53 

1.75 

16.58

2.29 

8.79 

1.98 

2.76 

4.26

9.57 

12.76 nil

2

00

4.35

.48 

.39

Feb.

6.20 

3.00 

11.85 

5.30

"2." 47

.02 

.60 

.20

6.57 

4.64 

7.32 

.12 

9.05 

5.43

2,00

4.49

.05 

.22 

1.01 

.19 

.60

.25

.33

1.43 

.24 

.27

1.21

8.05 

16.60

ii.56 

.94

8.48 IQ no

" "7." 50 

13.69 

12.21

7.58

9.46 

2.49 

4.80 

4.60 

4.61

10.53 

5.12

.80 

1.28 

13.60 

.52 

5.73 

1 83 

10.14

7 99

2.57 

6.45 

5.11 

3.93 

6.85

6.32 

2.08

7 9Q

I O AO

1.57

8.88 

3.87

Mar.

10.50

9.70 

6.22 

3.30

8.45

.03 

1.15

.08 

.30 

.80

1.99 

5.34 

1.90 

.66 

1.20 

6.46

1.43

.4.20

.04 

Tr. 

.20 

.69 

.30

.05

.21 

.09 

.11 

0

16.91

.60

.72

12.51 

5.34

2.15

7.68 "ie.'is

8.07 

16.79 

3.98

12.19 

2.93 

1.85 

2.56 

2.39

4.94 

8.22

6.38 

4.70 

4.72 

.10 

7.17 

7.54 

6.04 

6.58

5.80 

9.80 

4.27 

9.68 

5.19

8.19 

5.64 

3.09

s on

IK

2.74 

6.50

Apr.

12.35

3.58

9.20

8.25 

6.25 

10.30

.02 

.02

0

Tr.

3.55 

4.77 

2.26 

1.89 

18.92

6.72

1.97

Tr. 

.24 

Tr. 

.36 

0

.10

Tr. 

.04 

0 

0

13.55

9.10

7.54

"5." 34 

14.79 

4.02

7.72

3.07 

2.97 

3.87 

3.95 

2 95

6.10

5.74

6.20 

2.80 

3.87 

4.50 

2.96 

4.20 

.82 

3 56

6.94 

2.19

5.08 

.81 

2.57

8.19 

4.34

3.74

7 84

d Qfi

3

AQ

3.10 

0

May.

5.00

5.01

5.17 

3.23 

6.00 

8.43

.01 

.01

.48 

0 

Tr.

.67 

2.98 

2.77 

1.83 

6.76 

3.27

4.59

6.47

3.91

.60 

.92 

.48 

.43

.13

.88

Tr.

.18 

.16 

.15

------

10.48

6.09 

6.21 

8.42 

20.29 

3.66

6.82 

5.39 

3.69 

4.20 

6.23

5.74 

6.72

1.45 

3.08 

2.23 

.68 

7.02 

1.36 

4.05

6.28 

5.94 

1.35 

5.89 

10.11

3.47 

S..99 

6.74

6.50

1.58

3.93

4.88

June.

2.77

6.25

4.65 

2.62 

4.23 

4.31

1.02

.08

.90 

.81 

1.50

2.21 

.33 

2.05 

1.23 

4.44 

1.01

1.88

3.57

 1.56

1.38 

1.11 

.50 

1.19 

1.14

.27 

.72

.48 

.20 

1.60 

.89

------

6.51

14.63 

5.82 

8.74 

5.66 

.74

1.14 

1.27 

2.67 

1.35 

4.18

"4." 56

1.13 

.2,4 

3.24 

2.26 

3.83 

4.01 

2.83 

79

6.14 

2.68 

2.99 

1.01 

.70

2.13 

2.41 

1 44

10.40

2 Qfi

1 34

2.45 

2.45

July.

5.20

10.36

3.75 

2.05 

3.55 

7.30

1.42 

2.41

3.19

1.78 

2.82

1.64 

1.70 

3.66 

4.22 

1.75 

3.18

4.71

3.66

3.08

.99 

1.80 

1.35 

2.14 

.97

1.83

1.66 

1.12 

.56 

1.30

------

4.42

4.95 

7.51 

4.37 

4.99

12.77

3.56 

2.11 

2.71 

1.39 

.46

5.91 

3.70

4.77 

3.65 

4.29 

5.61 

3.49 

7.12 

11.25 

2 19

5.78 

2.69 

5.60 

4.96 

4.03

1.98 

7.60

2 9ft

8.15

1 93

3.58

3.40 

2.80

Aug.

6.62

12.68

4.80 

2.70 

4.01 

7.50

.05 

1.17

.40

3.20 

1.48 

2.21

1.63 

3.05 

3.64 

4.17 

2.20 

4.28

4.90

1.16 

2.09 

.72 

.69 

.71

.65 

1.27

.50 

2.72 

.82 

.99

"i6."75

12.99

8.86 

6,39

"23.~i6 

8.46

3.10 

3.25 

5.59 

5.33

2.92 

1.52

16.20 

8.56 

6.44 

12. 45 

9.85 

8.46 

10.61 

3.35

6.65 

4.35 

2.59 

6.06 

6.19

14.04 

12.10

"% 4.1

4.04

7.85

3.21

6.88 

3.85

Sept.

18.83

17.98

7.79 

6.90 

9.80 

20.75

1.46

2.01

3.11

9 (17

2.80 

5.88 

5.29 

3.73 

2.95 

3.42

5.84

4.37 

.73

1.34 

.73 

1.94 

.37 

.25

.78 

.52

.85 

1.85 

3.79 

1.36

26.36

"i6."67

9.12

19.17 

12.61 

11.27 

49.63 

19.08

2.29 "e.'ss

9.07 

17.43

2.35

6.80

12.72 

15.72 

8.62 

7.96 "i'ii

11.98 

6.00

6.40 

8.90 

5.71 

16.64 

6.71

11.41 

14.24 

6.94

9.20

3.68

17.03 

17.00

Oct.

15.43

16.90

21.35 

10.35 

21.55 

16.35

.07

1.68 

"i."34

7.45 

4.74 

2.52 

2.07 

3.03 

4.44

5.83

1.28 

2.02

1.71 

.48 

.97 

.84 

1.35

1.15 

.40

1.02 

.74 

.65 

.25

24.71

35.56 

17.70

27.76

15.57

29.15

9.04 

19.70 

15.90 

24.88 

15.09

7.91 

7.79 

8.40 

20.20 

11.10

8.26 

10.82

10.31 

18.20 

6.62 

9.16 

6.06 

8.61 

16.77 

8.56

2.83 

9.07 

8.01

7.71 

5.87

16.50 

6.57

9.34

12.74

12.30

11.19 

8.40

Nov.

11.74

4.77

9.24 

12.55 

14.85 

19.95

.03

.03

.50

3.54 

6.87 

2.52 

2.82 

9.25 

3.52

1.50

.20 

.36 

.94 

.99 

.80

.10

.20

.31 

.65 

0 

2.35

8.02

11.10 

13.24

9.66

29.64 

17.08

13.16

1.69 

6.37 

9.80 

5.83 

17.19

5.38 

10.82 

9.70 

1.59

7.86

8.56 

8.26

6.28 

6.98 

5.62 

2.20 

10.37 

7.50 

7.94 

8.72

.59 

1.20 

2.21 

6.13 

12.37

3.52 

7.38

8.36

15.49

12.27

4.58 

1.82

Dec.

3

oe

14.05 

16.80 

17.72 

15.60

.05

.20

.75 

1.80

8.87 

1.20 

4.69 

2.00 

4.64 

2.87

.20

.75 

.68 

.97 

.35 

.35

.70 

60

.30 

1.94 

1.61 

.55

9

7*;

11.40

19.05

12.81 

8.56

15.55

19.22 

9.33

"l3."47 

16.02

5.76 

7.27 

8.74 

3.70 

2.19

5.62 

4.14

7.47 

4.43 

9.61 

3.99 

7.75 

6.75 

7.13 

11.09

18.02 

2.93 

6.22 

9.75 

13.53

13.33 

4.26

8.80

10.32

2.17

.25 

5.32

Annual.

104.25

84.82 108.36' 

134.64

13.49

44.87 

48.04 

45.52 

26.74 

64.36

8.63 

9.30 

9.37 

9.38

6.46

6.91 

11.06 

9.74 

8.94

.......

.......

"iii."85

"i88."92 

114.97

63.77

"66." 88 

63.24

"69." 80

83.11 

79.58 

79.28 

56.23

"74." 02 

91.13

70.29 

64.99 

51.12 

75.33 

78.38

98.65 

83.37

66.46 

63.32
20 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Mean monthly precipitation at stations in southern Alaska since 1900 Continued.

Station.

Katalla......

Ketchikan. . .

Killisnoo. ....

Eluckwan... 

Kodiak......

Loring.......

Seward......

Sitka.........

Year.

1909

1910 

1911 

1912

1913

1907 

1908

1901

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907

1908

1910

1911

1912

1913

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907

1908

1909 

1910

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913

1901

1902

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910

1911 

1912

1913

1904

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913

1908

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913

1901

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907

Jan.

.59

3.08 

1.34

.54

5.21

"ii.'ss

.64

.84 

.83 

.46 

.29 

.30 

.68

.50

8.51

16.46

6.95

" T65 

4.30 

1.90 

6.90 

1.40

1.00 

3.50

""."26 

1.75 

1.09 

1.55 

1.67

2.62

3.89

6.74 

3.63 

4.80 

2.50 

1.00 

4.57 

1.33 

2.68

2.00 

12.92

5.18 

21.66 

.53 

14.68 

5.72 

5.63 

3.71 

8.26 

8.96

.52 

3.32 

1-45

"i" 76

9.33

11.92 

6.61 

10.36 

3.82 

7.25 

2.36

Feb.

3.78

.88 

1.56 

7.16

4.43

"§."94

.07

.44 

2.18 

.29 

.92 

.10 

.61

.11

7.24

8.35

6.05 

2.65 

2.40 

1.25 

2.80 

2.70 

9.55

3.94

1.80 

.81

"".'35 

.81 

2.32 

2.07 

.63

.30

6.29

8-10 "Tiw

8.60 

4.00 

5.65 

1.53 

5.36

2.98 

8.16

13.19 

6.08 

13.03 

6.56 

7.55 

11.38 

12.28 

13.93 

5.74

10.43

.47 

4.52 

5.67

"3." 52

6.38

2.25 

8.68 

.43 

4.78 

1.89 

3.55

Mar.

9.22

3.15 

1.44 

2.72

4.20

"4." 54

-32

.50 

.44 

.02 

.57 

1.24 

.67

.11

8.96

15.04

5.40 

1.50 

.20 

1.20 

2.60 

.90 

1.70

.64

1.13 

1.50

.66 

2.43 

 3.13 

1.06 

0 

.63

3.85

4.33

.39 

Tr. 

2.60 

3.50 

Tr. 

2.91 

3.92 

4.90

3.24 

5.28

3.13

2.05

.16.53 

8.56 

4.98 

9.55 

14.54 

11.77 

13.44 

4.41 

14.64

2

QK

3.72 

2.50 

2.30 

5.77 

3.37

7.80

5.39 

2.57 

3.04 

4.21 

1.5.8 

1.75

Apr.

4.44

4.53 

2.51 

2.93

3.67

7.50 

8.00

.85

1.03 

.67 

.34 

.46 

.17 

.04

11.99

1.15 

2.10 

6.15 

1.35 

2.20 

5.15 

1.35

2.28

"i."65

.58 

Tr. 

1.24 

.39 

.11 

1.01

3.26

4.61 

8.68 

1.70 

3.80 

.61 

4.87 

5.41 

7.40

4.44 

6.67

9 Q7

7.27

11.65 

24.52 

7.76 

14.94 

5.63 

18.09 

17.53 

8.55 

14.70

4 00

3.03 

.55 

4.12 

4.29

6 94

7.17

4.93 

4.25 

3.39 

7.52 

10.64 

2.16

May.

5.67

10.17 

1.65 

3.14

4.73

4.85 

7.75

.30

.42 

.54 

Tr. 

.84 

.29 

1.24

2.26

7.15

10.62

4.00 

4.70 

2.55 

1.75

"i.'25 

1.60

1.55

" "i."20

""."79 

.67 

1.46 

.66 

.06

3.45

5.55

4.92 

3.35 

2.70 

5.10 

6.30 

6.05 

4.97 

4 t;<i

3.01 

14.59

Q CQ,

15.80

9.46 

5.59 

4.30 

8.99 

7.77 

9.21 

6.90 

6.01 

12.70

4.47 

1.43 

2.66 

8.33

2 AC

4.86

6.10 

3.65 

3.80 

2.44 

3.46 

3.87

June.

t; 77

2.70 

2.24 

5.53

.72

8.29 

4.22

.06

.59 

1.16 

.87 

.84 

.57 

2.31

6.43

6 65

4.97

1.60 

1.60 

.75 

3.35 

1.20 

2.85 

3.85

.97

.55 

2.30

"".'92

.76 

.72 

1.28 

.76

4 50

i t;t;

7.80 

2.26 

3.10

5. 20 

1.63

7.25 

3.68

7.57

2

7Q

9 CO

.84 

10.09 

5.23 

5.34 

4.98 

9.30 

7.13 

7.53 

4.18

Af{

4.39 

2.59 

2.95 

.53 

.05

1.26

1.87 

.90 

3.22 

2.25 

3.34 

3.66

July.

7.69

9.94 

.91 

03.60

6.50

13.96 

8.20

1 66

1.71

2.48 

2.44 

1.06 

4.41 

5 49

5.60

1^7^

1.40 

3.80 

1.15 

4.60 

1.60 

3.80 

3.05

2.29

3.20

4.45

" ~2.~ 36 

2.70 

1.07 

.93 

1.35

1 S7

4.38 

1.36 

2.10 

4.70 

3.50 

6.64 

2.92

5

00

1.78

3 CO

7 Q7

5.26 

4.99 

3.73 

6.52 

17.46 

6.79 

6.28 

4.91 

11.46

3.35

.72 

2.15 

1.89 

3.10

4 QO

.45

7.35 

2.85 

5.95 

2.83 

7.45 

4.66

Aug.

11. %

1.55 

2.20 

6.50

8.39

11.41 

7.93

4.85

2.92 

3.78 

3.50 

6.26 

2.95

.4.89

11.87

5.95 

4.80 

2.30 

2.30 

4.30 

4.90 

4.65

2.54

4.50 

2.15

" "i."62

""."76 

1.06 

1.83

5.13

6.15

4.79 

4.89

"3." 70 

7.04 

5.12

3.53

4 79

1.15

12.71 

15.21 

9.75 

5.09 

16.47 

5.33 

2.63 

5.38 

10.38

6 34

3.71 

2.45 

2.55 

14.04 

2.90

10.03

14.96 

3.90 

-3.74 

7.38 

4.66 

12.60

Sept.

13.68

1.19 

2.15 

9.60

12.14

12.34 

18.38

2.23

4.69 

2.72 

4.01 

.78 

1.41 

10.00

7.44

19.67

5.50 

7.20 

3.10 

7.70

"4." 70 

6.85

8,95

12.10 

4.85

" "5"24 

1.75 

1.72 

2.52 

3.89

5.98

7.95 

4.63 

1.80 

1.50 

9.00 

3.82 

4.64 

3.62

2.77

c QQ

20.20

14.07 

17.28 

10.14 

24.89 

28.94 

10.92 

8.02 

11.89 

23.97

4 on

3.66 

7.12 

3.28 

12.91 

10.83

8.82

13.43 

5.80 

1P.27 

8.80 

5.78 

15.75

Oct.

6.05

2.13 

7.66 

14.80

14.58

25.62

1.69

2.73 

-77 

1.71 

2.92 

1.74 

1.66

28.92

27.78

17.69

9.10 

4.60 

12.45 

8.20 

4.10 

8.40 

8.57

7.90

7.60 

8.25

2..3S 

2,65 

2.71 

5.07 

4.71 

4.05

8

QC

6.27 

5.54 "e.'ro

8.70 

6.91 

4.45 

8.18

9.85

t; 99

26.01

17.94 

20.49 

20.09 

19.50 

24.68 

28.76 

12.49 

21.23 

19.07

9 73

8.92 

5.72 

9.30 

9.29

8.78

15.59

8.25 

14.52 

10.38 

7.03 

15.22 

11.77

Nov.

2.79

.98 

4.09 

7.94

7.76

12.44

.64

.86 

.78 

.48 

2.16 

.39

11.88

18.47

20.12

3.55

2.76 

3.65 

9.20 

8.40 

9.55

6.50

1.35 

.62

3.06 

.61 

1.89 

3.83 

1.02 

2.88

4.82

3.40

5.20 

8.00 

5.10 

7.70 

14.11 

1.42 

5.38

9.32

9 71

31.90

28.49 

21.57 

24.55 "ii'ei

13.60 

14.28 

20.59 

20.88

20 99

.37 

1.55 

4.96 

9.84

6.16

6.19 

6.50 

8.78 

11.37 

15.59 

12.13

Dec.

1.97

3.58 

7.99 

13.25

11.48

.19

1.55 

.18 

.66 

1.41 

1.16

18.37

21.23

18.47

5.30 

2.90 

5.00 

8.55 

7.75 

2.50

1.86

1.60 

2.35

1.79 

1.10 

1.85 

3.12 

3.79 

4.22

11.10

8.29 

3.24 

2.42 

3.20 

6.50 

7.15 

5.47 

6.73

4.71

20.01

25-92 

8.41 

16.28 

9.30 

5.46 

18.11 

21.72 

19.19

12.38

12.80 

4.31 

1.29 

9.89

10.18

5.93 

14.97 

8.13 

11.21 

6.61 

4.81

Annual.

73.61

44.60 

35.74

.......

13.50

18.28 

16.53 

14.78 

18.51 

14.73

55.95

"43." 75 

53.75

" "53." 60

" "33." 63

"is." 27

~"22."6i 

19.70 

22.98

67.64

"36." 36 

71.35

48.43

55.20

161. 24 

164. 45 

120.37 "isi'si

148.89 

126.41 

131. 88

46.78 

38.21 

42.42

88.03

88.67 

75.20 

74.49 

73.64 

83.47 

79.07

a July 7-31.
CLIMATE. ' 21 

Mean monthly precipitation at stations in southern Alaska since 1900 Continued.

Station.

Sitka........

Tiebel........

Valdez.......

Year.

1908

1909 

1910 

1911

1912 

1913

1901

1902

1903 

1904

1905 

1906

1907 

1908 

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1903

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907

1901

1902 

1903 

1904

1905

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913

Jan.

7.54

1.49 

10.06 

9.39

3.18

2.08 

1.44

.46 

1.42

2.80

.07

.15

.15

1.69 

2.12 

2.18 

2.05 

7.03 

.54 

3.22 

1.20 

3.41 

.96

""."98 

2.50 

.37

1.55

3.08 

1.95 

1.07

.65 

1.96 

1.98

.58

"6."78 

2.82 

3.04 

4.00

Feb.

6.57

2.43 

5.17 

8.37

5.90

1.44 

Tr.

1.14 

1.16

4.85 

1.70 

.15

1.40

1.42

2.00

.75

.13 

1.93 

.29 

1.93 

4.68 

1.05 

4.39 

6.01 

5.24 

1.37

""."49 

.20

1.81

on

.52 

3.91 

.26

.49 

1.08 

.99 

.53

"a'os

7.43 

4.97 

8.63

Mar.

4.74

12.97 

6.51 

8.65

5.01

.43 

.33

1.14

W

.47 

.23 

2.15

4.80

.35

.28 

1.64 

3.63 " "2." 66

2.71 

1.66 

2.44 

1.20 

.45

.05 

1.31

1.87 

.56

fi9

1.09

.45

1.32 

1.66

""."99

"i"47 

6.08 

10.97 

1.43

Apr.

9.58

4.67 

6.13 

5.98

. 2.67

.48 

2.31

1.27 

3.55

1.08 

.80 

Tr.

1.38

.65

5.08 

3.41 

1.17 

1.41 

3.37 

.68 

1.55 

4.74 

2.86 

3.17

.75 

.04 

.58 

.07

1 00

.71 

1.01

.77 

.24

~~2."38

""TO 

4.52 

.71 

2.82

May.

3.82

4.47 

3.44 

3.21

3.66 

3.98

.13

1.10

.84

1.11 

.37

.92

.70 

.70

.46

.25

1.01 

.84 

2.35 

1.30 

2.63 

2.27 

.86 

1.34 

6.12 

.78

.40 

Tr. 

.25 

.80

.04

.38 

.69

.39 

""."39

"4." 43 

2.72 

5.45 

1.78

June.

1.39

3.29 

3.47

9 7A

3.49 

.75

.30

.56 

.97

.10

2.63

.39 

.11 

.68

1.80

.30

1.36 

.69 

2.46 

.74 

.21 

1.96 

1.44 

.89 

.63 

.07

.79 

.80 

1.39 

.68

 a

0 

1.59

1.27

1.00 

2.86 

.25

"i'es

2.46 

1.23 

.. .64

July.

3.45

5.14 

3.74

9 84

3.84 

2.81

2.89

.02 

1.07

.16

9 11

.91 

.48 

2.43

2.30

1.05 

1.40 

1.84 

4.62 

2.28 

1.79 

1.79 

1.61

"i."64

1.53 

1.05 

2.70 

8.20

9 fifi

2.93 

2.62

.92

2.96 

6.39

"i'eo

2.81 

5.10 

4.38

Aug.

7. i.2

6.62 

3.35

n qn

9.07 

9.07

3.03

2.08 

.18

2.14 

2.26

1.98 

.49

1.71

3.65

5.02 

4.46 

3.70 

2.29 

2.91 

3.06 

1.74 

1.40 

3.13 

2.04

2.00 

1.02 

.72 

2.00

H 77

5.40 

5.69

4.75

2.95 

3.05

' '2~94 

1.07 

7.05 

6.20

Sept.

15.85

16.98 

8.04 

5.96

8.27 

9.30

1.66

1.41 

2.80

2.67 

l.?0

2.47 

4.18 

6.41

1.21

2.33

1.86 

1.54 

4.45 

5.00 

2.64 

2.80 

3.59 

5.44 

3.70

1.21 

1.41 

.62 

1.20

3.16

6.56 

2.76

Q9

1.67 

5.76

"s.'og

2.52

18.74 

6.95

Oct.

10.65

10.46 

7.34 

10.98

15.13 

16.58

4.92

1.75

9.99 

5.35

2.17

5.58

5.87 

2.46 

3.63

4.31

2 61

9.35 

4.36 

6.67 

6.03 

2.59 

2.56 

4.34 

5.20 

5.90 

4.35

2.82 

1.48 

2.90

4 49

4.96 

1.15

3.19

"3."48 

1.30

3.81 

8.73 

3.75 

6.99 

4.66

Nov.

7.20

3.83 

3.87 

8.36

9.92 

11.88

1.24

1.60 

6.28

3.25

6.47

4.23 

3.16

3.37

2.37 

9.47 

3.87 

7.32 

4.49 

.40 

2.29 

3.64 

8.80 

4.67

.90 

4.90 

3.52

.45

.94 

.64

3.10

1.04 

2.18 

1.21

.32 

1.47 

3.00 

2.47 

6.20

Dec.

5.45 

11.48

19.87 

5.67

2.06

3.35

2.21 

.33

2.99 

1.83

3.70

8.31 

8.48 

2.30 

6.78 

3.37 

3.36 

4.06 

3.25 

5.40

2.95 

2.34 

.36

i 1^1

1.72 

 .53

1.24

1.38 

.57 

1.86

14.90 

3.00 

9.27 

9.14 

8.63

Annual.

77.801

72.60)

80.01.

24.5$

.......

26.62

17.56

37.98 

40.66 

32.00

"40." 56 

23.02 

30.14 

35.31

"i5."82 

17.61

21.55

 28.29 

22.99

.......

"48."06 

48.34 

75.86 

56.32
22 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Daily precipitation, in inches, at various stations in south-central Alaska for 1913.

Copper Center.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

0.83

Feb.

0.13

.14

Mar.

_

Apr. May.

0.09

.06

June.

0.33

.20

.36

July.

0.22

.27

.19

.22

.32

.08

Aug.

6.35

.35

.29

Sept.

0.80

.37

.09

Oct.

0.25

Nov.

1.08

.22

.35

.70

Dec.o Annual.

o Total for December 0.55 inch. 

Cordova.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

0.68

.20

------

.12

.04 

.05

.28 

.60

.08

.72

0.53

.12

.23

.30

.49

.65 

.43 

3.88 

.30 

.12

......

......

.53

0.39

.10

1.35

.56

.65

.01

.05

.02

"."25"

.15

.30

.05

.10

0.65

.10

.16

.20

.67

.40

.65 

.42 

.22 

.50 

.96

.20

.37 

.48

"."98" 

.76

.48

"."22" 

.48 

.53

48

.43

.08

......

0.02

.38

.12

"."63"

Tr. 

.12

.07

".'28' 

.76

0 1 *\

.02

Tr.

.08

.01

Tr.

.20

.33 

.73 

1.55 

2.15 

2.03

.54

.07

.38

.07

1.00

.83

.25

0.16 

.01

.01

.18

.26

.06

1.08

2.02

.01

"."62" 

.05

"."35"

91

2.40

.90 

.04

......

"l Ik"

.10

.03

.10

.12

9 fi7

1.78

1.71

.09 

.01 

.16 

.63 

.12

1 91

2.03 

2.22

.78 

.13

.12

.37 

.56 

2.42

1.45

.14

80

.17

.11

"."eo"

2.26 

.08

.74

2.38

.74 

.74

.36

"i.'so"

2 20

1.02

3.45

2.80

.63

.85

4.23

.31

.78

.11

".'is'

1.03 "."62"

63

60

.40 

.06

.05

.15

.23 

.68

0.85 

.17

.46

.43

.70

.78

.27

1.10

.18

.16

.59

.25

2.05

1.46

.05

'".25 

.66

.04

.09

.53 

.51

.27

.34

1.38 

.85 

1.46

.14

........

 -""--

........

........

........

........
CLIMATE.

Daily precipitation, in inches, at various stations in south-central Alaska for 1913 

Continued.

Juneau.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

^Z.. ............... 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

0.20 

.19 

.04 

.07 

.31

.90 

.J5

".ir

Tr.

.11

.36

.11

.43

IW

.09

.19

.24

.25

.30 

.04

.40

04

Feb.

0.28 

.11

'".U

.48

.30

.50 

.57

.45

.25

.12

.48

.10

Tr.

.22

Tr.

Tr.

.43

Mar.

0.15 

.02 

.25 

.20 

.37

.60 "."Is"

.21 

.10

"."12"

.20

.50

.57

.13

.12

.25

.23

Apr.

0.11 

.14 

.03 

.31

.04 

.03

'".U 

.15

.08

.38 

.15

.05 

.34

.08

.42

.03

.05

.03

.21 

.19

.02

.04

.07

.58

May.

0.08 

.22 

.25 

.02

.15

.27

.01

.71

.07

.11

.30 

.18

.04

.25

.06

.12

.36 

.63

.43

.53

June

"6." is" 

"."ii"

.02 

.08

.10

.10

......

,03

.10

July.

0.25 

.24 "."6i"

.17

"."67" 

1,08 "."oe"

.80

.22 

.10

.22

.63

.15

.42

.72 ""es"

.37

.31

.Aug.

"o.'oi"

Tr. 

.53 

.40

1.30 

.31

.08 

.40

"."62"

"."65"

.67

.90

.34

1.80

1.55 

Tr.

Tr

Sept.

"6.'62" 

.16 

.13

.03 

.72 

.06 

.40 

.11

.90

.61

.44 

.92

.78 

.46

.09

.65

.77

1.45

.65 

.35

.01

.03

.90 

1.30

.20

Oct.

1.00 

.03

"."OS"

.46

.04 

,25 

.40 

.20 

.01

.05

.16

.40 

.16

.40 

.73

.55

.82

3.50

Q7

.90

.76 

.60

1.15

1.10

.15

",'io"

.22

Nov.

0.10 

.16

.46 ~"."6i"

.03 

.35

.46 

1.10

.52

.06

.13

.31

.66

.70 

.02

.80

.25

.25 

.12

.01

.36

.38 

.01

.51

Dec.

......

......

......

Annual.

------

........

........

Seward.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

90

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

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

0.35

.20

.25

......

.05

......

.17

.10 

.37

.47

.80

0.70

.20

.10

.10

.12

.25 

30

.42

1.00

.20

------

"."is"

0.13

.18

.30

.60

.09

97

.03

.10

------

.20

.53

.05

.12

.07

0.25

.02

.12

.55

.10

.48

.48 

1.10

.33

.63

.18

.30

.28 

.22

.20

.15 

.62

tyt

0.15

Tr.

......

1.00

.18

Tr.

.03

.30

.22

Tr.

......

"."is

.05

.60

a 02

Tr.

......

" "."OS

Tr

Tr.

Tr.

0.10 

.11

.12

.45

.81

01

.44

.27

.27

.46 

.68

,W

Tr

1.00

.20

Tr.

08

.10

.04

.05

f)9

.54 

.87

0.05

.12

.18

Tr.

.20

1.22

Tr.

.86 

1.98

2.40

2.45

.10' 

.05

Tr. 

.15

1.07

0.37

.77

.83

.07

......

Tr.

1.48

.14

1.05 

.14

.18

.24

.38

2.58

.55

......

......

......

......

........

........

........
WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Daily precipitation, in inches, at various stations in south-central Alaska for 1913 

Continued.

Sunrise.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1O

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

99

9^

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

OK

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

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

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

QA

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

Jan.

0.02

.01

.13

.07

.01

Tr

.18

Tr

.04

Tr

.01

......

.17

Tr.

Tr.

.05 

.02

.18

,01 

.01

.02

Tr

.03

Feb.

0.49

.25

.02

Tr.

Tr

.02

.01

.01 

.16

.01 

.09

......

.02 

.29

Mar.

Tr

Tr

0.12

.15

.01

.03

Tr.

.02

.04

Tr.

------

.01 

Tr.

.02

.03 

.01

.01

Apr.

0.28

.03

.09

.06

.02

.11

.01

.26

.04

.05

.98 

.41

.52 

.03

.09

.03

"Tr."

.07 

09

May.

0.08

.02

Tr.

Tr.

Tr

Tr.

Tr.

.22

.08

"."64"

.01 

no

......

Tr. 

.13

.04 

.05

09

June.

0 04

......

.03

July.

Tr.

0.06

Tr.

.21

.25

.02 

.04

.06 

.24

Tr. 

.17

.02 "."is"

.10

.01

.27

.01 

.05

Aug.

Tr.

Tr.

0.01

Tr.

.10

.06

.39

.13

"Tr".'

.07 

.03

.01

Tr. 

.01

.15

1.03 

.05

Sept.

0.01

Tr.

.04

.01

.06

.03

.08 

.07

.03 

"."26"

.24

.99 

1.46

Tr.

.02 

.23

.05 

.12

Oct.

0.38

.19

Tr,

.33

.29

.02

.10

.06

.02

"".'32'

.38 

Tr.

.12 

.31

.30

.03 

.09

"Tr"

.07 

1.25

.09

Nov.

1.49

2.13

Tr.

Tr.

.06

Tr.

Tr.

.11

.14

.09

Tr.

.14 

.09

".'62'

.37

Tr.

.01

.01

~"."6i"

Dec.

......

......

......

Annual.

........

--------

........

........

Valdez.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tr.

.09

.60

.06

"TV"

Tr.

......

.03

Tr.

.08

.10

.89

.22 

.61

.25 

.46 

.39 

.14

1.39

.13

Tr.

.14

.12

1.17

.43 

1.14

1 47

.54

.42

.08

.04

"."23"

1.33

Tr.

.24

.13

.54 

.13

Tr,

"Tr".'

......

"."27"

Tr. 

Tr.

".'6i'

0.02

Tr.

.02

------

.03

.24

.02

Tr.

09

19

.90

.07 

.16

.17

.04 

Tr.

.03 

.33 

.45

0.13

.14

......

.31

OT

Tr. 

.06

19

.39

.02 

.07

.08

......

".'64" 

.03 

.02

......

"6."22"

.09

......

......

AO

"."29"

Tr. 

Tr.

"."62"

0.07 

.03

.01

.02

.02

.06

.01 

.10

.16

.02 

.15i>?

.35

.75

.01 

.35

19

Tr.

.16

.56 

.06

.44 

.41 

.12 

.05

Tr.

0.01

.01

.46

.02

.56

.45

.02

Tr.

.01 

.01

.02

Tr

.10

.07 

Tr.

.03 

.05

.45 

2.95

.65 

.07 

.26 

Tr.

0.04

.09 

.01

.24 

.43

.41

.34

.01 

.02

Tr.

.15

"i.'is

9 nn

1.12 

.39

.11 

.01

.11 

.14 

.20

0.18

.05 

.06

.50

.52

.01

.03

'"TV"

......

.15

.61

.20

.13 

.60

.06

.10 

.21

"."29"

.78 

.18

1.45

.33

.38

.04

......

------

1.22 

.33

.10

"."si"

1 1^

.03

.21 

- .31

99

.04

......

.06 

.01 

.03

0.26

1.01 

.39

.29

.39

.20

.23

.81 

.03

.02 

.02

"i."32"

.17

.11

.04

Tr.

"."67"

.28

.08

".'os'

.50

.85 

.88 

Tr.

........

........

........

........
CLIMATE, 25

The records vary widely and indicate Some very pronounced characteristics of areal distribution. The greatest annual precipitation 

in the Territory apparently occurs in the southern part of the Alexander Archipelago, at Loring, Ketchikan, and Metlakatla, the average 

being 144 inches. To the north there is an evident decrease, for at 

Calder and Sitka the records are 106 inches and 84 inches, respectively. At Killisnoo and Juneau, which are somewhat protected 

from oceanic influences, the records are 51 and 76 inches. At Skagway and Klukwan, which lie considerably inland from the open ocean, 

the average precipitation is 23 inches.

To the west the first point at which observations have been made 

is Katalla. The records there and at Nuchek and Cordova indicate 

another region of remarkably heavy precipitation. The maximum 

is recorded at Nuchek, but the record was so short that probably less 

reliance should be placed on it than on the longer records at Katalla 

and Cordova^of which the average is 132 inches.

Fort Liscum and Valdez are at the upper end of Port Valdez and 

somewhat protected from the ocean might be expected to receive less 

rainfall than places more exposed. At Fort Liscum the record is 74 

inches, whereas across the bay it is 58 inches, a rather marked variation for so short a distance 4 miles. The fact that Fort Liscum is 

situated at the base of a steep mountain slope and Valdez on a broad, 

low delta, H miles from the foot of the nearest mountain, account 

for the phenomenon. (See p. 89.)

Marked differences in the precipitation at the different stations are 

found also on Kenai Peninsula. From Seward, where the recorded 

precipitation is 59 inches, the amount decreases to 34 inches at Sunrise on the north, and to 17 inches at Kenai. Conditions similar to 

those at Kenai apparently prevail at Tyonek, which is situated a few 

miles north of Kenai and across Cook Inlet, the mean annual precipitation at that point being 23 inches.

The annual precipitation at Kodiak 62 inches is not very different from that at Seward. On the eastern shore of the Alaska 

Peninsula there is a record of 49 inches at Coal Harbor, but on the 

western coast a smaller precipitation is indicated by the records of 

24 and 31 inches at Ugashik and Nushagak, respectively.

Farther west the precipitation apparently increases, for at Dutch 

Harbor the mean is 79 inches, and still farther west, at Atka Island, 

it is 89 inches. The most western station at which records have been 

obtained is Bering Island, where the mean is 21 inches.

North of the Chugach Mountains there is a very marked decrease 

in rainfall. Tiekel, situated in the northern foothills of these mountains, has a record of 18 inches. At Chickaloon, Copper Center, and 

Chistochina conditions of precipitation appear approximately the 

same, the average being 10 inches per year and indicating a region of 

low precipitation including a large part of the Chitina, upper Copper,
26 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

and Matanuska valleys. This does not mean, however, that the>precipitation on the mountains hi this region may not be much higher 

than that at the station affording the data.

Neither the object of this paper nor the information at hand justifies a very comprehensive discussion of the meteorology of the region, 

but it seems advisable to call attention to certain influences that 

produce the wide variation of precipitation in Alaska noted in the 

foregoing paragraphs.

The cooling of an* to the point at which the moisture it carries is 

precipitated as rain or snow may be caused by various conditions, 

but the cause most active along the Alaska coast is the passage of 

the relatively warm southerly winds, laden nearly to the point of 

saturation with moisture that has been collected by evaporation 

from the Pacific Ocean, over the cool land areas.

The exposure of the locality to the ocean winds and its position 

with respect to surrounding topographic features probably explain 

many of the variations in precipitation found in the coastal province. 

At the foot of a high, steep mountain side exposed to the moistureladen winds the rainfall will be heavier than at a place similarly 

situated on the leeward side, and it will also be greater than at a 

place exposed to the same winds but lacking the mountain background, since the cool mountain air is very effective hi precipitating 

the moisture. Thus an area that is protected from the prevailing 

winds by mountains, islands, or projections of mainland would 

receive less precipitation than an area not so protected.

The great mountain systems lying across the course of the prevailing winds also serve as effective obstructions to the passage of 

moisture to the interior. The moisture-laden southwesterly air currents passing up the mountain sides become increasingly cooler and 

continue to deposit then* excess moisture, and at the summit their 

moisture content represents the capacity of the air at that temperature. As they descend on the other side they usually enter a warmer 

region, and there tend to retain their moisture until they are cooled 

below the temperature prevailing at the mountain summit over which 

they have passed.

This phenomenon explains some of the peculiarities of the distribution through the year. The diagram, figure 2, shows clearly that 

along the coast, owing to the lowering of the land temperature and 

to other physical causes, precipitation is heaviest during September, 

October, November, and December.

Across the Chugach Mountains the annual rainfall is greatly reduced 

and the period of heaviest rainfall apparently begins in midsummer. 

In the ulterior 1 rainfall is heaviest in June, July, and August, the 

warmest season of the year, the reason being that the higher tem-

» Ellsworth, C. E., and Davenport, R. W., II. S. GeoL Survey Water-Supply Paper 342, p. 41,1916.
a

8

Bering Island

Atka Island

Dutch Harbor

Coal Harbor

Chickaloon

Chistochina 

Copper Center

Tiekel

^'Jjtllf^lj i-s bS<Si-» H»<! oiOaf 

FIGURE 2. Diagram showing monthly distribution of precipitation in southern Alaska.
28 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

peratures on the coast and at the mountain summits during the summer allow the passing winds to carry more moisture into the interior.

The effect of altitude on precipitation is undoubtedly very pronounced in this region. The evidences do not seem conclusive that 

the increase is continuous from the coast to the summits of the 

mountains, for the maximum precipitative effect of the land temperature acting on the warm sea air might be at some place below 

the summit. After the air has been unburdened of much of its 

moisture at the first mountain summits and has attained a more uniform humidity, the tendency is toward increase in precipitation 

where the lower temperatures prevail. Decrease in temperature and 

therefore increase in precipitation usually accompanies increase in 

elevation. This fact has an important bearing on the water supply 

of some of the inland area.

The effect of elevation on precipitation is well illustrated in the 

Cook Inlet country. At Kenai the mean annual precipitation is 17 

inches, at Tyonek 23 inches, and at Chickaloon 9 inches. The lastnamed station lies within the region of low precipitation already 

noted. About 30 miles west of Chickaloon is the Craigie Creek drainage area, most of which lies at elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 feet, 

whereas the altitude of Chickaloon is about 900 feet. The run-off 

from Craigie Creek at the Gold Bullion mill is shown on page 145, and 

for the months of June, July, August, and September the total is 

32.52 inches. The size of the drainage area has been very accurately 

determined. The season of 1913 was considered exceptionally dry 

throughout the Cook Inlet country.

A topographic party of the United States Geological Survey, working throughout the summer of 1913 at the head of the Susitna River 

on the south slope of the Alaska Range, noted some of the characteristics of precipitation in that area. The season was comparatively 

dry to July 10, but thereafter until September 1 it was estimated that 

rain and fog prevailed more than two-thirds of the time. The same 

period in the lower Susitna Valley and Cook Inlet region was practically rainless. Moreover the natives at the head of the Susitna 

were reported as saying that the season was not abnormally rainy. 

These comparisons indicate a large increase of precipitation with 

increase in altitude in the interior region during the summer.

The maximum rainfall in 24 hours very rarely reaches 7 inches, but 

frequently exceeds 3 inches at the wettest places. The maximum is 

somewhat greater in the eastern part of the coast province than in 

the western, and it decreases rapidly toward the interior. At Copper 

Center a 24-hour rainfall in excess of 1 inch is very unusual.

At some of the stations in southeastern Alaska a rainfall in excess 

of one-hundredth of an inch occurs on more than 200 days of the 

year. In the western part the number of rainy days decreases to
CLIMATE. 29

about 150. At the more inland areas, such as on Upper Lynn Canal 

and the Cook Inlet region, the number of rainy days does not much 

exceed 90 per year. The average number of rainy days per year at 

Copper Center is 63. Thus the maximum rainfall in a 24-hour period 

and the number of rainy days in a year are seen to bear a well-defined 

relation to the quantity of annual rainfall.

A study of the water supply of a region obviously involves the 

question of snowfall. The principal factors determining the amount 

of snowfall are the quantity of precipitation and the temperature at 

which such precipitation occurs. In southeastern Alaska, because 

-of the relatively high winter temperature, there is little snow at sea 

level, but at higher elevations it is very heavy. At White Pass the 

winter snowfall is about 25 to 30 feet, but on the Chilkat summit it is 

said to be less than 4 feet. Farther west, owing to the lower winter 

temperature, the snowfall is heavier. The total at Seward is reported 

as about 6 feet, at Valdez 12 feet, and at Cordova about 10 feet. At 

Thompson's Pass 15 feet is reported. These figures are approximate 

and vary considerably from year to year.

On May 6, 1913, 5 feet of snow was measured on the extensive flat 

area -back of the town of Valdez. A few days later, on May 16, the 

depth on this flat had decreased to 2.5 feet, with a water equivalent 

of 26 per cent.

On May 9, 1913, a trench was observed which had been dug 

through the snow for a considerable distance alongside of Solomon 

Gulch for the purpose of installing a pipe line for a hydroelectric 

development. The locality is on the south side of Port Valdez, 500 

or 600 feet above sea level. x The snow at that time varied in depth 

from 6 to 18 feet and probably had been considerably greater earlier 

in the spring.

The snowfall higher in the mountains is undoubtedly enormous, as 

is indicated by the early date at which the snow line commenced to 

descend the mountain side, and the fact that perennial snow and 

glaciers are not uncommon. This heavy snowfall is of considerable 

practical significance in its effect on run-off, and also because of its 

tendency to produce great snowslides in the winter and especially in 

the spring when the masses of snow commence to thaw on the precipitous mountain slopes. Owing to their wide prevalence they 

threaten the stability of any structure lying in their path and present 

a serious obstacle to mining, railroad, or water-power development.

In the Kenai Valley at the elevation of Kenai Lake the annual 

snowfall is about 6 feet. On December 16, 1913, a depth of 4 feet 

was reported in this region as being an exceptionally heavy fall for 

that season. Farther north, in the regions of lower precipitation, the 

snowfall is less. The transition from coast to interior conditions is 

well illustrated along the Copper River. On the Copper River Flats
30 WATER POWER IBT SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

there is a fall of 15 to 30 feet. The Copper Eiver & Northwestern 

Railway has found the difficulty of keeping the track clear of snow 

by their rotary plows much greater below the mouth of Tiekel River 

at mile 101 than above. At Chitina there are 3 to 4 feet of snow, 

about 4 feet are reported at Kennicott, and 3 feet at Copper Center. 

On May 22, 1913, there was about 5 feet of snow at the delta of the 

Copper, with a gradual decrease northward until at Chitina, 100 

miles to the north, the ground was bare up to an elevation of over 

2,000 feet.

The average depth of accumulated snow near Miles Glacier during 

1907 and 1909 is shown in the following table. The observations 

were kept by the Copper River & Northwestern Railway during the 

construction of the road:

Average depth of snow, in feet, near Miles Glacier for 1907-1909.

Day. Oct. Nov. Dec. Day. Oct. Nov.

1907. 

1............ ...... 0.6 3.2 11............ ...... 2.0

2............ ...... .6 3.1 12............ 0.0 2.0 

3............ ...... .6 3.1 13............ .8 1.9

4............ ...... .7 3.0 14............ 1.] 1-9

5............ ...... 1.0 3.0 15............ I.I 

6............ ...... 1.5 3.0 16............ l.c

7 ..... 1.8 3.0 17... ... l.r

8............ ...... 2.0

9............ ...... 2.0 

10............ ...... 2.0

Day.

1908. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q

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

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

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

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

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

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

IB. .....................:....

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

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

1Q

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

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

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

oo

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

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

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

97

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

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

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

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

! 1.9

> 1.9 

1.9

3.1 18............ 1.2 1.9 

3.3 19............ 1.1 1.9 

3.5 20............ 1.0 1.9

Jan.

4.5 

4.8 

5.2 

5.6 

5.9

6.4 

6.6 

6.7 

6.9 

7.0

7.1 

7.1 

7.0 

7.0 

7.0

7.0 

7.0 

7.1 

7.1 

7.2

7.2 

7.2 

7.2 

7.3

7.5

7.6 

7.7 

7.8 

7.9 

8.0 

8.0

Feb.

ao

8.0 

8.0 

8.0 

8.0

7.9 

7.9

7.9 

8.0 

8.1

8.0 

8.0 

8.2 

8.5 

9.0

9.4 

10.0 

10.0 

10.0 

9.9

9.9 

9.8 

9.8 

9.8 

9.7

9,7 

9.-7 

9.6 

9.6

Mar.

9.6 

9.5 

9.5 

9.4 

9.4

9.3 

9.3 

9.3 

9.3 

9.2

9.1 

9.1 

9.1 

9.0 

9.0

9.0 

9.0 

9.0 

9.0

8.9

8.9 

8.9 

8.9 

9.0 

9.0

9.0 

9.0 

9.0 

9.0 

9.0 91

Apr.

9.1. 

9.2 

9.3 

9.4 

9.5

9.5 

9.6 

9.7 

9.8 

9.9

10.1 

10.3 

10.5 

10.7 

10.9

11.1 

11.3

11.4 

11.5 

11.4

11.3 

11.1 

11.0 

10.8 

10.6

10.3 

10.2 

10.0 

9.9

9.8

Dec.

3.6 

3.8 

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0 

3.9

3.9 

3.9 

3.9

May.

9.8 

9.7 

9.6 

9.5 

9.4

9.3

9.2 

9.0

8.7 

8.5

asai

7.7 

7.5 

7.3

7.0 

6.7 

6.5 

6.2 

6.0

5.7 

5.4 

5.0 

4.7 

4.5

4.2 

3.8 

3.6 

3.3 

3.0 

2.8

Day. Oct.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.9

.8 

.7 

.6 

.5

.5 

.4 

.3 

.3 

.5 

fi

June.

2.6 

2.5 

2.3 

2.0 

1.7

1.5 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0

.8

.6 

.5 

.3 

.2 

0.0

Oct.

6.6

.2 

.2

.2 

.3

.7 

.7 

.1

. .1 

.2 

.1 

.1 

.1 

.1

Nov. Dec.

2.0 3.9 

2.5 4.0 

2.5 4.0 

2.5 4.0 

2.5 4.0

2.6 4.0 

3.0 4.0 

3.2 4.0 

3.2 4.0 

3.2 4.0 

...... 4.2

Nov.

0.1 

.1 

.2 

1.0 

1.5

1.6 

1.7 

1.0 

.2 

0.0

0 

0 

.2

Trace. 

Trace.

Trace. 

Trace. 

Trace. 

Trace. 

Trace.

Trace. 

Trace. 

Trace. 

Trace. 

Trace.

.1 

.4 

.4 

.3 

.4

Dec.

