NWS: Suicide Basin likely to reach full basin Aug. 1–9; adds camera and redundant laser monitoring

Aaron Jacobs, senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Juneau, said the most likely window to reach a full Suicide Basin is between Aug. 1 and Aug. 9 and that the agency is monitoring levels in partnership with the USGS.

Jacobs reported current basin ice/water levels at about 12.63 feet, compared past years’ levels, and described a large calving event observed earlier in the week. “Right now, we are very close to the levels that we were seeing in 2024,” he said, and added that typical inflow would drive about a 3‑foot rise; he estimated the basin was roughly 30 days from a full basin at the time of the briefing.

To improve situational awareness, Jacobs said the NWS and USGS added a camera that looks over the overflow channel so analysts can see when water begins to flow over that channel; he also described additional laser (range) data as redundancy in case primary feeds fail. Jacobs said the science team’s volume estimate is likely to be very similar to last year’s, possibly slightly higher, and that scenario forecasts are posted on the monitoring page for public view.

The NWS will update the monitoring page weekly or more often if conditions change and will refine projected timing as new data arrives.