Information About

Valdez Glacier Lake

Quick Facts

Open in The Map Valdez Glacier Lake on The Map

Conditions: Valdez Glacier Lake is now free from seasonal ice. Updated: 7 June 17:11


Location

61 ° 8' 51.72" N,
146 ° 10' 0.12" W

Region

Prince William Sound

Nearest City

Valdez

Tributary to

Valdez Glacier Stream

Tributaries

Valdez Glacier,

Elevation

210 ft (64.01 m)

Uses

Canoeing, Kayaking, Walking About

Fatalities

3

Valdez Glacier Lake in Detail.

Getting There

Basically, a couple miles outside of Valdez there's a flashing yellow light over the highway where you turn on to Airport Rd (left turn if coming from Valdez). And take the road all the way to the end.

About

Located about 6 miles east of Valdez, Valdez Glacier Lake is a relatively young lake created by the recession of the Valdez Glacier. The glacier extended to the end of the lake up until the 1940's-1950's but has since receded nearly two-and-a-quarter miles back. In 2018, the glacier receded roughly 150ft across the face, and in 2019 the glacier has receded approximately 300ft more. On July 7th, 2020, the Valdez Glacier ice shelf collapsed increasing the length of the lake by just over a mile.

The lake is roughly 640ft deep, after being carved out by Valdez Glacier, is fed by myriad waterfalls and run off along and from Valdez Glacier along with Camica Creek. The average water temperature is usually below the mid 40's.

In winter the lake freezes several feet thick, and the lake is used for occasional ice skating when conditions allow (snow free surface), cross-country skiing, snowmachining/snowmobiling, sledding and winter walks.

Valdez Glacier Lake is dangerous for those not familiar with it. The ice in the lake can be lethal as it shifts.

Fatalities

On July 29, 2019, 3 people died while canoeing. Read More

Valdez Glacier Lake Gallery

Pictures of, from, or near Valdez Glacier Lake.

Places Near Valdez Glacier Lake
Basins:

Washbowl Basin,

Capes:

Allison Point, Dock Point, Jackson Point,

Cities:

Valdez,

Crags:

Valdez Glacier Campground Wall, Lookout Rock, Panorama Point,

Dams:

Solomon Gulch Dam A, Solomon Gulch Dam B, Solomon Lake Dam,

Flats:

Duck Flats,

Glaciers:

Abercrombie Shelf Glacier, Allison Glacier, Area 51 Glacier, Camicia Glacier, Corbin Glacier, Glacier G213653E61264N, Glacier G213685E61168N, Glacier G213687E60954N, Glacier G213708E60993N, Glacier G213722E60985N, Glacier G213723E61170N, Glacier G213727E61240N, Glacier G213737E60948N, Glacier G213739E61247N, Glacier G213740E61167N, Glacier G213742E61233N, Glacier G213749E60966N, Glacier G213750E61221N, Glacier G213756E61212N, Glacier G213756E61263N, Glacier G213767E61200N, Glacier G213767E61245N, Glacier G213770E61226N, Glacier G213775E60940N, Glacier G213777E61166N, Glacier G213778E61174N, Glacier G213780E61222N, Glacier G213780E61222N, Glacier G213783E60980N, Glacier G213784E61033N, Glacier G213788E60991N, Glacier G213798E61012N, Glacier G213804E61037N, Glacier G213821E60955N, Glacier G213835E60986N, Glacier G213860E61028N, Glacier G213869E60950N, Glacier G213881E61189N, Glacier G213882E60988N, Glacier G213883E61190N, Glacier G213898E61187N, Glacier G213934E61146N, Glacier G213935E61200N, Glacier G213942E60986N, Glacier G213944E60979N, Glacier G213952E61151N, Glacier G213956E61364N, Glacier G213958E60963N, Glacier G213959E60945N, Glacier G213962E60977N, Glacier G213964E61199N, Glacier G213979E61354N, Glacier G213981E61263N, Glacier G213982E61094N, Glacier G214001E60962N, Glacier G214001E61199N, Glacier G214004E60942N, Glacier G214017E60985N, Glacier G214021E60977N, Glacier G214022E60997N, Glacier G214024E61234N, Glacier G214027E61088N, Glacier G214032E61170N, Glacier G214039E60964N, Glacier G214042E61141N, Glacier G214048E60957N, Glacier G214053E61154N, G-g-g-g-g Glacier, Johnson Glacier, Kate Glacier, Mineral Creek Glacier, Rubin Glacier, Valdez Glacier,

Hills:

Horsethief Hill,

Routes:

Blue Horizons, Diamond in the Sky, Excalibur, Gravy Tran, Kayaker's Delight, Necromancer, Peggy's Mane, VAC, Wowie Zowie,

Islands:

Ammunition Island, Mineral Creek Islands,

Lakes:

Allison Lake, Crater Lake, Deep Lake, Robe Lake, Solomon Gulch Lake, Solomon Lake, Solomon Lake, Valdez Glacier Lake,

Locales:

Airport Chute, Alaska Guide Company - Office, Area 51, Basin Cove, Cabell Chute, Chuck Junior, Delta Chute, Grant Chute, Jago Chute, Lookout Bowl, Lucky 13, Runner's Delight, Sheepshead Chute, Tombstone Wall,

Mountains:

Prospectors Peak, Abercrombie Mountain, Mount Brookfield, East Peak, Mount Francis, Hogsback, Mount Kate, Mount Logan, Mount Mahlo, Meteorite Mountain, Mummy Mountain, Mount Schrader, Sugarloaf Mountain, Townsend Peak, Valdez Summit, West Peak,

Peaks:

Benzene, Bob's Knob, Mount Bonet, Comstock, Embick, Heidi Peak, High Back, Satellite, Snow Dome, Titan Chair,

Rivers:

Lowe River, Robe River,

Routes:

Lazy Days, No Floss Necessary, Route number 1, Route number 3, Trim the Bush, Wet Finish,

Routes:

Already Herd, Bicentennial, Bongo That Bitch, Brand New, Canadian Heat Wave, Cotter Unlimited, Danger Stranger, Dragon's Teeth, Dynosaur, The Firing Line, Gusel Jugs, Harristotle, Kentner's Mill, Leaf BlowersL, Ledgeway to Sleven, Lefty Lucy, People Get Up And Drive Your Funky Soul, Quartzsite's Strike, Reacharound, Redheaded Stepchild, Righty Tighty, Route number 2, Slabawooke, The Nose Knows, Your Favorite Weapon,

Streams:

Abercrombie Creek, Allison Creek, Brevier Creek, Brown Creek, Cameron Creek, Camicia Creek, Canyon Slough, Corbin Creek, Crooked Creek, East Fork Mineral Creek, Glacier Creek, Goat Creek, Horsetail Creek, Slater Creek, Valdez Glacier Stream, Wood Creek,

Routes:

Area 51 Access Trail, Dayville Power Line Trail, Dock Point Trail, East Peak Access Trail, Mount Francis Winter Trail, High School Hill, High School Hill to Summit Trail, High School Hill Water Tower Trail, Hogsback Trail, John Hunter Memorial Trail, Levee to Valdez Glacier Trail, Lost Toque Trail, Mineral Creek Stamp Mill Trail, Northern Robe Lake Trail, River Drive Trail, Robe River Hogsback Access Trail, Solomon Gulch Valdez Overlook Spur, Southern Robe Lake Trail, Valdez Bike Path, Valdez Overlook Trail,

Valleys:

Abercrombie Gulch, Goat Gully, Solomon Gulch, Sulphide Gulch,

Cities:

Old Valdez,