0 4 

4 

3 

2 

1

1 

1 

2

8 

4

8 

8 

8 

9 

8

8 

7 

6 

8 

1.2

1.6 

1.6 

2.8 

3.6 

3.9

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0
CLIMATE. SI

Average deptfi of snow, m feet, new Miles Glacier far 1907-1909 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

4.0

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.4

3.2

3.0

2.8

2.7

2.5

2.4

2.2

2.1

9 n

1.8

2.0

2.2

2.6

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.8

4.0

4.5

4.7

5.0

5.3

5.8

6.3

6.5

Feb.

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.6

6.6

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.8

6.8

6.9

6.9

6.9

Mar.

6 Q

6.9

6.9

6.9

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.8

6.8

Apr.

6.7

6.6

6.5

6.5

6.4

63

6.2

6.1

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.3

5.2

5.1

5.0

4.9

4.8

4.7

4.6

4.5

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.1

4.0

May.

3

Q

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.2

s i

3

n

2

n

9 7

2.6

2.5

2.3

2.2

2.1

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.0

.9

.7

.6

.5

.3

.2

0

Oct.

0.1

.5

.6

.7

.7

.7

. .7

.6

.5

1 Q

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Nov.

0.2

0

.4

.5

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

Dec.

A o

.3

.6

.9

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.4

2

f\

2.1

2.0

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.3

1 9

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.2

L2

1.2

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.5

1.2

NOTE. Records furnished by the Copper River & Northwestern Railway.

Maximum velocity of wind, in miles per hour, near Miles Glacier for 1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

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

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

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

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

5.........'.. .................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June.

3

10

15

8

4

8

7

8

12

10

12

10

4

9

8

6

12

18

9

6

12

12

14

7

11

14

8

July.

12

12

8

7

20

12

11

10

20

15

6

16

14

13

9

5

8

12

18

8

11

16

4

10

8

12

10

5

6

8

9

Aug.

4

9

12

22

18

4

8

8

8

11

7

9

5

8

13

11

6

13

24

7

30

11

13

8

12

8

11

6

8

12

12

Sept.

6

20

10

9

12

20

20

8

30

5

7

20

13

4

20

24

40

10

10

45

24

20

20

36

30

24

24

20

0

40

Oct.

20

24

15

5

10

12

20

20

20

12

32

20

25

30

24

30

20

42

48

70

70

48

42

40

48

64

48

60

38

31

Nov.

60

50

52

48

60

30

24

24

24

20

12

12

12

19

20

22

36

24

37

32

36

40

34

12

8

24

12

20

12

12

Dec.

20

24

20

23

15

20

12

18

20

40

40

38

50

25

24

20

20

15

24

30

20

20

20

25

50

65

70

48

30
32 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA. 

Maximum velocity of wind, in miles per hour, near Miles Glacier for 1908-9 Gontd.

Day.

1909. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-21.. ............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

60

60

50

36

50

55

60

72

72

64

60

40

50

51

60

65

70

70

70

71

70

70

50

65

30

50

60

65

54

70

72

Feb.

72

50

50

55

60

65

. 50

55

60

60

40

so

70

QA

72

66

36

12

36

50

40

60

65

34

24

36

20

24

Mar.

37

50

Kf\

07

3ft

25

3fi

30

60

36

w

48

22

94.

12

0

20

24

23

35

- 18

50

36

24

36

17

40

12

1 %

0

Apr.

0

24

20

26

36

Q7

cy\

0

0

Oft

12

31

48

48

24

10

17

0

20

10

t)A

49

12

20

10

10

40

0

6

May.

12

0

1O

20

10

0

10

19

20

20

10

0

4

10

0

12

20

8

8

20

15

97

8

12

20

20

20

June.

oc

20

99

17

15

15

1O

1 %

16

17

15

16

15

20

10

12

14

18

20

15

24

20

12

10

July.

g

19

10

g

12

20

11

19

 10

20

14

19

13

12

15

8

19

7

12

20

19

15

13

6

5

10

15

14

8

Aug.

(0)

Sept.

10

1C

15

19

to

15

7

7

19

12

20

OK

15

31

12

12

10

14

OA

35

36

38

31

32

30

30

24

15

15

Oct.

19

34

91

45

40

3ft

34

47

39

OA

19

QA

10

19

28

oft

42

60

48

58

" 5099

25

8

5

15

30

on

25

17

20

Nov.

20

99

oi

*>c

29

43

QO

QO

qq

12

16

4

4

45

65

60

55

KA

47

60

60

60

67

63

67

67

68

65

47

Dec.

oc

Qfl

43

80

75

Afi

62

49

45

15

5

97

40

07

37

32 '97

27

16

37

20

20

21

27

20

28

30

38

30

66

66

o No records during August. 

NOTE. Records furnished by the Copper River & Northwestern Railway.

TEMPERATURE.

Perhaps no meteorologic phenomenon in southern Alaska has a 

greater influence on the regimen of streams than temperature, for 

most of the streams head in glaciers or perennial snows, and on such 

streams the effect of temperature equals or exceeds that of rainfall. 

In the interior regions, where the temperature seldom goes above the 

freezing point for several months each winter, the run-off becomes 

entirely dependent on underground sources, whereas on the coast 

occasional periods of thawing weather augment the flow to an important extent.

The temperature conditions at various representative stations in 

southern Alaska are summarized in the following table:

Summary of temperature records at various Weather Bureau stations in southern Alaska.

Copper Center.

Maximum. ..........

Jan.

49 -74

-10.8

Feb.

49

55

2.3

Mar.

49

AO

14.3

Apr.

64

ffi

29,0

May.

80

18

44.1

June.

96

99

53.1

July.

87

22

55.4

Aug.

87

20

52.4

Sept.

80

3

42.9

Oct.

66

-26

27.7

Nov.

49

-46

4.6

Dec.

50 -53

3.3

Annual.

27.1
CLIMATE.' 33

Summary of temperature records at various Weather Bureau stations in southern Alaska 

Continued.

Cordova.

[aximum. ..........

[inimum. ..........

Jan.

47

2

27.8

Feb.

58

4

30.3

Mar.

61

1

31.6

Apr.

70

15

37.0

May.

72

28

June.

80

34

cn Q

July. 

%

86

33

ce 9

Aug.

80

40

55.4

Sept.

84

31

48.7

Oct.

72

26

43 9

Nov.

60

11

QQ 9

Dec49

5

29.7

Annual.

38.9

Fort Liscum.

AK

-14

20.7

dt\

-12

21.8

C4

- 8

26.1

KQ

2

27.8

71

25

41.8

7Q

30

49 8

82

32

CO A

80

30

50.1

84

17

44.9

'57

10

35.8

47

0

90 1

AC

-13

23.9 35.2

Juneau.

Maximum. .......... 50

-10

26.9

51

- 4

29.2

61

£

34.7

63

13

41.0

80

24

48 4

84

01

54.8

88

38

58.1

82

36

55.4

74

33

49.6

68

20

43.6

60

- 1

34.7

60

1

31.9 42.6

Killisnoo.

WittlTniim

52

- 7

97 4

50 -10

26.9

53

32.8

63

15

38.6

76

44

45.8

83

01

C1 0

84

00

55.2

81

36

54 4

69

27

48.0

65

10

41.7

65

1

QQ Q

54

1

Q1 1 JQ 1

Kodiak.

WiTiimnm .....

53

 8

29.4

58

_ 3

22.7

65

2

33.7

61

5

36.1

74

20

43.4

82

30

50.3

32

54.1

85

34

59.4

77

26

46.9

66

16

41.6

KA

g

29.8

61

-12

30.5 40.5

Loring.

47

-20

23 2

52

-23

29.8

63 -10

34.0

67

9

39.5

93

25

48.5

91

32

53.0

87

36

57.3

85

35

57.1

83

30

51.2

67

15

43.9

58

5

sfi d

54

4

32.1 42.8

Seward.

MaTrimiim _ . . . _ _ .

Minimum. ..........

43 -11

19.0

44 -12

27.0

49

- 7

31.3

65

10

36.5

75

26

43.5

84

32

45.8

83

40

54 1

85

33

54.4

84

27

48.7

64

11

39.0

49

9

31.1

45

-10

25.8 39.5

Sitka.

Maximum. .......... 56

31.7

58

- 3

33.5

65

 1

36.5

70

15

41.3

80

28

46.7

84

51.2

87

 54.7

83

30

57.2

80

28

51.8

70

22

45.7

60

1

38.0

59

5

35.6 43.8

Skagway.

Maximum. ..........

Minimum .... ......

47

-21

18.4

49

- 9

24.0

63 -10

30.2

62

9

40.0

94

25

49.5

90

29

56.0

92

37

58.2

89

31

54.3

77

26

49.6

63

12

40.8

56

- 6

31.2

57

- 4

26.9 39.6

97891° WSP 372 15-
34 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Summary of temperature records at various Weather Bureau stations in southern AlaskaContinued.

Sunrise.

Jan.

44

-29

10.4

Feb.

57 -27 '

1Q 4

Mar.

58 -23

O4 Q

Apr. 

tf

60

4

OQ A

May.

76

2340 i

June.

79

27

49.8

July.

76

34

53.6

Aug.

78

28

51.6

Sept.

72

17

44.3

Oct.

59

2

34.1

Nov.

51

-15

22.6

Dec.

48

-26

17.7

Annual.

33.5

Tyonek.

Mintoum . . . .

38

-27

49

-25

18.6

58

- 9

f)K Q

59

OK O

74

22

45.2

91

33

82

38

57.0

76

31

58.3

79

22

48.9

61

5

36.2

47

- 3

25.2

49

-21

18.5 sfi 1

Valdez.

44

- 2

19.2

47

-17

22.4

52

- 6

26.7

63

4

34.4

78

18

43.5

78

30

50.0

84

37

53.9

84

29

52.7

82

30

47.8

62

12

40.5

53

1

26.4

45

- fi

22.3 35.8

As would be expected from its position north of the coast range, 

the greatest range in temperature occurs at Copper Center, whereas 

all the other stations are within the Pacific coast province. At that 

point there is a variation of 170°, ranging from a maximum of 96° in 

June to a minimum of 74° in January. A mean annual temperature of 27.1 shows clearly the rigorous climatic conditions.

An interesting relation between the coast stations is the narrow 

range in the mean annual temperature. The extreme difference is 

only 10.3°, the maximum of 43.8 occurring at Sitka and the minimum 

33.5 at Sunrise.

Temperatures below zero have been recorded at all the stations 

except Cordova, where 1 ° is the minimum. At that station the minimum yearly range of 85° also occurs. The most uniform mean 

monthly temperatures occur at Sitka, ranging from 31.7° for January to 57.2° in August.

CONTROLLER BAY REGION.

GENERAL FEATURES.

The Controller Bay region occupies an area about 500 square miles 

in extent, bounded by the Chugach Mountains on the north, Bering 

Glacier on the east, the Pacific Ocean to the south, and the Copper 

River delta on the west.

The topographic features of the region are exceedingly varied, 

including southern spurs from the Chugach Mountains, isolated peaks 

to the south ranging in height from 1,000 to 3,000 feet, with intervening low swampy areas and numerous lakes.
CONTROLLER BAY REGION. 35

Katalla, the post office and commercial center of the region, is on 

the north shore of Katalla Bay about 10 miles east of Controller Bay. 

Supplies are landed by small launches from ocean-going vessels, 

which anchor about half a mile from the shore. Katalla is a proposed 

outlet for the Bering River coal field which lies 20 to 30 miles northeast of the town.1

Little information is available regarding the climate of this region. 

(See p. 15.) The average yearly precipitation probably exceeds 

100 inches and snowfall is rather heavy. The summers are cool and 

cloudy and the winters are moderate.

Spruce and hemlock, the principal trees, grow in heavy stands and 

reach diameters of 2 to 3 feet. The best timber grows along the 

foothills below an elevation of 1,000 feet. The United States Forest 

Service estimates the stands on the Ragged Mountains and in 

the vicinity of Martin River, and Bering Lake &t approximately 

2,130,000,000 feet board measure.

MEASTTBING POINTS.

The points at which discharge measurements were made in 1913 

in the Controller Bay region are listed below. Records of daily 

flow are not available for streams in this region. The numbers in the 

list correspond to numbers on Plate II.

Measuring points in Controller Bay region, 1913.

1. Bering River above Stillwater Creek.

2. Canyon Creek at mouth.

3. Stillwater Creek 1 mile above mouth.

4. Trout Creek one-fourth mile above mouth.

5. Clear Creek at Cunningham's camp.

6. Clear Creek near Zatalla.

BERING RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Bering River drains the eastern part of the Controller Bay region, 

of which it is the principal stream. Its water is derived mainly 

from Bering Glacier, though, Martin River Glacier contributes considerable water through Canyon, Stillwater, and Shepherd creeks. 

As in most glacial streams the volume of discharge bears little relation to the area of the drainage basin, which is indeterminate because 

of uncertainty as to how much of Bering and Martin River glaciers 

drains through Bering River.

Bering River rises in First Berg Lake (see PI. II), the first of a 

series of five lakes on the northeast margin of Bering Glacier. It flows

i The Bering River coal field is described by G. C. Martin, Geology and mineral resources of the Controller Bay Region, Alaska: U. S. Geol. Surrey Bull. 335, pp. 65-112,1908. The Controller Bay oil field is 

described in the same bulletin, pp. 112-120.
36 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

southwestward about 23 miles and enters the northern part of Controller Bay about 10 miles west of KataUa. * The areas of the lakes 

from first to fifth are 2.2, 0.08, 0.27, 0.58, and 1.8 square miles, respectively. These lakes have been described by Martin 1 as follows:

Marginal lakes. The five Berg Lakes, situated on the margin of Bering Glacier, 

near the northeast corner of the region under discussion, present some interesting 

features. These lakes are bordered on their landward sides by steep banks, which are 

in general barren of vegetation and which are covered chiefly with glacial debris. 

These banks extend to an elevation of about 1,000 feet above tide, or about 200 feet 

above the level of the lakes. They are cut and built into well-developed terraces, 

which mark former stages in the elevation of the lakes. The lower terraces are entirely barren of vegetation, but the upper ones have a scant growth of grass, herbs, 

and small bushes, which are only a few years old.

The surface of the four western lakes is known to be at the same altitude (about 810 

feet in 1905), and Fifth Lake probably is at the same level.

These lakes are certainly connected by water channels through the crevasses of the 

glacier, and possibly* by open spaces under the ice. The surface of the ice is level, 

except where it rests against the land on the points between the lakes. The identity 

in the altitude of the lakes, the level surface of the ice between the lakes, and the 

way in which bergs break off on the margin of First Lake show that this arm of the 

glacier is floating in one large lake, of which the five Berg Lakes are only open areas. 

The surface of the glacier, after a gentle slope, descends in a low, crevassed icefall to 

its floating level.

The level of the lake is oscillating. The absence of vegetation on the lower terraces 

'shows that it has fallen in recent years. In June, 1905, it was rising several inches per 

day. The outlet of the lake, which is beneath the ice at the end of the long point south 

of First Lake, becomes choked with debris at irregular intervals. The water then rises 

until the pressure clears the outlet or till the water can flow on the surface around the 

end of the point, when the lake is emptied, causing severe floods in the valley of 

Bering River.

The principal tributaries of Bering River from the north are Canyon, 

Stillwater, and Shepherd creeks. Gandil and Nichawak rivers flow 

from Bering Glacier through a low swampy country and enter Bering 

River from the east below Bering Lake.

Bering Lake, which lies about 5 miles north of Controller Bay, 

covers an area of about 12 square miles and is said to be very shallow. 

It is connected with Bering River by several channels, though most 

of the river water passes by without entering the lake. The level of 

the lake is raised from 1 to 3 feet by tides.

Bering River is navigable for small launches during high and 

medium stages as far as the mouth of Stillwater Creek, a distance of 

16 miles. It flows over a bed of glacial sand and silt with constantly 

changing channels.

First Berg Lake lies at an elevation of about 800 feet. About 2 

miles below the lake, at an elevation of about 750 feet, the river 

commences to fall rapidly (see PI. Ill, A) and in a distance of less 

than a mile it drops over 600 feet. Power could be developed by

1 Martin, G. C., Geology and mineral resources of the Controller Bay region, Alaska: IT. S. Geol. Survey 

Bull. 336, pp. 47-48,1908.
, 3. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-S

\ av Mefiumen

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NC-iPAO$3&n 

«&^xisrJsf 

I ' / / . N , ' ' / ' 

i ',(, " < '-. r 

' Jl-l « . . _ . r~ 

i

Bering Riv

 Point of meas

number refers 

id Miles

MAP OF CONTROLLER BAY REGION SHOWING LOCATION OF MEASURING POINTS.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE III

A. FALLS ON BERING RIVER NEAR OUTLET OF FIRST BERG LAKE.

Ice cliff from Bering Glacier in background.

B. SOLOMON GULCH, MAY 9, 1913. 

Elevation, about 600 feet.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. COPPER RIVER 1 MILE ABOVE COPPER CENTER.

B. COPPER RIVER VALLEY. 

Tiekel River in foreground.
CONTROLLER BAY REGION. 37

carrying water from First Berg Lake through Carbon Mountain to 

Canyon Creek valley, where a head of about 650 feet could be 

obtained. A tunnel about 1 mile long would be required. It would 

not be possible to raise the level of the lake by a dam because of the 

glacier which obstructs the outlet, but substorage could be obtained 

by placing the intake below the low-water level of the lake. According to Martin the lake is subject to changes in level, due to obstructing of the outlet by debris. He also states that it has fallen in recent 

years.

Careful observations of the lake level should be 'taken at frequent 

intervals for a year or more before beginning the construction of a 

tunnel or other form of conduit to divert the water from the lake.

On July 10, 1913, the lake was still frozen over from the previous 

winter. It is reported that it has been known to remain frozen 

throughout the summer.

A measurement of Bering River made just above Stillwater Creek 

on July 11, 1913, gave a discharge of 3,950' second-feet. A simultaneous measurement of Canyon Creek showed a discharge of 179 

second-feet. The inflow between Canyon Creek and the lake outlet 

appears to be rather small. It is believed that an estimate of 3,000 

second-feet discharge at the lake outlet on the above date is conservative, though it is open to question because of the possibility that 

considerable inflow that could not be seen may reach the river below 

the lake.

A flow of 3,000 second-feet under a head of 650 feet, would develop 

over 155,000 horsepower with an efficiency of 70 per cent at the wheel. 

The measurement was made in the season of maximum run-off, 

and as no winter records are available it is difficult to estimate the 

amount of power that could be developed during that season; but 

since with the head available (650 feet) over 5,000 horsepower could 

be produced for every 100 second-feet of discharge, it seems conservative to predict, considering the feasibility of drawing on storage 

from the lake's, that at least from 5,000 to 10,000 horsepower could be 

produced throughout the year.

CANYON CREEK.

Canyon Creek rises in Martin River Glacier, flows southward about 

6 miles, and enters Bering River 6 miles below First Berg Lake. The 

creek falls 900 feet, thus having an average grade of about 150 feet per 

mile.

The first 3 miles of its course is through a narrow, steep-walled 

valley, which becomes wider with approach to Bering River and at 

the junction reaches a maximum of more than a mile.

A measurement made July 11, 1913, gave a discharge of 179 

second-feet.
38 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

STILL WATER CREEK. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Stillwater Creek rises in Kushtaka Lake, flows southeastward about 

4 miles, and enters Bering River about 2J miles below Canyon 

Creek. Its total fall is approximately 60 feet. For the last mile 

of its course the current is rendered very sluggish by backwater from 

Bering River.

Its principal tributaries are Trout and Clear creeks, clear-water 

streams that flow<from Cunningham Ridge and enter from the north 

about 1 mile below Kushtaka Lake.

Kushtaka Lake is nearly 4 miles in maximum length, trends northeast-southwest, and covers an area of 4.7 square miles. Practically 

the entire inflow is from Kushtaka Glacier, which is a southern arm 

of Martin River Glacier. The lake acts as a settling basin, thus giving 

a much clearer outflow than the ordinary glacial stream.

The level of the lake could be raised 20 to 30 feet by a dam of 

moderate length, thus obtaining a storage of 60,000 to 90,000.acrefeet. A fall of at least 35 feet below the normal lake level could be 

obtained by carrying the water in a pressure pipe for a distance of 

about 1 mile. Under that head, with an efficiency of 70 per cent, 

about 275 horsepower could be realized at the wheel for every 100 

second-feet of discharge. The only data regarding the flow is one 

discharge measurement listed below. Considering the storage that 

could be created it is estimated that from 500 to 1,000 horsepower 

could be developed at minunum flow in the winter and from 1,000 to 

2,000 horsepower from May until October.

The lake is confined by morainic material deposited by Martin 

River Glacier when at its maximum extension. The nature of the 

foundation that could be obtained for a dam at the outlet is unknown. 

The material at the surface resembles heavy glacial till. A solid rock 

foundation might be obtained at a moderate depth.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS.

The following miscellaneous measurements were made in Stillwater 

Creek drainage basin in 1913:

Miscellaneous measurements in Stillwater Creek-drainage basin in 1913.

Date.

July 11

11

11

Stream.

Trout Creek..... .......

Clear Creek............

Tributary to 

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

Locality. charge.

Secondfeet.

858

12.6

37

Drainage 

area.

Square

miles.

2.3

6.3

Discharge

per 

sauare

mile.

Secondfeet.

5.48

5.87
COPPER EIVER DBAINAGE BASIN. 39 

KATALLA RIVER.

Katalla River drains an area of 38 square miles west of Bering Lake. 

It is about 8 miles long and flows in a southeasterly direction, enterbig Katalla Bay at the town of Katalla. The valley is low and 

swampy and is more than a mile in average width. The headwaters 

are separated from Bering Lake by a divide less than 100 feet in elevation. The natural railroad route from Katalla to the coal fields 

lies up the Katalla River valley and over the divide to Bering River.

Clear Creek, the principal tributary of Katalla River, joins it from 

the north about a mile from Katalla. It is about 4 miles long and 

drains an area of 7.5 square miles. It occupies a narrow, V-shaped 

valley and flows through a succession of pools and rapids over a bed 

of gravel and bowlders, with a grade of about 150 feet per mile.

The following measurement was made 1 mile above the mouth:

July 13, 1914: Discharge, 151 second-feet; drainage area, 6.8 square miles; discharge, per square mile, 22.1 second-feet.

WATER-POWER SITES.

The principal water-power sites in the Controller Bay region are on 

Bering River at the outlet of First Berg Lake (p. 36), and on Stillwater Creek at Kushtaka Lake outlet (p. 38). Some of the smaller 

streams might furnish a few hundred horsepower for 5 or 6 months 

in the year, but it is doubtful whether storage could be provided for 

the development of more than very small power in the winter.

The only market that can be foreseen for these powers is the energy 

that will eventually be required in connection with the mining of the 

coal beds of the area. Coal of good quality will then be available at 

comparatively low cost, and the poorer qualities unsuited for the open 

market will offer a fuel for local power development so cheap that 

water power will have to be produced in the most economical manner to become a successful competitor.

COPPER RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

GENERAL FEATURES.

The Copper River drainage basin occupies an area comprising about 

23,000 square miles in the southeastern part of the main body of 

Alaska. It may be divided into four physiographic divisions the 

Chugach Mountains on the south, the Wrangell Mountains on the 

east, the Alaska Range to the north, and the Copper River Plateau to 

the west.

The topography of the basin is of the most varied character. The 

Wrangell Mountains, occupying the northeastern section, form the
40 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

most conspicuous feature. They have been described by Moffit and 

Capps 1 as follows:

The Wrangell Mountains, although a more or less distinct group, merge into the St. 

Elias Range on the southeast and are not there sharply defined from them. They are 

limited on the south and west and partly on the north by the valleys of Chitina and 

Copper rivers, and are separated from the Nutzotin Mountains on the northeast by a 

depression extending from the head of Copper River to the head of White River. The 

group trends in a northwest-southeast direction and its length is approximately double 

its width. Its greatest diameter is about 100 miles. Half a dozen or more peaks of 

unusual beauty and size, ranging in height from 12,000 to 16,200 feet, rise above the 

rugged snow-covered mass about them, and from one of th,ese, Mount Wrangell, the 

group received its name. The Wrangell Mountains were formed by the erosion of a 

great mass of Tertiary and Recent lavas piled up on an older surface of very considerable relief and having its greatest development in the neighborhood of Mount Wrangell 

and Mount Sanford. The southeastern limit of these younger flows is probably somewhere in the vicinity of Skolai Pass and Chitistone River, although it is possible that 

they may extend still farther to the east. Thus the Wrangell Mountains consist essentially of lava flows and are distinct in their origin from the other mountains about them, 

all of which are made up principally of deformed sedimentary beds.

The most prominent summits are Mount Sanford (16,208 feet), 

Mount Blackburn (16,140 feet), Mount Wrangell (14,005 feet), 

Mount Regal (13,400 feet), and Mount Drum (12,000 feet).

The range is covered with a connected system of glaciers whose 

tentacle-like arms spread out from the various peaks and reach down 

at numerous points to elevations of 2,000 to 4,000 feet, from which 

flow many important streams. Kennicott Glacier terminates at 

an elevation of about 1,500 feet, the lowest elevation reached by any 

of the ice sheets draining to the Chitina River or the Copper above 

the Chitina.

The Copper River Plateau has been described by Brooks 2 as follows:

A broad gravel and silt floored basin stretches north from the inland slope of the 

Chugach Mountains to the foothills of the Alaska Range. It is bounded on the e%st 

by the Wrangell Mountains and the Copper River, and extends westward to the 

Susitna basin by a depressed area lying between Talkeetna Mountains and the Alaska 

Range. The basin has a monotonous lack of relief which contrasts strongly with 

the rugged mountains encircling it. [See PI. IV, A, p. 37.] At the escarpment on its 

eastern margin where it falls off to the Copper River it stands about 2,000 feet above 

sea level, but it rises gently to the west to an altitude of about 3,000 feet at the divide. 

This topographic feature is, in fact, a plateau built up largely of Pleistocene deposits, 

deeply dissected near its margins and called the "Copper River Plateau," by Mendenhall,3 who was the first to describe it. While it is usually an almost unbroken plain, 

it is varied in places by hills and small groups of mountains and is dotted with small 

1 Moffit, F. H., and Capps, S. R., Geology and mineral resources of the Nlzina district, Alaska: U. S. 

Geol. Survey Bull. 448, p. 10,1911.

2 Brooks, A. H., Geography and geology of Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 45, p. 54,1906.

3 Mendenhall, W. C., A reconnaissance from Resurrection Bay to the Tanana River, Alaska: U. S.GeoL 

Survey Twentieth Ann. Rept., pt. 7, p. 297,1900.
COPPEB RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 41

The Copper River Plateau lies entirely within the Pacific mountain system, and 

though of low relief includes three important watersheds. Its eastern drainage falls 

into the Copper, its western into the Susitna and Matanuska, and a small area in the 

north drains to the Tanana through the Delta River.

Within the plateau region the Copper River and its tributaries 

have cut deep channels varying from a few feet up to 500 or 600 

feet below the general plateau level. (See PL IV, A, p. 37.) The 

formation is made up largely of sand, gravel, and clay, and it is not 

likely that many solid rock canyons occur except possibly near the 

headwaters of the stream flowing from the Wrangell Mountains.

Copper River rises in Copper Glacier on the north slope of Wrangell 

Mountain and enters the Pacific about 150 miles (in an air line) south. 

Mount Sanford (elevation 16,208 feet), the highest peak of the 

Wrangell Range, lies about 10 miles to the west of the Copper Glacier 

outlet. Nabesna Glacier, situated about 30 miles farther east, is 

one of the sources of the Tanana River. Copper River flows in a 

northerly direction for about 40 miles to its junction with the Slana, 

a large tributary from the north. Batzulnetas is situated at the 

mouth of Tanada Creek, 10 miles above the Slana. After receiving 

the Slana, the Copper makes a right-angle turn to the west, gradually bending to the south, and then, bearing toward the east, it is 

joined from the east by its largest branch, the Chitina, about 150 

miles below its head. It has then nearly encircled the western end 

of the Wrangell Mountains. The town of Chitina is on the west 

side of the Copper opposite the mouth of the Chitina River.

Below Chitina the Copper enters the Chugach Range and thence to 

its mouth its flood plain reaches to steep mountain slopes on either 

side, broken only by some of its larger branches from the east and 

west, which, heavily laden with glacial sand and gravel, have built 

up terraces at their mouths. (See PL IV, B,} Between Chitina and 

Tasnuna rivers the flood plain is seldom over a mile in width and 

averages much less than that. At Wood Canyon, beginning about 6 

miles below Chitina, the river passes between narrow rock walls for 

about 3 miles. At several points the canyon is of the "box" type, 

with nearly vertical sides rising 50 feet or more above the water 

surface. This canyon offers probably the most natural site for power 

development on Copper River. Below the Tasnuna the valley floor 

widens and for much of the remainder of its course to the delta is 

1 to 4 miles wide.

Abercrombie Rapids are situated along the northern part of the 

terminal moraine from Miles Glacier. It is estimated that in a distance of about 2.5 miles the river falls through a height of about 40 

feet. The rapids were probably formed by the former encroachment 

of the glacier upon the river channel. The carrying power of the 

river above the glacier was thereby decreased, and heavy deposits
42 WATEE POWER IN SOTJTH-CENTKAL ALASKA.

of glacial sediment were laid down, forming a lower stream-gradient 

for several miles above. When the glacier began to recede it left 

large bodies of heavy till, through which the river is now slowly 

cutting its way. The river has been pushed well over toward the 

west side of the valley and hugs the base of steep rocky slopes for 

the first 2 miles of the rapids. It then makes a nearly right-angle 

turn to the east and about one-half mile farther on enters an expanded 

section of the river at the base of Miles Glacier^ known as Miles 

Glacier Lake.

Abercrombie Rapids offer the fundamental requirements for the 

development of power, a large volume of water and a concentrated 

fall. The economic value of a water power, however, depends on 

the market for the power and the cost of development. The latter 

factor alone would probably put this site out of the class that would 

be economically feasible at the present time and probably far into 

the future. The principal difficulty would be the construction of 

a diversion dam. A rock foundation probably could not be obtained 

at a reasonable depth. The east end of the dam would be in a high 

glacial moraine which is probably underlain with ice. (See PI. 

V, A.) The track of the Copper Eiver & Northwestern Kailway 

follows the west bank of the river past the rapids. To carry water 

from the head of the rapids to a power house at the foot, nearly 

2 miles of tunnel would have to be built through the rock slope on 

the west side of the river in order to avoid the railway track. The 

eastern slope, which is flanked by the moraine, would offer a distinctly 

unstable foundation for a conduit even though the water could be 

successfully diverted.

Copper River carries large quantities of frazil during October and 

November when it is freezing. In the spring, beginning about the 

first of May, the break-up occurs, during which time there is an immense flow of heavy cakes of ice that would be difficult to pass over 

a dam. The large quantities of glacial debris that are carried by the 

river would also present a serious problem if power development 

should be undertaken.

Twenty-five miles below the Slana Copper River is joined by Chistochina River, which rises in the Alaska Range on the south slope of 

Mount Kimball and flows south about 50 miles. Here Copper River 

emerges from the valley between the Alaska Ilange and the Wrangell 

Mountains and flows along the eastern margin of the Copper River 

Plateau until it approaches the Chitina. Between the Chistochina 

and the Chitina the principal tributaries of the Copper in downstream 

order from the north and west are the Gakona, Gulkana, Tazlina, 

Klutina, and Tonsina rivers; from the east it receives the Sanford, 

Klawasi, Nadina, Dadina, Chetaslina, Cheshnina, and Kotsina rivers, 

which drain the westward slope of the Wrangell Mountains.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE V

A. COPPER RIVER, LOOKING DOWNSTREAM TO HEAD OF ABERCROMBIE RAPIDS. 

Moraine from Miles Glacier on the left. Copper River & Northwestern Railway follows right bank.

B. VIEW UP COPPER RIVER. MILES GLACIER IN THE BACKGROUND.
COPPER EIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. 4&

Below Chitina the principal tributaries are Tasnuna and Tiekel 

rivers from tlie west and the Bremner from the east.

The delta begins about 10 miles below Miles Glacier, 30 miles from 

salt water. AJaganik Slough, the westernmost channel, enters salt 

water about 12 miles southeast of Cordova. Eastward many channels 

reach the ocean for a distance of over 20 miles.

"The lower course of the Copper seems once to have been a wide 

embayment reaching back into the Chugach Mountains, but this has 

been filled in by vast quantities of sediment brought down by the 

river, and the broad delta is the result of their deposition." 1

Nearly all the tributaries of the Copper head in glaciers and carry 

heavy deposits of glacial silt (see table, p. 46), particularly during 

the warmer months, when they are especially active. Only two '' live'' 

glaciers Miles and Childs reach the main river. They are situated 

about 30 miles from salt water. Miles Glacier is on the east bank just 

above the crossing of the Copper River & Northwestern Railway 

(see PI. V, B), and Childs Glacier is just below on the opposite side. 

Large quantities of ice break from the face of these glaciers into the 

river during warm weather. Childs Glacier appears the more active 

of the two. Each presents a face of about 2 miles along the river's 

edge, in some places rising vertically more than 300 feet above the 

water's surface.

Before the construction of the Copper River & Northwestern Railway from Cordova to Chitina and Kennicott small boats were used 

quite extensively on the Copper and some of its larger tributaries, 

and light-draft steamboats have navigated from the Tasnuna to 

Copper, Center and from Chitina to the Nizina River on the Chitina. 

Since the railroad has been in operation little boating has been done 

on the Copper, and the construction of roads and trails and a fuller 

knowledge of the tributary areas has lessened the advantage of using 

the minor stream for boating.

Copper River rises at an elevation of about 3,600 feet, making an 

average gradient of about 12 feet per mile. From Copper Center to 

the ocean there is a total fall of 1,000 feet, giving a mean fall in that 

distance of about 6.7 feet per mile.

MINERAL RESOURCES.

The principal mineral resources of the Copper River basin are copper 

and gold. The most important copper deposits are those of the Kotsina-Chitina2 belt, extending along the southern slope of the Wrangell

i Schrader, F. C., and Spencer, A. C., Geology and mineral resources of a portion of the Copper River 

district, Alaska: U. S. Geol. purvey special reports on Alaska,.p. 27,1901.

s Described by Mofflt, F. H., and Maddren, A. G., Mineral resources of the Kotsina-Chitina region, 

Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 374, pp. 42-92,1909; Mofflt, F. H., and Capps, S. E., Geology and mineral 

resources of the Nizina district, Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 448, pp. 77-97, 1911. See also Mofflt, 

F. H., Mining in Chitina Valley: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 542, pp. 81-86,1913.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE VI

O._ Point of measurement;

15 number refers to list in text

MAP OF COPPER RIVER BASIN SHOWING LOCATION OF GAGING STATIONS AND MEASURING POINTS.
COPPER RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 45

From Chitina eastward the Kennkott extension of the railway traverses a gravel bench 

standing 300 to 500 feet above the river level, and this is covered with a similar type 

of vegetation to that of the Copper River Plateau. The trees are mostly stunted and 

have no value except for fuel. There are some patches of good timber in the river 

bottoms along the Lakina and other streams.

GAGING STATIONS AND MEASURING POINTS.

The points at which gaging stations were maintained or discharge 

measurements made in 1913, in the Copper River basin, are listed in 

the following table. The numbers correspond to those used on 

Plate VI.

Gaging stations and measuring points in Copper River basin in 1913.

1. Copper River near Copper Center.

2. Copper River at Miles Glacier.

3. Klutina River at Copper Center.

4. Kotsina River near mouth.

5. Nizina River above Kennicott River.

6. Dan Creek above hydraulic plant.

7. White Creek above Jolly Gulch.

8. Chititu Creek below Rex Creek.

9. Rex Creek above hydraulic plant.

10. McCarthy Creek above Nikolai Creek.

11. McCarthy Creek near McCarthy.

12. Lakina River at railroad crossing.

13. Gilahina River at railroad crossing.

14. Chokosna River at railroad crossing.

15. Kuskulana River at railroad crossing.

16. Strelna Creek at railroad crossing.

17. Tsina River below Ptarmigan Creek.

18. Tsina River at mouth.

19. Tiekel River at mouth.

20. Ptarmigan Creek at upper canyon.

21. Ptarmigan Creek at lower canyon.

22. Stuart Creek at mouth.

23. Kanata River at mouth.

NOTE. Black-faced type indicates regular gaging stations; light-faced type points of miscellaneous 

measurements. ,

COPPER RIVER NEAR COPPER CENTER.

A temporary gage was installed on Copper River at the Indian 

School about \\ miles above Copper Center June 18, 1913.

Two readings of stage and one of turbidity were taken each day from 

June 18 to November 30. No means were available, for making discharge measurements, but it would be possible to stretch a light cable 

across the river at Copper Center in holding in place a bo at from which 

soundings and velocity measurements could be made. On September 

27, 1913, the river at the suggested measuring section was 330 feet 

wide, and a measurement made by dropping floats across the section 

at intervals of 25 feet gave a mean surface velocity of 6.43 feet per 

second.
46 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Copper River near Copper Center for 1908. 

[Chas. W. H. Heideman, observer.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

is

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

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

May.

2.0

2.0

2.0

o4.1

4.9

5.0

5.6

6.0

6.1

«4.2

.8

.8

.8

.6

62.0

June.

3.2

4.0

4.4

4.7

4.2

3.5

3.7

3.3

2.9

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.5

July.

5.1

5.1

5.0

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.7

4.6

4.7

4.9

5.2

5.7

5.4

5.2

5.0

Aug.

3.9

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.2

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May.

1.6

3.0

5.2

5.6

5.9

6.4

5.9

4.6

4.1

3.9

3.3

3.4

3.1

3.0

2.4

June.

3.6

4.0

4.0

5.0

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.2

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.2

5.1

5.0

July.

. 5.2

5.0

4.9

4.9

5.1

5.1

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

3.7

3.6

3.8

3.8

3.5

3.5

Aug.

3.1

o n

2.9

3.0

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.0

2.9

3.0

3.3

3.5

o Ice jammed below gage from May 4 to 10. Ice went out 1 p. m. May 10. 

b Ice running.

NOTE. Records furnished by Mr. Heideman. who was in charge of the Government experiment farm. 

The exact location of the gage is not known but was probably near the one installed in 1913. Ice went 

out May 5,1907.

Daily gage height, in feet, and turbidity, in parts, per million,a of Copper River near Copper

Center, Alaska, in 1913.

[L. A. Jones, observer.]

Day.

1. .........

2..........

3..........

4..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

g

10..........

11..........

13..........

14..........

15.,,.......

16..........

17..........

18..........

1Q

20..........

21..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

25..........

26..........

27..........

28..........

29..........

30..........

31..........

June.

Gage 

height.

16.7 

17.0 

17.0

16.8 

16.7 

17.0 

17.8 

18.1

18.0 

18.1 

17.7 

17.9 

17.8

July.

Gage 

height.

17.6

17.4

17.4

17.6

18.0

18.6 

18.5 

18.4 

18.1 

17.8

17.8 

17.6 

17.4 

17.3 

17.3

17.4 

17.2 

17.0 

16.9 

16.5

16.5 

16.4 

16.6 

16.8 

17.3

18.4 

19.0 

19.8 

20.4 

20.2 

20.1

Turbidity.

1,500 

900 

800 

600 

600

600 

500 

350 

400 

400

500 

500 

500 

350 

300

400 

300 

350 

350 

400

1,500 

3,000 

3,000 

3,000 

3,000 

3,000

August.

Gage 

height.

19.5

18.7

17.6 

17.4

17.3 

17.2 

17.0 

16.8 

16.7

16.6 

16.3 

16.2 

16.2 

16.1

15.9 

15.8 

15.6 

15.6 

15.8

16.0 

16.1 

16.0 

16.2 

16.5

16.7 

16.6 

16.5 

16.1 

15.8 

15.6

Turbidity.

1,500 

1,500 

1,500 

800 

800

500 

800 

800 

600 

500

800 

500 

500 

500 

800

600 

500 

500 

500 

350

500 

800 

800 

800 

800

800 

600 

500 

500 

350 

250

September.

Gage 

height.

15.2 

15.0 

15.0 

14.8 

14.7

14.6 

14.5 

14.4 

14.3 

14.2

14.1 

14.0 

14.0 

13.9 

13.9

13.9 

13.8 

13.8 

13.7 

13.7

13.7 

13.7 

13.7 

14.0 

14.4

14.5 

14.4 

14.4 

14.4 

14.3

Turbidity.

350 

250 ISO200 

200

180 

180 

200 

180 

180

180 

180 

180 

180 

110

100 

110 

110 

130 

100

100 

100 

120 

110 

150

250 

200 

110 

200 

150

October.

Gage 

height.

14.3 

14.3 

14.2 

14.2 

14.1

14.0 

14.0 

13.8 

13.6 

13.6

13.4 

13.3 

13.4 

13.6 

14.0

13.7 

13.6

13.4 

13.6

13.5 

13.5 

13.5 

13.4 

13.2

13.3 

13.2 

13.0 

13.0 

12.9 

13.0

Turbidity.

150 

110 

150 

110 

130

130 

130 

130 

130 

130

110 

110 

110 

130 

130

150 

150 

150 

150 

150

150 

" 130 

130 

130 

130

120 

120

' 120 

120 

120 

^150

November.

Gage 

height.

13.0 

13.0 

13.0 

12.8 

12.8

12.8 

12.8 

12.7 

12.6 

12.6

12.6 

12.6 

12.6 

12.7 

12.8

12.7 

12.6

12.8 

12.6 

12.5

12.5 

12.5 

12.5 

12.6 

12.6

12.5 

12.6 

12.8 

12.8 

13.0

Turbidity.

120 

130 

130 

130 

120

120 

110 

110 

110

110

100 

100

85 

95

85

85 

100 

95 

100 

95

95 

80 

85 

80 

85

85 

80 

75 

90 

95

« Silica standard; determinations made with U. S. Geol, Survey turbidity rod.
COPPER RIVER, DRAINAGE BASIN. 47

COPPER RIVER AT MILES GLACIER.

Gage-height records were kept on Copper River by the Copper 

River & Northwestern Railway Co. from 1907 to 1910. The exact 

location of the gage is not known, but it was probably near the site 

of the bridge constructed during that period between Childs and 

Miles glaciers, 49 miles from Cordova and about 40 miles from the 

Pacific Ocean. (See PI. V, I».) The datum plane of the gage was at 

an elevation equal to mean low-tide level at Cordova. To reduce the 

following gage heights that were taken at that point to their actual 

elevation above the datum plane, add 100 feet. Readings taken after 

about the 1st of November of each year may have been affected by 

ice, but no definite information is available regarding such conditions. 

No discharge measurements were made previous to 1913. It is not 

thought advisable to estimate discharges for 1907-1910 because of 

uncertainties regarding changes in channel since that period.

On June 29, 1913, a chain gage was installed by the Geological 

Survey on the railroad bridge on the guard timber on the upstream 

side of the center panel of the third span from the east bank. The 

gage datum was 85.3 feet below the base of the rails, or 93 feet above 

mean low-tide level at Cordova.

Discharge measurements were made from the upstream side of the 

bridge.

The channel at the bridge is composed of gravel and bowlders and 

is believed to be fairly permanent. The control for the section at the 

bridge is not well defined and the gage heights may have been affected 

at times by the action of ice breaking from the face of Childs Glacier, 

which would not only tend to contract the section and back up the 

water but also might change the condition of the bed of the river at 

the control.

Discharge measurements of Copper River at Miles Glacier in 1913.

Date.

June 30

Sept. 13

Width.

Feet. 

1,440

1,007

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

13,400

7,330

Mean 

velocity

Feet

per sec. 

15.52

5.47

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

40.5

28.0

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

208,000

40,100

Date.

Nov. 12

Width.

Feet. 

990

Area of 

section.

6/250

Mean 

velocity

Feet

per sec.

2.78

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

027.6

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

17,400

Backwater from ice on riffle below section.
48 WATEE POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Copper River at Miles Glacier for 1907-1910. 

[A. O. Johnson, observer. Records furnished by the Copper River & Northwestern Railway.]

Day.

1907. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug.

29.2

29.0

28.8

28.5

28.4

28.3

28.1

28.0

27.8

27.6

27.5

27.5

97 7

Sept.

24.0

23.8

23.5

23.2

23.0

22.8

22.5

22.0

21.7

91 t;

21.9

22.1

99 A

Oct.

20.8

21.2

99 fi

22.6

OQ A

OQ n

23.0

23.0

22.8

99 7

22.4

99 fi

21.0

20.5

Nov.

16.4

16.3

16.2

16.1

16.2

16.4

17.2

17.5

17.7

17 9

18.1

18.3

IS 4

Day.

1907. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30

?i

Aug.

28.0

28.0

28.0

27.9

27.7

27.4

27.2

27.0

26.9

26.5

26.0

25.5

25.1

24.8

24.6

24.4

Sept.

22.7

23.5

24.2

25.0

25.8

26.5

26.7

26.2

25.9

25.0

24.0

23.0

21.9

21.0

20.5

20.4

Oct.

20.0

19.5

19 9

20.2

20.3

20.3

20.2

20.1

20.0

19.7

19.4

19.0

18.6

17.9

17.0

16.5

Nov.

18.4

18.4

18.5

18.6

18.7

18.9

19.0

19.0

19.0

10 1

19.2

019.2

a River frozen after Nov. 27.

Day.

1908.

1....

2....

3....

4....

5....

6....

7....

8....

9....

10....

11....

12. ...

13....

14....

15....

June.

a23.0

22.8

23.1

23.2

23.1

23.0

23.0

23.0

23.0

23.2

23.8

24.0

24.4

24.7

25.0

July.

31.7

31.5

31.0

30.5

29.9

29.1

28.6

28.0

27.5

27.5

28.3

30.2

31.0

30.0

29.1

Aug.

28.2

28.5

27.8

27.3

27.2

27.0

27.0

27.3

28.0

28.5

28.0

28.2

28.6

28.3

28.0

Sept.

25.9

26.0

26.4

26.7

26.8

25.8

25.0

23.6

23.0

22.5

22.2

22.0

21.6

21.3

21.3

Oct.

19.0

19.4

19.7

19.9

19.5

19.3

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.0

18.8

18.6

Nov.

18.8

19.7

20.1

20.2

20.3

20.4

20.5

20.5

20.3

20.2

20.0

19.6

19.5

19.2

19.0

Dec.

18.3

18.4

18.3

18.4

18.4

18.4

18.4

18.4

18.3

18.5

18.5

18.3

18.3

18.4

18.2

Day.'

1908.

16....

17....

18....

19....

20....

21....

22....

23....

24....

25....

26....

27....

28....

29....

30....

?i

June.

25.7

25.8

26.0

26.5

28.0

28.7

29.4

30.0

30.7

31.6

32.0

31.4

31.0

30.7

31.2

July.

28.8

29.0

29.7

29.2

29.0

28.9

28.4

28.0

27.5

27.2

27.0

26.8

26.8

27.0

27.4

28.0

Aug.

27.7

27.0

26.5

26.7

26.9

26.8

26.5

26.0

26.0

26.0

25.8

25.8

25.8

25.8

25.5

25.5

Sept.

22.0

23.9

23.8

23.4

23.0

22.0

21.4

20.9

20.7

20.2

19.8

19.4

19.2

19.2

19.3

Oct.

18.4

18.4

18.6

18.6

18.6

18.5

18.0

17.4

17.1

17.0

17.5

17.8

18.0

18.2

18.4

18.6

Nov.

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.3

19.4

19.3

19.1

19.0

18.9

18.8

18.7

18.8

18.5

18.3

18.3

Dec.

18.2

18.5

18.6

18.7

18.7

18.7

18.6

18.6

18.7

18.8

18.8

18.9

18.8

18.6

18.5

18.5

a Ice in river broke up June 1.
COPPER RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 49 

Daily gage height, in feet, of Copper River at Miles Glacier for 1907-1910 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

H.:.........................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

18.6

18.6

18.6

18.5

18.5

18.5

Feb.

20.5

91 ft

28.5

34.5

37.3

38.9

40 0

oo c

93 1

21.5

20.6

20.1

20.1

May.

22.0

22.1

22.3

22.9

97 ft

OO O

9°. A

23.2

23.5

23 7

OQ A

OO a

24.0

24.5

24 o

23.7

23.5

97 ft

22.7

99 ft

OO ft

22.0

22 4

22.7

22 7

22.8

99 Q

June.

