Coastal Observers of Barrow Community Based Monitors for Coastal Erosion Transects in Utiqiagvik, Alaska, and Monitoring of Permafrost Sensors and Transect Surveys

Many coastal communities on the west and north coast of Alaska (AK) are vulnerable to coastal hazards and that vulnerability is increasing as the environment changes. Many of these communities recognize the importance of monitoring their coastal environment to document the changes, to understand how the changing environment is affecting critical infrastructure, and to gather data that will assist with the effort of forecasting future change and planning. These communities lack sufficient funds to hire professional coastal surveyors, so they developed community-based monitoring programs. Utqiagvik (Barrow) is one of many coastal communities that recognize the gravity of coastal hazards and they have developed a community-based coastal monitoring project. Led by Anne Garland of ARIES (Applied Research in Environmental Sciences Nonprofit, Inc.) and North Slope Borough Office of Emergency Management (NSB OEM), 6 cross-shore transects (transects monitor critical infrastructure prioritized by NSB OEM) have been designed and beach profiles have been collected along those transects since 2015. In 2021 permafrost sensor arrays were planned for 4 coastal sites by partners at University of Alaska Fairbanks, UAF, Permafrost Lab. Sensor arrays were deployed to monitor bluff temperatures near calve faces, inland from calves, and, if present, next to buildings to learn effects on permafrost temperatures. Transect surveys of bluff profiles started in 2022 to monitor calve faces, collapse, and slumps from melt and/or wave action. This project demonstrates how community-based coastal monitoring efforts, coastal hazards forecasters, and emergency managers can collaborate to share knowledge and mitigate risk. The project includes important community education for preparedness and workforce development. Community monitors and students directly engage with the project team to learn and do place based projects relating to coastal monitoring for coastal forecasting, and emergency mitigation.