National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Program Center Water Resources Information and Issues Overview Report Katmai National Park and Preserve Alagnak Wild River Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRTR—2007/057 ON THE COVER Photographs: (top) Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Katmai National Park and Preserve (Jim Gavin); (lower left) Brooks River, Katmai National Park and Preserve; (lower middle) Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park and Preserve (Jim Gavin); (lower right) Alagnak Wild River (Jim Winn) Water Resources Information and Issues Overview Report Katmai National Park and Preserve Alagnak Wild River Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRTR—2007/057 Janis Kozlowski National Park Service Alaska Regional Office 240 West 5th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501 With contributions from: Jenny Biggs Linda Stromquist Biological Science Tech Geologist National Park Service National Park Service Alaska Region Alaska Region Rusty Myers Don Weeks Professor of Environmental Science Hydrologist Alaska Pacific University National Park Service Water Resources Division Page Spencer Denver, Colorado Ecologist National Park Service Alaska Region Cartography by: Jeff Bennett GIS Specialist National Park Service Alaska Region October 2007 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resources Program Center Fort Collins, Colorado The Natural Resource Publication series addresses natural resource topics that are of interest and applicability to a broad readership in the National Park Service and to others in the management of natural resources, including the scientific community, the public, and the NPS conservation and environmental constituencies. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and is designed and published in a professional manner. The Natural Resources Technical Reports series is used to disseminate the peer-reviewed results of scientific studies in the physical, biological, and social sciences for both the advancement of science and the achievement of the National Park Service’s mission. The reports provide contributors with a forum for displaying comprehensive data that are often deleted from journals because of page limitations. Current examples of such reports include the results of research that addresses natural resource management issues; natural resource inventory and monitoring activities; resource assessment reports; scientific literature reviews; and peer reviewed proceedings of technical workshops, conferences, or symposia. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations and data in this report are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the U.S. Department of the Interior, NPS. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the National Park Service. Printed copies of reports in these series may be produced in a limited quantity and they are only available as long as the supply lasts. This report is also available from the NPS Water Resources Division technical reports website on the internet, or by sending a request to the address on the back cover. (http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/wrdpub.cfm) Please cite this publication as: Kozlowski, J. 2007. Water Resources Information and Issues Overview Report, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alagnak Wild River. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRTR—2007/057. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS D-112, October 2007 Dedication Completion of this report was only possible through the diligent efforts of those who came before. There are many who contributed to our knowledge and expanded our appreciation for the value of water resources in Katmai, and we express our appreciation for their efforts. Above all, one scientist and her work will be remembered by many. Jacqueline LaPerriere was a gifted scientist and blessed with the ability to convey her enthusiasm for limnology to those she came in contact with. Without her contributions, dedication and love for science we wouldn’t have the understanding and appreciation of water that we do. It was with great sadness that we lost Jackie to cancer in 1997. But her smile, vivacious personality and dedication to her work will be remembered by all who met her. This report is intended to carry on her work and is dedicated to her memory. Jacqueline D. LaPerriere Table of Contents Executive Summary Chapter 1: Goals and Objectives for Managing Water Resources in the Park Purpose of the Report Environmental Compliance The Challenge Meeting the Challenge Goals for Management of Water in Katmai Partnering in Watershed Management and Conservation