Juneau utility board to hear post-flood report Thursday

Twelve of 186 Mendenhall River homes assessed sustained damage in the Aug. 13 glacial lake outburst flood. Juneau's Utility Advisory Board will hear a post-flood update on the damage Thursday.

The board is also set to vote on its 2025-26 annual report, the only item on the agenda marked for action besides approval of the June 11 minutes. A financial update remains tentative.

August 2025 crested at a record 16.65 feet, severing telecommunication and power lines. This year's crest was 14.7 feet. City officials project that upkeep of HESCO flood barriers will cost more than the earlier estimate of $6 million to $10 million a year.

Suicide Basin has flooded Juneau annually since 2011. Ryan O'Shaughnessy told the Assembly the "Mendenhall River, was at 3.6 or so feet when the release began. For comparison, last year we were already at minor flood stage, a little over 9 feet when the release began last year."

The Utility Advisory Board meets at 5:15 p.m. Thursday at the Water Utility Shop, 2520 Barrett Ave. Its next meeting is Oct. 8.