* WHAT…Flooding caused by snowmelt and ice jams is expected.
* WHERE…Colville River from Horseshoe Bend upstream to Umiat.
* WHEN…Until 400 PM AKDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS…Flooding of low lying areas around Umiat, including
areas around the airstrip.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– As of noon Sunday,high water from snow melt and recent ice
jams is leading to minor flooding at Umiat. As of noon
Sunday, water levels at the USGS Colville River gage at Umiat
were at 60.86 ft and still rising, the highest on record
since the gage was established in 2003. Water is now over the
road from camp to the airstrip, as well as the fuel pad.
Water levels are expected to continue to slowly rise over the
next 2 days as additional high elevation snow melt is
expected to make its way downstream. High water extends
downstream to Horseshoe Bend and Ocean Point, where several
ice jams have formed over the previous 24-hrs, helping to
keep upstream water levels elevated. Once these ice jams
release, communities and infrastructure downstream, including
Nuiqsut, should prepare for and expect high water and
potential flooding in the next couple of days.
– http://www.weather.gov/aprfc