THE RIVER WATER PROTOCOLS
The River Water Protocols provide a complete description of how to collect water samples and analysis them. Two procedures are described:
- measuring the conductivity of the water to determine the total dissolved load; and
- the determination of the total suspended sediment load.
Download the River Water Quality Protocols.
Download a PowerPoint presentation about glacier river water quality and protocols.
CHECK IT OUT!
Learn about Sam's science fair project on his Nenana River water samples (2010)
See pictures of Sam taking water samplings from the Nenana River.
See pictures of Sam sharing his research with other participants in the Denali Discover Camp
Learn about Sam's science fair project on his Nenana River water samples (2009).
Learn about a 2009 water quality project done by Shelby, a Beaver, AK student.
Last year Sam made a series of water quality measurements at McKinley Village. You can see his 2008 results here.
This year, Sam (who is nine and a half years old) has decided to expand his study area to include 2 new sites at Riley Creek and at the bridge just south of "Glitter Gulch" on the Parks Highway. The image on the left is from Google Earth. It is an image mosaic made up of a number of smaller images. These smaller images may not have all been acquired at the same time. This accounts for the "patchwork" appearance of the mosaic. In particular, the area at the bottom of the mosaic appears to have a white film over it. This is probably thin cloud cover; depending on when this image was acquired, it may also be forest fire smoke.
In this image mosaic, the Nenana River appears to have a great deal of "white" associated with it. If you check out the site descriptions (links below), you may be able to tell why.
The Parks Highway is visible as a light gray-brown line that crosses the Nenana River at a number of points in this mosaic, including the Bridge site and near McKinley Village.
Sam has this to say about his site selection:
"I wanted to sample two sites on the river. One before the Yanert Fork came into the Nenana River and one after the Yanert came into the river. I chose the site I did last year (I called it DEC-Denali Education Center, McKinley Village) and a new site near the highway bridge that goes over the Nenana River (near Glitter Gulch , the canyon). I call that one the BRIDGE. The BRIDGE site is easy to get to because you can drive to it and then walk. Then one day, my mom mentioned that Riley Creek also goes into the river before the the BRIDGE site. My dad and I looked at a map and we saw that the Yanert Fork came in after McKinley Village site and before Riley Creek. So I added a third site called Riley Creek. I sample before Riley Creek goes into the Nenana River. That site was harder to get to. I had hiked on both sides before I could find a site that would work. I found a good site that isn't too hard to get to. I did see bear tracks and we bought bear spray but then we found a faster way to get the site so I would not surprise a bear but I have to be careful because I am closer to the river."
This is the third year that Sam has made a series of water quality measurements on the Nenana River in the vicinty of the Denali National Park entrance. He dropped on site from last year (Glitter Gulch Bridge) and addes several new ones including: (1) a site upstream of the Nenana River - Riley Creek confluence; (2) a site downstream of the Nenana River - Riley Creek confluence; (3) a site on Riley Creek; and (4) a site on Yanert Fork.
The image on the left is from Google Earth. It is an image mosaic made up of a number of smaller images. These smaller images may not have all been acquired at the same time. This accounts for the "patchwork" appearance of the mosaic. In particular, the area at the bottom of the mosaic appears to have a white film over it. This is probably thin cloud cover; depending on when this image was acquired, it may also be forest fire smoke.
In this image mosaic, the Nenana River appears to have a great deal of "white" associated with it. If you check out the site descriptions (links below), you may be able to tell why.
The Parks Highway is visible as a light gray-brown line that crosses the Nenana River at a number of points in this mosaic, including near the Denali Education Center (also known as the McKinley Village site).
Yanert Fork was added as a site because this is the main source of suspended sediment to the Nenana River north of the Yaner Fork - Nenana River confluence (recall that the Nenana River flows north to the Tanana River).
The Riley Creek (upstream) was added to determine the qualtiy of the water Riley Creek adds to the Nenana River. The Nenana River (upstream of Riley Creek) and Nenana River (downstream of Riley Creek) sites were added to see if it was possible to determine the impact of the inflow of the Riley Creek water on the quality of the Nenana River water.
The water quality measurements were made on the Nenana River at McKinley Village (see map and satellite image below) in 2008 and 2009. The site is located at 63° 39.26'N, 148° 49.19'W.
This is a view of the Nenana River at the Denali Education Center McKinely Village site. Notice that this is the same place that Nan Eagleson made ice observations in 2007.
Topographic map of the region around McKinlley Village.
McKinley Village is located 8 miles south of the main entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve on the Parks HIghway (map, above right). The highway and the bend in the river are clearly visible in the satellite image above. The Denali Education Center is directly behind village; Sam's sampling site is located on its "beach".
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near McKinley Village.
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river. Note that in general, this increases during the summer.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load. Note that, in general, this decreases during the summer.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH. Note that for most of the summer, the air temperature is higher than the water temperature. However, as the Fall approaches, this relationship reverses. The water freezes after a short period at 0°C.
Graph D summarizes the observed precipitation conditions during water sampling and the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2008 water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near McKinley Village.
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the observed precipitation conditions during water sampling and the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2009 McKinley Village water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near McKinley Village.
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2010 McKinley Village water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
The Riley Creek sampling site is located at 63°43.624'N, 148°53.008’W, not far from the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve.
This is a ground level view of the sampling site. Notice that Riley Creek is flowing into the Nenana River from left to right in this picture.
This is a closer look at the confluence of Riley Creek and the Nenana River. Notice that the Riley Creek water is very clear while the Nenana River water is very gray-brown due to all of the glacial sediment that is suspended in it.
Sam's Riley Creek site has been visited by local wildlife throughout the summer. Here is a picutre of a bear paw print he took in August. Notice the deep gouges made in the soft ground by the bear's claws.
This is a closer look at the Riley Creek site. Notice that Riley Creek enters the Nenana River just north of the sampling site. In this image there is a lot of white. Can you guess why? Hint: this image was taken in the spring.
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near the study area
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2009 Riley Creek water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near the study area
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2010 Riley Creek water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
The water quality measurements are being made on the Nenana River at the bridge near "Gliter Gulch". This is the name for the area just north of the entrance to Denali Nation Park and Preserve where all of the hotels, lodges and shops are located. The site is located at 63°44.234'N, 148°53.219’W and is the fartherest north of Sam's sampling sites.
The satellite image at right shows the bridge over the Nenana River just south of "Glitter Gulch". There is a foot bridge right next to it. People can walk over the river on it. This image was acquired in early spring, so there is still quite a bit of river ice left (white areas).
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near the study area
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2009 Glitter Gulch Bridge water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
Sam added three new sampling sites to the area around the confluence of the Nenana River and Riley Creek. The first is a short way up Riley Creek itself. Sampling here allows Sam to compare the water quality of the Nenana River, which is primairly a glacier fed river, and Riley Creek, which is primarily a snowpack and seasonal precipitation fed creek. The other two sites are on the Nenana River upstream and downstream from the confluence of the Nenana River and Riley Creek. These sites allow Sam to gauge what impact the Riley Creek outflow has on the water quality of the Nenana River.
A view of the three new samping sites along with the site from last year (RC).
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near the study area
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2010 McKinley Village water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
Sam added three new sampling sites to the area around the confluence of the Nenana River and Riley Creek. The first is a short way up Riley Creek itself. Sampling here allows Sam to compare the water quality of the Nenana River, which is primairly a glacier fed river, and Riley Creek, which is primarily a snowpack and seasonal precipitation fed creek. The other two sites are on the Nenana River upstream and downstream from the confluence of the Nenana River and Riley Creek. These sites allow Sam to gauge what impact the Riley Creek outflow has on the water quality of the Nenana River.
A view of the three new samping sites along with the site from last year (RC).
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near the study area
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2010 Nenana River (downstream) water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
Sam added three new sampling sites to the area around the confluence of the Nenana River and Riley Creek. The first is a short way up Riley Creek itself. Sampling here allows Sam to compare the water quality of the Nenana River, which is primairly a glacier fed river, and Riley Creek, which is primarily a snowpack and seasonal precipitation fed creek. The other two sites are on the Nenana River upstream and downstream from the confluence of the Nenana River and Riley Creek. These sites allow Sam to gauge what impact the Riley Creek outflow has on the water quality of the Nenana River.
A view of the three new samping sites along with the site from last year (RC).
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near the study area
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2010 Riley Creek (upstream) water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
A general view of the Yanert Glacier and Yanert Fork. Yanert Fork joins the Nenana River at its confluence (far left). There is significant cloud cover on this image making it difficult to clearly see all of the glaciers in the Alaska Range.
Yanert Fork is fed by snowmelt and precipitation. However, most of the water in this stream comes from meltwater from Yanert Glacier, which is located in the Alaska Range (see image above).
Sam's sampling site is accessible by a trail through the trees on ATVs (smooth linear feature trending SSE from the site marker). Sam and some of his family went to the sampling site once a month to document the changes in water temperature, dissolved ion content and suspended sediment load.
In preparation for this sampling campaign Sam took a flight over the Yanert Galcier. Take a look at his pictures!
The Yaner Fork sampling site is at the end of a trail (smooth linear feature running to the SSE below the Yanert Fork marker. The confluence of Yanert Fork and the Nenana River appears in the center of the image. Notice that the Nenana River is still largely frozen over at that location.
These graphs summarize the observed data and meteorological data from the airstrip at Healy (PAHV) near the study area
Graph A summarizes the measured water conductiivty. This is a measure of the dissolved (chemical) load of the river.
Graph B summarizes the measured sediment load.
Graph C summarizes the air and water temperature at the time of sampling and the mean daily air temperature and the occurrence of precipitation at PAVH.
Graph D summarizes the occurrence of precipitation at PAHV. The tall bars indicate when rain was observed; the shorter bars indicate snow.
You can download Sam's 2010 Riley Creek water quality data and the Healy airstrip (PAHV) weather data.
Project Details
Nenana River Project
Monitoring the freeze-thaw cycle of the Nenana River
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