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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

Lack of drainage causing road problems
An unusual spring thaw in Hooper Bay, Alaska, has led to persistent ponding on roads due to inadequate drainage, prompting the city to use sandbags and cut drainage channels to manage the water.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Three foxes test positive for rabies in Hooper Bay
Three foxes in Hooper Bay have tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to urge pet owners to vaccinate their animals and stay alert for signs of the disease.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Newtok shuts down its critical infrastructure
Newtok, a community in Alaska, has shut down power and water services as part of a relocation effort due to permafrost deterioration and coastal erosion dangers.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

All public services decommissioned and shut down: Newtok's end is imminent
Newtok faces imminent shutdown due to severe infrastructure risks and erosion, with remaining residents relocating to temporary homes in Mertarvik.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Coastal Yukon River faces flood advisory as lower Kuskokwim catalogs flood impacts
Communities along the lower Kuskokwim River and coastal areas in Western Alaska assess damage from recent storms, with flooding and erosion impacting homes and infrastructure, and a new storm potentially exacerbating conditions.
Western Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Sage Smiley, KYUK - Bethel and Evan Erickson, KYUK - Bethel

Disappearing sand dunes and plovers
Sand dunes disappear with more frequent and powerful storms in Western Alaska. These storms have impacted bird nesting grounds and tundra plants.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Dozens of Newtok students attend classes in a school that’s coming apart
Rapid erosion and permafrost degradation mean school district officials are in a race to shore up the building for the remainder of the school year.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

What kind of insect?
Tribal member from St. Mary's, Alaska noticed this on her when she went back inside her home. Turns out it is an elm sawfly, Cimbex americana.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Avian Influenza suspected on Yukon Delta
Dead birds suspected to have died from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have been found on Kigigak Island and Tutakoke River in Alaska, with other bird species displaying unusual behaviors.
Kigigak Island and Tutakoke River, Alaska, United States
January Frost, Bryan Daniels, Andrew Ramey, Bob Gerlach, Brian Lefferts, Sarah Yoder, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Joey Billy, John Stedman

Troopers: Pilot Station man dies in storm, brother treated for hypothermia
Two brothers, one dead and one experiencing hypothermia, were found about two miles from Pilot Station after their snowmachine became stuck in heavy snow during a storm.
Pilot Station, Alaska, United States
Alaska Media, LLC., Steve Keller designer and application developer

September storm leaves behind treasured beach finds
The remnants of Typhoon Merbok not only battered Alaska’s west coast in September, the storm also left behind a few treasures in its wake.
Chevak, Alaska, United States

After September storm, Newtok residents are desperate to relocate
Melting permafrost and severe erosion have plagued the community for decades. The most recent storm brought waves so fierce, the water claimed roughly half of the 80 or so remaining feet of land that stands between the back end of the school and the edge of the Ningliq river.

False long-horned beetle (Stenotrachelus aeneus)
Black insect never seen by a Yupiit of Andreafski Tribal member at his home in St. Mary's.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States
Bambi Alexie, Derek Sikes, Charles Prince, Elizabeth Graham, Eric Alstrom

Severe Erosion in Newtok
A site visit to Newtok on September 30, shows severe erosion from impacts of storm (typhoon Merbok). The images show both severe permafrost melt and river erosion.

Chevak rallies to repair storm-damaged subsistence gear
During a community meeting, Chevak residents said better emergency planning should be a long-term priority. For now, though, assessing damage is the focus.
Chevak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Emily Schwing, special to Alaska Public Media

As the storm raged, a mad rush to keep the power on in Hooper Bay
The storm could have threatened the town’s winter subsistence stock if not for the work of local power plant operators.
KTOO

Storm unearths ancient tusks
The aftermath of Typhoon Merbok left fuel tanks floating and home flooded, but locals also saw an opportunity.

