Adaptation Planning

Villages across the Middle Kuskokwim have been working together to identify ways they can adapt to climate change. This effort is collected in the report Adapting to Climate Change in the Middle Kuskokwim. As part of this collaborative effort, the communities identified changes and possible adaptation methods. This page provides an overview of the key findings.

Precipitation

Participants reported an increase in precipitation levels, including snow and rain. This forces a decrease in travel by snowmachine and impacts the ability to participate in regional activities. Roads and walkways become covered in ice, which is slippery.

Possible adaptation:

  • Bring community members together in a series of activities to share skills, traditional knowledge, and value

  • Start a program to distribute ice cleats to community members, begin a community shuttle program

River Water Quality

Permafrost thaw is increasing the levels of arsenic, antimony, and mercury in river water. This could result in bio-accumulation of mercury, and other metals, in subsistence foods such as pike and burbot (lush).

River water temperatures are rising and salmon are more frequently caught with signs of disease and parasites.

Possible adaptation:

  • Continue water quality monitoring and public notice of monitoring results

  • Follow the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services fish consumption guidelines for women who are, or who may become, pregnant

  • Combine traditional knowledge and science to develop salmon health monitoring program

Temperature

Participants reported an increase in year-round air temperature, especially during winter. This results in variability in river ice quality impacts travel on the ice road. Poor ice conditions increase the risk of accidents during travel.

Possible adaptation:

  • develop a phone app to track ice status

  • check on conditions of ice road before each trip

  • develop overland trails

Information Sources:

Air Quality

Exposed ground during winter leads to unseasonable road dust. This increases the number of days during the year when outdoor air quality is poor and decreases indoor air quality as people spend more time indoors.

An increase in frequency of wildfire and an increase in the duration of seasonal pollen events also decreases air quality. Last but not least, there is the potential for new types of pollen events as vegetation changes.

Possible adaptation:

  • Monitor outdoor air quality

  • Create clean-rooms in each community, or create evacuation plan, for those with sensitive respiratory systems

  • Implement speed limits to reduce road dust

Groundwater

Permafrost thaw may change ground water movement. Combined with changing temperatures, precipitation, and amount of water entrained in the April 1st snowpack, wells may recharge at different rates

Possible adaptation:

  • If water shortages occur or become a concern, use instruments, such as an electrical sounder, to monitor seasonal changes in water level

  • Develop a plan to provide water to residents if shortages do occur