Overflow is covering stretches of the Kuskokwim ice road between Napaskiak and Oscarville. Bethel Search and Rescue member Perry Barr discovered the water around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, while driving back to Bethel from the tundra villages.
He reports that the overflow floods the roads in two sections, each about 50 yards long, with the water measuring 3 to 4 inches deep.
“We see this every winter,” Barr said, “when we see standing water because of high tide on ice.” He cautions travelers to drive cautiously to avoid hydroplaning. Outside temperatures have reached above freezing in recent days, and Barr warns that more standing water could appear as the weather continues to warm.
The Native Village of Napaimute plowed the ice road between Bethel and Tuntutuliak on Tuesday.