A flood warning for the Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River is in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday due to a release of water from Suicide Basin above the face of the glacier, according to the National Weather Service.
“The preliminary forecast crest for Mendenhall Lake is around 10.7 feet and the crest is expected Saturday (evening),” a warning published Friday at the weather service’s website notes. “Inherent uncertainty in drainage efficiency and basin levels will result in varying crest height and timing. Please check back for updates as this event unfolds.”
Locations that may experience flooding include Mendenhall Campground, Skater’s Cabin Road and View Drive, according to the weather service.
Such releases have been an annual occurrence since 2011, according to the weather service, which provides monitoring updates three times a day and other information about Suicide Basin at the website.
Officials have said water flow from the basin appears to have been a factor in the death of Paul Jose Rodriguez Jr., who drowned while kayaking at Mendenhall Lake a few weeks ago. Concerns about the risk of such flows also delayed efforts by officials to recover his body.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
