Aleknagik is a small, remote community at the head of the Wood River on the banks of Lake Aleknagik in southwest Alaska.
Most residents live on the lake’s north shore, which used to be inaccessible by regional roads.
To get to the south shore and towns beyond, people crossed the water by boat in the summer. And in winter, they’d cross the frozen lake by snowmobile or ATV.
But city administrator Kay Andrews says crossing by water can be treacherous. And as the climate warms, residents cannot depend on thick ice all winter long.
Andrews: “We were once able to say, ‘OK, we know that we can cross our lake by Thanksgiving.’ … But today, we’re lucky if it freezes by Christmas to cross now.”
So the city secured government funding to build a bridge across the river. It opened in 2015, and people can now travel safely year-round and connect to the regional road network.
Andrews: “This bridge has really made a difference for our community.”
Being more accessible, however, is not without downsides. Now people visit from out of town, park on small roads not designed for car traffic, and deplete berry patches that locals long relied on.
But Andrews says the pros outweigh the cons. And the bridge helps keep residents safe in a warming world.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media
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