The purpose of this workshop was to bring local community members and scientists together to share information about Interior Alaska river and lake ice conditions. We wanted to hear their descriptions and explanations of conditions and determine if the topic of dangerous ice conditions is an area where local experts and scientists could work together to create understandings that could not be reached without each other’s expertise. This National Science Foundation funded workshop was held on March 3, 2004 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and consisted of slideshows, discussions and a field trip around Fairbanks to look at different ice conditions.

In the winter of 2005/2006, a group of local experts and scientists traveled to sites on the Tanana River near Fairbanks to make observations and document changes in ice conditions. Their discoveries and experiences are included in the River Journey section.