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.

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This current situation in Aniak and Kalskag follows familiar patterns seen during Kuskokwim River breakups in recent years.> Just last year (May 2024), significant flooding occurred on the lower Kuskokwim due to ice jams below Akiak. Communities like Kwethluk, Napaskiak, and Oscarville experienced inundated roads and impacts to drinking water systems, while another jam caused severe flooding in Tuluksak and high water in Akiak.> In May 2020, an ice jam break near Kolmakolfsky caused significant flooding downstream through Chuathbaluk, with the fast-moving ice reaching Aniak shortly after. That same year, the National Weather Service warned Kuskokwim communities, including Aniak, to prepare for flooding due to conditions reminiscent of previous major flood years. A broader look at Alaska river communities in 2023 also highlights how disruptive ice jam and snowmelt flooding can be statewide.> While the NWS currently anticipates a less dynamic "mush-out" this year due to lower water levels and less snowmelt compared to some previous events, these past observations underscore the potential for Kuskokwim ice jams to cause significant impacts quickly. The thick ice noted near Kalskag and the potential for the jam to reform downstream remain key points to watch closely, reinforcing the importance of the current flood advisory and continued monitoring.