Borough keeping wary eye on streams

MAT-SU — Sustained rains and rising river water prompted the Mat-Su Borough to open an Emergency Operations Center to keep watch over Susitna Valley streams Tuesday.

“The Mat-Su EOC is monitoring the high water at several rivers in the northern section of the borough,” the borough posted on its Facebook page.

On Monday, borough Emergency Services Director Dennis Brodigan said that the system of streams and rivers that drain the Talkeetna Mountains often cause trouble — Montana Creek, Willow Creek and Moose Creek. The Little Su also was running high.

On Facebook Tuesday the borough noted that Moose Creek had sent water across Oilwell Road at Miles 3, 6, and 12, leaving a group of moose hunters temporarily stranded on the other side but prepared to stay awhile.

“This system has the potential to pack a much bigger punch,” the National Weather Service said Tuesday, comparing the storm system to the one that blew through over the weekend. The NWS predicts, “very strong winds and heavy rain, flooding potential will only increase with soils saturated and several rivers and streams across the area already near flood stage.”

Monitor river and stream levels in the area online at, water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pafc.

For more information about weather warnings and alerts, visit weather.gov.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.