LEO Network

About the LEO Network
The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
Continue

Observations

Video shows methane leaking from beneath an Arctic river after spectacular eruption
Gas bubbles from waters filling crater hole on Yamal peninsula two months after volcanic-style explosion in thawing permafrost.
Yamal-Nenets District, Russia
Siberian Times

Debris Eroding from Old Dumpsite
Community concerned about health and safety from old site.
Cheenik Creek, Alaska, United States

Dry Koksilah River threatens fish in Cowichan Valley
The Koksilah River is in trouble, with low flows threatening fish populations.
Koksiloh River, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Russian River flooding is affecting Kodiak residents
Russian River flooded last week in Kodiak leaving some residents scrambling to address the damage.
Womens Bay, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

The Post-Harvey Mosquito Invasion Seems Like Hell
Plenty of people have described Hurricane Harvey as a disaster of biblical proportions, and it seems the next plague is upon us. It’s not locusts. Thanks to untold quantities of filthy standing water, millions of mosquitos are starting to hatch. And yes, they do bite. They love to bite.
Houston, Texas, United States
Gizmodo

Human mood drugs end up in Great Lakes fish
Study finds Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac and Serafem in multiple Great Lakes fish species — possibly changing their behavior and impacting the ecosystem
Niagara River, New York, United States
Detroit Free Press

Landslides, floods, smoke: Prepare for climate change effects in Denali National Park
A new report identifies climate change as one of the challenges facing transportation in Alaska's most famous national park.
Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Mysterious, Brain-Like Blob Found in Lagoon
Scientists are unsure if warming temperatures are causing the bizarre invertebrates to spread.
Lost Lagoon, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

In maps: Houston and Texas flooding
Maps and graphics show the extent of the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston and Texas.
Houston, Texas, United States
BBC News

Harvey's Impacts Outside of Houston: Flood Emergency Ongoing in Port Arthur, Texas
Harvey has been devastating beyond Houston. Here's the latest.
Port Arthur, Texas, United States
The Weather Channel

Giant Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes giganteusin)
Jakolof Bay, Alaska, United States
Kris Holderied, Stephen Payton, Mandy Lindeberg

Levee breached in Texas amid 'epic and catastrophic' Hurricane Harvey flooding
The storm is not expected to relent until Wednesday afternoon.
Columbia Lakes, Texas, United States
ABC News

Floods In South Asia Have Killed More Than 1,000 People This Summer
For the past several weeks, monsoon-triggered floods have devastated regions in Nepal, Bangladesh and India. This week, a new series of storms has brought everyday life in Mumbai to a near halt.
South Asia
NPR.org

How Climate Change Likely Heightened Harvey’s Fury
Several factors have conspired to make Hurricane Harvey so destructive in Texas, and warming temperatures are likely part of the problem.
Houston, Texas, United States
National Geographic

How Climate Change Is Shaping the Floods of Harvey - The Atlantic
“Local rainfall amounts of 50 inches would exceed any previous Texas rainfall record. The breadth and intensity of this rainfall are beyond anything experienced before,” said a statement from the National Weather Service. “Catastrophic flooding is now underway and expected to continue for several days.”
Texas Coast, Gulf of Mexico, United States
The Atlantic

Hurricane Harvey was fueled by record heat in the Gulf of Mexico
Study calculates energy Harvey took from the ocean, shows human role.
Gulf of Mexico
Ars Technica

'Historic Devastation' ahead from Hurricane Harvey
The remnants of Harvey re-intensified into a hurricane on Thursday, and it may become a major hurricane by Friday.
Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
The Weather Network

On Thin Ice in Peru
Human adaptation to climate change there is not going well
Lake Palcacocha, Ancash Region, Peru
Omaha World Herald

Permafrost Melt Causing River Erosion
Severe permafrost thaw and erosion along Koyukuk River banks.
Allakaket, Alaska, United States

Human influence in the Amazon's third 1-in-100 year drought since 2005
Deforestation and climate change appear to be amplifying droughts in the Amazon
Amazon River
the Guardian

New Jersey-Size Dead Zone Is Largest Ever in Gulf of Mexico
Scientists report the latest data from the Upper Gulf of Mexico, and the results aren’t good.
Northern Gulf of Mexico
National Geographic

110 salmon counted on Salmon River; tribe says new research could lead to protections
Another troubling sign of the poor state of this year's Pacific Ocean salmon runs was discovered on one the Klamath River's tributaries after an annual fish survey counted the second lowest number of spring-run Chinook salmon on record.
Salmon River, California
Eureka Times-Standard

Local rivers possible solution for Iqaluit's imminent water shortage
While it researches long-term solutions, Iqaluit is looking at small fixes, like flexible pipe connectors, to stop pipes from breaking and leaking.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
CBC News

Meat industry blamed for largest-ever dead zone in Gulf of Mexico
A new report shows toxins from suppliers to companies like Tyson Foods are pouring into waterways, causing marine life to leave or die
the Guardian

