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Community slideshow: 2024 Kuskokwim River breakup flooding
A quick-moving and early breakup on the upper Kuskokwim River led to widespread flooding in lower-river communities. Breakup on the Kuskokwim began in Nikolai, a day or so ahead of the average for that community. Ice degraded quickly as the ice front moved downriver. Breakup slowed as ice jammed in...
University of Alaska Fairbanks' Kuskokwim Campus Celebrates 50th Commencement
It's not just high school graduations happening. College commencements are underway, too. The University of Alaska Fairbanks' Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel held its 50th commencement recently. How cool is that?. Thiirty-six students received occupational endorsements, associate's, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees and post-baccalaureate certificates. Graduates hailed from communities across...
Breakup may ultimately be ‘non-event’ for middle and lower Yukon River communities
RiverWatch officials flew what could be their last breakup monitoring flight on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta this week. That’s in part because breakup on the Yukon River this year is looking like what hydrometeorologist Kyle Van Peursem calls a “non-event.”. “This year, even our pilot remarked how different it...
Governor Declares Disaster: Kuskokwim River Flooding Devastates Communities
The Governor has now issued a disaster declaration in response to the major flooding that's impacting communities along the Kuskokwim River. All the flooding that's been happening is due to ice jams and spring snowmelt in the region. The water has been so high in spots it's making the streets...
As Kwethluk remains flooded, the end of historic breakup in sight for downriver communities
The National Weather Service reports that a large ice jam below Napakiak has moved downriver and is showing signs of breaking up, alleviating serious concerns for multiple lower Kuskokwim communities. “It looks rotten, it looks weak. You can see where the breakup front is, it's kind of chewing its way...
Bethel Braces as Kuskokwim River Floods; Marina, Gas Station Submerged
There are reports of flooding coming out of Bethel. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities posted pictures to Facebook showing the overflowing Kuskokwim River. The Brown Slough area of Bethel is reported to be most affected with a marina and gas station flooded.
Flooding along Kuskokwim River a concern this weekend
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Low pressure is rotating over the Alaska Peninsula and this system will direct clouds and precipitation into the state over the weekend. The clouds and rain and coming at an inopportune time, with an aurora forecast that is showing HIGH auroral activity!. Warnings for ongoing flooding...
Ice jam holds floodwaters in place for multiple lower Kuskokwim communities
On May 10, a gravel intersection in Bethel’s Alligator Acres neighborhood became a makeshift port for an odd assortment of canoes, kayaks, and skiffs to shuttle residents – like Brian Jackson and his daughter Abigail – to and from their homes. “It seems to have turned into...
Kuskokwim River breakup floods roads, impacts drinking water for some communities
Ice jams from breakup on the Kuskokwim River are causing high water to inundate many lower river communities. As of Thursday, there had not been any reported flooding impacts to structures like homes or businesses, but some roads are covered with water and it’s affected at least two villages’ drinking water.
Bethel residents march for MMIP justice
The 2024 MMIP March for Justice walks along the Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway in Bethel. May 3, 2024. Around 90 people, most dressed in red, walked about 1.5 miles through Bethel last Friday (May 3) in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People’s (MMIP) Awareness Day (May 5). The...
Bethel ice tripod trips the clock at 8:40 a.m., May 8, 2024
Bethel’s Kuskokwim Ice Classic tripod tripped the clock at 8:40 a.m. on May 8, 2024. The winner of the full Ice Classic hasn’t been announced yet. Ice Classic managers wrote in a post on their website that certifying a winner can take up to two days. But three...
GCI mobile customers in Bethel demand answers after weeks of call issues
Following a weeks-long interruption that affected incoming calls for an unknown number of GCI mobile customers across Alaska, the telecommunications company says the issue has been resolved. Customers say the issue seemed to involve incoming calls to GCI mobile numbers. The incoming caller would hear ringing, get a generic voicemail...
Bethel Freestyle Wrestling Club takes state championship in Wasilla
The Bethel Freestyle Wrestling Club pinned their way to an Alaska USA Wrestling state championship over the weekend in Wasilla, beating out the Anchorage-based Alaska Battle Cats in a tie-breaker to claim the title. At a packed Menard Sports Center, Bethel wrestler and Gladys Jung Elementary School sixth-grader Maya Iverson...
A utility room under Mertarvik’s public school is full of raw sewage
Two of the only flush toilets in the village of Mertarvik are in the temporary public school building, but their use is limited. All day long, kids come and go from the building, crunching through slushy spring snow on their way to their houses so they can use the “bathroom” at home.
Tuluksak and Akiak under flood advisory, lower Kuskokwim communities under flood watch
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Tuluksak and Akiak and canceled the flood advisory for Kalskag as the breakup front moves downriver. As of Sunday morning (May 5), officials said they plan to issue a flood watch for Kwethluk, Akiachak and Bethel in anticipation of the continued slow march of breakup and potential ice jams as the front hits the sturdier ice below Bethel.
Listen: Bethel’s emergency housing shelter closes for the summer
Bethel Winter House, the local emergency winter housing shelter, closed on April 30. It was open for seven months, beginning October 1. But while Winter House is shuttered, the new Atsaq Place Permanent Supportive Housing project is just getting started. Winter House Executive Director Jaela Milford sat down with KYUK’s...
For one Utqiaġvik family, spring bowhead whaling marks an important milestone
For the Aaluk Crew, last Wednesday (April 24) was cooking day. The night before, the whaling crew, captained by Bernadette and Quincy Adams, had landed the first bowhead whale of Utqiaġvik’s spring season. The crew flag, featuring a harpooned bowhead tail framed by a sunset, waved above the Adams’ two-story home, signaling the successful hunt.
McGrath ice tripod falls as breakup inches down the Kuskokwim
The Kuskokwim River at McGrath, where the 2024 Ice Tripod fell at 1:55 p.m. on May 1, 2024. Breakup continues to inch down the Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers. On the Kuskokwim, the McGrath ice tripod fell on Wednesday (May 1) at 1:55 p.m. – around three days earlier than its recent breakup average. Downriver, ice has shifted in several communities, including Crooked Creek, Sleetmute and Napaimute.
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