Water Resources of Beaver Creek National Wild River: Stream Gaging Data from 1993 to 2000 with Summary Statistics

When Beaver Creek was designated a National Wild River on December 2, 1980, the proposed management objectives included maintaining the pristine, free-flowing condition of the river, optimum and long-term utilization of the fish and wildlife resources, and high-quality primitive recreational opportunities. To support and maintain these values, the BLM initiated a water rights quantification project for that portion of Beaver Creek National Wild River that is in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. This original quantification was the basis for an application for water rights, which was granted by the State of Alaska on May 26, 1989. However, since the streamflow values used in the application were estimated from synthesized mean monthly hydrographs and regional flood-frequency relationships, the State requested that the BLM document the streamflow for a 10-year period prior to any statutory review. BLM began stream gaging at three sites in 1988–1989, and the streamflow data collected through 1992 was published previously. This report includes the data collected from 1993 to 2000, as well as statistical analysis of all data collected from 1988 to 2000. Recommendations from this analysis include submitting an amendment to the original application for an instream flow reservation with the State to reflect the increased streamflow documented in this report; quantification of instream flow at the larger springs, since they appear to contribute an inordinate share of viable over-wintering aquatic habitat; and continued resurveys of the riparian reference sites, as well as snow and climatic monitoring, to document long-term changes in the Wild River corridor. Since it is the primary access for float boating on Beaver Creek, the instream flow also needs to be quantified on lower Nome Creek.