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=Geospatial Summary of Geographical Features on the Juneau Icefield=

Factlets

 * The areal size of the Juneau Icefield is 1744 sqmi.
 * The largest glacier by area at 874 km2 is the Taku Glacier, while the Meade Glacier is 2nd at 748 km2.
 * There are more than 150 glaciers within the boundaries of the Juneau Icefield
 * There are more than 240 peaks over 2000 m within the general area of the Juneau Icefield, of which only <20 have been climbed.
 * Taku Glacier is the longest glacier at 60 km within the Juneau Icefield.
 * There are more than 80 Hydrologic Units within the Juneau Icefield, of which the Field Glacier is the largest Level-10 Basin at 1062.88 km2.
 * The Taku Glacier is the thickest 1477 m at an elevation of 800 m of all measured glaciers in Alaska . The base of the glacier is therefore 677 m below sea level.
 * The Gilkey Trench(Lower Gilkey Glacier) contains three(3) nunataks which are the largest within the Juneau Icefield at 36.6 km2, 38.0 km2 and 42.4 km2.
 * There are four(4) main hydrologic outlets to the Juneau Icefield: Taku River, Berners Bay, Katzehin River and Atlin Lake (to the Yukon River)

Factoids
Mount Poletica is the North Apex Point. All Hydrologic Basins intersect at the point. 190103030000, 190103030703, 190103010205 and 190701010000
 * During the time of maximal glaciation(Neoglacial Period) the Gilkey and Field glaciers intersected and possibly formed a tidewater glacier that formed Berners Bay, Juneau, Alaska 58.76231°N, -134.97981°W
 * The Juneau Icefield is Bi-Modal, in that the Neve Area is divided into two(2) nodes (Mount Poletica) and Mount Nesselrode.
 * The Lemon Creek, Ptarmigan, Sloko and Nakima Glaciers are not considered part of the Juneau Icefield because they do not satisfy the Common Source requirement.

Further Investigation
There are several areas that indicate that further investigation may reveal more details(however slight) as to the systemic structure of the Juneau Icefield.
 * Possible separate glacier near the Field Glacier Neve Zone. Would require ice-penetrating radar (IPR) profiles to determine is a shallow ridge exists and glacial flow analysis by GPS profiling of the area to determine if the flow reflects the hypothetical flow of a separate glacier.
 * Vertical face

Definition of Terms/Terminology
In this article glaciated/glaciation areas means the glacier area and the adjacent landmass up to the Hydrologic Unit Boundary line, while glacier area refers to the actual area of snow/ice which comprises the glacier.

Definition of Glacial Icefield
The characteristic definitions of a Glacial Icefield are:
 * Extensive area of multiple contiguously interconnected Valley Glaciers having a common source
 * Glacier flow is influenced by the underlying topography.
 * Geographical area more than 500 km2
 * Geographical area less than 50000 km2
 * Physically constrained by local/regional topography
 * Unlike an Ice-cap, an Icefield lacks a domed form.

Spacial determination of the Icefield Boundary
 * Geological/Geographical features(Nunataks) surrounded(completely) by the perennial snow/ice area are considered to be part of the Icefield.
 * If a glacier has tributaries that are not connected to the "Common Source", but the main glacier is, the tributaries are still considered part of the Icefield.

Large Icefields in the Western Hemisphere
Note: No detailed measurements have been found to support many of the reported areal sizes of these Icefields.

Notes

Juneau Icefield Areal Boundaries and Size
The Juneau Icefield is reportedly the fifth largest(see table below) Icefield in the Western Hemisphere.

The general geographical boundaries of the Juneau Icefield are defined by the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Hydrologic Unit Code. Southeastern Alaska is within the NHD HUC4-1901 region. The Juneau Icefield hydrological area is further defined at the level-8 hydrologic unit code of HUC8-19010301(less the region to the west of the Lynn Canal), HUC8-19010303, HUC8-19010304, HUC8-19070101(Canada) and HUC8-19070303.

The general geographical boundaries of the Juneau Icefield can also be expressed as the area bounded by the Taku River to the South, Lynn Canal to the west, Skagway River on the north. The Stikine Icefield is south of the Juneau Icefield with the Taku River as the North-South delimiter.

