NWS warns Susitna Valley gravel bars may flood by Wednesday

The National Weather Service in Anchorage warned Tuesday that gravel bars and low-lying campsites across the Western, Central and Northern Susitna Valley face inundation this week as 1 to 2 inches of rain falls across the valley, with the heaviest totals expected in the northern and western portions.

The outlook, issued Tuesday, rates confidence as high and expires at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The Skwentna and Yentna rivers, both popular with float-trip users and backcountry campers, are projected to crest Wednesday into Thursday. The NWS warned that "many lower locations along rivers such as gravel bars and other spots popular for camping and recreating may become inundated with water with rivers reaching bankful conditions."

High water has already prompted at least one rescue in the region.

At noon on June 22, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a submerged ATV and UTV near Friday Creek in the Knik River Drainage. The party had become stranded on the wrong side of a channel on the Knik River, with both machines disabled and stuck due to high water. The group had enough gear to stay through the night and were advised to settle in until troopers could respond. Alaska Wildlife Troopers began their response at 8:11 a.m., reached the group by UTV, and transported them to the Jim Creek parking area around 11:15 a.m. No injuries were reported. The submerged equipment was recovered by AK Toy Rentals.