Cold snap leads to high water from ice dams on some Anchorage waterways

The National Weather Service warned of potential problems on creeks in the Cook Inlet drainage, as well as in the Copper River Basin, through Sunday.

By Anchorage Daily News
Updated: January 25, 2024 Published: January 24, 2024

Chester Creek nearly reaches the top of a culvert at Arctic Boulevard on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 in Anchorage. The National Weather Service has issued a statement warning of higher than normal water levels for area streams through Sunday. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

The cold snap that’s gripped Southcentral Alaska has led to the formation of small ice dams in parts of Anchorage as well as the Copper River Basin, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters say dams and high water have been observed on Chester and Ship creeks and may occur through Sunday on other streams throughout the region that still have open water. High temperatures around the city are expected to hover in the low single digits through the weekend.

Elevated water levels can be reported to the Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center at nws.ar.aprfc@noaa.gov

Chester Creek spills into a floodplain downstream from Arctic Boulevard on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Water flows near the mostly frozen surface of Ship Creek in Anchorage on January 24, 2024. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Frost is highlighted by the morning sun near a pedestrian bridge over Ship Creek in Anchorage on January 24, 2024. (Marc Lester / ADN)

A channel of water runs through an otherwise frozen Ship Creek in Anchorage on January 24, 2024. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Water flows under a Chester Creek Trail bridge in Midtown Anchorage on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Water flows at two levels through ice damming on Chester Creek in Midtown Anchorage on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Bill Roth / ADN)

High water on the Chester Creek causes dynamic ice formations on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 24, 2024. (Anne Raup / ADN)

Water flows over ice as ice dams cause the water of Chester Creek to rise on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 24, 2024. (Anne Raup / ADN)