Environment

Most Kuskokwim River communities have escaped heavy flooding so far, but not Kwethluk. Social media photos show water rising high and completely covering some roads. The IRA Council passed a resolution declaring a state of emergency on May 6. Phone calls to the council president and to the city manager were not returned by publication. 

Four days after the Kuskokwim Ice Classic tripod fell, Bethel residents are still seeing ice moving downriver, and experiencing flooding in low-lying neighborhoods. The coronavirus pandemic has limited breakup festivities, but community members are still finding ways to celebrate spring.

Break up continues on the Kuskokwim River. Napaskiak resident and river observer Earl Samuelson has been tracking the ice and water levels on the Kuskokwim River, and he says that people need to brace themselves for more high water heading downstream. 

A Kipnuk commercial fisherman won this year’s Kuskokwim Ice Classic on his first try. 

Most places on the Kuskokwim River are not experiencing major flooding, but the ice is moving fast and the water is high. On May 5, Napaskiak resident Earl Samuelson warned that people need to keep an eye out for high water.

The Kuskokwim River has largely cleared itself of in-place ice, greatly reducing the chances of flooding along the river, according to National Weather Service hydrologist Celine Van Breukelen. She’s flying with the River Watch crew, monitoring breakup conditions along the Kuskokwim.

The ice jam near Napaimute is still holding, and villages below Napaimute should brace for flooding if the ice jam releases quickly, according to the latest River Watch report.

An ice jam just below Upper Kalskag is sending rapidly rising water towards the village’s power plant.