Warm daytime temperatures and warmer air in the lower atmosphere is
raising freezing levels above 8000 feet. This will increase the
amount of snow and ice melt at higher elevations flowing into the
streams and rivers. The water levels will rise and fall on a diurnal
pattern.
* WHAT…Flooding caused by snowmelt continues.
* WHERE…The Chilkat River near areas around mile post 14 and 24 of
the Haines Highway, near Klukwan and the Chilkat River Bridge.
* WHEN…Until 1000 PM AKDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS…Minor flooding in low-lying areas near the river.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– At 615 AM AKDT, river gauge reports indicate rises in water
levels from upper elevation snowmelt across the advisory
area. The Chilkat River Gage near Klukwan shows that the
river is currently a half foot above minor flood stage of 126
ft as of 6 am Friday. With warm weather continuing, minor
flooding is expected to continue near the Chilkat River.
– For Chilkat River at Klukwan:
At 6:00am the stage was 126.6 feet.
Flood Stage is 126.0 feet.
Forecast: An initial crest around 126.7 feet is expected
around 10:00 am Friday followed by a small drop in water
levels to near minor flood stage Friday evening. Another rise
to 126.5 ft is expected late Friday night into Saturday.
Impacts:
At 126.0 feet: Bankfull stage. Water will begin to flood
backyards along the Chilkat River in the village of Klukwan.
At 126.5 feet: Expect flooding of yards and bank erosion near
the Jilkaat Kwan Cultural Heritage Center Campus Traditional
Knowledge camp in the village of Klukwan. Water will flood
lower elevations in backyards along the Chilkat River near
Klukwan and start to impact some smokehouse and a river
access road.
– For Klehini R NR Klukwan:
At 6:00 am the stage was 86.9 feet.