Colville River Delta Region Spring Breakup Monitoring Hydrological Assessment (1998-2022)

These reports present the observations and results from the Colville River Delta CRD) Spring Breakup Monitoring and Hydrological Assessment for the Alpine Facilities. In the Colville River Delta, the breakup and downstream movement of river ice typically occurs during a three-week period in May and June. The spring breakup event historically produces flooding resulting from the rapid rise and fall of stage often attributed to ice jam formations and releases.

The 2022 monitoring and hydrological assessment is the 31st consecutive year of spring breakup investigations and the 36th year of historical breakup monitoring in the Colville River Delta. Water surface elevations were monitored throughout the delta at locations of hydrologic importance, including near infrastructure. Discharge was measured, and peak discharge was calculated at key locations. The entire breakup event was documented with visual observations and photography from a helicopter and from roadways. Following breakup, roads, pads, and drainage structures were assessed for erosion and damage.

The Colville River is the largest river on the North Slope, originating in the DeLong Mountains on the north side of the Brooks Range, running north and east through the Arctic Coastal Plain, and forms the Colville River Delta (CRD) where the river empties into the Beaufort Sea. The Colville River drainage basin is approximately 23,455 square miles and includes a large portion of the western and central areas north of the Brooks Range.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
ISO Topics inlandWaters
Primary Contact CPAI Environmental Studies Coordinator (n1798@conocophillips.com)
Primary Organization Michael Baker Coorporation
Funding Organizations ConocoPhillips
Other Organizations ConocoPhillips
Organization Types Industry and Consultants
Geo-keywords North Slope
Start Date 1998-01-01
Created February 21, 2019, 08:11 (AKST)
Last Updated January 7, 2023, 09:59 (AKST)