Storm bounty in clams
Storms can bring a bounty to the beach - driftwood sometimes or in this case, clams! But be careful out there. There are new concerns about emerging levels of harmful algae in Western Alaska waters, which could impact shellfish and human health.
Mertarvik, Alaska, United States
Louisa Castrodale, Chris Dankmeyer, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, Bob Gerlach, Brian Lefferts, Emma Pate, Joanna Barton, Julie Matweyou, Thomas Farrugia, Karen Pletnikoff

Unknown plant or fungus observed in cottonwood log
Nobody I have asked has seen any plant like this. I touched it soon after the picture and it turned into a maroon colored powder.
Lower Yukon

Unknown Insect
This eye catching insect is the adult stonefly.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Large tundra fire burns 12 miles away from St. Mary’s
“It’s been hot, it’s been dry, and it’s been windy. And those winds gusts of 20 miles per hour, it’s kind of funneled through the Andreafsky River drainage,” said Beth Ipsen. Federal entities sent in more firefighters this week, and some residents are thinking about preparing their go-bags.
Anchorage Daily News

Historic Lower Yukon wildfire forces evacuations from St. Mary’s and Pitkas Point
Two villages along the Lower Yukon River have begun evacuating their most vulnerable residents from a tundra fire.The fire late Thursday was burning less than eight miles from St Mary’s and nearby Pitkas Point, and wind continues spreading the flames closer to the villages with a combined population of over 700 people. Yute Commuter Service is sending all its planes to St. Mary’s to evacuate residents, and Grant Aviation is prepared to assist.
Pitkas Point, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Unusual bird behavior and illness observed across species on Yukon Delta
"Since about May 25, crews have been seeing multiple species showing what we believe are signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The signs we are seeing widespread is a headshaking that we equate to "getting the cobwebs out", like a person may do when they first wake up. This behavior occurs regularly every couple minutes. This behavior has been observed in: black brant, cackling geese, bar-tailed godwits, dunlin, lapland longspurs, spectacled eiders, emperor geese, greater white-fronted geese, sabines gulls, glaucous gulls, and red-necked phalaropes."
Kimberlee Beckmen, Angela Matz, Louisa Castrodale, Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Michael Bruce, Andrew Ramey, Eric Taylor, Eric Taylor, Bryan Daniels, Rose Kalistook, Brian Lefferts, Brian Berube, Raphaela Stimmelmayr

Strange behavior in a Canada goose
This video shot on Thursday May 19th, shows the erratic circling behavior of a Canada goose. Although the cause is unknown, this type of behavior is according to USGS, "highly suggestive" of an infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Gay Sheffield, Angela Matz, Rose Kalistook, Louisa Castrodale, PATRICIA SCHWALENBERG, Tim Thomas, Kimberlee Beckmen, Desirae Mack, Mike Brook, Bob Gerlach, Megan Boldenow, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Erica Stone, Michael Bruce, Andrew Ramey

The mayor of Pilot Station dies after falling through Yukon River ice on a snowmachine
The ride downriver had been good. But by evening on the way back, it started to get bumpy.“There was lots of dark spots, lots of water,” said Nikiefer. Then suddenly, the ice turned needley. The snowmachine stopped, and then started to sink. They jumped off and started to swim.
Pilot Station, Alaska, United States

Hooper Bay working to contain sewage spill that is threatening important subsistence location
The spill followed a sudden rise in warm temperatures in recent days. Hooper Bay Mayor Sandra Hill said that the thaw and rain had melted the previously frozen land surrounding the sewage lagoon, causing a wall of the lagoon to cave.

Where are the tomcods (Eleginus gracilis)? Chevak
There is usually an abundance of this fish in the fall and early winter season. This is a usual harvest for most YK Delta coastal villages. Note: According to NOAA Bering Sea Bottom Trawl data, there has been an 88% decline reported in the biomass of saffron cod from 2020 to 2021 in the N. Bering Sea.
Chevak, Alaska, United States
Carmen Daggett, Gay Sheffield, Cynthia Paniyak, Jayde Ferguson, Ted Meyers

Summer thawing impacts on utility poles and shoreline
Thawing permafrost and erosion is resulting in the loss of infrastructure in Newtok. These images show impacts on utility poles, and the shoreline.

Larva of water beetle (Dytiscus)
Tribal member of St. Mary's finds the larva of a predaceous diving beetle.

