Wrangell Saint Elias National Park, Alaska

The National Weather Service in Anchorage has issued a

* flood advisory for a Glacial Lake outburst...
for Hidden Lake near McCarthy

* until 400 PM akdt Monday

* at 225 PM akdt Hidden Lake encompassed by the Kennicott Glacier
has likely released causing a significant rise on the Kennicott
river at McCarthy. Confirmation of the release is being hindered by
smoke from a nearby wildfire. The Kennicott river measured 20.47 ft
early Saturday morning and had risen nearly a foot to 21.33 ft by 1
PM Saturday. A total rise of 3-4 feet can be expected at McCarthy.

This is a yearly event occurring in the mid to late Summer. Water
levels on the Kennicott river are already high due to recent warm
temperatures and high freezing levels resulting in large volumes of
snowmelt and glacial runoff.

Persons living or traveling in the vicinity of the Kennicott river
are urged to remain alert for rising water and possible minor
flooding through the weekend. Persons traveling to this area for
recreation should avoid parking or camping in any low lying areas
near the river crossing to McCarthy. The Chitina and copper rivers
will experience moderate rises in water levels as the Glacier dammed
lake outburst progresses downriver.

Lat... Lon 6150 14271 6127 14271 6146 14314
time... Mot... loc 2225z 180deg 0kt 6142 14295


Jm/jmp