Recent rainfall, along with lingering ice and snow melt in the higher elevations, have allowed the Chilkat River to rise back into minor flood stage. The river is expected to fall slightly this afternoon before rising above minor flood stage once more through Friday afternoon. * WHAT. Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt continues. * WHERE. The Chilkat River near areas around mile post 14 and 24 of the Haines Highway, near Klukwan and the Chilkat River Bridge. * WHEN. Until 400 PM AKDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 1227 PM AKDT, river gauge reports indicate water levels remain elevated above minor flood stage across the advisory area. Snowmelt is still occurring and will combine with any rainfall to cause minor flooding. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, especially near the Chilkat River. - For Chilkat River at Klukwan: At 12:00pm the stage was 126.1 feet. Flood Stage is 126.0 feet. Forecast: A crest around 126.1 feet is expected around 10:00am Friday. Water levels will go below minor flood stage around 4:00pm Friday. Impacts: At 126.0 feet: Bankfull stage. Water will begin to flood backyards along the Chilkat River in the village of Klukwan. At 126.5 feet: Expect flooding of yards and bank erosion near the Jilkaat Kwan Cultural Heritage Center Campus Traditional Knowledge camp in the village of Klukwan. Water will flood lower elevations in backyards along the Chilkat River near Klukwan and start to impact some smokehouse and a river access road.
