Residents Discuss Spring Flood Plans
Volunteers in 2023 staged sandbags to be deployed in the event of spring floods. Photo courtesy of Shilah Butler.
Allison Sayer
On April 1, over 30 local residents met to discuss planning for potential flooding in the Copper Basin this spring. Tazlina District Superintendent Chad Heller and engineer Dan Adamczak were present representing DOT. The meeting was convened by Bruce Cain, representing the Glennallen Improvement Corporation.
Overall, there is the potential for flooding again, but whether or how much will occur is difficult to say. Last year, flood events occurred May 11-May 22 and June 2-6.
Another winter of heavy snowfall is a cause for concern. A report from NOAA hydrologist Marian Baker shows that the snowfall in the Moose Creek drainage was 91 inches this year. That is less than last year’s total of 113 inches and 2022’s 106. However, it is still far higher than the average snowfall between 2010 and 2021: only 50.4 inches. Of those years, the highest recorded snowfall was 72.4 inches in 2018. Jason Severs also reported the current snowpack has a higher water content than previous years.
Last year’s flooding was exacerbated by a sudden warm up following a very cool spring. This year’s mild spring, creating more gradual melting, is a factor in the area’s favor.
There have been three additional large culverts constructed in the area in the wake of last year’s flooding. Those could reduce flood water impacts. Dan Adamczak noted that work was done on the channel of Moose Creek, and Snowshoe Lane was raised three feet.
Chad Heller committed to making sure that ice will steamed out of all local culverts and debris cleared from them this spring. Dedicated equipment will be staged for this purpose.
Several residents pointed out that culverts seemed to create increased flooding for some properties on their downstream sides. One of the action items that arose from that discussion was working to remove logjams well downstream from culverts to make sure that water can keep going. That will necessitate working with private landowners, DNR, and the Ahtna Corporation depending on where the obstacles are located.
Both in 2023 and this year, residents requested that pumps be staged in the area as a preventive measure. Shannon Saavedra, whose mother Carol Neeley’s house was heavily damaged last spring, noted that once large pumps started working, the water receded substantially. However, the damage had already been done.
Chad Heller stated he “has Granite [Construction] on speed dial,” which is the company that deployed workers and equipment during last year’s flood. Heller reported a plan to deploy pumps to the area within five hours of significant water level rise, although he said it “might be tough” to have them on hand as a general preventive measure.
A “flood watch” or “flood warning” may be declared based on stream changes that have not yet approached any property or infrastructure. Marian Baker encourages anyone observing changes in streams to report them to marian.baker@noaa.gov, to her desk at (907)266-5137, or to the 24 hour national weather service number: (907)266-5127.
In addition to surface water floods, attendees described damage to their properties from erosion, sinkholes, and groundwater rising.
Eric Lutz reported that pumps are already running 24 hours a day to keep water out of the sewer system. Last year, floodwaters were contaminated with sewage. If there is another flood this year, residents should be sure to have extra drinking water on hand, and also avoid any contact with floodwater.
It was noted that fuel and other contaminants entered the floodwater last year. Local homeowners and businesses can prevent contamination this year by removing chemicals and fuel from areas that could be inundated.
Copper Valley School District Superintendent Theresa Laville reported that the district will send students home with weekly packets of work in case schools are forced to close. Elementary and middle school students will be asked to complete worksheets at home, and teachers will be available by phone or Zoom during school hours. High school students will be asked to take their computers home daily, and be expected to continue their classes on Zoom if schools close.
Kluti-Kaah Tribal Administrator Bill Hand reported Kluti-Kaah will provide space for school events such as graduation if needed due to flooding. Kluti-Kaah provided space for the 2023 Glennallen High School graduation.
There was some discussion of sandbags at the meeting. Some people were not able to access them last year because they were rendered inaccessible by flood waters. There will be another effort this year to have volunteers fill sandbags, but they will be staged in different locations.
Jason Severs reported there was confusion last year due to residents calling multiple people and agencies seeking help. Residents should call 911 to report flooding and flood related emergencies. In the aftermath of a flood, residents are urged to go through local incident command procedures for assistance. This will help ensure that assistance and money goes where it is needed. According to Severs, many local contractors still have not been paid for their assistance in last year’s flood.
The Copper Valley LEPC Facebook page will have information if there is a flood, and there will also be a dedicated public information officer for the Copper Basin if an emergency is declared.
Members of the public are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of flooding this spring. This includes making sure to have drinking water, extra medications, flashlights, and groceries on hand. Residents of vulnerable homes should have a plan for where to go if homes are not accessible. Moving personal items out of basements and crawl spaces and packaging items in plastic totes ahead of time may be advisable. Ready.alaska.gov has more information about preparing for emergencies.
Sharon Neeley from Copper Basin Sanitation also encouraged residents with limited mobility to contact their office to make sure that portable toilets are placed where they can reach them. It would be best to reach out to them ahead of time, rather than wait until the chaos of a disaster.
Children and pets have a natural curiosity for culverts, but there is the potential for them to become sick from contamination or entrapped in flood waters as a result. It is important for kids and pets to be supervised closely if a flood occurs.
Never try to remove debris from a culvert by hand. Houses can be rebuilt, but you are irreplaceable!
To read coverage of prior years’ flooding:
2022: Flood destroys GlennRich Fire Station, damages property
2023: Glennallen Area Flood Disaster
2023: Glennallen Flood Has Lasting Impacts