Recent rainfall and lingering ice and snow melt in the higher elevations allowed the Chilkat River to rise back into minor flood stage. Late Thursday, the river fell below flood stage but with the incoming rain, it is expected to rise above minor flood stage once again later today. * WHAT. Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt expected. * 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 419 AM AKDT, river gauge reports indicate water levels are rising again and, therefore, is expected to reach flood stage later today. - For Chilkat River at Klukwan: At 4:00am the stage was 125.9 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.
