Daily Archives: 23 August 2022

Water meets Gravity

The disappearance of Harry Potter Lake:

Harry Potter Lake and Judy Kayaak Creek in 2018; Photo credit: Chris Arp

An arctic lake, with the amusing name of Harry Potter Lake, undertook a disappearing act this summer. The lake was large enough that someone standing on one shore, could not see across it. Running within 30 yards of the lake, and ten feet below it in elevation was Judy Kayaak Creek. Scientists were working in the area because oil companies were interested in developing it, and they noticed that the dam was about to break.

Setting up trail cameras and watching via satellite, the lake did not disappoint. Once the strip of tundra between the lake and creek was breached, gravity and the power of water took over. Within 24 hours, most of Harry Potter Lake was rushing towards the Arctic Ocean.

At the height of the rush, Judy Kayaak Creek had an estimated 100 times its normal volume. The village of Nuiqsut had been warned of the potential flooding, but no ensuing damage was reported.

Harry Potter Lake and Judy Kayaak Creek after the breach; photo credit: Allen Bondurant

Sources: UAF Geophysical Institute/Ned Rozell