The Kobuk River in Alaska experienced flooding in May 2013, causing concern for the safety of people's dogs and belongings. One resident's dog team was affected, with six dogs drowning before he could reach them. The National Weather Service and Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center provide information on current river conditions and forecasts using gauges and color-coded shapes for ease of identification.

Maija Lukin writes:

We are scrambling to get all the people's dogs and other things safe. An Ambler resident travels to Kobuk every day and keeps his dog team there. He heard about the flooding, rushed to Kobuk and six of his dogs drowned before he got there. Maija Lukin

Resources:

National Weather Service, Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center provides current river conditions and river forecast information using a total of 249 gauges with 9 gauged levels ranging from;

• 0 Gauges: Major Flooding
• 0 Gauges: Moderate Flooding
• 0 Gauges: Minor Flooding
• 0 Gauges: Near Flood State
• 117 Gauges; No Flooding
• 96 Flood Category Not Defined
• 0 At or Below Low Water Threshold
• 27 Gauges: Observations Are Not Current
• 9 Gauges: Out of Service

Note: Alone with the gauge information above, the levels are also color coded shapes for ease of idenification. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration