River Breakup

Last week, communities along the Yukon River experienced ice jam-related flooding. But as of the evening of May 26, significant ice jams close to the mouth of the river gave way and the water began to recede.

Those located in the Iditarod Regional Education Area and the Lower Yukon Regional Education Area can now apply for individual and public state disaster relief.

In the community of Holy Cross, flooding has entered two households. Residents have been evacuated to the local lodge.

Breakup on the Kuskokwim River is closely monitored by a team of specialists — River Watch. But their work is made possible by a larger team of experts — the people who live along the Kuskokwim’s banks.

The Kuskokwim Ice Classic tripod drifted out at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12. Two Y-K Delta locals guessed the same lucky number.

An ice jam below Aniak has inundated low-lying areas in the community and could cause further issues as the breakup front works its way towards Kalskag. But National Weather Service Hydrologist Johnse Ostman said he's optimistic about a lower river that is "thermally mushing out and degrading."

For many on the Y-K Delta, the breakup of the Kuskokwim River is the official indicator of spring. Waiting for breakup is a collective experience, as is the community's annual game of guessing exactly when that will happen.

The River Watch team will be back in full force this year, working directly with communities on the Yukon and Kuskokwim and closely monitoring impacts as the ice goes out after a historically cold winter.