Update from the City Manager: Pushing for an Enduring Solution to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

February 27, 2025

Good afternoon,

Earlier this week, I shared the difficult news regarding the change in direction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on an enduring solution to the ongoing threat of glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF) in the Mendenhall Valley. I want to acknowledge the weight of that update as it threatens the longevity of our entire community. Many of us have invested years of effort, advocacy, and hope into advancing a long-term solution.

In summary, USACE informed us late last week that it is pivoting away from advancing the lake tap as the identified long-term solution. While they indicated continued interest in addressing the flooding threat, the emphasis was on robust flood fighting. Whatever the long-term solution is, we will need USACE supported flood fighting to get there. However, I am deeply concerned that all planning and design efforts have been diverted to flood fighting leaving uncertainty around an enduring solution.

Since Monday, we have been actively engaging with our federal delegation and senior USACE leadership. I met with staff from Dan Sullivan’s office and with Lee Forsgren, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). The Assistant Secretary re-affirmed his commitment to an enduring solution for Juneau. However, it is yet to be seen what that looks like.

I also met with staff from Lisa Murkowski’s office and have continued to keep Representative Begich’s office informed. I want to emphasize that our delegation remains dedicated advocates for this project and for Juneau. Their engagement this week has been evidence of that.

During a hearing on Wednesday before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Sullivan directly questioned USACE leadership about the Corps’ change in position. A recording of the hearing is available here, starting at the 1:59 mark. In the hearing, the Senator underscored the urgency of the threat facing our community, pressed for accountability regarding the reversal, and sought clarity on both interim protections and a permanent fix. Testimony from Army officials reiterated a stated commitment to working toward a durable solution for Juneau and senior USACE officials committed to Senator Sullivan to travel to Juneau this spring. That visit will be an important opportunity to demonstrate the unique and imminent threat facing our community and to press for clarity on the path forward.

At the same time, the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is taking action. This week we submitted a Congressionally Directed Spending request for $8 million to support the geotechnical and planning work necessary to advance the lake tap solution, which is the most cost-effective, will take the least amount of time and is most likely to reduce flood risk without disrupting the entire Valley. Most importantly, it is supported by science and received a coordinated endorsement from Tlingit & Haida, the USDA Forest Service and CBJ. The geotechnical work will answer unknowns about the quality of the rock and refine what right now is a very basic cost estimate. We are continuing to push forward on every available front that may get us closer to the enduring solution for Juneau.

Thank you to the many residents who have reached out this week asking how to help. Supporting our federal delegation’s advocacy efforts and continuing to make your voices heard is one meaningful way we can stand together.

We will keep the pressure on. We will continue fighting to protect our community and our future. And I invite you to keep advocating alongside us.

Respectfully,
Katie Koester, City Manager
City and Borough of Juneau

February 27th, 2026|

Flood Solutions, Survey Results on Agenda for February 23 Committee of the Whole Meeting

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Assembly will discuss updates and next steps on several major community priorities, projects and conversations at the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, February 23.

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Solutions
The meeting will include an update regarding the proposed Lake Tap tunnel, which was identified as the preferred engineering solution following the recent charrette hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide enduring mitigation of GLOF risk in the Mendenhall Valley. CBJ will present the evaluation criteria that led to the solution’s selection.  Without additional mitigation, the USACE estimates the future maximum potential GLOF release could impact more than 2,800 properties in the Valley.

CBJ will also provide an update on the Phase 2 HESCO barrier flood-fighting project funded by the USACE and review the results of the informal poll conducted of View Drive residents regarding the Emergency Watershed Protection buyout program.

Survey Results, Telephone Hill RFQ, Seawalk and more
Following the GLOF response topics, the COW agenda will include a status update and discussion of Assembly priorities for the developer solicitation (Request for Quote or RFQ) for Telephone Hill, as well as next steps in the ongoing Seawalk project. Rain Coast Data will also present the results of the recent CBJ budget priorities survey.

The February 23 COW meeting packet is now available at juneauak.portal.civicclerk.com. Additional materials, including the final survey results, will be added to the packet on Monday.

Additional Monday Meetings
Monday is a full day of big conversations for the Assembly. The Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee will meet at 12:10 p.m. with an agenda that includes water utility repairs, a Recycling Center update and a report on potential actions to address Juneau’s solid waste challenges.

A discussion of the future of the City Hall building at 155 Heritage Way and a proposal to adopt a 10% excise tax on peer-to-peer vehicles within ½ mile of a cruise ship dock are on the agenda for the Assembly Lands, Housing, & Economic Development Committee meeting at 5 p.m.

While assembly committee meetings do not include public testimony, residents are encouraged to share their input by emailing the assembly at [email protected] or by to testifying at an upcoming Regular Assembly Meeting.

Meeting materials and participation details for all Assembly meetings are available at juneauak.portal.civicclerk.com.

For more information Glacial Lake Outburst Flood mitigation and preparedness, visit bit.ly/CBJGLOF or email [email protected].

February 21st, 2026|

CBJ Avalanche Evacuation Advisory Update – Evacuation Advisory Lifted for All Known Paths

The evacuation advisory has been lifted for all slide paths, including the Behrends pathway.  Risk from avalanche hazard remains elevated and future evacuation advisories are possible. CBJ is actively monitoring and assessing avalanche risk for all other known slide paths and will provide updates as conditions continue to change.

