The San Francisco call., 1908-05-17
RECORDS FLOW OF
WATER IN ALASKA
United States Geological Survey
Issues Paper Giving Data
Of Placer Districts
Publication Offers Important In
formation for Miners Around
Nome and Fairbanks

WASHINGTON. May 16.-The close
connection between the growth OF the
important placer mining districts Of
Alaska and the utilization OF their
water resources is a phase Of the sub
5ect upon which too little stress has
been laid ia many publications dealing
with the development of the industry.
That there has been a deplorable lack
u information in regard TO the amount
II water available for hydraulicking g
the placers is shown by the useless
machinery and bitches that may be seen
in some parts OF the territory, and
many disastrous failures could un-
doubtedly have been prevented had
preliminary Investigations been made
by q competent engineer. To push
forward the construction OF bitches
without first making sure Of the prim-
cry requisites for their successful oper-
ation-an adequate water supply
would seem TO any one at all familiar
with the fluctuations OF flow Of ordinary
streams a most unwise proceeding.
in any Of the placer mining regions
Of Alaska much loss and great incon-
venience to mining operators may be
OccasiOned in any season by severe
dr0ughts and at best the rainfall be-
yOnd the coast region is small, rang
ing in the Eukon-Tanana region
from 10 10 Il inches a year
Low WATER PERIOD SHORT
IT is true that the duration OF this
low water period is. as a rule, COM
paratively short. but in view Of the
other unfavorable conditions the short
ness of the season. the frozen ground,
A The distance from base of supply and
Noonsequent high cost OF transportation
Ia reduction OF even two or three
weeks in the length OF the working
season may mean the difference be-
tween profit and loss. The Importance
Of stream flow data to the placer min
ing interests Of Alaska can not, there
fore. be overestimated-
The collection Of data concerning
stream fOw in various parts Of the
United States has been carried on by
the water resources branch of the
United States geological survey for g
number Of years. and information in
regard 10 many Of the more important
streams Of the country is now available
and is extensively used by engineers
and others in problems involving water
power. city supply. irrigation and
manufacturing.
In 1906 Il was decided TO extend
stream Eaging work TO Alaska, and as
hydraulic developments had been car
ried farthest in the Nome region. which
has been an important producer OF
placer gold since 1899, that district was
recOnnaissance was made and gagine
stations were established by John c
EOyt in the early summer Of 1906, and
the work was. then carried on till the
end OF the season by Fred E Henshaw
WORK AROUND FAIRBANKS
In the summer OF 1907 the work was
continued by Henshaw, assisted by
Raymond Richards and was extend cd
into the Kougarok region. north OF the
Kigluaik mountains. in the central
part OF Seward peninsula. The collec-
tiou OF similar records was begun ir
the Fairbanks district OF the Yukon
Tanana region by c. c. Covert. In tn,
Fairbanks district the work was large.
" reconnaissance and but few regu-
lar gaging stations were established
All these Investigations have been con
Quoted under the general supervision o.
A. II. Brooks, geologist IN charge O.
the division OF Alaska mineral re
sources.
The results Of these investigation
Of Alaskan water supply in 1906 ant
1907 have just been published by tn,
survey as Water Supply Paper No. 21s
This report includes descriptions OF tn,
various drainage areas studied, records
Of stream flowing at 134 gaging sta
tiOns on streams and bitches and th'
results Of many miscellaneous meas.
urements A special chapter Of the re.
port is devoted TO the discussion Of
meteorological records, as, owing to the
climatic conditions and the frozeI
ground the relation between strean
flow and precipitation is particular,
close
Copies Of Water Supply Paper No. 21i
may be obtained free OF charge by ap-
plying to the director OF the survey a
Washington, D. C