22.9

. 22.6

22.2

22.0

22.0

21.8

91 7

22.3

97 9

22.5

V) 7

OO 7

22.5

99 q

22.2

99 A

OQ q

23.3

23.5

23.0

22.6

99 1

22.7

OO C

oq Q

*)A t\

25.0

26.6

28.0

29.6

July.

30.0

31.0

30.1

29.1

29.0

28.1

98 1

28.0

9ft ft

OQ ft

OQ ft

OQ ft

28.1

OQ ft

OQ Q

29.0

OQ ft

90 fi

Ort O

3ft 9

ojk 0

QA Q

30.1

oft q

Oft ft

Oft Q

Oft Q

31.5

31.5

31.6

O1 K.

Aug.

30.8

30.7

29.8

29.4

29.7

29.7

9Q z.

29.3

on A

29.5

30 1

31.2

qn Q

OA A

29 2

no o

28.6

28.0

<V7 Q

28.6

28.6

28 4

9A Q

97 1

97 t\

97 ft

OQ ft

97 Q

26.0

26.2

OA O

Sept.

26.0

25 2

24.9

24.6

24.7

25 7

24.9

24.7

24.5

24.1

24.3

24.0

23.7

93 1

23.1

OQ 1

22.7

22.5

22 7

23 4

22.0

91 1

21.0

20 9

20.4

OA O

1Q ft

1Q 7

1Q 7

20.0

Oct.

19.9

19.7

19.1

18.9

18.5

18.3

18.1

18.1

17 9

17.7

1ft ft

23.8

23.5

91 Q

91 1

20.8

Oft 0

10 7

1Q 7

10 7

41 Q 9

1ft Q

18.6

10 1

10 4

1O ft

1Q 7

19.2

19.2 10 o

1O 4

Nov.

19.3

19.4

19.4

19.6

19.7

19.7

19.8

19.8

1Q 0

1Q Q

20.7

20.7

20.6

20.6

20.6

20.5

20.5

NOTE. River frozen over Jan. 6. Ice broke up Feb. 8, caused by lake in Miles Glacier breaking loose. 

River frozen over Feb. 20. River broke up May 5. River frozen over after Nov. 17.

[H. A. Brown, observer.]

Day.

1910. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May.

........

June.

24.5

24.1 

24.2 

24.1

23.3

23.3

22.8

22.5

22.4

22.2

Day.

1910. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18

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

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

May.

........

...

June.

22.0

21.8 

21.6 

22.0

22.4

99 fi

22.9

00 A

9°. ft

oq 7

Day.

1910. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OQ

9Q

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

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

May.

""28." 9" 

28.8

28.5

31.1

32.3

OQ C

26.3

25.8

25.5

June.

24.4

26.5 

26.8 

27.1

27.9

28.7

29.0

27.4

27.0

28.4

NOTE. Ice broke up May 23. Gage heights during May affected by ice. 

97891° WSP 372 15 4
50 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Copper River at Miles Glacier

for 191S.

[Drainage area, 21,800 square miles. Andrew Beck, observer.]

Day.

1......

3......

4......

5......

6......

7......

8......

10......

11......

19

13......

14......

15......

16......

17......

18......

10

20......

21......

22......

23......

24......

25......

26......

27......

28......

29...... 

30...... 

31......

June.

Gage 

height.

40.3 

40.5

Discharge.

205,000 

208,000

July.

Gage 

height.

39.2

39.8

38.7

39.9

38." 6

39.5 

41.0

35.5

35.4 

347

36.4

37.0

38.6

Discharge.

186,000

197,000

179,000

198,000

178,000

192,000 

216,000

128} 000

127,000 

117,000

142,000

152,000

178,000

August.

height.

36.4

33.9

344

32.2 

31.9

31.2

33.4

38.4

.......

32.4

Discharge.

142,000

106,000

113,000

82,600 

78,700

70,400

98,600

174,000

.........

82,600

September. '

Gage 

height.

31.2

29.2

28.0

2&5

28.4

28.9

345

36.2

33.9

Discharge.

70,400

50,000

40,100

44,000

43,200

47,200

114,000

139,000

106,000

October.

height.

28.0

26.0

26.0

.......

Discharge.

40,100

27,500

27,500

.......

November.

Gage 

height.

Discharge.

17,400

.......

NOTE. Discharge determined from a rating curve based on two discharge measurements; may be 15 

per cent in error.

KLTTTINA BIVEB BASIN. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

The KLutina River basin comprises an area of approximately 1,040 

square miles, bounded on the north and west by the Tazlina River 

basin and on the east by that of the Tonsina. The area to the south 

drains into Port Valdez.

Klutina River rises in Klutina Glacier on the north slope of the 

Chugach Mountains, flows northeastward and joins Copper River at 

Copper Center. About 15 miles below its source it enters Klutina 

Lake, and thence to its mouth, a distance of about 25 miles, it passes 

first through a region of mountains 3,000 to 4,000 feet high and then 

through the Copper River Plateau, in which its valley is incised 

between steep gravel walls to a depth of 400 to 500 feet. (See PLVII, A.) In its lower course through the plateau, a distance of about 

13 miles, it falls 400 feet.
U. 6. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE VII

A KLUTINA RIVER NEAR COPPER CENTER, LOOKING UPSTREAM.

B. MCCARTHY CREEK.
COPPEE BIVEE DKAINAGE BASIN. 51

Klutina Lake is about 22 miles long, 4 miles in maximum width, 

51 square miles in area. Much of the water of the river is derived 

from glaciers, but the lake acts as a settling basin and at its mouth 

the river is comparatively clear for a glacial stream. It carries only 

the finer material and shows little evidence of its glacial origin. The 

lake also regulates the flow of the river (see fig. 3), preventing extremely high rates of run-off during the summer, when the glaciers 

and snowbanks in the mountains are melting rapidly, and sudden 

decrease in flow in the fall when the glaciers become less productive.

Klutina Glacier is a northern arm of Valdez Glacier. In 1898 the 

Klutina Valley was the route of travel for many gold seekers on their 

way to the interior of Alaska and the Klondike region. The trail 

started from Valdez and followed the Valdez Glacier to the summit 

of the range and then down the Klutina Glacier to Klutina River, 

whose valley it followed to Copper Center. The following year the 

military trail was built over Thompson Pass and the Klutina route 

abandoned.

The discharge of 1,050 feet on October 31, 1913, which was probably the minimum since the beginning of the open season in May 

would be sufficient to produce about, 80 horsepower for each foot of 

fall with an efficiency of 70 per cent at the wheel.

KLUTINA RIVER AT COPPER CENTER.

A gaging station was established June 17, 1913, at the crossing of 

the Government wagon road, and gage readings were taken night and 

morning each day until October 31, when ice rendered gage readings 

valueless as an indication of the discharge. The river flows in two 

channels at the road crossing. A vertical staff gage was installed on 

a pier of each bridge. Readings from the gage in the left or main 

channel were used in estimating the entire flow, as that channel seemed 

to be more permanent than the right, which shifted considerably.

Discharge measurements of Klutina River at Copper Center, in 1913.

Date. Gage 

height.

Feet. 

8.73

Discharge.

See.-ft. 

4,650

Date.

Sept. 26............. .........

height.

Feet. 

7.50

Discharge.

See.-ft. 

2,070
52 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Daily gage height, in feet, ofKlutina River at Copper Center for 1908. 

[Chas. W. H. Heideman, observer.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

to

 to

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

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

May.<» June.

3.8

4.2

4.0

3.8

4.2

4.5

4.8

4.t)

3.7

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.1

4.0

4.2

July.

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.3

5.1

5.1

5.0

4.8

4.6

4.9

5.0

5.0

5.1

5.2

Aug.

4.5

4.5

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.1

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.0

4.0

4.1

Day.

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

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

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

10

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

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

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

OO

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

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

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

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

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

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

30

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

May.<»

(«)

3.3

4.3

4.2

3.3

4.4

3.8

3.4

3.0

3.4

3.3

3.4

3.6

June.

4.2

4.5

4.8

5.0

5.1

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.5

5.6

5.5

5.4

July.

5.2

5.1

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.1

5.0

5.0

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.7

4.6

4.6

4.6

Aug.

4.1

4

0

4.1

3.7

3.5

3

n

3.0

3.0

2 0

2.9

3.0

2.9

2.9

2 0

«Ice went out May 18.

NOTE. Records furnished by Mr. Heideman, who was in charge of the Government experiment farm. 

Gage was on the middle pier of the bridge, about one-half mile from Copper River.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, ofKlutina River at Copper Center

for 1913. 

[Drainage area, 1,040 square miles. Chas. Morris, observer.]

Day.

i...................

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

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

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

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

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

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

g

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mean discharge. .... 

Second - feet per

Run-off, depth in

MaTrimiim

Minimum. .....

June.

height.

8.75 

8.75 

8.8 

8.85

8.85 

8.85 

8.9 

8.9 

9.0

9.1 

9.3 

9.35 

9.4 

9.4

Discharge.

4,660 

4,660 

4,820 

5,000

5,000 

5,000 

5,170 

5,170 

5,550

5,950 

6,820 

7,060 

7,300 

7,300

5,680 

5.46

2.84 

7,300 

4,660 

C.

July.

he&l

9.4 

9.35 

9.35 

9.3 

9.3

9.3 

9.3 

9.4 

9.4 

9.3

9.3 

9.3 

9.3 

9.3 

9.3

9.25 

9.2 

9.15 

9.05 

9.0

8.95 

8.9 

8.85 

8.8 

8.8

8.8 

8.8 

8.8 

8.7 

8.55 

8.5

Discharge.

7,300 

7,060 

7,060 

6,820 

6,820

6,820 

6,820 

7,300 

7,300 

6,820

6,820 

6,820 

6,820 

6,820 

6,820

6,600 

6,370 

6,160 

5,750 

5,550

5,360 

5,170 

5,000 

4,820 

4,820

4,820 

4,820 

4,820 

4,510 

4,090 

3,960

6,030

5.80

6.69 

7,300 

3,960

August.

Gage 

height.

8.5 

8.5 

8.4 

8.4 

8.4

8.4 

8.4 

8.4 

8.35 

8.4

8.4 

8.45 

8.45 

8.4 

8.4

8.3 

8.2 

8.15 

8.1 

8.1

8.1 

8.1 

8.1 

8.2 

8.25

8.3 

8.3 

8.35 

8.3 

8.3 

8.25

Discharge.

3,960 

3,960 

3,720 

3,720 

3,720

3,720 

3,720 

3,720 

3,600 

3,720

3,720 

3,840 

3,840 

3,720 

3,720

3,490 

3,270 

3,160 

3,060 

3,060

3,060 

3,060 

3,060 

3,270 

3,380

3,490 

3,490 

3,600 

3,490 

3,490 

3,380

3,520 

3.39

3.91 

3,960 

3,060 

C.

September.

height.

8.15 

8.0 

7.95 

7.8 

7.75

7.65 

7.6 

7.5 

7.4 

7.3

7.3

7.25 

7.2 

7.1 

7.1

7.05 

7.0 

6.95 

6.95 

6.9

6.85 

6.8 

7.1 

7.3 

7.35

7.5

7.5 

7.55 

7.55 

7.55

Discharge.

3,160 

2,860 

2,770 

2,510 

2,430

2,280 

2,200 

2,070 

1,950 

1,830

1,830 

1,780 

1,720 

1,620 

1,620

1,580 

1,630 

1,480 

1,480 

1,440

1,4QO 

1,350 

1,620 

1,830 

1,890

2,070 

2,070 

2,140 

2,140 

2,140

1,960 

1.88

2.10 

3,160 

l,3g>

October.

height.

7.5 

7.5 

7.45 

7.4 

7.4

7.3 

7.2 

7.2 

7.05 

6.9

6.8 

6.8 

6.75 

6.7 

6.6

6.55 

6.55 

6.5 

6.5 

6.5

6.5 

6.5 

6.5 

6.5 

6.5

6.5 

6.5 

6.5 

6.45 

6.4 

6.35

Discharge.

2,070 

2,070 

2,010 

1,950 

1,950

1,830 

1,720 

1,720 

1,580 

1,440

1,350 

1,350 

1,310 

1,270 

1,200

1,170 

1,170 

1,140 

1,140 

1,140

1,140 

1,140 

1,140 

1,140 

1,140

1,140 

1,140 

1,140 

1,110 

1,080 

1,050

1,390 

1.34

1.54 

2,070 

1,050 

D.
COPPEE EIVEE DRAINAGE BASIF. 53 

KOTSINA RIVER BASIN.

Kotsina River heads in large glaciers on the- southwestern slope of 

the Wrangell Mountains, between Kuskulana and Chesnina rivers. 

It follows a very irregular course with a general southeasterly trend, 

is about 40 miles long, and joins Copper River from the east just 

above the mouth of the Chitina. The basin covers an area of 447 

square miles. Its topographic features, like those of most of the 

tributaries of the upper Copper River, are exceedingly diverse. The 

upper 20 miles of its valley lies between high rugged mountains. 

Its course below the mountain is through the southeastern corner of 

the Copper River Plateau, in which it has cut a deep canyon, in 

some places through hard rock, in others through gravel and conglomerate.

Through the summer the river carries a large volume of water with 

the usual amount of debris that would be expected of a stream whose 

source is mainly from glaciers. Peacock, Roaring, Rock, Copper, 

and Elliott creeks are the principal tributaries from the south and 

east. They are all without glacial source except one minor glacier 

near the head of Rock Creek. The Great Northern Development Co. 

has installed a hydroelectric plant of 17 kilowatts capacity on Roaring 

Creek for use in the development of copper properties. Roaring 

Creek drains an area of 10.1 square miles. There is said to be a good 

site for a small water-power plant on Peacock Creek. It drains an 

area of 6.3 square miles. From the topographic map Elliott Creek 

shows a fall of 1,000 feet in the lower 2 miles of its course. It is 8 

miles long and drains an area of 16.9 square miles. From the north 

the tributaries of the Kotsina nearly all have glacial origin. Kluvesna 

Creek, one of the largest of the northern branches, heads in Kluvesna 

Glacier. Falls Creek, a tributary of the Kluvesna, has a heavy grade 

and is said to offer a good opportunity for the development of water 

power in the summer.

No daily records of now in the Kotsina basin have been kept by the 

Survey.

A measurement was made near the mouth of the Kotsina, as follows:

November 9, 1913: Discharge, 200 second-feet; drainage area, 447 square miles; 

discharge per square mile, 0.45 second-foot.

CHITINA BIVEB BASIN. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Chitina River, the largest tributary of Copper River, drains an area 

of 6,260 square miles. It rises in the St. Elias Range near the international boundary and flows northwestward for more than 100 miles 

to the Copper. It occupies a broad valley of gravel deposits, through 

which it has cut a deep trench in the lower 50 or 60 miles of its course.
54 WATEK POWEE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Near the mouth of the Nizina the valley attains a width of nearly 15 

miles. Below that point the valley is somewhat narrower and is 

broken by many small isolated peaks and rolling hills.

Much of the valley is imperfectly drained, and depressions resulting 

from glacial action are filled with water, forming many lakes and 

ponds and considerable areas of swamp land. The flood plain of the 

river is a mile of more in width at many places and shows all the 

characteristics of a plain formed by glacial stream.

The most important tributaries of the Chitina are from the north and 

emanate principally from the south slope of the Wrangell Mountains; 

in order downstream they are Nizina, Lakina, Gilahina, and Kuskulana rivers. From the south the main affluents are the Tana, 

Chakina, and Tebay rivers, which rise in the Chugach Mountains.

Tana River heads in Tana Glacier, a long westward arm of the 

massive ice sheet that surrounds Mount St. Elias and that eastward 

drains into the Alsek River in Yukon Territory. Tebay River, which 

joins the Chitina about 20 miles above the Copper, drains the Hanagita 

Valley and receives through its more southerly branches the discharge from a few minor glaciers, Between the Hanagita Valley and 

the Chitina, a distance of about 6 miles, the Tebay falls over 1,000 

feet. There are several lakes in the headwaters which might possibly be made to afford considerable storage.

The flow of the streams during the summer depends largely on the 

melting of the glaciers, and in so far as that factor prevails the variations bear a direct relation to the temperature. The precipitation 

at the lower levels is rather low, probably not exceeding 18 inches 

per year, with only a moderate snowfall. At the higher levels the 

precipitation is believed to be much greater. Deep snow banks remaining late into the summer help keep up the flow on many of the 

streams. Summer rains can not be depended on, but they occasionally cause high water and, when accompanied by warm winds, are 

likely to cause excessive floods. The winter flow depends almost 

entirely on underground sources. Many of the smaller streams are 

said to go dry for several months, whereas others draining much 

smaller basins maintain a considerable flow throughout the winter, 

the difference being due to the character of the underlying formations 

on which the circulation of water and its escape to the surface depend. 

The geology of the northern portion of the Chitina basin is outlined 

by Moffit and Maddren * as follows:

 Both, sedimentary and igneous rocks are encountered. Four principal formations, 

including the unnamed Triassic shales and limestones, occupy most of the area and 

appear throughout its length from east to west. These formations, in order from 

oldest to youngest, are the Nikolai greenstone, the Chitistone limestone, the Triassic

i Mofflt, F. H., and Maddren, A. G., Mineral resources of the Kotsina-CMtina region, Alaska: TJ. S. 

GeoL Survey Ball. 374, p. 21,1909.
COPPEE BJVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 55

limestones and shales, and the Kennicott formation. The rocks have J>een folded and 

faulted, but the metamorphism is not great. It is most noticeable in the greenstone 

but has hardly affected the Kennicott formation.

The limestone, because of its solubility, should offer favorable 

conditions for underground storage, and the folded and faulted condition of the greenstones and shales is also favorable for underground 

storage and circulation of deep-seated waters. The foregoing statements are at best only general and should not be construed to mean 

that a large winter run-off would be the rule. Any statement of 

stream-flow conditions in this northern latitude is hardly worth considering unless based on actual observation.

NIZINA RIVER BASIN. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Nizina River, the largest branch of the Chitina, heads in Nizina 

Glacier, flows southward about 16 miles to a point near the mouth 

of Dan Creek, where it takes an easterly course, which, it follows for 

about 22 miles to its union with the Chitina. It drains an area of 

1,240 square miles and is nearly as large as the Chitina at their junction.

For the first 20 miles of its course it flows over a gravel flood plain 

from one-half to 2 miles wide, bordered by steep-sloped mountains 

6,000 to 8,000 feet in height. At low water it follows one or more 

constantly shifting channels. At medium stage the number of 

channels increases, and finally at flood height the entire flood plain 

becomes covered from bank to bank with swift-flowing, muddy water 

carrying large quantities of sand and gravel. Below Young Creek the. 

bordering mountains are separated by a wider valley in which the 

river has cut a deep trench through the gravel and shale formations; 

finally, for the last 2 or 3 miles of its course, the river flows between 

walls of solid rock, forming a box canyon for much of the distance. 

Small boats have been taken down through the canyon but always 

with considerable danger. The river has an average grade of about 

30 feet per mile. Several thousand horsepower could be developed 

during the summer months by constructing a dam at the canyon, 

but probably the difficulties and expense of passing the immense 

quantities of sand and gravel that would be brought down against a 

dam would be so great as to render such a project impracticable.

Chitistone River rises in Russell Glacier near Skolai Pass, about 25 

miles northeast from its confluence with the Nizina. Its course lies 

in a narrow valley with steep-sloped mountains 8,000 to 9,000 feet 

high on either side. It is reported that in some sections it passes 

through narrow, rock-walled canyons for short distances.

Dan and Chititu creeks are small streams that enter the Nizina from 

the southeast about 6 miles and 8 miles, respectively, below Chitistose
56 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

River. They flow past important gold placer claims, and their waters 

are particularly valuable for hydraulic mining. The basin of Dan 

Creek comprises 42 square miles and that of Chititu Creek 27 square 

miles.

Young Creek, which enters the Nizina about 1 mile below Chititu 

Creek, is about 30 miles long and drains an area of 104 square miles. 

Its lower course parallels that of Chititu Creek, about which its headwaters turn, interlocking with those of Dan Creek. Neither Dan, 

Chititu, nor Young creek receives much, if any, glacial water. They 

carry large quantities of silt from the shale formation in which they 

have cut their channels, besides much gravel and sand from the 

overlying formation.

Kennicott River carries the flow from Kennicott Glacier to the 

Nizina River, a distance of about 4 miles. It is subject to extreme 

floods, usually one or more each year, which are caused by the 

clogging of the subglacial channels that open up with an immense 

flow after enough water has accumulated to produce sufficient 

pressure to force out the obstruction. The flood discharge sometimes 

lasts several days.

McCarthy Creek (PI. VII, B, p. 50) rises in small glaciers on the 

south slope of the Wrangell Mountains and for about 13 miles flows 

southward, paralleling Kennicott Glacier, which lies 3 to 4 miles to 

the west. The dividing ridge is a southern spur from the Wrangell 

Mountains and ranges from 6,000 to 7,000 feet in height. McCarthy 

Creek then gradually bends toward the west, and for the last 3 miles 

flows about northwest. Its total length is about 20 miles, and it 

enters Kennicott River at the town of McCarthy. The basin comprises 72 square miles. The principal tributaries are from the east 

and are the East Fork and Nikolai Creek, which enter about 10 miles 

and 12 miles, respectively, below the head. Below the East Fork the 

stream flows between high gravel banks, meeting here and there ledges 

of shale and porphyry through which it has cut its way, forming 

small canyons. About 3 miles from its mouth, as it enters the valley 

of the Kennicott, the flood plain broadens and averages nearly onefourth of a mile in width. McCarthy Creek has a rather uniform 

grade' of about 100 feet per mile. Considerable power could be developed from about the middle of May until the middle of October; 

for the remainder of the year extreme cold greatly reduces the flow 

(see fig. 3) and causes excessive formation of ice. Water could be 

diverted to a flume or pressure pipe and carried down the valley un^il 

a sufficient head could be obtained. A pressure pipe would probably 

be cheaper in the long run than a flume. A pipe line could be cheaply 

laid along the valley bottom without much danger from high water. 

The valley slopes are composed largely of steep gravel banks that 

would offer rather unstable support for a flume. The only engineering
53;

fe 

KLUTINA RIVER 

MCCARTHY CREEK

FIGURE 3. Diagram shoving discharge, in second-feet per square mile, ol Klutin
58 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

difficulty that would be encountered would be the designing of headworks that would effectively divert the water into a flume or pipe line 

and at the same time withstand the effect of flood pressures and prevent the entrance of sand and gravel into the conduit. On October 12, 

1913, there was a discharge of 37 second-feet, which it is probably safe 

to assume was the minimum flow since the beginning of the open season in May. . That amount of water would produce nearly 300 horsepower for every hundred feet of fall, with an efficiency of 70 per cent 

at the wheel.

Miscellaneous measurements were made at several points in the 

Nizina River basin in 1913, and a regular gaging station was established on McCarthy Creek near its mouth.

MCCARTHY CREEK KEAR MCCARTHY.

This station was established June 8, 1913. The gage is a vertical 

staff on the right bank of the creek about three-quarters of a mile 

above the mouth.

Measurements were made from a car and cable at high water and by 

wading at low and medium stages.

The bed of the stream is composed of sand, gravel, and bowlders. 

The control at the gage did not change appreciably during 1913 and is 

believed to be fairly permanent except during flood stages, when 

radical changes might take place.

This station was established and records were obtained in cooperation with the Kennicott Mines Co.

Discharge measurements of McCarthy Creek near McCarthy in 1913,

Date.

May 29.. .....................

Sept. 21... ...................

£&.

Feet. 

3.85

4.63

3.29

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

191

540

61

Date.

Nov. 3. ................ ......

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

 ».

Feet. 3 nn

Q RA

Dis-- 

charge.

Sec.-ft. 

37 a24

Backwater caused by anchor ice.
COPPER RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 59

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of McCarthy Creek near McCarthy

 for 1913.

[Drainage area, 71 square miles. A. V. Doze, observer.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

U... ...........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mean discharge . 

Second-feet per 

square mile... 

Run-off, depth 

in inches..... 

Maximum. _ .. 

Minimum. .....

June.

Gage 

height.

463 

4.59 

4.32

4.24 

4.38 

4.86 

4.95 

4.92

4.86 

468 

488 

5.14 

4.56

4.82 

489 

5.10 

5.29

4.84

4.77 

470 

4.56 

4,59 

4.44

Discharge.

539 

519 

389

353

418 

654 

700 

684

654 

564 

664 

798 

504

634 

669 

777 

876 

644

609 

574 

504 

519

446

595 

8.38

7.17

876 

353 

A.

July.

Gage 

height.

4.40

452 

454 

4.64 

4.64

4.48 

442 

422 

4.18 

4.08

400 

3.92 

3.98 

4.04 

4.01

3.95 

3.97 

3.88 

3.74 

3.68

3.72 

3.89 

3.89 

400 

3.94

4.02 

4.42 

3.98 

3.99 

3.94 

3.84

Discharge.

427 

485 

495 

544 

544

465 

437 

344

326

282

250 

218 

242 

266 

254

230 

238 

202 

151 

134

145 

206 

206 

250 

226

258 

437 

242 

246 

226 

186

296 

4.17

481 

544 

134 

A.

August.

Gage 

height.

3.80 

3.81 

3.90 

3.90 

3.94

442 

426 

438 

4.45 

4.30

3.94 

 3.92 

3.90 

3.75 

3.72

3.74- 

3.74 

3.80 

3.81 

3.76

3.84 

3.84 

3.88 

3.80 

3.79

3.76 

3.77 

3.76 

3.74 

3.52 

3.52

Discharge.

170 

174 

210 

210 

226

437 

362 

418 

451 

380

226 

218 

210 

154 

145

151 

151 

170

174 

158

186 

186 

202 

. 170 

167

158 

161 

158 

151 

97 

97

211 

2.97

3.42 

451 

97 

A.

September.

Gage 

height.

3.49 

3.48 

3.49 

3.45 

3.44

3.29 

3.31 

451 

480

452

445 

410

4.70 

3.«0

Discharge.

91 

90 

91 

84 

83

61 

63 

480 

624

485

451 

290

574 

210

October.

Gage 

height.

3.80

3.70 

3.50 

3.40

3.49 

3.40 

3.10 

3.40 

3.00

3.00

Discharge.

170 

154 

139 

93 

76

91 

76 

44 

76 

37

37 

37

85.8 

1.21

.54 

170 

37 

A.

November.

height.

3.00

Discharge.

37

24

-
60 WATER POWER IN" SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA. 

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The following table shows the results of miscellaneous discharge 

measurements made in the Nizina River basin in 1913:

Miscellaneous measurements in Nizina River drainage basin in 1913.

Date.

Nov. 4

May 31 

June 1 

3

3

Nov. 5

Stream.

White Creek......

Chititu Creek.....

McCarthy Creek...

Tributary to 

Chititu Creek. . ......

Locality.

5 miles above Kennicott 

River. 

Above hydraulic plant . .

Below junction White 

and Eex creeks. 

Above hydraulic plant . . 

Above Nikolai Creek. . . .

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

492

37 

14.1 

53

18.4 

21

Drainage 

area.

So. m.

865

40 

9.4 

24

9.5

48

Discharge 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

0.45

.92 

1.50 

2.21

1.94 

.44

LAK1NA RIVER BASIN. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Lakina River, the first important tributary of Chitina River below 

the Nizina, rises in small glaciers between Kennicott Glacier on the 

east, Kuskulana Glacier on the north, and Gilahina River on the 

west. Castle Peak (elevation 10,514) is the highest point in the 

basin. The topography of the headwaters is rugged, but the basin 

does not extend as far north as the axis of the Wrangell Range. 

The river carries less glacial debris than the Nizina or the Kuskulana. 

The summer flow is probably derived to a considerable extent from 

melting snow in the higher peaks and depends on glacial flow to a 

less extent than any of the northern tributaries of the Chitina except 

the Gilahina.

One of the best stands of spruce in the Chitina basin is found 

along the banks of the Lakina as it leaves the mountains and starts 

across the Chitina Valley. The trees are not large, probably but few 

are over 18 inches in diameter, but they are said to be of fair quality. 

A small portable sawmill was in operation near the railroad crossing 

during the summer of 1913. The lumber was used largely for building at McCarthy. At the present rate of consumption the supply 

large enough for saw logs will become exhausted in a few seasons.

The Lakina is about 28 miles long, and its average grade is 70 feet 

per mile. There are no natural dam sites or storage sites so far as 

known on the river, but considerable power could be developed for 

about six months in the year by carrying the water along the side of 

the valley, either in an open conduit or a pipe, until sufficient head 

was obtained. On October 31, 1913, there was a discharge of 99 

second-feet at the railroad crossing, which was probably the minimum flow since the beginning of the open season in May. That
COPPER RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 61

amount of water would produce 787 horsepower per 100 feet of fall 

with an efficiency of 70 per cent at the wheel. The relatively small 

amount of sediment carried by the river makes it more desirable for 

power development than"* many streams that in other respects are 

superior.

A gage was installed on the creek near the railroad crossing on 

June 9, 1913, but no daily readings were obtained.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The results of miscellaneous discharge measurements made in the 

Lakina River basin are shown in the following table:

Miscellaneous measurements in Lakina River drainage basin in 1913.

Date.

Oct. 3

31

Stream.

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

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

Locality.

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.09

2.24

62.50

Discharge.

Sec.-jt. 

ol,750

224

99

Drainage 

area.

Sa. miles. 

124

124

124

Discharge 

per 

square

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

14.11

1.81

Stf\

a Float measurement.

GILAHINA RIVER BASIN.

GENERAL FEATURES.

Gilahina River rises in mountains 6,000 to 7,000 feet high between 

Lakina River on the east and Kuskulana River on the west. It is 

about 12 miles long and joins the Chitina 9 miles below the Lakina. 

Three miles from the Chitina it forks. The west branch, which is 

called the Chokosna, drains an area of 50 square miles and is nearly 

as large as the main stream above the forks. The upper 6 miles of the 

Gilahina in its course through the mountains has a grade of about 

150 feet per mile. As it approaches the Chitina Valley the grade 

increases, and for the lower 6 miles the average grade is about 200 

feet per mile.

There are no glaciers in the basin, and at normal stages the water 

is clear and free from sediment. The valley floor is made up of 

gravel, bowlders, sand, and clay, and at high stages the stream 

transports considerable material, causing marked changes in the 

channel.

Gages were installed on the Gilahina and the Chokosna near the 

railroad crossing on June 10, 1913, and frequent readings were taken 

during the summer by employees of the Copper River & Northwestern Railway, but because of insufficient discharge measurements 

and various uncertainties regarding the readings it is not thought 

desirable to estimate daily discharges.
62 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA. 

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The results of discharge measurements made in the Gilahina 

basin are shown in the following table:

Miscellaneous measurements in Gilahina River drainage basin in 1913.

Date.

Oct. 2

11

Oct. 1

Stream.

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

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

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

Locality.

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

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

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

*

Feet.

5

t\Q

4 54

3.25

3.06

2.58

Dischaige.

Sec.-ft.

919

81

241

172

69

Drainage 

area.

Sq. mi. 

56

56

43

43

43

Discharge 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

3.79

1.45

5.62

4.00

1.60

KUSKULANA EIVER BASIN. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Kuskulana River has its source in Kuskulana Glacier at an elevation of about 2,200 feet. It flows southwestward for about 21 miles 

and joins Chitina River about 10 miles above the Copper at an elevation of approximately 600 feet, thus having an average grade of a 

little over 75 feet per mile. The main body of Kuskulana Glacier is 

about 11 miles long and slopes from east to west with an average 

width of about one-third mile. It receives four northern branches 

that emanate from the south and west slopes of Mount Blackburn. 

The basin above the Chitina Valley is exceedingly rugged. The snowfall in the higher mountains is said to be heavy, accumulating in 

massive drifts in the gulches and sheltered spots and in some places 

lasting throughout the summer. The river derives its main supply 

from Kuskulana Glacier and is heavily laden with glacial silt and sand.

In the upper 10 miles of its course the river passes through a broad 

gravel-filled flat, with high mountains on either side; its lower course 

of 11 miles across the Chitina Valley lies for much of the way through 

a steep rock-walled canyon. At the railroad crossing the rails are 

about 220 feet above the water surface, and the canyon within rock 

walls is about 170 feet deep. The width at the water surface, about 

200 feet below the bridge, measured 70 feet, and the width at the top 

was estimated to be about 150 feet. The canyon affords many excellent dam sites. Below Strelna Creek it is in many places particularly 

narrow and its walls are nearly vertical. The river is said to get very 

low in the winter and goes dry at places in the upper basin above the 

canyon, where the underlying formation is composed of loose material. There is no opportunity for large storage in the basin, but the 

river offers opportunity for the development of a thousand horsepower or more for five or six months during the year by the construction of a dam at the canyon; but the winter flow is undoubtedly
COPPEE BTVEB DRAINAGE BASIF.

too low to warrant the operation of such a plant, even though ice 

difficulties could be overcome.

Extensive copper prospects in the upper basin indicate a possible 

future need of considerable power. The tributary streams above the 

canyon are all small. Nugget Creek, which is the largest, enters the 

main stream from the west just below the glacier. It drains an area 

of 12.1 jsquare miles and falls about 800 feet in the lower 2 miles. 

Several other minor streams in the upper basin have heavy grades, and 

during warm weather, when their flow would be maintained by melting 

snow, they would probably produce sufficient power for small mining 

operations. An examination in the winter might show sufficient flow 

for small power plants on some of the side streams fed by springs with 

sufficient thermal properties to prevent the excessive formation of ice.

Strelna Creek, the most important tributary of the. Kuskulana, 

heads in the ridge south of the Kotsina River, at an elevation of 

6,000 to 7,000 feet, and enters the Kuskulana between 4 and 5 miles 

from the Chitina. It is about 12 miles long. The lower 6 miles of 

its course lie across the Chitina Valley plateau, with a grade of about 

200 feet per mile. There are no glaciers in its basin, and the summer 

flow-depends on rainfall and melting snow in the headwaters. Some 

winters it is said to go dry; in others there is a small flow even during 

the coldest weather.

No record of daily flow has been obtained in the Kuskulana basin. 

A gage was installed on the Kuskulana below the railroad bridge May 

24, 1913, and was read every few days until about the middle of June, 

when the gage was washed out by high water; but an extremely shifting channel and insufficient measurements to determine the nature of 

such changes make it undesirable to attempt to estimate discharges from 

gage heights. A gage was also installed on Strelna Creek, at Strelna, 

on May 26, 1913, and a few gage readings were made, but the channel 

shifted so badly that without frequent measurements of discharge the 

gage heights would give little indication of the flow.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The measurements that were made in the Kuskulana basin in 1913 

are shown in the following table:

Miscellaneous measurements in Kuskulana River drainage basin in 1913.

Date.

\foT7 9^

Oct. 1

Nov. 7

27

Sept. 30

Nov. 6

Stream.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Locality.

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

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

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

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

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

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

height.

Feel. 

0.99

2.04

3.05

3.40

2.83

63.10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

145

603

0500

130

46

55

24

3.3

Drainage 

area.

Sq. mi.

001

221

221

221

25

25

25

25

Discharge 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

0.66

2.73

2.26

.59

1.84

2.20

.96

.13

a Estimated. & Backwater from heavy accumulation of anchor ice.
64 WATEE POWER IN SOUTH-CENTEAL ALASKA. 

TIEKEL RIVER BASIN. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Tiekel River is formed by the union of the Tsina River from the 

southwest and Kanata River from the north. It flows eastward 

about 15 miles and joins Copper River at mile 101 on the Copper 

Rive"r & Northwestern Railway, about 70 miles from the ocean. 

(See PL IV, B, p. 37.) Its course lies in a narrow valley bounded by 

high mountains on either side. The basin comprises an area of about 

400 square miles, lying in the heart of the Chugach Range.

Between the forks and Copper River the Tiekel falls about 750 

feet an average of 50 feet per mile. About midway in its course 

through the mountains there is reported to be a cataract variously 

estimated at 20 to 50 feet in height, and narrow box canyons furnishing natural dam sites are also reported. It is not likely that any good 

storage sites exist, and the steep rock bluffs that flank the river bottom on each side would not offer favorable opportunity for the construction of a conduit.

During the summer the run-off is exceedingly heavy (see p. 66), and 

for at least five or six months the minimum flow would probably 

be sufficient to produce from 50 to 100 horsepower per foot of fall, 

but for several months during the winter the flow is doubtless very 

small, and without storage it would probably not be practicable to 

attempt to operate throughout the winter. Prediction of the effect 

of the formation of ice is difficult. The distance of the stream from 

the coast indicates that protracted periods of relatively cold weather 

should be expected.

There is but little timber in the main Tiekel River valley of size 

suitable for saw logs. Along the river banks and up to an elevation of 

about 2,000 feet, where it is not too rocky and steep, a dense growth of 

willows and alders is everywhere present. There are also a few scattered birch and spruce, but all are rather stunted. Just below the 

mouth of the Tiekel, along Copper River, there are a few large cottonwoods. Above Ptarmigan Drop the Tsina basin is barren of all 

timber except small brush. Below Ptarmigan Drop there are small 

clumps of spruce and cottonwood which have answered the local 

needs for fuel and cabin logs, but they are too small for saw logs. 

The Kanata River valley is somewhat better supplied with timber 

but would soon become exhausted if it was called upon to furnish 

logs for milling or fuel for power development.

Tsina River rises in glaciers lying in an unmapped area to the east 

of Valdez Glacier, from which they are probably eastward extensions. It is a typical glacial stream, flowing for the first 6 to 8 miles of 

its course in many constantly changing channels, which finally merge 

into one. (See PL VIII, B.) About 2 miles below Ptarmigan Drop
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE VIII

A. CANYON ON TSINA RIVER ABOUT 3i MILES ABOVE 

BEAVER DAM ROAD HOUSE.

B. VIEW UP TSINA RIVER 4| MILES ABOVE BEAVER DAM ROAD HOUSE.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. VIEW UP POWER CREEK FROM HEAD OF FALLS. 

Snowslide across creek in the foreground.

B. POWER CREEK BASIN FROM EYAK LAKE.
COPPEE EIVEB DKAINAGE BASIN. 65

road house the valley narrows, and much of the way for the next 6 

miles the river flows between rock walls that in some places rise 100 

feet or more above the river bottom. The canyon affords several 

excellent dam sites. At a point about 3.5 miles above Beaver Dam 

road house the canyon is more than 100 feet deep. (See PL VIII, 

A.) The width was estimated to be 20 feet at the bottom and 100 

feet at the top. The river has an average grade of about 50 feet 

per mile. It carries immense quantities of glacial d6bris during warm 

weather, but after about the 1st of September the water becomes 

clearer during normal flow. Tsina River, like many other glacial 

streams, is subject to extreme floods caused by the release of water 

that has been stored in the glaciers. On October 16, 1913, the river 

was discharging at least 1,500 second-feet, but two days later, without 

appreciable change in the weather, the flow had decreased to 87 

second-feet. People living along the stream stated that the river commenced to rise rapidly on October 14.

About 1 mile above the Beaver Dam road house the valley suddenly 

broadens and the flood plain reaches a maximum width of a half mile 

or more. Passing through this enlarged section a distance of 3 or 4 

miles, the river again enters a narrow valley in which it has cut a 

rock-walled canyon much of the way for 2 or 3 miles. On leaving 

the canyon it enters a big basin in which Kanata Creek enters from 

the north and the main Tiekel breaks through to the east. Stewart 

Creek joins the Tsina from the west less than a mile from the Tiekel. 

Kanata Creek is a clear-water stream and is about 15 miles long. It 

heads in a low divide near Ernestine road house.

Ptarmigan Creek, the largest southern tributary of the Tsina, 

heads in Thompson Pass (elevation about 2,690 feet) 18 miles east 

of Valdez. The basin occupies an area of about 18 square miles. 

The valley is broadly U-shaped, trends northeasterly, and is flanked 

by mountains 5,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation. The basin is narrow 

and precipitous on the east. To the west it is much wider and rises 

more gradually, and it is from this side that the greater part of the 

stream flow is derived. There are two glaciers on the west. Worthington Glacier, the northernmost and much the larger, extends well 

down toward the valley bottom and lies between the upper and lower 

canyons. On the east side of the basin several small glaciers lie high 

among the mountain peaks. The Government wagon road follows 

the west side of the creek until near the head of the lower canyon, 

where it crosses and soon enters the Tsina River valley. The creek 

is about 6 miles long and falls about 1,000 feet. About 500 feet of the 

fall is concentrated in two rock canyons. The upper canyon begins 

about 2 miles below Thompson Pass. A fall of about 200 feet occurs 

in a distance of approximately one-half mile. The lower canyon is

97891° WSP 372 15 5
66 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

near the mouth of the creek and through it the stream falls nearly 

300 feet in a horizontal distance of about 1% miles. Water could be 

easily diverted at the head of the upper or lower canyon and carried 

cheaply along either slope in a conduit of pipe or a combination of 

pipe and flume. With an efficiency of 70 per cent at the wheel about 

16 and 24 horsepower could be developed at the upper and lower 

canyons, respectively, for each second-foot of discharge.

Ptarmigan Creek basin is barren of all trees except willows and 

alders, and if any of the several gold prospects that are now being 

developed in the basin should become mines, these water powers would 

become particularly valuable because of the absence of fuel. Water 

would probably not be available for the development of power before 

the last part of May, and by late November the diminished flow and 

heavy formation of ice would likely prohibit the operation of a plant 

until the following season.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

No daily records of stream flow have been kept in the Tiekel Basin, 

but miscellaneous measurements were made during 1913 and are listed 

in the following table:

Miscellaneous measurements in Tiekel River drainage basin in 1913.

Date.

Oct. 20

Nov. 9

10

July 1

Sept. 10

Oct. 17

Nov. 8

Oct. 18

Nov. 11

Oct. 19

Nov. 10

Oct. 19

Nov. 10

Stream.

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

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

Tiekel River..........

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

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

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

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

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

Stuart Creek..........

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

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

Tributary to 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Locality.

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

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

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

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

upper canyon.

head of lower canyon. 

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

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

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

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

DisSec.-ft. 

87

50

134

5,820

8 J 819 480

11.9

2.8

22

23

14.8

8.0

14fi

69

Drainage

area.

Sq. mi.

161

408

408

7.7

7.7

16

16

ITK

175

Discharge 

per

square

mile.

Sec.-ft.

O

Q*>

14.3

20.8

2.01

1.55

.36

1.38,

1.44

 .83

.3»

WATER-POWER SITES.

The topography of the Copper Kiver basin is in many respects 

favorable for water-power development. The Wrangell and Chugach 

mountains give a heavy grade and many waterfalls to the streams 

emanating from them and contribute a heavy summer flow derived 

from the melting of glaciers and of snow banks accumulated during 

the previous winter. Natural storage sites in the form of lakes and 

ponds or opportunities for the creation of large storage basins by
COPPEE BIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. 67

dams, features second only in importance to the discharge and grade 

of the streams, are, however,, not particularly favorable.

In the winter the run-off becomes very low, and it is doubtful if 

the development of water power will be found practicable during 

that season north of the Chugach Range. Without more data it is 

difficult to make even an approximate statement regarding the period 

during which the flow of the streams and the temperature conditions 

would permit the operation of a plant in that region, but from the 

best information available it appearsvthat the extreme limits of time 

for the successful operation of such plants would be from about the 

1st of May until the 1st of December. The same limits of operating 

time would also probably apply to the tributaries of the lower Copper 

unless considerable storage could be obtained.

The most natural sites for power development on the main Copper 

River are at Wood Canyon, about 6 miles below the Chitina, and at 

Abercrombie Rapids, about 10 miles above the delta. (See pp. 

41-42.) A head of 40 to 50 feet could probably be obtained at 

each locality, thus affording opportunity for producing between 4,500 

and 5,700 theoretical horsepower for each thousand second-feet of 

flow. The lowest flow measured in 1913 at the gaging station at 

Miles Glacier bridge was 17,400 second-feet on November 12. That 

probably represented the minimum flow since about the middle of 

May of that year. The discharge at Wood Canyon on the above date 

was probably about 15,000 second-feet, since the drainage area is 

about 15 per cent less than at the measuring section. The only 

inflow of consequence between Abercrombie Rapids and the measuring 

section is that from Miles Glacier. Both sites would be expensive 

to develop, and silt and ice would introduce serious operating problems. At the latter site the river is flanked on the east side by a 

moraine which might render the construction of stable headworks 

particularly difficult.

Numerous power sites of smaller capacity occur on the Nizina 

River, McCarthy Creek, Lakina, Kuskulana, and Tebay rivers, and 

many other tributaries of the Chitina. The Kotsina and other 

branches of the Copper that head in the Wrangell Mountains also 

afford favorable opportunities for power development. Of the lower 

Copper River tributaries the Tiekel is perhaps the principal power 

stream. There are also many smaller branches that flow from the 

Chugach Mountains on which considerable power could be developed. 

Such data as are available regarding these sites are included in the 

descriptions of the basins in which they occur.

In the mountainous regions the transmission of electricity would 

be very difficult and expensive because of the heavy snowfall and 

steep rocky slopes. High winds prevail in the lower Copper River
68 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

valley (see table, pp. 31-S2) and through many of the tributary valleys 

in that section during much of the winter.

Most of the tributaries of the Copper head in glaciers and carry 

large quantities of sand and silt during the summer.

At the present time, with coal costing $10 or more per ton at the 

coast and crude oil at $2 per barrel, hydroelectric power would probably be much cheaper than steam, even though the plant could be 

operated but six or seven months a year (see pp. 153-155), but in 

view of the many difficulties in J;he way of water-power development, 

such as short season and consequent necessity for auxiliary steam 

power, great variation in stream flow, transmission costs, and silt 

and ice conditions, it does not seem probable that large water-power 

plants will have much advantage over steam plants if fuel costs are 

reduced to as reasonable a figure as should be expected when the 

Bering Kiver coal fields are opened up. In inaccessible regions 

where transportation costs would make fuel unduly expensive the 

small water powers will no doubt be of considerable value if energy 

is there needed for mining or other purposes.

MCKINLEY LAKE DISTRICT.

The McKinley Lake district is important because of the occurrence of gold quartz veins,1 although no mines have as yet been 

developed.

McKinley Lake lies west of the Copper Kiver delta, about 20 

miles east from Cordova and about 2 miles north of the railroad at 

Alaganik. It is about 1J miles long and drams into Alaganik Slough. 

The surface of the lake is but little above mean tide level.

Salmon Creek is the largest stream in the district. It rises in 

several small glaciers in high rugged mountains south of Sherman 

Glacier and flows in a southerly direction for about 5 miles. Its valley lies north and east of McKinley Lake, from which it is separated 

by a low narrow ridge, which disappears gradually as the south end 

of the lake is approached. Salmon Creek waters are said to flood 

their banks at high stages and mingle with those of the lake near 

its southern end. At low stages the river is said to enter Alaganik 

Slough by a channel entirely independent of that from the lake. 

About 1 mile below its source the creek forks; the main stream leaves 

its glacier at an elevation of about 675 feet; the minor branch enters 

at an elevation of about 350 feet, and on July 26,1913, its discharge 

was estimated to be nearly as much as the main branch. For about 

1J miles below the forks the gradient is about 125 feet per mile. In 

that section the stream is confined to a flood plain averaging roughly 

from 400 to 500 feet in width, with a floor of glacial debris through

!See Cliapin, Theodore, The McKinley Lake district: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 542, pp. 78-80,1912.
POWEB CEEEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 60

which the stream meanders from bank to bank, usually confined to 

one channel at low and medium stages. The conditions along the 

valley show evic ence of the movement of immense quantities of sand 

and gravel during flood stages.

A float measurement was made just below the fork (No. 1, PL X, 

p. 72) on July 26, 1913, at what appeared to be about a normal 

stage for that time of the year. A discharge of 119 second-feet was 

obtained. Considerable power could be developed during warm 

weather by diverting the water at the forks and carrying it in 'a 

conduit along the side of the valley for about 1^ miles, where a 

head of 150 to 200 feet could be obtained. From 10 to 15 horsepower could thus be produced for each second-foot of discharge. 

