USGS Water-Year Summary 2024

15258000 KENAI RIVER AT COOPER LANDING, AK

LOCATION - Lat 60°29'34", long 149°48'28" referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NW 1/4 SE 1/4 sec.28, T.5 N., R.3 W., Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK, Hydrologic Unit 19020302, (Seward B-8 quad), Chugach National Forest at Kenai Lake outlet, on right bank 10 ft downstream from bridge on Sterling Highway, 0.9 mi upstream from Bean Creek, and 0.9 mi East of Cooper Landing.

DRAINAGE AREA - 643 mi².

REVISIONS HISTORY - WSP 2136: 1964 (instantaneous maximum discharge).

SURFACE-WATER RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - May 1947 to current year.

GAGE - Water-stage recorder.  Datum of gage is 425.97 ft NAVD88. See WSP 2136 for history of changes prior to August 28, 1965. August 28, 1965 to January 21, 1974, at site 10 ft upstream at present datum. January 22, 1974 to September 30, 1981, non-recording gage at site 40 ft upstream at present datum.

COOPERATION - Records of diversion provided by Chugach Electric Association.

REMARKS - Diversion from Cooper Lake to Kenai Lake above gage through Cooper Lake power plant began May 1961. GOES satellite telemetry at station.

WATER-QUALITY RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - Water years 1950-53, 1955-60, 1966-74, 1976, 1994, and December 2002 to current year.

PERIOD OF DAILY RECORD - WATER TEMPERATURE: Water year 1950, and December 2002 to current year.

INSTRUMENTATION - Electronic water-temperature recorder set for 15-minute recording interval.

REMARKS - Stream is poorly mixed at the outlet of Kenai Lake.

EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - WATER TEMPERATURE: Maximum, 18.0°C, August 18 and 19, 2004; minimum, 0.0°C, several days during most winter periods.