Flood in Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

Aerial monitoring of the Snow Glacier Dammed Lake, combined with a rise in the water level on the river gauge indicated the lake had released. The forecast river stage was based on the estimated amount of water in the lake. Primrose Campground and Cooper Lake Campground were flooded, closing the campgrounds. The Alaska Railroad experienced high levels of erosion along the route due to shifting of the river channel, in addition to the high volume of water. The railroad had to close the route for a week during peak tourist season.

The Snow Glacier Dammed Lake (GDL) on the Kenai Peninsula releases, on average, every other year. The 2019 release was an unusually high amount of water. This release was also earlier than past years, which normally occur later in the water year when water levels are low. The ensuing flood caused erosion and damage along the railroad tracks downstream of the event.