INTRODUCTION
The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with State and other agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Alaska
each water year. These data, accumulated during many water years, constitute a valuable data base for developing an improved understanding of the water resources of the State. To make these data
readily available to interested parties outside the Geological Survey, the data are published annually in this report series entitled "Water Resources Data -Alaska."
Water resources data for the 2002 water year for Alaska consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stages of lakes; and water levels and water quality of
ground water. This volume contains records for water discharge at 109 gaging stations; stage or contents only at 5 gaging stations; water quality at 26 gaging stations; and water levels for 45
observation wells. Also included are data for 32 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program
and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. Some data collected during 2002 will be published in subsequent reports. These data represent that part of the National Water Data
System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Alaska.
Records of discharge and stage of streams, stage of lakes, chemical quality, water temperatures, and suspended sediment were first published in U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply
Papers. Through September 30, 1960, these data were published in seven Water-Supply Papers entitled "Quantity and Quality of Surface Waters of Alaska" (through 1950, 1951-53, 1954-56, 1957, 1958,
1959, 1960). Since 1960, streamflow records and related data were published in a five-year series of Water-Supply Papers for 1961-65 and 1966-70 entitled "Surface Water Supply of the United
States."Water-quality records were published in a Water-Supply Paper entitled "Quality of Surface Waters of Alaska, 196l-63" and after then until 1970 in an annual series of Water-Supply Papers
entitled "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." Records of groundwater levels were published from 1949 to 1974 in a series of Water-Supply Papers entitled "Ground-Water Levels in the
United States." Water-Supply Papers may be consulted in the libraries of the principal cities in the United States or may be purchased from U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Information Services,
Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225.
For water years 1961 through 1970, streamflow data were also released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. Water-quality records for water years
1964 through 1970 were similarly released either in separate reports or in conjunction with streamflow records.
Beginning with the 1971 water year, water data for streamflow, water quality, and ground water are published in official Survey reports on a State-boundary basis. These official
Survey reports carry an identification number consisting of the two-letter State abbreviation, the last two digits of the water year, and the volume number. For example, this report identified as
"U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report AK-02-1." These water-data reports are for sale, in paper copy or in microfiche, by the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. Additional information, including current prices, for ordering specific reports may be obtained from the District Chief at the address given on the back of the
title page or by telephone (907) 786-7100.
The USGS is continually updating the availability of its information on the World Wide Web. Current streamflow conditions (via satellite) for Alaska and other Alaskan water
resource information can be found at http://ak.water.usgs.gov/
Nationwide information on water resources, including real-time and historic streamflow data, water-use data, publications and USGS program activities, can be found at http://water.usgs.gov/
Last update: 9:30:16 Fri 6 Feb 2004
URL: https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/WDR-AK-02-1