Relationship to Other Planning Efforts Identifying Water Resource Issues and Research Needs Management Strategies Chapter 2: Roles and Responsibilities for Management of Water Resources Establishment of the Park Water Resource Related Purposes and Values Boundaries and Jurisdiction State and Federal Roles in Management of Water Resources Chapter 3: Factors Affecting the Formation and Evolution of Watersheds Climate Physiography Geology Soils Glaciers, Lake Ice and Snowpack Flow regimes Ground Water Hydrothermal Systems Air Resources i Chapter 4: Watershed Characteristics Katmai - One of the Largest Outdoor Laboratories in the World Surface Water Resources Characteristics of Katmai Waters Biological Indicator of Contamination Water Quality Standards Terrestrial Biota of the Watershed Chapter 5: Fisheries Bridging the Gap The Importance of Fish to Local People and Katmai’s Ecosystem Management of Fish Stocks Status of Fish Species in Katmai Chapter 6: Patterns of Human Use Importance of Waters to Local People Demographics of Surrounding Communities Subsistence Use of Wild Resources Land Ownership and Use Visitor Use in Katmai Recreational Use of Waterways Environmental Risk Factors Chapter 7: Water Resource Issues Water Rights Coordination Coastal Zone Management Baseline Inventory and Monitoring Wetlands Protection Impacts Associated with Development at Brooks River Airborne Contaminants Climate Change and its Influence on Water Resources Nutrient Cycling Recreational Use Impacts Management of Hazardous Wastes Energy Initiatives Shortage of Hydrologic Expertise ii Chapter 8: Recommended Actions Public Input into Development of the Water Resources Report Goals for Management of Water Resources in Katmai Accomplishing Defined Goals Project Statements Chapter 9: Literature Cited Appendices: Appendix A: Scoping Workshop Participants Appendix B: Issues and Priorities Identified at the Scoping Workshop Appendix C: Fishery Resources of Katmai National Park and Preserve and the Alagnak Wild River Appendix D: Maps Map Title Katmai region (1:2,000,000) Landscapes (1:650,000) Generalized bedrock geology Water sample stations (1:650,000) Water sample stations, inset A (1:350,000) Water sample stations, inset B (1:350,000) Physiography (1:650,000) Landcover (1:650,000) Katmai Land status (1:650,000) Land Status – inset A Land Status – inset B (1:650,000) Coastal Resources - North (1:350,000) Coastal Resources - South (1:350,000) iii List of Figures Chapter 3 1. Monthly mean air temperature data, 1971-2000, for Kodiak Island and King Salmon. Brooks Lake data for 1951-1972 2. Monthly mean precipitation data for 1971-2003 for Kodiak Island and 1955-2003 for King Salmon. Data for Brooks Lake is from 1951-1972. 3. Summary of wind data for King Salmon 4. Freeze free probabilities for King Salmon 5. Spring freeze probabilities for King Salmon 6. Fall freeze probabilities for King Salmon 7. The Alagnak River 8. Bristol Bay wetlands 9. Moraines north of Naknek Lake 10. Moraines and lakes north of Kukaklek Lake 11. Wetlands north of Lake Coville 12. The Aleutian Range 13. Katmai River 14. Glaciers on Mount Douglas 15. Savonoski River 16. Hallo Bay on the Shelikof coast 17. Annual growth increments of five spruce trees from Brooks Lake, 1855-1951 Chapter 6 1. Population trend for Naknek 2. Population trend for South Naknek 3. Fish drying on a rack 4. Population trend for King Salmon 5. Population trend for Kokhanok 6. Visitation trend, 1979-2000 7. Visitor use of the Alagnak Wild River, as measured in angler days Chapter 7 1. Observed distribution of Exxon Valdez oil spill, March 24-June 20, 1989 2. Katmai National Park and Preserve, Natural Resource program organization and structure iv List of Tables Chapter 3 1. Average rainfall by month from weather reporting stations in and around Katmai National Park and Preserve. 2. Mean snowfall, in inches, for Kodiak and King Salmon. 3. Average monthly heating degree-days for Kodiak and King Salmon 4. Landscape units at multiple scales for Katmai 5. Ecosystem sections in Katmai 6. Potential emissions form power generation in the Katmai region Chapter 4 1. Major lakes in the Naknek River drainage of Katmai National Park and Preserve 2. Basins of Naknek Lake 3. Major lakes in the Alagnak River drainage of Katmai National Park and Preserve 4. Mean optical and related water quality characteristics of large lakes in Katmai 5. Brooks Lake secchi disk transparency 6. Summary of lake level changes, Mt. Katmai crater lake 7. Katmai crater lake analytical data for water samples collected in 1975 8. High natural concentrations of constituents in inlet streams responsible for unusual characteristics of Battle Lake 9. Characteristics of Alagnak drainage waters 10. Lake