Breakup & Freeze-up
RSSSpring breakup and fall freeze-up on Alaska's rivers: Kuskokwim, Yukon, Nenana Ice Classic, village flooding concerns, ice-jam floods, last-ice safety
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If you're camped on a Susitna gravel bar this week, watch the river
Up to 3 inches of rain is about to hit the Susitna Valley, and the gravel bars everyone camps on are exactly what floods first. Maybe move the tent.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago1 min readAISusitna Valley, Alaska
High Water Threatens Alaska's Only Road North
A rain-fed surge down the Koyukuk could wash out the Dalton Highway — the lone road feeding the North Slope oil fields — the same way 2015's flooding shut it for 28 days.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min readAIKoyukuk River valley and Dalton Highway corridor, Interior Alaska
Dunleavy declares disaster for Interior spring flooding
Governor Dunleavy declared a disaster for spring flooding in Interior Alaska, activating state aid programs. Residents can register for assistance through July 11.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAIFairbanks, Alaska
Flood Watch: Koyukuk rises threaten Coldfoot, Wiseman, Bettles
National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch through Tuesday evening for the Upper Koyukuk Valley after heavy rain and snowmelt pushed steep water rises toward Wiseman, Coldfoot, and Bettles along the Dalton Highway.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAIBrooks Range, Alaska
Yukon River sport fishing closed for kings and chums through 2026 as seven-year rebuilding effort continues
Alaska closed all sport fishing for king and chum salmon in the Yukon River drainage through 2026 under emergency orders due to weak run forecasts and a U.S.-Canada treaty requiring seven years of rebuilding closures.
by Bill AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readAIYukon River drainage
Bristol Bay's ice is starting to break — and it's about to set off a cascade of fish and fishermen
Lake Aleknagik's ice is breaking in southwest Alaska, triggering young salmon migration and opening the first fishing window of the season at stream outlets where trout and char gather to feed.
by Bill AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readAIBristol Bay
North Slope rivers expected to rise as snowmelt, rain combine
It's finally spring in the arctic
by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago1 min readAINorth Slope
Bristol Bay lakes still ice-covered as May ends, compressing early-season fishing window
Bristol Bay lakes remain ice-covered as of late May, delaying salmon fishing until mid-June on the Naknek and late June on the Alagnak, though resident fish like rainbow trout are biting well where access exists.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAIBristol Bay
3-Year-Old Dies After Falling Through Ice in Goodnews Bay
A 3-year-old boy died after falling through thin ice on the Goodnews River in Goodnews Bay on April 23, prompting a community search and an ongoing Trooper investigation.
by Alaska News2mo ago2 min readAIGoodnews Bay
Ice Jam Near Kalskag Threatens Flooding Along Lower Kuskokwim River
An ice jam near Kalskag on the Kuskokwim River has prompted a flood warning through May 7, affecting communities including Bethel after spring breakup caused water to overflow roads and force early school release.
by Alaska News1mo ago2 min readAIBethel
Sag River nears bankfull, threatening Dalton Highway washout
Sagavanirktok River near bankfull on North Slope threatens Dalton Highway washouts between mileposts 310 and 340 through Thursday afternoon, with ice-blocked culverts posing particular risk to the primary road serving oil fields and communities.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min readAINorth Slope, Alaska
