Selawik

Mayor Clyde Ramoth says frozen pipes are a chronic problem due to issues with the initial installation of the above-ground water system. The warming climate isn’t making things any easier.

High water posed safety hazards and resulted in the removal of boardwalk but also allowed boats to go further up river than usual.

Thawing and eroding is destroying river bank, impacting access, threatening infrastructure, and causing safety concerns.

Caribou calving on the Kobuk River, seems early to calf.

The caribou are crossing at different times and locations as the years go by.

Fishing this spring and caught a broad whitefish that had a growth.

9-5-13 Caribou delayed - Kiana, Alaska, USA

The blueberries are so ripe now that the best time to pick those are late morning while they are chilled down and the leaves are not so moist, otherwise they fall easily or squish in your fingers.

7-23-13 Horntail wood wasp - Selawik, Alaska,

Permafrost thawing causing bridge damage.

A normal daily river level here is about 46', so we are nearly eight (8') feet above normal.

We performed a survey of community water lines to see how permafrost thaw and sinking foundations may be impacting homes, water and waste water systems. During the June visit we saw where foundation sinking was putting stress on pipe runs and junctions. Now in the winter we see evidence of freeze up in some of the homes where the junction boxes have been compromised, gaps in the insulation seal, and resulting freeze up and overflow of water.

Most of Alaska sits atop permafrost. But the ground is thawing, leading to unexpected and sometimes catastrophic outcomes — what scientists have called a “slow disaster.”

Biologists struggle to single out a leading cause of the caribou population’s decline. Increased wolf predation, changed migration patterns and climate warming affecting food sources can all influence the herd. “It’s going to be another rough winter again this year without caribou,” Selawik resident Norma Ballot said.