Modeling Future Storm Impacts on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Validation of Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Storm Surge Model
Dates
Start Date
2012-05-31
End Date
2013-10-01
Release Date
2012
Summary
The western coast of Alaska is a remote region, rich in wildlife and providing critical nesting habitat for many of Alaska’s seabirds. It is also home to indigenous communities who rely upon the region’s natural resources to support a traditional lifestyle of hunting, gathering, and fishing. Although the region is frequently subject to extensive inland flooding from Bering Sea storms, little is known about the extent and frequency of flooding and its impacts on vegetation, wildlife, and water quality. Furthermore, information is lacking about how climate change and sea-level rise (which can influence the frequency and intensity of storms and subsequent flooding) are affecting this area, its communities, and their infrastructure. Through [...]
Summary
The western coast of Alaska is a remote region, rich in wildlife and providing critical nesting habitat for many of Alaska’s seabirds. It is also home to indigenous communities who rely upon the region’s natural resources to support a traditional lifestyle of hunting, gathering, and fishing. Although the region is frequently subject to extensive inland flooding from Bering Sea storms, little is known about the extent and frequency of flooding and its impacts on vegetation, wildlife, and water quality. Furthermore, information is lacking about how climate change and sea-level rise (which can influence the frequency and intensity of storms and subsequent flooding) are affecting this area, its communities, and their infrastructure. Through this project, researchers expanded the current understanding of coastal storms and climate change impacts on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of western Alaska by modeling (1) historical and future storms under likely sea-level rise scenarios, (2) flood extent, depth, and frequency for different storms, and (3) impacts of storms on wildlife abundance, nesting sites, and water quality.
Click on title to download individual files attached to this item.
AK-2012-5_Yukon-KuskokwimDelta_Geese_KevinMelzo_FWS.jpg “Geese on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta - Credit: Kevin Melzo, USFWS”
1.38 MB
image/jpeg
Purpose
The western coast of Alaska is a remote region, rich in wildlife and frequently subject to extensive inland flooding from Bering Sea storms. Despite being a critical nesting habitat for many of Alaska’s seabirds and other wildlife, relatively little is known about the region in relation to the character and impact of Bering Sea storms; the extent and frequency of flooding and its impact on vegetation, wildlife, and water quality; or about the effects of climate change and sea-level rise on this area, its communities, and their infrastructure. This project expanded the current understanding of coastal storms and the effect of climate change on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta by modeling 1) historical and projected future storms under assumed sea-level rise scenarios, 2) flood extent, depth, and frequency for different storms, and 3) impacts of storms on wildlife abundance and nesting sites, pond salinity, and sediment movement.
Project Extension
projectStatus
Completed
Preview Image
Geese on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta - Credit: Kevin Melzo, USFWS