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#           Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology      

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      By Alaska Science Center      April 12, 2024    

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The Arctic is warming at higher rates than much of the rest of the world. For Alaska, this results in changes in hydrology and ecosystems – permafrost is thawing, changing landscapes and releasing nutrients to soils and streams. 

**Return to Water or Landscape Science >> Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies**

View Media Details

The Arctic is warming at higher rates than much of the rest of the world. For Alaska, this results in changes in hydrology and ecosystems – permafrost is thawing, changing landscapes and releasing nutrients to soils and streams. Landscapes and streams are warming, affecting plant growth and fish and wildlife habitat. HEAT aims to understand the impacts of warming on the ecosystems at the Arctic-boreal transition, in the Noatak Preserve in northwestern Alaska. Here, catchments are near the physiographic limit of where trees can grow, and thus vegetation is dominated either by tundra or forest, depending on aspect and elevation. These different land cover types impact water storage, and the movement of water and nutrients from the catchments to the streams. By considering differences in temperatures, stream inflows, biogeochemical cycling, and fish presence, growth, and movement, this project aims to understand the link between physical changes in stream chemistry and fish ecology, with an eye towards how these links will change in the future.

This product is in conjuction with Hydro-ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology

View Media Details

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Joshua C Koch, Ph.D.

##### Research Hydrologist

Alaska Science Center

jkoch@usgs.gov

303-817-5595

#### Michael P Carey, Ph.D.

##### Research Fish Biologist

Alaska Science Center

mcarey@usgs.gov

907-786-7197

#### Christian E Zimmerman, Ph.D.

##### Center Director

Alaska Science Center

czimmerman@usgs.gov

907-786-7071

### Explore Search

                      - Hydrologic Monitoring
                      - Landscape
                      - Alaska Bioregions and Arctic
                      - Water
                      - Large-Scale Restoration Science
                      - Water
                      - Agashashok River
                      - Arctic
                      - hydro-ecology
                      - ecosystems
                      - Arctic PES

View All **

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies              

Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies

Learn More

link

April 18, 2018

####                 Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology              

Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

April 18, 2018

####   Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology

Learn More

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Arctic Coastal Plain Studies              

Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Arctic Coastal Plain Studies

Learn More

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies              

Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies

Learn More

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling              

Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling

Learn More

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)              

Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)

Learn More

link

April 18, 2017

####                 Nome Creek Experimental Watershed              

Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

April 18, 2017

####   Nome Creek Experimental Watershed

Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

September 27, 2023

####                 Length, Weight, Energy Density, and Isotopic Values of Fish from Rivers in Northwest Alaska, 2015-2019              

Alaska Science Center

July 19, 2023

####                 Macroinvertebrates From Streams and Springs in the 1002 Region of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2021              

Alaska Science Center

July 7, 2021

####                 Stream and River Chemistry in Watersheds of Northwestern Alaska, 2015-2019              

Alaska Science Center

March 25, 2021

####                 Stream Temperatures in the Noatak River and Kobuk River Basins, Northwest Alaska, 2017 - 2019              

Alaska Science Center

October 27, 2020

####                 Continuous Records of Shallow Soil Temperature and Moisture in the Noatak River Basin, Alaska              

Alaska Science Center

October 27, 2020

####                 Meteorological Data from Two Locations in the Agashashok River Watershed, Northwestern Alaska, 2015 to 2017              

Alaska Science Center

March 3, 2020

####                 Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River Basins, Northwest Alaska, 2015 - 2017              

Alaska Science Center

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

Gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska

September 4, 2018

#### Gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska

link

A gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that is rapidly warming.

Alaska Science Center

September 4, 2018

#### Gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska

link

#### Gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska

link

A gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that is rapidly warming.

Alaska Science Center

A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska

August 30, 2018

#### A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska

link

A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that is rapidly warming.

Alaska Science Center

August 30, 2018

#### A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska

link

#### A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska

link

A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that is rapidly warming.

Alaska Science Center

Scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry samples 

June 13, 2018

#### Scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry samples 

link

USGS and NPS scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry in small tributary to the Cutler River in the early summer. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Netwo

Alaska Science Center

June 13, 2018

#### Scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry samples 

link

#### Scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry samples 

link

USGS and NPS scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry in small tributary to the Cutler River in the early summer. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Netwo

Alaska Science Center

A stream runs through ice-rich polygonal ground, Cutler River Basin

August 20, 2017

#### A stream runs through ice-rich polygonal ground, Cutler River Basin

link

A small stream meanders through ice-rich polygonal ground in the Cutler River Basin, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that

Alaska Science Center

August 20, 2017

#### A stream runs through ice-rich polygonal ground, Cutler River Basin

link

#### A stream runs through ice-rich polygonal ground, Cutler River Basin

link

A small stream meanders through ice-rich polygonal ground in the Cutler River Basin, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that

Alaska Science Center

Flooding stream in a permafrost landscape, Kobuk Valley National Park

June 12, 2017

#### Flooding stream in a permafrost landscape, Kobuk Valley National Park

link

A flooding stream meanders through a permafrost landscape in Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region

Alaska Science Center

June 12, 2017

#### Flooding stream in a permafrost landscape, Kobuk Valley National Park

link

#### Flooding stream in a permafrost landscape, Kobuk Valley National Park

link

A flooding stream meanders through a permafrost landscape in Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region

Alaska Science Center

The north fork of the Agashashok River

August 20, 2016

#### The north fork of the Agashashok River

link

The north fork of the Agashashok River

Alaska Science Center

August 20, 2016

#### The north fork of the Agashashok River

link

#### The north fork of the Agashashok River

link

The north fork of the Agashashok River

Alaska Science Center

The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

August 14, 2016

#### The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

link

The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks.

Alaska Science Center

August 14, 2016

#### The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

link

#### The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

link

The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks.

Alaska Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

March 28, 2024

####                 A comparison of contemporary and historical hydrology and water quality in the foothills and coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic Slope, northern Alaska              

Alaska Science Center

April 19, 2022

####                 Sensitivity of headwater streamflow to thawing permafrost and vegetation change in a warming Arctic              

Alaska Science Center

April 27, 2021

####                 Arctic insect emergence timing and composition differs across thaw ponds of varying morphology              

Alaska Science Center

December 11, 2020

####                 Permafrost promotes shallow groundwater flow and warmer headwater streams              

Alaska Science Center

April 26, 2017

####                 Potential effects of permafrost thaw on arctic river ecosystems              

Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2016

####                 Dissolved organic matter composition of Arctic rivers: Linking permafrost and parent material to riverine carbon              

Below are news stories associated with this project.

Publication Finds That Permafrost Presence Results in Warmer Headwater Streams

January 13, 2021

####   Publication Finds That Permafrost Presence Results in Warmer Headwater Streams

Permafrost thaw is occurring across the Arctic with potential consequences for hydrology, ecosystems, humans, and wildlife. A team of scientists from...

Read Article

The Arctic is warming at higher rates than much of the rest of the world. For Alaska, this results in changes in hydrology and ecosystems – permafrost is thawing, changing landscapes and releasing nutrients to soils and streams. 

**Return to Water or Landscape Science >> Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies**

View Media Details

The Arctic is warming at higher rates than much of the rest of the world. For Alaska, this results in changes in hydrology and ecosystems – permafrost is thawing, changing landscapes and releasing nutrients to soils and streams. Landscapes and streams are warming, affecting plant growth and fish and wildlife habitat. HEAT aims to understand the impacts of warming on the ecosystems at the Arctic-boreal transition, in the Noatak Preserve in northwestern Alaska. Here, catchments are near the physiographic limit of where trees can grow, and thus vegetation is dominated either by tundra or forest, depending on aspect and elevation. These different land cover types impact water storage, and the movement of water and nutrients from the catchments to the streams. By considering differences in temperatures, stream inflows, biogeochemical cycling, and fish presence, growth, and movement, this project aims to understand the link between physical changes in stream chemistry and fish ecology, with an eye towards how these links will change in the future.

This product is in conjuction with Hydro-ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology

View Media Details

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Joshua C Koch, Ph.D.

##### Research Hydrologist

Alaska Science Center

jkoch@usgs.gov

303-817-5595

#### Michael P Carey, Ph.D.

##### Research Fish Biologist

Alaska Science Center

mcarey@usgs.gov

907-786-7197

#### Christian E Zimmerman, Ph.D.

##### Center Director

Alaska Science Center

czimmerman@usgs.gov

907-786-7071

### Explore Search

                      - Hydrologic Monitoring
                      - Landscape
                      - Alaska Bioregions and Arctic
                      - Water
                      - Large-Scale Restoration Science
                      - Water
                      - Agashashok River
                      - Arctic
                      - hydro-ecology
                      - ecosystems
                      - Arctic PES

View All **

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies              

Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Arctic – Boreal Catchment Studies

Learn More

link

April 18, 2018

####                 Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology              

Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

April 18, 2018

####   Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology

Learn More

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Arctic Coastal Plain Studies              

Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Arctic Coastal Plain Studies

Learn More

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies              

Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Wolverine Glacier Ecosystem Studies

Learn More

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling              

Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Matanuska-Susitna Borough Wetland Modeling

