BETHEL – Volunteers from Bethel Search and Rescue on Friday placed warning markers on both ends of a slough near town that still has three big open holes even while sections of the main Kuskokwim River are freezing solid enough for trucks.
The Bethel group usually marks open holes to warn river travelers and says it has never before blocked off an entire stretch of water in the Bethel area. But three big holes on Straight Slough in December are a relatively new phenomenon, the group said in an online post.
"We hope that this will send a clear message that the slough should be avoided completely – for now," the group said.
Willow markers with blue reflectors were planted in the ice hundreds of feet across both openings to Straight Slough. A snowmachine with an adult and two children on board went into one of the holes earlier this week. All three got out of the water safely, according to the rescue group.