Flood — Middle Tanana Valley, Alaska

2016-07-20 to 2016-07-29 · near Ester, Middle Tanana Valley, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A weather system stalled over the middle tanana valley and brought several inches of rain for several days across the Chena River Basin and Tanana river Basin. This rainfall, combined with already high flow from glacial melt caused localized flooding in the Rosie Creek area. The Tanana crested at 0120AKDT on sunday 24 July 2016.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated the Moose Creek Dam from July 20th 2016 to July 29th 2016 and resumed operations on 31 July 2016 to ensure downtown Fairbanks does not exceed 12,000 cfs. Low lying areas near the Chena River experienced minor flooding and groundwater rose for several thousand feet west of the Moose Creek Dam. The Chena Recreation Area also experienced minor flooding. River access roads flooded and boat launch flooded.

The southern portion of a public road near Rosie Creek remained heavily flooded, with houses inaccessible by vehicles. 1 to 3 inches of water covered several roads in the Rosie Creek subdivision. Minor surface scouring observed on several roads.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (64.7803, -148.0140)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 654516. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.