Pilot Point wildfire grows to 500 acres, but village safe from danger
The Alaska Division of Forestry said the wildfire that is burning land near the village of Pilot Point in Southwest Alaska has grown to about 500 acres, but the village is safe from any immediate danger.
Pilot Station, Alaska, United States

Covid had spared Alaska’s most remote villages. Not anymore.
Almost 20 percent of residents in one town have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Washington Post

Uncommon Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus) Catch
Slimy sculpins (*Cottus cognatus*) are small, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling fish that lack a swim bladder to help them stay bouyant in the water. Their size and habitat allow them to easily avoid fishing gear designed for salmon.
North Fork Andreafski River

Sunken Earth
Permafrost thaw is causing tundra to sink and pool water.

Fine Yellow Dust is Likely Pollen
Seeing pollen in rainwater is unusual.

White Spots in Smelts Appear to Be a Type of Tapeworm or Nematode
The white spots found in the smelt appear to be tapeworm or nematode larvae. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend cooking fish at about 153 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or freezing the fish at -4 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 days to kill the larvae before you eat the fish.

Storm Brings Flooding in Newtok
A storm system during the last week of November brought high winds and seas to Newtok and other western Alaska communities.
Jacqualine Schaeffer, David Beveridge, Brian Lefferts, Edward "Ted" Smith, Gavin Dixon

Winter Storm Batters Western Alaska Coast, Taking Out Power And Sea Ice
A big winter storm came in from the Bering Sea and battered the Western Alaska coast from the evening of Nov. 25 through Nov. 26. Some communities, like Hooper Bay, have reported flooding.

Unidentified Grasshopper, Possible Genus Melanoplus
Grasshoppers aren't common around Saint Mary's, but may become abundant during years with warm temperatures and ample vegetation for food.

Dead Pre-spawned Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
During the summer of 2019, warm water temperatures lowered the amount of dissolved oxygen in rivers and caused salmon across the state, including Mountain Village, to die before they were able to spawn.
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Salmon Die-off
Salmon are dying along the Andreafsky River and Lower Yukon River before spawning out. Water surface temperatures have been unusually warm, at one point reaching 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Jennifer Dobson, Jayde Ferguson, Eric Alstrom, Brian Lefferts

Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) with Twisted Spine
Chum salmon (*Oncorhynchus keta*) caught with a spinal curvature, which may be related to many different factors including genetics, infectious disease, trauma, neoplasm, diet, or changes in the environment.
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Sturgeon Caught in Yukon River
Two sturgeon were caught in the Yukon River, farther upriver than has been previously reported.
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Heat Wave Hits Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
People living in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta felt something unusual this past holiday weekend: a heat wave. Temperatures crept close to 90 degrees in many parts of the region.

Tumor found in King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Tumor found in King Salmon (*Oncorhynchus tshawytscha*)

Dead Moose (Alces alces) Found in Water
Single dead moose found in water, with injury on one side of its abdomen

Hunters stranded on sandbar after falling through Yukon River ice in Western Alaska
The cold and wet hunters built a fire to keep warm until Alaska Army National Guard rescuers arrived hours later.
Anchorage Daily News

Jelly-like Meat Texture Found in Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida)
Ringed seal (*Phoca hispida*) found with jelly-like meat texture and thin skin near the armpit and ribcage.
Scammon Bay, Alaska, United States

Two rare earthquakes shake western Alaska coast
Two quakes shook the coast of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Tuesday night about 45 miles offshore of the community of Hooper Bay.

Unidentified Beetle Pupa Found Near River Bank
Unidentified beetle pupa found near camp on a river bank.

Dead Sea Mammal and Sea Birds on the Beach
Residents of Chevak and Hooper Bay found two species of sea bird either dead or approachable near the mouth of the Kiuqliiviq and Aprun rivers near fish camps. Residents of Hooper Bay also found a dead sea mammal on the beach.

Blackline Prickleback (Acantholumpenus mackayi) Caught While Fishing For Herring
Blackline Prickleback (*Acantholumpenus mackayi*) caught along the Bering Sea Coast

Unusual Species (Ross's Gull?) Sighted
Ross's gull (*Rhodostetia rosea*) spotted in Hooper Bay, south of normal species range.