The Juneau Icefield area contains over 50(see Juneau Icefield Hydrologic Unit Code Level-8 Summary below) Level-12 Hydrologic Unit Code as determined by the United States Geological Survey{USGS), some of which contain glaciers within their boundaries. Many of those basins are not completely glaciated, but also include the glacial meltwater drainage areas.

The most accurate determination of the area of the Juneau Icefield is completed using the Spacial determination of the Icefield Boundary rules (above).

Notes

Juneau Icefield Hydrologic Unit Code Level-8 Summary


Notes

Juneau Icefield Hydrologic Unit Code Level-12 Apex Points
A Neve Zone Apex point or ridge is the geographical intersection location of Level-12 Hydrologic Units. The following are the rules for determining Apex locations:
 * Multiple(minimum of three) glaciated hydrologic units(Level-12).
 * All Hydrologic Units intersection points must be the Neve Zone of the area bounded by the Hydrologic Unit.

The Apex is used in this article to determine if the area satisfies the common source rule as to whether the glacial area is part of the Icefield or is a separate/isolated glacial system.

Notes

Notes

Cowee Creek Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrological Dataset: HUC10-1901030104
 * Hydrological Map (The National Map Viewer 2.0)
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Area Polygon mode) to Berners Bay 58.70969°N, -134.99823°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030104.kml

Notes

Special Features

Notes

Field Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrological Dataset: HUC10-1901030102
 * Hydrological Map (The National Map Viewer 2.0)
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Area Polygon mode) to Berners Bay 58.70969°N, -134.99823°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030102.kml



Notes

Special Features

Notes

Notes

Gilkey Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrologic Database: HUC10-1901030103
 * Hydrologic Map (The National Map Viewer 2.0)
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode) to Berners Bay 58.70969°N, -134.99823°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030103.kml

Notes

Special Features

Notes

Notes

Herbert Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrologic Database: HUC10-1901030105
 * Hydrologic Map (The National Map Viewer 2.0)
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode) to Eagle River Bay 58.52617°N, -134.82051°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030105.kml



Notes

Special Features

Notes

Llewellyn Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary

 * National Hydrologic Database: HUC10-1907010100
 * Hydrologic Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode)
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1907010100.kml

Notes

Notes



Notes

Meade Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrological Database: HUC10-1901030307
 * Hydrologic Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode) to Katzehin River 59.19921°N, -135.28898°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030107.kml



Notes

Notes

Notes

Mendenhall Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrological Dataset: HUC10-1901030106
 * Hydrologic Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode) to Auke Bay 58.3623°N, -134.66995°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030106.kml





Notes

Special Features

Notes

Norris Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrological Dataset: HUC10-1901030403
 * Hydrologic Map (The National Map Viewer 2.0)
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode) to the Taku River 58.2013°N, -134.11274°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030403.kml

Notes

Special Features

Notes

Savage Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrologic Database: HUC10-1907010300(Revision) (Canada)
 * Hydrologic Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode)
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1907010300.kml

Notes

Special Features

Notes

Skagway Area Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrologic Database: HUC10-1901030306
 * Hydrologic Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode)
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030306.kml

Notes

Special Features

Notes

South Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrologic Database: HUC10-1901030303
 * Hydrologic Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode) to the Skagway River 59.4494°N, -135.33007°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030303.kml

Notes

Notes

Taku Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrologic Database: HUC10-1901030401
 * Hydrologic Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode) to the Taku River 58.2013°N, -134.11274°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030401.kml



Notes

Special Features

Notes

Notes

Twin Glaciers Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrological Dataset: HUC10-1901030402
 * Hydrological Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode) to the Taku River 58.2013°N, -134.11274°W
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030402.kml

Notes

Notes

Notes

Tulsequah Glacier Hydrologic Unit Code Level-10 Summary
Notes
 * National Hydrologic Database: HUC10-1901030400
 * Hydrologic Map
 * Drainage Area (as determined from USGS TNM 2.0 Viewer in Polygon mode)
 * Google Earth KML Dataset Juneau_Icefield_HUC10-1901030400.kml

