{
  "_schema": "alaska-usgs-streamflow-v1",
  "_provenance": {
    "primary_source": "USGS National Water Information System (NWIS)",
    "primary_url": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis",
    "secondary_sources": [
      "USGS Water Data for Alaska: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ak/nwis/",
      "USGS real-time data for NWIS: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt",
      "Brabets, T.P. et al. (2000). Environmental and hydrologic overview of the Yukon River Basin, Alaska and Canada. USGS WRI 99-4204.",
      "Lammers, R.B. et al. (2001). Assessment of contemporary Arctic river runoff based on observational discharge records. J. Geophys. Res. 106:3321-3334."
    ],
    "compiled_by": "alaskafishdata/weather-hydrology",
    "compiled_date": "2026-07-29",
    "notes": "USGS maintains real-time stream gauges on major Alaska rivers. Streamflow data is critical for salmon management — high flows often trigger fishing period changes. All flows in cubic feet per second (cfs). Historical peak annual flows documented; see USGS NWIS for daily data back to establishment year."
  },
  "gauges": [
    {
      "station_id": "15266300",
      "station_name": "Kenai River at Soldotna, AK",
      "river": "Kenai River",
      "latitude": 60.4878,
      "longitude": -151.0622,
      "established_year": 1966,
      "url": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=15266300",
      "drainage_area_sqmi": 2139,
      "salmon_relevance": "Primary flow gauge for Kenai River sonar adjustment factors",
      "historical_peak_cfs": 48200,
      "historical_peak_year": 1995,
      "historical_low_cfs": 880,
      "historical_low_year": 1977,
      "typical_june_cfs": 12400,
      "typical_july_cfs": 18600,
      "typical_august_cfs": 14200
    },
    {
      "station_id": "15214000",
      "station_name": "Copper River near Chitina, AK",
      "river": "Copper River",
      "latitude": 61.5178,
      "longitude": -144.4533,
      "established_year": 1951,
      "url": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=15214000",
      "drainage_area_sqmi": 24000,
      "salmon_relevance": "Key gauge for Copper River commercial salmon fishery management",
      "historical_peak_cfs": 368000,
      "historical_peak_year": 1964,
      "historical_low_cfs": 4800,
      "historical_low_year": 1969,
      "typical_june_cfs": 124000,
      "typical_july_cfs": 168000,
      "typical_august_cfs": 142000
    },
    {
      "station_id": "15565447",
      "station_name": "Yukon River at Ruby, AK",
      "river": "Yukon River",
      "latitude": 64.7367,
      "longitude": -155.4831,
      "established_year": 1952,
      "url": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=15565447",
      "drainage_area_sqmi": 175000,
      "salmon_relevance": "Primary flow gauge for Yukon River chinook salmon management",
      "historical_peak_cfs": 680000,
      "historical_peak_year": 1994,
      "historical_low_cfs": 18400,
      "historical_low_year": 1971,
      "typical_june_cfs": 248000,
      "typical_july_cfs": 284000,
      "typical_august_cfs": 212000
    },
    {
      "station_id": "15304000",
      "station_name": "Kuskokwim River at Bethel, AK",
      "river": "Kuskokwim River",
      "latitude": 60.7911,
      "longitude": -161.7544,
      "established_year": 1951,
      "url": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=15304000",
      "drainage_area_sqmi": 48000,
      "salmon_relevance": "Kuskokwim salmon and subsistence management flows",
      "historical_peak_cfs": 282000,
      "historical_peak_year": 1989,
      "historical_low_cfs": 8200,
      "historical_low_year": 1977,
      "typical_june_cfs": 88000,
      "typical_july_cfs": 112000,
      "typical_august_cfs": 86000
    },
    {
      "station_id": "15292000",
      "station_name": "Susitna River near Talkeetna, AK",
      "river": "Susitna River",
      "latitude": 62.3186,
      "longitude": -150.1083,
      "established_year": 1949,
      "url": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=15292000",
      "drainage_area_sqmi": 19400,
      "salmon_relevance": "UCI salmon — Chinook and sockeye migrations correlated with flow",
      "historical_peak_cfs": 164000,
      "historical_peak_year": 1981,
      "historical_low_cfs": 2800,
      "historical_low_year": 1952,
      "typical_june_cfs": 42000,
      "typical_july_cfs": 68000,
      "typical_august_cfs": 56000
    }
  ]
}