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