The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking long-term engineering solutions to address recurring glacial outburst floods in Juneau, Alaska. The federal agency announced it will select a permanent method to drain the glacial lake by the end of 2026.
Glacial outburst floods, also known as jökulhlaups, occur when water dammed by a glacier is suddenly released. While the flood event in Juneau earlier this year resulted in minimal damage, local residents have expressed concern regarding the potential for more severe flooding in future years.
The Army Corps of Engineers is currently soliciting proposals for a permanent infrastructure project to manage the water levels of the glacial lake. The primary objective is to create a controlled drainage system that prevents the sudden, high-volume releases that threaten downstream areas.
The scale of the project in terms of total cost and the specific technical requirements for the drainage system have not yet been disclosed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Residents and local officials will notice changes in the management of the Mendenhall Glacier area once a plan is selected and construction begins. The choice of a permanent solution by 2026 will set a precedent for how the federal government addresses the increasing frequency of glacial outburst floods in the United States.
What happens next depends on the evaluation of solicited solutions over the next two years. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has set a deadline for the end of 2026 to finalize the choice of a permanent solution. The timeline for the start of construction and the estimated date of completion for the drainage project have not been reported.