Melting Permafrost Is Turning Alaska's Rivers Orange

Rowan VanOsdel
Fri, 09 Jan 2026 07:22:09 -0800

In the summer of 2019, ecologist Patrick Sullivan traveled to northern Alaska to study forests near the Salmon River. Known for its pristine water, the river supports a thriving population of wildlife, including fish and bears. Instead of the crystal-clear water he had expected, large sections farther down the river appeared bright orange. The riverbanks were also stained with rust-colored sediment.