Homeowners see dead wildlife in Tinker Creek from chemical spill
Fallout continued Sunday after Saturday's chemical spill into Tinker Creek.
Hollins, Virginia, United States
WSLS

Heavier Rainfall Will Increase Water Pollution in the Future
Researchers anticipate harmful nitrogen outputs to increase as a result of precipitation changes.
New York Bight
National Geographic

Weird Jelly on Tube Worms
Tube-Dwelling Worms on Seldovia Beach
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

As low Nushagak River restricts barge travel, New Stuyahok limits heating fuel
Koliganek and New Stuyahok are still waiting on their first barge of the year. Heating fuel use for residents and businesses in New Stuyahok is limited.
New Stuyahok, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

The Arctic is full of mercury, and scientists think they know how it's getting there
The remote Arctic tundra may seem like the last place on Earth human pollution should be causing a problem — yet it’s filled with mercury contamination.
Toolik Field Station, Alaska, United States
The Washington Post

Family watches in horror as cabin is swept away by river in Alaska
A family in Alaska watched in horror as their beloved cabin (pictured) that was built in the 1940s was swept away by the Matanuska River over the Fourth of July weekend.
Matanusak River, Alaska, United States
Mail Online

Lake Ontario levels are falling – but damage costs are rising
Taxpayers are staring at a $4.5-million-plus bill to repair everything from eroded trails to disappearing beaches to flooding streets.
Bayfront Park, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
TheSpec.com

Plenty of water? Canadian Arctic communities on the verge of running out
Looking at a map of Arctic Canada, it seems there are literally thousands of lakes and rivers, yet many Arctic communities are facing water shortages or threats of shortages to come.
Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut Territory, will be facing that problem in the very near future.
Andrew Medeiros (PhD)
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Eye on the Arctic

Algae bloom prompts warning to avoid part of Okanagan Lake
The Okanagan Indian Band is advising residents to not enter or consume water from the north arm of Okanagan Lake until further notice due to a toxic algae bloom.
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
CBC News

Western Greenland could see more flooding like Saturday's tsunami
A 300-metre wide, 1,000-meter high rock slid into the sea causing the initial wave and more of the rock face is unstable.
Nuugaatsiaq, Qaasuitsup, Greenland
CBC News

Extreme heat keeping Kings River at flood levels
Because this extreme heat will last for several more days, the floodwaters aren't going away anytime soon. The higher the truck, the better for residents evacuating flooded homes in the River Bend RV Park.
River Bend RV Park, Minkler, California, United States
ABC30 Fresno

Spring Peepers Frogs (Pseudacris crucifer) Make Mating Calls in February
Trafalgar, Indiana, United States

Phytoplankton Have Turned The Bosphorus A Stunning Turquoise
When conditions are right, phytoplankton populations can grow explosively. And the ones blooming in the Black Sea right now are reflective, turning the usually dark water bright and milky.
Karakoy Neighborhood, Istanbul, Turkey
NPR.org

Squid Found in Seldovia Bay
Squid are occasionally found in the area, but not very often.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Iqaluit could start running out of fresh water by 2024
Without action, the supply of fresh water in Iqaluit will begin to dwindle by 2024 due to climate change and increased demand, new research has found.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
ScienceDaily

Climate change and low water sinks popular Yukon fishing derby
The Kluane Lake Fishing Derby won't happen this Canada Day weekend, because organizers say it's become too hard to launch a boat. The lake's water level has dropped significantly, since a retreating glacier stopped feeding the lake with melt water.
Kluane Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada

Record flooding levels on Okanagan Lake
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Idaho mosquitoes test positive for West Nile
BANNOCK COUNTY -- Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus have been discovered in eastern Idaho, health officials warned Friday.
Brannock County, Idaho, United States
KTVB

Drying Ponds and Buttercups
I went to gather some yesterday and there was no water to speak of; in a pond that's has been filled with water my whole life.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Dropping water level on Kluane Lake causing problems, MLA says
The water level on Kluane Lake began dropping last year after a river of glacial meltwater abruptly changed course, leaving docks and boat ramps high and dry.
Destruction Bay, Yukon Territory, Canada

West Nile investigated in boy’s death, which would be Missouri’s earliest fatal case
The Jackson County Medical Examiner has sent samples for testing to the Missouri Department of Health after a possible West Nile death. If confirmed it would be the earliest West Nile fatality in a calendar year in Missouri history.
Independence, Missouri, United States
Kansas City Star

Erosion Could Drain Lake at Anytime
Goldfish Lake near Port Heiden is on the verge of draining into the Bering Sea.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States
Chris Maio, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Mike Brubaker, Richard Buzard, Scott Anderson, Susan Flensburg, Erica Lujan, Moses Tcheripanoff

Greenland Glacier Melt Actually Warped Earth's Crust
A massive wave of ice and water in 2012 caused the amount of ice lost from the Rink Glacier to increase by more than 50 percent
Rink Glacier, Greenland
Scientific American

