Weather service reports possible jökulhlaup on Taku River

The National Weather Service is reporting rising water levels on the Taku River south of Juneau, which may be caused by dammed water being released from the Tulsequah Glacier.

This NOAA hydrograph shows observed and forecasted water levels at a specific point in the Taku River.
This NOAA hydrograph shows observed and forecasted water levels at a specific point in the Taku River.

The service reported the possible glacial dam outburst, also known by the Icelandic term jökulhlaup (YO’-cool-loh-eep), in a special weather statement Friday morning.

The weather service says the river level has been slowly but steadily rising since Wednesday and is expected to crest Sunday evening below a few feet below flood stage.

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

Jeremy Hsieh is the deputy managing editor of the KTOO newsroom in Juneau. He’s a podcast fiend who’s worked in journalism since high school as a reporter, editor and television producer. He ran Gavel Alaska for 360 North from 2011 to 2016, and is big on experimenting with novel tools and mediums (including the occasional animated gif) to tell stories and demystify the news. Jeremy’s an East Coast transplant who moved to Juneau in 2008.

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