Flood — Tanana Valley, Alaska

1997-07-24 to 1997-07-31 · Tanana Valley, Alaska

Wider weather episode

Several easterly waves, one around July 14th and another on July 24th, dropped a total of 4.0 to 6.60 inches over the upper Tanana Valley. Damage first occurred on July 24th in the upper Tanana Valley, where the Nabesna River flooded the hardpacked dirt road connecting Northway with Northway Village. The Alaska Highway was closed for a day or so at the Yerrick Bridge (mile 1333) due to bridge abutments being washed out, as well as initial repairs also being washed out. The Tok River Campground and Moon Lake State Recreation Area were both closed, due to partial flooding from rising waters. The Gerstle River washed out portions of the New Cummings Highway, which intersects the Alaska Highway at mile 1392...this washout stranded some 50 residents who lived farther up the road. HIgh freezing levels allowed significant glacialmelt and snowmelt from the Alaska Range added to the runoff, causing the Chisana River to pass flood stage near Northway late on the 28th this closed the main road from the Alaska Highway to Northway, covering two miles of road and washing out a portion of the road. Many of the 200 residents of Northway were evacuated; little damage occured to homes, though. The flows from the Chisana and Nabesna Rivers raised the level of the Tanana River, and the Delta State Historical Park, just above the confluence of the Delta and Tanana Rivers near the town of Delta Junction, experienced serious erosion, coming close to a riverside pathway. Between Delat Junction and Fairbanks, residents along the Tanana River reported substantial bank erosion. The Tanana River at Fairbanksrose tduring the entire last week of July, causing groundwater to rise and flood two basements in the Rosie Creek Subdivision, immediately downstream ofrom Fairbanks. Event continnued into August, see August entry for further information.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5606326. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.