Active layer hydrology for Imnavait Creek, Toolik, Alaska

• Main Author: Kane, D.L.
• Other Authors: United States. Department of Energy.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Alaska Univ., Fairbanks, AK (United States). Water Research Center 1986
• Subjects: Heat Flux; Alaska; Progress Report; Document Types; Polar Regions; Arctic Regions; Atmospheric Precipitations; Surface Waters; Hydrology; Meteorology; Chemistry; Runoff; Streams; Usa 540210* > Environment; Terrestrial > Basic Studies > (1990-); Mass Transfer; Watersheds; Water Chemistry; Environmental Transport; Snow; North America; 54 Environmental Sciences; Developed Countries; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/7076796; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1194244/

In the annual hydrologic cycle, snowmelt is the most significant event at Imnavait Creek located near Toolik Lake, Alaska. Precipitation that has accumulated for more than 6 months on the surface melts in a relatively short period of 7 to 10 days once sustained melting occurs. During the ablation period, runoff dominates the hydrologic cycle. Some meltwater goes to rewetting the organic soils in the active layer. The remainder is lost primarily because of evaporation, since transpiration is not a very active process at this time. Following the snowmelt period, evapotranspiration becomes the dominate process, with base flow contributing the other watershed losses. It is important to note that the water initally lost by evapotranspiration entered the organic layer during melt. This water from the snowpack ensures that each year the various plant communities will have sufficient water to start a new summer of growth.