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

Small Sinkhole in the Village
Is this a sign of more to come? Land changes raises questions about possible causes.
Anvik, Alaska, United States
Anna Liljedahl , Richard L Thoman Jr, Gemini , Jerry Chase, Vladimir Romanovsky

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

A very big whitefish
No one in Grayling has seen this big a whitefish before. ADFG lists state record for broad whitefish as 11 lbs. This one weighed in at 15 lbs!
Grayling, Alaska, United States
Bernice Nicholi, Ted Meyers, Jayde Ferguson, Aren Gunderson

Unexpected Warm Weather in December
Spring like thaw a week after winter begins: During the 3 days it got warm and the water going its usual route as it does in the spring when it thaws out, but this was a week after winter began.
Anvik, Alaska, United States

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

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

Unusual Pink Caterpillar is a Sawfly Larvae
This pink larvae will grow into a sawfly, which are common across Alaska although not often noticed.
Grayling, 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

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*)

Two Unidentified Flying Insects and Two Unidentified Spiders
Two flying insects and two spiders observed in Grayling are not unexpected in the area, but had not been recognized before.

It was 37 degrees and raining in Shageluk Friday. Iditarod mushers weren’t very happy.
Some mushers worried what the warm weather would mean for the trail ahead.
Shageluk, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

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

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.

Fog For Days
More open water on rivers and lakes that add to the near-ground moisture.
Anvik, Alaska, United States

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

Caterpillar (Orthosia hibisci) Infestation Causes Defoliation
The village of Anvik along the west bank of the Yukon River has an increase in defoliation associated with caterpillar numbers.
Derek Sikes, Alberta Walker, Jessie Moan

Caterpillars Infestation
Infestation of an unknown species of caterpillar.
Grayling, Alaska, United States

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

Large Number of Moths
Last year there was a large infestation of caterpillars in the area, wondering if that is why we have all the moths this spring
Jessie Moan, Erica Lujan, Nathan Elswick

Early Milbert's Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Early butterfly observed south of the Kaiyuh Mountains along the west bank of the Yukon River.

Springtime in Anvik Alaska
What are the weather conditions for Anvik in mid-April?

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

Rare Sighting of Fork-tailed Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata)
Never seen before in area.
Moses Tcheripanoff, Kathy Kuletz, Bernice Nicholi

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
Anchorage Daily News

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

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