Talkeetna
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Mat-Su picks Front Street site for Talkeetna water tank as some residents object
The Mat-Su Borough has named a wooded lot on Front Street in Talkeetna as its preferred site for the town's new water tank and well, a site some residents have opposed for months.
Public Works Director Tom Adams approved a decision memo Oct. 29 naming two state parcels on Front Street, about 1.4 acres, as the preferred site for a 375,000-gallon tank, a well and related facilities. The memo doesn't authorize construction or settle later permitting, funding, environmental or design questions.
Talkeetna's water system serves about 225 customer accounts and doesn't have enough treated-water storage, which leaves low pressure when demand peaks, according to the memo. At a June 3 board meeting, borough staff called arsenic one of the top reasons to move the current wellhouse.
Opponents want the project kept at the existing water plant on C Street. The memo's planning estimates put that option at $5.07 million, slightly less than Front Street's $5.28 million. But the C Street site sits on Alaska Railroad land, and the memo gave it a "poor" rating for downtown congestion.
The memo also favors borough ownership, saying it would avoid lease payments and permits and keep the project eligible for funding that requires ownership. A $1.5 million forgivable state loan for the project required borough ownership, according to the local sewer and water board's April resolution, but the state withdrew that offer in June 2025 while the borough looked at other sites. At the June 3 meeting, staff said ownership "is not MSB mandate but preference."
The state Department of Natural Resources approved giving the Front Street land to the borough for free on June 26, saying site selection is up to the borough. The transfer still waits on a borough-paid survey. Both Front Street and the existing site are in a federal 100-year flood zone, the April resolution says.
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Latest
October 2026
Talkeetna residents ask Mat-Su Assembly for hearings on water tank site before Nov. 17
Talkeetna residents asked Mat-Su Assembly for formal hearings on a water tank site before a Nov. 17 briefing. They say the site pick drew opposition since January with no public input.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
State urges drivers to avoid Parks Highway from Talkeetna to Cantwell
Alaska Department of Transportation urges drivers to avoid the Parks Highway between Talkeetna and Cantwell through Sunday evening as snow and ice make the 111-mile stretch dangerous.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
Eagle River man, 72, dies after falling overboard on Talkeetna River
Charles Kolb, 72, of Eagle River died Thursday after falling overboard on the Talkeetna River despite lifesaving efforts by another boater and emergency crews.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
State puts emergency erosion work on Talkeetna's only highway out to bid
The Susitna River has been chewing at the bank near the only highway into Talkeetna. The state wants erosion protection in place there by Dec. 15.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom 
September 2026
Arctic's warmest summer since 1950 included the rain that flooded the Susitna Valley
The July rain that flooded the Susitna Valley is now logged as an extreme event of the warmest Arctic summer since 1950, according to a new climate review.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Talkeetna residents ask Mat-Su commission to oppose Front Street water tank site
Talkeetna's wells have too much arsenic. The borough's fix would clear 1.4 acres of woods with a bear trail through it, and neighbors want another site.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Downtown Wasilla would go one-way under an $83 million state program
Downtown Wasilla would go one-way under an $83 million state program. The construction contract is estimated at $50 million to $60 million.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
August 2026
Two rounds of rain this week could flood Susitna Valley gravel bars
Two rounds of rain this week could push rivers in the Susitna Valley toward bankfull. Gravel bars and low riverside camps may end up underwater.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
More from Talkeetna
Yentna River passes flood stage near Lake Creek with water expected in lodge cabins
The Yentna is over flood stage near Lake Creek, with water expected in cabins at two lodges. It should crest around 21 feet Tuesday morning.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Willow Creek forecast to reach minor flood stage Tuesday under Susitna Valley flood watch
Willow Creek is forecast to reach minor flood stage Tuesday morning during Alaska's primary election, with 2 to 4 inches of rain expected across the Susitna Valley through Wednesday.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Sheep mortality has run near triple its long-term rate in three Alaska ranges, state research finds
A GPS collar on a Dall sheep ram triggered a mortality signal, leading state biologists to a kill site showing signs of bear predation in the Alaska Range.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
In Talkeetna, a debate over whether weather or a bridge is eroding the riverbank
Weather, or a rebuilt railroad bridge? As Talkeetna's bank erodes, one river-watcher says the bridge choked the river — and that's the fixable cause.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Anchorage ties its wettest July on record as Southcentral soaks
Anchorage tied its wettest July on record and Talkeetna saw its wettest since 1922, part of a cool, soggy stretch and a recent run of unusually wet Julys.
by Melinda Communities.News3mo ago2 min read
A landslide cut rail service to Denali after record Talkeetna rain
A landslide from record July rain cut off Alaska Railroad service to Denali north of Talkeetna, in a corridor already under a flood-and-erosion emergency.
by Melinda Communities.News3mo ago1 min read
Governor's disaster declaration unlocks state aid for Talkeetna flooding
Talkeetna flooding washed away a home and damaged others, and residents want a permanent fix, not another study. The state has authorized disaster assistance for the immediate response.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Heavy rain now expected in the Mat-Su, with rivers set to crest Wednesday
Heavy rain is now expected in the Mat-Su, 3 to 5 inches, with rivers cresting Wednesday. The Yentna and Talkeetna corridors hit weeks ago are most exposed again.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
About Talkeetna
Talkeetna, also known as K'dalkitnu, is a community in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough of Southcentral Alaska. It sits where the Talkeetna, Susitna and Chulitna rivers meet and is a gateway for Denali climbers, with a state airport that serves climbers and flightseeing visitors.