There is said to be a considerable flow throughout the winter, but it 

is not believed that it would be sufficient to warrant the operation 

of a plant for several months during the coldest weather. There are 

no sites along the creek where storage reservoirs could be provided.

The district is favored with an excellent stand of timber that would 

furnish cheap fuel for the development of steam power, and it seems 

likely that it would successfully compete with hydroelectric power, 

considering the rather unfavorable conditions for the development 

of the latter. The nearness of the railroad would permit the transportation of coal to the mines at a low cost.

POWER CREEK DRAINAGE BASIN.

GENERAL FEATURES.

Power Creek rises in Shepherd Glacier east of Orca Inlet and flows 

southwestward for about 5 miles, entering a northern arm of Eyak 

Lake about 4 miles northeast of the town of Cordova (PI. IX, B, p. 65).

Eyak Lake is an irregular-shaped body of water lying east of 

Cordova. It is separated from Orca Inlet at Cordova by narrow 

lowlands, rising only a few feet above high-tide level and connecting 

a southern spur of Chugach Mountains with a sniall isolated range, 

to the south 3,000 to 4,000 feet high. The greatest dimension of the 

lake is from Cordova on the west to its outlet on the east, a distance 

of 4 or 5 miles. Its average width in a north-and-south direction is 

about 1 mile. It drains south through Eyak River to the Pacific 

Ocean, a distance of 5 or 6 miles across tidal swamps which border 

the coast and extend eastward to the Copper River delta. The 

level of the lake is raised a few inches by high tide backing up Eyak 

River. The Copper River & Northwestern Railway follows along 

the south shore of the lake.

Power Creek is bordered on both sides by high rugged mountains. 

The first 2 or 3 miles of its course is through a U-shaped glacial valley 

whose average width is about one-fourth mile. (See PI. IX, A.)
70 WATER POWER IK SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Extending across the lower end of the valley is a ridge 300 to 400 

feet high, through which the creek has cut a narrow gorge at its 

eastern end, and there falls more than 175 feet in a horizontal distance of about 500 feet. Below the falls the creek drops more than 

150 feet in 1-J miles. It is proposed by the parties who now claim 

water rights to divert water just above the falls and carry it through 

the ridge in a tunnel, thence along the west side of the valley for 

about 1| miles below to a power house, where a fall of over 300 feet 

Would be available. It is reported that about 800 feet of tunnel 

would be required. On September 10, 1913, about 60 feet of 4 by 6 

foot tunnel had been driven. The formation was of soft rock which 

could be broken down with a pick without the assistance of explosives. 

The rock disintegrated rapidly on exposure to the air and it was found 

necessary to timber the tunnel as the work progressed. This work 

had been accomplished almost entirely by the efforts of one man.

Power Creek basin above the falls is steep and barren, furnishing 

but little ground storage near the surface, though the considerable 

flow that it is said to have throughout the winter indicates that the 

rock formation of the basin must offer considerable underground 

storage. After heavy rains the creek rises rapidly and floods frequently occur. The lower valley is thickly covered with spruce and 

hemlock trees, some of which reach a diameter of over 3 feet.

Power Creek offers a better opportunity for the development of 

power than any other stream near Cordova. It was originally considered as a source of power for lighting the town, but an agreement 

could not be reached between the power company and those who 

claimed water rights and a plant was installed on Humpback Creek 

instead.

Stream flow data are insufficient to make an accurate estimate of 

the amount of power that could be developed. But from the best 

data available it is estimated that the minimum flow for six months 

in the year would not be less than 75 second-feet. That flow would 

produce about 1,800 horsepower with an efficiency of 70 per cent 

at the wheel. During the remaining six months of the year the 

capacity might become 50 to 75 per cent less. Some storage could 

be obtained by a dam at the upper end of the gorge, which would 

increase the minimum capacity of the plant over that afforded by 

the natural minimum flow.

POWER CREEK NEAR CORDOVA.

This station was established July 25, 1913. The gage is a vertical 

staff on the right bank of the creek, about 300 feet above Ohman's 

cabin, 1J miles from Eyak Lake, and about 6 miles from Cordova. 

(See No. 2, PI. X, p. 72.)
POWEB CHEEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 71 

Measurements were made by wading at a section just below the

The discharge at the proposed point of diversion for power development, which is about 1^ miles above the gage, was about 25 per cent 

less than at the regular measuring section on September 10, 1913, as 

determined by measurement. The actual difference in run-off at the 

two sections was probably somewhat less, as the bed of the creek at 

the upper section appeared to be more porous, thus affording a greater 

opportunity for underground flow.

Discharge measurements of Power Creek near Cordova, Alaska, in 1913.

Date.

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

6.90

5.83

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

518

137

« 109

Date.

Oct. 6. .......................

Nov.15. ......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

6.25

5.76

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

262

140

o This measurement was made above the falls to determine the difference in discharge at the two sections.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Power Creels near Cordova,

Alaska, for 1913.

[A. R. Ohman, observer.]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29.........'..........

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

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

July.

Gage 

height.

6.90 

7.02

6.85 

6.90

Discharge.

........

418 

674

496 

418

August.

Gage 

height.

6.70 

7.07 

7.87 

7.14

6.85 

6.74 

6.72 

6.98

6.38 

6.42

6.45 

6.52 

6.49 

6.58 

6.60

6.92

9.88

Discharge.

433 

698 

ol,030 

633

496 

450 

441 

656

311

325

336

363 

351 

385 

393

427 

o2,360

September.

Gage 

height.

""5." is"

5.83 

6.17 

6.39 

7.11 

7.15

Discharge.

""i47"

147 

240 

314 

617 

638

October.

Gage 

height.

5.99 

5.86

5.84 

5.80

Discharge.

187 

154

149 

140

November.

Gage 

height.

5.57

5.63 

6.51

6.01 

5.76

Discharge.

96

106 

359

193 

132

o Approximate. 

NOXK. Daily discharge computed from a rating curve fairly well defined below 700 second-feet.
72 WATER POWER IK SOtTTH-CENTftAL ALASKA. 

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Prince William Sound is an irregular-shaped bay reaching northward from the head of the Gulf of Alaska. (See PL .X.) It extends from Cordova on the east to the head of Passage Canal on 

the west, a distance of 102 miles. In a north-and-south direction 

it reaches from the head of College Fiord to the lower end of Montague Island, a distance of 104 miles. The entrance to the sound 

lies between Hinchinbrook and Montague islands. The shore line 

is broken by a succession of fiords, bays, and inlets, and many islands 

break the continuity of the sound, particularly in its western part.

The topographic features of the mainland are particularly rugged. 

The coast is rocky and precipitous and rises rapidly to the summit 

of the Chugach Mountains, which nearly encircle the sound. Most 

of the higher valleys are occupied by glaciers, many of which extend 

down to sea level. The majority of the peaks near the coast are 

from 2,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation. Farther north, toward the 

axis of the range, they reach altitudes of over 10,000 feet.

Grant and Higgins 1 state that "the topography of Prince William 

Sound is that of a maturely eroded mountainous district, with the 

forms of river erosion modified by ice erosion. Into such a district 

the sea has come, filling the main basin of the sound and extending 

far up the valleys that lead into it."

The streams entering the sound drain small areas, and most of them 

are 1 to 5 miles in length. Lowe River is nearly if not the largest. 

It is 30 miles long and drains an area of probably less than 200 square 

miles. Practically without exception they all have their source in 

snow fields and glaciers. Their flow is subject to wide variation from 

summer to winter. The rapid meeting of the glaciers and snow banks, 

together with a heavy rainfall in the summer, produces excessive rates 

of run-off. In the fall and winter the flow from the accumulated ice 

and snow in the mountains rapidly decreases and the precipitation 

comes mostly in the form of snow. There is some rainfall and melting 

of snow during the winter, but the flow probably depends largely on 

the draining of underground channels. The prevailing rock formation 

Js slate and graywacke, with only a thin covering of soil and other 

loose material. The opportunity for underground storage is therefore 

likely to be limited, and such sources would, as a rule, become quickly 

exhausted as soon as the inflow from the surface was cut off by low 

temperatures.

Valdez and Corclova are the principal towns in the Prince William 

Sound region. Valdez, which is situated at the head of Port Valdez,

1 Grant, U. S., and Higgins, D. F., Reconnaissance of the geology and mineral resources of Prince William 

Sound, Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 443, p. 15,1910.
U. 3. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. WATER-SUP

E Wl

Hinchinbrook Is Montague Pt

X) .

O Point of measurement; number refers to list in tex

Compiled from cherts of the United States Coast a

Geodetic Survey and from maps of the United S

Geological Survey, supplemented by field traverse

U. S. Grant and D. F. Higgins

MAP OF PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND SHOWING LOCATION OF GAGING STATIONS AND MEASURING POINTS.
WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 7

is the supply point for the Valdez mining district and adjacent territory and is the headquarters for the Alaska Road Commission and 

the military telegraph line through the Copper River valley to Fairbanks and the Yukon Valley. It is also the terminal for the ValdezFairbanks wagon road. The population according to the 1910 census 

was 810.1 Cordova, which stands near the southeast corner of the 

sound, had a population of 1,152 in 1910, but that was during the 

construction of the Copper River & Northwestern Railway, which 

brought here a population much larger than the present population 

of the town. The commercial life of the town now depends on its 

being the transfer point between ocean-going boats and the railroad 

leading to the Copper River valley. Other settlements in this region 

are Orca, Landlock, Ellamar, Fort Liscum, Golden, and Latouche.

MINERAL RESOURCES.

The mineral resources of Prince William Sound region lie mainly in 

its gold and copper ores.2 Regular shipments of copper ore are made 

from the Beatson-Bonanza, mine Qn Latouche Island, and from the 

Ellamar mine, at Ellamar.3 Small quantities of ore have also been 

shipped from various other properties, notably those near Landlocked 

Bay and Port Fidalgo. Copper prospects are widely distributed 

throughout the region and considerable development work has been 

done, but the productive mines are so far limited to those mentioned 

above.

The auriferous quartz veins so far discovered lie principally in the 

area surrounding Port Valdez,4 and since 1910 prospecting has been 

actively carried on. The Cliff mine has been worked almost continuously since the installation of the first mill, in April, 1910. The present mill has six 1,450-pound Nissen stamps and is the only mill that 

is being operated uninterruptedly. Several small mills have recently 

been installed in the district, and reports indicate that further development work will be continued. Though there is sufficient reason to 

believe that the gold lodes of this district will furnish ore for the 

successful operation of many small mills, development work has not 

yet assured the hope of any large mines. Gold-quartz veins have 

also been discovered near Port Wells,5 and for the past year considerable excitement has prevailed in that section, but up to the present 

time all the properties are in the development stage.

1 This includes only the incorporated town; with the adjacent settlement its population is now probably 

1,200 to 1,500.

2 Grant, U. S., and Higgins, D. F., Reconnaissance of the geology and mineral resources of Prince William 

Sound, Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 443,1910.

s See Capps, S. R., and Johnson, B. L., The Ellamar district, Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 605,1915. 

< Brooks, A. H., Gold deposits near Valdez: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 520, pp. 108-130,1912. 

6 Johnson, B. L., The Port Wells gold-lode district: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 592, pp. 195-236,1914.
74 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

TIMBER.

The mainland shores and most of the islands of Prince William 

Sound are generally covered with a thick growth of trees up to an 

elevation of 1,000 feet or more. Spruce is the prevailing growth, and 

some of it is of a size and quality to produce a good grade of sawed 

lumber. Much of it, however, is stunted and of an inferior quality. 

The United States Forest Service estimates that there is nearly 3.5 

billion feet board measure of timber in the Prince William Sound region.

The timber resources of this region will probably be used chiefly for 

the production of wood pulp. These timbers are said to be suitable 

for such uses, and the possibilities for the successful introduction of 

the pulp industry have been more or less considered, but so far as is 

known no steps have yet been taken toward the construction of mills. 

The manufacture of wood pulp was recently commenced in southeastern Alaska. One small mill was being erected in the summer of 

1913, but it is reported that this project was abandoned and that no 

immediate development of the wood-pulp industry is in prospect.

The forests of Prince William Sound are all included in the Chugach 

National Forest Reserve, which is under the control of the Forest 

Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. The local 

administration of this reserve is under the charge of the forest supervisor at Ketchikan, who has a suboffice at Cordova. Such timber as 

it is considered advisable to cut within the reserve will be sold by 

the Forest Service at a price not less than the appraised value. Lots 

exceeding $100 in value must be advertised for 30 days and sold to 

the highest bidder.

GAGING STATIONS AND MEASURING POINTS.

Points at which gaging stations were maintained or discharge measurements made on streams tributary to Prince William Sound in 1913, 

are listedxbelow. The numbers correspond to those given on Plate X.

1. Salmon Creek below forks. 1

2. Power Creek near Cordova.2

3. Humpback Creek near Cordova.

4. Snyder Falls Creek at mouth.

5. Wesley Falls Creek at elevation 600 feet.

6. Parsons Falls Creek at mouth.

7. Kobinson Falls Creek at mouth. 

 8. Unnamed stream tributary to Sheep Bay.

9. Unnamed stream tributary to Port Fidalgo.

10. Unnamed stream tributary to Fish Bay.

11. Unnamed stream tributary to Fish Bay.

12. Chisna Creek at mouth.

13. Horsetail Falls Creek at mouth.

14. Lagoon Creek at mouth.

1 This stream enters the Pacific Ocean east of Prince William Sound through Alaganik Slough.

2 This stream enters the Pacific Ocean east of Prince William Sound through Eyak Lake and Eyak Elver.
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND BEGION. 75

15. Reynolds Creek at elevation 250 feet.

16. Gladhaugh Creek at elevation 250 feet.

17. Gladhaugh Creek at elevation 125 feet.

18. Bottle Creek at mouth.

19. Duck River at mouth.

20. Solomon Gulch above upper dam.

21. Solomon Gulch at mouth.

22. Lowe River at lower end Heiden Canyon.

23. Mineral Creek between Brevier and Glacier creeks.

24. Mineral Creek at lower canyon.

25. Brevier Creek at elevation 150 feet above mouth.

26. Glacier Creek at elevation 100 feet above mouth.

27. East Fork of Mineral Creek at elevation 900 feet above mouth.

28. Gold Creek above falls.

29. Gold Creek at mouth.

30. Uno Creek at mouth.

31. McAlister Creek at mouth.

32. Unnamed creek tributary to Eaglek Bay.

33. Davis Creek at Golden.

34. Avery River near Golden.

35. Lagoon Creek at lake outlet.

36. Hobo Creek at mouth.

37. Hummer Creek at mouth.

38. Unnamed creek tributary to Hummer Bay.

NOTE. Black-faced type indicates regular gaging stations; light-faced type points of miscellaneous 

measurements.

ORCA BAY. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Orca Bay is the easternmost arm of Prince William Sound. Near 

its head a passage known as Orca Inlet leads southward to the Gulf of 

Alaska. The town of Cordova is on the east shore of Orca Inlet about 

5i miles from Orca Bay. Ocean-going vessels reach the harbor of 

Cordova by way of Orca Bay and Orca Inlet. Orca post office and 

cannery is situated about 3 miles above Cordova on the same side of 

the inlet.

Humpback Creek enters Orca Inlet from the east about 5 miles 

north of Cordova. It heads in rugged mountains 3,000 to 4,000 feet 

high and falls rapidly to sea level. The hydroelectric plant of the 

Cordova Power Co. is situated at the mouth of the creek. (See pp. 

105-106.)

Orca Bay terminates at its head in a gravel and silt flat 2 to 3 miles 

long and a mile or more in width, known as Nelson Townsite. The 

flats have been formed by glacial wash brought down and deposited 

by Rude River.1

Rude River is said to head in a large glacier 8 or 10 miles from tide 

water, and occupies a broad silt-floored valley throughout its course. 

It is reported that the glacier from which it takes its source reaches 

well down into the main valley, precluding any opportunity for power

i Called also Cordova River.-
76 WATER POWER IF SOtTTH-ClNTEAL ALASKA.

development. Three streams, Snyder Falls, Wesley Falls, and Parsons Falls creeks, enter Rude River within 3 miles of tidewater.

Snyder Falls Creek enters from the east near Cooper's cabin just 

above high-tide level. It has its source in small hanging glaciers and 

deep snow banks at an elevation of over 1,000 feet above sea level. 

Most of the flow is collected in a small cirque at an elevation of about 

800 feet. The creek has cut a deep channel near the cirque outlet, and 

thence to Rude River valley, a distance of less than a mile, it flows in a 

series of falls and rapids through a rock-walled canyon most of the 

way. At several points along its course the water could be easily 

diverted to a pressure pipe and carried to the mouth of the creek.

Wesley Falls Creek enters Rude River about 1 mile above Snyder 

Falls Creek and from the same side. Its headwaters, like those of 

Snyder Falls Creek, are among rugged, steep-sloped mountains, with 

but little soil or vegetation to regulate the run-off. Water could be 

easily diverted at an elevation of about 600 feet. The south side of 

the valley offers a fair opportunity for the construction of a pipe line 

leading to the mouth of .the creek, a distance estimated to be less 

than a mile.

Parsons Falls Creek joins Rude River from the west about 1 mile 

above Wesley Falls Creek. It drams a somewhat larger area than 

either Snyder Falls Creek or Wesley Falls Creek. Its headwater region 

is less rugged and barren. Timber line extends to a higher altitude and 

there are probably no glaciers in the basin. It is formed by the union 

of several branches, below which it falls rapidly through a distance of 

several hundred feet and then takes a moderate grade to Rude River.

Robinson Falls Creek is a small stream from the west, about opposite Snyder Falls Creek.

There is no opportunity to develop storage on any of the streams 

entering Orca Inlet, except possibly small reservoirs that might be of 

sufficient capacity to equalize the daily flow.

HUMPBACK CREEK NEAR CORDOVA.

This station was established May 20, 1913. The gage is located at 

the spillway of the Cordova Power Co/s dam.

Measurements of discharge were made in the spillway, which is 

located on the left side of the dam. It is 7 feet deep and 20 feet wide 

and is of sufficient capacity to carry the flow of the creek at all times 

except at extreme flood stages, when the excess flow passes over the 

crest of the dam. The average quantity of water diverted through 

the base of the dam to the pipe line for the operation of the wheel was 

approximately determined by taking the mean of several measurements made just below the taibace.
PBINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 77 

Discharge measurements of Humpback Creek near Cordova, Alaska, in 1913.

Date.

May 21. ......................

July 28. ......................

July 30. ......................

&L

Feet. 

1.28

1.28

1.34

I

Ort

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

44

38

46

Q7

Date.

Oct. 7. .......................

Nov.16... ....................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.83

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

10.0

o30

« 17. 7

<* These measurements were made in the creek below the dam. All other measurements were made at 

the spillway.

Discharge measurements below tailrace of Cordova Power Co.'s plant in 1913.

Date.

May 21..................................

July 28..................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

4.5

3.5

Date.

Sent Q

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

4.0

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Humpback Creek near Cordova

Alaska, for 1913.

[Chas. Cochran, observer.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May.

Gage 

height.

1.28 

1.28

1.67

1.62

Discharge.

« 41 

041

82

o76

June.

Gage 

height.

1.56

1.56

1.55

1.57

1.56

1.56

Discharge.

70

70

68

o71

70

70

July.

Gage 

height.

1.65

1.-78

1.65

1.56

1.75

2.32 

2.60

1.80

1.33

2.00 

1.85

Discharge.

80

o%

80

70

91

164 

o200

97

46 

122 

103

August.

height.

1.35

1.38

2.00

1.21

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.42 

5.85

1.70

Discharge.

o48

50

122

35

26

26

26

26 

54

85

September.

Gage 

height.

0.83

........

Discharge.

10.0

o Entire ftow passing over spillway. To obtain the natural flow of the creek on other days add 4.6 secondfeet, which is the average flow diverted through base of dam for use at power plant. 

NOTE. Discharge computed from a rating curve that is fairly well defined below 120 second-feet.
78 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA. 

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The results of discharge measurements made at miscellaneous 

points on streams near Orca Bay are shown in the following table:

Miscellaneous measurements on streams near Orca Bay in 1913.

Date.

July 29

28

29

29

Stream.

Wesley Falls Creek ...........

Tributary to 

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

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

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

Locality.

Elevation 600 feet .............

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

99

79

«150

as

o Estimated. 

SHEEP BAY.

Sheep Bay is a northern arm of Orca Bay. It is about 8 miles long 

and is situated between Simpson Bay on the east and Port Gravina 

on the west. . Entering it from the west about midway of its length 

is a small unnamed creek that would offer a favorable site for a small 

power plant. At an elevation of about 700 feet is a lake with an estimated area of about 100 acres. The outlet is through a narrow rock 

canyon, where a dam could be easily constructed that would raise the 

lake level 15 or 20 feet. The lake is nearly surrounded by high rock 

walls rising 1,000 to 2,000 feet to the summit of the ridge. Below 

the lake the creek falls about 300 feet in a distance of about one-half 

mile; it then takes a moderate grade through a meadow-like part of 

the basin for a distance of probably less than one-half mile, and 

thence to the bay, a distance estimated to be about 1,000 feet, it falls 

nearly 250 feet. Just before entering salt water it has a sheer drop 

of over 150 feet. The discharge at the outlet of the lake on July 30, 

1913, was estimated to be between 70 and 80 second-feet.

POUT FIDALGO.

Port Fidalgo is a large eastward arm of Prince William Sound, 

lying between Port Gravina and Valdez Arm. From Porcupine 

Point to the extreme head of Port Fidalgo the distance is about 25 

miles, and the average width about 3 miles. The streams from the 

south, as far east as Whalen Bay, are small and would probably not 

be worth considering as sources of power. Beyond Whalen Bay to 

the east the streams were not visited, though there are said to be 

several that carry considerable water, but no information is available 

regarding their value for power development.

About 6 miles from the extreme head of Port Fidalgo an unnamed 

stream enters from the north. Its lower course for 3 or 4 miles is 

through a broad glacial valley, and its wide flood plain of overwash 

silt and sand and the muddy appearance of the water give evidence 

of a glacial source. It heads east of Mount Densbn (" Kooster Comb");
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 79

and as seen from the mouth appears to come from the mountains in a 

narrow, precipitous valley, though glaciers may reach well down to 

the level of the enlarged valley leading to salt water. A measurement made near the mouth on August 2, 1913, gave a discharge of 

205 second-feet.

Fish Bay is a small northern projection from Port Fidalgo opposite Irish Cove. It has two tributary streams of importance. The 

larger of the two enters at its extreme upper end. It is sometimes 

called Falls Creek, for appropriate reasons, but that name is not well 

established and it is generally considered an unnamed stream. About 

1J miles from the mouth it forks. The eastern fork is the larger of 

the two, and on August 2, 1913, the discharge was estimated to be 

about twice that from the west. A measurement made just below 

the forks on the above date showed a discharge of 70 second-feet. 

As seen from the spur between the two branches, each appears to 

head in large glacial cirques that may perhaps contain small lakes. 

On leaving the cirques both streams fall nearly vertically through a 

height variously estimated from 1,000 to 2,000 feet. The streams 

unite about a mjle below the foot of the escarpment. Because of the 

immense fall the east fork is locally considered to afford an exceptional opportunity for water-power development. This opinion would 

be justified if a sufficient flow could be maintained, but it is doubtful if 

the discharge during the winter or even for much of the remainder of 

the year would be nearly as great as at the time of the above measurement, which was made during the season when the melting of ice 

and snow in the mountains would naturally be at a maximum.

How much less the discharge at the head of the falls would be than 

at the forks can be determined only by actual measurements. Even 

though the difference was but little during warm weather it might 

become considerable in the winter, when the lower temperatures at 

the higher altitudes might reasonably be expected to cut off almost 

entirely the flow to the upper basin, while at an elevation of 1,500 

feet or more below, because of the increased possibilities for inflow 

from deep-seated underground sources, the supply might be sufficient to warrant power development.

The valley below the falls is heavily timbered and very difficult to 

travel through. The creek has a moderate grade for a coastal stream, 

but it flows through rock canyons at several points and there are a 

few falls and rapids that prohibit travel along the creek except at low 

water and then only with considerable difficulty. In some places 

the valley is narrow with steep slopes; in others it widens with benchlike formations at varying elevations above the water level.

The next stream enters Fish Bay near the extreme southeast corner. 

It heads in a ridge about 2,000 feet high southeast of Landlocked 

Bay, at a distance §stJm^te4 to be about 3 miles from its mouth.
80 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

The topography is less rugged than that typical of most coastal 

streams. There are no glaciers in the basin. The flow is dependent 

on rainfall and melting snow and is probably very low for much of 

the year. There is a small lake at an elevation of about 950 feet 

that could be made to furnish storage that would be very important 

for a small water-power plant. Below an elevation of about 900 feet 

there is evidence of but little inflow.

A measurement made at the above elevation on August 1, 1913, 

gave a discharge of 3.7 second-feet.

LANDLOCKED BAY. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Landlocked Bay is a northern arm of Fidalgo Bay between Fish 

Bay on the east and Boulder Bay on the west. Four small streams 

Chisna, Horsetail Falls, Lagoon, and Reynolds creeks enter Landlocked Bay.

Chisna Creek rises on the north slope of Billygoat Mountain at an 

elevation of about 2,200 feet. It is about 1| miles long and flows 

north, entering directly opposite the Three Man Mining Co.'s 

camp. The Chisna Consolidated Mines Co. installed a small waterpower plant at the mouth of the creek several years ago. (See p. 107.)

Horsetail Falls Creek enters Landlocked Bay about one-half mile 

east of Chisna Creek. It falls nearly vertically through a height of 

about 500 feet just before entering the bay. There is a small pond 

at an elevation between 900 and 1,000 feet. The discharge of the 

creek becomes very low in the fall after the beginning of cold weather, 

and probably during much of the winter it is practically dry. On 

October 8 and also on November 18 the flow of the creek was observed 

by the writers to be very low, probably less than 1 second-foot on each 

of the above dates.

Lagoon Creek is the largest stream tributary to the coast between 

Fish Bay and Galena Bay. It heads opposite Bottle Creek and flows 

southeastward, entering the head of Landlocked Bay through the 

Lagoon. For the first mile above the mouth the creek flows through 

n narrow, steep-sloped valley and in that distance falls about 450 feet. 

It is made up of a series of cataracts, rapids, and small gravel-filled 

basins. Above, the valley broadens considerably and the creek has 

a more moderate grade. At low and medium stages the water is 

clear and is probably derived from rain and melting snow. It is said 

that there are no glaciers within the basin. The development of 

power would be dependent on the daily flow of streams, as there is 

but little opportunity for storage. Several measurements of discharge were made at the mouth (see table, p. 81), where the flow 

would naturally be somewhat greater than at a higher altitude where 

$ diversion would be made for power development. On October 8,
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 81

1913, the discharge at an elevation of about 450 feet was estimated 

to be 25 per cent less than at the mouth.

Reynolds Creek rises at an elevation of about 2,500 feet and flows 

southward, entering Landlocked Bay about one-fourth mile northeast 

of the camp of the Three Man Mining Co. The basin is nearly circular 

and covers an area of 1.4 square miles. It is a clear-water stream and 

fluctuates rapidly during rainy periods and in warm weather when 

there jis snow in the headwaters. It has been considered as a 

source of power by the Three Man Mining Co. Water would be 

diverted at an elevation of about 240 feet and carried along the west 

side of the valley in a flume 1,500 feet long. About 400 feet of pipe 

would be required to convey the water from the flume to a power 

house at the beach. A gage was installed on the creek on July 31,1913, 

at an elevation of about 250 feet, and several readings were made 

during the summer by W. A. Dickey, but because of shifting channels 

and insufficient measurements to determine time and amount of the 

various changes, it is not considered advisable to publish estimates 

of flow except at times of measurements. The least discharge 

measured was 2.4 second-feet, on November 18. Under a head of 240 

feet that rate of flow would develop 46 horsepower at an efficiency 

of 70 per cent. It is not unlikely that a lower stage was reached for 

short periods during the summer and fall between rains. What the 

flow would be during the winter can only be determined by frequent 

measurements.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The only records of flow on streams tributary to Landlocked Bay are 

the following miscellaneous measurements:

Miscellaneous measurements near Landlocked Bay in 1913.

Date.

1

July 31

Oct. 8

Nov. 18

July 31

Nov. 18

Stream.

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

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

Tributary to 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Locality.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

4.2

4.2

67

20

14.4

3.3

2.4

Drainage 

area.

Sq.miles 

0.9

.7

1.2

1.2

1.2

Dfe.

charge 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec.-ft. 

4.67

6.00

10.58

2.75

2.00

GLADHAUGH CREEK.

GENERAL FEATURES.

Gladhaugh Creek enters Virgin Bay about one-fourth mile north 

of Ellamar. The basin occupies a circular area 1.6 square miles 

in extent and reaches its highest point on Ellamar Mount (ele97891° WSP 372 15 6
82 WATEE POWEE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

vation 2,700 feet) to the north.. In its upper part the bounding 

ridge rises precipitously and the flow reaches the main stream in 

many ill-defined channels from a cirquelike basin.

At the lower end of the cirque there is a nearly vertical fall of 

about 40 feet. From the foot of the falls to the mouth, a distance of 

about 1 mile, the creek falls about 200 feet. After about the middle 

of June, when the snow has left the basin, the flow is dependent on 

the rainfall, and reaches a very low stage much of the time.

The Ellamar Mining Co. diverts water from Gladhaugh Creek about 

one-half mile from the mine, at an elevation of about 125 feet. It 

is carried to the camp in an iron pipe and there used for domestic 

and boiler purposes.

The stream has been considered as a possible auxiliary source of 

power for use at the Ellamar mine. Such records as have been 

obtained show that for much of the time the flow would be insufficient 

to warrant the installation of a plant.

GLADHAUGH CEEEK AT ELEVATION 250 FEET.

On May 14, 1913, a gage was installed on the left bank of Gladhaugh Creek, about 150 feet above the falls, and at an elevation of 

250 feet.

Discharge measurements of Gladhaugh Creek at elevation 250 feet in 1913. 

[Drainage area, 0.6 square mile.]

Date.

May 14................. ............................................

Aug, 2.. ............................................................

Oct. 8. ....................................:........................

height.

Feet. 

1.74

1.44

1.52

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

9.7

2.4

2.0

Discharge 

per square 

mile.

Sec.-feet. 

16.17

4.00

3.33

Daily gage height and estimated discharge of Gladhaugh Creek at elevation £50 feet in 1913.

[Observer L. W. Storm.]

Date.

May 16....... ...............

May 20......................

May 24........ ..............

May 31..... .................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.75

1.78

1.75

1.83

1.85

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

10.2

11.3

9 0

10.2

13.3

14.1

Date.

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

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

Aug. 2. .....................

Oct. 8.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.74

1.53

1.73

1 44

1.52

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

9

Q

4.0

9.4

2.4

2.0

GLADHAUGH CREEK AT ELEVATION 125 FEET.

In order to determine the relation between the run-off at elevation 

250 feet and at elevation 125 feet a gage was installed at the lower 

elevation on August 2, 1913, but as daily records at the point were
PBINCE WILLIAM SOUND BEGION. 83

not kept the only days on which the flow at the two stations can be 

compared are August 2 and October 8, when the discharge was 

measured at each station. The measurements show that on those 

dates the discharge at the lower gage was 45 per cent greater than 

at the upper.

Discharge ofGladhaugh Creek at elevation 125 feet in 1913. 

[Drainage area, 1 square mile.]

Date.

Aug. 2.. ........................................................................

Oct. 8...... .....................................................................

Nov. 18... ......................................................................

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

3.5

2.9

2.0

Discharge 

per square 

mile.

Sec.-feet. 

3.60

2.90

2.00

GALENA BAY. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Galena Bay is an eastward projection of Valdez Arm, lying between 

Jack Bay on the north and Tatitlek Narrows on the south. It is 

about 6 miles long, with an average width of about 1 mile. The only 

streams of importance entering the bay are Bottle Creek and Duck 

River.

BOTTLE CREEK. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Bottle Creek drains an area comprising approximately 12 square 

miles north of Landlocked Bay. It enters Galena Bay near its 

extreme southeast corner at the Galena Bay Mining Co.'s camp. 

The bounding ridges are steep and rugged, but much of the inclosed 

area is of low relief and swampy. Between Gumboot Basin and the 

bay the creek falls more than 150 feet. Gumboot Basin is a flat 

expanse beginning about 1 mile from the bay and extending eastward along the creek for a distance of 2 to 3 miles, varying in width 

from one-half mile to 1 mile. The main tributaries are from the 

south. Copper Creek, which joins Bottle Creek near the upper end 

of Gumboot Basin, rises in Copper Lake about 1^ miles from the 

main stream, at an elevation of about 750 feet. Copper Lake covers 

an area of about 100 acres and receives its inflow mainly from the 

northeast slope of Copper Mountain (elevation 3,946 feet). East of 

Copper Creek valley is Vesuvius Valley, which, drains into Bottle 

Creek near the lower end of Gumboot Basin. Mallard Lake is 

situated near the lower end of Vesuvius Valley at an elevation of 

about 200 feet. The Galena Bay Mining Co., which has copper 

prospects at the upper end of the valley, has installed a hydroelectric plant on Bottle Creek. (See p. 107.)
84 WATEE POWEE IN SOIJTH-CENTBAL ALASKA. 

BOTTLE CREEK AT GALENA BAY.

This station was established May 13, 1913. The gage was located 

near the mouth of the creek on the left bank. It was read at or 

near time of low tide. At high tide the readings were affected by 

backwater from the bay. Measurements of discharge were made by 

wading below the gage. The channel remained permanent during 

the period covered by the records.

Discharge measurements of Bottle Creek at Galena Bay in 1913.

Date.

May 13. ......................

Aug. 3. ......................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1 Q<?

1.41

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

155

61

Date.

Oct. 11. ......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.14

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

30

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Bottle Creek at Galena Bay for

1913. 

[Drainage area, 12 square miles; G. L. Banta, observer.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2&....................................

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

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

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

Run-off (depth in inches on drainage

Maximum.. ......... .........

May.

Gage 

height.

1.93

1.86 

1.84

2.04 

1.98 

2.18 

2.04 

1.80

1.85 

1.92 

2.05 

1.90 

1.80

1.74 

2.20 

2.16 

2.05 

1.85 

1.80

Discharge.

155 

140 

135

179 

166 

210 

179 

127

138 

152 

181 

148 

127

116 

215 

206 

181 

138 

127

159 

13.3

9.40 

215 

116 

B.

June.

Gage 

height.

1.80 

1.78 

1.85 

2.05 

2.20

2.30 

2.15 

2.18 

2.42 

2.30

2.05 

1.95 

2.38 

2.40 

2.35

2.33

2.25 

2.20 

2.05 

2.16

2.05 

2.18 

2.10 

2.05

2.00 

2.03 

1.95 

1.90

Discharge.

127 

123 

138 

181 

215

238 

204 

210 

267 

238

181 

159 

257 

262 

250

245 

226 

215 

181 

206

181 

210 

192 

181 

178

174 

170 

177 

159 

148

196 

16.3

18.2 

267 

123 

B.

July.

height.

1.90 

1.87 

1.88 

1.90 

1.92

1.86 

1.82 

1.80 

1.76 

1.70

1.65 

1.65 

1.65 

1.60 

1.60

1.70 

1.75

1.85 

2.05 

2.80

2.45 

2.10 

1.95 

1.85 

1.74

1.70 

1.67 

1.65 

1.62 

1.58 

1.55

Discharge.

148 

142 

144 

148 

152

140 

131 

127 

119 

108

99 

99 

99 

90 

90

108 

118 

138 

181 

362

274 

192 

159 

138 

116

108 

 103 

99 

94 

87 

82

135 

11.2

12.9 

362 

82 

. B.

August.

Gage 

height.

1.56 

1.52 

1.41 

1.38 

1.36

1.45 

1.40 

1.36 

1.45 

1.60

1.40 

1.35 

1.30 

1.20 

1.14

1.05- 

1.00 

.98 

1.02 

1.00

1.03 

1.10 

1.20 

1.10 

1.12

2.20 

3.20 

2.80 

1.70 

1.30 

1.25

Discharge.

84 

77 

60 

56 

54

66 

59 

54 

66 

90

59 

52 

46 

35 

30

24 

20 

19 

21 

20

22 

27 

35 

27 

29

215 

462 

362 

108 

46 

40

76.3 

6.36

7.33

462 

19 

B.

NOTE. Discharges computed from a rating curve fairly well denned below 200 second-feet.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XI

A. DAM SITE AT OUTLET OF SILVER LAKE.

B. FALLS ON DUCK RIVER NEAR SILVER LAKE.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XII

PORT VALDEZ, LOOKING NORTH. 

Shoup Bay near center.
PBINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGIOK. 85

DUCK KIVEK. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Duck River has its source in Silver Lake at an elevation of about 

250 feet above sea level. (See PL XI,' A.) It is estimated to be 

about 2 miles long and enters Galena Bay at the northeastern corner 

through the Lagoon. The river has a uniformly steep grade with 

several very beautiful waterfalls near the lake. (See PI. XI, B.) It 

is bounded on the north by a steep-sloped ridge, which reaches an 

altitude of about 4,000 feet opposite the lake outlet and increases 

in elevation eastward. To the south the topography adjacent to the 

river is irregular, with a more gradual ascent to the summit. The 

valley is densely timbered except a few small meadow-like openings 

on the south which are swampy and usually contain small ponds.

Duck River and Silver Lake offer the most favorable opportunity 

for water-power development in the Prince William Sound region, 

so far as is known by the writers. Silver Lake is estimated to be 

between 3 and 5 miles long and to have an average width of about 

1 mile. The shore rises abruptly on all sides and the water is said 

to be deep even a few feet from the edge. The lake, as seen from 

the outlet, is surrounded on all sides by high mountains that reach 

their greatest elevations near the head, where they are particularly 

rugged and precipitous. Some distance from the outlet the lake 

bends to the south, cutting from view its upper part. The lake lies 

beyond the area mapped and it is impossible to estimate the extent 

of its drainage with reasonable accuracy, but the run-off, as shown 

by the measurements listed below (also see fig. 4), is much greater 

than would be expected from the available information concerning 

the general limits of the basin. The waters of Duck River were 

quite turbid at the time of each measurement, though undoubtedly 

much less so than they would have been without the settling effect 

from the lake. The appearance of the water and the apparent high 

run-off leads to the conclusion that a considerable proportion of the 

inflow must be from active glaciers that are reported to exist in the 

upper part of the basin.

The topography at the outlet of the lake is favorable for the construction of a dam up to a height of 100 feet or more. (See PL XI, A.) 

The lake level could be raised 30 feet by a dam about 60 feet long. 

Bedrock lies near the surface and a solid foundation for a dam is 

probably obtainable. Considerable substorage could be obtained if 

desired by placing the intake pipe below the normal lake level.

It is reported that water could be conducted from the lake outlet 

to a power house at sea level on the lagoon, about one-half mile 

south of the mouth of Duck River by a pipe line about 1J miles long.

Parties who claim water rights on the river state that from a 

knowledge obtained by weir measurements made during the spring
SECOND-FEET IN DISCHARGE 

si ivsijtao-Hirios 

98
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 87

of 1913, together with general observations at different seasons of 

the year, they have estimated the minimum flow to be not less than 

30 second-feet.

The average yearly flow of Duck River, as determined from the 

following records and an assumed flow of 30 second-feet for the 

remainder of the year, is about 240 second-feet. The facilities for 

storage are believed to be sufficient "to maintain a uniform flow at 

the above rate. With an efficiency of 70 per cent at the wheel, 240 

second-feet of water under a head of 250 feet would produce nearly 

4,800 horsepower. More records should be procured, particularly 

during the winter months, on which to base final plans for development.

DTJCK RIVER AT GALENA BAY.

This station was established May 13, 1913, on the right bank of the 

creek about 600 feet above the mouth. Gage readings were made at 

intervals of four or five days for the remainder of the year.

Measurements were made by wading at low and medium stages 

and from a boat at high stages. The channel remained permanent 

during the period covered by the records.

The difference in discharge of the river at the outlet of the lake 

and at the measuring section near the mouth was not determined by 

actual measurements, but there was no evidence of much inflow 

between these points.

Discharge measurements of Duck River at Galena Bay in 1913.

Date.

May 12......................

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

Aug. 3......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.55

1.61

2.54

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

76

82

409

Date.

Oct. 12.......................

Nov. 19.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.90

1.73

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

149

112
88 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTBAL ALASKA.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Duck River at Galena Bay for 1913. 

[G. L. Banta, observer.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May.

1.55

1.61

1.68

1.78

1 80

1.94

2.05

June.

2.25

2.42

 2.60

2.74

2.85

2.80

2.70

2.83

2.80

2.85

2.80

2.70

July.

2.75

2.78

2.80

2.84

2.80

2.78

2.85

2.85

2.83

Aug.

9 Id

2

«K

2.75

2.60

2.40

2.30

2.54

2.60

3.10

Sept.

2.85

2.70

2.80

2.75

3.05

2.70

Oct.

2.50

1.90

1.10

2.85

1.95

1.20

Nov.

2.85

1.70

1.50

2.05

2.10

1.73

1.95

1.85

1.80

Dec.

1.45

1.40

1.10

1.75

1.30

NOTE. Discharge computed from a rating curve well denned between 60 and 500 second-feet. 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Duck River at Galena Bay for 1913.

Day.

1... .....:.. .........................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30

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

May.

76

85

97

118

122

136

161

196

June.

272

350

445

533

608

573

'507

594

573

608

573

507

July.

540

560

573

608

601

573

560

608

608

594

Aug.

412

476

540

445

340

293

412

445

800

Sept.

608

507

573

540

760

507

Oct.

390

149

40

608

164

Nov.

608

100

70

196

212

164

ise

122

Dec.

64

59

40

111

KA
PRINCE WILLIAM SOTTED REGION. 89

PORT VALDEZ. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Port Valdez is a northeastern fiord of Prince William Sound. It 

is about 14 miles long and about 3 miles in average width. It trends 

east and west, bending to the south at the western end, and terminates in Valdez Narrows, with a minimum width of about 1 mile. 

The fiord is 600 to 800 feet in average depth, with but little shallow 

water except at the head, where large glacial streams are building 

up their delta. Port Valdez is surrounded by high, rugged mountains 

(see PI. XII, p. 85), the main Chugach Range to the north and a 

spur of it to the south. On the north the mountains have steep 

slopes and have many sharp rocky peaks, some reaching altitudes 

of nearly 7,000 feet. The mountains south of the bay are not so 

high, ranging from 3,000 to 5,400 feet in elevation. Many of the 

higher valleys on the north are filled with glaciers. Valdez Glacier 

is the largest body of ice in the region. It is more than 15 miles 

long, nearly 2 miles in average width, and terminates about 3| miles 

northeast of the town of Valdez at an elevation of 250 feet above 

sea level. The only glacier reaching tidewater is Shoup Glacier at 

the head of Shoup Bay. There are a few small glaciers among ,the 

higher of the peaks to the south.

The principal streams tributary to Port Valdez are Solomon Gulch 

from the south, Lowe River and Valdez Glacier streams at the head, 

and Mineral Creek, Gold Creek, and Uno Creek from the north. 

There are many other streams entering the bay, but they drain small 

areas and carry sufficient water for power development only during 

the spring and early summer, when the snow in the mountains is 

rapidly melting, or at times of heavy rains. (See p. 97 for list of 

miscellaneous measurements.)

SOLOMON GULCH.

Solomon Gulch offers a more natural if not a greater opportunity 

for the development of water power than any stream entering Port 

Valdez. It has its source in glaciers 6 or 8 miles from the bay and 

occupies a broad, gravel-filled basin for most df its length. About 

three-fourths of a mile from the mouth of the creek the basin is contracted by a spur from the east, and the stream for the remainder of 

its course flows through a rock-walled canyon in a series of falls 

with a drop of over 500 feet. This power is now being utilized by 

two companies who have installed hydroelectric plants and transmit 

current to Valdez. These plants are described on pages 107-108. 

The basin is without forests except a few small scattered spruce. 

The snowfall is very heavy in the upper basin and the summer runoff is likely to be excessively high. (See PL III, B, p. 36.) The
90 WATEK POWER IN SOUTH-CENTBAL ALASKA.

minimum flow probably occurs during March and April, though the 

run-off probably becomes very low by the 1st of February. Several 

miscellaneous measurements were made on the creek and are listed 

in the table on page 97. The lowest flow measured was 12.7 secondfeet on May 7, 1913, but this, owing to melting snow, was undoubtedly greater than the minimum for the whiter. A conservative estimate of the minimum would be less than 10 second-feet. It 

is estimated that if all the storage that it would be practical to provide was utilized, possibly 1,000 horsepower could be developed at 

all seasons. The topography at the head of the canyon is favorable 

for the construction of a dam, and a reservoir with a capacity of 

5,000 to 10,000 acre-feet could probably be created.

LOWE RIVER.

Lowe River, the largest stream in the district, rises north of Marshall Pass, flows in an easterly direction for about 30 miles, and 

enters the bay at its southeast corner about 2 miles from Valdez. 

Its flow is derived largely from glacial sources and is subject to great 

variation. Excessive floods occur during the summer, whereas in 

the winter the discharge is said to reach a very low stage, though no 

measurements have been made later than October 17. About 3 

miles below Marshall Pass the river enters Heiden Canyon and is 

confined between steep walls for 6.5 miles. At the lower end of the 

canyon, about 1.5 miles above Wortman's, it occupies a broad gravelfilled valley through which it flows in many constantly shifting channels for 4.5 miles to Keystone Canyon. There the mountains close 

in and for a distance of 3 miles the walls of the canyon are for much 

of the way of solid rock and at points rise nearly vertically above the 

stream for a height of several hundred feet. Between Keystone 

Canyon and the bay, a distance of about 12 miles, the valley is from 

1 to 2 miles wide.

Lowe River falls 1,854 feet between Marshall Pass and Port Valdez, 

a distance of about 26 miles, making an average grade of about 71 

feet per mile.

Power could be developed at both Heiden and Keystone canyons. 

At the latter the head would have to be developed by a dam across 

the canyon. Such construction might be warranted if the flow was 

sufficient to operate a plant of large capacity, but during the whiter 

it becomes very low and there is but little opportunity for storage. 

Lowe River carries immense quantities of sand and gravel during 

the summer. The feasibility of constructing high dams on rivers of 

that type is open to question. Such a project would .involve the 

relocation of the Government wagon road, which now follows the 

right bank of the river through the canyon.
PEINCB WILLIAM SOUND EEGIOK. 1

Heiden Canyon offers perhaps a more favorable opportunity for 

power development. Water could be diverted near the head of the 

canyon to a conduit on the north bank and carried along the bench 

above the canyon for about 6.3 miles. In that way a head of more 

than 900 feet could be obtained. The drainage area above the canyon is about 30 square miles and ranges in elevation from 1,500 to 

about 7,000 feet. It lies in an area of heavy snowfall, and the winter 

temperatures, though modified by the warmer coastal air current, 

are probably sufficiently low to prevent much surface run-off during 

that season. So far as is known there is no opportunity for storage. 

From about the middle of May until October several thousand horsepower 'could no doubt be developed, but the high elevation of the 

basin might cause such a small run-off and low temperatures as to 

render the operation of the plant impracticable during the winter. 

On October 17, 1913, there was considerable slush ice running in the 

river at the foot of Heiden Canyon, large masses of anchor ice had 

formed on the river bottom, and solid ice extended several feet from 

each edge.

MINERAL CREEK.

Mineral Creek has its source in a glacier at an elevation of about 

1,000 feet. It is about 8 miles long and flows southward until about 

1 mile from its mouth, when it turns toward the west and enters the 

bay about 4| miles west of Valdez. The basin covers an area of 14 

square miles. The topographic features are exceedingly rough, including many sharp pinnacles and narrow spurs. Many of the peaks 

exceed 6,000 feet in altitude and large glaciers occupy the upper 

parts of the tributary valleys. The main valley is bounded by precipitous slopes on both sides, with a U-shaped cross section. For 

the first 3 miles the valley is narrow and there are a few solid-rock 

canyons; below this stretch the river has built up a broad flood 

plain averaging about one-fourth mile in width. About 1| miles 

from the mouth, as the stream leaves the mountains and approaches 

the tidal flats, a ridge 200 to 300 feet high crosses the valley. The 

creek has cut its way through this ridge at the east end, forming 

a narrow rock canyon, where a dam 50 to 60 feet high could easily 

be constructed.

