Skilak Glacier-Dammed Lake

Skilak Glacier-Dammed Lake
Status Report

.......The Lake released in early October 2011.......

.......The Lake previously released August 8th 2009.......

Last updated 10/17/2011

The Skilak Glacier Dammed Lake is located in the Harding Ice Field above the Skilak River. This lake is smaller than the Snow Glacier dammed lake, with an estimated 102,000 acre-ft of water during a recent release. The lake typically releases in the late fall every two years. The release of this lake typically causes a 1-4 foot rise in the Kenai River below Skilak Lake.

2011 release
The Skilak Glacier Dammed Lake released the first week in October. Water levels at the gage below Skilak Lake rose about 2 feet cresting at 12.96 ft on Oct. 12th (minor flood stage is 14.2 ft). Stage levels at Kenai Keys rose just under 2 feet cresting around 10.15 ft on the 12th (minor flood stage is 11.5 ft). The lake water level before release was an estimated 2910 feet in elevation which is approximately 15 feet lower than the previous release in 2009.

Approximate lake water levels:
2910 feet on 9/26/2011
2905 feet on 8/26/2011
2890 feet on 7/22/2011
2855 feet on 8/20/2010

2009 release
Skilak Glacier Dammed Lake began releasing on August 8th 2009 and river stages on the Kenai crested 10 days later on the 17th. An estimated 102,000 acre-ft of water drained from Skilak GDL causing water levels at the gage below Skilak Lake to rise 2.5 ft and crest at 15.0 ft. Water levels downstream of Skilak Lake crested above minor flood stages and minor flooding occurred in the Kenai Keys and Big Eddy areas. Roads and yards were inundated and some garages took on water, but there was no damage to household structures reported. A flight on 8/1/09 confirmed that the lake was still full and had not released. Approximate water level was 2925 feet. The rise on the lower Kenai River during the last two weeks of July 2009 was actually due to rainfall and enhanced glacial melt and not a glacier dammed lake release.

Approximate lake water levels:
release in August 2009 at an undocumented release level
2925 feet on 8/01/2009
2910 feet on 9/17/2008
2885 feet on 8/18/2008

2007 release
The previous release began releasing around the 16th of January 2007. The Kenai River below Skilak Lake experienced a broad crest on the 27th. The rise in water levels initiated breakup of the lower Kenai ice cover causing ice jams and localized flooding in the Soldotna vicinity. It also resulted in the 2nd highest water level on record at the river gage at the Sterling Highway bridge in Soldotna. The highest stage on record occurred in 1969, also a result of ice jams resulting from a release of this lake.

During a release of the lake... specific information can found by going to Current
Flood Watches, Warnings, and River Statements.

Last updated	10/17/2011
The Skilak Glacier Dammed Lake is located in the Harding Ice Field above the Skilak River. This lake is smaller than the Snow Glacier dammed lake, with an estimated 102,000 acre-ft of water during a recent release. The lake typically releases in the late fall every two years. The release of this lake typically causes a 1-4 foot rise in the Kenai River below Skilak Lake. 2011 release The Skilak Glacier Dammed Lake released the first week in October. Water levels at the gage below Skilak Lake rose about 2 feet cresting at 12.96 ft on Oct. 12th (minor flood stage is 14.2 ft). Stage levels at Kenai Keys rose just under 2 feet cresting around 10.15 ft on the 12th (minor flood stage is 11.5 ft). The lake water level before release was an estimated 2910 feet in elevation which is approximately 15 feet lower than the previous release in 2009. Approximate lake water levels: 2910 feet on 9/26/2011 2905 feet on 8/26/2011 2890 feet on 7/22/2011 2855 feet on 8/20/2010 2009 release Skilak Glacier Dammed Lake began releasing on August 8th 2009 and river stages on the Kenai crested 10 days later on the 17th. An estimated 102,000 acre-ft of water drained from Skilak GDL causing water levels at the gage below Skilak Lake to rise 2.5 ft and crest at 15.0 ft. Water levels downstream of Skilak Lake crested above minor flood stages and minor flooding occurred in the Kenai Keys and Big Eddy areas. Roads and yards were inundated and some garages took on water, but there was no damage to household structures reported. A flight on 8/1/09 confirmed that the lake was still full and had not released. Approximate water level was 2925 feet. The rise on the lower Kenai River during the last two weeks of July 2009 was actually due to rainfall and enhanced glacial melt and not a glacier dammed lake release. Approximate lake water levels: release in August 2009 at an undocumented release level 2925 feet on 8/01/2009 2910 feet on 9/17/2008 2885 feet on 8/18/2008 2007 release The previous release began releasing around the 16th of January 2007. The Kenai River below Skilak Lake experienced a broad crest on the 27th. The rise in water levels initiated breakup of the lower Kenai ice cover causing ice jams and localized flooding in the Soldotna vicinity. It also resulted in the 2nd highest water level on record at the river gage at the Sterling Highway bridge in Soldotna. The highest stage on record occurred in 1969, also a result of ice jams resulting from a release of this lake. During a release of the lake... specific information can found by going to Current Flood Watches, Warnings, and River Statements.