A glacial dam releasing on the Kenai River prompted the National Weather Service on Tuesday to issue a flood advisory downriver of Skilak Lake.

Water releasing from the Skilak glacial dam could result in the river reaching or exceeding minor flood levels in Ridgeway, Soldotna and Sterling, the weather service said.

"This water combined with high water from rainfall over the last week and anticipated rainfall over the next few days has caused water levels on the Kenai river from Skilak lake to near Kenai to rise significantly," the weather service said in its advisory.

"The river is expected to crest below official flood stages sometime on Wednesday."

The advisory, which is in effect until 5 p.m. Friday, was calling for high-water levels of 13.5 feet at the gauge below Skilak Lake and more than 11 feet at the Kenai Keys and Soldotna today.

By Tuesday afternoon, the weather service was reporting the Kenai River below Skilak Lake and at Kenai Keys were in the "action stage," but not quite flooded. They were at 13.2 feet and 10.9 feet, respectively.

The service was urging that residents, particularly those in the Kenai Keys and Big Eddy areas, take appropriate action to "protect life and property."

The service also issued a flood advisory for western Prince William Sound, including Seward, because of continuing rain expected to inundate already rain-swollen rivers.

Heavy rains were expected to cause minor flooding on the Resurrection River and small streams in the Seward area through Thursday morning. Rain was also expected to cause water to pond in low-lying areas across the Kenai.

The advisory expires at 11 a.m. Thursday.