University of Alaska, Institute of Water Resources
Abstract
Flute Glacier is located at the head of the South Fork of Eagle River,
Alaska, about twenty air-miles east northeast of Anchorage. It is a small
north-facing glacier, approximately two miles long and half a mile wide,
situated in a deep glacial valley (see Figure 1). Elevations on the glacier
range from 3,500 feet at the terminous to 5,800 feet at the top of the
accumulation area.
Water from Flute Glacier becomes the South Fork of Eagle River, draining
about 32 square miles of area compared to a 192 square mile drainage basin
for Eagle River. Limited discharge measurements made during October 1968
suggest that the South Fork contributes about 20% of the water flowing down
Eagle River. Glacial meltwater forms an important percentage of the waters
of the Eagle River system.
Glaciers feeding the main Eagle River are large, complex and difficult to
study. Flute Glacier, relatively small and of simple plan, was selected for
study because of its small size and proximity to the metropolitan area of
Anchorage. Water from the Eagle River system is presently included in the
plans for future water supply for Anchorage. The Eagle River valley up to
the 500 ft contour is a federal power reserve.
The climate of the area surrounding Flute Glacier is alpine with cool
temperatures and higher than average precipitation for the area. All the
glacier is above treeline so no plant life is obvious. Mountain sheep
inhabit the sharp alpine peaks surrounding the glacier.The work upon which this report is based was supported by funds (Project A-021-
ALAS) provided by the United States Department of the Interior, Office
of Water Resources Research, as authorized under the Water Resources Act of
1964 as amended
