A typically snowy region, Valdez experienced an unusually dry October with receding snow lines and a dry riverbed.
High water throughout the summer continues to erode the river bank.
"The river was iced over for less then 6 weeks! As opposed to 5 months of ice 2 to 3 feet thick before climate change."
Heavy rains have elevated river levels throughout August and September. High water continues to erode the river bank in the community. The photos show a tree that was 22 feet from the edge is know 3 feet. Total erosion has reached 91 ft. by old landfill and new mark shows 112 ft. marker.
This post is an update on the river erosion situation in Noatak, where a new channel is being cut by the Noatak River.
As the river changes and erosion happens along the banks, new channels are being formed around the community.
Open water in February.
Noatak has lost 19' of river bank since May 19th. Now the road to the community gravel source is failing.
"Now I have seen the current muddy at break up but usually after prolonged warming and winds. This one is about a month ahead of the game."
I have been speaking with elders in the community and they have never before seen the river break up that soon.
I have lived here for almost 60 years and I have never seen the ice form like this.
" I was down by North Fork taking pictures by the stream and noticed the differing speeds in current throughout the small part of the stream in view. A part of the stream was almost completely stagnant and just a little way farther down stream it was flowing like crazy. "
"This year we had a lot more rain than other years, we used to be able to get on our ATVs and travel 10-12 miles upriver. I haven't seen or heard of anyone using ATVs to travel upriver this year. I think the breakthrough channel has a lot to do with us not being able to travel on ATVs. I see a lot of my favorite ATV fishing spots washed away from the highwater."
Community Water System at Risk: Extreme precipitation throughout the summer and sustained high water has resulted in erosion of the location for the water transmission line and Noatak's two water wells.
After significant rain and high water from the Kobuk River the Native Village of Kobuk is now flooded.
Unusual high water all summer in Noatak, causing massive erosion towards the airport and old buried landfill, exposing old trash into the river.
Photos show some of the erosion caused by surge of high water in late June on the Noatak River. As of June 29th, 24 feet of bank have been lost adjacent to the Noatak Airport, and 28 feet adjacent to the landfill.
Winds in Sand Point reached speeds higher than those predicted by the National Weather Service and caused damage to community infrastructure.
High water in the Koyukuk River is causing erosion near Huslia as warm spring temperatures rapidly melt above-average snowpack.
Dynamic breakup conditions are causing ice jams and flooding in Kuskokwim river communities, and significantly damaging infrastructure.
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.
We went from relatively cold days and nights in late March, to warm days and warm nights in April. This means no overnight freezing of snow, and no crust conditions for skiers...yet.
Open water over the ocean creates conditions that lead to hoar frost and rime ice. These conditions impact travel and are expected to become more common as ice forms later in Norton Sound.
High water posed safety hazards and resulted in the removal of boardwalk but also allowed boats to go further up river than usual.
An unseasonable rain event brought high rainfall and led to high water, especially around noon on August 3rd.
"He could have picked it up in the backyard or on an earlier walk to the park."
Thunderstorms are unusual in Unalakleet; however, a thunderstorm cell persisted in the area for longer than usual. Hot, dry conditions across Alaska have increased the risk of wildland fire, including that started from lightening strike.
In early July, dead fish were observed floating along Kouwegoki Slough and along Powers Creek, among other locations.
It was also during the week where a number of dead fish started to occur along the riverine segment.
Smoke from the North River fire is impacting outdoor air quality. The ADEC Division of Air Quality has issued an air quality advisory in effect from Tuesday, June 18, 2019 8:00 AM to Friday June 21, 2019 4:00 PM.
Smoke from the South River Hills Fire could be seen from Unalakleet. The fire began approximately 6 miles from the community, and grew from 30 to 160 acres.It was contained by BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumers by 11pm on June 9, 2019.
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.
White, puffy, clouds unusually close to the land.
Heavy spring precipitation leads to strong river flow, sweeping away cabin and fish rack.
Wildfire smoke visible in Unalakleet.
Passenger experiences usually turbulent conditions on winter flights.
Earthquake in low-probability area in Alaska
While taking photos this afternoon of the snow ice on various objects near the Native Village of Unalakleet, which was on the approximate order of 4 minutes and with very little wind (playground, grass, powerlines), my hands were cold due to the "wetness" in the air and the ambient air temperature.
Rapid weather change, with snowfall.
Using a hand-held Garmin Montana 650t unit, I took photos of the tideline in three areas.
I documented my tracks using the Garmin unit adjusting the track setting to log about every 5 feet, which was saved as a GPS Exchange (GPX) Format. From there, I imported the information into Google Earth Desktop as a KML track.
A haze surrounding the hills had a distinct smell of burned wood.
Observed fast moving weather system... as quickly as it came it abated.
Unusually wet winter weather activity observed. Traveling in early February (AFE) disrupted travel due to weather conditions.
An unusual morning haze "winter fog", was observed, attributed to a layer of moist air trapped near the ground.
Observations From Members 