Open holes have appeared near Tuluksak and Kwethluk, and the rest of the river is expected to break up soon.
Bethel Search and Rescue advises travelers to stay off the Lower Kuskokwim River.
“Instead of waiting for an accident to happen, we want to be on the safe side and recommend closing the river to all travel at this time," said former Bethel Search and Rescue President Peter Atchak.
Already, the ice has grown many shades darker, says Atchak, indicating weak needle ice has widely developed. The ice is thinning rapidly from two sides. The sun is melting the top of the ice, and an expanding current is eating away the bottom of the ice as melting snow and ice flows into the river.
To avoid accidents and loss of life, Bethel Search and Rescue advises river travel to end immediately along the Lower Kuskokwim.