Learn More

link

May 30, 2017

####                 Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)              

Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

May 30, 2017

####   Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)

Learn More

link

April 18, 2017

####                 Nome Creek Experimental Watershed              

Land Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

April 18, 2017

####   Nome Creek Experimental Watershed

Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

September 27, 2023

####                 Length, Weight, Energy Density, and Isotopic Values of Fish from Rivers in Northwest Alaska, 2015-2019              

Alaska Science Center

July 19, 2023

####                 Macroinvertebrates From Streams and Springs in the 1002 Region of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2021              

Alaska Science Center

July 7, 2021

####                 Stream and River Chemistry in Watersheds of Northwestern Alaska, 2015-2019              

Alaska Science Center

March 25, 2021

####                 Stream Temperatures in the Noatak River and Kobuk River Basins, Northwest Alaska, 2017 - 2019              

Alaska Science Center

October 27, 2020

####                 Continuous Records of Shallow Soil Temperature and Moisture in the Noatak River Basin, Alaska              

Alaska Science Center

October 27, 2020

####                 Meteorological Data from Two Locations in the Agashashok River Watershed, Northwestern Alaska, 2015 to 2017              

Alaska Science Center

March 3, 2020

####                 Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River Basins, Northwest Alaska, 2015 - 2017              

Alaska Science Center

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

Gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska

September 4, 2018

#### Gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska

link

A gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that is rapidly warming.

Alaska Science Center

September 4, 2018

#### Gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska

link

#### Gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska

link

A gravel bar on the north fork of the Agashashok River, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that is rapidly warming.

Alaska Science Center

A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska

August 30, 2018

#### A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska

link

A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that is rapidly warming.

Alaska Science Center

August 30, 2018

#### A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska

link

#### A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska

link

A misty morning in the headwaters of the Akillik River, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that is rapidly warming.

Alaska Science Center

Scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry samples 

June 13, 2018

#### Scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry samples 

link

USGS and NPS scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry in small tributary to the Cutler River in the early summer. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Netwo

Alaska Science Center

June 13, 2018

#### Scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry samples 

link

#### Scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry samples 

link

USGS and NPS scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry in small tributary to the Cutler River in the early summer. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Netwo

Alaska Science Center

A stream runs through ice-rich polygonal ground, Cutler River Basin

August 20, 2017

#### A stream runs through ice-rich polygonal ground, Cutler River Basin

link

A small stream meanders through ice-rich polygonal ground in the Cutler River Basin, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that

Alaska Science Center

August 20, 2017

#### A stream runs through ice-rich polygonal ground, Cutler River Basin

link

#### A stream runs through ice-rich polygonal ground, Cutler River Basin

link

A small stream meanders through ice-rich polygonal ground in the Cutler River Basin, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region that

Alaska Science Center

Flooding stream in a permafrost landscape, Kobuk Valley National Park

June 12, 2017

#### Flooding stream in a permafrost landscape, Kobuk Valley National Park

link

A flooding stream meanders through a permafrost landscape in Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region

Alaska Science Center

June 12, 2017

#### Flooding stream in a permafrost landscape, Kobuk Valley National Park

link

#### Flooding stream in a permafrost landscape, Kobuk Valley National Park

link

A flooding stream meanders through a permafrost landscape in Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks because they lie in a region

Alaska Science Center

The north fork of the Agashashok River

August 20, 2016

#### The north fork of the Agashashok River

link

The north fork of the Agashashok River

Alaska Science Center

August 20, 2016

#### The north fork of the Agashashok River

link

#### The north fork of the Agashashok River

link

The north fork of the Agashashok River

Alaska Science Center

The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

August 14, 2016

#### The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

link

The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks.

Alaska Science Center

August 14, 2016

#### The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

link

#### The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

link

The majestic Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Network Parks.

Alaska Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

March 28, 2024

####                 A comparison of contemporary and historical hydrology and water quality in the foothills and coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic Slope, northern Alaska              

Alaska Science Center

April 19, 2022

####                 Sensitivity of headwater streamflow to thawing permafrost and vegetation change in a warming Arctic              

Alaska Science Center

April 27, 2021

####                 Arctic insect emergence timing and composition differs across thaw ponds of varying morphology              

Alaska Science Center

December 11, 2020

####                 Permafrost promotes shallow groundwater flow and warmer headwater streams              

Alaska Science Center

April 26, 2017

####                 Potential effects of permafrost thaw on arctic river ecosystems              

Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2016

####                 Dissolved organic matter composition of Arctic rivers: Linking permafrost and parent material to riverine carbon              

Below are news stories associated with this project.

Publication Finds That Permafrost Presence Results in Warmer Headwater Streams

January 13, 2021

####   Publication Finds That Permafrost Presence Results in Warmer Headwater Streams

Permafrost thaw is occurring across the Arctic with potential consequences for hydrology, ecosystems, humans, and wildlife. A team of scientists from...

Read Article