Brevier Creek heads in a large glacier about a mile west of Mineral 

Creek and falls more than 1,000 feet in its course. During warm 

weather it is a torrential stream, but the discharge rapidly decreases 

on the approach of cold weather, and the bed of the stream near the 

mouth is said to be dry in the winter, though in its upper course there 

is a small surface flow.

Glacier Creek enters Mineral Creek just below Brevier Creek, and is 

similar in character, but its flow is considerably smaller.
92 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRA^ ALASKA.

The East Fork of Mineral Creek enters the major stream about 1 

mile below Glacier Creek. It is less than 2 miles long and rises in a 

glacier about 2,000 feet above the level of Mineral Creek. Nearly a 

thousand-foot fall occurs in the lower half mile of its course. It would 

probably furnish 200 to 300 horsepower for 4 or 5 months in the summer, and water could be easily diverted to a pressure pipe on the«outh 

side of the creek. On October 24 there was about 6 inches of snow, at 

an elevation of 900 feet above the mouth, and the creek was frozen over 

solid except where it had a vertical fall of several feet. It is doubtful if it would be feasible to attempt to develop water power on upper 

Mineral Creek or any of its tributaries between the early part of 

November and the middle of May. At the lower canyon on Mineral 

Creek continuous power could no doubt be developed throughout the 

winter, but a head of not over 75 feet could be obtained. A flow of 

37 second-feet, as measured on November 24, 1913, under a head of 

75 feet would produce under operating conditions only little more 

than 200 horsepower, which is several times greater than should be 

expected later in the winter. The storage obtained would probably 

be sufficient to equalize the flow during much of the winter, but would 

be of little value in caring for the accumulation of excess water in 

the fall.

Placer gold is said to occur in the gravels of Mineral Creek above the 

lower canyon, which would be flooded by the construction of a dam.

The basin is barren of all timber except a few scattered cottonwoods 

in the lower valley and alders on the valley sides up to an elevation 

of about 1,500 feet, where there is sufficient soil to support their 

growth.

Considerable prospecting for gold quartz is being done each summer 

in the headwaters of Mineral Creek,1 and some development work has 

been accomplished. A small stamp mill for preliminary work was 

erected in the fall of 1913 at the mouth of Brevier Creek. Power for 

its operation will be obtained from Glacier Creek when the flow is 

sufficient. The plant is described on pages 108-109.

In the summer supplies can be hauled up the creek on wagons for 

about 4 miles, when the stage of the water will permit travel along 

the bars. Pack animals are used for the remainder of the distance. 

When the water is high everything has to be packed either from 

Valdez or from the boat landing near the mouth of the creek. The 

pack trail crosses the creek at the lower canyon and follows the west 

side of the valley. There are branch trails leading to the various 

properties. Most of the hauling is done in the winter when sleds can 

be used.

i See Brooks, A. H., Gold deposits near Valdez: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 520, pp. 125-127,1912.
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 93

GOLD CREEK. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Gold Creek enters Port Valdez about 4 miles below Mineral Creek. 

It flows southward, is about 3 miles long, and drains an area of 10 

square miles. The surrounding ridges are 4,000 to 5,000 feet high. 

The flow in the summer is maintained largely by glaciers which lie 

at elevations between 2,300 and 5,000 feet and cover about one-third 

of the basin. Gold Creek occupies a hanging valley that opens to 

the bay at an elevation of about 800 feet above and about one-half 

mile horizontally from tidewater. Through the falls the creek is 

confined in a sharp rock gorge that rises precipitously to the summit 

of the mountains on either side. Above the falls the valley widens 

into a gravel filled basin which is about one-half mile long and 1,000 feet 

in maximum width. Placer gold is said to occur in the gravel of this 

basin, and considerable work has been done preparatory to the installation of an hydraulic plant. Above this basin for a distance of about 

1 mile the valley is made up of smaller basins separated by rock 

gorges and contracted sections of the valley, through which the stream 

has a decidedly increased grade.

There is no timber in the basin except alders and.small brush.

Small water power could be developed in the summer at sections 

above the main falls, where the fall is concentrated for short stretches. 

In the lower section of the creek a head of over 800 feet could be 

obtained by a pipe line less than 1 mile long leading to a power 

house on the beach, where probably a thousand horsepower could be 

generated for 6 or 7 months in the year. The discharge, however, is 

subject to wide variation, and from November until May it is doubtful if it would be sufficient to warrant the operation of a plant. The 

basin receives a heavy snowfall, causing large snowslides which would 

require costly construction to protect a pipe line. A horse trail 

leading up the basin along the west side of the valley is dangerous to 

travel and at times impassable during the fall and spring, when the 

slides are most active. A dam could be easily constructed at the head 

of the falls and small storage could be obtained, but ground now 

claimed for placer mining would thereby be flooded.

Gold quartz prospects have been found near the head of Gold Creek, 

but very little development work has been done.

GOLD CREEK NEAR VALDEZ.

This station was established September 8, 1913, at the head of the 

falls on the left bank of the creek at an elevation of about 800 feet 

above sea level and just below the Budd Mining Co.'s camp. Discharge measurements were made by wading.
94 WATER POWER IIST SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Discharge measurements of Gold Creek near Valdez, Alaska, in 1913.

Date.

Mays........................

Aug.10.............. .........

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.19

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

ol2.1

6202

34

Date.

Oct. 13. ...... ................

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

Nov. 24......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.03

2.95

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

21

17.6

o Section one-half mile below gage at mouth of creek.

i> Section one-half mile above gage at upper end of lower basin.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Gold Creek near Valdez,

for 1913.

[Drainage axea, 9.5 square miles. "W. R. Van Ornum, observer.]

Day.

1....

o

3....

5....

7....

8... 

9. . 

10. .

11. . 

12. . 

13. . 

14. . 

15. .

Sept.

Gage 

height.

3.20 

3.22 

3.15

3.20 

3.30 

3.45 

3.55 

3.58

Discharge.

35 

38 

30

35 

49 

78 

101 

108

Oct.

Gage 

height.

3.45 

3.45 

3.45

3.35 

3.23 

3.15 

3.15 

3.13

3.05

3.03 

3.02 

2.95

Discharge.

78 

78 

78

58 

39 

30 

30

28

23

21 

21

17.8

Nov.

Gage 

height.

3.25 

3.05 

2.95

2.95 

2.85

2.75

Discharge.

42 

23 

17.8

17.8 

14.6

12.0

Day.

16....

17....

18.... 

19....

20....

21.... 

22.... 

23....

24....

25....

26....

27....

28....

29....

30....

31....

Sept.

Gage 

height.

3.52 

3.45 

3.38 

3.40 

3.38

3.38 

3.48 

5.70

3.80 

3.75

Discharge.

94 

78 

63 

67 

63

63 

85

165 

152

Oct.

Gage 

height.

2.95 

2.95 

2.91 

2.95

2.95 

2.97 

2.95

2.92 

2.85

2.85

2.80

2.93

Discharge.

17.8 

17.8 

16.4 

17.8

17.8 

18.4 

17.8

16.7 

14.6

14.6

13.1

17.0

Nov.

Gage 

height.

Discharge.

NOTE. Discharges computed from a rating curve fairly well defined between 15 and 40 second feet.

SHOUP BAY. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Shoup Bay is an arm of Port Valdez near its northwest corner. 

It is about 2 miles long and varies in width from one-fourth to 

three-fourths mile. Many of the most important gold quartz veins 

of the Valdez district occur near Shoup Bay. 1 The entrance to the 

bay is shallow, but there is a narrow channel that is sufficiently deep 

for small launches. The main drainage into the bay is from Shoup 

Glacier, which reaches down to tidewater. It discharges large 

quantities of silt and has built up a broad mud flat at the head of 

the bay.

Uno Creek discharges into the bay near the northeast corner. It 

drains a roughly circular-shaped area comprising 5 square miles east 

of Gold Creek. Uno Basin occupies the central part of the area and 

is not as steep sloped as the bounding ridges, which rise sharply,

1 See Brooks, A. H., op. cit, pp. 123-125.
PEINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 95

reaching a maximum elevation of 5,445 feet on the north. Between 

Urto Basin and tidewater the creek descends in a series of rapids and 

falls through a height of 1,000 feet in a horizontal distance of but little 

over one-half mile. Several hundred horsepower could be developed 

at the falls from May until October, but after October the flow 

decreases rapidly, and it is believed that there would be a period of 

several months in the winter and early spring when it would be too 

small-for practical use.

Estimates of discharge were made at the mouth for part of the 

summer of 1913. (See table, p. 96.) The minimum discharge measured was 2.5 second-feet on November 20. At that time the creek 

was frozen solid for much of the way between the foot of the falls and 

tidewater and the snow was about 3 feet deep. Because of heavy ice 

and snow the only section where a measurement could be made with 

reasonable accuracy was just below high-tide level at time of low 

tide. The actual discharge may have been somewhat greater than 

measured because of seepage through the beach sands, over which the 

creek flowed for a short distance above the measuring section.

The flow of Uno Creek is derived almost entirely from rainfall and 

melting snow. The only glacier in the basin is small, covering an 

area of only about 60 acres.

McAlister Creek enters Shoup Bay from the west. It drains an 

area of 2.5 square miles.

There is said to be opportunity to develop water power in the summer from streams flowing to the margin of Shoup Glacier from high 

mountains to the north.

UNO CHEEK AT SHOUP BAY.

This station was established August 5, 1913, on the right bank of 

the creek about 300 feet from high-tide level and just below the 

proposed tailrace from the Sea Coast Mining Co.'s water-power plant.

Discharge measurements of Uno Creek at Shoup Bay in 1913.

Date.

May 8......................

10............. J........

Gage 

height

Feet.

3.18

9 31

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

6.3

61

14.0

Date.

Oct. 13.. .................... .

Nov.20. ......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.15

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

8.1

7.2

2.5
WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Uno Creek at Shoup Bay for 1913. 

[Drainage area, 5.0 square miles. R. M. Redpath, observer.] *

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

99

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

97

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

OQ

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

v\

At

Gage 

height.

3.18

3.28

3.22

3.44

3.38

3.18

3.15

3.00

3.02

3.02

2.95

2.88

2.88

2.88

2.86

3.02

3.08

3.02

2.97

3.00

3.00

3.38

3.05

3.07

2 g4

lgDischarge.

58

64

60

73

70

58

56

47

48

48

44

40

40

40

39

48

52

48

45

47

47

54

62

70

50

51

38

51.7

10.3

10.3

C.

Se

Gage 

height.

2.69

2.60

2.55

2.46

2.41

2.38

2.32

2.30

2.30

2.26

2.27

2.38

2.94

3.07

3.03

2.84

2.70

2.61

2.62

2.51

2.82

3.55

3.62

3.09

2.99

2.66

2.62

2.80

2.82

pt.

Discharge.

30

26

24

19.7

17.7

16.6

14.5

13.8

13.8

12.6

12.9

16.6

44

51

49

38

30

26

27

22

30

37

80

85

52

46

29

27

36

37

32.1

6.42

7.16

C.

0

Gage 

height.

2.76

2.55

2.45

2.50

2.58

2.46

2.42

2.31

2.30

2.28

2.22

2.25

2.15

3t.

Discharge.

34

24

19.3

21

25

19.7

18.1

14.2

13.8

13.2

11.4

12.3

8.1

18.0

3.60

1.74

C.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XIII

A. OCTOBER 10, 1913.

B. AUGUST 9, 1913. 

FALLS AT EAGLEK BAY.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XIV

A. DAVIS LAKE FROM POINT NEAR OUTLET.

B. FALLS ON DAVIS CREEK BELOW LAKE.
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 97

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The results of miscellaneous discharge measurements made in 1913 

on streams discharging to Port Valdez are given in the following 

table:

Miscellaneous measurements on stream's tributary to Port Valdez in 1913.

Date.

May 7

9

Nov. 24

Oct. 17

24

May 10

Oct. 24

Nov. 24

Oct. 24

24

24

Stream.

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

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

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

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

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

East fork of Mineral 

Creek.

Tributary to 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Locality.

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

Glacier Creek at elevation 650 feet.

tion 100 feet.

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

mouth.

month. 

Elevation 1,000 feet 

above mouth.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

12.7

16.0

o35

92

26

79

74

37

4 4

2.0

2.6 

2.4

Drainage 

area.

Sq. mi.

6 50

39

<IQ

39

4.9

3.8 

2.5

Discharge 

per 

square 

mile.

Sec.-ft.

1.82

2.03

1.90

.95

.90

.68 

.96

Estimated. b Approximate.

EAGLEK BAY.

Eaglek Bay lies about 12 miles east of Port Wells, between Esther 

Passage on the west and Unakwik Inlet on the east. About a mile 

from the head on the west is a small cove into which flows an unnamed stream that is locally considered to afford one of the important water powers of that section of Prince William Sound. It falls 

directly into salt water through a height of about 200 feet over a 

nearly vertical rock bluff. (See PI. XIII.) About 250 feet from the 

head of the falls the creek leaves a lake or series of lakes estimated 

to be 2 to 3 miles long and one-fourth to one-half mile wide. No 

information is available regarding the extent of the drainage basin or 

the source of the water. As seen from a point a short distance from 

the falls, the inflow apparently is mainly derived from the slopes of 

high mountains east of Davis Creek.

Between the outlet of the lake and the head of the falls a distance of 200 to 300 feet the creek is confined between steep walls 

and falls about 10 feet. A dam could there be constructed with a 

bottom width of about 100 feet, and it would probably be practicable to raise the level of the lake 50 feet or more. A solid rock 

foundation could probably be obtained with small expense. Water 

could be cheaply carried to a power house at sea level by a combination tunnel and pressure pipe or pressure pipe alone, 

97891° WSP 372 15 7
98 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTEAL ALASKA.

Assuming a storage area of 1 square mile a dam 50 feet high 

would store sufficient water under head of 200 feet to produce about 

700 horsepower for 365 days with an efficiency of 70 per cent at the 

wheel. That would require a continuous discharge of approximately 

44 second-feet. The only data available regarding the discharge of 

the stream are two miscellaneous measurements listed below. With 

those measurements and a knowledge of the high rate of run-off that 

occurs throughout Prince William Sound from May until September 

it seems reasonable to believe that an average flow of considerably 

more than 44 second-feet could be expected throughout the year.

There is considerable fair-sized timber along the shores and lower 

slopes adjoining Eaglek Bay.

Miscellaneous measurements.

Date.

A nor Q

Oct. 11...........................................

Stream.

Unnamed. . .

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

Tributary 

to 

Eaglek Bay.

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

Locality.

Above falls..

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

656

38

PORT WELLS DISTRICT.

GENERAL FEATURES.

Port Wells forms the extreme northwest part of Prince William 

Sound, of which it is the largest fiord. From the head of its northern 

arm, College Fiord, to the head of its southern arm, Cochrane Bay, 

the distance is about 50 miles. Harriman Fiord, Bettles Bay, Pigot 

Bay, Passage Canal, and Blackstone Bay are western arms. The 

eastern side has a more regular shore line. It is surrounded by a 

country of bold relief. Most of the tributary valleys are occupied 

by glaciers. In the larger ones the ice generally extends down to 

or near tidewater, thus eliminating all opportunity for water-power 

development. Most of the small streams, come from glaciers located 

in their headwaters. All have a large run-off in the summer, but in 

the winter their flow undoubtedly becomes very low and offers but 

small possibility of power development except where it can be supplemented by storing excess flow during the summer and fall.

Gold-lode prospecting is in progress near Port Wells. 1 On some of 

the properties considerable development work has been done, and it 

is reported that several small stamp mills are to be installed. The 

town of Golden (sometimes called Port Wells), on the east side of the 

fiord 4 miles north of Esther Passage, is the local supply point for 

the district. A weekly launch service is maintained between Valdez

i See Johnson, B. L.,The Port Wells gold district: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 592, pp. 195-243,1914.
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION.

and Port Wells and ocean-going vessels occasionally enter the fiord 

to discharge freight.

The shores are quite generally timbered with spruce up to an 'elevation of a few hundred feet. Most of it is stunted and scraggy, 

though there is a limited quantity of good-sized trees that are suitable 

for saw logs.

This report is based on a hasty reconnaissance of streams entering 

the central part of the fiord, where prospecting is being carried on 

most actively.

DA VIS CREEK. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Davis Creek enters Port Wells at the town of Golden. It has its 

source in a lake at an elevation of about 140 feet above sea level. 

(See PI. XIV, A, p. 97.) The lake is about half a mile from tidewater and is estimated to be about 2 miles long and one-quarter mile 

in average width. It is said to be very deep. High mountains rise 

abruptly from all sides. Many glaciers and large snow banks occupy 

depressions between the peaks and on the slopes of the mountains. 

Between the lake and salt water is a broad, open valley, through which 

the creek flows in a deep box canyon for most of the way. (See 

PI. XIV, J5.) There is an excellent opportunity for the construction 

of a pipe line to carry water from the lake to a power house on the 

beach. A dam 25 feet high with a top length of about 150 feet could 

be constructed near the outlet of the lake. A solid rock foundation 

could undoubtedly be obtained. A power system could be easily 

installed on Davis Creek, and for six or seven months each year the 

flow would probably be ample for a plant of several hundred horsepower, but in the winter the flow probably becomes very small during 

protracted periods of low temperatures, and at such times would have 

a capacity of less than one hundred horsepower unless storage was 

provided.

DAVIS CREEK AT GOLDEN.

A gage was installed on Davis Creek on August 6, 1913, at the foot 

of the first falls below the lake, at an elevation of about 100 feet above 

sea level. The channel below the gage is considered permanent. 

Measurements were made by wading just below the outlet of the lake.

Discharge measurements of Davis Creek at Golden, Alaska, in 1913.

Date.

Oct. 9. .......................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.89

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

1 7Q

46

Date. Gage

Feet. 

4.48

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

21
100 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Da-vis Creek at Golden, Alaska,

for 1913.

[Alex. Beyer, observer.]

Day.

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

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

C

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August.

Gage 

height.

5.57 

5.94 

6.49 

5.98

5.68 

5.52 

5.43 

5.41 

5.42

5.40 

5.44 

5.41 

5.30 

5.32

5.40 

5.48 

5.50 

5.46 

5.62

5.84 

6.70 

6.43 

5.64 

5.46 

5.30

Discharge.

172 

270 

437 

281

200 

160 

140 

135 

137

133 

142 

135 

113

117

133 

151 

155

146 

184

242 

504 

418 

189 

146 

113

198 

C.

September.

Gage 

height.

5.10 

5.10 

5.02 

4.94 

4.89

4.86. 

4.84 

4.82 

4.82 

4.80

5.10 

5.41 

5.62 

5.83 

5.86

6.22 

6.10 

5.40 

5.80 

5.62

5.38

7.20

Discharge.

77 

77 

63 

52 

46

43 

42 40' 

40 

38

77 

135 

184 

239

248

352 

316 

133 

231 

184

129 

3% 

664

165 

C.

October.

Gage 

height.

4.89

4.77 

4.72 

4.62 

4.61 

4.60

4.62 

. 4.63 

5.16 

6.20 

5.68

5.10 

5.78 

5.67 

5.20 

5.04

4.91 

4.88 

4.86 

4.83 

4.48 

4.33

Discharge.

46 

41

36 

32 

26 

26 

25

26 

27 

88 

346 

200

77 

226 

197 

95 

67

48 

45 

43 

41 

21 

17.4

78.1

C.

November.

Gage 

height.

4.72 

4.92 

4.72 

4.71 

4.95

4.91

4.88 

4.81 

4.79

4.77

4.41 

4.34 

4.31 

4.31 

4.28

4.26 

4.33 

4.46

4.48

4.73 

4.66 

4.48 

4.46 

4.45

4.41

4.40 

4.39 

4.37 

4.36

Discharge.

32 

50 

32 

32 

54

48 

45 

39 

37 

36

19.1 

17.6 

17.0 

17.0 

16.5

16.1 

17.4 

20 

20 

21

21 

20 

19 

18 

17

16 

15 

14 

13 

12

25.1

C.

December.

Gage 

height.

3.93 

3.91 

3.91 

3.90 

3.89

3.88 

3.90 

3.88 

3.86 

3.85

3.84 

' 3.83 

3.98 

4.16 

4.33

4.45 

4.48 

4.50 

4.67 

4.71

4.73 

4.71 

4.64 

4.49

4.48

4.47 

4.45 

4.43 

4.41 

4.39 

4.38

Discharge.

11. e

11.3 

11.3 

11.2 

11.1

11.0 

11.2 

11.0 

10.7 

10.6

10.5 

10.4 

12.2 

14.5

17.4

20 

21

22 

29 

32

33

32 

28 

21 

21

21

20 

19.6 

19.1 

18.6 

18.4

17.8 

D.

NOTE. Gageheights affected by ice from Nov. 21 to 30. 

curve fairly well defined between 20 and 200 second-feet.

Discharges for that period interpolated. Rating

AVERY RIVER. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Avery River is a tributary to Port Wells about 2 miles north of the 

town of Golden. It drains an area of rugged relief similar to though 

somewhat larger than that of Davis Creek. The main stream forms 

in a large glacial cirque, from which it emerges at an elevation of 

about 100 feet above sea level. A small, shallow lake at the base of 

the cirque covers an area of 5 or 6 acres. The distance from the outlet of the cirque to tidewater is about one-half mile. At its mouth 

Avery River has a nearly vertical drop of about 60 feet, falling directly 

into salt water at high tide. (See PL XV, B.)

Power could be developed on Avery River either by utilizing the 

entire fall of 100 feet by carrying the water in a pipe from the outlet 

of the cirque to a power house located at any convenient point on the
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XV

A. FALLS ON BENCH CREEK.

B. FALLS ON AVERY RIVER.
PEINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 101

beach, or by building a power house at the foot of the falls and leading 

the water directly from the head of the falls through the turbines. 

The latter method would be cheaper, because it would not require so 

long a pipe line as the former. The particular type of plant that 

would be best suited for the needs would depend on the amount of 

power required.

Considerably more power could undoubtedly be developed by 

utilizing the entire head, though the increase in power would not be 

in direct proportion to the difference in head, since the discharge 

would be somewhat greater at the lower intake, and the friction head 

lost in the pipe line would tend to slightly decrease the advantage of 

the higher head. A dam 30 to 40 feet high could be constructed at 

the outlet of the cirque, with a top length of about 300 feet. Considerable storage would thereby be obtained. Several feet increase 

in head could be obtained by constructing a dam across the canyon 

at the head of the falls. A small sawmill was erected in the summer 

of 1913 at the foot of the falls, and was operated by an overshot 

water wheel.

The minimum flow during the period covered by the records below 

was 44 second-feet on November 26. With an efficiency of 70 per 

cent at the wheel, that discharge could produce about 350 horsepower, using the entire head of 100 feet, and a little over 200 horsepower at the lower falls under a head of 60 feet. Sufficient storage 

might be provided to assure that amount of power throughout the 

winter, but without storage it would probably be less than half that 

quantity at minimum flow.

AVERT RIVER NEAR GOLDEN.

A gage was installed on Avery River on August 7, 1913, on the 

right bank of the creek, about 300 feet above the falls. Low-water 

measurements were made by w.ading above the falls. At high stages 

they were made below the falls from a boat when the tide was low 

and the river had an unobstructed flow.

Discharge measurements of Avery River near Golden, Alaska, in 1913.

Date.

Aug. 7..... ..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.98

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

198

Date. Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.27

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

57
102 WATEE POWER IN SOUTH-CENTKAL ALASKA.

Daily gage Ji&ight, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, ofAvery River near Golden, Alaska,

for 1913.

[John Rueff, observer.]

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30................................ ...

31....................................

Accuracy. ....................

August.

Gage 

height.

4.98 

5.78 

5.50 

5.20

5.10 

4.96 

4.98 

4.98 

4.98

4.94 

4.98 

4.98 

4.96 

4.98

5.40 

5.20 

5.10 

5.80 

5.60

5.10 

6.92 

5.42 

5.00 

4.90 

4.70

Discharge.

199 

415 

337 

255

229 

194 

199 

199 

199

189 

199 

199 

194 

199

309 

255 

229 

421 

365

229 

o744 

315 

204 

179 

133

264 

D.

September.

height.

4.68 

4.50 

4.42 

4.36 

4.30

4.32 

4.32 

4.30 

4.30

4.28

4.26 

4.30 

4.54 

5.00 

5.70

5.20 

4.88 

4.78 

5.22 

4.96

4.70 

5.42 

07.80 

7.50 

6.50

5.62 

5.10 

5.18 

5.62 

6.60

Discharge.

129 

93 

79 

70 

61

64 

64 

61 

61 

58

56 

61 

101 

204 

393

255 

174 

151 

260 

194

133 

315 

"999 

a 912 

o622

371 

229 

250 

371 

651

248 

C.

October.

Gage 

height.

5.20 

4.96 

4.78 

4.76 

 4.74

4.56 

4.50 

4.38 

4.32 

4.28

4.26 

4.19 

4.16 

4.16 

4.16

4.14 

4.10

4.08 

6.04 

4.54

4.64 

5.26 

4.60 

4.56 

4.38

4.28 

4.26 

4.20 

4.38 

6.04 

5.08

Discharge.

255 

194 

151 

146 

142

104 

93 

73 

64 

58

56 

47 

44 

44 

44

42 

38 

36 

0489 

101

120 

271 

112 

104 

73

58 

56 

48 

73 

«489 

224

124 

C.

November.

height.

5.00 

6.20

4.82 

4.50 

4.44

4.34

4.28 

4.26 

4.24 

4.20

4.22 

4.30 

4.26 

4.24 

4.20

4.20 

4.19 

4.18 

4.18 

4.18

4.20 

4.18 

4.18

4.16

4.18 

4.28 

4.24 

4.20

Discharge.

204 

o535 

160 

93 

83

67 

58 

56 

53

48

51 

61 

56 

53

48

48 

47 

46 

46 

46

48 

46 

46 

45 

44

44 

46 

58 

53 

48

, 77.9 

C.

o Approximate.

NOTE. Discharge computed from a rating curve that was based on two measurements and is fairly well 

defined between 50 and 225 second-feet.

HABBISON LAGOON.

Harrison Lagoon is a small westward projection from Port Wells 

near the southwest corner of Barry Arm. The only tributary stream 

of consequence is Lagoon Creek, which enters near the northeast 

corner. It heads in a circular-shaped lake estimated to be about 

one-quarter mile in diameter. From the lake to sea level the creek 

falls more than 300 feet in a distance of 1J to 2 miles. Above the 

lake the mountains are high and steep. Between the lake and the 

lagoon is a broad valley through which the stream flows in a succession 

of falls, rapids, and stretches of moderate grade, keeping close to the 

foothills on the north. In the last 500 feet of its course the creek 

falls nearly 100 feet. There is considerable timber on the valley 

sides, but open, meadow-like expanses cover much of the lower levels.
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 103

The level of the lake could be raised about 10 feet by a dam about 

50 feet long at the base and 200 feet at the top. The topography 

affords a fair opportunity for the construction of a pipe line to the 

lagoon. Sufficient power could probably be developed in the summer 

to supply any ordinary mining needs that are liable to arise in the 

immediate vicinity. In the winter the run-off undoubtedly becomes 

very low and the storage that could be obtained would only be sufficient to equalize the flow over short periods of time. A flow of 9.0 

second-feet as measured at the outlet of the lake on November 20 

under a head of 300 feet, would develop about 215 horsepower with 

an efficiency of 70 per cent. The discharge at the mouth of the creek 

is increased considerably over that at the lake outlet by numerous 

small channels from the side slopes.

The result of a miscellaneous measurement made on the creek 

in 1913 is given in the table on page 105.

HOBO BAY AND CREEK. 

GENERAL FEATURES.

Hobo Bay is a small indentation from the west side of Port Wells 

between Harrison Lagoon on the north and Bettles Bay on the south. 

Hobo Creek rises in the divide east of Harriman Fiord, and flows 

southeast with a total length of about 2| miles, entering Hobo Bay 

at the head. It is reported that its main source of supply is from 

glaciers and large snow banks near the head and that the stream drops 

rapidly as it leaves the mountains. Most of its course is through a 

broad valley with a moderate grade. The lower end of the valley is 

contracted by a spur from the south, through which the creek has 

cut a canyon in the rock. A dam could there be constructed with a 

height of 50 or 60 feet and a small storage would thereby be provided.

The discharge on November 17 was 19.2 second-feet. That discharge, under a head of 50 feet, would produce only about 76 horsepower with an efficiency of 70 per cent. From the above date until 

the following May the flow would be considerably less for most of the

time.

HOBO CREEK NEAR GOLDEN.

This station was established August 8, 1913, on the right bank of 

the creek just above high-tide level.

Discharge measurements of Hobo Creek near Golden in 1913.

Date.

Aug. 8.... ....................

Oct. 10. ......................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3,98

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

87

24

Date.

Nov.19. .....................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.79

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

19.2
104 WATEE POWEB 'IN SOUTH-CEtfTKAL ALASKA.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Hobo Creek near Golden for 1913.

[ Cris. Everson, observer.]

Day.

1.................... ................

2....................................

3....................................

4............................ .......

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12............................ ......

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25.................................. .

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

August.

Gage 

height.

4.51 

4.65 

4.55

4.41 

4.40 

4.35 

4.33 

4.28

4.30 

4.28 

4.22 

4.20 

4.24

4.25 

4.26 

4.25 

4.25 

4.25

4.30 

4.70 

4.61 

4.60 

4.52 

4.19

Discharge.

88 

110 

94

72 

71 

64 

62 

56

58 

56 

49 

47 

51

52 

54 

52 

52 

52

58 

119 

104 

102 

89 

46

an 1

c.

September.

Gage 

height.

4.17

Discharge.

44

October.

Gage 

height.

3.98

Discharge.

24

November.

£&

3.79

Discharge.

19.2

HUMMER BAT.

Hummer Bay is situated about 2 miles south of Bettles Bay. 

Two fair-sized streams enter the bay at the head. The northern 

one is called Hummer Creek; the one to the south is unnamed. They 

were not visited except at the mouth, but prospectors living near 

stated that there were no natural power sites on either stream. 

They both flow through a broad silt-floored valley before entering 

the bay. At the time of the writer's visit, on August 8, 1913, each 

showed a high run-off, due to heavy rains and rapid melting of snow 

and glaciers in the headwaters. They are said to get very low in 

the fall and winter and at times go dry at their mouths, the small 

flow then passing through the porous sands beneath the stream bed.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The results of miscellaneous discharge measurements made in 

1913 on streams tributary to Port Wells are given in the following 

table:
WILLIAM SOUND REGldtf. 105 

Miscellaneous measurements near Port Wells in 191$.

Date.

Aug. 8

Nov. 20

Aug. 8

8

Stream.

.....do........................

Unnamed. ............

Tributary to 

.....do*...............

Locality.

.....do.......................

Mouth......................

.....do.......................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

83

9.0

o240

ol60

o High run-off due to heavy rains and rapid melting of snow and glacier ice in headwaters. These streams 

are said to go dry at their mouths in the winter. 

6 This stream enters Hummer Bay at the head south of Hummer Creek.

DEVELOPED WATER POWER. 

GENERAL CONDITIONS.

The water powers of Prince William Sound remain practically 

undeveloped. Cordova and Valdez are the only settlements of 

sufficient size to justify the installation of plants for lighting. Mining 

has not yet reached the stage where a sufficient future is assured 

to warrant the construction of expensive hydroelectric plants. 

Several plants have been installed for mining, but they are of small 

capacity, cheap, and temporary in construction, well suited for the 

needs of a property during the development stage, or for a small 

mine where interruption in service is not serious and a small amount 

of ore is available.

CORDOVA.

Light and power for Cordova are furnished by the Cordova Power 

Co. The plant, which is on the east shore of Orca Inlet about 5 miles 

north of Cordova, was built in the winter of 1908-9 and first put in 

operation the following June, and except for short periods it has been 

in operation continuously since that date. A steam plant is used as 

auxiliary when the water supply is insufficient. From about the 1st 

of May until the 1st of December there is said to be ample water to 

supply the present demands for energy, but for the remainder of the 

year the steam plant is likely to be required at any time.

Water is diverted from Humpback Creek by a rock-filled timbercrib dam to a 30-inch continuous wood-stave pipe leading to the 

power house, a distance of about 1,350 feet, where a maximum gross 

head of 156 feet is obtained. The dam is 45 feet high, 86 feet long at 

the bottom, and 111 feet at the crest, and is 79 feet wide at the bottom, tapering to a width of 10 feet at the top. This type of construction was adopted because there was plenty of rock and timber handy 

to the dam site. The entrance to the pipe line is placed near the 

base of the dam, and is provided with suitable headgate and tapered 

connections. Trouble is sometimes caused by sand and gravel 

being brought down during high water and blocking the inlet screens.
106 WATER POWER IS SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

The water wheel is a 43-inch Pelton, designed to develop a maximum of 200 horsepower under an effective head of 148 feet. It is 

provided with double nozzle. The upper vent is regulated with a 

hand-operated needle. The lower one has a plain, open-type discharge, and during the winter it will permit the passage of ice particles that might clog a needle nozzle. Directly connected with the 

wheel is a 125-kilowatt 2,300-volt 3-phase 60-cycle generator. The 

excitor is a 9-kilowatt 125-volt machine. A Pelton oil-pressure governor in connection with a hood deflector is used to regulate the 

speed. Current is stepped up to 11,000 volts for transmission to 

Cordova. The line follows along the steep hillside a few hundred feet 

above sea level. Snowslides sometimes cause serious damage at certain points along the line, and falling timber is a source of considerable trouble during wind storms. The steam equipment consists of 

two 150-horsepower boilers and a 250-horsepower compound engine. 

Crude oil is used for fuel. A 1,600-barrel tank is provided for storage. The steam plant is used during low-water periods while the 

reservoir is filling. It is seldom operated more than 4 or 5 hours continuously.

Water power is also developed for the operation of a sawmill situated near the ocean dock. Water is collected in a small reservoir 

created by a timber dam across a small gulch back of the mill. This 

supply is augmented by a system of contour ditches which collect the 

water along the hillside and lead it to the reservoir. A head of about 

170 feet is obtained at the mill by carrying the water through 1,800 

feet of pipe consisting of 450 feet of 14-inch riveted steel, 450 feet of 

15-inch riveted steel, and 900 feet of 18-inch continuous wood-stave 

pipe. The mill is operated by a 48-inch Tutthill wheel and a 48-inch 

Pelton wheel with rated capacities of 90 and 60 horsepower, respectively, directly connected to the various machines and log hauls. An 

18-inch Tutthill wheel is used to drive several small machines and a 

5-kilowatt, 125-volt direct current generator, which furnished electricity for lighting.

ORCA.

The Northwestern Fishing Co. has installed one 36-inch and two 

16-inch Pelton water wheels at its cannery at Orca. Water is diverted 

from a small gulch back of the cannery and carried through 700 feet of 

8-inch riveted steel pipe to the wheels, where a head of about 240 feet is 

obtained. The flow of the stream is sufficient for the operation of the 

wheels only when the run-off is above the average, owing to rains or 

melting snow. Water power is supplementary to steam power. 

Large volumes of steam are required in connection with the canning 

processes. The company has installed two 150-horsepower boilers, 

also three 15-horsepower upright steam engines, one 15-horsepower 

gasoline engine, and a 7.5-kilowatt direct-current generator.
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGION. 107 

LANDLOCKED BAY.

The Chisna Consolidated Mines Co. installed a small plant on the 

beach at the mouth of its tunnel several years ago. Water is obtained 

from Chisna Creek under a head of about 50 feet. Two small Pelton 

wheels were used to operate a small sawmill, dynamo, and hoist. 

The plant was nearly in ruins in the summer of 1913 and evidently 

had not been operated for some time.

GALENA BAY.

The plant of the Galena Bay Mining Co. is on Bottle Creek about 

1J miles from the bay. A rock-filled timber-crib dam 25 feet 

high crosses the creek at the head of a rock gorge. The power house 

is situated at the base of the dam and contains a 150-horsepower 

Francis turbine and a 90-kilowatt dynamo. The fall between the 

the crest of the dam and the base of the draft tubes is about 48 feet. 

The electricity has been used for lighting and to operate an air compressor at the mine. The plant has not been in operation for several 

years. It is said that the water supply was inadequate much of the 

time daring the winter months. Measurements of stream flow on 

Bottle Creek are published on page 84 of this report.

PORT VALDEZ. 

SOLOMON GULCH.

Two water-power plants have been installed on Solomon Gulch. 

The lower plant is on the beach at the mouth of the creek. This 

plant was constructed about 1904, and until July 1, 1913, was operated under lease. The lease was held by the Alaska Water, Light & 

Telephone Co. after June, 1907. The essential equipment consisted of 

a 150-kilowatt generator operated by a Pelton water wheel. Water 

was diverted from Solomon Gulch about one-half mile from the power 

house at an elevation of about 400 feet, and carried in a 2 by 3 foot 

flume for about one-fourth mile to a point on the ridge facing the 

bay, where it was conducted through a riveted steel pipe to the power 

house below. The pipe is 18 inches in diameter at the upper end and 

12 inches at the power house. About 1,500 feet above the intake, 

at the head of the rapids, a dam 14 feet high was built to create 

storage to carry the daily peak load during low-water periods. The 

energy was transmitted to Valdez for use for lighting and power.

The company has an auxiliary steam plant at Valdez that is used 

in case of an interruption in the hydroelectric service. It is also 

available as an auxiliary power at times of low water. It is understood that the water supply even at times of minimum flow in the 

winter is ordinarily sufficient to furnish all the power that is demanded 

of the system.
108 WATEE POWEE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

In the spring and summer of 1913 the Alaska Water, Light & Telephone Co. built what is now sometimes known as the " upper plant." 

The power house, which is situated just above the intake of the lower 

plant, is a IJ-story wood building, 25 by 45 feet in dimensions. 

Water is diverted through the base of the storage dam, 1,500 feet 

above, and carried in a continuous wood-stave pipe made up of 500 

feet of 36-inch, 500 feet of 33-inch, and 500 feet of 30-inch, to a 26- 

inch special Francis turbine rated at a normal capacity of 375 horsepower, with a maximum capacity of 500 horsepower. An effective 

head of about 140 feet is obtained. The generator is an alterating 

current, 60-cycle, 2,300-volt machine with a rated capacity of 150 

kilowatts. Provisions were made for the installation of a second unit 

like the above if the demand for power should exceed the initial 

installation.

The dam was raised to a height of 22 feet to increase the storage 

for use at times of low run-off in the winter. It is constructed of concrete. Sand and gravel were obtained from the creek bed above the 

dam site. Suitable switchboards are provided at the power house 

and a set of transformers raises the current to 6,600 volts for transmission. The line is a two-phase system carried on wooden poles, 

and extends from the power house to Valdez, a distance of about 4J 

miles. Across the tide flats at the head of the bay the poles were 

driven with a pile driver to a depth of 8 to 10 feet, at high tide. That 

was done to give them extra security against the action of Lowe 

River and other glacial streams that are continual sources of trouble.

In the fall of 1913 the Valdez Electric Co. was organized to operate 

the old plant in competition with the one recently installed. A 

transmission line was built to Valdez and the old water wheel was 

replaced by one of more modern type. Exact information is not 

available concerning the operation of this plant, but it is understood 

that electricity was first transmitted to Valdez about December 1, 

1913.

Measurements of the discharge of Solomon Gulch are listed on 

page 97.

GLACIER CREEK.

A stamp mill was erected on Mineral Creek near the mouth of 

Glacier Creek in the summer of 1913. A 36-inch Pelton water wheel 

was directly connected to the main shaft to furnish power. Water 

for the operation of the wheel will be obtained from Glacier Creek, 

at an elevation sufficient to give a head of about 170 feet. The conduit consists of 200 feet of 10-inch by 12^-inch board flume, and 600 

feet of steel pipe tapering from a diameter of 10 inches at the pressure 

box to 3 inches at the power house.

The mill was built by the owners of the Mountain King mine. 

It has two 1,200-pound stamps. The mine was closed about the
PEINCE WILLIAM SOUND BEGION. 109

time the mill was completed, so that the plant was not put in operation 

in the fall of 1913. It was planned to commence operation in the 

spring of 1914.

For stream-flow data, see page 97.

UNO CREEK.

The Sea Coast Mining Co. began the installation of an hydroelectric 

plant at the mouth of Uno Creek in 1913. A power house of wood 

construction was built and a right of way was cleared of brush 

and prepared for laying a riveted steel pipe line. It is proposed to 

divert the water from Uno Creek by a low, inexpensive dam at an 

elevation of 321 feet above the wheel shaft. The plans contemplate 

the installation of a 290-horsepower Francis-Pelton turbine and an 

alternating current generator of suitable capacity. A part of the 

energy will be used to operate a small stamp mill that the power company plans to erect. The excess power will be offered for sale to 

other mines in the vicinity of Shoup Bay that may need power.

Data regarding the flow of Uno Creek are published on pages 95-96 

of this report.

WATER-POWER SITES.

The water-power sites of Prince William Sound are as a rule small 

but widely distributed. The northern part of the sound from Cordova to Port Wells was examined hi some detail. In that section 

there is hardly a bay or inlet but what has one or more tributary 

streams on which small water powers could be developed for 6 or 8 

months during the year. During the months of low-water flow from 

January to April most of the streams reach a very low stage. There 

are but few streams on which more than two or three hundred horsepower could be developed at minimum flow, and it is doubtful if 

there is a single stream on which a plant of more than 1,000 horsepower could be operated continuously without storage. There are, 

however, numerous sites where small to medium-sized reservoirs 

could be created, and thus many of the streams made to yield at 

least a small output throughout the year.

One of the most favorable sites for storage is at Silver Lake on Duck 

River, near Galena Bay. Nearly the entire run-off could probably 

be controlled by a dam at the outlet, and a uniform output of 4,000 

horsepower or more obtained throughout the year. Some other 

favorable power sites, though affording less storage than Silver Lake, 

are Power Creek near Cordova, Solomon Gulch near Valdez, an 

unnamed stream entering Eaglek Bay, and Davis Creek and Avery 

River tributary to Port Wells. Detail descriptions of the various 

sites are published on preceding pages.

There is reported to be a power site on Latouche Island. The 

Beatson Copper Co. has obtained a permit from the Forest Service,
110 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

and is making preliminary investigations. The project involves the 

diversion of the water of several creeks through pipe lines into a 

reservoir formed by damming a small lake. From this reservoir the 

water is to be conducted to the wheels by a pipe line 4,200 feet in 

length.

In the western part of the sound south of Port Wells there are said 

to be several good water powers, but no data are available regarding 

their size or accessibility.

The transmission of electricity is one of the most serious difficulties 

that will be encountered in utilizing the water powers. Steep rocky 

mountain slopes, dense growths of bush and trees, heavy snowfall 

and snowslides, glaciers and broken shore lines are some of the obstacles to be overcome. Unless a market can be created for the power 

within a short distance of its source it is doubtful if it will ever become 

of much value. There are, however, good harbor facilities in nearly 

all parts of the sound, so that ocean-going boats can be anchored 

within easy transmission distances from the powers. Submarine 

cable is now being manufactured that will carry electric current up 

to a pressure of over 20,000 volts. Considerable cable with a capacity 

of 200 to 300 amperes for 11,000 volts working pressure has been 

used. Such cable, though expensive, might be practicable for use 

in crossing narrow bays and inlets where long land lines would be 

required to carry it around them, or to reach from island to mainland, or from island to island. It might also be of service in crossing 

glaciers where an overhead line would be very expensive to maintain.

The manufacture of wood pulp should offer a particularly suitable 

use for the water powers because of the fact that both the timber and 

the power sites are near tidewater. It is claimed that pulp logs can 

be towed a distance of 150 to 200 miles at a permissible cost, thus 

eliminating the necessity of transmitting electricity for long distances 

to the mills. Any one water power in Prince William Sound would, 

under such conditions, be within reach of the entire timber supply.

KBNAI PENINSULA.

GENERAL FEATURES.

Kenai Peninsula projects from the Alaska mainland in the northcentral portion of the Gulf of Alaska. It has an area of approximately 9,000 square miles, most of which lies between meridians 

148° and 152° west longitude and parallels 59° and 61° north latitude. 

The peninsula is bounded by Prince William Sound on the east, the 

Pacific Ocean on the south, and Cook Inlet on the west. On the 

north it is joined to the mainland by a strip about 12 miles wide, 

which separates Portage Bay and Turnagain. Arm. These bodies of 

water are arms of Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, respectively. 

Kenai Peninsula has a shore line more than a thousand miles long.
KENAI PENINSULA. Ill

The surface of the peninsula presents two widely differing physiographic features. About three-fourths of its area, lying in the 

eastern, central, and southern parts, is characterized by high rugged 

mountains, 5,000 to 7,000 feet in elevation, which are known as the 

Kenai Mountains, and by valleys deeply cut by the action of the 

former ice sheet that covered the area, and remnants of which are 

still found in the higher portions of the peninsula. The remaining 

fourth consists of a broad lowland, about 25 miles wide, which slopes 

from an elevation of about 1,800 feet on the south near Kackemak 

Bay to an elevation of about 50 feet on the north.

The Kenai Mountains divide lies close to the eastern and southeastern side of the peninsula so that the drainage is principally toward 

the west and north and the streams flowing into the Pacific and Prince 

William Sound are short. The largest of the latter is Resurrection 

River, which is about 25 miles long. It drains an area southwest of 

Kenai Lake and flows through a wide gravel-floored valley into the 

head of Resurrection Bay. Kenai River, the largest stream on the 

peninsula, drains its entire central portion and discharges into Cook 

Inlet at Kenai. Its drainage area includes two large lakes, Skilak 

and Kenai, and numerous smaller lakes on its upper tributaries. 

Kasilof River drains Tustumena Lake and enters Cook Inlet a short 

distance south of Kenai. Tustumena Lake is about 22 miles long 

and 6 miles in average width. It is fed by several streams, some of 

which have their sources in the large glaciers in the Kenai Mountains. 

Two small streams, Chickaloon and Big Indian rivers, drain a part 

of the Kenai lowland and discharge into Chickaloon Bay near the 

west end of Turnagain Ann. The principal streams entering Turnagain Arm from the mountainous area of the peninsula are Resurrection and Sixmile creeks and Placer River.

The fact that steep gradients and waterfalls are identified with 

streams draining areas of rugged mountainous relief make it obvious 

that the eastern portion of the peninsula would afford much more 

favorable opportunities for water-power development than the, 

western portion. Moreover, gold mining, which is the most important industry of the peninsula and which at this time presents the 

most promising market for water power, is confined to the mountainous area. The investigation of the water supply of the peninsula 

was carried on only in its eastern portion. -

MINERAL RESOTTRCES.1

Gold-bearing lodes have been discovered at many points in the 

eastern part of Kenai Peninsula, and at the present time form the 

principal mineral resource of that region. The most important lodes

1 The mineral resources of Kenai Peninsula are fully treated in Bulletin 587 of the U. S. Geological 

Survey, Geology and mineral resources of Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, by G, Q, Martin, U. S. Grant, and 

JJ. L. Johnson, published in 1915,
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XVI

 Point of measurgmenti number refers tolistintext 

O 6 Mil

MAP OF EASTERN PART OF KENAl PENINSULA SHOWING LOCATION OF GAGING STATIONS AND MEASURING POINTS.
112 WATEE POWEB IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

are those near Falls Creek, Porcupine Creek, and Moose Pass. Gold 

quartz veins also occur at several localities between Kenai Lake and 

Seward. The veins so far discovered are all small. Four or five 

stamp mills of small capacity have been installed and several similar 

installations are contemplated. Gold placers have been worked quite 

extensively on Sixmilo River and Resurrection Creek and their tributaries, also on Cooper and Quartz creeks. Most of the richest deposits 

are now worked out, and the future of placer mining on the peninsula 

depends almost entirely on whether the low-grade deposits which are 

practically unexploited can be made to yield a profit.

