The social media has been full of pictures of swamped cars and snow machines but if you’re sober, sensible, and avoid night time travel our River is still OK
A BSAR team traveled today from Bethel to Napaimute. This is what they observed:
It is always amazing to see how fast the River heals after a warm spell. With temperatures only slightly cooler, a fresh coating of snow to soak up water and make the best routes more visible; traveling conditions have improved.
The Bethel waterfront is still unusually tricky to navigate: the two main accesses are a narrow slot right against the seawall in front of the Lomack Building. The better, safer access follows a round about route through the north side of the boat harbor, out the boat harbor slough, along the beach upstream to Crow’s old fish processing barge, and then out onto the main River ice. Once you are out on the main ice – STAY ON IT – until you get to your destination. The overflow is still deep along the sides.
From Bethel to Tuluksak the River was mostly dry with only the occasional very shallow puddle of half frozen water.
From Tuluksak to the lower end of the jam at Coffee’s Bend conditions were much the same with slightly more puddles.
Inside Coffees Bend there are still several ponds of half frozen overflow that are fairly deep. There has been a lot of Kalskag traffic today going down to watch the regionals at Akiak. 4WD Trucks go through no problem, but one traveler in a 4WD Ford Explorer had to get towed out of one pond. So nothing smaller than a truck recommended at this time. It is still too rough to go around most of these water holes.
From Kalskag to Aniak conditions improved, although there are still more puddles than the Lower River. But through this 30 miles or so the River is wide, not rough, and there is room to go around any wet spots.
Above Aniak for the next 30 miles to Napaimute conditions improve with very little overflow visible at all and almost none to drive through. This section of the River is also much smoother.
It’s important to note that with the recent warm spells quite a few of the road markers are down. There are still enough to follow in good weather, but in limited visibility there are areas where travelers may lose the trail.
This is what was observed today. As temperatures are forecasted to cool things should only get better.
Thank you.
*Please note that this is not an advisory that it is safe for travel. It is for informational purposes only.
