Wrangell
Wrangell, AK · Municipal
watchers.news
Suicide Basin GLOF sends Mendenhall River into flood stage as governor declares disaster, Alaska
Flooding from Suicide Basin pushed Mendenhall River into minor flood stage near Juneau, Alaska, at 23:00 AKDT on August 12 (07:00 UTC on August 13), when the National Weather Service (NWS) reported 2.77 m (9.1 feet) and a rise rate of about 0.21 m/h (0.7 feet/h). NWS forecasts a 4.91–5.06...
juneau.org
Flood Threat Over – Area Open to Residents Only
As of 5 p.m., August 13, the 2026 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Unified Command is pleased to share that the flood threat from Suicide Basin has ended. Water has receded and evacuated areas are now open to residents only. Please continue to use caution around damaged areas and avoid riverbanks....
alaskasnewssource.com
UPDATES: Glacial dam releases, triggering evacuation notices for flooding near Juneau
JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU) - A glacially-dammed basin has released, triggering evacuation notices for residents of Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley, officials say. Authorities from Juneau and around the state put out the evacuation notice for Alaskans on Tuesday afternoon, saying that floodwaters can be expected to hit homes along the Mendenhall River late Wednesday through Thursday morning.
ktoo.org
Some residents hopeful amid later, lower flood forecast
As floodwaters in Juneau rise slower than initially predicted, some Mendenhall Valley residents who live next to the river said they’re feeling hopeful about a lower crest and less damage. Last year, nearly 50 homes flooded since the HESCO barriers leaked. In 2024, before the barriers were built, nearly 300 homes flooded.
dredgewire.com
USACE Announces Unprecedented Approach to Protect Juneau, Alaska from Mendenhall Glacier Floods
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Department of the Interior announced Friday their intent to undertake a never-before-seen “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” (BINP) approach to protect Juneau, Alaska, from future glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF). The Corps will soon solicit proposals to tackle the GLOF phenomenon in a way that seeks to expedite real, cutting-edge infrastructure prototypes on a faster timeline and at a significantly lower cost to taxpayers, deliberately avoiding burdensome processes and paperwork.
juneau.org
2026 Juneau GLOF Unified Command Responds to Imminent Glacial Outburst
2026 Juneau GLOF Unified Command Responds to Imminent Glacial Outburst. As of August 11, National Weather Service (NWS) monitoring data showed Suicide Basin was full and beginning to overtop. The 2026 Juneau GLOF Unified Command, led by the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), Tlingit & Haida, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Southeast Alaska, has activated final response preparations for a potential glacial outburst within 1-6 days, including flood mitigation, pump deployment, a public hotline, emergency shelter and transportation staging, and extra steps to notify households within the inundation zone.
juneau.org
Valley Library, Dimond Park and Trails Will Close August 12 and 13
Valley Library, Dimond Park and Trails Will Close August 12 and 13. City and Borough of Juneau facilities along Mendenhall River, including the Mendenhall Valley Public Library, Dimond Park Field House, Dimond Park Aquatic Center, all nearby fields (Dimond Park, Melvin Park, Mendenhall River Community School), and nearby trails (Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei, Juneau International Airport’s Emergency Vehicle Access Road or Airport Dike Trail) will close tomorrow, August 12 through Thursday, August 13. Activities taking place in city facilities along the Mendenhall River during this time are cancelled.
ktoo.org
LIVE UPDATES: Juneau’s 2026 glacial outburst flood
The City and Borough of Juneau is closing several facilities ahead of the imminent flood on Wednesday and Thursday including:. • Nearby fields: Dimond Park, Melvin Park, Mendenhall River Community School. Trail closures include:. • Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei Trail. • Juneau International Airport’s Emergency Vehicle Access Road or EVAR, which...
ktoo.org
Army Corps teases glacial outburst flood solution announcement as next flood looms
A pathway to a permanent solution for Juneau’s annual glacial outburst is coming soon. That’s according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary Adam Telle, who said at a virtual press conference Thursday that the Corps will post a request for proposals this month for a solution to drain Suicide Basin, the glacial lake that produces the flood.
ktoo.org
A Juneau construction company could pay $350K for Clean Water Act violations
A Juneau construction company could have to pay $350,000 for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act by dredging and dumping in several wetlands without permits. The U.S. Department of Justice, State of Alaska and Duran Construction Company, LLC, agreed to a proposed settlement on Thursday. The federal and state governments...
ktoo.org
After two years empty, Juneau’s Marie Drake building will soon get new life
After sitting mostly empty for more than two years, Juneau’s Marie Drake building will soon see new life. The former school building – which housed Juneau School District’s Montessori and alternative high school programs – closed down after the Juneau School District consolidated schools in 2024. The city took over ownership of the downtown building that summer. Since then, the Marie Drake building has sat mostly empty, except for its planetarium and gymnasium.
juneau.org
Sigoowu Ye Park Now Open, Ribbon Cutting on August 29
Updates to Sigoowu Ye Park (Fun Place Park) in Lemon Creek are now complete. The park opened to the public on Friday, July 31 with new playground equipment, upgraded pathways and landscaping, and improved lighting based on input from residents and the community. The City and Borough of Juneau Parks...
juneau.org
North Franklin Construction Postponed, Taku Boulevard Construction Begins August 3
North Franklin Construction Postponed, Taku Boulevard Construction Begins August 3. The first phase of construction work along North Franklin Street in downtown Juneau has been postponed to summer of 2027. Early site investigation revealed more preparation is needed than what was originally planned for. The area will return to normal traffic and pedestrian access by Monday, August 3.
americas-engineers.com
Sealaska Completes Mendenhall River Flood Protection Project
Location & Threat: Mendenhall River basin, Juneau, Alaska—preparing for annual Suicide Basin glacial outburst floods (jökulhlaups). Primary Contractor: Sealaska (Alaska Native Regional Corporation) executing accelerated civil civil works and bank armoring. Engineering Scope: High-density riprap installation, riverbank slope stabilization, and flood barrier reinforcement along key erosion corridors. Interagency...
ktoo.org
Juneau Assembly highlights: ballot questions, affordable housing and trash bears
Despite a delay due to a downtown power outage on Monday night, the Juneau Assembly met for a regular meeting to consider key topics for this fall’s local election, leasing city land for affordable housing and hear public testimony. Here are some highlights from the meeting:. • The Juneau...