Pink salmon die-off, and low water levels at Antone Larsen Creek

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.

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.

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.

Low water on area rivers

Causing muted tidal influence

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

Mushy meat texture, and rotten smell found in sockeye salmon and pacific halibut.

Low lake water on ANTHC campus (Algae)

11-18-14 Winter river break-up - Kongiganak, Alaska, USA

7-15-14 River erosion - Evansville, Alaska, USA

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

Copper River largely open.

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

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.

Early fall weather conditions brought on an extreme storm surge in a Norton Sound community.

11-1-13 Boats still on the river - Koyukuk, Alaska, USA