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Alaska Bear Haven Devastated by Glacial Flood
18 Jul
Summary
- Glacial outburst flood destroyed over 100 feet of viewing platform.
- The popular Fish Creek bear viewing area in Hyder, Alaska is closed.
- Ticket holders to the damaged site will receive full refunds.
The popular Fish Creek bear viewing area in Hyder, Alaska, has sustained significant damage following a recent glacial outburst flood. According to the U.S. Forest Service, more than 100 feet of the viewing platform was obliterated when a dike breached during the event, commonly known as a "jökulhlaup."
This natural disaster has led to the immediate closure of the viewing area, which is a prime destination for tourists seeking to observe bears fishing for salmon, as well as other wildlife such as wolves and beavers. The U.S. Forest Service has stated that all ticket holders for the damaged site will be issued full refunds, with the refund process commencing next week.
Hyder, Alaska, is uniquely situated on the Canadian border, with its neighbor Stewart, British Columbia. The communities share essential services, including utilities, emergency response, and education, all provided by Stewart. Access to and from Hyder is solely dependent on a single road that passes through Canada and is monitored by a U.S. customs post.
