The community of Shaktoolik was moved from its original site in 1975 to a mile south because of erosion. The new location of the village was picked because it was much safer in terms of erosion. However, since then, climate change has altered the patterns of storms and Shaktoolik may be in danger again.
Although the village of Shaktoolik is suffering from the effects of extreme weather, the community does not want to rebuild on the mainland. The relocation was estimated to cost $290 million.
Alaska Sea Grant Marine advisor Terry Johnson presented at a webinar with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy this week. He’s been working with the community in trying to find a solution. He says Shaktoolik has been experiencing various climate changes over the years.
“Permafrost thaw, more rainy periods, drying of the tundra, declining lakes, increasing threats of wildfire, changing plant and animal communities, changes in distribution of hundreds of fisheries and marine animals and birds, invasive and non-native species and other changes. Some of these have been locally observed already and some have been just predicted but we’ve had meetings in a number of villages in western Alaska and people have observed these kinds of changes or are at least anticipating them.”
Johnson says the biggest problem Shaktoolik faces is in the shore ice. Because of climate change, the shore ice is forming later and later in the season. The ice is actually a buffer from the late fall storms that cause intense waves. Without the shore ice fully formed Johnson says the shores are left vulnerable to erosion.
“With all the drift wood that comes out of rivers, the Yukon River and other rivers in that region. The big storms just fling those drift logs way up above the beach and right into people’s back yards. You can easily imagine if the sea level was raised a little bit higher or the height of storm waves was a little bit greater those drift logs would cause a tremendous amount of damage to those houses.”
Johnson says Shaktoolik falls in the middle of a 100 year storm flood plain. A 100 year storm refers to the rainfall totals that have a one percent probability of occurring at that location in that year. Although it’s not in any immediate danger, Johnson says a 100 year storm would put the entire community of Shaktoolik under seven feet of water.
Johnson says the community has looked into several different possible solutions including moving the village or building an escape road-- however, both of the projects would cost millions.
The state of Alaska named Shaktoolik the sixth most endangered village in the state due to climate change.