Flood — Upper Yukon Valley, Alaska

1998-05-26 to 1998-05-30 · Upper Yukon Valley, Alaska

Wider weather episode

Rain (26th-27th, and 30th-31st) over the northern Koyukuk Valley and northwest Upper Yukon Valley combined with rapid snowmelt to cause flooding on the Koyukuk River and the Chandalar River. High water on the Chandalar River at Venetie caused flooding of the sewage pond. On the Koyukuk River, high water flooded 1600 ft of a 4000ft gravel runway at Allakaket, swept away one floatplane dock at Bettles, and 30 ft of bank and road of the road from Bettles to Evansville (a mile or so away), some Bank erosion also occurred at Huslia, though no structures were damaged. On the Dalton Highway, the Snowden River (flowing into the Koyukuk River) rose high enough at MilePost 213.5 to cover the road the 26th, and receded later on the 27th. Rain amounts for the event ranged from .75 inch to 1.8 inch for the 26th-27th, and .5 inch to 1.7 inch for the 30th-31st. This event continued into June on the Koyukuk River only.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5647370. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.