Suicide Basin is a side basin of the Mendenhall Glacier above Juneau, Alaska. Since 2011, Suicide Basin has released glacier lake outburst floods that cause inundation along Mendenhall Lake and River annually with a record major flood event taking place on August 6, 2024.

Current Status: Thursday, 10/10/2024 at 11 am

The latest data from the laser pool elevation gauge is indicating a drop in water level within Suicide Basin. NWS, USGS and UAS is evaluating the data at this time. Check back later to day for updates on the is potential evolving situation.  

The current water level in the basin is near 1230 feet as seen on the pool height sensor. The rate of rise has slowed due to the lowering freezing level below 5000ft, but the rate of rise can increase again from rising freezing levels and/or rain events. Ice bergs may move in and out of the laser sensor's view, which may make the data jumpy at times. 

The current levels are similar to what was observed in the end of early July 2024. If the basin released all its known water today, the lake would reach around 11.0 feet, which is above moderate flood stage of 10.0 feet. In 2023, there were multiple releases after the very large one from Suicide Basin. Another release may occur again this year. Please continue to monitor this page for current conditions as the basin refills through the fall season.  

A Special Weather Statement has been issued to highlight the activity.

UAS performed a drone survey of the basin on 08/06 to capture post-release imagery and elevation data. UAS, USGS, and NWS are in the process of evaluating the data from this record major flooding event on the Mendenhall Lake and River. More information will be available here in the coming months.   

Images from the entire 2024 season can be viewed here.

If you missed the 6/3 townhall meeting with local experts explaining improvements to the monitoring and forecasting programs for the 2024 season, Click here to view the recording.

Here is the NWS summary report from the major flooding event from the Suicide Basin glacier lake outburst flood in August 2023.

Additional Information available:

• Mendenhall River Inundation Maps (Follow the link, then scroll down to Gauge Location, select Activate MNDA2 FIM Gauge)
• Historical release data from Suicide Basin
• Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center (AK CASC) Story Map "Hidden Water: The Suicide Basin Outburst Flood" 
• The Suicide Basin glacier outburst flood: 2023 and beyond (Recording of the Oct 27 2023 Evening at Egan)
• 2023 Season Time-Lapse Animations (Image and Vector)
• 2022 Season Time-Lapse Animations (Image and Vector)

Latest Basin Image - Scales

Most recent image from the basin, updated at daily to sub-daily intervals (see time-stamp bottom right). The camera is placed at the basin entrance and faces northeast, into the basin. Click on image to enlarge and read basin levels.

Full Season Viewer

Recent Timelapse (Last 15 Images)

Latest Basin Image - Vectors

Most recent image from the basin (same as on the left) with vectors indicating ice motion direction and magnitude. Click on image to enlarge.

Full Season Viewer

Recent Timelapse (Last 15 images)

Mendenhall Lake Stage Level

Graph showing the current (blue) and predicted (purple) stage level at Mendenhall Lake. Stage levels are annotated on the left y-axis on the graph. The graph also shows the Mendenhall River discharge (right y-axis), which is derived from the Mendenhall Lake stage level via rating curve.

Suicide Basin Level (Pool Height)

Graph showing the current (blue) pool height of Suicide Basin.  

At this time (7/10), values are from the laser detection system.

Alternate Basin Image

The USGS installed a second camera taking images with a view of the glacier-basin interface. This image will be updated at daily to sub-daily intervals. Click on the image to enlarge.

Full Season Viewer

Recent Timelapse (Last 15 Images)