Marea Roja en costas de Ensenada
Salvavidas, pescadores y funcionarios de gobierno dicen que nunca se había presentado este fenómeno en esta zona.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Earthquakes Change Well-water Quality
Residents associated poor well water quality with earthquakes.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States
Scott Anderson, Melissa O'Domin, Erica Lujan

Swedes face hosepipe bans after long dry spell
Sweden's towns, villages and cities have been warned to plan for emergency water deliveries and hosepipe bans in a letter from nine Swedish agencies.
Södertälje, Stockholm, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Climate change taking toll on clarity of Lake Tahoe water
Scientists say climate change is causing Lake Tahoe to warm sooner in the spring than it has historically, disrupting the normal mixing of shallow and deep water and undercutting gains made in reversing the loss of clarity of the cobalt mountain lake.
Crystal Bay, Nevada, United States
sacbee

Fast Sea Ice Movement
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Salinity and leopard shark mortality in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco, California, United States

The worst may be yet to come as the flood risk rises in the Okanagan - NEWS 1130
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
NEWS 1130

Stream temperature monitoring could provide insight into important fish populations
The Chilkat River and its nearby waters are a major source of food for subsistence fishermen in Haines and Klukwan. That’s one reason decreased salmon runs are alarming in the Chilkat and other rivers in Southeast. Tribal leaders around the region are trying to get a handle on one factor that may contribute to declining returns.
Klukwan, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Kelowna mayor warns residents to prepare for unprecedented flooding tonight
'As a community, we need to come together and look after each other,' mayor says
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Quebec floods: Water-control agency eyes weekend rain, warns of 'high water' summer
Faced with record breaking water levels in Lake Ontario that are expected to climb even higher, the agency responsible for determining the downstream outflow from the lake has regularly been releasing water into Lac St. Louis since last Saturday and will continue to do so.
Châteauguay, Quebec, Canada
Montreal Gazette

Flooded Quebec communities brace for more rain as Trudeau does Gatineau aerial tour
Nicolet, Quebec, Canada

Okanagan flooding expected to be ‘unlike anything ever seen,' Kelowna mayor warns
British Columbia’s Okanagan region is bracing for a storm that Kelowna’s mayor worries could unleash the worst flooding the region has ever seen.
Vancouver Sun

City of Ottawa warns flood victims of contamination risk
The City of Ottawa has advised residents affected by flooding to throw out many household items that have come into contact with flood water.

Ottawa River full of untreated sewage during May flooding
Heavy rain and winter runoff in the month of May has affected more than people's homes along the Ottawa River. The river itself, often polluted with sewage overflow after a day or two of heavy rain, has had to absorb more than 600-million litres over the past week alone.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Pocahontas Flood Cleanup Continues for Homeowners
Pocahontas, Arkansas, United States
ARKANSASMATTERS

Snowmelt triggers a flood warning in Yosemite and a river closure in the Central Valley
Yosemite Valley, California, United States
latimes.com

Residents in flood zone should get well water tested, health officials advise
Residents who get their water from wells in areas affected by flooding should get their water tested before drinking it, and should check well pumps for damage, Ottawa Public Health is recommending.
On Monday city officials said more than 300 homes near the Ottawa River have been affected by severe spring flooding.
Bells Corners, Ontario, Canada

Lake Ontario flood warning remains in effect for Oswego County
Oswego, New York, United States
syracuse.com

B.C. spring run-off and torrential rain cause floods and mudslides
Warm temperatures prompting spring run-off combined with heavy rainfall in some areas caused devastating floods and mudslides in several parts of B.C.
Cache Creek, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Leopard sharks dying by the hundreds in San Francisco Bay
Alameda, California, United States
SFGate

Water rising in Interior
With warmer temperatures in the forecast, the province has issued a high streamflow warning for streams and rivers across the Interior. Currently, Nicola Lake is about one metre below the minor flooding point, and it's forecast to continue climbing over the next 30 days.
Castanet

Sharks Are Dying By the Hundreds in San Francisco Bay -
Foster City, California, United States
Bay Nature

VIMS: Chesapeake Bay sees another record year in underwater grass abundance
Chesapeake Bay, United States
dailypress.com

Oxfam: Climate change deepening Horn of Africa's hunger crisis
Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia
Eyewitness News

Scientists have discovered vast systems of flowing water in Antarctica. And that worries them.
Nansen Ice Sheet, Antarctica
Washington Post

A new crack in one of Greenland's largest glaciers
Petermann Glacier, Greenland
CNN

Erosion and Habitat Disturbance at Mimico Creek
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

California wildflowers erupt in super bloom
Southern California is enjoying a wildflower "super bloom" after years of extreme drought.
Cardio Plain National Monument, California, United States
CNN

Hurghada Coast Degradation
Coral degradation, fish species decline and an increase in jellyfish population.
Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt

Northern California gets its wettest winter in nearly a century
Northstar Resort, California, United States
latimes.com

No assurance that water in Cowichan River now will help with summer drought
It’s likely a lot of Cowichan Lake residents think there’s plenty of water around for the summer of 2017, given the winter we’ve been having. But, according to Cowichan River watcher Parker Jefferson, “We’re just about where we were last year.”
Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

