As of 7:30 a.m. today, July 26, the Taku River near Juneau, Alaska, was flowing at approximately 81,000 cubic feet per second, which is about 50,000 cubic feet per second higher than normal for the time of year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Gordon Nelson, chief hydrologist for the USGS in Alaska, said the high flows are a result of an outburst flood from the Tulsequah Glacier in British Columbia, coupled with heavy rains over the last several days. Glacier outburst floods are a sudden, often annual, release of meltwater from a glacier or glacier-dammed lake resulting from the melting of a drainage channel or buoyant lifting of ice by water. The outburst probably began sometime early Sunday morning and should probably peak sometime today, according to Nelson.

Three USGS hydrographers have been working in the Tulsequah River drainage Since July 25, measuring discharge and collecting water samples.

The USGS Taku River stream gage has been in operation since July of 1987. The previous peak flow on record was 90,000 cubic feet per second, on Aug. 17, 1989; also the result of a glacier outburst flood.

As the Nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to the sound conservation, economic and physical development of the Nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.

To track the Taku River flood in real time go to http://ak.water.usgs.gov/ the click on "Hydrologic Data, Real Time (Satellite)", then click on Taku River.