Hesco Barrier Phase 2

HESCO Barrier Phase Map

Yellow: HESCO Barriers Phase 1, Blue: HESCO Barriers Phase 2

Project Details

On September 19, 2025, the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) submitted a scope of work that the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has accepted to include (but not be limited to) for the ongoing evaluation, repair, and reinforcement of existing HESCO barriers and barrier sites, paid for with 100% Federal funds. USACE plans to complete this work no later than mid-July 2026.

On September 29, 2025, the CBJ Assembly Committee of the Whole discussed future developments and next steps in the HESCO barrier project, noting that paths forward will be informed by the actions and decisions made by USACE. Please see the full September 29 meeting materials, including a proposed phase 2 project map here.

The USACE accepted CBJ’s request for USACE Public Law 84-99 Advance Measures Assistance to protect against the increasing future glacial lake outburst floods. USACE will provide installation for Phase 2 flood barriers and technical assistance for Phase 1 repairs and reinforcement.

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) formally accepted Advanced Measures Assistance offered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at the Special Assembly Committee of the Whole Meeting on October 30 (View meeting materials and recording).

The scope described below will be provided at by USACE at 100% Federal cost with no cost to the Public Sponsor (CBJ) and will be completed prior to July 15, 2026.

CBJ is incredibly grateful to the ongoing partnership and support of the USACE and our local, state, tribal and federal delegations for their advocacy and facilitation of this critical assistance.

USACE Advance Measures Scope of Work

  • PHASE 2 FLOOD BARRIERS: USACE will provide direct assistance by installing riverbank armoring and temporary flood barriers and other tasks necessary to construct a fortified, complete temporary flood barrier along the Phase 2 alignment for the imminent GLOF threat to the unprotected, populated riverbank areas of the Mendenhall River.
    • This area includes:
      • The continuation of barriers from the end of Phase 1, down river on the east bank through the Brotherhood Bridge;
      • Both banks of the river from below Brotherhood Bridge to the river outlet past the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant;
      • The west bank of the river north from Brotherhood bridge, along the Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei (trail) to higher ground above the Wildmeadow Lane neighborhood;
      • The west bank from Back Loop Bridge extending downstream through the extents of the River Road neighborhood;
      • The east bank from the Back Loop Bridge, extending downstream to connect to the beginning of Phase 1 at the north end of Marion Drive.
    • The work includes, but is not limited to, constructing and restoring access points for installation of bank armoring, temporary flood barriers and other necessary flood fighting infrastructure, culverts and check valves, and other tasks necessary to construct a fortified, complete temporary flood barrier such as site grading and foundation improvements.
  • PHASE 1 FLOOD BARRIERS: USACE will provide technical assistance for the repairs, fortification, increasing the temporary flood barrier height, bank armoring and other associated items related to the Phase 1 temporary flood barrier installation to protect against the increasing future GLOF events to continue effectively providing temporary flood protection to the Phase 1 inundation area.
    • Map at right shows damage and areas needing fortification, repairs and additional barriers following the 2025 GLOF. 
map of flood damage to temporary flood barriers

Contact Us

  • To comment, provide input, or for general project inquiries, please email [email protected]