Considerable bodies of lignitic coal occur in the western part of the 

peninsula. In any comprehensive study of the power resources of 

this region thoss beds would be worthy of consideration.

The Matanuska coal field,1 containing areas of workable high-grade 

coal, lies about 65 miles northeast of Turnagain Arm, and the future 

development of this field is a further factor to be considered in planning extensive hydroelectric installation in Kenai Peninsula.

TIMBER.

Kenai Peninsula is quite heavily timbered in most of its valleys up 

to elevations of 1,200 to 1,500 feet above sea level. Spruce is the most 

plentiful variety and the most valuable for commercial uses, but hemlock is found in some localities, and also poplar, birch, cottonwood, 

willow, and alders. The alders cover the mountain slopes with dense 

and often almost impenetrable thickets to elevations considerably 

above the limit of the spruces. A luxuriant growth of wild hay can be 

found extending well up into the tirnberless area, but nearer the summits the mountain sides become craggy and rock strewn and support 

only a limited moss growth.

Except for a strip across the southeastern side, the peninsula lies entirely within the Chugach National Forest. This does not mean that 

the timber supply is generally distributed over the area because, in 

fact, the really valuable timber is restricted to a few localities. Im- 

 mense tracts have been destroyed by the ravages of forest fires, which 

originated from careless campers or accidental causes. The country 

is too sparsely populated for dealing with these fires promptly and in 

an effective way, and once started they can quickly reduce an area 

covered by timber and moss which it has taken centuries to produce 

to a waste strewn and tangled with dead and falling trees. The officials of the forest reserve have made energetic efforts to cope with 

these fires, but too often their handicap is so great as to make their 

efforts ineffectual. The officials of the Chugaeh National Forest also 

have jurisdiction over the development of water power within its 

boundaries.

i Martin, G. C., and Katz, F. J., Geology arid coal fields of tfce lower Matanuska Valley, Alaska: U. S. 

Geol. Survey Bull. 500,1912,
KEFAI PENINSULA. 113

The local spruce lumber was used to some extent in the structures 

of the Alaska Northern Railway, which has been built across the 

peninsula, for, although it did not show as great strength as the timber 

from the States, in many places its use at about $25 per thousand feet 

was found to be more economical than the latter at $35 to $40 

per thousand. Near most of the mining camps there is sufficient timber of a quality satisfactory for mining structures. The quantity 

of timber which will square greater than 12 inches is very small. All 

demands for better grades of lumber are supplied from Seattle. The 

supply of timber suitable for fuel is plentiful, and with labor costing 

$3 to $4 per day with board cord wood can be procured at quite a 

reasonable figure.

GAGING STATIONS AND MEASTTBING POINTS.

The points at which gaging stations were maintained or discharge 

measurements made on streams in Kenai Peninsula in 1913 are 

shown by the following list. The numbers correspond to those given 

on Plate XVI.

1. Lowell Creek above pipe intake. 

2. Lowell .Creek at mouth.

3. Kenai Lake at Roosevelt.

4. Kenai River at Kenai Dredging Co.'s camp.

5. Ptarmigan Creek at lake outlet.

6. Ptarmigan Creek at mouth.

7. Falls Creek at intake of Skeen-Lechner ditch.

8. Falls Creek at railroad crossing.

9. Grant Creek at mouth.

10. Quartz Creek at Fainnan's Cabin.

11. Lost Creek 3 miles below lake outlet.

12. Juneau Creek at mouth.

13. Stetson Creek at mouth.

14. Cooper Creek above Stetson Creek.

15. Cooper Creek at mouth.

16. Russian River J mile below lower lake outlet.

17. Russian River at mouth.

18. Canyon Creek above Mills Creek.

19. Sixmile Creek at Sunrise.

20. "Milla Creek 2 miles above mouth.

21. Juneau Creek above upper ditch intake.

22. Resurrection Creek above Gold Gulch.

NOTE. Black-faced type indicates regular gaging stations; light-faced type points of miscellaneous 

measurements.

LOWELL CREEK.

Lowell Creek is one of the short streams that drain the eastern 

slope of the Kenai Mountains. It heads in a high glacier west of the 

town of Seward, and in its course of approximately 5 miles drops with 

a very steep gradient to its mouth near the head of Resurrection

97891° WSP 372 15 8
114 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Bay. (See PI. XVII, A.) It depends for its summer flow principally 

on the melting of the snow banks and glaciers; in winter its flow is 

maintained by the occasional thaws and rains. Lowell Creek supplies water for the operation of the hydroelectric plant of the Seward 

Light & Power Co., which is described on pages 131-133.

Two discharge measurements were made above the pipe intake 

of this plant and one at the mouth below the return water from the 

wheel. The last shows a large loss by seepage as the creek passes over 

the coarse gravel fan which it has deposited as it emerges from its 

narrow valley.

Discharge measurements of Lowell Creel: in 1913.

Date.

Oct. 28

Point of measurement.

j

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

58

18.8

Date.

Oct. 28

Point of measurement. Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

9.3

TONSINA CREEK.

 Power development has been contemplated on Tonsina Creek, 

which is the next stream south of Lowell Creek and enters Resurrection Bay about 3 miles south of Seward. The creek is similar in 

character to Lowell Creek but drains a smaller area. Observation 

has shown the winter flow to be small and undependable, and the 

project was consequently abandoned.

RESURRECTION RIVER.

The largest of the streams flowing from the eastern slope of the 

Kenai Mountains is Resurrection River, whose drainage area lies 

southwest of Kenai Lake. It is about 25 miles long and its mouth is 

at the head of Resurrection Bay, about 2 miles from Seward.

Resurrection River is a typical glacial stream, wild and unruly in 

times of flood, but decreasing to a rivulet in prolonged periods of low 

temperature. In its lower part it flows through a flat gravel valley, 

and in many places splits into several channels. (See PL XVII, B.) 

The fall in this section is 25 feet to a mile. A scheme to develop power 

by diverting water in a canal for 3 or 4 miles and utilizing the head 

thus gained has been abandoned as impracticable.

KENAI RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

GENEBAL FEATURES.

Kenai River drains an area about 90 miles long in an east-west direction and 20 miles in average width. From its mouth on Cook Inlet it 

stretches nearly across the central part of the peninsula to the head of
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XVII

A. LOWELL CREEK AT PIPE INTAKE.

B. RESURRECTION RIVER, LOOKING UPSTREAM.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XVIII

A. UPPER VALLEY OF MILLS CREEK.

B. WEST END OF KENAI LAKE.
KENAI PENINSULA. 115

Snow River, its most i emote tributary. Snow River rises in the glaciers of the mountains bordering the shore of Prince William Sound 

and discharges into the upper end of Kenai Lake. Kenai Lake is 

about 22| miles long and has an area of 22 square miles. (See PL 

XVIII, B.) It seems probable that it was formed by the deposition pf 

gravels in the lower part of the valley by the glacier which formerly 

occupied it, and possibly the lake was scraped out and deepened by the 

same agency. Streams entering Kenai Lake are Porcupine, Ptarmigan, 

Trail, and Quartz creeks. Kenai River commences at the outlet of 

the lake and in the 16 miles to its entrance into Skilak Lake is joined 

by Juneau and Cooper creeks and Russian River. Skilak Lake is 18 

miles long and has an area of 38 square miles. No important drainage 

conies into it. Below Skilak Lake Kenai River follows a tortuous 

course of about 50 miles through the flat, plateau-like country to Cook 

Inlet. Two large tributaries, Killey and Funny rivers, enter from 

the south in this section.

The eastern part of the basin is characterized by the rugged mountains and glaciated valleys that have already been noted. Tho former 

glaciers have also left their mark in the lakes which are found on 

several of the tributaries. Both of these features are favorable to 

the development of water power, since heavy falls are usually concentrated near the point where the hanging valley breaks into the 

main one, and since also the lakes supply possible sites for storage 

reservoirs. Comparatively heavy grades are found on all the streams, 

at least over considerable portions of their courses.

KENAI KIVEK BETWEEN KENAI AND SKILAK LAKES.

Kenai and Skilak lakes, or Upper and Lower Kenai lakes as they 

are locally known, lie 460 and 150 feet, respectively, above sea level. 

Thus, the fall of the river in the 16 miles between the lakes is approximately 310 feet, and, as determined by aneroid, this fall is distributed 

akout as follows: 60 feet from the Coopers Landing at the outlet 

of Kenai Lake to the camp of the Kenai Dredging Co., about 3J miles; 

70 feet from this point to the mouth of Russian River, a distance of 3 

miles; and about 180 feet in the remaining 9J miles. There are no 

falls on Kenai River and rowboats pass down it safely at ordinary 

stages, but the grade is concentrated in rapid stretches where the 

current is so swift as to make the hauling of boats up the river very 

laborious. For 4 or 5.miles below the mouth of Russian River it 

winds through a flat gravel valley in channels that are constantly 

shifting and readjusting themselves. Through the remaining section 

the stream is confined to one permanent channel.

The natural conditions on this stream suggest that the water power 

available could probably be developed most comprehensively by
116 WATEE POWEE IN SOUTH-CENTEAL ALASKA.

means of a diversion dam, which would turn the flow of the stream 

through a canal to some point lower, where a power house could be 

built and the fall utilized. Although the fall of Kenai River is sufficient to make power development practicable at many points, some 

of these points are much more favorable than others. Unquestionably power would first be developed in the vicinity of the rapids, which 

would limit the choice to three sites. There are rapids about one-half 

mile below Cooper's Landing, which is at the outlet of the lake; a 

second noticeably heavy grade in the stream is at Schooner Bend, 

about 5 miles from Coopers Landing, and a third is in the vicinity of 

the canyon, about 10 or 11 miles below the same point. Below Kenai 

Lake the river flows for several miles over immense gravel deposits of 

unknown depth, but at the canyon mentioned above it passes out of 

this formation and is confined between narrow rock walls for a short 

distance. A stable dam upon the gravel of the upper valley would 

undoubtedly require a pile foundation. In the canyon a dam could 

probably be founded upon bedrock. Timber cribwork filled with rock 

is thought to be the most economical type of construction for a dam 

in this locality under present conditions.

The outlet of Kenai Lake is wide and deep and the banks are comparatively low. These conditions do not favor an economical development of storage on the lake. However, these obstacles are not 

prohibitive to the construction of a dam if the necessary expenditure 

were warranted.

The minimum discharge of Kenai River from August 18, 1913, to 

January 31, 1914, is estimated at 504 second-feet; the average flow 

for the three following months would probably be considerably less. 

The discharge estimated would develop about 40 horsepower per foot 

of fall with an efficiency of 70 per cent at the wheel.

KENAI LAKE AT ROOSEVELT.

On August 18, 1913, a gage was installed on Kenai Lake at Roosevelt and was read each day (except three days in October), until 

November 30. The stage of the lake is reported to have fallen at a 

uniform rate from this date until December 15, when the final reading 

was made. The lake froze over on the night of December 15. Kenai 

Lake is usually frozen over throughout the winter and remains at a 

very low stage, but occasionally there are exceptions, for in December, 

1911, the glacier at the head of Snow River released a tremendous 

volume of water, which kept the lake at a high stage for a considerable 

period, and it is reported that during the winter of 1911-12 the lake 

did not freeze over.
KENAI PENINSULA. 117

Daily gage height, in feet, ofKenai Lake at Roosevelt, Alaska, for 1913. 

[Area 22 square miles. Fred C. Bunce, observer.]

Day.

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

11

14.......

15.......

Aug. Sept.

8.67

8.36

8.30

8.12

7 on

7 66

7 fi9

7 KQ

7.44

7.34

7 94

7 10

7.14

7 O4

6.88

Oct.

9.25

0 flfi

8.%

8.85

8.71

8.58

Q 9Q

Q 10

7.98

7 80

7.16

7 09

Nov.

7.08

7.42

7.38

17 OQ

7.35

7 09

7.26

7.16

7.01

6.82

6.73

rt *71

6.68

6.66

6.65

Dec.

5

ftQ

Day.

16.......

17.......

18.......

10

20.......

21.......

22.......

90

24.......

OK

26.-....-

97

9O

30

31.......

Aug.

8.89

8

01

Q 09

8.88

9 ft*>

9.08

9.14

9 11

9

19

9

10

& 1 f\

9 no

8.80

8.72

Sept.

6.90

6.82

6.78

6.73

6.69

6.89

7.24

7.40

7 64

8.62

9

*>4

9 90

9 on

9

fiO

Oct.

6.98

6.95

6.95

6.91

6.86

6.83

6.77

6.72

6.60

6.53

6.49

6.41

6.35

6.32

6.52

6.81

Nov.

6.63

6.60

6.53

6.48

6.41

6.40

6.32

6.26

6.09

6.00

5.93

5 90

5.79

5.72

5.66

Dec.

KENAI RIVER AT KENAI DREDGING CO. S CAMP.

On August 19, 1913, a gage was installed on Kenai River at the 

camp of the Kenai Dredging Co., 3J miles below Coopers Landing and 

about 1J miles below the mouth of Juneau and Cooper creeks. Two 

discharge measurements were made at this point from a boat. For 

a considerable part of September and October it was not possible to 

obtain readings on this gage, and for these periods the daily discharge 

has been computed from measurements referred to the gage on Kenai 

Lake at Roosevelt and readings on that gage.

The Roosevelt gage is about 17 miles from the lake outlet at Coopers 

Landing and would give a fairly satisfactory indication of the discharge from the lake; but strictly it would not show the discharge at 

the dredging camp, because Juneau and Cooper creeks enter between 

the two points. However, it seems that the inaccuracy involved in 

this assumption can not be great, because there appears to be a fairly 

well defined relation between the readings of the two gages. For 

determining the discharges the readings on the Roosevelt gage were 

taken to the nearest tenth.

The discharge measurements are too few for a very accurate determination of the rating curve, especially at the lower stages, but since 

the results present the best available information on the flow of an 

important stream they are here published. The probable error of 

the monthly means should not exceed 15 per cent.

Kenai River falls very low in the winter, as is shown by the record 

for January, and it is said that it is often possible to wade across it 

with ordinary rubber boots. The rapids do not usually freeze 

entirely over.
118 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Discharge measurements on Kenai River at Kenai Dredging Co.'s camp, 1913.

'

Date.

Oct. 23....................................

Width.

Feet. 

202

189

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

816

462

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

5.53

3.85

Gagel

Dredge 

camp 

gage.

Feet. 

7.94

6.09

leight.

Roosevelt 

gage.

Feet. 

8.81

6.72

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

4.510

. 1,780

Daily gage height in feet, and discharge in second-feet, of Kenai River at Kenai Dredging

Co.'s camp for 1913-14.

[Chas. G. Hubbard, observer.]

Day.

1..... .........

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

97

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Run-off in acrefeet. .........

Maximum ..... 

Minimum. ..... 

Accuracy ......

1913

August.

Gage 

height.

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.2 

8.2 

8.2

8.2

8.3 

8.3

8.2

8.0

7.9

Discharge.

4,620

4,620

4,620

4,620

4,620

4,980 

4,980 

4,980

4,980

5,160 

5,160

4,980

4,620

4,440

4,810

134,000 

4,440 

5,160 

B.

September.

Gage 

height.

7.8

7.6

7.4

7.4 

7.2

7.1

7.0 

6.8 

6.9

6.4

.......

Discharge.

4,280

3,960

3,640

3,640 

3,320

3,160

3,000 

2,720 

2,860

2,160

2,320

2,320

2,200

2,080

1,960

1,960

1,850

1,850

1,740

1,740

1,960

2,320

2,570 

2,830 

4,200

5,180 

6,070 

6,070 

6,070 

5,620

3,190

190,000 

6,070 

1,740 

B.

October.

Gage 

height.

"e.'i"

5.85

5.90 

5.90 

5.90 

5.90 

6.2 

6.2

Discharge.

5,040 

4,900 

4,760 

4,480 

4,340

4,200 

3,780 

3,500 

3,360 

3,090

2,800 

2,600 

2,400 

2,320 

2,200

2,080 

2,080 

2,080 

1,960 

1,960

1,850 

1,850 

1,740 

1,800 

1,510

1,560 

1,560 

1,560 

1,560 

1,920 

1,920

2,670

164,000 

5,040 

1,510 

B.

November.

Gage 

height.

6.2 

6.4 

6.5 

6.5 

6.6

6.6 

6.6 

6.4 

6.4 

6.3

6.2 

6.2 

6.2 

6.1 

6.1

6.1 

6.0 

5.60 

5.90 

5.80

5.80 

5.75 

5.70 

5.70 

5.70

5.60 

5.50 

5.50 

5.50 

5.40

Discharge.

1,920 

2,160 

2,300 

2,300 

2,440

2,440 

2,440 

2,160 

2,160 

2,040

1,920 

1,920 

1,920 

1,800 

1,800

1,800 

1,680 

1,560 

1,560 

1,460

1,460 

1,410 

1,360 

1,360 

1,360

1,260 

1,160 

1,160 

1,160 

1,070

2,050

122,000 

2,440 

1,070 

B.

December.

Gage 

height.

5.40 

5.40 

5.45 

5.50 

5.50

5.50 

5.50 

5.50 

5.45 

5.40

5.40 

5.30 

5.30 

5.25 

5.20

5.20 

5.20 

5.20 

5.25 

5.35

5.35 

5.30 

5.40 

5.40 

5.30

5.30 

5.20 

5.20 

5.20 

5.10 

5.10

Discharge.

1,070 

1,070 

1,120 

1,160 

1,160

1,160 

1,160 

1,160 

1,120 

1,070

1,070 

980 

980 

940 

900

900 

900 

900 

940 

1,020

1,020 

980 

1,070 

1,070 

980

980 

900 

900 

900 

820 

820

1,010

62, 100 

1,160 

820 

C.

1914

January.

Gage 

height.

5.00 

5.00 

5.00 

5.10 

5.10

5.00 

4.90 

4.80 

4.70 

4.80

4.80 

4.70 

4.70 

4.70 

4.70

4.75 

4.90 

4.80 

4.75 

4.70

4.70 

4.70 

4.70 

4.70 

4.70

4.80 

4.80 

4.70 

4.70 

4.70 

4.70

Discharge.

740 

740 

740 

820 

820

740 

660 

580 

504 

580

580 

504 

504 

504 

504

542 

660 

580 

542 

504

504 

504 

504 

504 

504

580 

580 

504 

504 

504 

504

582

35,800 

820 

504 

C.

PTARMIGAN CREEK.

Ptarmigan Creek drains an area east of Kenai Lake and flows 

westerly, entering, the lake near Koosevelt post office about 5 miles 

below the head. It is about 4 miles from the mouth of the creek to
KENAI PENINSULA. 119

its outlet from Ptarmigan Lake. Much of the water is derived from 

the thawing of the snowbanks and glaciers of the high altitudes, the 

glacial origin being indicated by the milky color of the water, which 

is characteristic of many glacial streams. Probably much of the 

suspended matter in the water settles in Ptarmigan Lake.

Ptarmigan Lake lies at an elevation about 300 feet above Kenai 

Lake and is approximately 3 miles long and one-third mile wide. 

Its outlet is through a narrow canyon with almost perpendicular 

rock walls; its banks on both sides are high. The site is very accessible and remarkably well adapted for a storage reservoir. It is 

estimated that a dam could be built 50 feet high with widths of 40 

feet and 100 feet at the bottom and top, respectively. Although the 

data are too incomplete for making definite deductions regarding 

the flow, it seems reasonable to suppose that the reservoir formed by 

such a dam would store the run-off of the creek for the greater part 

of a year and would supply an admirable means for the control of 

stream flow. It is roughly estimated from the following measurements and by comparison with other records that at least 1,000 horsepower could be produced at this site throughout the year. A suggested plan of power development is by a ditch leading from the lake 

down the right side of the valley. Such a ditch, 3 or 4 miles long, 

and a terminal pipe line of moderate length, could probably be made 

to utilize the greater part of the fall down to the level of Kenai Lake. 

In some sections it might be necessary to use a flume and in others 

it might be advisable to carry the water through tunnels, but the 

utilization of the creek presents no problems whose solution would 

be difficult or would involve heavy expense.

The following discharge measurements were made on Ptarmigan 

Creek:

Discharge measurements of Ptarmigan Creek in 1913.

Date. Locality.

.....do.....................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

156

95

Date.

Oct. 11....

Oct. 20....

Locality.

.....do.....................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

92

71

FALLS CHEEK.

Falls Creek drains a part of the high, rugged area east of Kenai 

Lake and north of the Ptarmigan Creek basin. It rises in a high 

glacier and descends with a steep gradient for about 8 miles to the place 

where it joins Trail Creek, 1^ miles from its mouth. There are falls 

about 1 mile from the mouth, where the most favorable conditions for 

power development on the stream are to be found, but the grade is 

sufficiently steep over many sections of its course to meet the requirements.
120 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

The gold quartz mill of Skeen-Lechner mine is on this creek about 

4 miles from its mouth. It is operated by water power in the summer 

and steam power in the winter, using wood for fuel. A Pelton wheel, 

6 feet in diameter, rated at 68 horsepower, is used for running the 

stamps and an 18-inch wheel for the concentrator and lights. The 

water is diverted through a ditch 1,000 feet long to the plant, where 

a head of 112 feet is obtained. The following information regarding 

the operation of the plant was furnished by P. H. Holdsworth on 

March 17, 1914.

Steam power was used after November 13, 1913. When cold weather came the 

creek first froze from the bottom up, but later cut a channel next to the gravel and 

was estimated to have discharged approximately 180 miner's inches (4.5 second-feet) 

throughout the winter. At the beginning of cold weather considerable trouble was 

experienced in passing water through the ditch. It was caused largely by trying to 

keep the ditch free of ice, but as soon as it became frozen over and covered with snow 

the bottom and the sides below the ice line were thoroughly thawed. All the water 

that could be diverted (from 2 to 3 second-feet) at the intake was allowed to pass 

through the ditch during the winter and no anchor or slush ice was formed. If a 

bedrock dam had been constructed at the intake, so that all the water could have 

been diverted, the mill could probably have been~operated throughout the winter 

by water power.

The flow of the creek fluctuates rather widely, as is shown by the 

accompanying short record. This is due partly to the steep slopes 

of the drainage basin and the lack of natural storage, in consequence 

of which the rainfall tends to pass quickly down the stream. The 

basin possesses no sites favorable for the artificial development of 

storage. Much of the basin lies in a deep valley and on the northern 

slope, so that, beginning in October, the sun does not strike these 

areas for several months and the thawing is very slight. Large quantities of anchor and slush ice flow down the stream during the fall.

A gage was established on Falls Creek on August 23, 1913, about 

one-fourth mile above its junction with Trail Creek. It was fastened 

to the right abutment of the Alaska Northern Kailway bridge. Gage 

readings were made until November 7, when the creek was reported 

as freezing up for the winter.

Discharge measurements of Falls Creek in 1913.

Date.

Aug. 17

Oct. 10

Aug. 17

Locality.

Lechner Ditch. 

.....do..................

Alaska Northern Ry. 

crossing.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

«35

« 14. 3

51

Date.

Aug. 23

Oct. 9

20

Locality.

Alaska Northern Ry.

crossing.

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.38

2.87

3.45

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

72

24

615.7

Includes flow of ditch. 6 Ice conditions.
KENAI PENINSULA. 121

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Falls Creek at railroad bridge 

near Roosevelt, Alaska, for 1918.

[Drainage area, 15 square miles. Joe Irvine, observer.)

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3....................................

4....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

It

14....................................

15....................................

16... .................................

17....................................

18....................................

la

20....................................

^a............ .........................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

Run-off (depth in inches on drainage 

area)...............................

Main'mirm... ....

Mitirmnm ,

August.

height.

3.20

3.38 

3.36 

3.38

3.30 

3.30 

3.20 

3.20 

3.10 

3.05

Discharge.

52 

52

50 

50

60 

70 

72 

69 

72

62 

62 

52 

52

42 

38

57.0 

3.80

2.12

72 

38 

B.

September.

Gage 

height.

3.00 

3.00 

2.95 

2.80 

2.80

2.80 

2.80 

2.75 

2.70 

2.68

2.65 

2.65 

2.60 

2.60 

2.60

2.50 

2.70 

2.65 

2.68 

2.70

2.70 

2.80 

3.50 

4.05 

4.75

3.80 

3.40 

3.25 

3.15 

3.10

Discharge.

34 

34 

30 

20 

20

20 

20 

18 

15 

14

13 

13 

11 

11 

11

9 

15 

13 

14 

15

15

20 

86 

173 

312

130

74 

57 

47 

42

43.5 

2.90

3.24 

312 

9 

C.

October. 

SB.

3.05 

2.80 

3.00 

3.00 

3.10

3.00 

2.95 

2.90 

2.88 

2.85

2.90 

2.86 

3.00

3.45

2.75 

2.75 

2.60 

2.60 

2.55

3.10 

2.90

Discharge.

 38 

20 

34 

34 

42

34 

30 

26 

25 

23

26 

24 

22 

20 

20

18 

18 

16 

16 

16

18 

18 

11 

11 

10

10 

10 

10 

20

42 

26

22.2

1.48

1.71 

42 

10 

C.

November.

4EL

2.85 

2.70 

2.65 

2.70 

2.68

2.65 

2.55

Discharge.

23 

15 

13 

15 

14

13

10

14.7 

.980

.26 

23 

10 

B.

NOTE. Gage heights affected by ice and discharge estimated Oct. 13-20,26-29.

GRANT CREEK.

Grant Creek, like Ptarmigan and Falls creeks, has its source in 

the western slope of the Kenai Mountains, northeast of Kenai Lake, 

and lies approximately parallel to them on the north of Falls Creek. 

It drains an area larger than either of these creeks and empties into 

Trail Creek in the rapid between the Upper and Lower Trail lakes. 

An important feature of the basin is Grant Lake, whose water surface is about 215 feet above Trail Lake. Its outlet is 1J miles from 

the mouth of the creek and it occupies a basin between the steep 

mountain slopes, approximately 5 miles long and one-half mile wide. 

Within a short distance from the outlet of the lake the creek de-
122 WATER POWEE IN SOUTH-CENTEAL ALASKA.

scends through a series of rapids and falls into a narrow box canyon, 

through which it flows the greater part of the way to its junction 

with Trail Creek.

Its concentrated fall and the availability of the lake as a storage 

reservoir are factors which make Grant Creek very attractive as a 

source of water power. It is roughly estimated, from the measurements below and by comparison with records on other streams, that 

at least 1,500 horsepower could be developed throughout the year 

at this site by utilizing storage; but without storage the low-water 

flow might not be sufficient to produce more than three or four hundred horsepower. Of course, on a hasty reconnaissance the feasibility of development can not be definitely determined, but certain 

schemes of suggested development may be very briefly discussed.

A plant might be built near the outlet of the lake, utilizing only 

the head furnished by the falls and rapids near this point. The 

power house would have to be located in a rather inaccessible deep 

canyon, and this would present some objectionable features.

A conduit diverting from the lake outlet to a point near the mouth 

of the creek would have to pass for a considerable distance along the 

almost perpendicular wall of a box canyon.

There are two low passes, one lying on each side of the lake outlet, through which it would be possible to divert water to a power 

house near the level of Trail Lake. The pass on the right is about 

1J miles above the outlet. At this point it is about 3,500 feet between the lakes, the summit of the dividing ridge being about 40 or 

50 feet above Grant Lake and 1,200 feet from it. A swamp 15 feet 

above the lake extends over half this latter distance. With the 

water level of the lake raised by a dam, it would be possible, with a 

combination of ditches, a tunnel, and a pipe line, to conduct the 

water to a power plant at the edge of Trail Lake at a comparatively 

low cost. The pass on the left of the outlet was not examined.

At the lake outlet it is estimated that a dam 20 feet high would 

have a length of 100 feet at the bottom and of 300 feet at the top. 

A higher dam would require considerable increase in the top length 

owing to the low slope of the left bank. The foundation would be 

of rock.

Only two discharge measurements were obtained on Grant Creek, 

and the results appear below.

Discharge measurements of Grant Creek in 1913.

Date.

Oct. 9...........................................................................

Oct. 18..........................................................................

Locality.

...do......

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

155

84
KENAI PENINSULA. 123 

TRAIL CREEK.

The rapid between Upper and Lower Trail lakes, into which 

Grant Creek discharges, is about one-fourth mile long and has a fall 

of 8 or 10 feet. A dam raising the Upper Lake 10 feet could be 

built on a very favorable site, and its length would not exceed 150 

feet. The water could be easily diverted around the rapids in a 

canal. Such a reservoir would overflow several miles of the track 

of the Alaska Northern Railway, and so might not prove feasible.

QUARTZ CREEK.

Quartz Creek drains a compact area of 104 squ&re miles lying 

north of Kenai Lake. Its main valley extends from the mouth of 

the creek, which is 4 miles from the outlet of Kenai Lake, in a northeasterly direction to the point at which it merges with that of Canyon Creek, the two valleys constituting a low pass from Kenai Lake 

to Turnagain Arm. Near this pass Quartz Creek valley makes a 

sharp turn up into the mountain on the southeast. Although the 

creek has much grade in this upper portion, the tributary drainage 

is too small to meet a demand for large power. From the pass to 

Devil Creek, a distance of 4 miles, the creek falls 500 feet, and from 

that point to the mouth, a distance of 6 miles, the fall is about 300 

feet. In this lower portion the creek meanders through a wide flat 

valley for much of the way, and power development would be impracticable, but in the upper part the valley is narrow and the 

stream is confined to one channel. Here the conditions are more 

favorable. This section of the creek has the disadvantage of having 

no means of increasing the storage upon it.

The principal tributaries of Quartz Creek are Devil and Lost 

creeks. The former comes in from the northwest; its grade is 

steep, but its drainage area is too small to make it a very dependable 

source of water supply. Lost Creek rises in Lost Lake, which lies 

north of Kenai Lake and at an elevation about 800 feet above it. 

From the lake outlet it flows northwest and then swings around 

to the southwest, to its junction with Quartz Creek, about 2 miles 

from Kenai Lake. Lost Creek has a heavy grade over nearly its 

whole length, which is about 6 miles, and 1-J miles from its mouth 

there are falls. Lost Lake is 7 miles long and one-half mile wide 

and bends almost into a semicircle, with the convex side to the 

south. The outlet is wide and the banks are low. On the south 

it is about 2 miles through a low pass from Lost Lake to Kenai 

Lake. At its upper end there is a low pass to the head of Carter 

Creek, a short tributary of Upper Trail Lake from the south. If 

power development were contemplated from the water of Lost 

Lake, these passes are worthy of investigation as points of diversion. 

Short tunnels through the dividing ridges would probably be neces-
124 WATER POWEE IN SOTJTH-CENTBAL ALASKA.

sary for such a project. One discharge measurement was made on 

Lost Creek. The result appears in the list of miscellaneous discharge 

measurements on page 128.

A gage was installed on Quartz Creek on August 24, 1913, at the 

bridge just above Fairman's cabin, about 7 miles from the mouth 

and 1 mile above Devils Creek. The gage-height record was kept 

until November 7, when the creek was reported as freezing up. 

The results are given below.

Discharge measurements of Quartz Creek at Fairman's cabin in 1913.

Date. Gage 

height .

Feet. 

3.43

3.19

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

83.6

58.1

Date.

Oct. 18. ......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.09

Discharge.

Sec.-fi. 

46.2

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Quartz Creek at Fairman's cabin 

near Roosevelt, Alaska, for 1913.

[Drainage area, 30 square miles. Emmet W. Shields, observer.]

Day.

1....... .............................

2....................................

3....................................

4....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

Mean discharge. .....................

Second-feet per square mile ..........

Run-ofl (depth in inches on drainage 

area). . .............................

August.

Gage 

height.

3.43 

3.43

3.40 

3.45 

3.50 

3.45 

3.43 

3.30

Discharge.

82 

82

78 

85 

92 

85 

82 

66

81.5 

2.72

.81 

92 

66 

B.

September.

Gage 

height.

3.30 

3.27 

3.25 

3.20 

3.18

3.19 

3.18 

3.12 

3.12 

3.10

3.10 

3.10 

3.10 

3.10 

3.10

3.08 

3.08 

3.05 

3.05 

3.05

3.05 

3.05 

3.40 

3.75 

3.75

3.65 

3.60 

3.50 

 3.45 

3.40

Discharge.

66 

63 

61 

56 

54

55 

54 

50 

50 

48

48

48 

48 

48 

48

46 

46 

44 

44 

44

44 

44 

78 

135 

135

117 

108 

92 

85

78

64.6 

2.15

2.40 

135 

44 

B.

October.

Gage 

height.

3.35 

3.30 

3.30 

3.40 

3.40

3.35 

3.30 

3.30 

3.28 

3.25

3.20 

3.28 

3.32 

3.40

3.15 

3.18 

3.10 

3.20 

3.18

3.12 

3.10 

3.10 

3.10 

3.08

3.08

3.10 

3.05 

3.30 

3.35

Discharge.

72 

66 

66

78 

78

72 

66 

66 

64 

61

56 

52 

52 

52 

52

52 

54 

48 

56 

54

50

48 

48 

48 

46

46 

48 

48 

44 

66 

72

57.5 

1.92

2.21 

78 

44 

B.

November.

Gage 

height.

3.30 

3.25 

3.20 

3.20 

3.19

3.15 

3.15

Discharge.

66 

61 

56 

56 

55

52 

52

56.9 

1.90

.49 

66

'f

NOTE. Gage heights affected by ice and discharges estimated Oct. 12-15 and 27.
KENAI PENINSULA. 125 

JUNEAU CREEK.

Juneau Creek flows almost due south from its source to its junction 

with Kenai River, 2 miles below Coopers Landing. Its basin presents an example of the typical hanging valley of this section. The 

upper part of its basin is comparatively broad and flat and it is 

locally called Juneau Flat, but about 2 miles from its mouth the 

stream plunges-in a series of cataracts into a deep canyon, and 

when it emerges continues with an increased grade to its mouth. 

In the vicinity of the canyon the stream drops about 175 feet within 

one-fourth mile.

Juneau Lake is about 5 miles from the mouth. It is a small 

body of water and oilers little opportunity for storage. The right 

side of the outlet rises abruptly but on the left the bank has a long 

gradual slope.

From 500 to 1,000 horsepower could probably be developed at 

the canyon from about the first of May until the last part of October, but the minimum flow in the winter might not be sufficient to 

produce more than one dr two hundred horsepower. A record of 

two measurements made on Juneau Creek is given in the list of miscellaneous discharge measurements (p. 128).

COOPER CREEK.

Cooper Creek heads against Resurrection River and flows generally in a northwesterly direction to Kenai River, which it joins 2 

miles below Coopers Landing. It rises in Cooper Lake about 5 miles 

from its mouth, and through most of its course it occupies a deep 

rock canyon cut in a broad glacial valley.

Cooper Lake is 6 miles long and about one-half mile in average 

width. It lies just over a high ridge from the lower end of Kenai 

Lake and its elevation is about 650 feet higher. Near the outlet the 

creek has a series of falls, and it is estimated that in a distance of 2 

miles it drops 500 feet. That amount of fall would be sufficient to 

develop about 40 horsepower per second-foot of discharge, with an 

efficiency of 70 per cent at the wheel. Discharge measurements of 

Cooper Creek are shown on page 128. They are insufficient to make an 

estimate of the power capacity of the stream, but they indicate that 

probably at least 1,000 horsepower could be developed for 5 or 6 

months of the year. In the winter the minimum flow might not be 

sufficient to produce more than 200 to 300 horsepower unless storage 

could be obtained. At the outlet of the lake the banks are low, so 

that a long dam would have to be built in order to raise the level of 

the lake.

Stetson Creek, the principal tributary, enters Cooper Creek about 

3 miles from its mouth. Hydraulic mining was formerly carried on
126 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

extensively in the stream flat near the mouth of Cooper Creek. The 

water was supplied from Stetson, Wildhorse, and Kickinghorse 

creeks. A high-line ditch diverts from Stetson Creek and carries 

along the mountain slope for 4 miles, then dropping to a lower ditch, 

through which the water flows for If miles and finally it passes 

through about 1,300 feet of flume.

RUSSIAN RIVER.

Russian River drains a long, flat glacial valley which, at its head, 

meets that of the main valley of Resurrection River and forms a low 

pass between the two drainage basins. Russian River is tributary 

to Kenai River about 6J miles below Coopers Landing. There are 

two lakes in its basin, called, respectively, the Upper and Lower 

Russian lakes. The Upper Lake is 5 miles long and one-third of a 

mile wide, and is approximately 600 feet above sea level. Its outlet 

is said to afford a good site for a storage dam. From the Upper Lake 

Russian River flows first northwestward and then bends gradually 

to the north to its entrance into the Lower Lake, a distance of 6 

miles. In the upper part of this stretch the stream meanders through 

low, buttelike hills which occupy the valley bottom, but in the low 

part the valley is simply a wide, swampy tundra flat. There is but 

little fall between the lakes.

The Lower Lake is the smaller of the two, being but 2 miles long 

and little more than one-fourth of a mile wide. Its elevation is estimated at 500 feet above sea-level. The outlet is wide and the banks 

are comparatively low. From the outlet of this lake the river flows 

2 miles to its mouth and drops 170 feet. A large part of this fall is 

concentrated near the lake outlet.

Power development between the lakes is impracticable, but on the 

lower river a large part of the fall could undoubtedly be utilized.

Russian River drains an area sufficiently large to yield a very 

dependable water supply throughout the summer, and if further 

storage could be developed on the lakes the river would afford an 

excellent opportunity for power development. The minimum flow 

during the period covered by the records below was 57 second-feet. 

Under a head of 170 feet that flow would develop 769 horsepower, 

with an efficiency of 70 per cent at the wheel. Without storage the 

winter flow might not be sufficient to produce more than 25 per cent 

as much.

A gage was installed on Russian River on August 20, 1913, at a 

point about one-eighth mile above the mouth. The gage readings 

are somewhat broken. The final reading was made October 31. 

The discharge at the mouth does not differ very much from that at 

the outlet of the Lower Lake, for the tributary drainage between the
KENAI PENINSULA. 127

two points is small. One discharge measurement was made of 

Russian River at the Lower Lake outlet and the result appears on 

page 128.

Discharge measurements of Russian River at the mouth in 1913.

Date.

Aug. 20.......... ............

Oct.3. .......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.60

3.84

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

123

231

Date.

Oct.6. .......................

22.......................

height.

Feet. 

3.92

3.52

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

259

95.7

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Russian River at mouth, for 1913. 

y [Drainage area, 60 square miles. C. I. Olsen, observer.]

Day.

1.....................................................

2.....................................................

3.....................................................

4.....................................................

5.....................................................

6.....................................................

7.....................................................

8........ ............. ..................................

9.....................................................

10.....................................................

11.....................................................

12.....................................................

13.....................................................

14.....................................................

15.....................................................

16.....................................................

17.....................................................

18.....................................................

10

20.....................................................

21.....................................................

22............... .................................... .

23.....................................................

24.. .................................................. .

25.....................................................

26.....................................................

97

28.....................................................

29.....................................................

30.....................................................

31.....................................................

TWinimnm _____________________

August.

Gage 

height.

3.60

3.61 

3.64 

3.68 

3.66 

3.63

3.63 

3.63 

3.62

3.60

Discharge.

120

124 

136 

152 

144 

132

132 

132 

128 

124 

120 

115

130 

2.17 

.97 

3,090 

152 

115 

B.

September.

Gage 

height.

3.55

3.48

3.45 

3.45 

3.45

3.40

3.36 

3.36

3.36 

3.36 

3.36 

3.36

3.36 

3.36 

3.44 

3.68 

4.12

4.30 

4.27 

4.16 

4.05 

3.95

Discharge.

115 

110 

105 

95 

85

78 

78 

78 

75 

70

65 

62 

60 

57 

57

57 

57 

57 

57 

57

 57 

57 

75 

152 

384

510 

489 

412 

340 

282

141 

2.35 

2.62 

8,390 

510 

57 

B.

October.

Gage 

height.

3.91 

3.86 

3.84

3.96

3.92

3.87 

3.84

3.52

3.49 

3.75

Discharge.

260 

235 

225 

250

288

266 

240 

225 

225 

225

200 

200 

175 

175 

150

150 

125 

125 

125 

100

100 

96 

94 

94 

90

90 

90 

88 

88 

182 

180

166 

2.77 

3.19 

10,200 

288 

88 

C.

NOTE. Discharge interpolated for days on which gage heights are missing. 

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The results of miscellaneous discharge measurements made in the 

basin of Kenai River in 1913 are shown in the table following.
128 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Miscellaneous discharge measurements in Kenai River drainage basin in 1913.

Date.

Oct. 17

6

24

Aug. 21

21

24

Aug. 20

Stream and locality.

.....do.........................................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

61

103

58

35

137

210

104

132

Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles. 

22

63

63

8

35

47

47

55

Discharge 

per

mile.

Sec.-ft. . 

2.79

1.63

.92

4.39

3.91

4.47

2.21

2.40

SIXMILE CREEK DRAINAGE BASIN.

GENEKAL FEATUEES.

Sixmile Creek drains an area of 258 square miles and enters Turnagain Arm about 16 miles from its head, at Sunrise. It is formed 

by the union of two large branches, East Fork and Canyon, about 9 

miles from Sunrise. The basin is characterized by rugged mountains, 

many of which are between 4,000 and 5,000 feet in elevation. Most 

of the streams flow in narrow, steep valleys. A few small glaciers 

are found at the higher elevations.

From "the forks" to Sunrise, Sixmile Creek has a fall of about 325 

feet. There are several rapids, and good dam sites exist at several 

places. The East Fork and its tributaries are admirably adapted 

topographically for power development. They have an abundance of 

rapids, falls, and dam sites. (See PL XV, A, p. 100.) The objection to 

it is the fact that its winter flow would be very small and there are no 

available reservoir sites of an ample size for increasing it. There is 

a small lake at the head of Bench Creek in Johnson Pass, but it would 

require a long dam to increase its storage, and the effect it could have 

upon the control of the stream woulo! be slight.

Canyon Creek has a drainage area of 100 square miles at its mouth, 

in contrast to the East Fork, which has 117 square miles. Canyon 

Creek and its tributaries closely resemble the East Fork in character. 

About 8 miles from "the forks" Mills Creek, which has been an important placer mining stream in the past, branches off to the east. 

It has a very steep grade, but there are no storage sites on it. 

(See PL XVIII, A, p. 115.) Its summer flow is large, but in the fall the 

decreasing temperature reduces it to a mere rivulet. Juneau Creek 

is a tributary of Mills Creek, from which water has been obtained for 

hydraulic mining. Canyon Creek heads in two small lakes, called 

Upper and Lower Summit lakes, respectively, the former being the 

larger. No great storage could be obtained from either of these lakes.
KENAI PENINSULA. 129

SIXMILE CREEK AT SUNRISE.

A gage was installed on Sixmile Creek on August 27, 1913, on the 

left bank about one-half mile above the mouth, and was read twice 

each day until November 30. On December 2 the stream was 

reported as having frozen over except in the rapids.

The discharge measurements were made at a section of the stream 

opposite the Sunrise post office, about three-eighths of a mile below 

the gage. Very little drainage comes in between the two points.

Discharge measurements on Sixmile Creek at Sunrise in 1913.

Date.

Aug. 27. ......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.75

4 86

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

01.600

597

Date.

Sept. 25......................

Oct. 15.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

6.95

4.64

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

& 6, 150

503

o Boat measurement. & Float measurement.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Sixmile Creek at Sunrise for 1913. 

[Drainage area, 258 square miles. Adolph Lawson, observer.]

Day.

1..... ............................ ...

2...................... ..............

0

4.......... ..........................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

Q

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16............................. .......

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22. ...................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26..................... ...............

27....................................

28....................................

29

30....................................

31....................................

Minimum. ...................

August.

Gage 

height.

5.75 

5.55 

5.35 

5.25 

5.20

Discharge.

1,590 

1,270 

1,020 

920

870

1,130

4.38 

.81 

1,590 

870 

A.

September.

Gage 

height.

5.10 

5.00 

4.95 

4.90 

4.85

4.85 

4.80 

4.80 

4.75 

4.75

4.70 

4.70 

4.70 

4.70 

4.75

4.75 

4.75 

4.75 

4.85 

4.90

4.80 

4.90 

5.15 

5.65 

6.75

5.95 

5.65 

5.45 

5.30 

5.35

Discharge.

780 

700 

665 

630 

600

600 

570 

570 

545 

545

520 

520 

520 

520 

545

545 

545 

545 

600 

630

570 

630 

825 

1.420 

5,000

2,220 

1,420 

1,140 

970 

1,020

897 

3_. 48 

3.88 

5,000 

520 

A.

October.

Gage 

height.

5.30 

5.30 

5.15 

5.30 

5.25

5.15 

5.10 

5.05 

4.95 

4.90

4.80 

4.80 

4.70 

4.65 

4.70

4.70 

4.70 

4.65 

4.80 

4.70

4.65 

4.65 

4.65 

4.60 

4.60

4.50

4.75 

4.75 

4.60 

5.70 

5.30

Discharge.

970 

970 

825 

970 

920

825 

780 

740 

665 

630

570 

570 

520 

495 

520

520 

520 

495 

570 

520

495 

495 

495 

470 

470

430 

545 

545 

470 

1,500 

970

661 

2.56 

2.95 

1,500 

430 

A.

November.

Gage

5.25 

5.10 

5.00 

4.95 

4.85

4.80 

4.75 

4.65 

4.75 

4.85

4.80 

4.65 

4.60 

4.60 

4.55

4.50 

4.70 

4.80 

4.95 

5.25

5.20 

5.35 

5.55 

5.85 

5.95

6.15 

6.40 

6.90 

7.30 

7.50

Discharge.

1,020 

780 

700 

665 

600

570 

545 

495 

545 

600

. 570 

495 

470 

470 

450

430 

450 

450 

450 

450

450 

430 

430 

430 

430

430 

430 

400 

400 

400

514 

1.99 

2.22 

1,020 

400 

A.

NOTE. Gage heights affected by ice and discharges estimated Nov. 17-30, 

97891° WSP 372 15 9
130 WATEK POWEK IN SOUTH-CENTKAL ALASKA.

MILLS CREEK 2 MILES ABOVE MOUTH.

On August 25, 1913, a gage was installed on Mills Creek, about 

2 miles above the mouth, just below the footbridge near Schmesar's 

cabin. Gage readings were made until November 2, when the creek 

froze up. Only two discharge measurements were obtained. The 

error of the mean monthly discharges is probably within 15 per cent.

Discharge measurements on Mills Creek 2 miles above mouth in 1913.

Date.

Aug. 25.... .........................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.48

3.02

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

140

76.7

Daily gage height, infect, and discharge, in second-feet, of Mills Creek 2 miles above mouth

for 1913.

[Drainage area, 25 square miles. Herman Schmesar, observer.]

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25........................:...........

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29...................................

30..................................;.

31....................................

Second-feet per square mile .........

Run-off (depth in inches on drainage 

area). . ...........................

Minimum......... .

Accuracy....................... .

August.

Gage 

height.

3.50

3.45 

3.60 

3.45 

3.30 

3.25 

3.20

Discharge.

143

136 

157 

136 

115

108l 

101

128 

5.12

1.33 

143 

101 

C.

September.

Gage 

height.

3.15 

3.10 

3.05 

3.00 

3.00

2.95 

2.95 

2.90

2.88 

2.88

2.85 

2.82 

2.85 

2.80 

2.80

2.80 

2.80 

2.80 

2.83 

2.80

2.80 

2.83 

3.25 

3.50 

3.90

3.80 

3.40 

3.20 

3.20 

3.20

Discharge.

94

87 

81 

75 

75

69 

69 

63 

61 

61

58 

55 

58 

53 

53

53 

53 

53 

56 

53

53 

56 

108 

143 

203

187 

129 

101 

101 

101

82.1 

3.28

3.66 

203 

53 

C.

October.

Gage 

height.

3.10 

3.10 

3.00 

3.10 

3.10

3.20 

2.98 

2.93 

2.90

2.82

2.82

2.89 

2.80 

2.78 

2.75 

2.73

2.72 

3.10

2.85

Discharge.

