Using Local Knowledge, Hydrologic, and Climate Data to Develop a Driftwood Harvest Model in Interior Alaska

Abstract

Many rural Alaska residents rely on harvested driftwood from the Yukon River for fuel and construction materials, however they have stated that the character of the summer discharge in the Yukon River is changing and affecting their ability to harvest this resource. We examined whether the perceived changes in driftwood availability are related to changes in river hydrology and how changes in hydrology may affect future driftwood flows and the livelihoods of rural Alaskans.