Headwater Stream Data from the Noatak and Kobuk River Basins, Alaska, 2015-2017

Joshua C. Koch of the United States Geological Survey collected 15-minute interval data on stream temperature, stage, and discharge from low-order streams in Northwestern Alaska. The data covers the summer months across 2015 to 2017, with monitoring sites in the Agashashok River basin and additional locations added in 2017. Discharge was derived from stage data using rating curves developed during site visits.

Use Cases

• Modeling stream discharge dynamics based on stage data and rating curves.
• Analyzing diurnal and seasonal water temperature patterns in Arctic headwaters.
• Studying hydrological responses in low-order streams to summer conditions.
• Calibrating remote sensing or camera-based stage estimation methods.

Strengths

• Data is collected at a high temporal resolution of 15-minute intervals.
• Includes a separate file detailing stage and temperature sensor accuracy for each stream and year.
• Covers multiple field seasons (2015-2017) with an expanded monitoring network in 2017.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

United States Geological Survey

Collection Method

Field deployment of combined pressure transducer and temperature sensors, with discharge calculated from stage via rating curves.

Time Range

2015-2017 (summer months)

Geography

Headwater streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River valleys, Northwestern Alaska, including the Agashashok River basin.