By admin 
Officials and residents in Alaska’s capital city are preparing for what has become an annual summer glacial outburst flooding event that threatens the densely-populated Mendenhall Valley. Similar to past years, flooding is expected in early August.
Read more Partnership launched to bring veterinary care to rural Alaska
Federal, state, tribal and local agencies are closely monitoring the Mendehall Glacier, where an ice-dammed lake known as Suicide Basin fills annually with glacial melt that eventually bursts and releases billions of gallons of flood water down the valley through the Mendenhall River.
The City and Borough of Juneau is partnering with the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, as well as state and federal partners in preparations, then monitoring and responding to the flooding event.
Read more Under new agreement, federal government limits obstacles to oil leasing in Alaska’s Arctic refuge
Last year, the river flooded to a record-breaking 16.65 feet on Aug. 13, but nearby neighborhoods were mostly spared and damage was minimal due to close monitoring, early warnings and semipermanent flood barriers installed along the riverfront.
Read more Alaska lawmaker violated ethics law using official letterhead to condemn news story