Mark Leary reported at 7:00 pm this evening that the entire river is passing ice…so that should get things moving in Chuathbaluk and Aniak in the near future. At least one would think…wouldn’t they? Hold on – just as I posted the above he texted me back and said that it stopped! If the Kuskowkim breaks up tomorrow…or later, then it should be a new record according to NOAA’s records. Here’s what the river looked like in Napaimute after the ice stopped moving. Mark says the water is low.
Here’s what the river looked like in Napaimute earlier this morning – photos by Mark Leary.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Red Devil, Sleetmute, Aniak and other middle river communities. FLOOD WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK 811 AM AKDT TUE MAY 21 2013 LOWER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…ANIAK…SLEETMUTE 811 AM AKDT TUE MAY 21 2013 …FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM AKDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE KUSKOKWIM RIVER NEAR RED DEVIL… THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR * THE LOWER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY NEAR RED DEVIL. * UNTIL 4 PM AKDT THIS AFTERNOON * FOR ICE JAM FLOODING * THE JUMBLED ICE WAS HOLDING THIS MORNING NEAR RED [Read More...}
On May 20th an Alaska District Court judge in Bethel ruled that the data collected and provided by fisheries scientists spoke for itself and the salmon when he charged the 21 Kuskokwim fishermen who fished last summer in the name of civil disobedience during a closed period. The judge said that his decision was “supported by the (salmon) run data, weir data and extensive fisheries expert witnesses. Therefore, this court finds the need to police the Chinook run, to ensure its continuity for future generations of Yupik fishermen and families, overcomes the argued for free-exercise exemption which otherwise would apply.” However, [Read More...}
It’s likely we’ll be breaking a record, at least from the NOAA’s data set (http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/). According to NOAA, the latest breakup we’ve experienced was May 21 in 1985; on this date (May 20) in 1992 the ice began moving in earnest. So – who would have ever guessed it would be this late? Has anyone who entered the Kuskokwim Ice Classic still have any picks for this coming week? According to Mark Leary, the river rose 4-inches yesterday as of midnight, but then dropped 5-inches overnight and is lower now than it was yesterday. As of yesterday in Napaimute this [Read More...}
The Kuskokwim in Aniak (or the rest of the river) isn’t doing much these days; it’s still quite cold for this time of year getting below freezing most nights. That supposedly is supposed to change, however. Here’s the forecast for the next few days. With these cool temperatures, water levels are rising only slightly in Aniak. Mark Leary reports that water in Napaimute rose only 6-inches yesterday but dropped 4-iches overnight (the first time since the thaw began); by noon today the temperature in Napaimute was already 40 degrees. The forecast is calling for a chance of rain in the [Read More...}
For anyone interested – here is an exciting and challenging position with KNA in Aniak. General Description and Responsibilities: This is not your typical Fisheries Biologist position. It combines fisheries research and monitoring with outreach, education, capacity building and cooperation to ensure the sustainability of Alaska Native subsistence opportunities. The job is as much about people and preserving a way of life as it is about fish. You will be working cooperatively with both state and federal management agencies on a variety of fisheries assessment projects in addition to conducting independent projects evaluating water quality and fish habitat. To accomplish this [Read More...}
Mark Leary reports that the water rose 1 foot today in a 22 hour period, which is slower than yesterday due to the cooler temperatures. The water level is also rising in Aniak and it’s been reported that the river in Crooked Creek moved a little today around 3:30, but then quickly ceased moving. Here are pictures of the water conditions in Napaimute as of this afternoon.
Large slabs of ice are coming down from near the mouth of the Aniak and filling in the open water in front of Aniak. The slough is now passing water and beginning to break up.
The Kuskokwim Salmon Management Working Group met on May 10 to discuss the management of the upcoming fishing season. There were several interesting points brought up at this season’s first teleconference since the Working Group meeting in March in Anchorage – here’s what I found interesting: James Charles feels that the word needs to get out that Working Group members do not get paid for their efforts. He believes that this misconception has arisen since the meetings are now held during the day as opposed to the evening like they were many years ago. And it seems that that misconception [Read More...}