Headline:
Flood Warning issued October 2 at 5:33AM AKDT until October 3 at 7:45AM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
Event:
Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
October 2, 2026 - 6:33am
Expires:
October 2, 2026 - 2:45pm
Description:
The second release from Suicide Basin is ongoing. Based on an
observed earlier start time of water draining from the basin, the
crest time for the Mendenhall Lake and River has been adjusted to
early Friday morning. Moderate flooding is ongoing, and is expected
to continue near Mendenhall Lake and River this morning.
* WHAT...Flooding caused by a glacier-dammed lake outburst continues.
* WHERE...The Mendenhall Lake And River near the Mendenhall Glacier
Recreation area, View Drive and below Back Loop bridge.
* WHEN...Until 745 AM AKDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Flooding of the area around Mendenhall Lake and along the
Mendenhall River is imminent or occurring. Water levels will
continue to rise and water temperatures will fall within the lake,
and river.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 526 AM AKDT, gauge data reports continue to indicate rising
water levels from a glacier-dammed lake outburst. Moderate
flooding is ongoing, especially near The Mendenhall Lake And
River.
- The outburst flood forecast is based on an estimated volume of
water in the glacier dammed lake and an estimated release rate
based on previous events. The extent of water drainage within the
basin (partial or full) can vary widely between outburst flood
events and is a major source of uncertainty in the forecast,
particularly with regard to the peak flood stage.
- For Mendenhall Lake :
At 5:00am the stage was 10.0 feet.
Flood Stage is 9.0 feet.
Forecast: A crest around 10.3 feet is expected between 5 to 9am
Friday. Water levels exceeded moderate flood stage of 10 feet
around 5:00am Friday. Water levels will fall below minor flood
stage late morning Friday.
Impacts:
At 7.7 feet: Nugget Falls trail begins to flood near the beginning of
the trail. Along the Mendenhall River some sections will experience
bank erosion resulting in dangerous tree fall. These conditions could
make floating the river more hazardous with the higher water levels.
At 9.0 feet: Water starts to cover Skaters Cabin Road between Skaters
Cabin and West Glacier Trailhead, also water will flow into the
Mendenhall Lake Campground.
At 9.5 feet: Water levels up to 0.5 feet will cover Skaters Cabin
Road between Skaters Cabin and West Glacier Trailhead. Campsite 7
will be flooded with water starting to flow over the road between
campsites 8 and 9 in the Mendenhall Campground.
At 10.0 feet: Water levels will inundate Mendenhall Campground with
up to 3 feet of water covering low areas as well as up to 1.5 feet of
water covering Skaters Cabin Road. Portions of West Glacier Trail
will be impassable. Areas along View Dr will start to flood and cause
minor flooding of yards. Closure of pedestrian pathways beneath
Brotherhood Bridge and the trail system on the west side of
Mendenhall River during outburst events.
Instruction:
Stay tuned to further developments by listening to your local radio,
television, or NOAA Weather Radio for further information.
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
The cold water temperatures can increase the threat of hypothermia
and lower the time required to cause hypothermia.
Area Description:
City and Borough of Juneau
Forcast Office:
NWS Juneau AK
Sender:
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov