Hydrology of Alaska— W aananen 159 



rence of ground water and permafrost in those regions where 

 permafrost is present. Permafrost is being studied by several 

 groups, including the Geological Survey and the Department of 

 the Army. Some programs are concerned with means of identify- 

 ing the occurrence of permafrost, while others are concerned 

 with construction problems as for airfields, buildings, high- 

 ways and runways. The results of these investigations can be 

 of material assistance to the hydrologist in narrowing the scope 

 of his inquiry. 



Extensive research is in progress in the United States to de- 

 termine further ways and means of applying hydrologic data 

 to the efficient solution of development problems as they arise, 

 as well as to provide additional helpful information. This 

 research includes items such as runoff forecasting procedures, 

 extensions of records, effects of long term variations in climate 

 on runoff, erosion and sedimentation, and the effects of land 

 use practices and watershed management on water supplies. 

 In Alaska the deficiencies in basic data have precluded any 

 extensive research of this nature. However, current investiga- 

 tions by agencies such as the Weather Bureau and the Geo- 

 logical Survey may well be classified as research. This is par- 

 ticularly true in connection with ground water and permafrost 

 studies. Studies of permafrost or arctic and subarctic drainage 

 conducted by the Corps of Engineers, and glaciological and ice 

 field research yield much pertinent information. 



Future research in Alaska should include in addition to the 

 basic data studies, study of such items as (1) evaluation of the 

 type and extent of data required in an ideal hydrologic study 

 program, (2) relation of runoff to snow melt and glacial ice 

 melt, and (3) effects of permafrost on streamflow and the re- 

 covery of ground water. 



Although this paper is entitled "Hydrology of Alaska" the 

 discussion has related principally to hydrologic studies. The 

 various uses to which hydrologic data may be put may illus- 

 trate most effectively both the need for such data and the present 

 deficiencies. A few of these needs are as follows: 



1. The Bureau of Reclamation, in connection with prepara- 



