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Juneau officials will host public meeting on Mendenhall flood study and preparedness tonight

Image from last years glacial lake outburst flood

Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District and the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) will host a public information session today on a technical study aimed at reducing flood risk in the Mendenhall Valley.

The event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Alaska Standard Time at Thunder Mountain Middle School. USACE officials will present the latest findings from an ongoing $4.75 million federally funded study of glacial lake outburst floods before holding a question-and-answer session.

The study is focused on assessing hydrology, hydraulics, geology and economic conditions to determine potential long-term solutions for mitigating flooding in the valley, one of Juneau’s most densely populated areas.

Representatives from CBJ, Tlingit & Haida, the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross and the University of Alaska Southeast will also provide information and flood preparedness resources.

As Juneau enters its glacial lake outburst flood season, CBJ officials urged residents to sign up for the city’s emergency alert system at bit.ly/CBJAlerts

Officials outlined the city’s “Ready, Set, Go” alert process:

  • READY: (We are here.) The best way to stay informed with the latest flood preparedness tips, news and updates is by signing up for CBJ Emergency Alerts
  • SET: Once the US National Weather Service Juneau Alaska determines the Basin is full, CBJ and our partners will issue evacuation advisories via SMS text (push notification, no opt-in required). Alerts with evacuation instructions will also go out via email, social media, website and printed door hangars in the forecasted flood area. A flood information hotline will be available
  • GO: once the Basin begins to release, a FLOOD WARNING will be issued by the National Weather Service. CBJ, Tlingit & Haida, Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities and partner agencies will push out evacuation advisories through all available channels
  • ALL CLEAR: Once floodwaters recede and the area is deemed safe, CBJ will issue an “All Clear” message.

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New Joint Flood Initiative Prepares Juneau for 2025 Glacial Lake Outburst

In preparation for a possible glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) this summer, local, tribal, and state agencies have formed a joint communications initiative aimed at improving public safety and emergency response in Juneau.

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida), and the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) are coordinating with several federal and state partners to streamline flood messaging and improve community readiness.

The collaborative effort stems from increased awareness of the growing risks posed by the Mendenhall Glacier’s Suicide Basin and recent flood events that have affected homes, infrastructure, and traditional lands. With the basin approaching capacity, agencies are taking proactive steps to minimize confusion, provide timely updates, and improve response coordination in the event of a flood.

The new effort, called the Joint Information Center (JIC), was established under the Incident Command System and includes coordination from the National Weather Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

“This partnership will allow us to pool our resources to make sure our residents receive accurate, timely information—especially during high-stress situations like a flood,” said CBJ City Manager Katie Koester.

The JIC will provide consistent emergency alerts, preparedness tips, and flood status updates through email, social media, media briefings, and partner websites. The group will release email updates twice a week and near-daily social media posts to help keep the public informed.

“Community emergencies such as flood events do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries,” said Tlingit & Haida President Chalyee Éesh Richard J. Peterson. “That’s why collaboration between tribal, municipal, state, and federal partners is critical as we prepare our community, pool our resources, knowledge and coordinate response. Together, we are building a framework that prioritizes public safety and ensures that no one is left behind when it matters most.”

Key Ways Residents Can Stay Informed:

  1. Sign up for emergency alerts at bit.ly/CBJAlerts
  2. Check in with the Juneau Flood Ready website at bit.ly/JuneauFloodReady
  3. View road closure leading up to and during an event at 511.Alaska.gov
  4. Stay tuned to the National Weather Service Suicide Basin monitoring page (link)
    5 Review the interactive flood inundation maps available at JuneauFlood.com.
  5. Follow partner agencies on social media.
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Public invited to information session on Mendenhall Valley glacial outburst study

Photo provided by CBJ following the installation of the HESCO barrier project
Photo provided by CBJ following the installation of the HESCO barrier project

Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Alaska District and the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) will host a public information session on Wednesday, July 30, to share updates on a technical study focused on long-term flood mitigation in the Mendenhall Valley.

The session will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Thunder Mountain Middle School in Juneau. The event is open to the public and intended for anyone interested in learning more about ongoing efforts to address the risk of glacial lake outburst flooding from the Mendenhall Glacier.

