Abstract |
In spite of an abundant water resource in Alaska, water supply shortages exist in many communities primarily because of quality consideration. Water temperatures are particularly important because of distribution costs and problems associated with low ambient winter temperatures. As a result there are management needs for water resources in Anchorage, Alaska. Past and current knowledge related to artificial recharge is examined in relation to increasing water table elevation and temperatures of the groundwaters underlying Anchorage, Alaska. Long term infiltration processes are considered from the standpoint of the design and operation of off-stream artificial recharge basins. Significantly the geometry of recharge ponds is related to the temporal infiltration relationship. Because of a noticeable lack of knowledge, it is difficult to determine aquifer response resulting from artificial recharge. The damped character of groundwater basins seems to preclude warming of groundwaters by selective recharge of warm summer stream flows. (Author) |