Geological and Geophysical Investigations of the Hydrogeology of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Part 1: Canol Road Area,
1997
Lawson, Daniel E. | Strasser, Jeffrey C. | Strasser, Jodie D. | Arcone, Steven A. | Delaney, Allan J.
The hydrogeology of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, is extremely complex because of the relatively impermeable discontinuity of permafrost, which controls the distribution and dimensions of the aquifer. Aquifers occur above, below and adjacent to permanently frozen materials, as well as within thaw zones surrounded by permafrost. This complexity makes it difficult to predict the direction and rate of ground water flow, as well as its seasonal and annual variability. Considerable problems exist in locating suspected contaminant plumes, identifying source areas, defining transport paths and evaluating contaminant fate. This report summarizes the results of ongoing investigations of the permafrost and ground water conditions within the northwestern part of the Fort Wainwright cantonment area, north of the Chena River. Data from ground-penetrating radar, drilling, ground water flow sensors, aerial photographs and ground observations were used to delineate aquifer distribution and develop a conceptual physical model of hydrogeological conditions. Ground water seepage velocity and direction, which were measured during early to mid-winter 1994-95, reflect the role of local water sources and permafrost distribution in determining ground water flow patterns. Other factors, including the vertical and lateral extent of permafrost, a bedrock aquifer, and the alluvial origins of unfrozen sediments and landforms, are apparently more important than the subregional aquifer in determining ground water conditions during winter. Contaminant migration will be strongly affected by these factors as well.
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