topographic maps, and other data sources. Based on more complete site des- 

 criptions, preliminary variables were established with which to compare and 

 se I ect s i tes. 



Site comparisons were restricted to sites within the same region to 

 insure adequate representation of the North Slope, the Northern Interior, 

 Southern Interior, and the Seward Peninsula. Six sites were selected to 

 represent the Seward Peninsula, eight for the North Slope, six for the 

 Northern Interior, and five for the Southern Interior (Figure I). The sites 

 were categorized by the presence or absence of fish on the basis of field 

 observation and reliable background information. The sites that were known 

 to contain fish after gravel removal were compared to determine which should 

 receive additional study. 



All sites were previously mined. As stated earlier, sites could not be 

 identified which would allow studies (within project schedules) before, 

 during, and after gravel removal operations. All sites were named in ac- 

 cordance with the U.S. Board of Geographic Names. However, two sites oc- 

 curred on unnamed streams and were assigned project names of Skeetercake 

 Creek (unnamed tributary to the Too I i k River) and Aufeis Creek (unnamed 

 tributary to the Kuparuk River). When two study sites occurred on the same 

 river, they were designated upstream and downstream respective to their 

 locat i ons. 



Major Variable Matrix 



Following site selection the preliminary variables used to compare 

 sites were reviewed to determine which should be considered major variables. 

 Initial ly, nine major variables identified as either site characteristics or 

 mining characteristics were selected to describe each of the 25 sites 

 (Woodward-Clyde Consultants 1976). These parameters were chosen because 

 they were thought to be important from the standpoint of assessing gravel 

 removal effects, they best described the sites, and they allowed selection 

 of sites which exhibited the greatest variety of variables. The variety was 

 especially important because it insured that sites were different, thus 



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