Work continues in the Butte after Matanuska River floods

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) Mayor, Edna DeVries, and MSB Manager Mike Brown have signed a declaration declaring the areas in Butte currently affected by flooding to be a local disaster.

The Matanuska River has flooded over its banks as the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory the Matanuska River near Butte, mainly around the Old Glenn Highway and Maud Road.

The disaster declaration comes after a combination of elevated water levels from recent snow melt and river bank erosion along the Matanuska River caused the waters to spill over. Water has been breaking through parts of the river bank, causing localized flooding. Reports indicated that it appears that the breach may be a little longer than previously estimated.

Meanwhile, crews have been working to create a temporary gravel access road to allow the needed heavy equipment to access the area as workers place rip rap along the river banks, as large, angular rocks are being installed to repair the large breach. These rip rap will help defend against further erosion.

Crews from Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) have also responded to the flooding, stabilizing the power lines as the rushing water has washed away soil around the base of the poles.

While MEA does not anticipate further flooding, but warns that if conditions do change, approximately 400 members in the Maud Road area could experience a power outage. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep members informed of any updates,” MEA wrote on social media.

MSB Emergency Manager Casey Cook is asking the public to stay away from the section of the Old Glenn Highway affected by the flooding.

“Please stay away if possible so the heavy equipment can get in and get to work. We’re also asking the public to stay off the bike path. We don’t need anyone to risk getting hurt while work goes on.”

Alaska State Representative DeLena Johnson, who represents District 25, which includes Palmer, Butte, Lazy Mountain, and the Walby Lake area, has been monitoring the situation and updating residents.

“I am happy to see the State and Borough working together to find a way to reduce the damage and fix it as quickly as possible.”

Alaska State Senator Shelly Hughes has also thanked the MSB and State DOT officials and workers for their response to the flooding, gave thanks to Rep. Johnson for her work addressing the situation. “Thanks too for our utility workers who also play an important role when things like this happen,” the Senator wrote on social media. Senator Hughes represents Palmer and other parts of the southern Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

This is not the first time the Matanuska River has shown her might, having encroached on properties for years and swallowing up homes that dotted the riverbank for decades. Most recently, last year Alaska DOT crews made emergency repairs to the Glenn Highway near milepost 63.6 near Sutton after erosion from the Matanuska River undercut a section of the highway.

In 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the Mat-Su Borough a grant funding the acquisition of land and structures for five homes along a different section of the Matanuska River that were at severe risk for flooding and erosion damage along the Matanuska River. It was part of a bigger grant that included properties and land in the Butte along the river that were also being lost to the glacier-fed river.

While the current flooding is impacting a dozen private properties and businesses, there have been no evacuations ordered. The American Red Cross is preparing in case a shelter is needed.

Meanwhile, Cook says with the decrease in temperatures outside, waters are expected to recede, at which time officials with the Mat-Su Borough will work to rebuild the damaged section of Maud Road.