The Susitna River runs through its stories, as flooding and bank erosion threaten homes and the only highway into town and bring local emergency declarations and state disaster aid. Residents have also contested where the borough should put a water tank meant to address arsenic in the town's wells.
Talkeetna lies on the Parks Highway corridor of the Susitna Valley, and the Mat-Su Assembly decides its local projects. Heavy rain and wildfires across the upper valley reach the town as well.
More from Talkeetna
July 2026
A magnitude 3.0 leads a weekend quake cluster in the Susitna Valley
A magnitude 3.0 led a weekend of small quakes in the Susitna Valley, felt as far as Anchorage — routine for ground sitting on three seismic sources.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Talkeetna's erosion fight reaches a new stage: buying people off the riverbank
Talkeetna's erosion fight has reached buyout territory: the borough wants federal money to pay people off the riverbank, if the state covers the match.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
West Petersville Road is washed out, and the creek won't let crews in
West Petersville Road is washed out at Kenny Creek with no reopening date — crews can't start until the water slows down enough to work in.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Mat-Su Assembly declares Talkeetna flood emergency, seeks state aid for permanent fix
Mat-Su Assembly declared a local emergency over Susitna River flooding in Talkeetna to unlock state aid for a permanent fix that could cost over $20 million.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Mat-Su weighs a flood emergency and a tax overhaul
The Mat-Su Assembly takes up a Talkeetna flood emergency and a November ballot plan that would swap a new 3% sales tax for a cap on property taxes.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Helicopter sinks in Chelatna Lake; bystander pulls both survivors from water
A helicopter sank in Chelatna Lake near Skwentna on Sunday after a boater pulled both occupants from the water; both survived with minor injuries.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
June 2026
Wasilla man faces assault, evidence-tampering charges in domestic violence arrest
Alaska State Troopers arrested six people in domestic disturbance calls across Mat-Su and near Glennallen on June 12 and 13. • Charges included second-degree assault, third-degree assault, weapon misconduct, and criminal mischief. • Five arrestees were held at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility. One was transported to Glennallen Post. • All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Talkeetna Airport bicycle shop seeks five-year lease extension
Hailey DeReamer is seeking a five-year lease extension for her bicycle shop at Talkeetna State Airport, paying about $250 a month for the 17,217-square-foot parcel that serves climbers and flightseeing tourists.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Smokejumpers, hotshots battle 52-acre Yenlo Fire near Talkeetna
A 52-acre wildfire north of Skwentna grew overnight from 10 acres, drawing smokejumpers and hotshot crews to protect remote cabins in the upper Susitna Valley while aerial tankers slow the human-caused fire.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Human ignitions cause 95 percent of Alaska's early fires
Human carelessness sparked 118 of Alaska's 124 early-season wildfires so far, a 95 percent rate that's stretching fire season into months when lightning fires rarely occur.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Mastadon Fire reaches full containment after drone-guided mop-up
The Mastadon Fire southeast of Talkeetna reached full containment Friday after a drone spotted the last patch of heat, letting ground crews finish the job same-day instead of waiting for the next morning's aircraft pass.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min read
Talkeetna wildfire contained after overnight crew work
An 18-acre wildfire southeast of Talkeetna was fully contained Friday after crews worked overnight with helicopters and retardant tankers. No structures were threatened.
by Alaska News5mo ago1 min read
May 2026
Alaska Senate Passes Operating Budget With Energy Relief
Alaska Senate passed a $70 per barrel operating budget with $150 energy relief payments, avoiding a major Constitutional Budget Reserve draw that the House budget requires.
by Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
Board of Fish Nominees Face Questions on Public Process Erosion
Three Board of Fisheries nominees pledged Tuesday to restore public trust after the board made an out-of-cycle Cook Inlet salmon gear decision despite 280 opposing comments.
by Alaska News6mo ago3 min readApril 2026
Alaska House Approves $2M for Talkeetna Trooper Post Using ANWR Funds
Alaska House approved $2 million from Arctic refuge revenues to restore a trooper post in Talkeetna, citing a 113-mile law enforcement gap and fentanyl trafficking on the Parks Highway.
by Alaska Newsadded 7mo ago3 min read