High waters raise concern

Did Pinochet-era deregulation cause Chile's worst-ever wildfires?
"After the fires killed 11 and devastated vast swaths of land in January many are asking if subsidised timber plantations are to blame"
Monte Patria, Coquimbo, Chile
the Guardian

As water scarcity deepens across Latin America, political instability grows
"In Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador disputes over water shortages are part of a wider fight for equal access and shared responsibility"
Cochabamba, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Climate change doubles size of lakes in N.W.T. bison sanctuary, reducing habitat
Fort Providence

Logging Crew Mobilizes Near Irreplaceable Wetland, Slated for Site C Flooding
Watson Slough, Peace River region
DeSmog Canada

Permafrost thaw altering chemistry of Yukon River
As Alaska warms and permafrost thaws, the chemistry of the Yukon River's water is transforming chemically, new research from the U.S. Geological Survey shows.
Pilot Station, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Lavado de orilla

Melting permafrost changes Yukon River
Tanana, Alaska, United States

Gone: endemic Baikal sponge has died completely in several areas of the vast lake
Vital for making its waters so 'pure', one theory is that rising underwater methane leaks are killing off the sponge, but is there a silver lining?
Listvyanka, Irkutsk, Russia
The Siberian Times

Sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) school
Island View Beach

Earthquake swarm in Port Heiden continues
Earthquakes have rattled through Port Heiden more often than usual this year. Michael West is the State Seismologist with the Alaska Earthquake Center. He took a look to compare this year’s quake numbers with other years. Listen Now
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Bellingham Bay Water Merging
On a field trip with Northwest Indian College Geology class to Chuckanut Drive saw water with apparent difference in color.
Bellingham, Washington

Late Freeze-up of Koyuk River
Koyuk River foze solid by Oct-14 by the 28th there was open water.
Koyuk, Alaska, United States

Juvenile Sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) intertidal burrowing
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Clumps of Foam Noticed Floating on the Fraser River
Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada

Unusual Fast Flooding
Unusually fast flooding on the Chignik River.
Chignik Lake, Alaska, United States

Lake Drying
Decades have passed and ponds are drying up.
Chistochina, Alaska, United States

Juvenile Pacific Herring ball (Clupea pallasii)
Henderson Point, North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Unusual Turbidity in Sarita River
Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada

Mixed schools of Sandlance (Ammodytes personatus) and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii)
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Septembers Are Changing in Lower Kalskag
Unusually rainy year for Lower Kalskag this year.
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, United States

Mushy halibut syndrome reported by Inlet fishermen
Saltwater fishery officials are reporting a resurgence of a mysterious condition that's bound to turn the stomachs of anglers -- mushy halibut syndrome. Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Barbi Failor said the department is receiving more reports of mushy fish caught by sport fishermen all over Cook Inlet.
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Surf smelt (Hypomesus prestiosus) school
15m north of the Island View Beach boat ramp

Increasing Sea Surface Temperature at Langara Lighthouse
Langara Point Lighthouse, British Columbia, Canada

Increasing Sea Surface Temperature at Entrance Island
Entrance Island, British Columbia, Canada

Shoal Creek Now Dry
Cause for Drying Uncertain
Austin, Texas, United States

Nome Area Ponds Are Disappearing
Ponds in and around the Nome area are drying up.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Low Stream Water for Pink Salmon
But at least there is a stream...
Seldovia, Alaska, United States
Stephen Payton, Michael Opheim , Ryan Brubaker

Fraser River sockeye salmon at lowest numbers since records began in 1893
“The exact reasons why the return fell at the lower end of the forecast range are unknown at this time, but poorer than average marine survival is a leading candidate.”
Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada
Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly

Lots of Lake Weeds
A problem for outboards.
Aleknagik, Alaska, United States

River Erosion
River erosion along the Yukon River near..?
Yukon River, Alaska, United States

Huge Thaw Crater
Downriver from Arctic Village
East Fork Chandalar River, Northeast Interior, Alaska, United States
Carter Brubaker, Vladimir Romanovsky, Ray Hander, Richard L Thoman Jr, Janet Jorgenson

Blue-green Algae in Fraser Lake
There is unusual abundances of blue-green algae on West end of Fraser Lake.
Fraser Lake, BC, Canada

DEC looks into whether drums in village's drinking water lake pose any hazards
State and North Slope Borough officials say Point Lay’s drinking water lake was wiped out by the nearby Kokolik River, which flooded and eroded the lake banks.
Point Lay, Alaska, United States

Rains Cause 1000 Year Flood
Six inches of rain fell in a three hour period.
Ellicott City, Maryland, United States

Matanuska River erosion prompts warning to Butte residents
Portions of the Matanuska River’s banks near Butte were “beginning to show signs of breeching” Sunday night, leading Mat-Su Borough officials to ask that area residents prepare for potential evacuations.
Butte, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Green Algae In Lake
Unknown species of green algae in a lake near Kongiganak.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States

High Lake Temperatures
Warm temperatures come early this year.
Spring Park, Minnesota, United States

