The Mendenhall Lake Campground was closed last night because of increasingly high levels of water as a glacially dammed lake began releasing waters into the lake and river.

Rising levels of water were evident on the river as the waters there churn today. The rising waters are inching up to residents along View Drive as some sandbagged foundations and outbuildings, and others left to wait out the flooding. 

The rising levels have already partially submerged a portion of Montana Creek Road.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service advice that the level has now begun to recede but warn that the flood warning will remain in effect until 10 pm on Saturday as the levels will not drop below flood stage until that time.

The level at Mendenhall Lake rose to a record 11.8 feet on Friday afternoon, while levels on the river reached 13.5 feet, which is just under the record level of 13.8.

The Weather Service cautions individuals from accessing the river banks because of erosion and bank collapses.

  Alaska, flooding, glacial dam, glacier, juneau, lake, mendenhall, national weather service, river