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Kenai Fjords Visitors Cautioned About Glacial Outburst At Bear Glacier Lagoon

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Published Date

July 30, 2015
Bear Glacier Lagoon, Kenai Fjords National Park/NPS

Kenai Fjords officials are cautioning park visitors that there could be a glacial lake outburst at the Bear Glacier Lagoon/NPS

Predicting the behavior of glaciers is tricky business, but with a recent record for glacier lake outburst floods affecting Bear Glacier Lagoon in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, park officials are urging visitors to be cautious when exploring this area in the coming weeks.

Based on the glacier's behavior in recent years, researchers say these lake outbursts can be expected to occur in late summer or early fall. With that history on hand, and recent observations that the source lake is full of water, park officials say "there exists a potential hazard of sudden release of this water resulting in down-glacier flooding again this summer."

"The sudden input of this water into the lagoon in front of Bear Glacier results in an outburst flood that can create hazardous recreational conditions that might include rapidly rising water levels, an increase in iceberg calving at the terminus of Bear Glacier, standing waves and strong currents, or the redistribution of sediment and debris in channels like the one that exists at the outlet of Bear Glacier Lagoon," they added in a release. "In extreme floods such as occurred in 2014, the flood waters can blow out the beach and temporarily reroute the outflow into Resurrection Bay."

Last year's outburst occurred on August 14.

The park is currently conducting additional research to learn more about the nature and frequency of this hazard. For the most up-to-date information on the status of this area, contact the park’s visitor center at 907-422-0535. Reports of unusual conditions or events are always appreciated, and can be made to the park’s visitor center.

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