June 7, 2013 marks the hundred year anniversary of the first summit of Denali, known as Mt. McKinley to many outside of Alaska.  This year, over 1,000 climbers will attempt to summit North America’s highest peak.  One group, however, has a particularly close link to the original 1913 party.  KTNA’s Phillip Manning spoke with the members of that group as they finalize preparations in Talkeetna.
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On May 22nd, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly approved the Borough budget for 2014.  According to a Borough press release, Mayor Larry DeVilbiss describes this budget as “the most scrutinized in his career in public service.”  The Assembly held three special meetings in order to debate and amend the proposed budget.
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With last fall’s flood still fresh in their minds, many northern Susitna Valley residents watched with increasing concern last week as the Susitna and Talkeetna rivers began to rise once again.  In the end, however, the water levels never passed minor flood stage, and the areas of Talkeetna that are still recovering from the last flood were spared another round of river water in their homes and businesses.

I was able to speak to Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Ken Farina, about the lessons learned from the fall 2012 flood, and how those lessons have been applied in planning for the next high water event.

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You listen to KTNA throughout the year.  Consider becoming a sustaining member by pledging $5 per month or more on our “Support KTNA and Pledge Now” links.  See www.ktna.org for more information.  You may always drop by the office to pledge in person, call us at 907-733-1700 or mail a check to PO Box 300, Talkeetna, AK 99676.  Thanks for your support!

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Alaska Railroad are holding a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday June 4th to celebrate the construction of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension. Governor Sean Parnell, the Mat-Su Borough’s manager and mayor, and the Chief Operations Officer of the Alaska Railroad will attend the ceremony at the Port. (more…)

Since KTNA web-readers-only are wondering…

The flood watches and advisories for the area have expired and have not been extended by the National Weather Service. The water levels in area creeks and rivers continue to drop.

Over the past week of rising water, there were was road damage at Kalispell Drive, and Yoder Road. Mercedes Drive had minor flooding, and the Chase Trail had some Susitna River water across it.

Montana Creek cut a trench across Yoder Road on Thursday night. Emergency Services  erected barricades, and Chief Farina declared it impassable. He urged that the barricades be respected. Farina said residents have been expecting this, and have been bringing in supplies.

The Yoder Road was opened for traffic by 11:30am Friday. (photo by Dan Ebner)

Friday at 4pm the Talkeetna River was in Minor Flood Stage measuring 12.25 feet and the Susitna River at the Parks Highway Bridge measured 23.82 feet. Both Rivers are under a flood advisory.

Emergency Services is keeping close watch on the Talkeetna and Susitna in Downtown and East Talkeetna.

ROAD WATCH https://www.facebook.com/MatSuBorough
Areas of concern:
Flood Watch remains in effect through Saturday afternoon for the Susitna River from Talkeetna to Canyon. Warm temperatures continue to substantially increase the amount of snow melt runoff moving through smaller streams and into the Susitna River.

1. Kalispell Drive has lost another 40 feet of embankment and now has a back eddy eating away at the road.

2. Yoder Road was blocked off at 2300 hours last night. The water started to drop around 0200. Road Service is currently working on Yoder Rd to make it passable.

3. Mercedes Dr. has minor flooding and we are continuing to monitor it.

4. Willow Creek at the Parks Hwy. is at near flood stage but is projected to drop.

5. N. Sushanna has reported water over the road.

6. Moose Meadow Bridge has reported high water. We are continuing to monitor the situation.

A two-person watch will monitor the flood areas on Talkeetna tonight.

Hydrologist Scott Lindsey says it’s just a question of when the snow runs out.

Though creeks of about the same size on the Kenai have crested and are going down, Willow Creek and Montana Creek are still rising. And while temperatures are expected to cool on Saturday, Lindsey thinks river levels will continue to rise through Sunday. (more…)

Steadily rising water levels on creeks and rivers are beginning to cause some problems on side roads in the area. Yoder Road was closed for awhile at the Montana Creek Bridge. Fire Chief Ken Farina says it is open now, but is one lane, and caution is advised. The water level at Montana Creek has dropped a little since last night, and Mercedes Drive and Kalispell are open.

The Talkeetna River reached twelve feet this morning, which puts it in minor flood stage. River levels are expected to continue rising today and this evening. River levels peak around 10 pm, according to Mr. Farina. He says Emergency Services staff are watching river levels closely.