The Science Behind the Crystal Clear Waters of Kodiak, AK
At first look, one thing is clear – the waters around the Island of Kodiak are stunningly beautiful. Crystal clear waves roll up onto the shore, offering endless opportunities for enjoying fishing, boating, and relaxing. But there is so much more beyond the surface. The story of Kodiak’s waters is interesting and complex, just as its history is.
The color of Kodiak’s waters is affected by a number of factors, including the variety of marine life, the chemistry of the water, the unique Kodiak climate, the tides, and the oceanography in the area.
The Science of Cold WaterAs expected, the water around Kodiak is quite cold. Cold water slows decomposition, and this leads to less decayed organic matter in the water. Less decayed organic matter equals fewer floating particles, leading to clearer water. While the concept seems simple, it’s a complex process that results in the beautiful waters you see today.
Research that EducatesThat science is also highly monitored, particularly by the Kodiak Island Limnology Lab (KILL). Since 2000, KILL has sampled, analyzed, and provided recommendations about the water on and around Kodiak Island. KILL checks water and zooplankton samples for concentrations of phosphorus, silicon, biomass, color, density, nitrogen, and photosynthetic pigment. They then use this information to educate local biologists, hatcheries, and other agencies. Water education helps these groups make decisions about lake fertilization, stocking, and other ecosystem projects and services.
Along with KILL, Alaska Coastal Observations and Research (ACOR) monitors and studies shoreline ocean ecology to learn how the biological and physical processes at work here affect local water clarity and quality.
Strong Tides & Rocky CoastlinesMuch of Kodiak’s coastline is steep and rocky, with strong currents and tides hitting the coastline and churning the water. Because of this constant movement, sediment doesn’t settle on the water’s surface, and less soil and silt washes into the ocean. The rocky coastlines also hold up well to erosion, even with more than 125 inches of rain per year.
With less silt, the water’s top layers remain clean and crystal clear in appearance. Another contributing factor to the clear water is the source of the water’s nutrients. Most nutrients come from the deep ocean instead of nearby rivers, so murkiness is low and marine life support is rich.
Clear, but Not Always Safe While clearer water may seem safer, that’s not necessarily the case. NOAA researchers study algal blooms to consider water safety. Alexandrium, which is toxic and causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), has increased in Kodiak over the past few decades. Kodiak has accounted for 25% of PSP cases in recent years, so research and monitoring are key.
The NOAA has created bloom-mapping surveys and hydrographic instruments to better understand the blooms – and hopefully help reduce them and their effects. Another group working to ensure the safety of Kodiak’s waters is the Department of Environmental Conservation in Alaska. Through watershed plans, they help make the water as safe and healthy as it is clear.
