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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.

TimeStage (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
Hydrograph for Tanana River at Fairbanks
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.
DateStage (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.