River ice breakup causing flooding on Alaska rivers
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory from Lower Kalskag to Aniak because of an ice jam along the Kuskokwim River.
The River Watch team with the Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center says the ice at Aniak began moving Wednesday evening but stopped flowing Thursday morning. Minor flooding has been reported on the road at the west end of the runway.
River forecasters say this breakup front likely goes 10-15 miles downstream of Aniak at Birch Crossing, an area known for ice jams.
They also observed strong intact ice from Upper Kalskag to below Lower Kalskag Wednesday.
A Flood Watch is also in effect for the Yukon River from Eagle to Circle where water is already over the banks upstream. The National Weather Service says the Yukon broke up near Eagle early Thursday and is expected to reach Circle by early Friday. People near Circle and upstream should be prepared for the potential of an ice jam and flooding.
As rivers across the state begin to thaw, river forecasters say portions of the Lower Yukon and Kuskokwim River basins, as well as most of Southcentral Alaska, are expected to experience a below-average breakup season this spring. They say this is because of the very low snowpack and warmer-than-normal temperatures throughout the winter.
However, river systems across the Interior and near the North Slope are seeing above-average potential for flooding during breakup.
Stay with Alaska’s Weather Source for the latest information on breakup conditions and flooding across the state, and keep an eye on our 24/7 Alaska Weather livestream.
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