Dillingham Water Levels - Bristol Bay Lunch and Learn, May 12 2026

Learn about real-time water level monitoring in Dillingham, Alaska, featuring Mike from JOA Surveys and Taylor from the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS). Mike explains the importance of water level monitoring in Dillingham due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Wood River and Nushagak River, its significant commercial and subsistence fishing activities, and its role in shipping vessel operations. He details the challenges of maintaining long-term water level stations in Alaska compared to the East Coast, including the limited number of permanent stations in Western Alaska and the seasonal challenges posed by sea ice. Also discussed are the different types of tides in Alaska, the installation of a real-time water level station in Dillingham in 2021, and the technical aspects of monitoring equipment, including bubbler gauges and radar sensors. Taylor explains AOOS's role in coordinating ocean observing activities across Alaska and demonstrates the Water Level Watch portal, which provides standardized access to water level data from multiple stations across the state. Finally, see a live demonstration of the Dillingham water level station data on the portal, showing both bubbler and radar sensor readings.