Warm Sea Surface Temperatures in Great Bear Sea
Ocean Falls to Bella Bella, British Columbia

2 Your Health: What to do if you get Swimmer's Itch
When temperatures are warm enough, it's a time many Alaskans take their families out swimming. Sometimes the fun comes along with an annoying rash known as 'Swimmer's Itch.'
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Early Breakup Causing Lots of Change
Early breakup brings early arrivals.
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, United States

Large Goldfish (Carassius auratus) populations in two stormponds
Okotoks, Alberta, Canada

River Erosion
Shungnak, Alaska, United States

Floodwaters recede after Deering declares disaster
For one day last week, the village of Deering needed to use a boat to get to the airport.
Deering, Alaska, United States
The Arctic Sounder

Early breakups seen on Kenai Peninsula
The rivers on the Kenai Peninsula are shucking their ice much sooner in the past few years than they have in decades, some flowing freely as early as
Soldotna, Alaska, United States
Peninsula Clarion

Unalakleet River Goes Out Early
Unalakleet River goes out early
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Flood and drought extremes in southeastern Alberta
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

Early Break-up, Low Water
Early river break-up and low water
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Unusual Insect Observed On Willow
On the upper Klamath River
Tulley Creek

Lowest Water Table on Record (Summer 2015)
Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Lake Level Peak Elevation Shift, Shuswap Lake
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada

Low Water On Taieri River
Low water on the Taieri River
Outram, Otago, New Zealand

Earliest River Break Up Ever
Earliest Tokositna River break up ever in Denali State Park.
Denali National Park, Alaska, United States

Stage 3 Water Restrictions in Shawnigan Lake, BC
Shawnigan Lake, BC

Dry winter and low water table in Southern Alberta
Okotoks, Alberta, Canada

Early Kuskokwim River Breakup at Chuathbaluk
We have had an extremely warm winter, and the river had many open holes that never froze completely.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

Beaver (Castor canadensis) Activity Near Community
Beaver activity impacting water level
Chignik Lake, Alaska, United States

No Ice on Iliamna Lake
Iliamna Lake is not frozen, very unusual for midwinter conditions.
Lake Iliamna, Alaska, United States

Observing Eklutna Lake Water Level
The level of Eklutna Lake seems to be very low this winter. Over the long term, decline of the Eklutna Glacier is a concern for water and energy supply.
Eklutna Lake, Alaska, United States

Delayed Winter River Travel
Poor ice quality on the Teedriinjik (Chandalar) River
Venetie, Alaska, United States

Algae Bloom
Appears to be smothering all aquatic plant life.
Gakona, Alaska, United States

Delayed Freeze-Up
Delayed freeze-up on Lake Iliamna.
Iliamna, Alaska, United States

Crayfish invade Kodiak waters
Alex Hughes is a Fish and Game technician who volunteers with KSWCD. He said based on their studies at the Buskin river, crayfish are successfully breeding. Crayfish are originally from the Pacific Northwest and as with many invasive species, it’s anyone’s guess how they got to Kodiak.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
KTOO

River Changing - Chistochina Low and Slow
Chistochina River change
Chistochina, Alaska, United States

Low Waters For Fish in Kodiak
Pink salmon die-off, and low water levels at Antone Larsen Creek
Kodiak, Alaska, United States

Lake Washington is at its lowest in nearly three decades
Washington State's historic drought is pushing Lakes Washington and Union below the normal annual 20-foot mark for the first time in 28 years, and officials anticipate another foot drop.
Kirkland, Washington, United States
Kirkland Reporter

Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) Die-off, Jakolof Creek
Drought and high temperatures have dried the creek and caused thousands of pink salmon and Dolly Varden to die before they could spawn. The event raises questions about vulnerability of area salmon streams to climate change, and for local residents food security.
Jakolof Creek, Alaska, United States
Michael Opheim , Stephen Payton, Ryan Brubaker

Summer of Slime (Freshwater Algae)
Low water, warm temperatures and our seasonal waterfowl population are factors we think are contributing to the unprecedented algae and weed growth in the lake at the the Alaska Native Health Campus.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Low Water In Area Rivers
Low water on area rivers
Nome, Alaska, United States
Jacob Martin, Scott Kent, David Streubel, Ed Washburn, Michael Sloan

Increased Algal Activity in West Bragg Creek Pond
West Bragg Creek Pond, Alberta, Canada

Low Water at Mouth of Klamath River
Causing muted tidal influence
Klamath, California, United States
Micah Gibson, Mike Brubaker, Paul Van Mechelen, Joe Hostler

Drought
6/17/15 Drought - Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Rotten Smell and Mushy Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)
Mushy meat texture, and rotten smell found in sockeye salmon and pacific halibut.
Meshik River, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska, United States

Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum Dulcamara)
Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Low Lake Water
Low lake water on ANTHC campus (Algae)

Winter River Breakup
11-18-14 Winter river break-up - Kongiganak, Alaska, USA
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States