Despite heavy rain, high winds, and warm temperatures at high elevations, no avalanche activity was reported overnight. Utilizing AKDOT&PF drones, forecasters were able to conduct a visual inspection of the Behrends path this morning  to better assess the snowpack and current avalanche conditions. The fact that upper start zones were saturated with rain last night and did not release, combined with the reduced snow levels at lower elevation, has brought the risk back to a level acceptable to lift the evacuation advisory for now. Residents are reminded to stay alert and be prepared to act if conditions change.

AKDOT&PF opened the Thane Road this morning.

You can find current hazard advisories and preparedness information at bit.ly/CBJavalanche. More information about the current avalanche hazard and snowpack conditions from CBJ’s Avalanche Advisor will be available later today at juneau.org/emergency/avalanche-information.

For questions about evacuation contact [email protected].

January 14th, 2026|

CBJ Avalanche Advisory and Community Recovery Status Update

The City & Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is providing an operational and situational update regarding avalanche risk and community recovery efforts following the 2025–2026 Juneau Winter Storm. The following is an overview of current conditions, recent response actions, and what residents can expect moving forward.

Avalanche Evacuation Advisory Update – Behrends Path Evacuation Advisory Remains
Due to very high avalanche risk, CBJ issued an avalanche evacuation advisory on Friday, January 9, for all known slide paths. This decision was made with life safety as the highest priority. CBJ immediately opened an emergency shelter at Centennial Hall, which has served 45 individuals and approximately a dozen pets over the past two nights.

Working closely with Alaska DOT&PF and avalanche professionals, CBJ continues to monitor conditions across all known slide paths and has invested in additional monitoring and detection tools to improve situational awareness.

Changes to Evacuation Advisory

  • Avalanche hazard remains elevated across all areas.
  • The evacuation advisory remains in effect for the Behrends slide path. Residents are advised to stay out of the Behrends pathway and to continue avoiding travel and recreation in the Flume Trail area. Capital Transit will not be making stops between between the Federal Building and Bartlett Hospital until the evacuation advisory for this area is lifted.
  • The evacuation advisory has been lifted for all other known slide paths. Slide paths outside of the Behrends area have experienced enough natural avalanche activity that forecasters no longer consider them an imminent threat.

Centennial Hall will remain open as an emergency shelter while the evacuation advisory for the Behrends pathway remains in effect. Additional closures or evacuation advisories may be issued as more wet and windy weather is in the forecast.

Avalanche Conditions Outlook
CBJ Avalanche Advisor John Bressette emphasized that current conditions remain unpredictable.
“This winter’s snowpack and weather patterns are unusual for this area,” Bressette said. “While some monitored paths outside of Behrends show reduced hazard, the Behrends slide path continues to present significant risk.”

Bressette cautioned that the National Weather Service is forecasting rising freezing levels above 3,000 feet later this week, combined with 2–3 inches of rain—conditions that could trigger larger avalanches at higher elevations.

Schools and Facilities Update
CBJ structural engineers and the City Architect have worked continuously for more than a week, prioritizing schools and critical infrastructure. Hundreds of CBJ staff, contractors, and emergency response workers removed over 3 million pounds of snow from CBJ facilities where roof loads approached design capacity. All Juneau School District schools have been cleared for occupancy.

All CBJ facilities have also been inspected and approved for occupancy. All pools, libraries, and recreation facilities will reopen, and CBJ looks forward to welcoming residents back to these community spaces. CBJ will continue to monitor public facilities for impacts from the storm.

Infrastructure and Life Safety Efforts
Roads and Storm Drains

Rain on top of deep snow has resulted in significant roadway water accumulation, especially where storm drains remain buried. CBJ Streets crews continue working to locate and clear drains to reduce flooding hazards. If you observe or need assistance with a road drainage or flooding issue before 4:00 p.m., please contact CBJ Streets at (907) 586-5256. For issues after 4:00 p.m. please contact JPD’s non-emergency line at (907) 586-0600.

Fire Hydrants

The Borough has approximately 1,300 fire hydrants, and ensuring access to them is a critical life safety priority. Clearing hydrants requires heavy equipment to break up snow berms, followed by manual shoveling.

CBJ staff and contractors will be working tomorrow, January 12, to clear remaining hydrants. CBJ thanks residents who have worked to keep hydrants near their homes accessible during this these record-breaking snow conditions.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, avoid hazardous areas, and sign up for CBJ Alerts at bit.ly/CBJalerts.

For questions and more information, please call CBJ Emergency Programs department at (907) 586-0371.

January 11th, 2026|

CBJ Avalanche Advisory Update – January 10 (6:45 p.m.)

The potential for avalanches in known slide paths remains. Avalanche risk will increase overnight due to warmer temperatures and heavy rain.

THE EVACUATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT. Emergency shelter is available at Centennial Hall. Emergency response crews are staged to respond in the event of an avalanche. Please limit travel in avalanche-exposed areas.

Thane Road remains closed at the avalanche gates.

You can find current hazard levels at bit.ly/CBJavalanche. You can read more about the current avalanche hazard and snowpack conditions from CBJ’s Avalanche Advisor at juneau.org/emergency/avalanche-information.

CBJ, with ADOT&PF, the National Weather Service, Tlingit & Haida and other partner agencies hosted a media briefing today, January 10, to address ongoing hazardous weather conditions and the avalanche evacuation advisory, as well as the local flood advisory issued by the National Weather Service. You can view a recording of the media briefing on CBJ’s YouTube page for critical updates and safety information.

Residents should know their risk and take action. If you are in danger or experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

For questions about evacuation contact [email protected].

January 10th, 2026|
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