Tanana River at Fairbanks
Critical Stages
23.5' - Action
24.5' - Flood
26' - Moderate
27' - Major
Latest Observation
Updated: 9:15 PM AKST 12/16/25
Status: No Flooding
Stage: 19.36 ft
Flow: 21 kcfs
Forecast
Forecast not available for this location.
| Time | Stage (ft) | Flow (kcfs) |
|---|---|---|
| 9:15 PM 12/16 | 19.36 | 21 |
| 9:00 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 8:45 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 8:30 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 8:15 PM 12/16 | 19.36 | 21 |
| 8:00 PM 12/16 | 19.36 | 21 |
| 7:45 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 7:30 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 7:15 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 7:00 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 6:45 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 6:30 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 6:15 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 6:00 PM 12/16 | 19.35 | 20.9 |
| 5:45 PM 12/16 | 19.34 | 20.9 |
| 5:30 PM 12/16 | 19.34 | 20.9 |
| 5:15 PM 12/16 | 19.34 | 20.9 |
| 5:00 PM 12/16 | 19.33 | 20.8 |
| 4:45 PM 12/16 | 19.33 | 20.8 |
| 4:30 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 4:15 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 4:00 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 3:45 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 3:30 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 3:15 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 3:00 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 2:45 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 2:30 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 2:15 PM 12/16 | 19.32 | 20.7 |
| 2:00 PM 12/16 | 19.31 | 20.7 |
26.3' -
In August 1997...a stage of 26.3 feet on the Tanana River at Fairbanks was associated with washouts of driveways off the Old Richardson Hwy between Moose Creek and Salcha. The bridge on the old Rich over Piledriver Slough was threatened but prompt action saved it.Perkins Road and Melanie Lane...off Rosie Creek Road...were also flooded. The water reached a depth of about 18 inches on lower Melanie Lane. No serious damage was reported in this area.
25.7' -
In 1986...a stage of 25.7 feet on the Tanana River at Fairbanks was associated with a washout of the bridge on the Old Richardson Highway over Piledriver Slough...near Stringer Road. Driveways off the Old Rich between Moose Creek and Salcha were also washed outPerkins Road and Melanie Lane...off Rosie Creek Road...were also flooded...to a depth of over a foot in spots.
25.4' -
In August 1997 when the Tanana River had receded to a stage of 25.4 feet at Fairbanks from a crest of 26.3 feet...Perkins Road was passable but water was still knee deep on portions of Melanie Lane.
25.2' -
In 1984...a stage of 25.2 feet on the Tanana River at Fairbanks was associated with a washout of the bridge on the Old Richardson Hwy over Piledriver Slough..near Stringer Road. Driveways off the Old Rich between Moose Creek and Salcha were also washed out.Perkins Road and Melanie Lane...off Rosie Creek Road...were also flooded. Subsequent improvements make serious flooding in this area unlikely at this stage...though there will be groundwater problems.
24' -
In the past...some people residing near the Tanana River outside of the dike have expressed concerns about high groundwater levels when the Tanana River at Fairbanks was around 24.0 feet.No specific threats a this stage are known.Bankfull conditions in the vicinity of the Old Richardson Hwy in Salcha and the onset of overbank flow on Ruger Trail near Bradbury Road. Tanana River water may begin to flow into Piledriver Slough.
| Date | Stage (ft) |
|---|---|
| Aug 16, 1967 | 27.8 |
| Jul 30, 2008 | 26.66 |
| May 3, 2009 | 26.4 |
| Aug 14, 1997 | 26.25 |
| May 11, 2023 | 26.11 |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 26.1 |
| Jun 17, 1984 | 25.76 |
| Jul 22, 1986 | 25.67 |
| Aug 31, 2023 | 25.5 |
| Jul 18, 2003 | 25.42 |
| Aug 2, 2001 | 25.19 |
| May 15, 1992 | 25.19 |
| Jun 27, 1989 | 25.17 |
| Jun 24, 2006 | 25.02 |
| Jul 13, 2022 | 24.78 |
| Aug 16, 2000 | 24.78 |
| Aug 3, 1979 | 24.71 |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 24.67 |
| Aug 12, 1994 | 24.59 |
| Jul 16, 1988 | 24.58 |
Data provided by the National Weather Service.