87 

87 

75 

87 

87

101 

73 

67 

63 

55

55 

55 

55 

50 

50

45 

45 

45 

45 

50

62 

53 

51 

48 

46

45 

45 

45 

45 

87 

58

60.1 

2.40

2.77 

101 

45 

C.

November.

Gage 

height.

2.78 

2.70

Discharge.

51 

43

NOTE. Gage heights and discharges (estimated) affected by ice Oct. 12-20 and 26-28.
KENAI PENINSULA. 131

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

A gage was installed on Canyon Creek just above the mouth, of 

Mills Creek, but efforts to secure readings were not successful. The 

discharge measurements made at this point appear in the following 

list. -il

One measurement was made of Juneau Creek above all ditch 

diversions.

Miscellaneous discharge "measurements in Sixmile Creek valley in 1913.

Date.

Aug. 25

Oct. 14

Aug. 25

Stream and locality.

".....do.........................................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

«60

44

23

Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles. 

28

28

28

4.4

Discharge 

per 

square

mile.

Sec.-ft.

3 91

2

10

1.56

5.23

o Includes flow of ditch diverting from Fresno Creek. 

RESURRECTION CREEK DRAINAGE BASIN.

The Resurrection Creek drainage basin lies generally parallel to 

that of Sixmile Creek, and the principal difference in the topography 

of the two is that the mountains of the former are more smoothly 

rounded than those of the latter. The area of the drainage basin is 

157 square miles.

Resurrection Creek flows northward and empties into Turnagain 

Arm at Hope, about 8 miles west of Sunrise. About 1 mile from its 

inouth the creek emerges from its narrow valley into a wide, gravelfloored flat. The valley bottom ascends gradually up to an elevation 

of 1,600 feet at a point 16 miles from the mouth of the creek. There 

is a good opportunity for developing power on the stream in the 

summer. There are no storage reservoir sites or lakes in the basin. 

Hydraulic mining has been carried on quite extensively on the stream.

The following discharge measurement was made on the stream 

above Gold Gulch on August 8, 1913: Discharge, 120 second-feet; 

drainage area, 105 square miles; discharge per square mile, 1.14 

second-feet.

POWER PLANT OP THE SEWARD LIGHT & POWER CO.

The Seward Light & Power Co. operates a hydroelectric plant 

on Lowell Creek and supplies the city of Seward with light and 

power. The United States Geological Survey is indebted to Mr. S. M. 

Graff, the president and manager of the company, for the following 

information concerning this plant and its operation.
132 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

The Seward light & Power Co. was incorporated in November, 

1905, and was first operated December 1, 1905. Except for a stop 

of four days hi December, 1910, caused by frazil, and occasional 

stops on Sunday afternoons for washing the plant and cleaning machinery, the operation has been practically continuous since the 

date of starting. Commencing with the short days in the late fall, 

it has been the policy of the management to run without making 

any stops. The longest period of incessant operation of the plant 

is 98 days, a very creditable record.

The equipment consists of an Allis-Chalmers (Bullock) alternating-current generator, of 225-kilowatt capacity, operated by a Pelton 

wheel under a head of 360 feet. The water is supplied from Lowell 

Creek by a line of 12-inch pipe 9,000 feet in length.

It was Mr. Graff's opinion that Lowell Creek will supply the needs 

of a city considerably larger than Seward is at present,, When the 

demand exceeds the possible output of the present plant the head 

can be increased by moving the intake farther up the creek. At 

times a dam built impervious down to the bedrock would be of value 

in increasing the available water supply.

Two serious problems identified with winter operation of waterpower plants on the southwestern Alaska coast are introduced by 

snowslides and frazil. In the coastal regions the heavy snowfall 

accumulates on the precipitous mountain slopes in such masses that 

it finally becomes unstable and starts to slide; in sliding the mass 

gathers up acres more of snow on the mountainside, and when it 

reaches the bottom of the narrow valley it often fills it scores of 

feet in depth. Such slides occur several times during] a winter on 

Lowell Creek. At one time in the early history of the plant a slide 

came down upon a former site of the intake house, destroying it. and 

killing an employee who happened to be there at the time. The 

intake was then removed to a point where the topography was such 

as to guard against the recurrence of such a catastrophe.

On a stream like Lowell Creek the effect of a snowslide is to dam 

up the creek and cut down the water, and when all the available 

water is required by the plant the result is a more or less serious 

reduction of, the voltage. Experience has shown that this usually 

lasts from 10 to 45 minutes. A factor which determines to a large 

extent the seriousness of the effect is the proximity of the slide to 

the pipe intake, for obviously a temporary damming of the stream 

near the intake will reduce the flow more than if it is at a distance.

Mr. Graff has had considerable experience with frazil and an account 

of it will be of interest. The most serious trouble from frazil occurred 

December 8-17, 1910. The weather was favorable for its formation, and the creek was not frozen over. When the ice began to
KENAI PENINSULA. ' 133

form, the screen at the intake was removed, for otherwise the ice 

froze to it and shut off the flow. The ice needles which permeated 

the water entered the pipe and gradually froze in a coat on the 

interior surface. As this coat became thicker it reduced the crosssection through which water could flow up to the point when the 

pressure available at the plant was insufficient for running the wheel. 

The plant was shut down and the water was drained out of the pipe. 

Finally, when the creek water became warmer, it was admitted 

again and gradually cut out the ice. The ice was hard and flinty 

and broke off in pieces too large for passage through the 3-inch 

nozzle, so that was removed. The ice then came through in large 

chunks and the shock on the pipe and wheel was tremendous.

To prevent such occurrences the following procedure has been 

adopted: Temperatures of the water are taken at the plant twice 

each day at noon and at midnight. When the temperature is 

found to be approaching dangerously near 32° F., the intake screen 

is removed and the frazil is allowed unobstructed admission to the 

pipe. Usually the formation of the frazil lasts but a short time and 

the ice does not freeze on the inside of the pipe to a dangerous thickness before the water becomes warmer and thaws it away. However, if conditions do not change and the ice continues to accumulate inside the pipe, when it has reached a thickness estimated at 

about 2 or 3 inches since a thickness greater than this would make 

chunks of ice too large to pass through the nozzle the water 

is shut off. It is not permitted to enter again until it becomes 

warm enough to cut out the ice. Experience has shown that frazil 

very infrequently forms for more than a few hours, and by taking 

these precautions shutdowns of the plant because of it are of very 

short duration and occur much more infrequently.

Water temperatures have been taken at this plant for a number 

of years, and since such data are scarce, and also because they are 

of peculiar interest in illustrating one of the problems of Alaskan 

water-power development, they are here published.
134 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Water temperatures, in degrees Fahrenheit, at power plant of Seward Light & Power Co.,

1908-1913.

Day.

1908. 

1.....................................................

2.....................................................

3.....................................................

4.. ...................................................

5.....................................................

6.....................................................

7.....................................................

8... ..................................................

10.....................................................

11.....................................................

12.....................................................

13.....................................................

14.....................................................

15.....................................................

16.....................................................

17.....................................................

18.....................................................

H9.... .................................................

20.....................................................

21.....................................................

22.....................................................

23.....................................................

24.....................................................

25.....................................................

26.....................................................

27.....................................................

28.....................................................

29.....................................................

30.....................................................

31.....................................................

October.

Noon.

35 

34

34 

35 

35

34 

34

Midnight.

36 

34

35 

35 

35 

34 

35 

35

November.

Noon.

35 

34 

34 

34 

34

34 

35 

35 

34 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

37 

35 

36

36

35 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

37

Midnight.

34 

33 

34 

34 

34

34 

35 

35 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36

38

37 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

December.

Noon.

36 

36 

36

36

35

36 

36

35 

35 

34J 

34 

34

34 

36 

36 

36 

36

36

36 

33 

34 

34 

36 

36

Midnight.

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

35 

35 

36 

36

35 

35 

35

34

35 

36 

36 

36 

35

35 

36 

36 

34 

36

35 

33 

34 

35 

36 

36
Water temperatures, in degrees Fahrenheit, at power plant of Seward Light 

Day.

1909. 

1......................

2......................

3......................

4......................

5......................

6... ...................

7......................

8......................

9......................

10......................

11......................

12......................

13......................

14......................

15......................

16......................

17......................

18......................

19......................

20......................

21......................

22......................

23......................

24......................

25......................

26......................

27......................

28......................

29......................

30......................

31......................

January.

Noon.

36 

34 

35 

36 

35

34 

35 

35 

34 

35

35 

35 

34 

34 

33

34 

33 

34 

34 

34

34 

34 

34 

34 

34

34 

34 

34 

34 

 34 

34

Midnight.

35 

35 

35 

35 

35

35 

35 

35 

34 

34

35 

35 

34 

34 

34

34 

34 

34 

34 

34

34 

34 

34 

35 

34

34 

34 

34 

35 

34 

34

February.

Noon.

34 

35 

36 

35 

34

34 

35 

33 

34 

35

35 

34 

35 

34 

34

35 

36 

36 

33 

34

34 

34 

35 

35 

35

36 

35 

35

Midnight.

34 

35 

35 

35 

34

33 

35 

35 

34 

35

35 

35 

35 

35 

35

35 

36 

36 

33 

34

34 

34 

35 

35 

35

35 

35 

34

March.

Noon.

34 

34 

34 

34 

35

36 

36 

35 

36 

35

35 

36 

36 

34

36

36 

36 

36* 

35 

34

36 

35 

34 

35

36

34 

31

36 

36 

36

Midnight.

34 

34

34 

35

35 

34 

35 

35 

34

35 

35 

35 

35 

35

35 

36 

34 

34 

35

35 

35 

34 

36 

35

33 

35 

36 

35 

35 

35

April.

Noon.

36 

35 

35 

35 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36

36

36 

37 

37

37

38

37 

37 

36 

38 

37

Midnight.

35 

35 

35 

35 

35

35 

35 

35 

36 

36

36 

36 

35 

35 

35

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

35 

35 

35 

36

35 

36 

36 

36 

34

May.

Noon.

37 

36 

37 

38 

37

37 

38 

37 

36 

37

37 

38 

38 

38 

36

37 

38 

39 

38 

37

36 

37

38

38

39 

39

38

38

Midnight.

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

37 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

37

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

37 

37 

37 

37 

36 

36

June.

Noon.

38 

38 

38 

38 

37

37 

38 

37 

37 

38

38 

40 

38

38 

38

38 

38 

38 

38 

38

40 

38 

40 

38 

40

39

40 

39 

40

Midnight.

36 

36 

36 

36 

37

36 

38 

36 

36 

37

36 

37 

37 

37 

37

37 

37 

37 

37

36

37 

37 

37 

37 

37

38 

37 

38 

37 

37

July.

Noon.

38 

40 

40 

39 

39

38 

38 

40 

40 

38

39 

39 

39 

40 

41

42 

42 

38 

41 

41

40 

41 

39 

39 

39

39 

42 

40 

39 

40 

42

Mi

nig
Water temperatures, in degrees Fahrenheit, at power plant of Seward Light 

Day.

1910. 

1......................

2......................

3......................

4......................

5......................

6......................

7......................

8......................

9......................

10......................

11......................

12......................

13......................

14......................

15......................

16......................

17......................

18......................

19......................

20......................

21......................

22......................

23......................

24......................

25......................

26......................

27......................

28......................

29......................

30

31......................

1911. 

1......................

2......................

January.

Noon

33 

34 

34} 

35 

36

36 

33} 

33} 

34 

34

33 

34 

34 

34 

34

34 

34 

34 

33} 

34

34} 

34 

34 

34 

35

34 

34 

34 

35 

34 

34

35 

35

Midnight.

34 

35 

34 

36 

35

35 

34 

33 

34 

33

34 

34 

34 

35 

34

34 

34 

34 

34 

34

35 

34 

34 

34 

35

35 

35 

35 

34 

34 

34

34 

35

February.

Noon.

34 

34

34 

35

35

s35 

35

35 

35 

35 

35 

35

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

35 

35} 

35 

35} 

35

35} 

35 

35}

34 

34

Midnight.

34 

35 

35 

34 

35

35 

35 

35 

35 

35

35 

34} 

34} 

34} 

35

35} 

35 

35} 

35} 

35}

35 

35 

34} 

34} 

35

35 

34 

35}

34 

34

March.

Noon.

35} 

35} 

35 

35 

35

35 

35 

35 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

35

Midnight.

34} 

34} 

34 

34} 

34

34} 

35

35

35}

3f> 

3o} 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

35} 

35 

35} 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36 

36}

35 

34

April.

Noon.

36 

36

36 

37

36 

36 

35 

35

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

37 

37

36

37 

37 

33 

37 

37

36 

36

Midnight.

37 

36 

36 

36 

35}

36 

36 

35 

35 

35}

35} 

35 

35* 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

35} 

36 

36

35 

36

May.

Noon.

36 

36 

36

36 

37

36 

37

37 

36 

36

37 

36 

36 

36 

37

36 

36 

37 

37

38

37 

38 

38 

37} 

37

36 

36

Midnight.

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

35 

35} 

36 

35} 

36

36 

36

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36

36 

36} 

36 

36 

36

35 

35

June.

Noon.

36} 

36 

36 

38

37 

37

38

38 

38

38 

38 

37

38 

37 

38 

37 

37

37 

38 

38 

38 

37

38 

38 

38 

38

37 

37

Midnight.

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

37 

36 

37

36 

38 

37 

37 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

37

36 

36 

36 

37 

37

35 

35

July.

Noon.

38 

38

38 

38

38 

39 

38 

38 

38

38 

40 

39 

39 

38

39

38 

38 

38

38 

40 

40

40

41 

40 

40 

41 

40

38

Mi

nig

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Water temperatures, in degrees Fahrenheit, at power plant ofSeward Light 

Day.

1912 Contd . 

16......................

17......................

18......................

19......................

20......................

21......................

22......................

23......................

24......................

25......................

26......................

27......................

28......................

29......................

30......................

31......................

1913. 

1....... ...............

2......................

3......................

4......................

5......................

6......................

7......................

8......................

9......................

10......................

11......................

12......................

13......................

14......................

15......................

16......................

17......................

January.

Noon.

34 

36 

36 

36 

35

36 

36 

35 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

34 

34 

35 

35 

35

33 

33 

34 

34 

34

35

35 

34 

34 

34

34 

34

Midnight.

35 

35 

35 

35 

35J

36 

35 

35 

36 

36

36 

36 

35 

35 

35 

36

33 

34 

35 

35 

35

34 

34 

35 

35 

35

35 

34 

34 

34 

34

34 

34

February.

Noon.

36 

36 

36 

36 

35

35 

33

34 

35

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

35 

34

35 

35 

35 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

35

Midnight.

35 

36 

35 

34 

34

33 

33 

35 

34 

35

35 

34 

35 

35

34 

34 

34 

33 

33

33 

33 

34 

34 

35

34 

35 

35 

35 

35

34 

35

March.

Noon.

36

35 

36 

36

37 

36 

36 

37 

37

37 

37 

38 

35 

36 

36

35 

35 

35 

36 

35

35 

36 

35 

36 

36

35 

34 

34 

36 

34

34 

34

Midnight.

34 

33 

35 

35 

35

35 

36 

36 

35 

35

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35

34 

33 

35 

34 

34

34 

35 

35 

35 

34

34 

34 

35 

33 

34

34 

35

April.

Noon.

37 

38 

38 

37 

38

39 

40 

40 

40 

38

38 

38

38 

40

36 

36 

35 

34 

35

36 

36 

36 

37 

37

37 

34 

36 

36 

36

36 

37

Midnight.

36 

36 

36 

36 

35

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

35 

34 

33 

33 

34

35 

35 

35 

34 

34

35 

34 

34 

33 

34

35 

35

May.

Noon.

39 

38 

40

39 

37 

37 

37

38 

38 

38 

38

"39"

38 

38 

38 

38 

38

38 

38 

39 

38 

39

39 

38 

38 

39

38 

37

Midnight.

36 

36 

37 

37 

36

37 

37 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

37 

36 

36

35 

35 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

36 

36

June.

Noon.

38 

40 

40 

40

38 

38 

38 

38 

40

40 

40 

39

38 

39 

40 

39 

39

39 

40

39

39 

40 

40 

39 

40

38 

38

Midnight.

37 

36 

37 

37 

37

37 

37 

37 

37 

37

37 

37 

37 

37

37

36 

36 

36 

36 

36

37 

37 

37 

37

37

37 

37 

37 

37 

37

37 

37

July.

Noon.

38 

39 

39 

40 

42

42 

42 

42

""39"

40 

42

40 

41 

40 

40 

41

40

40

42

41 

42 

41 

41

40 

40

Mi

nigh

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3
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Cn Cn Cn *- ft*. Oi Oi Cn Cn C« Cn 

COCOCOCOC COCOCOCOCOCO 

G CO CO CO CO COCOCOCOCOCO 

* CO en fU en tf^tf^t^cncncn 

cococ >co 

01*.- 1OS 

coco: co cocococo COCCCOCOMCO 

cncotl cn 

COCOi COCOCO* i CO CO CO 

OOOO> 000000' tO <» 00 

COCOC COCOCOCOCO COCOtfCOIMCO 

O9 CO *- 

10 oo o 

COCOCO tU 

ootooo o 

COCOCO COCOCOWCO 

oooooo oooooo'Xiao 

COCOCO CO 

 100 1 1 

tU lU CO CO CO *. 

i-'oooooooo

COCOCO COCOCOCOCO COCOCOCCUCO 

OOOOOO 100000000 0000 1003> 1 

. . 

Sl-'h-'OOO

, *. ilk. *- *. 

l-'H-'H-'O

COCOCOCOCOCO

i<o i i oooo 

COCOCOCOCO

tooooooooo

COCOCOCOCO 

OOtOOOOOOO

COCOCO COCOCOf^CO 

OOOOtO tOtOOOh-'OO 

COCOCOCOCO

en to 101 to 

COCOi COCOCO CO> 

 100- oooooo oi> 

COCOCO COCOCOCOCO COCOCOCOCO 

-j-j i ti*.a>o> 100 100 101*. 

68T
140 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA. 

WATER-POWER SITES.

The topography of the mountainous area of Kenai Peninsula, 

in common with that of most of the Alaskan coast, is favorable 

for water-power development. The water supply, as determined 

principally by the climate and the character and distribution of 

precipitation, is large in summer and fluctuates widely but is much 

less in winter. Usually the minimum flow of^ a stream determines 

the magnitude of the development which should be made upon it, 

and therefore a stream that has natural storage sites or that affords 

sites for artificial storage presents advantages not possessed by 

other streams, for its minimum flow and the possible capacity of 

the plant can thus be increased. There are many streams whose 

minimum flow would suflice for plants of 1,000 to 2,000 horsepower 

for the six-months' period from May 1 to October 31, but there are 

few if any streams whose flow would be adequate for the development 

of more than a few hundred horsepower in the other six months 

without storage. Such data as are available regarding these sites 

are included in the description of the basins in which they occur. 

Except in the Kenai Valley the streams of the peninsula afford few 

artificial storage sites. If winter power were demanded in excess 

of that which could be obtained from the natural flow of the stream, 

it would have to be supplied from some other source.

The several lakes of the Kenai Valley have some tendency to 

regulate the flow of the streams rising in them and furthermore the 

possibility of developing more storage upon them furnishes a means 

for increasing this regulatory effect. Dams could be constructed at 

any of the lake outlets, and at some of them the sites are exceptionally 

favorable. On Ptarmigan and Grant lakes dams which would hold 

in a rsservoir nearly the entire annual run-off from their tributary 

drainage areas could probably be constructed .at a reasonable expense. 

Thus the available power of the stream could be used at nearly a 

constant rate throughout the year, or it could be drawn upon as 

desired. (See pp. 114-128.) If winter power is desirable and the 

necessary expense is justified, the advantage of such a water supply 

over one obtained from the natural flow of a stream is obvious.

The feasibility of connecting the water powers of this valley 

into a single hydroelectric system could be determined only by extensive surveys and studies of the water supply; the available data are 

far too inadequate to warrant conclusions. The most important 

power sites in this valley lie within a radius of 15 miles. If storage 

was fully developed and power plants installed where practicable, 

their interconnection by electric transmission lines would furnish 

means for obtaining the maximum output of power from the available 

water supply and its most uniform distribution through the year. It
WILLOW CEEEK DISTRICT. 141

seems most probable that any market for power which is likely to 

materialize in this region would demand continuous power. The 

primary purpose of the reservoirs in this basin would be to replenish 

the flow and augment the power output from November 1 to April 30. 

Any excess of water could ^e utilized to increase the uniformity of the 

flow, if that were desired. The run-off available at the various 

plants, the amount of storage, and the potential value of the water 

stored in the different reservoirs as measured by the head through 

which it would act, would be the principal factors in determining 

the method of manipulating the plants or the release of water from 

the reservoirs. Even with storage reservoirs developed to their 

utmost capacity it seems probable that the output of power in summer 

could considerably exceed that of the winter.

The cost of construction, operation, and maintenance of 8 or 10 

power plants, such as this project would involve, would probably 

exclude it from the class of cheap power, and only great industrial 

growth in this region would warrant such a development. On the 

other hand, the construction presents no serious difficulties, and the 

region is easily accessible, so there is no reason to believe the cost 

would be prohibitive.

WILLOW CREEK DISTRICT.

GENERAL FEATTTBES.

Willow Creek district is the common designation of the area that 

includes the gold fields lying about 20 miles northeast of Knik, a 

settlement on Knik Arm of Cook Inlet. The district comprises 

about 90 square miles, and includes the divide between Little Susitna 

River and the South Fork of Willow Creek, a tributary of Susitna 

River. This divide is the southwestern extension of the Talkeetna 

Range, and lies approximately in longitude 149° 20' west and latitude 61° 40' north. Willow Creek, augmented by Grubstake Gulch 

and Wet Gulch from the south, and by a fork from the north formed 

by Peterson and Purches creeks, flows westerly out of the mountains 

and into the flat valley of Susitna River, which it joins about 35 

miles from the "mouth. Willow Creek is about 40 miles long from 

its mouth to its most remote sources. Grubstake Gulch has been a 

producer of placer gold in the past, but at present active mining 

operation in the Willow Creek basin is cojafined to the quartz claims 

of the Gold Bullion Mining Co. .

The topographic features of the district are varied. The northern part is characterized by steep, craggy mountains; the southern 

part is.occupied by the much less rugged ridge, known as Bald Mountain. Several of the peaks exceed 5,000 feet in elevation. The 

valleys are U-shaped, glacial troughs ranging in elevation from 1,500
142 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

to 3,500 feet. High up in these valleys the slopes are'heavily strewn 

with coarse glacial debris, broken rock, and talus. The large proportion of void spaces.in this formation affords an excellent reservoir 

for the summer water supply. Ice forms in these spaces during the 

winter, and by gradually thawing away in the summer it is an important factor in the distribution of stream flow at a time when it is 

of commercial value for the development of water power for the 

quartz mills. Practically all snow disappears during the summer. 

Small scattered glaciers lie at the head of Archangel Creek and a 

larger one at the head of the main branch of Little Susitna River.

A condition of considerable economic significance in the Willow 

Creek district is the scarcity of timber suitable either for fuel or for 

building. In the lower parts of the valleys of Willow Creek and 

Little Susitna River timber is plentiful and good, but on Willow 

Creek it does not extend above Wet Gulch and on the Little Susitna 

above a point about 2 miles below the mouth of Fishhook Creek. 

Alders and willows fringe the mountain sides to a considerably 

higher elevation, but they disappear some distance below the places 

at which the quartz mills have been installed. Mining timber and 

wood for fuel must be hauled 4 to 8 miles and up steep grades, and 

the cost of this haulage increases the cost of the wood to a degree 

which almost prohibits its use for fuel.

A Jiasty reconnaissance of the water supply of the Willow Creek 

district was made in September, and such data as were collected are 

here presented.

Four or five small gold lode mines are being worked in this district,1 

and the indications are favorable for further discoveries.

GAGING STATIONS AND MEASURING POINTS.

The points at which gaging stations were maintained or discharge 

measurements made on streams in the Willow Creek district in 1913 

are listed below, with numbers corresponding to those shown on 

Plate XIX.

1. Craigie Creek at Gold Bullion, mill.

2. Little Susitna River at mile 28.

3. Sidney Creek at lake outlet.

4. Fishhook Creek at mile 33£.

NOTE. Black-faced type indicates that daily estimates of discharge are available. 

CRAIGIE CREEK AT GOLD BULLION MILL.

Craigie Creek rises in the heart of the Willow Creek region and 

flows southwesterly about 7 miles to join Willow Creek near its head.

The mill of the Gold Bullion Mining Co. is on Craigie Creek about 

4 miles from its mouth. Water power is utilized for the operation

1 See Capps, 8. R., The Willow Creek district, Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 592, pp. 245-272,1914,
U. & GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XIX

149°3O

number refers to list 

'-- > Trail

3.49° 30' 149"05

MAP OF WILLOW CREEK DISTRICT SHOWING LOCATION OF GAGING STATIONS AND MEASURING POINTS.
WILLOW CREEK DISTRICT. 143

of the plant. A ditch about 1,000 feet long diverts from Craigie 

Creek to the mill, where it passes through a 12-inch turbine water 

wheel under a head of about 28 feet. The United States Geological 

Survey is indebted to the management of the company for a carefully 

kept weir record on the creek throughout the summer of 1913.

The weir was 10 feet long, sharp crested, of the Cippoletti type, 

and had end contractions. Readings were generally made three 

times a day at times closely approximating 7 a. m., 12 m., and 5 p. m. 

The discharges for each of these readings have been computed and 

appear with the readings below. During the early part of the season a marked daily fluctuation in the flow is shown, owing to the 

thawing of the snow and ice in the daytime. It is believed that as a 

general rule the flow increased up to about 6 p. m. and began to 

decrease about 7 p. m., reaching the daily minimum the next forenoon. The mean daily discharge shown in the following table was 

computed from the mean of the discharges at 7 a. m. and 5 p. m. 7 

but occasionally the discharge at noon was given some weight in the 

determination.

The water supply decreased to such an extent the last of August 

and first of September as to seriously handicap the operation of the 

mill. During this time it was possible to run but two of the seven 

stamps.

Height on weir, in inches, and discharge, in second-feet, of Craigie Creek at Gold Bullion

mill for 1913.

June. 

1.. ...........................................

2.............................................

3.............................................

4.............................................

6.............................................

6.............................................

7.............................................

8.............................................

9............................................. 10.............................................

11.............................................

12.............................................

13.............................................

14.............................................

16.............................................

16..........:......:...........................

17....... *.t.i.. ...............................

18....................... ......................

19.............................................

20.............................................

21.............................................

22.............................................

23.............................................

24.............................................

25.............................................

7 a. m.

Height.

7

Hi

llf

12£ 

12f 

14* 

15

12| 

HI

13|

14|

14*

13

14 

12i:

HI 111 111 111 111

Discharge.

14 

19 

24 

30

32 

35 

36

42 

46

33 

30 

36 

40 

38

44 

42 

41 

44 

36

30 

32 

 32 

31 

30

12m.

Height.

10 

HI

12|

12f 

13i

16*

14J 

12

10f

11* 

12 

HI 

1«

Discharge.

18 

19 

25 

32

34 

35 

51 

48 

44

36 

38 

40

53

54 

44 

42 

42 

33

27 

31 

33 

30 

32

5 p. m.

Height.

9i 

Hf

15f 

16 

' 17f

15*

13i 

14| 

15*

19|

18f 

18| 

16} 

15

13*

Discharge.

22 

31 

40 

44

48 

50 

58 

64 

48

40 

45

48

70

66 

64 

61 

54 

46

38 

48 

49 

47 

39

Mean discharge.

18 

18 

25 

32 

37

40

42 

47 

53 

47

36 

38 

42 

45 

54

55 

53 

51

49 

41

34 

40 

40 

39 

34
144 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CEKTRAL ALASKA.

Height on weir, in inches, and discharge, in second-feet, of Craigie Creek at Gold Bullion

mill for 1913 Continued.

June Continued.

27.............................................

28.............................................

30.............................................

July.

3... ..........................................

4.............................................

6............'..............-......-.-.........

7.............................................

g

10.............................................

11.............................................

12.............................................

13.............................................

14.............................................

15.............................................

16.............................................

17.............................................

18.............................................

19.............................................

21.............................................

22.............................................

23.............................................

24.............................................

25.............................................

26.............................................

27.............................................

28.............................................

30.............................................

August. 

1.. ..........................................

2............................................

3............................................

4............................................

5............................................

6............................................

7............................................

8............................................

9-.... ........................................

10............................................

11............................................

12............................................

13............................................

14. .........................................

15...........................................

13........................................

17...........................................

18...........................................

19...........................................

20...........................................

21.................................. ....

22...........................................

23...........................................

24...........................................

25...........................................

7 a. m.

Height.

8*

12i io|

71 

8i 

9 

101

4

15

Q3.

s

7f

6f 

61 

9i

«i

?

?»

7f 

8| 

74 

71

7 

6

68 

61

2

10| 

71

«1

SI

Discharge.

29 

29 

34 

27 

17

17 

19 

22 

28 

24

26 

20 

23 

17 

18

46 

24 

21 

22 

20

17 

15 

14 

12 

22

14 

16 

15 

13 

15

16 

19 

15 

16 

12 

11

11 

10 

10 

10 

9.2

15 

12 

11 

10 

12

10 

9.2

9

O 

. £i

8.2 

7.6

6.9 

6.6 

7.6 

20 

28

16 

13 

11 

10 

11

12m.

Height.

11

11J

11f 

7f

101

91

9f

9f

71

71

?

8

f

6f

8f 

8 

84 

64ef

61

51 

54 

5

<* 

6

5f 

54 

5f

51 

5 

5

4% 

4

7i 

58

Discharge.

29 

29 

32 24 ' 

17

16

27

24

23

22 

19 

23 

16

16

13 

12

14 

16 

14 

12 

14

20 

18 

18 

13 

12 

12

11 

10 

9.6 

9.2 

8.9

13 

12 

11 

9.2 

11

9.6 

8.9 

8.9 

7.9 

' 7.3

7.6 

6.3 

7.6 

41 

24

15 

12 

11 

10 

11

5 p. m.

Height.

12J 

124

Q3. «i

iif nf

121

12J

104

111

124 

9f 

12i 

9|

6f

9f

7f

6| 

6 

«i

5f 

5f

?

61 

6 

5i

5i 

54 

5

i it1

91

Discharge.

33 

43 

33 

23 

19

24 

30 

31 

33 

33

25 

23 

21 

28 

30

33 

23 

36 

23 

16

16 

16 

14 

12 

21

13

16 

14 

14 

14

23 

17 

21 

14 

12 

14

10 

10 

10 

10

12 

12 

12 

12 

10

10

9.2 

8.9 

7.9 

7.3

' '<? £ 

6.6 

7.9 

33 

24

15 

12 

11 

11 

11

Mean discharge.

31 

36 

34 

25 

18

20 

24 

26 

30 

28

26 

22 

22 

22 

24

40 

24 

28 

22 

18

16 

16 

14 

12 

22

14 

16 

14 

14 

14

20 

18 

18 

15 

12 

12

11 

10 

10 

10 

9.

14 

12 

12 

11 

11

10 

9. 

9. 

8.

7.

7. 

6. 

7. 

26 

26

16 

12 

11 

10 

11
WILLOW CREEK DISTRICT. 145

Height on weir, in inches, and discharge, in second-feet, of Craigie Creek at Gold Bullion

mitt for 1913 Continued.

A ugustr- Continued. 

26.........................................'...

27............................................

28............................................

29............................................

3D............................................

31............................................

September. 

1................... .........................

2............................................

3............................................

4............................................

5............................................

6............................................

7............................................

8............................................

10............................................

11............................................

12............................................

13............................................

14............................................

15............................................

16............................................

17............................................

18............................................

14

20............................................

21............................................

22............................................

23............................................

24............................................

25............................................

26............................................

27............................................

28............................................

29............................................

30............................................

7 a. m.

Height.

10

6|

?

4|

3f 

3&

S

it i»

21 

17J

1

4i

Discharge.

17 

50 

25

14

13 

11 

10 

8.9 

7.9

7.1 

6.6 

6.0 

5.7 

5.5

5.1 

4.3 

3.9 

3.6 

4.6

4.5 

5.0 

4.7 

4.2 

3.9

3.9 

3.7 

59

26 

19

4.7 

3.7

7.6

12m.

Height.

91 

16 

9f

6i

7|

1

4 

31 

31 

3J

31 

2ft 

2H 

3* 

3&

3i 

3

1

4* 

3

Discharge.

23 

50 

24

12 

16

11 

10 

8.5 

7.6

6.3 

6.0 

- 5.7 

5.2

5.0 

4.1 

4.1 

4.8 

4.6

4.5

4.7 

4.5 

4.2

3.7 

5.8 

40

7.1 

4.2

5 p. m.

Height.

HJ 

14

9f

7f 

6i

4| 

4

if

y3&

2H

m

11

10f

4 

21

Discharge.

29 

41 -24

16 

12

9.6

8.2 

7.6

6.9 

6.3 

5.9 

5.5

4.1

4.7 

4.6

4.5 

5.0 

4.5 

4.1

3.6

29 

26

6.3 

3.7

Mean discharge.

28 

46 

24 

18 

12 

15

12 

11

9.8 

8.6 

7.8

7.0 

6.4 

6.0 

5.6 

5.3

5.0 

4.2 

4.0 

4.2 

4.6

4.5 

4.9 

4.6 

4.2 

3.9

3.8 

10 

44 

26 

16

7.1 

4.2 

3.7 

3.7 

7.6

Monthly discharge of Craigie Creek at Gold Bullion mill for 1913. 

Drainage area 2.8 square miles.

Month.

July........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

55

40 

46 

44

Mrninnirm,

18 

12 

6.6 

3.7

Mean.

38.4 

20.1 

13.7 

8.32

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

13.7 

7.18 

489 

2.97

Run-off 

(depth in 

inches).

15.29 

8.28 

5.64 

3.31

Run-off 

in acrefeet.

2,280 

1,240 

842 

495

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

B. 

B.

LITTLE STTSITNA RIVER.

Little Susitna River rises in a glacier a few miles northeast of the 

Willow Creek region and flows in a general southwesterly direction 

to the point at which it is joined by Archangel and Fishhook creeks, 

97891° wsr 372 15 10
146 WATER POWER SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

which take the drainage opposite the head of Willow Creek and flow 

generally to the south and east. About 20 miles from its head the 

Little Susitna emerges from the hills and bends to the west, following 

the base of Bald Mountain, from which it receives many small streams. 

It continues on this course about 30 miles until it is well out into the 

flat, swampy valley of Susitna River, and then turns more to the 

south and 20 miles beyond enters Cook Inlet.

Two discharge measurements of the Little Susitna were made about 

14 miles from its head and 3 miles below the mouth of Fishhook 

Creek, at a point just above the highway bridge which crosses it about 

28 miles from Knik. Gage heights were obtained for a short period, 

but the measurements are insufficient for estimates of daily discharge.

Discharge measurements of Little Susitna River at "mile 28.

Date.

Sept. 10 ........................................................

height.

Feet. 

3.75

3.70

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

141

135

Drainage 

area.

Sq . miles. 

61

61

Discharge 

per 

square

mile.

Sec.-feet. 

2.31

2.21

Daily gage height, in feet, of Little Susitna River at mile 28 for 1913. 

[Drainage area, 61 square miles. Huie Goodell, observer.]

Day.

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6. .............

7..............

8. .............

9..............

10..............

Sept.

3.76

Oct.

3.80

........

Day.

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

'

Sept.

3.70

3.70

3.09

3.66

3.65

3.64

3.66

3.64

3.60

 3.60

Oct.

........

Day.

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27.............. 28. ...... ......:

29..............

30.............. 

31..............

Sept.

3.70

........

Oct.

........

ARCHANGEL CREEK.

Archangel Creek rises in the rugged mountains of the northern part 

of the Willow Creek district and flows in general to the south and east. 

Like all other streams in the vicinity, it has heavy grades and is well 

adapted for supplying power to run small mills when the water supply 

is sufficient. The water power is likely to be utilized, as there are a 

number of quartz prospects on the creek and its branches.

The following discharge measurement was made on Sidney Creek, 

a branch draining a southern slope of the basin, at the outlet of a 

small lake, where it is proposed to divert water for running a mill.

September 12, 1913: Gage height, 3.11 feet; discharge, 1.88 second-feet; drainage 

area, 1.1 square miles; discharge per square mile, 1.71 second-feet.
WILLOW CREEK DISTRICT. 147

The discharge probably represents about the minimum for the summer. The lake outlet is at the point where a hanging valley breaks 

into the main valley, and the creek falls more than 200 feet in onefourth mile. Without doubt the water supply is sufficient for running a small mill the greater part of the summer.

FISHHOOK CHEEK.

Fishhook Creek drains the area south of Archangel Creek. The 

mills of the Gold Quartz and Free Gold Mining companies are near its 

head, and both have small hydraulic plants. During the last of the 

summer they were handicapped by shortage of water. The Free 

Gold Mining Co. was put to considerable expense in building ditches 

to gather in all the drainage available, but even this was inadequate 

during the latter part of the summer and it was necessary to use a 

gasoline engine for auxiliary power.

A few gage heights were obtained and the following discharge 

measurement was made on Fishhook Creek at a point If miles below 

the site of the mill used by the Free Gold Mining Co. in 1913 and 

above the mouth of the first large tributary on the right, about 2^ 

miles from the mouth and about 33^ miles from Knik.

September 12, 1913: Gage height, 3.24 feet; discharge, 12.6 second-feet; drainage 

area, 4.7 square miles; discharge per square mile, 2.68 second-feet.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Fishhook Creek at mile 33% for

1913.

[Drainage area, 4.7 square miles. H. C. Emery, observer.]

Day.

1. .............

2.............. 

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

Sept. Oct.

3.26

3

OO

3.00

3.00

3.20

Day.

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

Sept.

3.25 

3.25

3.25

3.23

3.25

3.23

3.20

Oct.

""3." 60

3.60

3.15

3.10

3.03

3.05

Day.

21..............

22.............. 

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Sept.

3.30

3.35

3.40

3.42

3.43

3.30

Oct.

NOTE. Gage heights affected by ice Oct. 5-18.

DEVELOPED WATER POWERS.

Three water-power plants have been installed in the Willow Creek 

district for the operation of gold quartz mills, as follows: The Alaska 

Gold Quartz Mining Co. develops 15 to 20 horsepower on Fishhook 

Creek by Pel ton wheel under a head of 120 feet, using the power to 

operate a 4-stamp mill; the Alaska Free Gold Mining Co. develops 

about 25 horsepower on Fishhook Creek by a Pelton wheel under a 

head of 35 feet, using the power to operate a Lane mill; the Gold
148 WATEB POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

Bullion Mining Co. develops about 25 horsepower on Craigie by a 

turbine wheel under a 28-foot head and uses the power to operate a 

7-stamp mill.

The water supply for these plants is sufficient for their operation 

only about three or four months during the summer.

WATEB-POWEB SITES.

Up to the present the only water-power developments which have 

been justified by the ore prospects of the Willow Creek district have 

been those directly at the mill sites from the water supply available 

at those points. These mill sites are so far up the stream that the 

tributary drainage area is too small to furnish the necessary supply 

in dry seasons for even the present small plants. Consequently, the 

plants must be partly or wholly shut down at these times or the 

water power must be supplemented from other sources. The cost of 

auxiliary power in these inaccessible regions is so great as to be pro-' 

hibitive unless the ore is very rich. At one of the mills it was stated 

that cordwood costs $40 per cord, and that gasoline, which was there, 

used, costs 70 cents per gallon at the mill. Water-power developr 

ment in winter is impossible on these sites.

The first and easiest method of supplying the deficient power is by 

increasing the effective head at the plant. This can usually be accomplished easily, for the streams have heavy grades and much head 

can be obtained in comparatively short distances. In such a plant 

there would usually be a small flow of water acting under a high head. 

Wheels for such installations as would sometimes be desired in this 

region are not carried in the regular stock of water-wheel manufacturers, but it is believed that if the conditions under which they were 

to operate were known, wheels specially designed could be secured 

which would give good results.

Another method of solving the power problem is to develop electric 

power on the lower stretches of the streams where the flow is larger 

and more dependable and transmit it to the property. A scheme for 

cooperation in the development-of hydroelectric power on the Little 

Susitna River for the common use of the mining companies of the 

region has already been proposed. In the vicinity of the mouth of 

Fishhook Creek the Little Susitna has a fall of about 150 feet to the 

mile. The valley in this section varies from the U-shaped glacial form 

to a narrow rock canyon, and it is everywhere filled with heavy granits bowlders. Concentrated fall and the topography make some sites 

more favorable for power development than others. The most suitable type of development is probably a diversion dam, built only high 

enough to divert the required amount of water, and a combination 

of canal and pipe line for carrying the water to the wheel.
COST OF POWEB. 149

The flow of the Little Susitna for six or seven months of the year 

under tho head that it is possible to utilize would probably be ample 

for any power requirements that are likely to arise in this district. 

The discharge on September 13 at mile 28 was 135 second-feet, or 

2.21 second-feet per square mile. That flow would develop about 11 

horsepower per foot of fall, with an efficiency of 70 per cent at the 

wheel. With a flow of 0.5 second-foot per square mile about 2.4 

horsepower could be produced for every foot fall.

Little is known of the winter flow, but judging from the climatic 

conditions which prevail in this region it must fall to a very low stage. 

If winter operation was desirable and the stream flow was not 

found to be sufficient to provide the power, the closeness of the 

Matanuska coal fields affords a possible solution of the problem. If 

these coal fields are developed, it should be possible to furnish fuel 

for an auxiliary steam plant operating in conjunction with the hydroelectric plant at a comparatively low figure.

Except that the plant would be 'more remote from the coal fields, 

hydroelectric power could be generated on the lower part of Willow 

Creek quite as well as on the Little Susitna, if a central power plant 

in that vicinity should promise to be more convenient. Such a plant 

as is suggested would involve considerable expense, but unquestionably would have many offsetting advantages. The feasibility of the 

project depends on the future promise of the mining industry in the 

region. If the ore deposits are sufficiently large, the outlay would be 

justified.

COST Otf POWEK.

Under ordinary conditions water power is cheaper than steam 

power. There are, however, so many unfavorable conditions that 

may have to be overcome hi the installation and operation of a 

water-power plant that its cost, compared with other sources of 

power, should be carefully considered before definitely deciding in its 

favor.

Ordinarily, the cost per unit of power developed is much less for a 

large plant than for a small one. At the present time the industries 

in the area considered in this report do not require power in large 

quantities. Aside from railway operation, there are no power requirements aggregating 1,000 horsepower within the province of any one 

water-power site. Energy is needed principally for the operation of 

small mines and for lighting. With few exceptions a 200-horsepower 

plant would be ample. Under such conditions a development may 

be very expensive, whereas if the same power site was developed to 

its maximum capacity the energy might be sold at a much lower 

figure if a market could be obtained for the entire output.
150 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

In order to obtain continuous water power throughout the year it 

will be necessary on most of the streams to provide storage to assure 

a sufficient water supply during the winter. Otherwise an auxiliary 

source of power, such as a steam or gas engine plant, must be provided. In either case the initial expense would generally be considerably greater than it would be if a steam or gas engine plant alone 

was installed. Most of the mines are small, with a rather uncertain 

future, for which, reason the operators prefer to keep the first cost of 

their plants as low as possible, even though they must bear a heavier 

operating expense. When an ore body is worked out the chances 

are that the power plant that was used in recovering the ore will 

become practically valueless. It is therefore evident that for a small 

ore deposit a high rate of depreciation must be charged against the 

plant.

The cost of installing and operating a water-power system is 

affected by such an infinite variety of conditions that each development becomes a problem peculiar to itself, and cost data from other 

installations are of uncertain value. A factor that should tend to 

produce low installation costs for power development in southern 

Alaska is the fact that most of the power sites are near tidewater, 

thus permitting the equipment to be landed near the site at a minimum of cost. Another item of expense that will not usually enter 

into the cost of development in Alaska to any great extent is the 

acquisition of rights of way and flowage rights. The streams are, as 

a rule, more valuable for water power than for other uses, such as 

domestic supply, irrigation, or navigation, and therefore a conflict of 

interests will not arise, as so frequently happens in many localities in 

the States.

The item of expense that tends to increase the cost of construction 

work in Alaska as much if not more than any other over similar work 

in more populous countries is that of wages. Wages are high not 

only because of the high cost of living but also because of the isolated 

position of the country with respect to labor markets. An increase 

in wages is also warranted by the rather unfavorable conditions under 

which men are frequently required to live.

Several small hydroelectric plants ranging from 100 to 350 horsepower have been installed along the coast between Cordova and 

Seward, and from indefinite cost data that are available regarding 

.three of them the average cost of installation appears to have been 

about $150 per horsepower. So far as can be learned the plants were 

constructed under rather unfavorable conditions (one plant was constructed during the spring when there was from 5 to 15 feet of snow 

at the site), and undoubtedly represent a somewhat higher initial 

cost than would ordinarily be necessary. The water supply, however, 

is not sufficient to develop the rated capacity of the generating
COST OF POWER. 151

equipment during low-water period. Therefore, if dams were constructed that would create adequate reservoir capacity to assure 

enough water during the winter the cost of the above installations 

would probably approach $150 per horsepower, even though the plant 

were installed under the most favorable conditions.

The following description and estimated cost of installation and 

operation of a hydroelectric plant in southeastern Alaska is taken 

from Western Engineering, January, 1914. It is reported that the 

scheme of development described in the article has since been 

modified.

LONG LAKE POWER DEVELOPMENT. 

By E. P. KENNEDY.»

Long Lake, which lies about 2 miles from the beach at an elevation of 727 feet, has 

an area of 3.1 square miles. It is situated near Speel River, between Ketcbikan and 

Skagway, 35 miles southeast of Juneau, Alaska. Water measurements for eight 

months and an estimate for the remaining four give a yearly run-off of 21,757 million 

cubic feet, and as the drainage area is taken at 32.4 square miles the above run-off 

amounts to 24 feet, or an equalized yearly flow of 689 cubic feet per second. The 

initial plant will use 300 second-feet, which is equivalent to a run-off of 10.4 feet over 

an area of 32.4 square miles.

The power plant is to be situated near Second Lake, 2,000 feet from and 535 feet 

below Long Lake and about 1J miles from the beach. This plant will consist of two 

units, each 5,000-kilowatt capacity and each to be direct connected to a water turbine 

utilizing 300 second-feet.

To be assured of a continuous flow of 300 second-feet the lake will be drawn on by 

tapping with a tunnel or by a siphon to a depth of 12 feet and the two spillways from 

the lake closed, thus raising the lake level 25 feet, giving an available storage of 37 feet.

The cost of this power installation would be:

Power house with two 5,000-kilowatt units, complete ...................... $250, 000

Pipe lines, two 60-inch, with head gates. ................................^ 93, 594

Closing spillways from lake.............................................. 10, 000

Tapping lake........................................................... 5,000

Contingencies and incidentals........................................... 3, 000

Plant for construction................................................... 2 13, 882

Total............................................................ 375,476 \

Or a capital cost of $37.54 per kilowatt or $27.95 per horsepower. 

The cost of operating the above plant would be per year:

General expenses......................................................... $6,000

Operating labor........................................................... 6,000

Supplies, etc............................................................. 4,000

Total.............................................................. 16,000

Operating cost per year per kilowatt........................................ 1. 60

Interest and depreciation, 8 per cent on capital cost........................ 3.00

Cost of kilowatt year............................-......:..........-..-..... 4. 60

Cost of horsepower year.................................................... 3.43

* Asst. Supt. Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Co., Treadwell, Alaska.

8 Original cost of plant $25,882. Value of plant after construction period estimated $12,000, thus leaving 

$13,882 to be charged to water power system.
152 WATER POWEE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

To be assured of a yearly average of 10,000 kilowatts the generators should he run at 

25 per cent above normal capacity for 6 months of the year while there is a large excess 

of water, and thus provide for unforeseen shutdowns.

Surveyed lake area is 3.1 square miles, or 86,423,040 square feet, requiring 20 feet 

in depth at this area to provide for the required storage.

