The Mat-Su Borough has been working with the Army Corps of Engineers to determine the erosion rate in Talkeetna and options moving forward. This project began several years ago and is separate from the immediate repairs expected this fall.
The erosion began after the 2012 floods when the Chulitna and Susitna changed their flow paths and began a frontal assault on the banks of Talkeetna. Taunnie Boothby, Borough Floodplain Manager, says the revetment that was recently destroyed was not designed for that kind of flow pattern.
Planning Assistance to States, or PAS, is a program funded by the Army Corps of Engineers to address water resources issues. Previous work funded under a different program focused on flooding, but erosion is the key issue in Talkeetna. While the previous program offered construction funding along with planning, the PAS program does not.
Boothby says that the options presented to Talkeetna under the previous program were not practical. They included land buy-outs and a T-wall. The T-wall was not considered practical because it didn’t fit with the town aesthetic.
Though erosion is an unpredictable, natural process, the Army Corps report will provide the approximate erosion rate. Boothby says they also are expected to provide recommendations. The report is expected by the end of the year.
Construction funding remains a question. Boothby says the Borough has reached out to Senator Lisa Murkowski’s office, but has not received word if the project might be included in any funding packages.