The evening will include a brief presentation by USACE’s Civil Works Branch, which is leading the technical study, followed by a public question-and-answer session. The Corps’ Emergency Management Program will not be in attendance.

Representatives from CBJ, Tlingit & Haida, the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross, and the University of Alaska Southeast will also be on hand to provide technical information and resources related to flood preparedness.

The $4.75 million study is fully funded by the federal government and aims to evaluate long-term options for reducing flood risks in the Mendenhall Valley.

The Mendenhall Valley is one of the city’s most densely populated residential areas, current water levels as of July 21 are sitting at 1,290 feet. That’s 81 feet below the basin’s overflow point, which experts expect to reach by mid-August if the current pace continues.

Water levels tend to rise more quickly during warm weather and rain events, and the USGS warns that large iceberg movement may cause data spikes.

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Sandbag Distribution Event to be held in preparation for potential flooding

Sandbag filling and distribution, photo generously provided by CBJ

The City and Borough of Juneau and Tlingit & Haida will hold sandbag distribution events on Saturday, July 19 and Saturday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dimond Park Field House parking lot in preparation for another glacial outburst flood.

With the summer heat rising and water levels climbing in Suicide Basin, emergency officials, city officials and the National Weather Service are closely monitoring the threat of another glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in the Mendenhall River Valley. This threat follows a record flood event on August 6, 2024, which swept through neighborhoods, damaged property, and reshaped how Juneau prepares for these recurring flooding events.

Suicide Basin, located above the Mendenhall Glacier, has released floodwaters nearly every year since 2011. These events occur when meltwater trapped behind the glacier breaks through ice dams, sending torrents into Mendenhall Lake and River below.

As of Saturday, July 12, water levels in the basin are around 1,263 feet, about 108 feet below the spillway level. That’s slightly lower than this time last year, due to a colder spring and early summer.

At the current rate, or around 4 feet per day, the basin could reach full capacity by August 8.

Sand, bags, and shovels will be available for residents to fill on site. Households in the 18-foot flood risk zone may collect up to 75 sandbags total, including from earlier events.

For flood prep info, visit juneauflood.com or bit.ly/JuneauFloodReady, and sign up for alerts at bit.ly/CBJAlerts.

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Suicide Basin Flood Risk Remains as Juneau Prepares for Another Glacial Outburst

Photo provided by CBJ following the installation of the HESCO barrier project
Photo provided by CBJ following the installation of the HESCO barrier project

With the summer heat rising and water levels climbing in Suicide Basin, emergency officials, city officials and the National Weather Service are closely monitoring the threat of another glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in the Mendenhall River Valley. This threat follows a record flood event on August 6, 2024, which swept through neighborhoods, damaged property, and reshaped how Juneau prepares for these recurring flooding events.

Suicide Basin, located above the Mendenhall Glacier, has released floodwaters nearly every year since 2011. These events occur when meltwater trapped behind the glacier breaks through ice dams, sending torrents into Mendenhall Lake and River below.

As of Monday, July 7, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports that the basin’s laser-monitored water elevation is approximately 1,224 feet, well below the 1,247 feet recorded on the same date last year, and more than 100 feet below 2023 levels. The current elevation is about 147 feet below the overflow channel, which begins spilling at 1,371 feet.

If the rate of rise in the basin remains around 4 feet per/day, this would result in a full basin in 37 days, though the rate of the rise could change.

These differences in water levels from 2024 and 2023 to current levels are due to the cold spring/early summer time temperatures. Freezing levels remained 3000 to 4000 feet through the spring and early summer time but are now around 7000 feet, meaning rapid melt could accelerate water accumulation.

Monitoring equipment, including two daily cameras and a USGS laser sensor, remains active. Officials caution that water level data may show occasional jumps or drops due to icebergs disrupting sensor readings.

City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) officials, in partnership with state, federal, and tribal agencies, have implemented Phase 1 and Phase 1A of a near-term flood mitigation strategy. With guidance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CBJ has installed HESCO barriers along vulnerable stretches of the Mendenhall River. These modular barriers are designed to protect against floodwaters as high as 18 feet.

Given the growing threat and lack of a permanent solution, officials urge Juneau residents, especially those in the Mendenhall Valley, to take stay informed and prepared.

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