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Floods of August 1967 in east-central Alaska

Water Supply Paper 1880-A
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wsp1880A

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Abstract

East-central Alaska had record floods near Fairbanks following extensive rains of August 8-20, 1967. Precipitation during this period totaled as much as 10 inches, which is close to the average annual precipitation for this area. The most extensive flooding occurred in the White Mountains northeast of Fairbanks and along the major streams draining those mountains. Some of the major streams flooded were the Salcha, Chena, Chatanika, Tolovana, and lower Tanana Rivers, and Birch Creek west of Circle. Peak discharges on some streams in the flood area were from two to four times the probable 50-year flood. The peak discharge of 74,400 cubic feet per second of the Chena River at Fairbanks, from 1,980 square miles of drainage area, was 2.6 times the 50-year flood. The rise of ground-water levels in the Tanana River flood plain to the land surface during the flood caused foundation failures and prevented drainage of subsurface structures. Above-normal ground-water levels existed until the middle of September. Total flood damage was estimated in excess of $85 million. Six lives were reported lost, and about 12,000 persons were evacuated during the flood. This report has been prepared to furnish hydrologic data for development planning. Included are discussions of antecedent streamflow, meteorology of the storm, descriptions of floods, flood damage, flood frequency, ground-water conditions, and stages and discharges of major streams for August 1967.

Suggested Citation

Childers, J.M., Meckel, J.P., Anderson, G.S., 1972, Floods of August 1967 in east-central Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 1880, Report: vi, 77 p.; 2 Plates: 31.00 x 24.29 inches and 40.00 x 24.14 inches, https://doi.org/10.3133/wsp1880A.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Floods of August 1967 in east-central Alaska
Series title Water Supply Paper
Series number 1880
Chapter A
DOI 10.3133/wsp1880A
Year Published 1972
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: vi, 77 p.; 2 Plates: 31.00 x 24.29 inches and 40.00 x 24.14 inches
Country United States
State Alaska
City Fairbanks
Other Geospatial White Mountains
Additional publication details