In the spring, much of the ground water recharge comes from snow melt. Ground water generally discharges to lakes and streams, but may discharge into the oceans. Some ground water is removed, via wells, using pumps. The Division of Mining, Land and Water, Water Management Section , oversees the management and appropriation of Alaska's ground water. Petroleum products are the primary pollutants of ground waters in Alaska.
Urban runoff is the most common pollutant source in Alaska.
The Alaska Hydrologic Survey performs meteorological studies, often as components of larger hydrologic investigations or projects. The Alaska Hydrologic Survey maintains several public information databases, in various formats. This is a statewide well log tracking system database. It is an index to the files of over 25,000 well logs that have been submitted to the Hydrologic Survey, as required by state statute. Other well logs are obtained from various sources, including water rights applications.