Flood — Lower Yukon Valley, Alaska

2022-05-21 to 2022-05-30 · near Shageluk, Lower Yukon Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

Water levels on the Innoko River began rising to bankfull on Friday May 20th as floodwaters from an ice jam on the Yukon River started flowing into the Innoko River upstream of Shageluk. Water levels rose overbank in Shageluk on Saturday the 21st as the surge of water moved down the Innoko River, eventually cresting on Tuesday May 24th. Water levels in Shageluk remained above flood stage through May 30th with bankfull conditions persisting into the first week of June. Residents reported water over some roads near the river, including the road to the airport which was impassable and caused the airport to only be accessible by boat. The high water also caused significant erosion of some riverbanks.

Wider weather episode

An ice jam which formed on the Yukon River 7 miles upstream of Grayling on May 15th resulted in Yukon River floodwaters draining into the Innoko River basin. The influx of water caused the Innoko River to rise overbank and cause minor flooding in the community of Shageluk.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (62.6575, -159.5332)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1038064. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.