This storage is obtained by raising the lake level 25 feet and drawing on the lake 12 

feet. The increased area obtained by raising the lake will make up for the decreased 

area by drawing the lake and also provide sufficient storage below the 2 feet of ice.

Power estimate is based on a pipe-line loss of 1 per cent, water-wheel efficiency of 

82 per cent, generator efficiency of 93 per cent; total efficiency of 75 per cent from the 

water. Three hundred second-feet under 542-foot head at 75 per cent will generate 

10,320 kilowatts.

From flow measurements the following figures are obtained:

Jfey. ........................................

July........................................

Measured flow 

(cubic feet).

324.187,200

283,046,400

374,976,000

352.512,000

1,154,390,400

2,947,104,000

5,340,729,600

4,860,492,480

4,473,792,000

803,520,000

E1Q Af\f\ (V\f\

324,187,200

21,757,337,280

Mean discharge in 

secondfeet.a

121

117

140

136

431

1,137

1,994

1,815

1,726

300

200

121

689

Required flow 

for 300 secondfeet.

803,520,000

v, 725,760,000

803,520,000

777,600,000

803,520,000

777,600,000

803.520,000

803,520,000

777,600,000

803,520,000

803,520,000

9,460,800,000

From storage 

(cubic feet).

479,332,800

442,713,600

424,544,000

425,088,000

479,331,800

2,510,210,200

o Inserted by C. E. E.

The foregoing estimates are exceedingly low, and if after construction and operation of the plant they are found to be correct it is 

believed that the project will be one of the cheapest that has ever 

been installed.

The cost of $3.43 per horsepower per year, which includes all 

operating expenses besides interest and depreciation on the capital 

cost, could be increased several fold and still be much cheaper than 

steam power with coal selling at cost.

It should be noted that the estimate does not include the construction of a dam, which is often necessary and frequently makes 

up a large percentage of the total cost.

A point in connection with the above project that is worthy of 

note though not pertinent to the cost is the high rate of run-off 

on which the capacity of the plant is based. The average yearly 

flow is estimated to be 689 second-feet or more than 21 second-feet 

per square mile.

The cost of developing the Silver Lake power site in the Prince 

William Sound region has been estimated with considerable care by 

interested parties. Their estimates contemplated a plant of 750 

horsepower capacity, a 10-foot dam at the outlet of the lake, and 

8 or 10'miles of transmission line at a total cost of about $55,000 or
COST OF POWEE. 153

a little over $73 per horsepower. This site could no doubt be 

developed to a capacity of several thousand horsepower without 

increasing the cost in anywhere near the same ratio.

Estimated cost of operating a 300-horsepower steam plant per year (36$ days, 24 hows per 

day}, assuming capital cost of $100 per horsepower, or total cost of $30,000.

Price of coal per long ton....................................... $9 $6 f4 $3

Interest and depreciation, at 10per cent........................ 13,000 13,000 $3,000 13,000

4 pounds coal per horsepower-hour............................. 42,228 28,152 18,768 14,076

3engineers, 8-hour shifts, at 355per day......................... 5,475 5,475 5,475 5,475

3firemen, 8-hour shifts, at $4per day........................... 4,380 4,380 4,380 4,380

Oil, waste, and supplies........................................ 1,200 1,20Q 1,200 1,200

Total for plant........................................... 56,283 42,2o| 32,323 28,131

Totalper horsepower per year................................... 187.61 140.69 109.41 93.77

Estimated cost of operating steam plant 6 months. 

Price of coal per long ton....................................... f9 $6 $4

 : 

Interest and depreciation, at 10 per cent........................ 13,000 S3,00(i 13,000 13,000

4 pounds coal per horsepower hour............................. 21,114 14,07fi 9,384 7,038

3engineers, 8-nourshifts, at$5perday......................... 2,738 2,735! 2,738 2,738

3flremen, 8-hour shifts, at $4 per day.......................... 2,190 2,190 2,190 2,190

Oil, waste, and supplies........................................ 600 600 600 600

Total for plant........................................... 29,642 22,604 17,912 15,566

Total per horsepower for 6 months............................. 98.81 75^3^ 59.71 51.89

Estimated cost of operating a 300-horsepower hydroelectric plant per year (365 days, 24 

hows per day}, assuming capital cost of $150 per horsepower and 5 rn^les of transmission 

line at $2,000; total cost of system, $55,000.

Interest and depreciation, at 10 per cent..'..................... ^......... $5,500

4 operators, at $6 per day 2 shifts, with 1 operator at generating ai^d 1 at distributing end. ........................:............................... 8,760

1 lineman, at $4 per day...................................... 4......... 1,460

Oil, waste, and supplies....................................... ^......... 1,000

Total for plant.................................................... 16,720

Total per horsepower per year............................................. 55. 73

Estimated cost of operating hydroelectric plant 6 months.

Interest and depreciation, at 10 per cent.................................. $5,500

4 operators, at $6 per day................................................ 4,380

1 lineman, at $4 per day................................................ 730

Oil, waste, and supplies .................................................. 500

Total for plant.................................................... 11,110

Total per horsepower for 6 months........................................ 37.03

The purposes of the above tables is not so much to s low the actual 

cost of producing power as it is to give some idea of comparative cost 

of steam and water power. Although the above figurBS may be considerably in error, it is believed the assumptions regarding the steam 

plant are in its favor as opposed to the hydroelectric; system, thus
154 WATER POWEE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

giving added weight to the final conclusion that the water power is 

much the cheaper. For example, it is arbitrary what interest and 

depreciation charges should be made, but it is generally conceded 

that they should be greater for a steam plant than for a hydroelectric 

plant, though in this estimate the same charge (10 per cent) is 

assumed.

The consumption of coal per horsepower-hour is known to vary 

widely among different plants, but for one of 300 horsepower it is 

seldom less than 4 pounds and more often 50 to 100 per cent greater. 

The estimated cost of labor may be questioned, but it should be 

noted that the total is assumed to be slightly greater for the hydroelectric plant than for the steam, which is. far from probable.

The capital cost of steam plants varies between wide limits, due to 

different types used and the variety of conditions under which they 

are installed. Average costs for different sizes and types of plants 

have been determined from a large number of installations in the 

United States and Canada. For plants with simple noncondensing 

engines with capacities from 10 to 100 horsepower the unit cost of 

installation has been found to vary from a maximum of $225 to a 

minimum of about $75. Larger plants of 100 to 2,000 horsepower 

with compound condensing engines are somewhat cheaper per unit 

of capacity, the average cost varying from a minimum of about $50 

for the largest to a maximum of about $170 for the smallest. The 

assumed cost of $100 per horsepower for the plant under discussion is 

believed to be more likely less than greater than what it would actually cost.

In estimating the cost of steam power it is considered that the 

energy is to be used near the point where it is generated, but if the 

market is not near tidewater or a line of railroad it would probably 

be cheaper to install electric generators and transmit the energy by 

wire than to transport the fuel, in which case the capital cost of the 

plant would be considerably greater than that assumed.

Comparative cost of different systems, summarized from previous tables.

Steam plant 6 months + hydroelectric plant 6 months, per

$9.

$187. 61

135.84

$6.

$140. 69

112.38

55.

$4.

$109. 41

96.74

73

S3

$93.77

88.92

In the table above are summarized from previous tables the estimated unit costs of one horsepower per year, from a steam plant 

alone, from a hydroelectric plant alone, and from a plant using steam 

and hydroelectric power each for «ix months. The figures show that
COST OF POWEE. 155

the cost of water power at $55.73 per horsepower year is only about 

one-third that for steam with coal at $9 per ton, which is about the 

minimum price that coal sold for in 1913 at tidewater in south-central 

Alaska. With coal at $3 per ton, which is probably less than it can 

be sold for when the Matanuska and Bering Kiver fields are commercially available, the cost of water power is still about 40 per cent 

less than that for steam. The combined steam and hydroelectric 

plant is also shown to be more economical than steam alone, even 

with coal at the minimum figure.

California crude oil is now being used to a considerable extent in 

place of coal in Alaska, and so long as coal must be shipped from 

British Columbia or points on the Pacific coast of the United States, 

the advantage of oil will probably continue, but when local coal 

becomes available it is doubtful if that condition will persist. Compared with coal, oil weighs about 35 per cent less for equal heat 

values and occupies about 50 per cent less space. An average ratio 

in heat values that is frequently used is 3.5 barrels of oil to one ton 

of coal. The selling price in 1913 at Cordova was $2 per barrel.

Wood is used but little for the development of power. It can not 

compete with other fuels even under the prevailing high price, except 

where the timber is locally available and the other fuels must be 

transported for a considerable distance. About two cords of wood 

are generally considered the equivalent of one ton of coal.

Gasoline is used to some extent by small power consumers in 

isolated localities where wood is not available and where lack of 

transportation facilities demands economy in weight of both equipment and fuel. About one pint of gasoline or denatured alcohol is 

required per horsepower-hour when the engine is being run under 

favorable conditions, such as most efficient load, proper compression 

and time of ignition and most suitable explosive mixture. As ordinarily operated gasoline engines may require several tunes the above 

quantity of fuel per unit of power developed. In quantities of 50 to 

100 gallons gasoline sold for $0.40 per gallon at points on the coast 

near Prince William Sound in 1913.
A WATER-POWER RECONNAISSANCE IN SOUTHEASTERN

ALASKA. 1

By JOHN C. HOYT.

INTRODUCTION.

The territory covered by this report (see fig. 5) includes that portion of southeastern Alaska extending southward from White Pass 

for a distance of about 350 miles. Detailed investigations of waterpower resources were made in three districts of this area Ketchikan, 

Juneau, and Skagway. Data were also obtained at Silka and other 

points and from conversation with persons familiar with the country.

From Ketchikan the plants of the local power company, the New 

England Fish Co., and the Metlakatla Fish Co., at Beaver Falls and 

Sulzer, were visited. The undeveloped possibilities at Hadley, Kasaan Bay, Cholmondley Sound, Georges Arm, Carroll Inlet, Unuk 

River, and about Sulzer were investigated «lso.

From Juneau the developments of the Treadwell Co., on Douglas 

Island, of the Perseverance and other companies, in Silverbow Basin, 

and of the Amalga Co., at Eagle River, were visited. The conditions 

hi Taku Inlet, including Turner Lake, were investigated and information was obtained in regard to Endicott River and the streams 

between Juneau and Eagle River.

At Skagway the local power plant and the plant of the Chilkat 

Fish Co. were visited, and a trip was made over White Pass and 

another to Haines, from which the Porcupine Creek district was 

visited.

At Sitka data were obtained in regard to Chichagof Island in 

Klaer Bay, O J

GENERAL TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES.

Southeastern Alaska comprises a narrow strip of mainland and a 

series of islands separated from one another by a network of channels and straits. Both the mainland and the islands are indented 

with many bays, fiords, and inlets, which, with the other natural 

conditions, practically cut off all travel except by boat. (See PL 

XX, A.)

1 This report is a reprint with slight changes of article in U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 442, pp. 147-157,1909.

157
158 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

With the exception of small areas of flat lands along the larger 

rivers and at places along the coast, the entire area is mountainous. 

The mountains rise abruptly from the shore line and reach a maximum elevation varying from 4,000 feet in the southern part of the 

area to 7,000 feet in the northern part. Owing to this topography,

SO O 5O IOO MILES

FIGURE 5. Map of southeastern Alaska.

the streams, with the exception of a few of the larger rivers which 

come through the mountains from the interior, have small and precipitous drainage areas. Their courses are short and they have a 

large fall; in fact, many of the streams are made of a series of cataracts. (See PI. XXI, A.)
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 372 PLATE XX

A. TYPICAL COAST SCENE.

B. TYPICAL FOREST VIEW.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. TYPICAL DRAINAGE AREA AND STREAM.

B. HANGING BASIN SHOWING OUTLET WITH FALLS AT SHORE LINE.
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA. 159

In the northern part of the area most of the streams head in the 

glaciers which cover a large portion of the country. In the lower 

southern part of the area many of the streams head in small lakes 

which occur a short distance back from the shore line in the hanging 

valleys that ar6 characteristic of this area. Most of the streams 

flowing from these lakes are precipitous, and many of them empty 

into the ocean with a cataract at the shore line. (See PI. XXI, B.) 

These lakes afford excellent opportunities for storage, as the topography near them is such that a dam can usually be constructed for 

raising their water level. The most successful powers already developed depend on such storage during a large part of the year, and 

further development in this region wiU depend on the availability of 

such lakes.

GEOLOGY.

In general, there is over the underlying rock of the country but a 

small depth of soil; hence the facilities for ground-water storage are 

exceedingly scanty. The underlying rock of the islands and of the 

mainland up to the foothills is limestone, slate, and schist; in the 

remainder of the area it is granite.

At the mouths of some of the larger rivers there are alluvial flats 

and glacial deposits, but the coast is, except in a few places, rocky 

and steep.

CLIMATE. 1

As shown in the following tables, the climate is similar to that of 

the extreme northwestern part of the United States. The last frosts 

occur not much later than the 1st of May and the first frosts do not 

come until early in September. The number of growing days, therefore, averages about 180.

The winter temperature ranges from 10° below to nearly 60° 

above zero; the summer temperature ranges from 35° to 80°, with 

occasional extremes between 85° and 90°.

Precipitation varies considerably in different portions of the area. 

Along the west coast and in the area along Dixon Entrance, which 

is exposed to the direct winds from the Pacific, it is rather high, 

ranging from 130 inches a year at Fort Tongass to 88 inches at 

Juneau. In passing inland it decreases and at Skagway is only 21 

inches.

A disagreeable feature of the country is the large number of rainy 

days, which averages about 200, except in the vicinity of Skagway, 

where it is less than 100. The rains are usually not heavy. Notwithstanding the great preeipitation, it dries off quickly after showers, a fact which indicates that the humidity is low.

1 For more complete records and discussions of climate see pp. 15-34 of this volume.
160 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA. 

Temperature and precipitation in southeastern Alaska.®

Month.

March...... .. .

May.........................

July.........................

November. . .................

Year...................

Month.

March... .....................

May.........................

July.........................

Year...................

Fort Tongass (1 year ,6 16 monthsJune, 1868, to September, 1870).

x 6ixtp >r& tur© TO.

Maximum.

47 

45 

59 

60 

70 

75 

91 

81 

67 

58 

51 

47

Minimum.

6 

23 

 2 

33 

38 

43 

52 

47 

38 

37 

32 

24

Precipitation.

Inches.

12.92 

10.79 

8.21 

9.57 

7.70 

6.66 

10.58 

6.71 

17.66 

14.11 

15.46 

13.33

133.10

Number 

of days 

over 0.01 

inch.

18.5 

21.5 

17.5 

19.0 

15.5 

10.3 

16.6 

9.6 

19.3 

20.0 

27.0 

19.0

213.8

Killisnoo (16 years, 43 months May, 

1881, to December, 1902).

Temperature 

<*F.).

Maximum.

52 

50 

52 

63 

76 

76 

84 

81 

69 

60 

53 

54

Minimum.

_ 2 

-10 

- 2

15 

24 

33

38 

36 

27 

25

1 

1

Precipitation.

Inches.

5.98 

496 

4.04 

3.50 

3.38 

2.36 

4.19 

4.90 

7.79 

7.92 

5.16 

4.81

58.97

Number 

of days 

over 0.01 

inch.

18.0 

14.9 

15.0 

11.0 

12.3 

9.9 

11.7 

16.5 

19.3 

22.3 

16.9 

17.6

185.4

Fort Wrangell (2 years, 40 months 

May, 1868, to August, 1882).

Temperature

(%.).

Maximum.

47 

58 

54 

64 

78 

86 

82 

84 

73 

67 

53 

52

Minimum.

- 4 

2 -10 

24 

35 

38 

44 

43 

38 

31 

4

_ . 0

Precipitation.

Inches.

6.07 

8.11 

2.89 

4.11 

3.71 

3.56 

3.69 

3.07 

6.63 

7.36 

11.27 

10.41

70.88

Number 

of days 

over 0.01 

inch.

17.6 

20.0 

12.6 

16.6 

18.6 

13.7 

15.8 

14.3 

17.2 

13.2 

17.8 

22.5

199.9

Juneau (2 years, 39 months June, 

1881, to February, 1897).

Temperature 

(*F.).

Maximum.

50 

50 

50 

63 

71 

82 

88 

82 

85 

66 

60 

45

Minimum.

_ 4. 

_ 4.

10 

13

26 

38? 

38 

38 

31 

20 

_ j^

1

Precipitation.

Inches.

10.61 

4.85 

6.62 

5.25 

7.36 

4.99 

5.59 

7.53 

12.19 

10.05 

10.47 

8.16

93.06

Number 

of days 

over 0.01 

inch.

18.1 

11.2

18.7 

15.0 

16.7 

14.6 

15.5 

15.6 

18.4 

19.8 

18.4 

19.8

201.8

a Brooks, A. H., Geography and geology of Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 45, pp. 158-170,1906. 

s The records were not continuous, and the number of years given indicates simply the number of continuous twelvemonth periods covered.
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA.

Temperature and precipitation in southeastern Alaska Continued.

161

Month.

March. . .... ... ...

April.........................

May.........................

June.........................

July.........................

Skagway (31 months November, 

1898, to December, 1902).

Temperature 

(%.).

Maximum.

42 

44 

63 

61 

79 

90 

92 

80 

76 

60 

51 

57

Minimum.

- 4

_ . Q

-10 

16 

25 

34 

39 

32 

30 

16 

7 

- 4

Precipitation.

Inches.

0.90 

.57 

.64 

2.39 

.77 

.60 

1.73 

1.51 

3.47 

3.22 

2.17 

3.78

21.75

Number 

of days 

over 0.01 

inch.

7.5 

2.5 

3.0 

10.5 

4.7 

5.0 

5.7 

8.5 

13.5 

12.0 

8.0 

11.7

92.6

Sitka (17 years, 44 months November, 1867, to December, 1902).

Temperature 

(%.).

Maximum.

51 

54 

65 

70 

80 

80 

87 

82 

74 

67 

59 

59

Minimum.

- 2 

- 3 

- 1 

19 

28 

33 

35 

39 

32 

25 

5 

7

Precipitation.

Inches.

12.17 

7.47 

6.70 

5.61 

4.11 

3.31 

3.55 

5.84 

9.67 

11.96 

9.80 

7.88

88.10

Number 

oi days 

over 0.01 

inch.

16.8 

15.9 

18.0 

16.2 

1ft. 1 

13.& 14.9- 

16. S 

19. S 

21. T 

19.5 

18.9

207.9

Dates of freezing in southeastern Alaska.®

Station and year.

Fort Tongass: 

1868.............................................

1869.............................................

1870.... .........................................

Fort Wrangell: 

1869.............................................

1875.............................................

1876.............................................

1882.............................................

Juneau: 

1889.............................................

1890 .............................................

1891.............................................

1895.............................................

1899.............................................

1900.............................................

Skagway: 

1899.............................................

1900.............................................

1802.... .........................................

Killisnoo:

1884

1885.............................................

1888.............................................

1891.............................................

1892.............................................

1893.............................................

1895. ............................................

1897.............................................

Sitka: 

1868.............................................

1869.............................................

1870.............................................

1871.............................................

1872.............................................

1873.............................................

1881.............................................

1900.............................................

1901.. f ...... ....................................

Last 

killing 

frost.

Mar. 14

Apr. 30

"Last 

frost.

Mar. 19

Mar. 14

Apr. 20

Mar. 29

May 2

May 9

July 7

Mar. 31

May 2

Apr. 21

May 8

First 

frost.

Sept. 29

Oct. 5

Sept. 14

Oct. 2

Nov. 18

Oct. 6

Sept. 20

Sept. 10

Sept. 4

Aug. 27

sept, 13

Sept. 28

Oct. 15

Sept. 27

Oct. 14

Oct. 18

Sept. 27

Sept. 19

Oct. 19

First 

killing 

frost.

Dec. 19

Dec. 17

Oct. 15

Oct. 29

Oct. 29

Oct. 8

Sept. 19

Sept. 22

Sept. 4

Oct. 12?

Oct. 31

Oct. 7

Oct. 1

Nov. 1

Growing

days.

210

99Q

182

191?

141?

117?

SO?

143

197

169

1fi9

199

Brooks, A. H., Geography and geology of Alaska: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 45, pp. 171-172,1906. 

97891° WSP 372 15 11
162 WATEK POWEK IN" SOTJTH-CENTBAL ALASKA.

VEGETATION.

Owing to the mild temperature, the long days in summer, and the 

heavy precipitation, the vegetation in southeastern Alaska is very 

luxuriant. Except where the soil is too shallow or the slopes too 

rocky, the whole area is covered with dense forests of spruce, cedar, 

and hemlock and is in the national forests. (See PI. XX, B, p. 158.) 

Among this timber there is a heavy undergrowth of devil's-club, berries, and other small plants. In the southern part of the area trees 

vary in diameter up to 6 feet and grow up the slopes to the mountain 

tops. Toward the north the size of the trees diminishes, the undergrowth is not so heavy, and the timber does not extend to the top of 

the mountains, which are either small or glacier covered.

Much of the forest is overmature and defective timber is common, 

but in coves and gullies for several miles back from the coast there 

are many fine stands of spruce and cedar which have never been 

injured by fire or cutting.

The logging practice now in vogue takes only the best spruce trees 

which can be felled into the water or on slopes where they can be 

skidded in by hand. Of course it is difficult to log in a mountainous 

country, but much timber can be logged in southeastern Alaska with 

no more difficulty than attends many operations in the Pacific Coast 

States, if modern methods are introduced.

So far only the spruce has been used for saw timber, but both spruce 

and hemlock are undoubtedly good pulp woods. The few sawmills 

now operating in southeastern Alaska obtain their timber from the 

national forests, but the supply of timber is much greater than is 

required by local needs. The Forest Service is desirous of increasing 

the timber sales, and the present price of stumpage is low only $1 a 

thousand board feet. Full information on this subject can be 

obtained from the forest supervisor at Ketchikan.

Aside from the native growth, garden truck, berries, and the hardy 

grains and grasses can be raised in all parts of this area. Strawberries, raspberries, and huckleberries grow both wild and cultivated 

and are of most excellent quality. Grasses and grains are difficult 

to harvest and cure owing to the large amount of rain.

The areas suitable for agriculture are small and are expensive to 

bring under cultivation. Agriculture is carried on with difficulty on 

account of the swampy condition of the ground, which is hard to work 

with horses unless well drained.

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF BUN-OFF.

The run-off from the streams in this area results principally from 

direct rainfall, melting snow, and melting glaciers. In view of the 

large rainfall, the excellent forest cover, and the glacial areas, the
30 3 o 8- 

3 ? 

5 1. 

i « 

o 2. 

JS 

S i 

C o 

13 5" 2 » 

m CD 

o_

O CL 

^ T 

rn 2 

5 I 

SQ

O

o
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA. 163

general deduction would be that this section should have many large 

streams with an abundant and well-sustained run-off. This, however, is not the case, as the catchment areas are small, and although 

the total yield per square mile is considerable, the streams are not 

large and they fluctuate very rapidly.

The forest effects are principally offset by the deep slopes and 

shallow soil, which afford but little ground storage. The streams 

respond very quickly to the rainfall and their volume drops with 

equal quickness as soon as it ceases to rain. Frequently they are 

reduced from a maximum to a minimum flow within a few days. 

This is illustrated in the hydrograph of Porcupine Creek near Haines, 

in the northern part of the area (PL XXII). This stream has a 

drainage basin of 34 square miles and heads in a large glacial area.

In many places, owing to the steep slopes, there are no well-defined 

streams but instead the water runs down the mountain side in many 

small channels, some on the surface and others between the soil and 

the rock. In some of the developments the water is obtained by 

contour ditches which bring the water together from these streams.

Most of the large glaciers terminate at elevations but little above 

sea level and are therefore practically of small value as a source of 

water supply for the development of power. The smaller glaciers 

are beneficial only during the summer months, as their water is cut 

off early in the fall by the frosts. It is probable that many of the 

extreme variations in the glacier-fed streams are due to the making 

and breaking of ice jams which raise and hold back the water.

The streams which head in lakes have a much better sustained 

flow and are practically the only ones in the area which are of much 

value for power, as any large development must depend on storage 

both for the winter months and during dry parts of the summer.

The principal defect in the water supply, so far as the production 

of power is concerned, is the extreme low flow during the winter 

months. On the smaller streams, which have no storage, there is 

practically no flow in winter, and even on the streams having lake 

storage the flow is extremely low, as shown in the records for Turner 

River (fig. 6), which empties into Taku Inlet near Juneau. This 

stream has a drainage area of 66 square miles and heads in Turner 

Lake, which offers excellent facilities for storage. A portion of the 

area is also covered with glaciers. The scantiness of the winter 

flow is due largely to the meager amount of storage capacity in the 

ground, which freezes to bedrock, thus holding back the water.

INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS.

With the exception of a few towns along the shore and scattered 

mining camps and fisheries, southeastern Alaska is very sparsely 

settled. The only ready means of transportation is by boat. Aside
riioo

10OO 

9OO 

8OO 

7OO

_6OO 

5OO 

4OO 

3OO

aoo

1OQ

o

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER. NOVEMBER. .DEC

1906 

FIGURE 6. H ydrograph of Turner Eiver. From record famished by Alask
SOUTHEASTER* ALASKA. 165

from the regular steamers which run from Seattle and other ports, 

each town has a local service connecting it with adjoining towns and 

camps by gasoline launches.

There are practically no roads and the country back from the shore 

line is almost inaccessible. The building of Government roads, which 

is now under way, will be a great help to the development of the 

country.

The two well-developed industries are fishing and mining. The 

larger part of the fishing is for the salmon canneries. An icing plant 

has just been established at Ketchik&n. The mines are principally 

quartz mines, yielding gold and copper.

Next to fishing and mining comes lumbering, which at present is 

but little developed and is confined to shingle mills and a few small 

sawmills that meet the local demands. Agriculture, owing to the 

small amount of suitable land available, will always be of very minor 

importance.

The success and future development of both the mining and the 

lumbering interests depend wholly on their ability to get cheap 

power. Most of the mines so far opened have been in the Juneau 

belt and are in ore of low grade, large amounts of which must be 

cheaply handled in order to make them profitable. The best paying 

mines owe their successful operation to the presence of cheap power 

in then: immediate vicinity, and their future development will depend 

on the procuring of further cheap power. This is a vital question 

with the older companies, and they are investigating every possible 

source of power. The fishing industry demands only a small amount 

of power during the canning season. This can readily be obtained 

at small expense in the vicinity of the plants.

In developing the timber resources it will be possible to produce 

cheap steam power by the use of sawmill waste as fuel. The ultimate development, however, for both lumber and pulp will be 

through the establishment of mills at accessible power sites.

The future development of electrochemical processes may open a 

new industry for this region. In its present stage, however, there 

is no field in Alaska for this industry.

Practically the whole area here considered is included hi the Tongass National Forest, and therefore the conditions governing the 

national forests will, in a large measure, regulate the development 

of the timber and other resources of this country.

POWER POSSIBILITIES.

As shown in the subjoined table there were 102 water wheels in 

southeastern Alaska in 1908, developing 15,319 horsepower. This 

table is based on a special water-power census taken by the United
166 WATER POWER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA.

States Census Bureau, and the amounts are made up from statements received from power owners in the various sections. These 

figures have not been verified, but it is believed that they are somewhat large, as they probably give the maximum development, and 

this can be maintained only during a small portion of the year. 

Most of the plants have but little power during the winter months.

In considering the development of the water powers in southeastern 

Alaska the possibility of developing power from lignite and coal 

deposits in that region must be taken into account. When these 

deposits are opened, fuel will probably be available at a comparatively low cost on account of the ease of water transportation, and 

steam power may be produced much more cheaply and will be more 

reliable than the water power.

A great drawback to water-power development in this region is the 

difficulty of transmission. The country, as already stated,-is cut by, 

numerous channels, has a rough topography, and is covered with 

dense forests. Therefore transmission lines are difficult and expensive to construct, and this practically prohibits development at sites 

where the power can not be utilized at the point of development. 

In view of these difficulties, the possibilities at the present time for 

large power development in southeastern Alaska are not great, and 

such projects should be closely scrutinized as to their feasibility both 

from an engineer's standpoint and from that of an investor.

The opening of new mining districts and the development of the 

timber interests in this region will create a more widely distributed 

demand for power and enable the utilization of sites which at the present time can not be considered as available. As already stated, the 

success of any large water-power development, to be run during the 

entire year, will depend on the possibility of adequate storage. The 

meager topographic data available indicate that there are probably 

many lakes throughout the region which will offer excellent storage 

facilities.
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA. 

Developed water power in southeastern Alaska, 1908.

167

Owner.

Hydraulic Pipe and Boiler Works..

Do.............................

Alaska Perseverance Mining Co. ...

F. H. Partridge....................

Citizens' Light. Power and Water 

Co. 

Alaska Electric Light and Power 

Co. 

Chichagof Gold Mining Co .........

Location of plant.

.....do................

Gold Creek............

Kupreanof Island .....

Lake Dewev

Lake Whitman and 

Coal Creek.

.....do................

Clay Bay.... .........

Number 

of wheels.

2 

3 

2 

3 

4 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

2

1

4 

8 

2 

2 

4 

2 

1 

37 

2

5 

1

99

Horsepower.

50 

70 

24 

25 

150 

100 

8 

8 

25 

53

50 

150 

30 

80 

3 

125 

1,100

25 

4,000 

880 

500 

15 

300 

5 

6 

6,297 

240

1,000 

150

15,319

Character of industry.

Placer mining. 

Cannery. 

Mining. 

Salmon cannery. 

Do. 

Placer mining. 

Machine shop. 

Pipe and boiler works.

Sawmill and salmon 

cannery. 

Barrel factory.

Mining. 

Do. 

Newspaper. 

Light and power. 

Fish, freezmg and ice 

making. 

Lumber. 

Quartz mining. 

Mining. 

Do. 

Sawmill. 

Smelter and sawmill. 

Wood turning, etc. 

General repairs. 

Gold mining. 

Do.

Do. 

Do.
INDEX.

A.

Abercrombie Rapids, description pf.......... 4}-42

possibility of a power plant at........... 42

Acknowledgments for aid ................ 12

Alaska Water, Light & Telephone Co.,

power plants of................ $7-108

Altitude, influence of, on precipitation....... 28

Archangel Creek, description of............ 146-147

Atka Island, precipitation at................ 18,27

Avery River, description of.................. 100

falls on, plate showing................... 100

near Golden........................... 101-10?

power possibilities on.................. 100-101

B. 

Banta, G. L., acknowledgment to........... 12

Bench Creek, falls on, plate showing......... 100

Berg Lakes, description of................... 35-37

Bering Island, precipitation at............... 18, 27

Bering Lake, location of..................... 36

Bering B iver, falls on, plate showing........ 36

drainage basin, general features of....... 35-37

Bottle Creek at Galena Bay................. 84

description of............................ 83

powerpjauton......................... 83,107

Brevier Creek, description of................ 91

discharge of._.......................... 97

Brooks, Alfred H., on the Copper River Plateau............................. 40-41

on timber in the Copper River drainage

basin............................ 44-45

preface by............................... 9-10

C. 

Calder, precipitation at................... 18,19,27

Canyon Creek (Controller Bay region), description and discharge of-------- 37

Canyon Creek (Kenai Peninsula), description of........................... 128

discharge of............................. 3.31

Capps, S. R., see Mofflt, F. H., and Capps,

S.R. 

Chickaloon, precipitation at.............. 18,19,27

Childs Glacier, location of................... 43

Chisna Consolidated Mines Co., power plant

of................................ 107

Chisna Creek, course of...................... 80

discharge of............................. 81

power plant on......................... 80,107

Chistochina, precipitation at.............. 18,19,27

Chitina River basin, general features of...... 53-55

geology of............................... 54-55

Chititu Creek, discharge of................... 60

gold placers on.......................... 55-56

Page. 

Caokpsna R iver, discharge of................ 62

Chugaeh National Forest, administration of........................... 74

Clear Creek, description and discharge of..... 39

Climatic provinces, boundaries of............ 16

Coal, competition of, in power production... 39 

occurrence of, on Kenai Peninsula....... 112

See also Fuels. 

Coal Harbor, precipitation at............. 18,19,27

Coast scene, typical, plate showing.......... 158

Controller Bay region, general features of.... 34-35

map of.................................. 34

measuring points in..................... 35

power sites in........................... 39

Cooper Creek, description of................. 125

discharge of............................. 128

power possibilities on...........'......... 125

Copper, occurrence of, in Bottle Creek Valley. 83

occurrence of, in the Kotsina-Chitjna belt. 43-44

in the Kuskulana River basin....... 63

in the Prince William Sound region. 73 

Copper Center, Copper River near........... 45-46

Klutina River at........................ 51-52

precipitation at.................... 18,19,22,27

temperature record at................... 32

Copper Creek, course of...................... 83

Copper River above Abercrombie Rapids,

plate showing................... 42

at Miles Glacier.......................... 47-^50

description of............................ 41-43

near Copper Center...................... 45-46

1 mile above Copper Center, plate showing.............................. 37

view up................................. 42

Copper River & Northwestern Railway, acknowledgment to-...-.---- ...... 12

Copper River drainage basin, gaging stations

and measuring points in......... 45

general features pf....................... 39-43

map of.................................. 44

mineral resources of..................... 43-44

power sites in........................... 6g-68

timber resources of...................... 44-45

Copper River Plateau, description of........ 40-41

Copper River valley, plate showing......... 37

Cordojra, Humpback Creek near............. 76-77

Power Creek near........................ 70-71

power plant at........................ 105-106

precipitation at.................... 18,Jfl,22,27

temperature record at................... 33

Cordova River, see Rude River.

Craigie Creek at Gold Bullion Mill......... 142-145

power plant on........................ 142-143

169
170 INDEX.

D.

Dan Creek, discharge of..................... 60

gold placers on........'.................. 55-66

Davis Creek at Golden...................... 99-100

description of............................ 99

falls on, plate showing................... 97

 power possibilities on.................... 99

Davis Lake, plate showing.................. 97

Devil Creek, description of................... 123

Dickey, W. A., acknowledgments to......... 12

Drainage area and stream, typical, plate

showing......................... 159

Duck River at Galena Bay.................. 87-88

falls on, plate showing................... 84

general features of....................... 85-87

hydrograph of........................... 86

power possibilities of................ 85-87,109

Dutch Har1x>r, precipitation at........... 18,19,27

E.

Eaglek Bay, falls at, plate showing....;..... 96

location of............................... 97

power possibilities on.................... 97-98

Electricity, obstacles to transmission of...... 110

Ellamar Mining Co., acknowledgments to.... 12

Equivalents, convenient..................... 14

Eyak Lake, description of................... 69

F.

Falls Creek (Copper River drainage basin),

power site on.................... 53

Falls Creek (Kenai Peninsula), description of. 119

discharge of........................... 120-121

power plant on.......................... 120

First Berg Lake, water power from.......... 36-37

Fish Bay, location of........................ 79

power sites near......................... 79-80

Fishhook Creek, description and discharge of. 147 

Forest reserve on Prince William Sound, administration of.................. 74

Forest view, typical, plate showing.......... 158

Fort Liscum, precipitation at............. 18,19,27

temperature record at................... 33

Free Gold Mining Co., acknowledgment to... 12 

Fuels, cost of........................... 68,154-155

G.

Galena Bay, Bottle Creek at................. 84

description of............................ 83

Duck River at........................... 87-88

Galena Bay Mining Co., power plant of....... 107

Gilahina River, discharge of................. 62

Gilahina River basin, general features of...... 61

Glacier Creek, description of................. 91

discharge of.............................. 97

water power from.,.................... 108-109

Gladhaugh Creek, description of............. 81-82

discharge of............................. 82-83

Gold Bullion mill, Craigie Creek at.......... 142-145

Gold Bullion MiningCo., acknowledgment to. 12 

Gold Creek, general features of............... 93

near Valdez............................. 93-94

Gold lodes, occurrence of, in Mineral Creek

valley........................... 92

occurrence of, in the Copper River basin.. 44 

in the McKinley Lake district........ 68

Gold lodes, occurrence of, in Willow Creek

basin............................ 141

occurrences of, near Port Valdez......... 73

near Port Wells..................... 73,98

near Shoup Bay..................... 94

on Archangel Creek.................. 146

on Gold Creek....................... 93

on Kenai Peninsula............... 111-112

Gold placers, occurrence of, in the Copper

River basin..................... 44,56

occurrence of, on Gold Creek............. 93

on Kenai Peninsula................. 112

on Mineral Creek..................... 92

Golden, Avery River near................. 101-102

Davis Creek at......................... 99-100

Hobo Creek near...................... 103-104

Graft, S. M., acknowledgments to........... J2,131

Grant Creek, description of................ 121-122

i discharge of............................. 122

power possibilities of. ^.................. 122

Gumboot Basin, location of.................. 83

H.

Hanging basin with falls at outlet, plate

showing......................... 159

: Harrison Lagoon, location of................. 102

; Heiden Canyon, see Lowe River.

JHobo Bay, location of....................... 103

Hobo Creek, description of.................. 103

near Golden........................... 103-104

1 power possibilities of.................... 103

Holdsworth, P. H., on the power plant of the

Skeen-Lechner mine............. 120

Horsetail Falls Creek, course of.............. 80

discharge of............................. 81

Hoyt, John C., A water-power reconnaissance

in southeastern Alaska........ 157-167

Hubbard, Charles G., acknowledgment to... 12 

Hummer Bay, description of................ 104

Hummer Creek, discharge of................. 105

Humpback Creek near Cordova.............. 76-77

water power from........................ 105

J.

Juneau, precipitation at............ 18,19-20,23,27

temperature record at................... 33

Juneau Creek (Kenai River drainage basin),

description of.................... 125

discharge of.............................. 128

power possibilities on.................... 125

Juneau Creek (Sixmile Creek drainage basin),

description of.................... 128

discharge of.............................. 131

K.

KanataBiver, discharge of................... 66

Katalla, location of.......................... 35

precipitation at....................... 18,20,27

KatallaRiver, description of................. 39

Kenai, precipitation at................... 18,20,27

Kenai Lake, gage height of................ 116-117

west end of, plate showing............... 115

Kenai Peninsula, coal field near............. 112

gaging stations and measuring points on. 113 

general features of..................... 110-111

mineral resources of................... 111-112
INDEX. 171

Page. 

Kenai Peninsula, north-central part of, map

Of............................... 112

power sites on......................... 140-141

timber of.............................. 112-113

Kenai River, description of.................. 115

discharge of........................... 117-118

. power possibilities of.................. 115-116

Kenai River drainage basin, general features

of............................. 114-115

Kennedy, E. P., plan for power development

on Long Lake................. 151-152

Kennicott Mines Co., acknowledgment to.... 12

Kennicott River, description of.............. 56

Ketchikan, precipitation at............... 18,20,27

Keystone Canyon, see Lowe River.

Killisnoo, precipitation at................ 18,20,27

temperature record at................... 33

Kluckwan, precipitation at.................. 18,20

Klutina Glacier, description of.............. 51

Klutina Lake, description of................. 51

Klutina River at Copper Center............. 51-52

diagram showing discharge of............ 57

near Copper Center, plate showing....... 60

Klutina River basin, general features of...... 50-51

Kodiak, precipitation at.................. 18,20,27

temperature record at................... 33

KotsinaRiver, discharge of.................. 53

Kotsina River basin, general features of...,.. 63 

Kushtaka Lake, description of............... 38

KuskulanaRiver, discharge of............... , 63

power sites on........................... 62-63

Kuskulana River basin, general features of.. 62-63

L.

Lagoon Creek (Landlocked Bay), course of.. 80

discharge of............................. 81

Lagoon Creek (Port Wells district), course of. 102

discharge of............................. 105

power possibilities on.................. 102-103

LakinaRiver, discharge of................... 61

power development on.................. 60

Lakina River basin, general features of...... 60-31

Landlocked Bay, general features of......... 80-81

Latouche Island, power site on............ 109-110

Little Susitna River, description and discharge of...................... 145-146

power site on ......................... 148-149

Long Lake power development, plan far... 151-152 

Loring, precipitation at................... 18,20,27

temperature record at................... 33

Lost Creek, description of................. 123-124

discharge of.............................. 128

Lowe River, description of.................. 90

discharge of. _.......................... 97

power possibilities of.................... 90-91

Lowell Creek at pipe intake, plate showing.. 114

description and discharge of........... 113-114

M.

McAlister Creek, description of.............. 95

discharge of.............................. 97

McCarthy Creek, description of.............. 56

dischargeoL._......................... 60

near McCarthy.......................... 58-59

plate showing........................... 50

power site on............................ 56-58

McKinley Lake district, description of....... 68-68

Maddren, A. G. See Moffit,F.H.,andMaddren,A. G. 

Mallard Lake, location of.................... 83

Marginal lakes, description of................ 36

Martin, G. C., on the Berg Lakes............ 30

Meteorologic records, extent of............... 15-17

Metlakatla, precipitation at.................. 18

Miles Glacier, Copper River at............... 47-50

location of............................... 43

Mills Creek, description of................... 128

2 miles above mouth..................... 130

upper valley of, plate showing........... 115

Mineral Creek, description of................ 91-92

discharge of.............................. 97

power possibilities of.................... 91,92

East Fork of, description of. .......... 92

discharge of.......................... 97

Moffit, F. H., and Capps, S. R., on the

Wrangell Mountains............. 40

and Maddren, A, G., on the geology of the

Chitinabasin.................... 54-55

Mountain Kiug mine, power plant for..... 108-109

N.

Nizina River, description of................. 55

discharge of.............................. 60

power site on............................ 55

Nizina River basin, streams of............... 55-58

Northwestern Fishing Co., power plant of... 106 

Nuchek, precipitation at..................... 18,27

Nushagak, precipitation at.................. 18,27

O.

Oilman, A. R., acknowledgment to.......... 12

Olsen, C. I., acknowledgment to............. 12

Orca, power plant at........................ 106

Orca Bay, general features of................ 75-76

P.

Parsons Falls Creek, description of........... 76

discharge of.............................. 78

Peacock Creek, power site on................ 53

Porcupine Creek, hydrograph of............. 162

Port Fidalgo, description of.................. 78

Port Valdez, general features of.............. 89

plate showing........................... 85

Port Wells district, general features of....... 98-99,

Power, cost of............................. 149-155

Power Creek near Cordova................... 70-71

view up................................. 65

water power from........................ 70

Power Creek drainage basiu, general features

of................................ 69-70

plate showing........................... 65

Power-development problems, solutions of. 148-149 

Power plants in southeastern Alaska........ 167

in the Prince William Sound region.... 105-109

in the Willow Creek district... 142-143,147-148 

on Falls Creek........................... 120

on Roaring Creek........................ 53

Power possibilities in southeastern Alaska. 165-166 

Power sites in the Copper River basin....... 66-68

in the Prince William Sound region.... 109-110

on Falls Creek........................... 53

ou Kenai Peninsula................... 140-141
172 INDEX.

Power sites on Kuskulana River............. 62-63

on McCarthy Creek...................... 56-58

on Nizina River......................... 55

on Peacock Creek........................ 53

on Ptarmigan Creek..................... 65-66

on Tebay River......................... 54

on Tiekel River......................... 64

Precipitation, influences affecting. ........ 26-29

records of................................ 17-32

Prince William Sound, map of............... 72

Prince William Sound region, gaging stations

and measuring points in......... 74-75

general features of....................... 72-73

mineral resources of..................... 73

power sites in.......................... 109-110

timber in................................ 74

Ptarmigan Creek (Copper River drainage

basin), description of............ 65-66

discharge of.............................. 66

power sites on........................... 65-66

Ptarmigan Creek (ELenai River drainage

basin), description of.......... 118-119

discharge of.............................. 119

power sites on........................... 119

Ptarmigan Lake, description of.............. 119

QQuartz Creek, description of................. 123

discharge of.............................. 124

R.

Rainfall stations in southern Alaska, map

showing......................... 16

Resurrection Creek, description and discharge

of................................ 131

Resurrection River, description of........... 114

looking upstream, plate showing ........ 114

Reynolds Creek, course of................... 81

discharge of............................. 81

power possibilities of.................... 81

Roaring Creek, hydroelectric plant on....... 53

Robinson Falls Creek, course of.............. 76

discharge of.............................. 78

Rude River, description of.................. 75-76

Russian River, description of................ 126

discharge of........................ 126-127,128

power possibilities on..................... 126

Salmon Creek, description of................. 68-69

water power from_..................... 69

Sawmill, water power for.................... 106

Schmesar, Herman, acknowledgment to..... 12

Sea Coast Mining Co., power plant of........ 109

Seward, precipitation at............... 18,20,23,27

temperature record at................... 33

Seward Light and Power Co.'s plant, description of......................... 131-133

temperatures of water at.............. 134-139

Sheep Bay, power site near.................. 78

Shoup Bay, general features of.............. 94-95

Uno Creek at............................ 95-96

Sidney Creek, discharge of................... 146

Silver Lake, dam site at butlet of, plate showing.............................. 84

See also Duck River.

Sitka, precipitation at................. 18,20-21,27

temperature record at................... 33

Sixmile Creek at Sunrise.................... 129

Sixmile Creek drainage basin, general features

of............................... 128

Skagway, precipitation at................ 18,21,27

temperature record at................... 33

Skeen-Lechner mine, power plant of........ 120

Snowfall, amount of.......................... 29-31

Snyder Falls Creek, description of........... 76

discharge of............................. 78

Solomon Gulch, description of............... 89-90

discharge of............................. 87

plate showing........................... 86

power plants on....................... 187-108

Southeastern Alaska, climate of........... 11&-161

geology of............................... 159

industrial conditions in................ 163-165

power possibilities in.................. 1*6-166

run-off in.............................. 162-164

topography of......................... 167-159

vegetation in............................ 162

water power in........................ 1&7-167

Steam power plant, cost of operating...... 163-155

Stetson Creek, description of.............. 136-126

discharge of............................. 128

Stillwater Creek, description and discharge of 38 

Storm, L. W., acknowledgment to........... 12

Strelna Creek, description erf................. 63

discharge of............................. 63

Stuart Greek, discharge of................... 66

Sunrise, precipitation at............... 18,21,24,27

Sixmile Creek at........................ 129

temperature record at................... 33

T.

Tebay River, fall and storage on............. 54

Temperature, records of...................... 32-34

Terms, definition of......................... 13-14

Tiekel, precipitation at................... 18,21,27

Tiekel River, discharge of................... 66

power sites on........................... 64

Tiekel River basin, general featpre.s of....... 64-66

Timber in the Chitina River b^sin.......... 60

in the Controller Bay region............. 35

in the Copper River basin............... 44-45

in the Prince William Sound region..... 74,79,

89,93,98,99,102 

in the Tiekel River basin................ 64,66

in the Willow Creek district............. 142

on Kenai Peninsula................... 112-113

Tonsina Creek, description of................ 114

Trail Creek, power possibilities on........... 123

Tsina River, canyon on, plate showing...... 64

description of........................... 64-65

discharge of............................. 66

power sites on........................... 65

view up................................. 64

Tyonek, precipitation at................. 18,21,27

temperature record at...:............... 33

U.

Ugashik, precipitation at.................... 18,27

Uno Creekat Shoup Bay.................... 95-96

course of................................ 94-95

hydroelectric plant on................... 109
INDEX. 173

v.

VaJdez, Gold Creek, near.................... 93-94

precipitation at................... 18,21,24,27

temperature record art................... 33

VaJdez Electric Co., power plant of........ 107-108

Vesuvius Valley, location of................. 83

W.

Water, temperature of, at Seward......... 134-139

Water-power rights, sources of............... 15

Weather Bureau stations, location and length

of record of...................... 17

Wesley Falls Creek, description of........... 76

discharge of............................. 78

White Creek, discharge of..^................ 60

Willow Creek district, gaging stations and

measuring points in............. 142

general features of..................... 141-142

map of.................................. 142

Wind, velocity of, near Miles Glacier........ 31-32

Wood Canyon, description of........ -...... ^1

Wood pulp, facilities for manufacture of..... 110

timber for............................... 74

Worthington Glacier, location of............. 65

Wrangell, precipitation at................... 18

Wrangell Mountains, description of.......... 40

Y.

Young Creek, description of................. 56

o