Water Quality in Alaskan Campgrounds

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Author
Murphy, R. Sage
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URI
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/1789
Abstract
This report presents an evaluation of water quality in Alaskan Campgrounds using laboratory determinations and on-site evaluations. In general, ground water quality was found to be excellent and surface water quality unacceptable for human consumption and total body contact recreation. The most pressing need was found to be the provision of an approved drinking water supply for each campground. The· environmental health aspects of campgrounds were found to be largely neglected. Many of the sewage systems are inadequate resulting in pollution of the ground and surface water. Solid waste was found to be stored and disposed of by unacceptable methods. Finally, many campgrounds are located in swampy areas or located in areas subject to annual flooding.
Description
The project upon which this report is based was originally begun in 1967 supported by matching funds from the University of Alaska and the Office of Water Resources Research. Extensive field work was accomplished during the summers of 1967 and 1968 and much data, both chemical and economic, was collected. The economic aspects of the data were turned over to Dr. Robert Haring, one of the principal investigators. However, this material became inaccessible with the departure of Dr. Haring from the University of Alaska. For a time, completion of the project appeared to be thwarted and, in 1972, the Institute of Water Resources contemplated writing a termination report. Fortunately, another option became available to the Institute. Russell Vizina, a graduate student in the Program of Environmental Health Sciences at the University, felt that the data already collected could form the nucleus of a Master's thesis. He proposed to update and expand the existing data and to this end was financially supported by the State of Alaska. The result of Mr. Vizina's efforts is the completion report which follows.
Date
1973-01
Publisher
University of Alaska, Institute of Water Resources
Type
Technical Report
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