2014 June Monthly Report
Highlights
By the 3rd, Juneau's wet weather had refilled the Salmon Creek Reservoir. The 8th saw the 100 Mile Creek fire flair up near Delta Junction, brining its size to 9,400 acres. More crews were dispatched, and the fire was reported 50% contained on the 12th. A red flag warning was issued on the 16th for the area around the fire due to warm temperatures and high winds while its size had grown to 23,000 acres and was reported to be 70% contained. A late-season frost hit part of the low-lying areas of Fairbanks on the 12th. Temperatures as low as 26°F were measured in Goldstream Valley, while the Fairbanks Airport stayed above freezing at 38°F. Two small wildfires were contained north of Fairbanks on the 14th. High water caused a washout of an 80-foot section of the Alaska Railroad tracks near Portage on the 18th.
The first of two heavy rainfall events to hit the Interior and Southcentral arrived on the 18th, bringing flood watches and warnings across the region. Fairbanks received a total of 1.61" at the Airport, 1.94" at the University, 2.95" at Two Rivers, while the Chatanika received 3.61" and Goodpaster River had 4.61". The Moose Creek Dam floodgates were lowered at 5 am on the 21st to restrict the flow of the Chena River through Fairbanks. This is the 20th time they have been used since 1981. They were left partiality closed until 2 am on the 23rd after which they were raised. Flooding was reported on the Chena, Chatanika, Goodpaster and Salcha Rivers. Crews had completed repairs on the Clear Creek Bridge on the 23rd at mile 324 of the Richardson Highway, which was damaged by high waters. Flood watches and warnings were again issued on the 25th in anticipation of the second rainstorm in a week headed for the Interior and Southcentral. Flood control measures were not needed at the Moose Creek Dam for this second round of rain. Flood watches were also in effect for Susitna Valley and Talkeetna Mountains. The heavy rainfall in the Denali National Park and Preserve flooded the Denali Backcountry Lodge resulting in the evacuation over 100 guests and staff from the lodge, but they were stranded deep in the park as the road was closed to flooding and rock falls, and had in part to be flown out by helicopter.