2005 Bristol Bay Storm

Overview

On August 23, 2005, a powerful storm brought high winds and water to the Bristol Bay region. The storm was quite strong for late summer and took an unusual track. There was a prolonged period of moderate to strong south to southwest winds in Bristol Bay. This brought storm surges 2-3 feet above the maximum monthly high tide. Low lying areas experienced widespread flooding. Personal and commercial equipment was damaged. Coastal storms exacerbate long-term erosion that already poses a serious concern in Bristol Bay. In the 2005 storm, Dillingham’s main drinking water well was located less than half a mile from flood areas, increasing the aquifer’s susceptibility to contamination.

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Weather woes

The storm brought two major impacts to the region. South winds gusting to 46 mph at Dillingham. As winds turned southwest waves and water were pushed into upper Bristol Bay. The storm coincided with one of the highest tides in August exacerbating coastal flooding and erosion impacts across the region.

Pressure timeline

Millibars are units of air pressure. The standard air pressure at sea level is 1013 mb. In contrast, Merbok (2022) reached a lowest atmospheric pressure of 937 mb. The lower the pressure, the stronger the storm. (pressure timeline below, could be replaced with visual from pdf once access is given)

• Aug. 22, 4p.m. AKDT: 987mb

  

• Aug. 23, 4 a.m. AKDT: 983 mb

  

• Aug. 23, 4 p.m. AKDT: 986 mb

  

• Aug. 23, 10 p.m. AKDT: 990 mb

  

• Aug. 24, 4 a.m. AKDT: 991 mb

  

Disaster declared

Clark’s Point & Togiak declared community disasters and sought state assistance

Oct. 3 Governor Murkowski declared a state disaster emergency

Individual and public assistance estimated to be $264,000 (in 2005 dollars)

Community specific impacts: storms & erosion

Erosion is a primary safety threat in many Bristol Bay communities. Tides, waves, storms, and human traffic near shorelines contribute to the rapidly changing coastlines of communities. Clark’s Point sees between 1-8.5 ft of shoreline loss each year. In Dillingham, shoreline erosion ranges from 3 to 9.8 feet per year, with erosion reaching up to 16.4 feet per year near the wastewater lagoon as of 2021. Although a seawall protects the Togiak community from coastal storms, maintenance costs are high. Each year the community spends $5,000 replacing fill for the seawall that washes away during storms.

Dillingham: Harbor damaged, several boats turned adrift, waves pushed car into the harbor, automobiles damaged by waves that broke over the sea wall, fuel tank farm access road and harbor parking lot under 2 ft of water, Peter Pan Cannery docks damaged, minor erosion at the Delta Western Bristol Alliance fuel facilities

Clark’s Point: Four homes flooded, airstrip and heavy equipment under water, waves threatened to collapse old health clinic and community center, lower village flooded, Trident Fisheries dock destroyed, outboard motors,skiffs, fuel tanks, four wheelers and nets lost

Naknek: Private dock and 18 ft skiff washed away on the Naknek River, docks of seafood processors destroyed

Ekuk: Dock lost, elevated seas, high waves damaged commercial and personal property

Togiak: Seawall protected community but needed repair after backfill washed away, boat pulled off anchor and engine swamped with water, water levels 2-3 ft above high tide