Expires:201208240600;;524025
FGAK89 PAFG 222248
RVSAFG

AKZ207>209-217-240600-
HYDROLOGIC STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
248 PM AKDT WED AUG 22 2012
...RIVER LEVELS REMAIN HIGH IN NORTHWEST ALASKA...
A WEATHER SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH NORTHWEST ALASKA BROUGHT MORE
RAIN TO THE REGION DURING THE PAST 48 HOURS. RAINFALL AMOUNTS
RANGED FROM ABOUT 1 TO 2 INCHES WITH THE HEAVIEST RAIN
CONCENTRATED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BROOKS RANGE NORTH OF
KOTZEBUE. THIS AREA WAS SOAKED LAST WEEK WITH 3 TO 6 INCHES OF
RAIN...AND UP TO 9 INCHES OF RAIN AT THE RED DOG MINE.
THE ADDITIONAL RAINFALL THIS WEEK IS IMMEDIATELY DRAINING INTO
THE LOCAL RIVERS BECAUSE THE GROUND IS SO SATURATED. MANY OF THE
RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE LOWER KOBUK AND NOATAK RIVER
VALLEYS...AS WELL AS RIVERS DRAINING TOWARD THE CHUKCHI SEA
COAST...ARE RUNNING VERY HIGH OR NEAR BANKFULL. FLOODING IS NOT
OCCURRING IN THIS AREA BUT MOST OF THE ISLANDS AND GRAVEL BARS ARE
INUNDATED AND OLD SLOUGHS ARE CARRYING WATER.
THE WULIK RIVER AT THE GAGE NORTHEAST OF KIVALINA IS EXPECTED TO
CREST NEAR BANKFULL LATE THIS AFTERNOON...AND THE CREST WILL
LIKELY REACH THE COAST AT KIVALINA LATE ON THURSDAY. THE WULIK
RIVER WILL REMAIN VERY SILTY UNTIL THE RIVER FALLS TO LOWER
LEVELS...AND IT IS UNCERTAIN WHEN IT WILL CLEAR-UP TO THE POINT
WHERE THE VILLAGE CAN PUMP DRINKING WATER FROM THE RIVER.
THE LARGER RIVERS SUCH AS THE KOBUK AND NOATAK WILL REMAIN HIGH
THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND AND AT LEAST INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.
ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO IMPACT NORTHWEST ALASKA
THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY WITH ANOTHER INCH OR MORE OF RAIN.
PEOPLE ALONG THE RIVERS IN NORTHWEST ALASKA SHOULD KEEP EQUIPMENT
AND PROPERTY HIGH UP ON THE RIVER BANKS UNTIL THE THE RAINY
WEATHER PATTERN ENDS AND WATER LEVELS FALL.
$$
EWP