A powerful dust devil in Noatak, Alaska, was strong enough to lift and flip a small aircraft, an unusual intensity for the area, and nearly overturned a nearby boat, surprising local residents.
Erosion is rapidly exposing the community water line. Recent efforts to stabilize the area proved ineffective as gravel is quickly washed away, threatening the water supply infrastructure.
The Noatak River's persistent erosion is threatening key transportation infrastructure including the adjacent road and airstrip.
High water on the Noatak River is accelerating erosion and causing the destruction of a decades-old cement pillow revetment wall in Noatak.
High water throughout the summer continues to erode the river bank.
Erosion of the shoreline on Well Island is threatening the water line that connects the village of Noatak to their water supply. The Tribal Health System is coordinating with the federal agencies and state and borough to support water supply needs and repairs.
Heavy rains have elevated river levels throughout August and September. High water continues to erode the river bank in the community. The photos show a tree that was 22 feet from the edge is know 3 feet. Total erosion has reached 91 ft. by old landfill and new mark shows 112 ft. marker.
The river in Noatak is slowly cutting away parts of the road. This is an on going problem and the observation by Jeffrey Luther provides the latest in a series about erosion and related impacts.
Community gravel source and old dump site threated by erosion.
The collapse was documented with drone imagery as was a permafrost rebound signature in the river water.
Community Water System at Risk: Extreme precipitation throughout the summer and sustained high water has resulted in erosion of the location for the water transmission line and Noatak's two water wells.
Unusual high water all summer in Noatak, causing massive erosion towards the airport and old buried landfill, exposing old trash into the river.
Photos show some of the erosion caused by surge of high water in late June on the Noatak River. As of June 29th, 24 feet of bank have been lost adjacent to the Noatak Airport, and 28 feet adjacent to the landfill.
River erosion in Noatak is posing a threat to wells and transmission lines along the bank as the river ebbs closer.
Extremely high water on the Noatak
Observations From Members 