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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

Windblown volcanic ash headed our way, again
Strong northwest winds are resuspending ash from the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai eruption, prompting an NWS Special Weather Statement for southern Kodiak Island and an aviation advisory up to 6,000 feet. Communities including Karluk, Akhiok, and Larsen Bay may see haze and trace ash; sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor activity until winds ease Saturday.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Kodiak breaks another rain record
On August 6, 2025, Kodiak recorded 2.31 inches of rain—shattering the previous daily record of 1.72 inches from 2013—and forcing the cancellation of slowpitch softball games.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Bad week for Kodiak’s migrating gray whales
A USCG survey flight spotted three more dead gray whales on Sitkinak and Tugidak islands, bringing the 2025 total in the Kodiak region to 11, with several apparently killed by orcas and others appearing emaciated.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Kodiak records rain record
Kodiak set a new one-day precipitation record on July 10, 2025, when 2.11 inches of rain fell—surpassing the previous July 10 record of 1.43 inches set in 1919.

Kodiak smashes temperature record with midweek heat wave
A mini-heat wave struck Kodiak on Tuesday, breaking a temperature record that had stood for 70 years since 1954.

December was second rainiest in Kodiak weather history
December in Kodiak was the second rainiest on record, with 14.73 inches of rain, driven by a weather pattern similar to December 1985. Only three days were without measurable precipitation, and the month was notably warmer, with rain continuing into January.

Kodiak handles record rainy day
Kodiak experienced a record-breaking rainfall on November 8, with 3.42 inches surpassing the previous record from 1985. Despite the heavy rain, which contributed to a significant monthly rainfall, no significant flooding occurred.

What happened to those king salmon caught as bycatch?
The fallout from the closure of the central Gulf of Alaska pollock fishery, in response to the salmon bycatch, continues. Afterward, a number of readers responded with similar questions: What happened to those salmon? Were they sold? Donated? Thrown back into the water? The short answer, according to a federal management official: The salmon were “discarded.”
Alaska Beacon

Spike in salmon shark sightings near Kodiak stumps researchers
Researchers are puzzled by an increase in salmon shark sightings near Kodiak, with unclear links to king salmon declines and insufficient data on shark populations and movements.
Alaska Public Media

“Huge disaster”: Historically weak pink salmon runs strain Alaska’s seine fishermen
Skippers in Prince William Sound and Kodiak say this year's pink harvest is one of the worst they’ve ever seen. “I wake up every morning and I try to apply for a different job," one said.
Northern Journal

'Strange' bald eagle attacks at Kodiak harbor cause multiple injuries
Unusual aggressive bald eagle behavior, not linked to nest protection, leads to multiple injuries at Kodiak harbor, possibly due to eagles being fed by people.
Alaska Public Media

Up to five inches of rain brings landslide, road flooding
An East Hillcrest Ave. home was damaged in a mudslide brought by heavy rains Thursday afternoon.

Cuvier’s beaked whale found dead on Kodiak Island
A healthy Cuvier's beaked whale, typically a deep-sea dweller, was found dead on Kodiak Island with no clear cause of death.
KMXT - Kodiak

Rare fin whale found dead near Kodiak
A rare, emaciated fin whale was found dead near Kodiak, Alaska, with the local Sun'aq Tribe conducting a necropsy. There isn’t enough data for biologists to declare a trend yet, but these whales are being found on the heels of an unusual mortality event for gray whales in the Pacific Ocean.
Alaska Public Media

Kodiak dog tests positive for canine distemper
A dog at the Kodiak Animal Shelter was euthanized after testing positive for canine distemper, leading to a quarantine and a halt on adoptions.

Alaska cancels snow crab harvest again due to population concerns
The snow crab harvest in Alaska has been canceled for the second year in a row due to concerns about population sustainability, but red king crab and Tanner crab will be available for commercial fishermen this season. Last year was the first time in history the U.S. snow crab fishery was closed. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said the harvests were closed over concerns about long-term conservation and the sustainability of crab stocks.

