Severe Breakup Flooding

Unfortunately the worst-case scenario for ice jam flooding has occurred for some stretches of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers in recent days, as a "dynamic" breakup unfolds following the very cold April.

Flooding and damage has been particularly severe in Circle and Crooked Creek, located on those two rivers respectively.  Apparently the flood was equal to or worse than the record 1945 flood in Circle, and was worse than the benchmark 2011 flood in Crooked Creek.

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2023/05/15/record-flooding-destroys-homes-and-prompts-evacuations-in-southwest-and-interior-alaska/

As noted in this article, the risk of serious breakup problems was flagged ahead of time, with the combination of a cold April and deep snow pack being major contributing factors.  Rick Thoman highlighted historical examples of breakup flooding in his latest Substack post:

https://alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/spring-break-up-flooding

Courtesy of UAF's GINA group, here's a satellite-estimated view of severe flooding downstream of Circle on Sunday, after the breakup front moved downstream from the village.

On Saturday the village of Circle on the Yukon River saw extreme flooding due to an ice jam between Circle and Fort Yukon, with reports of a 10-foot rise in 30 minutes. This image displays the VIIRS River Flood product, showing the overbank flood water in warm colors. #akwx pic.twitter.com/yC0lW7x2G7

— GINA (@uafgina) May 15, 2023

 

Here are some NWS photos of the aftermath:

We are saddened to see the damages from the ice jam flooding in Circle over the weekend. Our thoughts go out to those that have lost their homes or property during this devastating flood. Here are photos take by our River Watch team on Sun after the water receded. #akwx pic.twitter.com/5omf6xERmM

— NWS Fairbanks (@NWSFairbanks) May 15, 2023

 

And Crooked Creek:

After major flooding in Crooked Creek, our thoughts are with those that have lost their homes or property in this devastating flood. Our Riverwatch team captured these images on Sunday as water receded. For the latest on breakup, please see: https://t.co/hcRq2g2mDP #akwx #flood pic.twitter.com/MLO5aXsJ4X

— NWS APRFC (@NWSAPRFC) May 15, 2023

With very cold Aprils occurring with surprising frequency in recent decades, it seems that ice jam flooding will unfortunately remain a big problem for communities along Alaska's largest rivers for the foreseeable future.