Yukon River Watershed

Educational Resources

Between 11/1/2003 and 11/15/2003 a flooding event occurred. Graphs of the wind speed and direction collected during this time period have been provided and can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate links below. A wind speed and direction reading is taken every 5-seconds, beginning at the top of the hour. The Instantaneous data is the actual value taken at the top of the hour over a period the two week period. The hourly averages are the 5-second values averaged over a one hour period, beginning at the top of the hour.

Graphs

• Wind Speed - Instantaneous
• Wind Speed - Hourly Averages
• Wind Direction - Instantaneous
• Wind Direction - Hourly Averages
• Kawanak Pass Tidal Range - Early Morning
• Kawanak Pass Tidal Range - Mid-Morning
• Kawanak Pass Tidal Range - Afternoon
• Kawanak Pass Tidal Range - Evening

Data Files

• NOAA Kawanak Pass 2003 Tidal Predictions:
  • Excel File (174KB)
  • ZIP File (39KB)

Helpful Links

• Web Weather for Kids
• NOAA Tidal Predications
• Tides
• Weather and Tides
• Bisbane Water Marine Watch: Tides

Questions

Using the graphs and links, answer the following questions.

• Using the graphs above, describe the wind speed trends for both instantaneous and hourly wind speed and direction.
• Were there any similarities between the wind speed and direction graphs?
• What is a tide?
• What causes a tide?
• What is a tidal range/fluctuation?
• Using the tidal predictions for Kawanak Pass entrance, Yukon River,what was the average tidal fluctuation, or range, in Nunam Iqua?
• Are there any obvious trends in the tidal predications for Kawanak Pass?
• What were tidal fluctuation for the time period of 11/1/03 through 11/15/03?
• Can winds impact tide levels?
• What directions are important for winds to impact water levels and tidal impacts?
• Can winds decrease tidal levels?
• What is barometric pressure?
• Can barometric pressure impact tide levels?
• What atmospheric and tidal conditions would result in the worst flooding conditions?
• What do the village elders say about the causes of floods in the village?
• Using the tidal predictions for Kawanak Pass entrance, Yukon River, what were the atmospheric and tidal conditions during the recent flooding event at Nunam Iqua?