Suspended Load in the Colville River, Alaska, 1962

Abstract

The suspended inorganic data collected in 1962 as part of an overall hydrologic-morphologic study of the Colville River delta, Alaska, are presented. Grain size, load per unit volume and total transport are considered as they vary both spatially and temporally. In 1962, load per unit volume increased at a more rapid rate than discharge such that the peak sediment load preceded peak discharge. Grain size varied positively with discharge although other variables, especially position of sampling point in relation to source area, caused local differences.

One of the most striking characteristics of arctic rivers is the great concentration of activity in a short period of time. Although the Colville River flows for over 4 months of the year much of the discharge and suspended load transport occur during the first few weeks of the season. In 1962, the three-week period just preceding, accompanying and immediately following breakup, was a time of flooding. Forty-three per cent of the annual discharge (16 × 10⁹ m³) and 73 per cent of the total suspended inorganic load (5.8 × 10⁶ tons) were carried oceanward during that period of time.