Dead Chum (Oncorhynchus keta) Salmon Floating in Yukon River

Observation by Harold Okitkun:

There has been reports of summer chum salmon floating down the Yukon river by commercial fishermen. I haven't had a chance to go up the river and take any pictures but I asked a few of the fishermen here to do so if they come across any dead fish floating down the river. I think the water has been so warm it is hurting our fish. The local waterplant operator keeps track of the water temps. and said that the past few hot days we had, the water temp. was at 70 degrees, and said that this is the first time he ever saw that high of a temp. for raw water from the river.

Comments from LEO Editors:

LEO has received several observations in the past week about salmon mortalities in rivers along the western coast, possibly related to warm water temperatures from the recent high temperatures across the state.

These observations are being forwarded to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation.