Flood — Susitna Valley, Alaska

2019-07-01 to 2019-07-03 · near Skwentna, Susitna Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

Above normal temperatures combined with above normal high elevation snowpack caused this flooding event. A local lodge reported 6-7 inches of water in one of their guest cabins. The Yentna River at Lake Creek (YLKA2) crested at 21.82 feet on 7/1/2019. Moderate flood stage is 22 ft, minor flood stage is 20.5 ft.

Wider weather episode

Warm weather in the western Susitna caused snow and glacial melt in the upper reaches of the basin. A prolonged period of warm weather in late June and early July caused melting of high altitude snow and glaciers in the Alaska Range. At Talkeetna, the nearest weather station, daily highs in this time period were all above normal, with records being broken or tied on 6/23, 6/28, 7/5, 7/6, 7/7 and 7/8. With regards to winter snowpack, the NRCS April 2019 Snowpack Report states that upper elevation snow in the Alaska Range appears to be above normal.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (61.9251, -150.8214)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 834268. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.