Weekend flood watch issued for Kenai Lake and Kenai River

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Kenai Lake and Kenai River from Cooper Landing to Skilak Lake.

Starting Friday morning and continuing through Monday morning, the flood watch is spurred by a glacial lake outburst from Snow glacier dammed lake.

“The Snow glacier dammed lake is releasing at this time. Water

levels on the Snow River are steadily rising and are reflective of previous outburst events. Expect a significant water level

increase on Kenai Lake through the weekend,” according to a release from NWS.

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Water is likely to rise to the flooding point at Primrose campfround and other low lying areas by Friday afternoon.

Water could possibly continue to rise on the Kenai Lake and Snow and Kenai Rivers throughout early next week.

“There is considerable uncertainty of water volumes released and

drain rates during glacial dammed lake outbursts. This particular event is anticipated to coincide with several days of

precipitation,” according to the release.

The overall encompassing impact, according to NWS, is that the low-lying areas above Skilak Lake are expected to see moderate flooding.

For more information and to monitor the flood watch, visit www.weather.gov/aprfc

— Staff report

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