Alaska’s glacial lakes are expanding, increasing the risk of destructive outburst floods

By: Dan McGrath

Outlets: Alaska Beacon

Published: March 12, 2026

Words: 954

Last Updated: 4 months, 3 weeks ago


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Every summer, people living near the Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska, keep a close eye on the water level. When the river level begins to rise rapidly, it’s a sign that Suicide Basin, a small glacier-dammed lake 5 miles up the mountains, has broken through the glacier again and a glacial lake outburst flood is underway.

After nearly 15 straight years of ever-larger and more damaging floods in Alaska’s capital city, …

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