Residents in Juneau advised to leave due to floodwater release from Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska
The picturesque Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, has become a source of concern for local residents, as it has been causing annual flooding events since 2011. These floods, known as glacial outburst floods from Suicide Basin, have become more intense in recent years, with new water-level records being set in the last three years.
The flooding occurs when water, dammed by the glacier in Suicide Basin, builds pressure and forces its way past or under the ice dam, discharging into Mendenhall Lake and flowing down the Mendenhall River towards Juneau. This is a direct consequence of climate change-induced glacier thinning and retreat, which created Suicide Basin and allows accumulation of water from rain and snowmelt each spring and summer.
The impact to Juneau has been significant: repeated hazardous flooding risks to over 460 properties, infrastructure, and traditional lands. In response, city officials have implemented emergency plans, including evacuation protocols, and coordinated with state, federal, and tribal partners through a Joint Information Center to improve communication and preparedness.
In 2025, temporary flood barriers, known as "Hesco" barriers, spanning 2.5 miles were installed along the riverbank to protect properties. These barriers, partially funded by homeowners in the flood zone, have helped spare the city from severe flooding damage during recent releases. However, residents like Hatch, fear that the water might exceed predictions or seep through the barriers, potentially worsening flooding at his home.
Researchers estimate that the glacier will continue to act as an ice dam for another 25 to 60 years, making ongoing flooding events likely in the foreseeable future. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is beginning a yearslong process to study conditions in the region and examine options for a more permanent solution such as a levee.
Emergency manager Ryan O'Shaughnessy stated that the barriers are meant to guard against widespread flooding. The levee consists of 10,000 "Hesco" barriers, designed to protect against an 18-foot flood event. Last year, Hatch's neighbors' homes flooded by around 1 to 4 feet, and nearly 300 residences were damaged during the flooding. Temporary barriers were installed this year to protect several hundred homes from widespread damage.
The Mendenhall Glacier is a popular tourist attraction, located approximately 12 miles from Juneau, population 30,000. The National Weather Service expects flooding to peak at 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Flooding from the Mendenhall Glacier basin is an annual concern since 2011, with the city seeing record flooding in 2023 and 2024, with the river predicted to crest at between 16.3 and 16.8 feet this year.
Homes on the city's outskirts are near Mendenhall Lake and the Mendenhall River. Some residents like Hatch have raised their houses by around 3-4 feet due to previous flooding. The flooding has swept away houses and swamped hundreds of homes in recent years, highlighting the urgency for a more permanent solution.
[1] National Park Service. (n.d.). Mendenhall Glacier Basin Floods. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/nature/mendenhall-glacier-basin-floods.htm [2] Alaska Public Media. (2021, August 13). Mendenhall Glacier Floods Again, Damaging Homes In Juneau. Retrieved from https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/08/13/mendenhall-glacier-floods-again-damaging-homes-in-juneau/ [3] Alaska Public Media. (2021, August 16). Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier Floods: What You Need To Know. Retrieved from https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/08/16/juneaus-mendenhall-glacier-floods-what-you-need-to-know/ [4] Alaska Public Media. (2021, August 17). Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier Floods: What You Need To Know. Retrieved from https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/08/17/juneaus-mendenhall-glacier-floods-what-you-need-to-know/ [5] City and Borough of Juneau. (n.d.). Emergency Preparedness. Retrieved from https://www.juneau.org/emergency-management/
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