Near-real time continuous data from selected sites at Ester Dome is now available at http://www.uaf.edu/water/projects/ester/sitedata.html. Data includes air temperature, ground-water levels, wind speed/direction, and precipitation. Emily Youcha's thesis, A GEOHYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS OF AN UPLAND-BEDROCK AQUIFER SYSTEM: APPLICATIONS TO INTERIOR ALASKA, is available online as a PDF file. High resolution version - 35MB or Low resolution version - 3.5MB . Have you noticed your Ester Dome neighborhood creek has thick deposits of ice? Aufeis accumulates in stream channels in the winter because groundwater discharges into the stream channel and freezes. Close observation of these processes is important to hydrologists. Please use this form to note occurances of surface runoff, springs, or other flow at Ester Dome. Please download this excel spreadsheet spring observer form (or text file) and send it in to us. The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a study titled, Ground-Water Studies in Fairbanks, Alaska -- A Better Understanding of Some of the United States' Highest Natural Arsenic Concentrations. Included in the study is Ester Dome. Please visit their website and view the fact sheet at http://geology.cr.usgs.gov/pub/fact-sheets/fs-0111-01/

University of Alaska Fairbanks, Water and Environmental Research Center (WERC) investigators have studies hydrology in Interior Alaska for more than 20 years. These investigations include general hydrology studies, geochemical investigations related to mining activities, and watershed-scale investigations. Our current project is supported by the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation. The project title is "Methods of Defining Geohydrologic Systems for Sustainable Development in Interior Alaska Mining Districts". Mining development and increased urbanization are creating potential conflicts for sustainable development of Alaskan mineral resources. One of the key areas of uncertainty and associated risk to Alaska's mining industry and citizens is the protection of hydrologic resources. Technical methods and protocols are needed to better understand how to achieve sustainable development, which will concurrently allow mining development, and protect water resources used by Alaskan citizens. This project will use the recently impacted Ester area, Alaska to develop hydrologic guidelines and methods for evaluating hydrologic resources in other Interior mining locations. Private citizen groups, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks Gold Mining, Arctic Regions Supercomputing Center, and GW Scientific are supporting this project.

A series of hydrologic evaluation methods will be available to promote sustainable development in Interior Alaska upland areas. Development activities include residential, mining, and industrial growth. Current development on Ester Dome will benefit along with other development activities in the general region. Alaskan regulatory agencies will benefit by having critical factors identified related to water-resources evaluation, use, and protection. Please contact us for additional information about project efforts or to obtain copies of project publications.

Can you visualize Ester Dome?

Do you want to learn more about hydrology?

Do you want to learn more ground-water modeling & the inverse approach?

Visit the USGS MODFLOW Web Page

Do you need more information about fractured rock studies?