An ice jam in the Kenai River can be seen here from the Soldotna Bridge in this January 2020 photo. (Courtesy Dan Nelson/Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

An ice jam in the Kenai River can be seen here from the Soldotna Bridge in this January 2020 photo. (Courtesy Dan Nelson/Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Weather service warns of potential ice jams on Kenai River

Communities previously affected by flooding because of ice jams and buildup include Big Eddy and the Riverside Drive/Eddy Lane subdivision

The National Weather Service out of Anchorage on Saturday issued a special weather statement for the western Kenai Peninsula affecting the communities of Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Cooper Landing.

“Abnormally cold temperatures” will increase the potential for ice jams along the Kenai River from the Kenai Keys downstream to Soldotna, the weather service said. Though locally reported that the Kenai River is mostly frozen downstream of where the Sterling Highway crosses the river in Soldotna, the river is “mostly open” upstream to the Kenai Keys.

“This sets the stage for the potential of anchor ice buildup on the river bed and hanging ice dams along the river that could cause localized overflow flooding,” the weather statement says.

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

Communities previously affected by flooding because of ice jams and buildup include Big Eddy and the Riverside Drive/Eddy Lane subdivision, according to the statement.

Per National Weather Service data, air temperatures in Soldotna dropped from 20 degrees at about 1 p.m. on Thursday, to 4 degrees at the same time on Friday, to -7 degrees at the same time on Saturday. The statement is in effect until 4 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to stay below zero through early Wednesday morning.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney speaks during a meeting of the UA Board of Regents at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pitney: UA, KPC seeing momentum, attendance growth

The university president described KPC as “a leader of the pack” in enrollment growth at the university

University of Alaska Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins speaks during a meeting at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Where does this end?’: University of Alaska to strip diversity and inclusivity language from programs, policies

The board was clear during the meeting that they were responding to pressure from the federal government.

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich holds a telephone town hall on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (Screenshot from the Facebook page of U.S. Rep. Nick Begich)
Murkowski, Begich host telephone town halls to address constituent concerns

Both events were inaccessible to some, who grew frustrated at technical problems

Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, speaks on the House floor on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Education funding bill unexpectedly advances again, nears House floor vote amid affordability concerns

HB 69 clears Finance Committee at first hearing as minority says discussions there are not worthwhile.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai accepts federal grant for police vests

The funds entirely cover the purchase of three ballistic vests this fiscal year.

Soldotna High School student Ethan Anding asks a question during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
District discusses $17M deficit at community meeting

More than 100 people gathered in the KCHS auditorium.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Man found dead near Kasilof roadway on Tuesday

He was found off Pollard Loop Road near Reindeer Lane in the Kasilof area.

Fire Marshal Jeremy Hamilton gives a tour to students during Job Shadow Day at Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Roddy Craig/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai students try on careers for Job Shadow Day

Roughly 100 students from Kenai Central High School scattered to more than 30 businesses to get a feel for the workforce.

A 2015 Ford Explorer that was stolen from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce before crashing into a tree near Wells Fargo Bank is loaded onto a tow truck in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Car stolen, crashed in Kenai

The car was reportedly taken from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Most Read