Aleutians East draft hazard plan says Unga Island dam rated poor has no known owner

The Aleutians East Borough posted its final draft hazard mitigation plan for public comment Thursday, and it reports that a seeping dam on Unga Island has no known owner. Comments are due Wednesday, Oct. 21. The plan has not been approved.

The state dam safety engineer proposes classifying Squaw Harbor Dam as High Hazard Potential, meaning a failure would endanger lives. The plan cites downstream development and the potential for loss of life. The Alaska Dam Safety Office recently inspected the dam and gave it a preliminary rating of Poor, citing seepage.

"As of October 2026, the owner of this dam is unknown," the draft states.

The state engineer proposes the same classification for the Clear Creek and Delta Creek dams in King Cove, both owned by the City of King Cove. Alaska News reported those proposed reclassifications Sept. 10, when the borough released a draft risk assessment.

The plan counts 13 houses with 52 occupants, and 90 critical facilities valued at about $480 million, exposed to dam failure.

A dam owner remains responsible for safety and emergency actions, according to a state dam safety fact sheet. The plan says FEMA guidelines require jurisdictions to address high hazard dams in their plans to qualify for FEMA's dam rehabilitation grants.

The borough, which owns no dams, proposes researching who owns Squaw Harbor Dam, coordinating with dam owners on public awareness and supporting dam failure evacuation signs. Each action is rated medium priority over three to four years.

In Sand Point, the city's Humboldt Creek Reservoir Dam is rated Poor, and the New England Fish Co Dam, owned by the Shumagin Corporation, is rated Unsatisfactory. Both carry Significant hazard potential.

The plan covers 14 jurisdictions, including eight tribes, and adds dam failure as a new hazard profile. Fairweather Science prepared it under contract to the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association.

Comments go to Fairweather Science, the borough's contractor. The 2027 draft hazard mitigation plan is posted on the borough's website.