Flood could wash away power tower, causing blackout

August 25, 2006

By Michael Rovito

Frontiersman

The rain-swollen Susitna River could deal another blow to the Mat-Su Valley if floodwaters rise again and possibly take out a key powerline that carries power from the Beluga powerplant to Point MacKenzie.

Two of three towers near the Susitna River already have toppled, setting the Valley up for possible rolling blackouts if the remaining tower goes over.

As of Thursday afternoon, Chugach power officials were feeling confident about the tower's stability, according to Phil Steyer of Chugach Electric Association. Steyer said crews will continue to monitor the area in case the river rises again.

&#8220There are tens of feet of water between the tower and the channel,” Steyer said, adding that surface water around the tower is not as much of a threat as the water from the river digging away at the bank.

That erosion is what caused the first two towers to fall over in the floodwaters, as the earth that supported them was washed away.

For now, at least, the water is working in favor of the power company, running away from the tower.

&#8220It's going in the right direction at least,” Steyer said about the river.

He said the three affected towers were slated for relocation, but floodwaters rose too quickly before any action could be taken.

If the river were to rise again and the tower fell over, officials from the Matanuska Electric Association said rolling blackouts most likely would occur in the Valley.

Frank Bettine, an engineer with MEA, said a rolling blackout would take place if the necessary amount of watts could not be obtained from other powerplants, such as Golden Valley in the Interior.

Mat-Su residents should not panic, said Kim Floyd, the manager of Government and Corporate Communications at MEA, and the company wants its customers to be aware and prepare for any possible blackouts.

Contact Michael Rovito at 352-2252 or michael.rovito@

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