Jökulhlaup at Lake No Lake causing rise in Taku River

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Juneau have detected a rise in the Taku River as well as dropping water temperatures caused by flooding from a jökulhlaup at Lake No Lake.

Lake No Lake is located in British Columbia.

View Taku River Jökulhlaup in a larger map

Observers noted the changing levels and temperatures on Sunday afternoon.

Richard Lam with the Juneau office says they are expecting the river to peak at approximately 43 feet on Tuesday afternoon. That depth is a minor flood stage for the river.

“After it gets to the peak it will drop off rapidly as with most events,” Lam said. “We’ll have a rapid increase in water level and a rapid decrease once the peak is reached.”

The weather service hasn’t issued any advisories yet. Lam says they don’t know yet how much water to expect and are waiting for more information.

An update from the National Weather Service office in Juneau will be issued around 4 p.m. today.

“Over the last 24 years, the water flow has been about 48,000 cubic feet per second. Right now it’s 51,000 cubic feet per second and is expected to increase as the water level goes up,” Lam said.

When the water levels peak, the flow from Lake No Lake will be at approximately 90,000 cubic feet per second, according to Lam.

“The main impact of this right now looks like the water will be colder than normal, so if you happen to get into the water there will be a high risk of hypothermia,” Lam said.

Lam said that people might also see debris such as ice chunks and tree trunks on the river.

Earlier this summer, a jökulhlaup happened at Tulsequah Lake on June 5 and at Suicide Basin on the Mendenhall Glacier.

This is an going story. Check back here for updates.

Related:
Glacial dam on Mendenhall Glacier bursts, prompts flood watch
Flood advisory for Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River cancelled


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