Notes

Notes

Nunataks
The following table contains all peaks within the boundaries of the Juneau Icefield that have an elevation range of 2300M to 2399M. nuewbfuewhbf nbufewbuof ujewffewnn njwef kwebfjubhfew weofihhwel. uewbfuewhbf nbufewbuof ujewffewnn njwef kwebfjubhfew weofihhwel

Notes

Glaciological features examples on the Juneau Icefield
The following table contains all peaks within the boundaries of the Juneau Icefield that have an elevation range of 2300M to 2399M. cnioew ifewhife kijiejwfiop n weof welko mpwefifwe jkhjifewip jlhif jelw jwbiofn jflewhinkfjew lwefh njifewjif jkwehfihh jwehihiweohfh wlhfijhiew. fiewhjnfew ew..fnewijewijjhew wekjf weln ewo f we jowe if h fiew fh fjiwe hi f feiw fiwe fi f iweiiif iiwefwf,

more info: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2004/1216/

USGS Geographic Names Information System Omissions
The following table contains those geographical features that utilize a name that has not been entered into the USGS Geographic Names Information System Database. The sources of the names are local references, scientific papers, etc.

Canadian Omissions
The following table contains those geographical features that utilize a name that has not been entered into the USGS Geographic Names Information System Database. The sources of the names are local references, scientific papers, etc.

Juneau Icefield Research Facilities
The Juneau Icefield Research Program(JIRP) and the Foundation For Glacier Research(FFGR) maintains several "Camps" around the expanse of the Icefield for the purpose of bjnvnn momojm inip ionjiojoipjo ceewewd dewde dewdew f fewfwef fewf grggre wwffewfwffewfewfwefeff fewffewf wef ww ffwffw fwfeffwefw bjnvnn momojm inip ionjiojoipjo ceewewd dewde dewdew f fewfwef fewf grggre wwffewfwffewfewfwefeff fewffewf wef ww ffwffw fwfeffwefw bjnvnn momojm inip ionjiojoipjo ceewewd dewde dewdew f fewfwef fewf grggre wwffewfwffewfewfwefeff fewffewf wef ww ffwffw fwfeffwefw bjnvnn momojm inip ionjiojoipjo ceewewd dewde dewdew f fewfwef fewf grggre wwffewfwffewfewfwefeff fewffewf wef ww ffwffw fwfeffwefw dewde dewdew f fewfwef fewf grggre wwffewfwffewfewfwefeff fewffewf wef ww ffwffw fwfeffwefw bjnvnn momojm inip ionjiojoipjo ceewewd dewde dewdew f fewfwef fewf grggre wwffewfwffewfewfwefeff fewffewf wef ww ffwffw fwfeffwefw

Notes

USFS Remote Campsites
The United States Forest Service(USFS) maintains several "Camps" around the expanse of the Icefield for recreational purposes.

Notes

Adjacent USGS Stream Gauges
The following table contains all of the Juneau Icefield that have an emkdsds idcvi clsd ksdjs slknlvdssndvnpp sdvvsd;; vdsvsdv; vdsv;p;sdv emkdsds idcvi clsd ksdjs slknlvdssndvnpp sdvvsd;; vdsvsdv; vdsv;p;sdv emkdsds idcvi clsd ksdjs slknlvdssndvnpp sdvvsd;; vdsvsdv; vdsv;p;sdv emkdsds idcvi clsd ksdjs slknlvdssndvnpp sdvvsd;; vdsvsdv; vdsv;p;sdv emkdsds idcvi clsd ksdjs slknlvdssndvnpp sdvvsd;; vdsvsdv; vdsv;p;sdv emkdsds idcvi clsd ksdjs slknlvdssndvnpp sdvvsd;; vdsvsdv; vdsv;p;sdv Notes

USGS Historical Topographic Maps for the Juneau Icefield area
These maps were obtained from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). They are scanned images of the original paper maps that were published from 1949 to 1997.

Notes

Landsat Image utilization for Glacier Change
The Landsat series of satellites provides a tool for studying Glacier change as a function of time and space. Below are three examples of how Landsat Satellite imagery is utilized to determine the status of a glacier as it pertains to the terminus advancing/retreating. Current Landsat images can be obtained from the USGS LandSatLook website

Example Landsat Image usage in determining glacier terminus migration

 * Meade Glacier: (N 59 13' 54", W 135 4' 17")
 * Mendenhall Glacier: (N 58 25' 58", W 134 32' 43")
 * Taku Glacier: (N 58 25' 58", W 134 32' 43")

Methods used by Pelto(2011)
Pelto (2011) demonstrates the use of historical Landsat images(2005) and USGS topographic maps(1948) to show the retreat and Equilibrium Line Altitude of several glaciers on the Juneau Icefield. The following is a summary table of his results and a reverse engineering of his probable methods.

Notes

Data Acquisition, Conversion and Archival
Acquisition

The Hydrological data used in this article was obtained from the USGS National Map Viewer at. The following is the steps requird to download the datasets:
 * 1) http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/?p=default&b=base1&q=juneau&x=-14975255.499042328&y=8139768.229381051&l=8&v=
 * 2) Select Download Data in upper right corner of screen
 * 3) Select Download by coordinate input, use Latitude/Longitude range from table below. Click Draw Area.
 * 4) Select Hydrography(NHD) & Watersheds(WBD), click Next
 * 5) Select the Dataset from the table below, click Next
 * 6) Enter your email address for the USGS to send you the location of where to download the file
 * 7) Check your email for a message with the subject of The National Map Viewer Order

Conversion

The HUC12-XXXXXX Polygon area was converted from the ESRI Shapefile format files to KML format by utilizing: Google Earth Pro

Select the WBDHU12.shp file to be processed by Google Earth Pro.

Polygon Feature delineation

The display of certain features(ie Nunataks, Neve Zones, etc) was enhanced by manually outlining the structure with the caltopo shape tool to outline the contour interval of the feature and then downloading the kml file to Google Earth Pro

Archival

All data used in this article is available at ???? in KML format.

In the Hydrologic Unit Code analysis, the following document was used. See also:

KML encoding definitons
The Geospatial features identified within this article have been encoded in the KML file with an abbreviated name to identify the type of feature. The codes are as follows:


 * UNG - Unnamed Glacier
 * UNP - Unnamed Peak
 * PGV - Post Glaciation Valley
 * PH - Photo Location
 * EL - Elevation (Glacier surface)
 * SGL - Supra Glacial Lake
 * PGL - Proglacial Lake
 * AX - Hydrologic Unit Apex
 * NT - Nunatak

Select data verification with cited sources
The table below is a summary of reported values from various scientific articles(as noted in the table) for the areal size of the Taku Glacier. A review of the citations listed(below) did not reveal any cited reference(s) as to the reported value or the method used to originally derive the surface area of the Taku Glacier.

This article reported 806km2 using the Hydrologic Basin areal size(874.85km2), less the area(69.0km2) which is comprised of the glacial trim area (ie. the area from the glacier's edge to the Hydrologic Basin boundary where the USGS aerial photo shows a non-glaciated area for the area adjacent and below the Hole-In-The-Wall Glacier. Surface area for the Hole-In-The-Wall Glacier was NOT removed).

Equilibrium Line Altitude / Accumulation-Area Ratio

 * The Equilibrium Line Altitude(ELA) is the altitude separating net gain(accumulation) above this line from net loss(ablation) below this line}}
 * The Accumulation-Area Ratio(AAR) is the extent of the upper or accumulation area, above the ELA, divided by the total extent(actual area of the ice surface) of the glacier.
 * TLA????

Mapping Systems
Caltopo Mapping System(CT)

National Map Viewer(NM)

USGS Historical Maps(HM)

USDA(DA)

Acme Mapping System(AE)

Other Mapping Systems(OM)

Geographical Name Systems
BC GNIS - Glaciers(BCG)

USGS Stream Gauges(SG)

Other
Glacier Change Reports

American Alpine Club Publications

Alpine Journal Publications

Change Matters Publications

Crevasse Zone Reports

News Media, Blogs, etc Articles

Organizations/Club Newsletters/Blogs/Reports/etc

Professional Papers
Thesis and Dissertations(TD)

Journal of Glaciology(JG)

Geophysical Research Letters(GRL)

Earth System Science Data(ESSD)

USGS Professional Papers(GS)

University of Alaska(UA)

Internal Wikipedia
Additional References