A 10-mile ice jam on the Lower Kuskokwim River has caused severe flooding in Tuluksak, with the area experiencing its worst flooding in over a decade.
Dynamic breakup conditions are causing ice jams and flooding in Kuskokwim river communities, and significantly damaging infrastructure.
The pair were hoisted from 140 feet above, according to Guard officials. Flooding continues to be a concern in the area.
Warm May temperatures are rapidly melting the above-average snowpack in the Kuskokwim Basin. Snowmelt is running in to still-stable river ice, causing ice jams and flooding near Napaimute.
The river is so rough in the Upper Kuskokwim area that it is impassable to vehicle and snow machine traffic. Big boulders of snow-covered ice are scattered across the river caused by high water and a late freeze up.
The Kuskokwim River now has its longest ice road ever, despite having the warmest winter on record.
"Our roads are slippery when there would be snow to where the children were out with their sled. Planes never cancelled as much as this year to where the flights were backed up to 3 or 4 days. Lately, we've been seeing grasses regrowing after it warms up out there."
The past couple years have been warmer than normal contributing to where the river is still flowing ice and with some of the plants still green.
This is the second year in a row that people from Chuathbaluk are able to use boats (skiffs) on the Kuskokwim River in November.
Early green up following a very mild winter with little snow.
We have had an extremely warm winter, and the river had many open holes that never froze completely.
All Topics
All Countries
Any Date
Apply