Flood in Yukon Flats Nearby Uplands, Alaska

Heavy rain and snowmelt in the Birch Creek headwaters caused Birch Creek to flow overbank and flood portions of the Steese Highway between milepost 145 to 147. The flooding caused the highway to be closed for a period of time due to dangerous driving conditions. Birch Creek fell back within bank on June 2nd.

A weather front brought from 1 to 2 inches of rain to the headwaters of Birch Creek and Crooked Creek. The rain fell on a residual winter snowpack and resulted in significant runoff due to the combination of rapid snowmelt and the heavy rainfall. This caused high water and flooding along rivers and streams draining the region including Crooked Creek and Birch Creek which impacted the community of Central and portions of the Steese Highway. Flooding started in late May and continued into early June.