TETLIN PROJECT Stormwater Outfall, Tok, Alaska | United States

TETLIN PROJECT is a stormwater outfall located at Mile 1306 Alaska Highway in Tok, Alaska, within the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area. This facility manages stormwater runoff in a remote region of the state, operating under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act and EPA's NPDES MS4 program. As a stormwater outfall, the facility discharges collected stormwater from its catchment area, which likely includes portions of the Tetlin region and the Alaska Highway corridor. The operational status is active, indicating ongoing management of stormwater flows to prevent flooding and control pollutant loads. Given its location in a rural Alaskan setting, the facility likely handles runoff from natural landscapes and limited urban infrastructure. The environmental significance of TETLIN PROJECT lies in its role in managing stormwater discharge to protect local water quality. The outfall may discharge to nearby water bodies such as the Tetlin River or other tributaries, which are part of the Yukon River watershed. Proper stormwater management helps mitigate impacts from sediment, road runoff, and other pollutants common in cold-climate regions with seasonal freeze-thaw cycles.

The Tetlin area in Alaska experiences a subarctic climate with long winters and short summers, affecting stormwater runoff patterns. Snowmelt in spring contributes significant volumes of runoff, which can carry sediment and road salt into local waterways. The facility's discharge likely enters the Tetlin River system, which supports fish populations including salmon. Managing stormwater quality is critical to protect these aquatic habitats from sedimentation and pollutant loading, especially given the region's sensitive ecosystems.