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

Kuskokwim ice jam brings flood advisory for Kalskag and Aniak
A large ice run jammed on the Kuskokwim River below Aniak on May 1, prompting flood advisories for Aniak and Kalskag, though relief channels kept water below flood levels.
Aniak and Kalskag, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Ice goes out in Aniak as Kuskokwim breakup works its way toward Bethel
Breakup on the Kuskokwim River reached Aniak on April 30, roughly five days ahead of the median date, though unusually low water levels could increase the risk of ice jams downstream.
Aniak, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Kuskokwim River ice still a work in progress, aerial survey finds
An aerial survey of the Kuskokwim River revealed variable ice conditions, impacting travel safety as the winter progresses.
Akiak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

First Y-K Delta wildfire of 2024 burns itself out
The Atchuelinguk Fire, an 800-acre tundra blaze near Marshall, Alaska, extinguished naturally. Ipsen said that the fire occurred in an area where blazes are allowed to play out when not threatening known sites of value or people. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
33 miles north of Marshall, Alaska
KYUK

10-mile Lower Kuskokwim ice jam causes flooding, high water
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.
Aniak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Evan Erickson, KYUK - Bethel and Sage Smiley, KYUK

Alaska biologists say wood bison reintroduced to the wild are thriving
State biologists completed an annual survey of the Innoko-Yukon River wood bison population earlier this summer, and they say the results show the animals are doing well six years after a seed group of bison was released in the area.
Holy Cross, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Smokejumpers deployed to wildfire threatening fish camp, allotments on Kuskokwim River near Akiachak
The Alaska Division of Forestry deployed 12 smokejumpers on an estimated 100-acre wildfire burning near the village of Akiachak in southwest Alaska Tuesday afternoon to protect a fish camp and Native allotments surrounding the fire.
Akiachak, Alaska, United States
AK Fire Info

Ice Road Open, At Least For Now
After heavy snowfall on Jan. 19, the ice road from Bethel to Tuluksak has been plowed and is open for use. Napaimute Traditional Council’s Mark Leary, who
Tuluksak, Alaska, United States

Lentinar Clouds Observed for First Time
Lentinar clouds are a rare event in Western Alaska. These amazing photos were taken in Chuathbaluk a Yupik community on the Kuskokwim River.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Anna Michael, Chyna Williams

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) in Napaimute
This is the second sighting of muskox in the Middle Kuskokwim, which is outside their known range.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States

Odd Looking Bug is a Sawfly
This odd, bright green, bug is a species of sawfly belonging to the family Tenthredinidae.
Aniak, Alaska, United States

Pollen Tornado
Warm temperatures are causing birch buds to burst, sending large amounts of pollen in the air. In Chuathbaluk, there was so much pollen, it was visible as a tornado.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

Kolmakolfsky ice Jam Break - Kuskokwim River at Chuathbaluk
Dynamic breakup conditions are causing ice jams and flooding in Kuskokwim river communities, and significantly damaging infrastructure.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

Stranded Napaimute couple rescued from flooded Kuskokwim River waters
The pair were hoisted from 140 feet above, according to Guard officials. Flooding continues to be a concern in the area.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Napaimute Floods During Spring Break-up
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.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States
Crane Johnson, Edward "Ted" Smith, Erica Lujan

NWS Warns Kusko Communities To Prepare For Flooding
An ice jam is holding downstream of Napaimute, flooding the seasonal village. At Aniak, the ice is shifting, according to Aniak resident Dave Cannon.
Akiak, Alaska, United States

Kuskokwim River Too Rough For Travelers In Upper Kuskokwim Area
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.

Record Warm Water Likely Gave Kuskokwim Salmon Heart Attacks
As record high temperatures swept Alaska, many people said that the heat was killing them. For Kuskokwim salmon, it was actually true.
Akiak, Alaska, United States

Uncommon Minnow may be a Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus)
An unusual minnow with eyes on the top of its head may be a slimy sculpin (*Cottus cognatus*)

Alaska community seeks funds to move homes away from river
AKIAK, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska community with a rapidly eroding riverbank is seeking funding to relocate homes, officials said. Money is available, but Akiak officials will have to go...
AP NEWS

Unprecedented erosion in Akiak swallows up to 100 feet of riverbank
Akiak City Administrator David Gilila says the village is in danger of becoming an island in the Kuskokwim River.
Anchorage Daily News

High Water in Spring Leads to Riverbank Erosion
Above average snowfall at the headwaters of the Kuskokwim, and early break up, led to higher than average river flows past Aniak. The river banks are eroding, threatening community infrastructure.
Richard L Thoman Jr, Max Neale, Elizabeth Buckingham, Ted Williams, Crane Johnson

Southwest Alaska village ‘on edge’ after fox and dog test positive for rabies
Adding to the concerns are stories of increasingly aggressive foxes in Marshall and other villages. It appears to be a strong year for the fox population, a state biologist said. Marshall is shooting stray dogs to protect village residents.
Marshall, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Trail Observations from Kuskokwim 300
Due to consistent above average winter temperatures, there are many known and developing open holes on the river. I was on the trail working at the Bogus Creek Checkpoint. Most of the trail had no snow cover, and the majority of the race was run on glare ice over the tundra.
Kuskokwim River, Alaska, United States

Warm, Windy, Snowy, Wet, Cool Days!
"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."
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, United States

Warm & Rainy Fall Season
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.
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, United States

Warm Winter Weather Patterns along Kuskokwim River
This is the second year in a row that people from Chuathbaluk are able to use boats (skiffs) on the Kuskokwim River in November.

Kangaroo Mouse?
Found what seems to be a kangaroo mouse and a normal mouse
Aniak Slough, Alaska, United States

Alaska’s Permafrost Is Thawing
The loss of frozen ground in Arctic regions is a striking result of climate change. And it is also a cause of more warming to come.
Y-K Delta Southwest, Alaska, United States
The New York Times

Musk-ox (Ovibos moschatus) Far Inland
No one in Chuathbaluk has ever seen Musk-ox this far inland before.

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

Scientists have unlocked 1 secret to Arctic ground squirrels deep-freeze - and that could be a big deal for humans.
An enzyme protects squirrels during and after hibernation, and something similar could help people whose hearts shut down, a new study finds.
Alaska, United States

Caterpillar Infestation
Caterpillar infestation in Village
Holy Cross, Alaska, United States

Early Breakup Causing Lots of Change
Early breakup brings early arrivals.

Unusual Weevil (Curculionoidea)
Unusual weevil (Curculionoidea)
Russian Mission, Alaska, United States

Lots of Furry Moths
Unknown furry moth
Holy Cross, Alaska, United States

Early Birch (Betula papyrifera) Tree Leaves
Early green up following a very mild winter with little snow.

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

Thawing ATV Trail
Thawing all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trail.

Tadpole Shrimp at Swimming Hole
7-26-13 Tadpole shrimp at swimming hole
Russian Mission, Alaska, United States

Road dust
Road dust is unhealthy.
Kalskag, Alaska, United States
Sharay Alexie, Billy Jean Stewart, Cathy Wasuli

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

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