Low Lake Water

Observation: Conditions are very dry in Anchorage. There is little snow left on the mountains and there has not been much rain either. The lake in front of ANTHC is the lowest I have ever seen it. Like the observations posted by LEO member Nancy Yeaton in Nanwalek (2015-03-24) and others, low snow and drought conditions raise concerns about stream conditions for salmon, wildfire, air quality and a host of other environmental issues. For communities that rely on lakes and rivers for their water source, we are concerned about the potential for warm and low snow / water conditions to effect both supply and quality.

Yellowknife and other northern communities are currently experiencing algal blooms in their lakes and boil water notices for their water supply. We recognize that our lakes and rivers are changing and we want to take appropriate actions to protect our water supply in Alaska communities.

We encourage extra vigilance by local environmental managers, water operators and remote maintenance workers or community water sources and other environmental conditions in the coming months.

LEO says: Articles about water conditions in Yellowknife was forwarded to ANTHC Engineering staff, the State of Alaska Department of Health, and the Remote Maintenance Worker Program. LEO Network will host a presentation on the topic of low snow and community water implications during the LEO Network webinar on May 26th.