A flood warning is issued on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, around the Kenai River near Sterling and Cooper Landing. (Photo courtesy National Weather Service)

A flood warning is issued on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, around the Kenai River near Sterling and Cooper Landing. (Photo courtesy National Weather Service)

Soldotna flooding forecast for Wednesday

Roads in the Big Eddy subdivision will have between a half foot to one foot of water over them

This story was updated Tuesday after new flood advisories were released by the National Weather Service.

Updated flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday are forecasting flooding for areas in Soldotna on Wednesday.

Flood warnings were issued this weekend as a result of an outburst from a glacier dammed lake near Snow Glacier. Updated warnings were issued Monday and Tuesday after a second glacier dammed lake, near Skilak Glacier, also saw an outburst. Flooding is expected to continue along the Kenai River through this week, especially impacting the Kenai Keys near Sterling, Salmon Run Drive in Funny River and Big Eddy Road in Soldotna.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

According to a flood warning updated Tuesday by the National Weather Service, water levels will continue to increase “throughout this week” on the Kenai River. The warning says that a crest of around 15 feet is expected to hit area below Skilak Lake around 10 a.m. on Wednesday — at which point the service forecasts “water inundates the Kenai Keys neighborhood.”

In the neighborhood, 12.6 feet is expected to be the crest. The warning says that historically, at around 11 feet the lowest lying garages saw water. At 12 feet, water starts to flow over the roads in the subdivision, and at just over 13 feet water becomes 2 feet deep over Kenai Keys Road. If the crest hits 13.5 feet, water would start to flow into garages and cabins in the subdivision.

The warning says that “inherent uncertainty” in initial glacier lake volume results in varying heights of crests.

On Tuesday, a new flood advisory was published for waters of the Kenai River downstream of the bridge in Soldotna. That advisory warns that roads in low-lying and poor drainage areas may see “minor flooding” until 10 p.m. on Thursday.

The advisory says that roads in the Big Eddy subdivision will have between a half foot to one foot of water over them, and surrounding areas may be inundated. Tuesday evening, around a half inch of water could be seen flowing over the road at one of its lowest points. “Isolated homes” near the Beaver Creek Outlet “may see some water,” and Pillars boat launch “will be nearly underwater,” the advisory says.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Emergency Manager, Brenda Ahlberg, wrote Tuesday that the high waters are “estimated to recede by Sunday.” She said that the prolonged high waters are damaging home properties, and urged residents to avoid motorized boating and limit further damage to structures and to riverbanks.

The flood advisory issued for the areas near Soldotna is in effect through Thursday night, while the flood warning issued for Sterling and Funny River is in effect until Sunday, Sept. 17.

For updated warnings and forecasts, visit weather.gov/afc.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

A depth marker is almost entirely subsumed by the waters of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A depth marker is almost entirely subsumed by the waters of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Water runs over Big Eddy Road in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Water runs over Big Eddy Road in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Water runs over Big Eddy Road in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Water runs over Big Eddy Road in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The waters of the Kenai River lap all the way to the top of Pillars Boat Launch in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The waters of the Kenai River lap all the way to the top of Pillars Boat Launch in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Water runs over Big Eddy Road in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Water runs over Big Eddy Road in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Amid calls for increased education funding, Dunleavy debuts reform package

KPBSD is facing a $17 million deficit driven by stagnant funding that’s failed to keep up with inflation.

Kate Sheehan (left foreground), director of the Alaska Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, and Paula Vrana, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, discuss an ongoing statewide salary study during a House State Affairs Committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy’s delay in releasing state salary study frustrates legislators, union leaders

Draft report to assess competitiveness completed last June, but not released publicly.

Logo for the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection. (Image via Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection)
Peninsula fire departments receive grant funding

Thirty-three rural fire departments within the state were awarded funds in a total amount of $306,292.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the ribbon-cutting for the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project on the bluff above the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Local students nominated to military academies

The students will compete with other candidates for a spot at the school they have been nominated for.

Mersha Tamrat gives free haircuts during the 14th Annual Project Homeless Connect at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Serving a ‘big need’

Project Homeless Connect offers services to people experiencing housing insecurity for 14th year.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
Gov. Dunleavy takes victory lap with selective portrayal of Alaska in second-to-last State of the State

Some legislators criticize “mixed messages” about cooperation, omission of problems needing work.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference Dec. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Updated: Move to pause federal funding leaves local groups reeling

Questions remain after a Monday night order pausing disbursement of federal grants and loans was rescinded Wednesday.

State Rep. Maxine Dibert (right), a Fairbanks Democrat, confers with Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) about a resolution opposing the change of Denali back to Mount McKinley during the House floor session at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska House majority rejects GOP effort to turn protest of Denali name change into Trump tribute

Resolution opposing restoration of Mt. McKinley name is first legislation to pass House this session.

Most Read