"jökulhlaup"

The glacial dam release is believed to have flowed under Lituya Glacier and into Lituya Bay back in August.

This is at least the third time that both the lake and river flooded this summer. Heavy rains drove up lake levels to 10.2 feet on August 10.

Water is draining under the glacier and will cause the Mendenhall Lake and River to rise over the next 24 hours, cresting Friday evening.

Water is already spilling over the ice dam, and the lake below the glacier is approaching flood stage from rain water.

National Weather Service says Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River water levels crested at 8.62 feet late Sunday, a little earlier than expected and just below minor flood stage

There’s enough water in Suicide Basin to fill an estimated 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This year, as in previous years, that water could eventually flow under Mendenhall Glacier and flood Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River.

The rising water level will bring more debris and much colder water. “So, if you were to perhaps fall in the river, there would be more risk of hypothermia,” said Nicole Ferrin of the National Weather Service.

A jökulhlaup from Suicide Basin above Mendenhall Glacier started Sunday.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning until Saturday morning for Mendenhall River and surrounding area.

People along the river should be wary of debris flowing into Taku Inlet and especially cold water temperatures.