Effects of Yukon River Floods on Community Subsistence
Martinez, J., Black, K., DuVivier, A. K.. (2025). Effects of Yukon River Floods on Community Subsistence. , doi:https://doi.org/10.5065/r4gn-vc48
| Title | Effects of Yukon River Floods on Community Subsistence |
|---|---|
| Genre | Manuscript |
| Author(s) | Jeamilett Martinez, Kristina Black, Alice K. DuVivier |
| Abstract | In May of 2009, an ice jam caused a flood in central Alaska. Local member interviews from Project Jukebox noted how the flood rapidly changed the landscapes of Tanana and Fort Yukon. Moose and fish populations had decreased over time, and members believed that with the flood there would be a replenishment of the environment. Running Andrew Newman's Alaska model from the time periods of 1992 through 2019, we're able to examine the environmental factors that may have led to the major flooding event. The variables tested were the atmosphere, air temperature in the spring, precipitation in the winter, previous winter river ice formations, and the rate of river flow in the spring. Simulations demonstrated that this flood was not due to an extreme precipitation event, but rather was a result of rapid fluctuations in April temperatures, with the month starting colder and then warming more rapidly than normal. The river ice was thick, creating multiple ice jam floods. Animal plots using Alaska Department of Fish and Game data were created to see if there were any significant changes in the population pre and post the 2009 floods. There were no statistically significant changes in animal populations or similar trends across moose and fish populations. The environmental factors that community members determined led to the flood are confirmed with the simulations while inconclusive with animal population predictions. |
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| Publication Date | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Publisher's Version of Record | https://doi.org/10.5065/r4gn-vc48 |
| OpenSky Citable URL | https://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d79w0kzg |
| OpenSky Listing | View on OpenSky |
| CGD Affiliations | PPC |