The Hubbard Glacier has been rapidly advancing this summer and is now poised to block off Russell Fjord in possibly a matter of days.

Just a few weeks back, the gap was closed to about fifty yards ... now it's about the width of a basketball court.

This last occurred in 1986 and it trapped a number of porpoises and seals and set off a rescue effort that lasted for weeks.

If this occurs, salmon returning to the stream would have no way of making it up to spawn and would have severe impacts on on the watershed.

You can find out more about this at: The Tongass Site

Mother Nature throwing us a curve ball

Found some good links on the Hubbard

http://www.bcpl.net/~jefscott/hubbard/hubbard_index.html

http://edc.usgs.gov/earthshots/slow/Hubbard/Hubbard

Looks Awesome!

After reading the deal on the sattelite image I am curious how long it would take to overflow the southbank and enter the Situk River.

Seems like a shame to lose a good salmon run.

Boy mother nature can be cruel but I am also curious how deep the lake would have to raise and how long would it take to overflow.

Brings back memories! I was part of the rescue team in Yakutat in September '86. I was skippering a charter yacht and the season had just ended. Owners saw an opportunity for good P.R. and volunteered the boat for logistics. Was mostly a floating hotel, but still fascinating!

Have never understood. If we are having global warming, shouldn't the glacier be retreating rather then advancing?

ONTHESAUK,

Im not sure if im correct but I think I saw on some science show that Global warming has only been somthing like 2 tenths of a degree over the past 30 years. I dont know if that is enough to make a big difference or stop a glacier from growing if it wants to.

Not to worry folks. The mountains are pretty tall inbetween the drainages. Have been fishing Yakutat since 1982, Guided there for two summers, Wrote a paper on in in College. The Water pressure behind the Glacier will build up to the point of failure. Its a little questionable?? The Ice could built a perfect wall. But All snow and ice is constantly moving and changing and once the pressure builts one shift may be one shift to many. See you all there in October once again. But I'll Wear my lifevest just in case!!
TOM MATTICE
P>S> You can still see my initials on the table at the middle cabin from Aug. 82

We are going up there tomorrow. I had heard that there was talk about blowing it appart. That seems like a temporary fix until it needs it again. Also Greenpiece and Peta got wind of this and it will be crawling with them all around. Who now's what mother nature will do, hopefully it won't blow out the Situk and Little Situk. This area is so prestine and has phenomenal runs of fish. I'll give an up date in a week or so.