Humpback found dead near Kodiak gets Alaska's first 2023 whale necropsy
A humpback whale found dead near Kodiak Island in Alaska undergoes the state's first whale necropsy of 2023 in an effort to determine the cause of death and understand the shrinking humpback population in the area, with initial findings suggesting the whale may have been struck by a boat.

Rough weather delays Kodiak barge deliveries, leaving grocery shelves bare
Safeway on Mill Bay Road is the only large grocery store on the island. And store management expected the barge to bypass Kodiak after its last visit, with a resupply stop scheduled ahead of this past weekend. But snowstorms and gusty weather, including hurricane-force winds, scuttled those plans. “In my entire career, I’ve never seen two successive bypasses,” said Mike Murray, the store director of Kodiak’s Safeway.

Cleanup continues at Kodiak spaceport after January rocket crash
ABL Space Systems is still investigating the crash, but says the rocket rose more than 700 feet before its engines shut down 11 seconds after launch.

Kodiak brown bear cub dies of bird flu
It’s one of only four mammals in Alaska to contract the virus, and the first brown bear to be found with the disease.
Pasagshak State Recreation Site, Kodiak Island, Alaska, United States

Strange eggs observed in grass
Unidentfied deposits or growth was observed covering plant in Larsen Bay.
Larsen Bay, Alaska, United States
Brandie Radigan, Teresa Carlson, Derek Sikes

Winter Heat Wave: Kodiak temperature breaks state record-highs
Kodiak residents went to the trails on Sunday, taking advantage of record-breaking high temperatures. The Kodiak Airport reported temperatures reached 65 degrees that day, the warmest temperature ever recorded in Kodiak between Oct. 5 and April 21 of any year.

In August, scientists saw rare right whales twice in Alaska waters
Biologist Jessica Crance witnessed both sightings personally, and is among a handful of living people who have seen one of this population of right whales up close since the species was devastated by commercial whaling.
Barnabas Trough

Sunken scallop boat off Kodiak remains pollution hazard decades later
The sunken scallop boat, Saint Patrick, remains a pollution hazard off the coast of Kodiak, Alaska, decades after sinking in 1989, bringing up memories of a devastating fishing disaster in 1981 that claimed nine lives.
Womens Bay, Alaska, United States

Officials shot three bears, days apart, all eating trash on the same street in Kodiak
Temperatures might be down in Kodiak, but that doesn’t mean bear problems are down too. Fish & Game has tracked down and shot three problem bears in town over the last week, and they’re reminding residents — not all bears hibernate in the winter.

Algal Bloom, Possibly Noctiluca, in Kizhuyak Bay
Ribbons of discolored water observed over Kizhuyak Bay that are likely related to a *Noctilica* bloom.
Chiniak, Alaska, United States
Brian Berube, Andie Wall , Kayla Schommer

Sand Lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) Die-Off
Hundreds of dead sand lance (*Ammodytes hexapterus*) found along the shores of White Sands Beach.
Bruce Wright, Jayde Ferguson, Stephanie Mason, Ted Meyers

2 more gray whales found dead near Kodiak Island
NOAA has declared an “unusual mortality event” for gray whales on the North American west coast and launched an investigation.
Anchorage Daily News

Alaska’s third dead gray whale of the year reported on Kodiak coast
The whale is located in an inaccessible place where scientists are unable to take a necropsy.
Anchorage Daily News

Alaska biologist report increased sighting of mink in Kodiak
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — Sightings of mink are increasing around Kodiak, Alaska wildlife biologists said of the animal — a species not native to the area. The first sighting was several years ago, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported . Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologist John Crye said the sightings began after he got a call from an individual who was interested in raising and farming the animals.
AP NEWS

Odd Starfish Appearance (Pisaster ochraceus)
Sea Star (*Pisaster ochraceus*) appears sick but is actually healthy.
Larsen Bay, Alaska, United States