BC Peace River Region - 2014 Drought
Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Koyukok River Erosion
7-15-14 River erosion - Evansville, Alaska, USA
Evansville, Alaska, United States

Low Lake Water
Dry conditions in Southcentral Alaska have resulted in low lake levels including here on the ANTHC campus

Winter Break-up
Copper River largely open.
Cordova, Alaska, United States

Open Lake Water
1-28-14 Open lake water - Aleknagik, Alaska, USA
Aleknagik, Alaska, USA

Unusual winter flooding of Anchorage homes
Chester Creek overflowed its banks Tuesday, sending cold water into the basements and crawl spaces of a handful of homes near Valley of the Moon Park.
Anchorage Daily News

Storm Surge
Early fall weather conditions brought on an extreme storm surge in a Norton Sound community.
Shaktoolik, Alaska, United States

Boats Still on the River
11-1-13 Boats still on the river - Koyukuk, Alaska, USA
Koyukuk, Alaska, United States

Central Welland River Fish Kill
Common carp (*Cyprinus carpio*) and channel catfish (*Ictalurus punctatus*) die from low dissolved oxygen and ammonia that are the result of an over-application of biosolids.
Welland, Ontario, Canada

Muddy River Raises Salmon Concerns
Thawing permafrost and river bank collapsed on the Cheenik Creek.
Golovin, Alaska, United States

Ice dam break suspected as cause of Rabbit Creek flooding
Rabbit Creek jumped its banks Friday morning on the Anchorage Hillside, washing over a bridge and prompting police to knock on doors asking people inside to evacuate.
Anchorage Daily News

Low River Level
6-8-13 Low water level - Shaktoolik, Alaska, USA
Shaktoolik, Alaska, USA

Erosion Disrupts Swallows
6-3-13 Erosion disrupts swallows - Evansville, Alaska, USA
Evansville, Alaska, United States

Invasive Crawfish on Nose Creek
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada

Flooding Kobuk River
5-30-13 Flooding Kobuk River - Kobuk, Alaska, USA
Kobuk, Alaska, United States

Storm Disrupts Transportation
Severe storms wreak havoc to a Bering Sea community; the following weather conditions contributed to flooding, disrupting transportation routes, electrical transformers and seepage into local water wells.

Still No Snow or Yukon River Ice
11-27-12 Still no snow or Yukon ice - Fort Yukon, Alaska, USA
Fort Yukon Alaska, United States

Air Pockets in River Ice
11-21-12 Air pockets in river ice - St. Marys, Alaska, USA
St. Marys, Alaska, United States

B.C.'s Cowichan River in danger of drying up
Duncan, British Columbia, Canada

River Erosion on the Yukon Flats
Yukon Flats community dealing with river erosion and landscape changes that are threatening the loss of traditional harvesting areas.
Fort Yukon, Alaska, United States

Extreme Rain & Flooding
9-21-12 Extreme rain and flooding - Wasilla, Alaska, USA
Wasilla, Alaska, United States

High Water on the Kobuk River
A normal daily river level here is about 46', so we are nearly eight (8') feet above normal.
Kiana, Alaska, United States

Extreme High Water on Noatak River
Extremely high water on the Noatak
Noatak, Alaska, United States

Best sockeye return in 100 years
Fisheries Minister Gail Shea is crowing about the opportunities with the 2010 return of sockeye to the Fraser river, calling it a  banner year for Fraser River sockeye salmon. This year's return is currently set at just over 25 million fish, one of the highest returns in the last hundred years. Several fishery openings for Fraser River sockeye have already occurred in 2010 and more are planned, she said.
Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada
Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper

Heat wave across Interior
6-17-12 Heat wave across Interior - Galena, Alaska, USA
Galena, Alaska, United States

Invasive snakehead fish found in B.C. park lagoon
Voracious predator could be big threat to native aquatic populations
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The Globe and Mail

River Bank Erosion
Erosion on the banks of the Koyukuk River is increasing in the community of Evansville and Bettles.
Evansville, Alaska, United States

Kuskokwim River flooding
Kuskokwim River flooding causes concern in community
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, USA

What caused an Arctic river to run red?
Ruben Henry won't ever forget the day the Chandalar River ran red along the banks of Arctic Village. It was the talk of the tight-knit, Brooks Range town, and no one had could remember it ever happening before.
Arctic Village, Alaska, United States

Alaska musk oxen found frozen in ice
Thirty-two musk oxen carcasses were found March 15 by scientists who had been studying them. The animals were dead and entombed in ice. The belief is that the musk oxen either drowned during a February thaw or became trapped in water and died after it froze.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Matanuska River erosion threatens more homes
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Swollen with recent rains, the Matanuska River has launched another erosive assault on properties along its banks. But unlike previous years, when the river attacked properties downstream,
Matanuska River, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Cyanobacteria bloom under lake ice
Cyanobacteria blooms usually occur in summer.
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada

Pike wiped out in Cheney Lake; stand by for return of trout
Anchorage anglers got good news this week when Fish and Game reported that pesticide applied to Cheney Lake last October in an effort to wipe out invasive northern pike appears to have worked.

