Nature and Science - Water

If there is anything in great abundance on the Tongass and Chugach National Forests, it is water. Watersheds on the two forests produce an abundance of clean water and internationally significant salmon resources. They contain over 363,000 acres of freshwater lakes and ponds, and over 59,000 miles of streams and rivers.

Coastal Alaska watersheds also contain the largest expanse of mountain glaciers and ice fields outside of the Antarctica and Greenland. Moving water has shaped and continues to shape the land forms of the Tongass and Chugach National Forests. It provides critical habitat for aquatic organisms and many species of birds and mammals.

• Project WET – Project WET is a program to educate people world-wide about water resources and water management.

• Water Resources of Alaska – The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) makes available its real time, daily, monthly and longer term data on surface water, ground water, and water quality parameters.