At the Confluence

The Copper River watershed in Alaska spans 26,500 square miles, encompassing a vast and diverse landscape that supports 23 communities and some of the most intact ecosystems in North America. Fed by glaciers from the Wrangell, Chugach, and St. Elias Mountains, the river’s dynamic flow shapes a mosaic of habitats, from alpine tundra and boreal forests to expansive wetlands and braided river channels. This watershed is a critical stronghold for wildlife, sustaining populations of bears, moose, caribou, migratory birds, and all five species of Pacific salmon. The annual salmon runs are among the largest and most productive in the world, providing not only ecological benefits—by delivering marine nutrients far inland—but also serving as the foundation for local economies, subsistence harvests, and cultural traditions.

Today, the Copper River watershed is at a confluence of environmental change. Rapid glacier retreat is altering the watershed’s flow, shifting the timing, temperature, and sediment load of its rivers. These changes threaten the delicate conditions required for salmon spawning and rearing, and look to disrupt migration routes for countless species. Increased glacial runoff—expected to rise by up to 40% by 2050—brings heightened risks of flooding, erosion, and habitat transformation, with cascading impacts on the region’s ecological balance. For those living within the watershed, including Indigenous peoples whose traditions are closely tied to the land and rivers, these shifts pose new challenges for subsistence, food security, and daily life.