Alaska salmon may bear scars of global warming
With a sickening thud, another hefty and handsome salmon lands in the waste barrel, headed for the dogs .
Tanana, Alaska, United States
latimes.com

Potentially toxic algae blooms hit Interior B.C. lakes
Some residents in B.C.'s Central Interior are being told to avoid drinking or bathing in their tap water following an outbreak of potentially toxic algae blooms.
Tashick Lake, Vanderhoof, BC

Se observó una ballena gris albina
Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Baja California Sur
Reserva de la Biósfera El Vizcaíno Guerrero Negro

Tourist boats marooned, farm land parched as drought lowers Europe's rivers
Water levels in rivers, lakes and reservoirs across western Europe are running low, or even dry, amid the severest drought in decades which is putting stress on drinking water supplies, hampering river freight and tourism and threatening crop yields.
Villers-le-Lac, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
Reuters

B.C. Interior communities hunker down for next atmospheric river
Interior communities are shoring up dikes and roadways in preparation for another atmospheric river system expected Tuesday and into Wednesday. Officials say they are making progress helping displaced residents access services and are taking steps to save homes from further flood damage.
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
vancouversun

Shenzhen faces historical drought with daily water shortage of 1 million cubic meters
The Dongjiang River, which provides more than 90 percent of the water consumed in Shenzhen, is facing the severest drought since 1963, the year with the lowest precipitation recorded in the city. The water level in the three main water reservoirs is now more than 55 percent lower than in previous years according to Zhang Jian'an, Shenzhen water resources authority official, media reported.
Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Global Times

Ice thickness below normal for early January while temperatures and snowfall are above normal
While ice thickness normally measures between 11 and 22 inches on local lakes and ponds, ice thickness recently ranged between 9 and 19 inches, according to the National Weather Service’s ice thickness measurements.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

A one of a kind northern permafrost cliff
In northern Alaska, an amphitheater of frozen ground thaws where a northern river cuts into it, exposing walls of ice. The feature, known by scientists as “yedoma,” is the largest of its kind yet found in Alaska. A great wall of ice holds a lot of treasures from the past, which science is eager to explore.
Nuiqsut, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

'We have nowhere': B.C. First Nations, rural residents say storm permanently changed the land
"For our grandchildren and their children, now the devastation has left them nothing": Shackan First Nation Chief Arnold Lampreau.
Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
vancouversun

Yukon Energy wants to lower Marsh Lake to reduce summer flood risk
Yukon Energy is again asking for permission this year to lower the level of Marsh Lake, in anticipation of possible flooding this summer.
Marsh Lake, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Canadian Arctic city declares state of emergency over water shortage
The northern Canadian city of Iqaluit declared a state of emergency on Friday after scarce rain this year left water levels in the local Apex River at a four-decade low.
Reuters

Norman Wells and Tulita, N.W.T., won't get barge deliveries this year
The N.W.T.'s Marine Transportation Services has announced it is cancelling barges to Norman Wells and Tulita due to low water levels.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Apparent native freshwater mussel mortality event

While the search for Utqiagvik whale researcher continues, his friends and family reflect on his role in the community
John Craighead "Craig" George was swept under a logjam last Wednesday on the Chulitna River near Cantwell, Alaska State Troopers said. The dive team responded to the area Friday morning but found that the water was too high to deploy.The rafting party was decending when they encountered an unusual amount of logjams.
Cantwell, Alaska, United States
Alaska Media, LLC., Steve Keller designer and application developer

What Greenland’s record-breaking rain means for the planet
For three days this month, 7 billion tonnes of rain fell across Greenland — the largest amount since records began in 1950. It’s also the first time since then that rain, not snow, fell on Greenland’s highest peak.
Greenland Summit Camp
ArcticToday

Water warning as reservoir levels hit 18-year low
Scottish Water says storage levels at some sites are at 66% amid one of the driest summers in 160 years.
Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

Humpback salmon have invaded the River Teno
This summer, the number of humpback salmon in the River Teno, the border river between Norway and Finland, has increased enormously from last year. These salmon have been swimming near the shores, with masses of them dying in the river from exhaustion. Local people are extremely worried.
Teno River, Norway/Finland Border
The Independent Barents Observer

Hot and dry July saw temperature records topple in the Yukon
"We saw temperatures in the Yukon that were two to three-and-a-half degrees warmer than normal" in July, said David Phillips of Environment Canada. "The one that everybody was shaking their head about in Canada was at Carmacks. The incredible temperature on July the 7th got up to 35.5 degrees," Phillips said.The heat has also increased water temperatures in many parts of the territory. According to Phillips, some lakes are four to five degrees warmer than normal.
Carmacks, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Ice Out: How N.H.'s rite of spring has become a symbol of climate change
Ice is a key player not only in the culture of the northern Northeast, but also in its unique lake ecosystems – a determinant of everything from water temperature to aquatic food chains to water quality. And according to long-term climate data, ice-out has been moving earlier and earlier.
Center Harbor, New Hampshire, United States
Yahoo News

