Flood in Upr Tanana Vly Fortymile, Alaska

Just 10 days after a record flood impacted the Fortymile River and its tributaries another flood impacted the area. Water levels returned to pre-flood levels, however, occasional showers and saturated soils resulted in more significant rises than would normally be observed. Widespread rain fell across the Fortymile basin on the 22nd into the 23rd and produced between 1 and 2 inches of rain. A National Weather Service observer at the Walker Fork of the Fortymile River reported a stage only about one half foot lower than the previous flood. The Walker Fork campground was inundated with water and water was once again flowing across the Taylor Highway just north of the campground along with washouts about one mile north of the campground. A National Weather Service observer at O'Brien Creek reported a rise of nearly one foot per hour and a crest on the 23rd that was very close to the record crest observed on the 12th. The main channel of the Fortymile River at the Taylor Highway bridge crested approximately 7 feet below the level seen on the 12th, but still experienced a rise of nearly 13 feet. The State of Alaska declared the event a disaster with an estimate repair cost of $6 million.