Geology ReportsSearch

Geology topics

Robert D. Lamke

Publications and source records attributed to Robert D. Lamke.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of glacier ablation on the Snettisham Hydroelectric Project, Long Lake and Crater Lake basins, Alaska, with a section on streamflow records

Long Lake Basin in the Snettisham Project Area southeast of Juneau, Alaska, yields water used for the production of hydroelectric power. Development of adjacent Crater Lake is planned to increase the Project 's generating capacity. Estimates of the hydroelectric potential of the lakes are based on streamflow records which are influenced by glaciers that cover 25% of the combined basins. Analysis of streamflow records shows that the quality and extent of records in the area are sufficient to predict flow from the Crater Creek basin with a fairly high degree of confidence. Comparison of aerial photographs indicates that glacier ablation and recession have been continuous since at least 1929. Estimates of ice-volume change from photogrammetric measurements indicate that less than 2.5% of the average runoff from the basins of Long and Crater Lakes has been from reduction in glacier-ice storage. (Author 's abstract)

Alaska

Flood-prone area maps of three sites along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Alaska

The Bureau of Land Management requested on May 3, 1979 that the U.S. Geological Survey determine the base (100-year) flood-plain limits at three sites (fig. 1) along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Highway (Haul Road) between the Yukon River and Prudhoe Bay in order to issue land-use permits. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT) has constructed maintenance camps at Coldfoot and adjacent to the Jim River near Pump Station 5. The site along the Sagavanirktok River near Pump Station 3 is under consideration as a site for potential development. An analysis of the flood data available at nearby gaging stations, at prior flood-survey sites, and from regional flood analyses was made. The discharge of the 100-year flood was calculated for the three sites using methods described by U.S. Water Resources Council (WRC, 1977) and given in Lamke (1979). Next field examination was made of the sites. Flood-deposited debris upon the overbank flood-ways was used to determine elevations of the maximum evident flood at the three flood-prone sites mapped. The maximum evident floodmarks for these floods were at elevations and locations which indicated that they were independent of ice scars. Ice scars higher than the highest flood debris were found at the Jim River site. Flood evidence of recent peaks was also used as an aid in determining the base flood boundaries. These limits have been delineated on aerial photographs of the sites. Surveying was limited to that necessary to adequately define the base flood boundaries; step-backwater computations were not made. Although some additional pertinent information is shown on the photographs, no attempt was made to delineate areas of inadequate local drainage or seasonal problems of high ground-water tables. Aerial photographs of the three sites were obtained from North Pacific Aerial Survey, Inc., with the permission of Alaskan Natural Gas Transportation Co. One photograph was obtained from Air Photo Tech, Inc., with the permission of Aleyska Pipeline Service Co.

Alaska

Floods in the summer of 1971 in south-central Alaska

Floods and high water occurred throughout the summer of 1971 in south-central Alaska. Snow cover, 150 percent of average, in the mountains on May 1 caused local snowmelt floods from mid-May to mid-July. The peak discharge of 265,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) on July 15 at Copper River near Chitina was the highest in 22 years of record. However, the major flood period was August 8-11. Precipitation totals of 3 to 9 inches during August 5-11 were recorded in an area extending northeastward from Iliamna Lake to Palmer, Talkeetna, and Paxson Lake. The principal flood areas were the upper Copper, Matanuska, Susitna, Chakachatna, and Kvichak River basins. Flooding in the Anchorage area was not severe. Total damage caused by the August flood is estimated to be 8 to 10 million dollars of which 6 million dollars occurred in the Matanuska Valley. Extreme floods occurred in the Matanuska Valley. A lake near Sutton on an unnamed tributary to Granite Creek breached its embankment, which released a peak discharge in Granite Creek on August 10 of 58,600 cfs, 23.4 times the probable 50-year flood. Other streams near Sutton, tributary to the Matanuska River, had peak discharges 1.8 to 8.9 times the probable 50-year flood. The Matanuska River at Palmer had a peak discharge of 82,100 cfs, 1.2 times the probable 50-year flood. Downstream near Bodenburg Butte, an area was inundated when the Matanuska River overtopped a dike. Another extreme flood occurred at the Chakachatna River near Tyonek on August 11 where the peak discharge was estimated to be 470,000 cfs. The peak was caused by lateral erosion of a channel constriction formed by Barrier Glacier at the outlet of Chakachamna Lake. Hydrologic data for planning, discussions of antecedent conditions, and meteorology along with a description of the floods and flood damage are included. Tables of storm precipitation, peak discharge data, sediment data, and discharge for the June-August period are also included.

Alaska