Highway 1 near N.W.T.-Alberta border down to 1 lane after road floods
A section of Highway 1 just north of the Northwest Territories-Alberta border is reduced to one lane after it was excavated to deal with excess water. A 3.5-metre wide trench was dug across the road to assist with drainage of the flooded area, according to an email from the Department of Infrastructure on Tuesday.
Falher, Alberta, Canada

Anglers on alert for invasive Pacific pink salmon
'Unprecedented numbers' of pink salmon were seen in 2017 and the fish have been spotted again this year.
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

‘A lot of salmon died’: Ahousaht Guardians look to watershed restoration amid B.C.’s dangerously dry summer
B.C. drought exacerbating forestry damage to Bedwell River near Tofino as Ahousaht First Nation works to protect salmon, restore watershed.
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
The Narwhal

With no dam to stop it, the Eklutna River is temporarily reborn. Many people hope to keep it alive for good.
Conservation and tribal groups in 2018 removed a downstream dam in the river northeast of Anchorage. But an upriver dam provides the cheapest energy in Southcentral Alaska. For people from the Native Village of Eklutna the river’s rebirth was an important moment. They want the 12-mile-long waterway permanently restored, along with the salmon their late elders once described as abundant.
Knik-Fairview, Alaska, United States

France mulls rescue plan for whale in River Seine
They say the animal is currently near a lock at Vernon, about 70km (43 miles) north-west of Paris.Experts are puzzled as to why the animal has strayed so far south from its natural habitat.
Vernon, Normandy, France

Wildlife refuge pond in Hawaii mysteriously turns bubble-gum pink after drought
Halobacteria thrive in bodies of water with high levels of salt. The salinity inside the Kealia Pond outlet area is currently greater than 70 parts per thousand, twice the salinity of seawater. Maui's drought is likely contributing to the situation. Normally Waikapu Stream feeds into Kealia Pond and raises water levels there, but Wolfe said that hasn't happened in a long time.
Kīhei, Hawaii, United States
NBC Connecticut

Nairobians Warned Over Looming Water Shortage
Murang’a County Director of Meteorology Paul Murage stated that the ongoing short rains are below average and expressed worries that the Ndakaini dam may not achieve full capacity by the end of the season. Following the low water volume residents in the city will experience water rationing in areas that are served by the dam as early as next year.
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenyans.co.ke

Fort McPherson, N.W.T., declares emergency as flooding threatens access to drinking water
The hamlet said it's declaring a state of emergency because flooding from the Peel River cut off access to the community's airport, and because access to fresh water could be "inaccessible in the imminent future."
Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, Canada

Lone beluga whale spotted on Yukon River near Tanana
Spirit camp participants and residents along the Yukon River were shocked to see a lone beluga whale on the Yukon River in early August.
Rampart, Alaska, United States

As Fort Simpson, N.W.T., ferry crossing opens for the season, low water levels worry mayor
Sean Whelly the mayor of Fort Simpson is worried that low water levels could impact the ferry’s ability to operate, potentially leaving the community isolated in the summer months.The water levels are the lowest he's ever seen at this time of year.
Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada

Fish kill in Windsor area
Local fisherman Darren Porter saw this coming. "It's just common sense. I mean, you can’t take your fishbowl and put it on your stove.”
Lake Pusiquid, Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
SaltWire

Yukon Southern Lakes residents in 'emergency mode' as water levels rise
Residents in Yukon's Southern Lakes region are bracing for the worst as water levels continue to creep dangerously high.
Marsh Lake, Yukon, Canada

North Saskatchewan River Turns Blue
The river, which starts at the Saskatchewan Glacier in the Columbia Icefields and flows through to central Saskatchewan, is usually murky brown by the time it reaches Edmonton in summer. In recent weeks, however, the water has taken on the hues of Alberta's glacial lakes, thanks to dry, hot weather combined with maintenance at a major dam.
North Saskatchewan River, Alberta, Canada

Rhine River – Europe’s Second-Largest River – Runs Dry
Water levels at the chokepoint of Kaub, near Frankfurt, fell to 32 cm (13 inches) in depth on Monday, down from 42 cm (17 inches) last week. Ships, however, need around 1.5 m (5 feet) to be able to sail fully loaded.
Cologne, Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées, France

Salmon Fishing On Lower Yukon Shut Down
On the Yukon River, subsistence salmon fishing is being closed to protect king salmon as they migrate upriver.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

‘It’s pretty dire’: Vancouver Island salmon under threat from climate change-induced droughts
Since the initial June to July heatwave shocked the Pacific Northwest, Heim says the Tsolum River Restoration Society has observed significantly fewer fish in the river, especially in its lower portions. Many of the remaining coho, which survived the heat wave, are suffering from diseases and fin rot as a result of heat stress.
Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
The Narwhal

Russian Mission airport partly reopens after Yukon River flooding triggers emergency helicopter mission
In the village of about 400, outgoing winter ice dams triggered flooding tha shut down the low-lying runway for 11 days.
Russian Mission, Alaska, United States

Support

Observation Template