Severely iced-over cellular tower causing service disruptions in Western Alaska
A GCI cell tower in Western Alaska encapsulated in unusually thick ice and snow has caused service disruptions in villages.
Scammon Bay, Alaska, United States

Lineup of Storms and Unseasonable Weather
Multiple storms and warm weather in St. Mary's.
Saint Mary's, Alaska, United States

In Newtok, residents worry the encroaching river will destroy a way of life
When the river takes the first houses, the village could start to scatter. And Newtok’s blend of the modern and traditional could erode away with the land.
Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage

"Glowing" Tomcod (Microgadus proximus) in the dark - plankton?
I notice fluorescent glowing in the dark: happens to be the tomcods I caught the other day.

Goose populations are shifting in Alaska
For decades, the crowds of small, dark sea geese on the tundra of southwestern Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta have been thinning, a situation opposite that of geese on the North Slope.
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, United States
The Arctic Sounder

A tale of two goose populations: Y-K Delta’s shrink, Arctic coast’s expands
Black brant populations are struggling in the species' once-dominant Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta breeding areas, but conditions are better for brant breeding on the Arctic coastline.
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Beach Sand - Coastal Erosion
We are losing coastline due to erosion and this is a sad sight to witness.
Sandra Hill, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Mary Mullan

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.

Community Sick with Spring Flu
Seems to happen same time each year.
Scammon Bay, Alaska, United States
Jennifer Dobson, James Berner, Morgan Simon

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.
Alaska Dispatch News

Newtok asks: Can the U.S. deal with slow motion climate disasters?

Non-native Beetle (Anomala)
Inside of a couch shipping box.

Big Blueberries (Vaccinium ovalifolium), Lots of Them
Plants

Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Filled with Pus

Dump Fire Raises Wildfire Concerns
Dump and hill fire

Bluff Erosion
Bluff/cliff side erosion along the Ningikfak River.

Early Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Caught in Village
Brown bear (Ursus arctos) caught in village.

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon aliaska) Butterfly
Large Old World Swallowtail Butterfly

Early Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) Sprout

Moose (Alces alces) Near Village
Moose (Alces alces) near village

Early Break-up, Low Water
Early river break-up and low water

Unusual Bird (Lanius excubitor) Sighting
Identification pending.

Dead Black-capped (Parus atricapillus) Chickadee
The bird was flying and just dropped dead.
St. Marys, Alaska, United States

Deformed Whitefish (C. nelsonii)
Nice looking whitefish, but had a bulged out eyeball on one side of head.

Unseasonably warm and raining
11-01-14 Unseasonably warm - Pitkas Point, Alaska, USA
Pitka's Point, Alaska, United States

Longhorn Beetle (Monochamus scutellatus) Observed in Late July
A photo of a black unknown insect taken in late July.

Where is the Snow?
1-27-14 Where is the snow - St. Mary's Alaska, USA

Long-horned Beetle (Monochamus scutellatus)
8-11-13 Long horned beetle - Pitkas Point, Alaska, USA
Pitkas Point, Alaska, United States

Tiger Moth (Arctia caja)
7-21-13 Tiger moth - St. Mary's, Alaska, USA
St. Mary's Alaska, United States

Unusual Moose Sighting
It's not common to see animals of any kind, including moose, in the community of Pitkas Point.
Pitkas Point, Alaska, USA

Unseasonable Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)
4-21-13 Unseasonable chum salmon - St. Mary's, Alaska, USA
St. Marys, Alaska, United States

Wolf (Canis lupus) Sighting Causes Concern
St. Marys residents concerned about possible interactions
St. Marys, Alaska, USA

Winter Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
1-17-13 Winter brown bear - St Marys, Alaska, USA
St. Marys, Alaska, United States

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

Sucker Fish (Catostomus catostomus)
First time seeing a sucker fish in the Lower Yukon River.

Eroding Bluff Threatens Road
Eroding bluff threatens community transportation access.
Chevak, Alaska, USA

Ice seal mortality

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