Kodiak rancher says bears have killed 30 head of cattle this year
Chris Flickinger says the number of animals killed by bears is way above average, causing a sizable financial loss.
Anchorage Daily News

Missing Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) Bed
Large bull kelp (*Nereocystis luetkeana*) bed near the 1st channel marker, which used to attract sea otters, has disappeared.
Larsen Bay, Alaska, United States
David Harmes, Joy Britt, Mandy Lindeberg

Adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Snatches a Seagull
Bald eagle feeds on seagull

Foam in Womens Bay
Sea foam collecting on the beach where it is not normally seen.

Bald Eagle Pairs (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Abandoned Nests
Bald eagles (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) disappeared from usual nesting spot.

Small Deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) Found with Signs of Injury or Illness
Small, approachable, deer found with possible broken jaw, discolored saliva, and injury on hindquarter.

For Alaska sockeye salmon, record highs in Bristol Bay, record lows nearly everywhere else
Fishery scientists suspect the downturns are due to the warmest sea-surface temperatures ever recorded running from 2014-2016.

Three dead gray whales wash up on Kodiak Island beaches in one week
Three dead gray whales washed up on two different Kodiak Island beaches recently. The strandings happened within the span of a week.
Womens Bay, Alaska, United States

Small red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) return and fish size
Sockeye are smaller in size and fewer in number this year than in recent years.
Ouzinkie, Alaska, United States

Dead Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Dead bald eagle washes up on Larsen Bay beach

Video: The oceans are changing. Can crabs adapt?
At a lab in Kodiak, researchers are working to understand whether crabs can adapt to ocean acidification.
KTOO
Eric Keto and Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk

Fish Return to Akhiok Bay
Akhiok residents report that fish have returned to Akhiok Bay since the outfall was repaired/extended further into the ocean
Akhiok, Alaska, United States

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

How Climate Change Canceled the Grizzly Salmon Run
On an Alaskan island, one of nature’s greatest spectacles is shutting down, as brown bears abandon fish in favor of a surprising alternative.
The Atlantic

Alaska's Grizzly Bears Drop Salmon for Berries as Climate Changes
When Kodiak Island's elderberries started ripening earlier, its iconic bears changed their diet. It's another ecological shift amid climate change, scientists say.

Rat (Rattus norvegicus) at Kodiak Airport
Spotted a rat at the Kodiak Airport while doing intertidal surveys.

Study looks at climate change’s effects on Kodiak berries, wildlife
“We really don’t know when the problem started and whether it was a long-term situation this winter, but the bottom line is that it appears that salmonberry and blueberry were affected by the amount of cold and the depth of cold that we had that killed the winter buds and killed the above-ground stems of those plants,” Pyle said.

Warmer Kodiak seasons mean more fruit
The last few years of warm weather means that more apples and even pears have popped up around town.
KMXT - Kodiak

Rats Run Rampant in Kodiak this Season
Kayla Desroches/KMXT It looks like it’ll be a ratty season for Kodiak. The rodents are running rampant this year, at least according to one local pest cont
KMXT 100.1 FM

Early Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) Blossoms
Early Salmonberry Blossoms in February on Kodiak Island
Ouzinkie, 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.
KTOO

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

Murre die-off reported around Kodiak
Kodiak Island residents have been reporting a large number of common murres washing up dead on local beaches.

Slimy Beach
Slimy Algae on beach
Port Lions, Alaska, United States

PSP Levels Rising
5-1-13 PSP levels rising - Old Harbor, Alaska, USA
Old Harbor, Alaska, United States

Dead Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Our concern has to do with the impact and number of dead whales that might have on our subsistence lifestyle. It is unusual to find so many dead whales.
Old Harbor, Alaska, United States

Three dead whales
6-22-12 Three dead whales - Old Harbor, Alaska, USA
Old Harbor, Alaska, USA

Sick Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina)

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